Ch13 - Lunch appointment

Ji Qinghuai was thrilled when Xie Yan invited him out. However, he was not completely overwhelmed by joy either. After all, he was just a passer-by who had only met him once, he wasn’t even considered a friend. It was not easy to make Xie Yan finally talk to him. If he was too eager, Xie Yan would think he had bad intentions and would directly blacklist him.

I can’t have that. I have to be restrained, restrained!

Ji Qinghuai suggested having lunch on Saturday, in a restaurant called Humble House. There was an old town next to the restaurant and he planned to take a walk in the town and lake with Xie Yan after their meal. It didn’t matter whether they had fun or not, the more important thing was who they were with.

After waiting idly for two days, it was finally Saturday. Ji Qinghuai got up even before the alarm for eight o’clock rang. Qin Lang was surprised; his brother didn’t have any job today so why did he wake up earlier today?

Ji Qinghuai and Qin Lang were both single and because of their work, they spent the majority of the year in film sets. As a result, they seldom had time to meet up with their family and friends since they were always away.

Once Ji Qinghuai finished filming and left the film crew, he would always live at Qin Lang’s house. He had his own house in the city but he simply didn’t want to live alone. He enjoyed liveliness couldn’t stay at home alone like Xie Yan because he didn’t like the dull and lifeless atmosphere when he was alone. At least when Qin Lang was at home, he had someone to accompany him and he could also freeload meals. It was killing two birds with one stone.

Ji Qinghuai walked in and out of the room several times, tidying himself up. He styled his hair and also sprayed cologne. Qin Lang noticed that Ji Qinghuai seemed to be in a particularly good mood today. His eyes were gleaming as if there was light inside them.

Qin Lang was not surprised. Ji Qinghuai’s state was like the “Meeting his sweetheart” scene often played in dramas. Qin Lang was certain that something had happened.

At half-past nine, when he was about to leave with his car keys, Qin Lang said calmly, “Come back early tonight. You still have to take your medicine.”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

Why did you have to mention such a miserable thing! It’s so awful!

Ji Qinghuai no longer wanted to talk to his black-hearted brother and closed the door silently before leaving.

Since Ji Qinghuai wasn’t at home for lunch, Qin Lang didn’t bother to cook for himself. He had nothing else to do so he turned on his computer to watch TV dramas for a while. He remembered that there was a popular drama some time ago with a good reputation. He was interested so he chose to watch that.

At this time, Ji Qinghuai was sitting in the car but he didn’t leave in a hurry. He was thinking about something.

The two communities were close so how about picking up Xie Yan?

Ji Qinghuai took out his mobile phone and typed, “Mr Xie, do you want me to pick you up?” He just needed to send the message but Ji Qinghuai hesitated for a while before deleting it.

Xie Yan wouldn’t like him being too attentive. He’d better behave until they were familiar with each other.

The car drove out of the Xinchen community and headed straight to the restaurant before arriving half an hour later. The private room was reserved by Ji Qinghuai in advance and once he arrived, a young girl led him to the third floor.

After entering the private room, he sent a message to Xie Yan.

The most handsome actor in history: The room is on the third floor, Sui Han.

Sui Han was the name of the private room.

Ji Qinghuai walked to the window and looked out through the glass. The weather was not good today and the sky was a bit gloomy. He was afraid that it would rain heavily.

Can we still visit the lake?

While he was thinking, he heard a knock on the door. He thought it was the young girl who had led him upstairs. However, when he turned his head, he saw a pair of charming eyes.

Xie Yan wore a casual outfit today that was not as formal as his suit. It made him look more approachable. His gold glasses still hung on the bridge of his nose and his expression was as frosty as usual. It was still the cold and indifferent Mr Xie.

“Sorry, I’ve kept you waiting.” After closing the door, he greeted Ji Qinghuai politely. He didn’t come very late, he had arrived within less than five minutes after Ji Qinghuai sent him the message.

“I’ve just arrived, too,” said Ji Qinghuai, looking at him in the wrong direction. “Please have a seat, Mr Xie.”

The private room was not very big. There was a rectangular wooden table in the middle which could accommodate six to eight people for a meal. It was also suitable for two to three people to hold a gathering. After that, Xie Yan pulled out a chair and sat down while Ji Qinghuai took the seat opposite him.

Ji Qinghuai placed the menu in front of Xie Yan, “Here, you can order.”

Xie Yan did not move and replied, “Since I’m thanking you, young master Ji should be the one ordering instead.

Listening to Xie Yan addressing him as young master again, Ji Qinghuai felt uncomfortable. “Mr Xie, both of us are around the same age. Since we were lucky enough to meet each other, I want to be friends with you. How about we get rid of these formalities and treat each other sincerely?”

Treat each other sincerely?

Seeing Ji Qinghuai’s ‘sincere’ expression, Xie Yan couldn’t help but sneer. An actor was, after all, an actor. There were many reasons for Ji Qinghuai to approach him. From his deliberate approach at the beginning to his sincere treatment now, he was so innocent and harmless.

But, have you treated me sincerely?

Although he had his own thoughts in his mind, he didn’t show it on his face. “It seems that young master Ji is also a man of character.”

“Then don’t flatter me like that.” Looking at him, Ji Qinghuai continued, “I have a name, Mr Xie can call me that.”

Xie Yan smiled, “Ji Qinghuai.”

Hearing his name come out of Xie Yan’s mouth, Ji Qinghuai was in a daze. His mind returned to the day he met Xie Yan.

Since the first day he was taken in by Xie Yan, he felt that Xie Yan’s only shortcoming was that he didn’t like to smile. At home, he would sometimes smile helplessly when facing the kitten, but that smile was completely different from the one he was showing right now.

