Amoy was located in the most prosperous district of Nancheng’s city center. It was famous in social circles for its professional DJs and a wide variety of resident performances. A lively venue naturally attracted beautiful women, and where there were beautiful women, customers were never in short supply. This virtuous cycle had established it as one of Nancheng’s most famous nightlife spots.
On the way there, Shen Qinian gave Xie Chengnan a brief introduction. "This bar is an asset under the Qiao Group. The general manager is Qiao Song."
Xie Chengnan’s impression of Qiao Song was truly nothing to write home about. The mere fact that the man was coveting his own "troublemaker" was enough to make him feel quite displeased.
Seeing Xie Chengnan frowning again, Jiang Yuan leaned one hand against the car window and looked at him with a half-smile. His silk shirt, with only two buttons fastened, hung open to reveal elegant collarbones and a chest so pale it was almost dazzling. Likely due to a lack of exercise, his pectoral muscles weren't particularly defined; instead, he possessed the lean, slightly thin lines unique to a youth.
Xie Chengnan couldn't help but reach out to fasten the buttons properly. "Dress decently," he said.
Jiang Yuan looked down at the shirt now buttoned all the way to his Adam's apple and curled his lip. "I'm not some little girl." He started to undo them again, but seeing Xie Chengnan’s brow furrowed deeply enough to pinch a mosquito to death, he ultimately only unfastened the top two. It was a compromise both could live with.
Shen Qinian glanced back and felt that the "Great Demon Jiang" was unexpectedly well-behaved today. He teased, "If I’d known, I wouldn't have brought Chengnan along. He’s basically an old man."
Xie Chengnan didn't respond. He didn't care what others did, but he couldn't stand seeing his kid being leered at—not even a glance was allowed.
When they got out of the car, Jiang Yuan hesitated for a moment before walking over to take Xie Chengnan’s hand. Xie Chengnan’s palm was broad, dry, and a full size larger than his own. Jiang Yuan couldn't help but give it a squeeze, finding it warm and quite suitable for heating his hands when the weather turned cold.
Xie Chengnan turned his head to look at him, his expression a question mark.
Jiang Yuan clicked his tongue. "What couple doesn't hold hands? Please do your job properly once we're out in public." After saying this, he gave Shen Qinian a warning look.
Shen Qinian made a zipping motion over his mouth, indicating he definitely wouldn't blow their cover.
The booth Qiao Song had reserved was in the center of the second floor, offering a view of the dance floor below without being too noisy. They hadn't arrived particularly early, and there were already seven or eight people sitting in the booth, both men and women.
Xie Chengnan had a good memory and recognized that several of these people had been at the small cinema in the mountain villa the previous night. They were likely all acquaintances from the same social circle.
The group was visibly stunned when they saw Jiang Yuan walk in holding Xie Chengnan’s hand. Although Shen Qinian hadn't introduced him yet, everyone present the night before had a deep impression of Xie Chengnan. It wasn't just that his physique was too prominent; his very aura and manner of dress made it difficult to ignore his presence. To put it bluntly, he looked like an old-school gentleman who had accidentally wandered into a gathering of profligate sons—somewhat out of place.
A man wearing a Gucci sweatshirt was the first to break the silence. "Young Master Jiang, who is this?"
Jiang Yuan pulled Xie Chengnan down to sit in the empty space in the middle and said nonchalantly, "My boyfriend."
The entire table went as quiet as stunned chickens.
Xie Chengnan found it somewhat amusing, but he kept his face neutral and nodded as a greeting.
Shen Qinian sat down beside him and added, "My buddy, Xie Chengnan." He then introduced the people at the table: four "second-generation" heirs and their four respective companions.
The man in the Gucci sweatshirt was named Fang Yuan. His family owned an entertainment company, and he was clearly skilled at livening up the atmosphere.
Fang Yuan raised his glass. "First time meeting you, Young Master Xie. Let me toast you."
Xie Chengnan clinked glasses with him and smiled. "I'm no 'Young Master.' Just call me by my name."
Jiang Yuan shot him a sidelong glance. "Is being called 'Young Master Xie' beneath you? Should they call you 'Lord Xie' instead?"
Xie Chengnan didn't understand what kind of fit he was throwing now. He sighed inwardly and said helplessly, "Stop it." He habitually reached out to ruffle the boy's hair.
*Double stunned chickens.jpg*
Fang Yuan’s eyes held a hint of terror. He quietly moved the wine bottle in front of Jiang Yuan a bit further away, fearing Xie Chengnan’s blood might be spilled on the spot.
To everyone's surprise, Jiang Yuan merely swatted Xie Chengnan’s hand away and grumbled, "Don't mess up my hair." He didn't flip the table, nor did he hit anyone.
The way the crowd looked at Xie Chengnan changed again. When had the young master of the Jiang family ever been so good-tempered?
Fang Yuan asked, "Brother Xie looks a bit unfamiliar. You’re not from Nancheng, are you?"
"I am," Xie Chengnan said. "I just haven't been back for over a decade."
The table of shrewd socialites fell silent, secretly trying to recall any prominent Xie family in Nancheng.
Shen Qinian knew what they were thinking and said coolly, "Chengnan’s whole family immigrated. Nancheng is just his hometown."
"No wonder," Fang Yuan laughed. "I wonder what line of work Brother Xie is in?"
"Robotics research and development," Jiang Yuan answered for him while swirling his glass. He suspected the guy would claim to be unemployed just to avoid the hassle of explaining, which would lose face for him.
As expected, the whole table was shocked. Their circle was full of "Young Masters" and "CEOs," but they had never encountered this kind of high-tech talent. That wasn't a job you could do just because your family had money; you needed brains.
