Chapter 129: Slowly Repaying

The red carpet stretched into the depths of the banquet hall, where celebrities and guests in fine attire chatted while holding glasses. After finishing his speech, Ling Wu walked down amidst the fragrant air and opulent splendor. His eyelashes cast faint shadows in the flickering lights; seen from the side, his features were humble and gentle, like a refined and self-restrained aristocrat from the old century...

Ling Wu took a glass of champagne from a tray held by a waiter, raised it toward the guests who were greeting and chatting with him, and took a light sip.

"Brother Ling Wu!"

A young man's clean voice came from behind. Just as Ling Wu turned, he was tackled into a hug. Yu Tingyun held a gift box out in front of him: "Brother Ling Wu, happy birthday!"

Ling Wu patted his arm to signal him to let go, then took the gift: "Thank you."

"Are you here alone?"

Yu Tingyun ruffled his own dazzling blonde hair, blinked at him, and said: "Of course not. It was that guy called Yu Shixue who drove me here. If I hadn't seen the invitation sent by the Jin Family, I wouldn't even have known today was your birthday."

There was a hint of pitiful resentment in his tone.

Yu Tingyun asked again: "Brother Ling Wu, are you surprised to see me?"

Ling Wu nodded: "Surprised."

"Then why didn't you reply to my messages? You used to answer everything I asked. Is it because you think I talk too much?" Yu Tingyun tugged at his sleeve, his bright, spirited eyes full of hope: "Sobbing... if the big devil hadn't threatened me with my allowance, I would have run out to find you long ago."

"I've learned the Rubik's Cube formula! I..."

Yu Tingyun's voice stopped abruptly. He wrapped both arms around Ling Wu's arm, tilted his head slightly to rest it on Ling Wu's shoulder. The expression on his face was one of weakness and helplessness, a stark contrast to his flamboyant blonde hair: "The big devil is coming to catch me, Brother Ling Wu, you have to protect me!"

Ling Wu looked up.

A beautiful indoor crystal fountain flowed in the center of the banquet hall, sparkling and murmuring, perfectly complementing the melodic cello symphony...

Yu Shixue was wearing a simple and elegant black collarless suit, with the collar of a wine-red shirt underneath turned out. He wore no tie, looking very relaxed and languid. His slightly long hair was tied back low with a wine-red ribbon. His distinct, bony hand, which looked as if it were carved from cold jade under the lights, held a goblet.

Standing beside him was a bright and flamboyant young woman. A ruby necklace around her neck refracted dazzling light, adorning her fair skin. A mermaid dress outlined her graceful and exquisite figure, and she wore high heels. Her aura was in no way inferior to Yu Shixue's.

Like a dazzling star in the night sky.

The two moved their lips, exchanging a few polite and courteous words.

Yu Tingyun whispered into his ear: "Brother Ling Wu, do you know who that pretty lady next to my brother is?"

"I don't."

Ling Wu had returned to the Empire, and this was his first time attending a celebrity banquet; many of the nobles who came were new faces he did not recognize.

A hint of craftiness appeared in Yu Tingyun's eyes as he reached out to drape an arm over his shoulder: "The eldest daughter of the Bai Family, Bai Yimo, and also my brother's marriage partner..."

"Yu Tingyun." Yu Shixue walked over from the side, bypassing the crystal fountain. His eyes darkened when he heard Yu Tingyun's words, and he pulled the boy away from Ling Wu's side: "What nonsense are you spouting everywhere? Nothing is set in stone yet."

"Don't ruin Miss Bai's reputation."

His gaze fell on Ling Wu.

Ever since Ling Wu went on stage to give his speech, Yu Shixue had felt that the other was exceptionally eye-catching. Now, standing under the brilliant lights with silver tableware shining with a cold luster, he was even more stunning, making it impossible to look away.

Yu Tingyun met his brother's gaze: "Isn't it? I heard you two on the phone. Brother, is the happy event coming soon?"

As he spoke, he secretly peeked at Ling Wu's expression.

He saw that the other's face was as usual, without a ripple of emotion.

Tsk...

His brother's efficiency was poor; the person he liked was completely indifferent to him.

Useless thing!