Fortunately, he returned to his senses soon and didn’t act in an ill manner in front of him. “Isn’t it better than calling me young master Ji?”

Xie Yan understood that Ji Qinghuai wanted to get close to him, so he followed Ji Qinghuai’s words and said, “Then, I’ll call you that from now on.”

This was exactly what Ji Qinghuai wanted.

Xie Yan put the menu back in front of Ji Qinghuai, “Let’s order.”

Ji Qinghuai was not polite and ordered several signature dishes, two cold dishes and a dessert. When the little girl was about to leave, he especially reminded her, “Don’t add coriander.”

The girl agreed and took the menu on the table and left the private room for the two.

Ji Qinghuai picked up the teapot and filled the two empty cups in front of him. One of them was handed to Xie Yan and Xie Yan took it, seeming to ask casually, “You don’t like coriander also?”

The reason why he used “also” was because he didn’t like coriander as well. Knowing this, Ji Qinghuai deliberately asked the girl not to put coriander.

He had blurted that out unconsciously but he couldn’t reveal the truth yet so he continued, “En, I think that coriander tastes strange.”

He then asked deliberately, “Mr Xie, do you like it?”

Ji Qinghuai pretended to be embarrassed, “Ah, it’s my fault for being so inconsiderate. Why don’t I call back the waitress and ask them to add it?”

Xie Yan watched his performance calmly.

It was not that he was skeptical, but that his behaviour aroused his suspicion. There were indeed many people who didn’t like coriander. Maybe it was just a coincidence but it couldn’t dispel his suspicion.

He smiled and said, “It’s okay, I don’t like it either.”

Seeing that there was no doubt on his face, Ji Qinghuai breathed a sigh of relief. While they were waiting for the dishes, they chatted casually.

The dishes ordered by Ji Qinghuai were served one after another and the private room slowly quietened down.

Xie Yan didn’t like talking when eating but Ji Qinghuai was the opposite.

He had originally booked a private room so that he could talk to him more alone. However, Xie Yan wasn’t one to take the initiative in a conversation and he was afraid that if he talked too much, Xie Yan would be annoyed. Whenever he wanted to say something, he would think again and remain silent while peeking at him from time to time.

Xie Yan knew that Ji Qinghuai was looking at him from time to time, but he didn’t expose him. He just ate his dishes slowly. After twenty minutes, both of them put down their chopsticks.

Ji Qinghuai turned his head and glanced at the sky outside. It was as gloomy as when he came, but it didn’t rain. Ji Qinghuai was afraid that Xie Yan would leave immediately so he quickly asked, “Mr Xie, do you have anything in the afternoon?”

“Nothing important.”

As soon he heard his reply, he suggested, “There is a small town next to the restaurant and it’s very close. I don’t have anything to do this afternoon so why don’t we go shopping?”

Xie Yan replied without hesitation, “Okay.”

The two of them took their things and after making sure they didn’t leave anything behind, they went downstairs. According to their previous promise, Xie Yan paid the bill.

Xie Yan had invited him for lunch but he hadn’t invited him out yet. What a good reason to see each other again!

After exiting the restaurant, the two walked in the direction indicated by the road signs and soon saw the old town Ji Qinghuai was talking about.

In fact, it had no value for sightseeing. The town was commercialized and the so-called ancient buildings were just a stunt to attract more tourists for greater revenue.

Ji Qinghuai was even less interested in these. In the years since his debut, eight of the ten films he had shot were all costume dramas. Sometimes he would stay on the crew for more than half a year and he was tired of seeing these buildings.

Ji Qinghuai knew a little bit about this small town so he asked, “Mr Xie, do you know there’s a legend about this town?”

Xie Yan shook his head. The two walked on the stone bridge together. Beneath the bridge was a quiet lake that rippled as the wind blew over the still surface.

“The attraction of this small town lies in a temple in the town. It is said that there is a marriage tree in this temple. If people fall in love with each other, they can write each other’s names and hang them on the tree for a lifetime of love. It seems to be quite effective so many people come here for ever-lasting love.”

Ji Qinghuai and Xie Yan were both demons. They knew that everything in this world had its own destiny, from life and death to the fortunes and misfortunes of marriage. Such things could not be controlled by a so-called ‘marriage tree’. This legend was only meant for entertainment.

Seeing Ji Qinghuai’s excitement, Xie Yan asked, “You came here to write your and your lover’s name?”

“Not really.”

“Then, is there someone in your heart whose name you want to write?”

Ji Qinghuai paused. He didn’t expect Xie Yan to ask him this question.

Ji Qinghuai turned his head to look at Xie Yan and saw his slightly long hair fluttering in the wind and gently rubbing on his glasses. When their eyes met, Ji Qinghuai had an illusion.

That pair of golden glasses seemed to be a barrier, as long as they were there, he felt as if he would never be able to see the bottom of Xie Yan’s heart.

At this moment, he suddenly realized something.

“Actually…yes.”

Me trying to imitate Michael Jackson in front of my mom: HEEHEE

Mom: Oh no, my daughter’s brain has broken from studying too much…

Thank you for all your encouragement and to everyone who commented on the previous chapter! I’ve decided to upload 2 chapters tomorrow and the other 2 will be scheduled for next next week at 12am, Wednesday and Saturday according to the site’s timezone. Actually, I’m not a big fan of scheduling chapters because I’m worried that there’ll be some issues that I won’t be able to correct when I’m offline. Since there’s only 2 chapters scheduled, if something goes wrong with the releases, you guys won’t have to wait too long before I return online. Urm, let’s just hope I don’t mess up the scheduling haha, if something does happen, you can dm a mod on discord. Happy reading everyone!