MSRBMH Ch 21

 Inside the banquet hall, guests mingled in small groups, chatting and laughing. 

The moment Ji Yanli stepped through the door, two young men near the entrance spotted him, their smiles widening as they approached with wine glasses in hand. 

"President Ji, care for a drink?"

The two were currently collaborating with Ji Yanli’s new energy company, overseeing overseas operations.

Ji Yanli paused but merely raised his glass lazily without drinking. "President Lin."

The three stood together, exchanging brief pleasantries.

Meanwhile, Song Yanchu and Su Yu lingered nearby. A waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes.

"Xiaoyu-gege, would you like one?"

Song Yanchu smiled, picking up two glasses and nodding politely at the server before handing one to Su Yu.

Su Yu accepted the glass with more wine, but when Song Yanchu moved to take a sip, he gently stopped him. 

"You’re not in good health. Better not drink too much."

"It’s fine, Xiaoyu-gege. Just a little. My dad won’t let me have any once he gets here."

They had barely exchanged these words when a sharp clink shattered the air.

A wine glass hit the floor, splintering into pieces, droplets scattering. The two men beside Ji Yanli gasped. "President Ji! Are you alright?"

The commotion drew the attention of a nearby waiter, who hurried over with a clean towel.

"Sir, are you hurt?"

Heads turned across the room, all eyes now fixed on the scene.

Ji Yanli waved off the concern, taking the towel to dab at the wine stains on his suit jacket.

"Yanli-ge, are you okay?"

Song Yanchu, startled by the accident, had gone pale, his eyes reddening as he stepped closer to inspect Ji Yanli for injuries.

Ji Yanli subtly shifted closer to Su Yu. "I’m fine."

Su Yu caught the way Song Yanchu’s gaze lingered on Ji Yanli, and for a fleeting moment, his chest tightened. He averted his eyes, focusing instead on the stain marring Ji Yanli’s suit.

"Ji Yanli, go change your clothes."

"Come with me."

Ji Yanli’s reply was almost eager, as if he’d been waiting for the invitation.

Su Yu chuckled. "Are you a child? You need someone to accompany you to change?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"Of course not. My clothes don’t need changing."

Their back-and-forth created an invisible barrier, shutting out everyone around them—including the two young men and Song Yanchu.

The two businessmen had already tactfully excused themselves, leaving only Song Yanchu standing awkwardly nearby.

Watching the exchange, Song Yanchu felt a strange unease. Everyone said these two didn’t get along, yet today, that didn’t seem to be the case at all.

Finally, Su Yu gave up. "Fine. Go take off your jacket and clean up. I’ll wait here."

Though visibly reluctant, Ji Yanli conceded.

"Don’t wander off."

With that, he strode toward a quieter corner of the villa, following the waiter’s directions.

Once Ji Yanli was gone, Su Yu exhaled subtly, the oppressive atmosphere lifting.

He turned to Song Yanchu. "Let’s sit over there?"

Song Yanchu opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, simply nodded.

They settled onto a plush white half-circle sofa, its cushions sinking under their weight. A few tasseled throw pillows were scattered nearby.

"Xiaoyu-gege… have you and Yanli-ge made up?"

Remembering how hostile they’d been at past gatherings, Song Yanchu couldn’t help but ask.

Su Yu stiffened momentarily before leaning back against the pillows, draping an arm along the sofa’s edge with forced nonchalance. 

"Yanchu, you know me. You like him, I like you—how could Ji Yanli and I ever get along?"

He’d always been blunt. Su Yu had long confessed his feelings to Song Yanchu, assuring him there was no pressure—though he’d ultimately been friend-zoned.

And Song Yanchu’s rejection had been just as direct: I like Ji Yanli.

Even now, the words made Song Yanchu blush. "Xiaoyu-gege, you’re a…"

"A good person. I know. You’ve told me a hundred times."

Su Yu laughed dryly, resting his hands on his knees, fingers rubbing together absently. He’d heard it so often he thought he’d grown numb—yet the ache still settled heavily in his chest.

He stared up at the chandelier. 

After all, Song Yanchu was the first person I ever seriously liked. It’s normal to struggle to move on, right?

Flustered at being read so easily, Song Yanchu ducked his head. 

"Xiaoyu-gege, you’ve always been so kind to me. If things change in the future… I’d definitely consider you."

Same as always—a slap, then a sugar-coated consolation.

[Stop stringing our boy along…]

[Seriously though, what does Su Yu even see in this white moonlight? The story never really explained it.]

[I can’t remember either. Time to revisit earlier chapters!]

What do I like about Song Yanchu?

Su Yu couldn’t quite recall. Was it because Song Yanchu had brought him meals a few times when they were kids?

Lowering his gaze, he fixed it on the dessert table, changing the subject. "Yanchu, want some cake? I’ll grab you a slice."

"I’m a bit full."

Song Yanchu declined politely before hesitating. "Xiaoyu-gege… can I ask you something?"

His unusually serious tone made Su Yu sit up straighter. "Hm?"

"Did you… also give Yanli-ge a bracelet?"

The question threw Su Yu. He frowned, thinking. Ji Yanli did wear a sandalwood bracelet—but what did that have to do with him?

"Why would I give him one?"

Song Yanchu bit his lip. "Then maybe I overthought it. It’s just… the bracelet you gave me for my birthday went missing."

The reminder struck a chord. That bracelet had existed—until Su Yu personally threw it in the trash during the birthday party.

A pang of guilt hit him. "It’s fine. If you like it, I’ll buy you a new one."

"No, that’s not what I meant—"

Before Song Yanchu could finish, a heavy arm slung over Su Yu’s shoulders, its owner deliberately leaning his weight down.

Shen Le plopped onto the sofa beside Su Yu, grinning. "Su-ge, hiding over here to flirt?"

Lin Yanjun smirked at Song Yanchu, adding fuel to the fire.

Flustered, Song Yanchu shook his head rapidly. "N-No, it’s not like that—"

Su Yu shoved Shen Le’s arm off, shooting his friend an exasperated look. "Do you not know your own weight? You’re crushing me."

Unrepentant, Shen Le just grinned wider at Song Yanchu. "Yanchu, wanna go fishing with us this weekend?"

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