Lu Yiming said, “I just told Tong Sui that their relationship isn’t good—”
“You are such an idiot!”
Father Lu rubbed his temples. If such words reached Tong Sinian’s ears, their cooperation would be doomed. The Lu family’s finances were already in trouble, and he intended to turn things around using the Tong family’s orders. Now, with this chaos, they were truly at an impasse!
On the other side, Tong Sui listened to the system’s report, pursing his lips. In the original plot, after the match, Lu Yiming had taken various measures to torment the sickly Ye Linyuan. Thinking of this, Tong Sui felt that a slap was too light a punishment. But since Father Lu had the audacity to act out at the banquet, Lu Yiming wouldn’t have an easy time at home afterward.
Just then, Tong Sinian, who had been standing at Tong Sui’s side, suddenly moved.
Unlike the previous polite interactions, he stepped forward with enthusiasm and shook the newcomer’s hand. “I thought you weren’t coming. You’ve really been a hassle lately.”
Tong Sui followed his movement and noticed a pair of very beautiful hands. The person was well-dressed, standing upright. Their proportions were excellent—narrow waist, broad shoulders, and particularly long legs. Among the many people he had seen today, this individual most matched his aesthetic.
As he looked up, when he saw the familiar cold and stern features of Ye Linyuan, Tong Sui’s mind went blank for a second.
Then he quickly turned away.
However, he had barely taken two steps before a hand pulled him back, forcibly bringing him in front of Ye Linyuan.
Tong Sinian said, “Where are you going? Say hi!”
Looking at the face he hadn’t seen for three days, Tong Sui awkwardly averted his gaze. How could Ye Linyuan be here? If he had known earlier, he would have pretended to be sick and stayed upstairs.
Ye Linyuan’s gaze was intense, unwilling to leave Tong Sui’s face for even a moment, as he examined him repeatedly.
Thinking that Tong Sui was simply shy, Tong Sinian gave him a push. “Everyone knows each other well by now, don’t be shy.”
Tong Sui stumbled forward.
A pair of hands gently caught him, and the familiar scent wrapped around him.
Tong Sinian said, “Ye Yuan has been tutoring you daily. You should thank him properly. Go talk to him for a bit. I can handle the reception on my own.”
Tong Sui: “…”
Ye Linyuan asked, “Want to walk with me?”
“…Sure.”
Feeling Ye Linyuan’s eyes on him, Tong Sui felt uneasy and said awkwardly, “Are you hungry? I can get you something to eat.”
Ye Linyuan replied, “Okay.”
Countless gazes in the banquet hall turned toward them. They never anticipated that the Tong family’s ordinary banquet would manage to invite someone like Ye Linyuan, who rarely attended such social events. Many Omegas in attendance were stirred.
If they missed this opportunity, who knew when the next chance would come.
Tong Sui served Ye Linyuan some snacks he had tried earlier and found palatable. When he turned around, he noticed a beautiful Omega had approached Ye Linyuan.
He paused for a moment.
The beautiful Omega said, “Director Ye, I’ve always admired your educational philosophy. Could we exchange contact information? I would love to invite you out for a chat sometime.”
As they spoke, the Omega’s eyes held a soft affection, much like a serene spring pond.
Tong Sui couldn’t describe the feelings churning inside him, his throat felt dry, and he didn’t know where he stood.
At that moment, Ye Linyuan said indifferently, “Sorry, I already have someone I like. It’s not very convenient.”
The Omega was taken aback, seemingly unable to believe the response, and asked again, “You have someone you like?”
“Yeah.”
As Ye Linyuan said this, he looked toward Tong Sui.
In that moment, it felt as if the storm cloud over his heart had gently parted.
After the Omega left, Ye Linyuan walked toward Tong Sui, lowering his head to bite into the snack in Tong Sui’s hand.
“What are you daydreaming about?”
Only then did Tong Sui regain his senses. “N-nothing.”
Ye Linyuan casually picked up a glass of wine and took a sip.
His long fingers gripped the glass.
The crimson liquid slid down his lips, making Tong Sui inexplicably feel a bit thirsty.
Ye Linyuan drained the glass in one go and set it down. His deep-set eyes seemed even darker.
After just a glance, Tong Sui quickly turned his gaze away.
He felt his heartbeat racing uncontrollably.
Suddenly, that familiar scent enveloped him.
Tong Sui froze.
Ye Linyuan firmly wrapped his arms around him, lowered his head to lean on Tong Sui’s shoulder, and said softly, “Don’t avoid me, okay?”
Thud, thud, thud.
Tong Sui’s heartbeat was too loud, his cheeks flushed red. There were many curious glances and whispers around them.
Tong Sui, blushing, mumbled, “Ye Linyuan, you can’t be this bad at handling alcohol. Get up.”
But his neck was gently rubbed, and those hands tightened their embrace around his waist instead.
Tong Sui: “…”
Just then, Tong Sinian walked over, as if witnessing some miraculous event. “I’ve known him for four years and it’s the first time I’ve seen him willing to be hugged.”
Is this really the right time to say that?
Tong Sui said, “He seems drunk. I’ll take him upstairs to rest.”
“Okay, go ahead,” Tong Sinian extended his hand, “Can you handle it? Do you need a hand?”
Before he could even touch Ye Linyuan’s shoulder, the latter subtly dodged.
Tong Sinian withdrew his hand, patting his own clothes. “…Haha, I didn’t expect even when drunk, he wouldn’t forget to avoid contact. It’s a reflex.”
Though it seemed like Tong Sui was supporting Ye Linyuan, he was actually hardly exerting any effort; Ye Linyuan was nearly following him upstairs willingly.
Once inside his room, as soon as he closed the door, any sign of drunkenness vanished from Ye Linyuan’s eyes, which were now fixed on him.