Chapter 17.1
Editor: Jodi
Cheng Han thought back to six years ago, when Mu Nan had been preparing for his eighteenth birthday in high spirits, full of excitement as he planned his coming-of-age ceremony. However Bai Wenyan, who had promised to be there, suddenly flew to America the day before Mu Nan’s birthday without saying a word.
Mu Nan had been quite upset when he found out and had even cried a little in secret. Even the celebration that had been planned carefully ended in a hurried and half-hearted manner.
Mu Nan’s friends and classmates all knew how close he was to Bai Wenyan. However almost none of them knew that Mu Nan had been planning to confess his feelings on his eighteenth birthday—he had been secretly in love with this senior who was two years older than him for quite some time.
However, Bai Wenyan left so decisively and so coldly even though he knew that a young boy harbored innocent and pure feelings for him— he still chose to hurt Mu Nan in the most indifferent way possible.
However Cheng Han’s bad relationship with Bai Wenyan wasn’t entirely because of Mu Nan.
Mu Nan had still been a young master who had been pampered and raised with care back in high school. He didn’t understand how dangerous people’s hearts could be. When he liked someone, he simply couldn’t hide his feelings.
And Bai Wenyan, of course, didn’t shy away from accepting Mu Nan’s feelings, even throwing out a hint of flirtation every now and then to keep him hooked.
Cheng Han despised people like Bai Wenyan and the methods they used, so his disdain had been obvious. Hence although he had only been eighteen at the time, Bai Wenyan had still been a little afraid of him.
*
Seeing Mu Nan’s usual calm expression, Cheng Han asked casually, “Why? Are you planning to rekindle your relationship with your old flame?”
Mu Nan’s steps up the stairs suddenly halted, then he turned back, incredulous. “What did you say? How do you know about that?”
“You think you’re good at hiding your feelings? Not just me—probably the whole school knew.”
“You, you, you…” Mu Nan pointed at him, “What else do you know!”
Cheng Han walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of wine, and took a slow sip, not in any rush. “Not much, really. Aren’t I just waiting for you to tell me the rest of the story?”
Mu Nan strode over in just a few steps and snatched his glass away, placing it firmly on the bar. Some of the liquor splashed out, causing Cheng Han to frown in disapproval.
“Calm down, that’s an 18-year-old Macallan. It’s pretty expensive—don’t waste it.”
Mu Nan: …
“There’s nothing between us—never was, never will be.” Mu Nan told him, almost out of breath with anger. “I’m warning you, don’t go around spreading rumors.”
Cheng Han raised his glass at him, “Relax. If I’d wanted to say something, I would’ve done it years ago.”
This time, Mu Nan really turned and headed upstairs, and Cheng Han who was behind him set his glass down, a complex look of relief flickering in his eyes.
*
Bai Wenyan returned to the country just as discreetly as he had when he’d left after graduating high school.
He now worked in finance and had gained some fame in the American venture capital circle. What’s more rumor had it that he had returned this time to accept an offer from a major corporation to serve as an investment director.
However whatever he was back for, Mu Nan couldn’t care less.
He didn’t shy away from his past feelings— youthful crushes often came and went quickly. After Bai Wenyan left, he was only sad for a week before he threw himself into company training to prepare for his debut.
Now, the youthful feelings from those years had long since faded away, the once-thrilling emotions having dissolved quietly over time to the point where, when he heard the news that Bai Wenyan was coming back, it took him a while for him to even remember what he looked like.
So when Bai Wenyan asked him if he would pick him up at the airport, Mu Nan refused very decisively.
“Sorry, my current status makes it unsuitable for me to appear in public. It might also cause unnecessary trouble for you.”
—Polite, yet keeping a thousand miles of distance.
Mu Nan never hesitated to send messages in front of Wilder, so after seeing Mu Nan’s reply, Wilder let out a sigh of relief.
“I thought you were actually going to pick him up.” He had even started drafting a PR statement in his mind.
“I’m not that foolish.” Mu Nan told him. “If the paparazzi caught us together, who knows what kind of story they’d spin.”
Wilder hesitated for a long time before finally asking, “So, how do you feel about him now? After all, he’s in finance, and artists are pretty wary of being linked to people in that field. Give me a heads-up so we can prepare in advance if necessary.”
The question annoyed Mu Nan so much that his hand which was petting his rabbit suddenly tightened, causing him to use more force. And Xiao Bai, in response retaliated with a sharp kick to his chest, nearly knocking the wind out of him.
“Hey! You rebellious child! Ungrateful little thing!” Mu Nan scolded after the rabbit, pointing at its disappearing figure as it bolted away.
Then he turned to Wilder and said, “Why do you all keep asking me this question? There’s nothing between us—nothing, nothing, nothing! It’s been ages since I even remember what he looks like, so how could I possibly care about stuff like that?”
Wilder was surprised by how resistant he was. “I was just asking casually. Did you eat a firecracker or something?”
But then, he suddenly realized something. “Wait, who else asked you?”
“Who else could it be?” Mu Nan tugged at his hair in frustration. He picked up the sheet music in his hand, only to put it back down in despair.
Wilder understood the implication, realizing it was that person whose very name annoyed him. “Alright, then. You practice, I won’t bother you anymore.”
The sheet music Mu Nan was holding was for the song he would be performing as a guest at Tang Zi Yue’s upcoming concert.
Tang Zi Yue had been the only female mentor on the talent show and had a good relationship with both him and Cheng Han. She had invited them to be guest performers at her concert, and the three of them were set to perform a piece together.
**
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