Xie Chengnan felt a bit helpless under the group's scrutiny. He didn't like talking about his profession in front of outsiders because he hated being stared at like a rare biological specimen. However, seeing the pride Jiang Yuan couldn't hide on his face, he felt that talking about it was fine. Why shouldn't he let his kid show off his "guardian" a little?
Shen Qinian joined in the fun, saying, "Chengnan’s project even won an IERA Award in Germany. What was the full name again? Oh, right—the Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation Award."
Fang Yuan wiped his face and raised his glass. "Say no more. Brother Xie, I’ll drink to that." The rest of the table followed suit, raising their glasses in agreement.
This was the scene Qiao Song walked into. Instead of ostracizing Xie Chengnan, the group of heirs actually seemed to hold him in some degree of respect. Qiao Song’s brow knitted, his expression turning dark.
Seeing his displeasure, the atmosphere in the booth suddenly became awkward.
Everyone in the circle knew Qiao Song was interested in Jiang Yuan. Qiao Song himself had never hidden it, putting Jiang Yuan on a pedestal both in public and private.
Originally, everyone thought the two weren't together because Jiang Yuan was straight. But now that Jiang Yuan had brought out a boyfriend, the real reason became a bit more intriguing.
Qiao Song had been there the night before, so he naturally knew the deal with this "parachuted" boyfriend. He had initially thought Jiang Yuan was just putting on an act to annoy his father, but seeing the way Jiang Yuan smiled at Xie Chengnan this morning made him feel uncertain.
In his eyes, Jiang Yuan had the temperament of a child, often acting on whims. Moreover, there was a streak of madness in his nature; he seemed to fear nothing. It was hard to say if he had suddenly decided he wanted to taste what it was like to be with a man.
Furthermore, Jiang Yuan hadn't had anyone by his side for all these years. He was beautiful himself and didn't seem to think much of anyone else. Qiao Song had been indulging him all this time, thinking that perhaps one day he would "awaken," allowing Qiao Song to reap the benefits of his long-term proximity. He never expected a "Cheng Yaojin" to charge out halfway and snatch the prize.
Zhang Siyi arrived right after Qiao Song, clinging to a muscular man and smiling cloyingly.
Seeing the tension, he pushed Qiao Song to sit next to Jiang Yuan while he sat beside Qiao Song, laughing. "Let me introduce you all. This is my boyfriend, Xiong Zhipeng."
Xiong Zhipeng nodded in greeting.
Jiang Yuan pulled out a cigarette and chuckled. "Just yesterday your dad forced you to break up, and today you’ve found a new flame. You move fast."
Zhang Siyi didn't mind, but Xiong Zhipeng looked a bit embarrassed and took a sip of his drink.
The others were used to Jiang Yuan’s behavior. They drank or played dice, pretending they hadn't heard. That comment was hard to follow; responding would inevitably offend someone.
Zhang Siyi poured himself a drink and changed the subject. "Grandpa wants you to come over for dinner tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow? What’s the occasion?" Jiang Yuan thought for a moment but couldn't come up with anything. Seeing Xie Chengnan’s confusion, he pointed at Zhang Siyi. "He’s my cousin, a year younger than me. I don't know if you’ve met him before."
Zhang Siyi was bewildered, not understanding what his cousin meant. Xie Chengnan had clearly met him just last night.
Xie Chengnan knew that Jiang Yuan’s "before" referred to fourteen years ago. He thought for a moment and said, "I have some impression. His father is your mother’s younger brother? Doesn't he have an older brother who’s older than you?"
"Right," Jiang Yuan said. "He’s the younger son of my maternal uncle’s family."
Qiao Song was dazed. This conversation gave him a strange feeling. They didn't sound like a sugar daddy and his kept boy; they sounded more like old acquaintances.
Zhang Siyi beat him to the question. "Brother, what’s the situation here?"
Jiang Yuan was too lazy to explain and brushed him off. "I’ll tell you later."
Xie Chengnan realized that from the moment they stepped into Amoy, Jiang Yuan seemed to have reverted to the "Young Master Jiang" of the previous night—a bit cold, a bit arrogant, not much of a smiler, and somewhat acerbic.
He was nothing like the Jiang Yuan at home, who would have awkward chats with Jason, act spoiled to be fed, smile until his eyes crinkled when happy, and glare without any real bite when upset. At home, he was like a kitten swiping its claws; a little stroking of his fur would make him docile.
This difference gave Xie Chengnan a faint sense that he was a special existence to Jiang Yuan. Even though the boy was always surrounded by people, the version of him they saw was different from the one Xie Chengnan saw.
Both he and Jiang Yuan were people who had family and friends yet still felt lonely. Now, through a memory from over a decade ago and a deceased mutual acquaintance, a delusion of "relying on each other for life" was beginning to sprout. It felt as if, in this vast world, there was no one else worth entrusting their hearts to except each other.
It was so absurd, yet it made one yearn for it...
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Amoy | Amoy | The name of the nightclub. |
| 乔松 | Qiao Song | A character interested in Jiang Yuan. |
| 方圆 | Fang Yuan | A socialite in the group. |
| 机器人研发 | Robotics research and development | Xie Chengnan's profession. |
| IERA奖 | IERA Award | Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation Award. |
| 程咬金 | Cheng Yaojin | An idiom referring to someone who shows up unexpectedly to disrupt plans. |
| 张思义 | Zhang Siyi | Jiang Yuan's cousin. |
| 熊志鹏 | Xiong Zhipeng | Zhang Siyi's new boyfriend. |
| 相依为命 | Relying on each other for life | A phrase describing a deep bond of mutual dependence. |
