That sentence suddenly flashed through Zheng Wei Qiaoâs mind.
It wasnât because of their appearance or background. When these two sat together, Zheng Wei Qiao felt the two were in their own world, and no one else deserved to enter that space.
That night, Min Chen, Qi Mu, Zheng Wei Qiao, and his wife parted in front of the cafe.
Zheng Wei Qiao still couldnât bring himself from the shock. It was Zhao Yue who blessed them with a smile and gave them suggestions for their future. She also apologized for her husband, who couldnât turn his head.
Farrellâs house was a few kilometers from the opera house, but the thought didnât seem to occur to Qi Mu as the idea to take the subway didnât even occur to him. Instead, he walked the quiet street hand-in-hand with the man beside him.
The moonlight descended upon them while Qi Mu spoke in a quiet voice, and Min Chen listened attentively.
Over the past two weeks, he was ignored by Qi Mu, Farrell and Jenny had taken matters into their own hands and spoken well of him using words like âgentle, talented, and trustworthy.â Min Chen pondered carefully for a moment then said, âI need to thank them?â
Qi Mu: âWhat?â
Min Chen replied with a smile in his eyes, âNeed to thank them. . . for letting you get to know the real me.â
Qi Mi: â. . . What about your face?â
Min Chenâs lips curled, and he chuckled without replying.
When they arrived at Farrellâs house, Qi Mu suddenly remembered, âDidnât you say you wanted to visit Mr. Farrell and Mrs. Audrey tonight? Do you want to go upstairs with me?â
But Min Chen shook his head, âI havenât told Mrs. Audrey yet. Iâll call and visit tomorrow.â
â. . .â
After a moment of silence, Qi Mu feigned anger, âYou lied to me?â
In response, Min Chen raised an eyebrow. âNo, I want to bring a gift to express my sincerity.â
Qi Mu was startled: âWhat does that mean?â
Qi Mu knew that Min Chen and Mr. Farrell had known each other for over a decade. They had a good relationship and were familiar with each other. During the duration of his stay here, Mrs. Audrey found out he knew Min Chen and even saidââ
âI donât know when Auston will have the time to come again. Heâs such a polite boy.â
So, even if Min Chen went upstairs right now, empty-handed, the couple wouldnât be angry and would welcome him with open arms instead.
Min Chen coughed softly twice and said, âI need to bring gifts and deliver a card in advance. Because. . .â He halted abruptly, and Qi Mu looked at him even more doubtfully.
Min Chen looked at Qi Mu. âBecause I want to thank Mr. Farrell and Mrs. Audrey for taking care of my lover.â
Min Chen deliberately emphasized the words âmy lover,â making the youthâs fair cheeks bloom red. Qi Muâs face was hot, and to prevent this abominable guy from seeing them, he turned his face away.
Mr. Farrellâs house was on the banks of the Elbe River. The wind blew over the lake, and the silver moonlight sparkled on its surface. As he turned sideways, Qi Mu happened to stand facing the wind. And so the damp evening wind quickly messed up his hair.
Even so, Qi Mu was determined not to face the man again.
Although neither of them spoke, Min Chen wasnât embarrassed at all. He just watched the young man who stubbornly faced the other way, and a sentence flashed through his mindââ
Was this shyness?
No, not shyness, because. . .
His hand wasnât shaken off yet.
Min Chen wasnât left to wait for long. The youth beside him whispered, âYes, thank you for being so respectful to Zheng-ge just now, for his. . . Well, for not being angry with his misunderstanding.â Qi Mu still remembered clearly that heâd laughed out loud when he saw Min Chen covered in lily petals like steamed bread.
Min Chen held Qi Muâs hand even more tightly and whispered, âI respect him a lot because he takes care of you. Heâs very good to you.â
Qi Mu realized he should have taken his hand from the manâs grip, but no matter what he did, Min Chenâs fingers had turned into the worldâs strongest lock.
In the end, he simply accepted the reality. He turned around and hummed, âWhat you said to Zheng-ge just now. . .That was pretty good. . .â His voice slowly lowered and eventually became as low as a mosquitoâs buzz.
