They were having dinner at Totem Club, the place where Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng had first met. It was not only an entertainment venue but also ran a restaurant with a fairly good reputation. The prices were high, though, so most of its customers were wealthy.
The “someone” Chu Yifeng mentioned was a friend who had just arrived from the capital that day. Knowing Chu Yifeng was here, the man called and invited him out. He had already reserved a private dining room at Totem’s restaurant, though he used Chu Yifeng’s name because only members could reserve one.
The server escorted them to the private room and then left.
Chu Yifeng’s friend was named Shen Yuan. He had a distinctive kind of good looks and looked every inch the romantic playboy at first glance, with a pair of peach-blossom eyes that seemed ready to flirt at any moment. He was visibly surprised when he saw Wang Cheng. Clearly, Chu Yifeng had not told him he was bringing someone else. Wang Cheng, however, interpreted the surprise differently.
“Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?”
Shen Yuan looked at Wang Cheng with great interest. It was difficult to imagine Chu Yifeng voluntarily bringing a stranger to what was supposed to be a gathering between the two of them. In all the years Shen Yuan had known him, this was a first. It was extraordinarily unusual.
“This is Wang Cheng, my employee.” Chu Yifeng’s introduction was simple.
“Hello. I hope I’m not intruding.” Wang Cheng greeted him politely. When meeting someone for the first time, he generally did not reveal his true nature immediately. Shamelessness only worked properly once people were familiar with you.
“Not at all. I’m happy you both came. More people make it livelier. I’m Shen Yuan. Nice to meet you.” Shen Yuan kept his eyes on Wang Cheng, curiosity and scrutiny mingling in his gaze. He did not believe for a second that this young man named Wang Cheng was merely one of Chu Yifeng’s employees.
After the three sat down, servers from Totem Club brought in the dishes Shen Yuan had ordered, filling the table. Chu Yifeng had not warned him in advance that he was bringing someone, but there was still more than enough food for three people.
At first, Wang Cheng was relatively restrained. Thanks to Chu Yifeng, he had scored a free and lavish dinner, so he was trying to behave. Before long, however, Chu Yifeng could no longer stand watching him.
“What are you doing?”
Shen Yuan looked over as well.
Wang Cheng was holding a shrimp awkwardly between his chopsticks. Normally, he peeled shrimp directly with his hands, but this time, for the sake of appearances, he had refused to do so and was trying to eat it with chopsticks instead. It was painfully difficult. Several times he wanted to throw the chopsticks down, but because the man opposite him was his boss’s friend, he endured it. The people watching him, however, could not.
“Eating shrimp!” Wang Cheng answered with deep resentment.
“Do you normally eat shrimp like that?” Chu Yifeng did not believe it for a second.
Wang Cheng did not believe it himself. Back when he ate with the old monk, the two of them fought over dishes at the table. Whenever there happened to be an odd number of shrimp, they would compete so fiercely for the extra one that both had developed excellent shell-peeling skills. “Of course not.” If he were not trying to preserve his boss’s dignity, why would he torture himself like this?
“Then eat normally. Aren’t you usually thick-skinned enough?”
“You said it, Boss. Then I won’t be polite.” Wang Cheng immediately set down his chopsticks. His superior had spoken. Why should he keep pretending?
After listening to their exchange, Shen Yuan finally began to understand why his friend treated Wang Cheng differently. The kid himself was genuinely entertaining, and judging by Chu Yifeng’s tone, their relationship clearly extended beyond boss and employee. They must have interacted outside work as well.
After dinner, Chu Yifeng and Wang Cheng left directly.
Shen Yuan had wanted to invite them to a bar, but Chu Yifeng refused. He was not in a hurry. There would be plenty of time. He had originally planned to stay only two days or so, but now he decided he would remain until he figured out exactly what kind of relationship the two of them had.
“Boss, your friend is really enthusiastic.”
In the car, that was how Wang Cheng described Shen Yuan to Chu Yifeng. One man was slightly cold and treated people and situations with a detached blandness. The other was excessively warm, always smiling as if he could have fun with anyone, when in truth he was exactly the kind of person who would never truly open his heart. Wang Cheng was genuinely surprised they were friends.
“He was only curious about the person I brought.” Hearing Wang Cheng call Shen Yuan enthusiastic, Chu Yifeng instead thought of the phrase carefree to the point of heartlessness. That was how other people tended to describe Shen Yuan.
“Boss, your friend is way too curious,” Wang Cheng said.
Chu Yifeng seemed to think of something. A trace of amusement flashed in his eyes, but he did not answer.
When they reached Ningjing Residential Complex, Wang Cheng waited for Chu Yifeng to park before they went upstairs together. Not every apartment building in the complex was eighteen stories tall. Their Building B had the most floors. From the eighteenth-floor balcony, they could see a broad stretch of scenery below, and the view was even more beautiful at night. Wang Cheng had nearly fallen asleep several times while lying in the rattan chair on the balcony.
When they reached the eighteenth floor, Wang Cheng wished Chu Yifeng good night and was about to go inside when the man stopped him.
“What’s your phone number?” Chu Yifeng took out his phone.
Wang Cheng froze for a moment before reciting the number he had only recently managed to memorize. A few seconds later, his phone rang with a call from an unfamiliar number. There was no question it was Chu Yifeng.
“This is my number. Save it. Contact me if you need anything.”
“Okay.” Wang Cheng saved the number. Besides his family, Chu Yifeng was now one of the very few contacts in his phone. Pitifully few, really, but he thought it was fine. “Done. Boss, see you tomorrow.”
Chu Yifeng watched him enter his apartment before returning to his own.