Endless Fall

130 I Like Him Even More Than Yesterday
Lujing Villa.

A row of black cars drove into the underground parking lot of the hotel.

A middle-aged man waiting at the elevator called over dozens of waiters dressed in the same suit.

The waiters went forward and respectfully opened the car door for the guests, leading them to the garden in the backyard.

Behind an arched door covered in green leaves, a long table covered in a white tablecloth was filled with wine and delicacies.

There were two bonfires beside the long table. The raging flames were disturbed by the breeze, casting their dancing shadow on the projection screen.

“Does anyone want to sing a song?” Chu Yuzhou tested the microphone and said, “I’ll sing a song for everyone first.”

“Sing whatever you want.”

“I will try my best.”

“Sing us Thinking Out Loud.” Pei Yilan picked one that she thought was not well-known, but she didn’t expect him to be able to sing the full song.

With a serious expression on his face, Chu Yuzhou started humming the melody.

He dragged out the last syllable. “And darlin’ I will, be lovin’ you, till we’re seventy.’”

The romantic atmosphere lasted until the end of the song.

Lin Jiao was very supportive. “It’s very nice.”

Seeing him walking over, she picked up the red wine glass on the table and clinked glasses with him.

Chu Yuzhou said humbly with a smile, “I’ll be happy as long as you don’t find it torturing.”

Zhou Yanshen suddenly asked, “Jiaojiao, when will my new girlfriend arrive?”

“About eight o’clock.”

“There is still one more hour.” He raised his wrist slightly and tapped the dial twice.

Pei Zhi looked up. “Are you planning to fall in love with her the first time you see her?”

“Why would I?”

“Then why are you in such a hurry?”

“This place is too empty.” Zhou Yanshen pointed at his heart and said casually, “I need someone to fill it up.”

Qu Shao was speechless when he heard that.

He picked up the petals that fell on the plate and asked out of curiosity, “What does your new girlfriend look like?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“You’ve never even seen her photo?”

“Her looks are not important.” Zhou Yanshen looked at him seriously. “I care more about her inner beauty.”

“Do you believe what you just said?” Chu Yuzhou swallowed a raw oyster and couldn’t help but ask.

“Why not?”

“If she has a pockmarked face and love handle, will you still care about her inner beauty?”

“The thing is that there are no such ifs.” Zhou Yanshen forked a piece of steak and handed it to Lin Jiao. “Jiaojiao’s friends can’t be too bad.”

“That’s true.” Chu Yuzhou lowered his head and picked up his food. “They can’t be as bad as someone.”

“Chu Yuzhou, who are you implying?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Pei Yilan grabbed his ear and looked at him fiercely like she was going to devour him alive. “Say that again?”

“I wasn’t talking about you.”

Chu Yuzhou did not dare to provoke her again.

Hearing him scream like a chicken, Lin Jiao burst out laughing.

She chewed on the prawn and pushed away the food that was continuously put into her plate. “It’s too much.”

“The last one.” He forked up a piece of roasted chicken and fed it to her lips. He insisted on waiting for her to swallow it before starting to take care of his own stomach.

Lin Jiao, who was always placed first by him, stared at his side profile and suddenly felt touched.

When no one was looking, she secretly kissed the corner of his lips and said softly, “Uncle, I like you even more than yesterday.”

Pei Zhi’s heart skipped a beat.

“Me too,” he whispered into her ear, his words filled with love.

They looked at each other and smiled. Zhou Yanshen happened to see the scene.

He leaned against the chair and clicked his tongue. “Can you consider the feelings of single people?”

“Are you considered single?”

“She’s not here yet. Of course I am.”

“We’re the real single ones.” Chu Yuzhou put down his knife and fork and clinked glasses with Qu Shao.

Pei Yilan said, “Me too.” Although she did not want to admit it, the truth was right in front of her.

“Don’t tell me you two are still not together after so long.”

“Soon.”

Chu Yuzhou could not bring himself to dash her hope.

He sighed silently. When night fell, he followed them to the bonfire.

“Do you want to play games?” He fiddled with the empty wine bottle and gave them a sweeping glance.

“Wait a minute.” Lin Jiao looked at Zhou Yanshen after reading a message she just received. “They’re at the entrance.”

Zhou Yanshen instantly sat up straight.

He undid a button on his collar and adjusted it. “Yuzhou, sit over there.”

“Alright.” Chu Yuzhou made room for the newcomer.

He looked at the two figures approaching under the dim light. “Brother Yanshen, what’s her name?”

“Qian Yue.” Zhou Yanshen narrowed his eyes.

His gaze swept past her voluptuous figure and stopped on that extremely exotic face. There was an indescribable familiarity.

Qian Yue, who had deliberately dressed up, walked to their side and greeted them with a smile.

When she met Zhou Yanshen’s gaze, she reached out to shake his hand and said nothing about having met him before.

“Sit down first.” Zhou Yanshen moved the chair and quietly closed the distance between them.

His action made Qian Yue smile even more.

She sat on the soft chair very reservedly and had no intention of talking to him, let alone looking at him.

Before Zhou Yanshen could figure out a topic to talk with her, Chu Yuzhou said first, “Qiann Yue, are you a mix?”

“No.”

“Her mother is a Uighur.” Pei Yilan poured a glass of champagne and handed it to her.

“No wonder her facial features are so well-defined.”

“Where is your hometown?” Zhou Yanshen rubbed the lighter and looked at her.

Qian Yue took two sips of champagne. “Ili.” She looked down. “Are you going to smoke?”

“You don’t like the smell of smoke?”

“I don’t mind.”

After confirming that she could tolerate the smell of smoke, he slowly lit a cigarette.

His overly gentlemanly manner made Chu Yuzhou want to laugh.

“Let’s play Truth or Dare?” Chu Yuzhou suggested.

“You guys go ahead.” Shen Yi ate the roasted chicken that the waiter had just served. “I want to fill my stomach first.”

“You didn’t have dinner?”

“I had an operation in the evening and didn’t have time to fix myself something to eat.”

“How about you, Qian Yue?”

“I did.” Qian Yue stared at the wine bottle in his hand. “How do we play it?”

Chu Yuzhou explained the rules before handing the bottle to Pei Zhi. “The birthday boy first.”

Pei Zhi spun it casually.

Seeing that the bottle was pointed at Lin Jiao, he laughed and asked, “Jiaojiao, Truth or Dare?”

“Dare.”

“Then give me a kiss?”

“You can do that?” Chu Yuzhou widened his eyes.

He had reason to suspect that they wanted to use the game to display their affectionate love. “Brother Pei, at least give him something more challenging.”