With a voice so faint mixed with the wind, it was almost inaudible. However, the person standing before Qi Mu was Min Chen. The young manâs voice reached his ears, softening his indifferent face.
Min Chen hummed as a reply: âI donât only speak well. Later. . . I will also do so well.â
Qi Muâs heart warmed, and he immediately realized the difference between themââ
The manâs face was definitely thicker than the Great Wall!
A muffled squeak came from his throat, and Qi Mu suddenly remembered, âHow did you know I would exit from that door today? I went to the Semperoper in advance and searched for ages for that door. How did you get there faster than I did?â
Min Chen smiled slightly, âHow many times have you been to Semperoper?â
Qi Mu replied honestly, âToday is. . . the second time. The orchestra held the rehearsal at Semperoper yesterday, so that was the first.â After a pause, Qi Mu added, âAs I told you in Hong Kong last year, I rarely listen to opera.â
Min Chen nodded slightly and spread his hands helplessly. âSince that is the case. . . Then why do you think you know the Semperoper better than I do?â
Qi Mu: â. . .â
âAfter the opera ended, I waited at the front entrance for two minutes. Then I suddenly realized. . . How could someone so hellbent on avoiding me for half a month suddenly be okay with seeing me? So I waited for another three minutes until Farrell came out.â
Under the European street lamp, the blurry yellow light shone down on the two, creating ambiguously entangled shadows. Qi Mu raised his head, an ominous foreboding emerging in his heart, â. . . So, you ran into Mr. Farrell?â
Min Chen nodded, âWell, before I could go over to him and speak, he asked me in surpriseââ âYouâre still waiting for Angel, Auston? Oh, you need to have a good talk with him, but you canât abduct my Little Angel tonight, or you will have to answer to Audrey!ââ
Qi Mu: â. . .â
âAnd so, since Farrell said you would talk to me tonight, despite me getting hung up on again this afternoon, I realized that. . .You were probably going to hide again.â
Qi Mu was somewhat unconvinced by this, âBut that side door wasnât the only exit. Why were you waiting for me there? I might have gone through the backdoor after all.â
Min Chen casually raised his eyebrows. âWould you go through the back door?â
â. . .No.â Because it wasnât hidden enough.
Amusement flashed through Min Chenâs eyes at the younger manâs withered appearance, but he maintained a calm and collected expression. He nodded gently, his voice mellow as a cello, âSo I went to the more hidden door and waited for another three minutes. . . And there you were.â
Qi Mu: â. . .â
Qi Mu finally understood the meaning of âto make a fool of oneselfâ today.
It was a bit late after all, and Qi Mu was worried Farrell would fret if he went back any later. So after they exchanged a few more words, he decided to hurry upstairs to not worry Farrell and Audrey.
But just as he was about to turn and leave, when he had only taken a single step, he was dragged back by the hand in the manâs tight grasp.
Qi Mu turned around, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the suddenly stubborn guy. âWell, itâs almost 12. Iâm sure Mrs. Audrey will worry if I donât return now, Min Chen.â
Min Chenâs grip gradually loosened, but just as Qi Mu thought the man was going to let him go, he was suddenly pulled forward without warning and collided with the manâs chest.
Qi Muâs eyes flew wide, but before he could say anything, a low, magnetic voice echoed in his ear, âDonât move. There are bugs.â
Qi Mu automatically froze then he remembered: âWait a minute, are you not afraid of bugs. . .â
His voice stopped abruptly when he felt a warm touch to his forehead. Qi Mu froze on the spot. When he realized what it was, he looked up, and his eyes met a distant, hidden, and deep gaze.
Min Chen stared at the person in front of him for a long while in silence. âWell, I was mistaken.â
Qi Mu: â. . .â
When Qi Mu went upstairs with his violin case, he didnât know the handsome, indifferent-looking man stood under the streetlamp and watched his figure disappear around the corner of the stairs.
After a while, the man raised his hand and touched his lips as if he could still feel the wonderful sensation⪠even now.
. . .Well, it wouldnât be on the forehead next time.