He only knew how to dock his allowance; if he had the ability, he should go kidnap a sister-in-law for him.

"Young Master Yu." Ling Wu greeted him politely, tapped his champagne-filled goblet against Yu Shixue's glass, then lifted his chin slightly and took a light sip.

Seeing this deliberate distance, Yu Shixue felt a fire burning in his heart: "You only look for me when you need something, and act cold when you don't, right?"

"Ling Wu, what did you promise me back at the Police station?"

Ling Wu thought for a moment and understood where his anger came from, his eyebrows and eyes curving slightly: "Yu Shixue, it's my fault."

"Hmph."

Yu Shixue snorted coldly. Noticing that he had just taken a sip of wine, he snatched the goblet from his hand: "If you can't drink, don't drink. It's your own birthday banquet, who can force you?"

He placed the glass on a waiter's tray and said: "Bring some fruit juice over."

Ling Wu stared at him meaningfully and said unhurriedly: "It's just social etiquette."

"Social etiquette?" Yu Shixue held his own glass of red wine and leaned in close, placing a large palm on the back of Ling Wu's head. He tilted his head lazily to look at Ling Wu's profile, his warm breath spraying onto Ling Wu's ear, causing an itch: "Ling Wu... don't blame me for not warning you, you shouldn't drink the wine at this kind of occasion. Your stepmother is eyeing you like a tiger, waiting to catch you in a mistake."

"Can you be a little more obedient?"

【Young Master Yu is so smooth, is he flirting with the second male lead?】

【And in public, too!】

【Yu Shixue is right, Xiao Yu and Jin Bei aren't going to stir up some trouble again, are they?】

【Ling Wu, my wife, you must be careful!】

Yu Shixue had grown up in a top-tier wealthy family and had seen plenty of these low-class schemes; he knew even better that the current matriarch of the Jin Family was not someone to be trifled with.

The two were in a somewhat ambiguous posture.

Ling Wu was completely unaware. He patted Yu Shixue's back, called his name toward his neck, and slowed his tone: "Yu Shixue, thank you."

With the cello symphony and the sound of the fountain flowing, that simple and crisp "thank you" from the young man made Yu Shixue hear a different flavor.

The spot on his neck where Ling Wu's breath had brushed felt as if it had been scorched by fire, erupting with a searing, tingling sensation.

Yu Shixue felt an itch in his heart. He let go of Ling Wu and specifically looked at his expression, finding the other's eyes clear, clean, and without impurities.

The only one who had harbored delusional thoughts from beginning to end was him.

Yu Shixue pinched his palm, feeling a bit frustrated: "Who needs your thanks?"

Ling Wu went along with him: "Then I won't say it."

"Don't..." Yu Shixue tucked one hand into his pocket, swirled the red wine in his goblet, creating a beautiful arc. He stared at Ling Wu with aggressive eyes, acting roguish: "You are the legitimate Eldest Young Master of the Jin Family now, you can say whatever you want. If word gets out that I bullied you, what will I do if your uncle comes to trouble me?"

The waiter approached with a tray, respectful: "Young Master, the fruit juice you requested."

Yu Shixue picked up the glass of orange juice and placed it in Ling Wu's hand.

The fingertips of the two touched, triggering a shiver; Ling Wu's lips tugged slightly: "No, you didn't bully me."

"You helped me, I remember."

Hearing him say this, dark currents surged in Yu Shixue's eyes; he narrowed his gaze slightly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly upon him, his scorching stare like a paintbrush tracing Ling Wu's features and silhouette, murmuring vaguely: "Oh... so you do remember."

Ling Wu: "Mm."

Yu Shixue tugged at Ling Wu's swallowtail butterfly bowtie, repeating it several times, and after growing bored of playing, he carelessly restored the bowtie to its place, his tone somewhat determined: "Since you remember, shouldn't the Eldest Young Master know how to repay kindness?"

Ling Wu tossed the difficult question back to him: "How do you want me to repay the kindness?"

A faint look of confusion and worry appeared on his face, as if he truly did not know how to repay his benefactor.

Yu Shixue's Adam's apple bobbed: "Put it on the tab first, I'll come for it later... slow! ly! re! pay!"