Chapter 1096: The Gentle Neighbor's Dramatic Sweetheart 24

Regarding the outfit for the evening banquet, Zhong Yu fretted for half a day, rummaged through all the clothes in the wardrobe, and finally put together a full set.

He also fiddled with Jin Chen's outfit accessories, and only then did he feel satisfied and relax.

The banquet.

This was Jin Chen's first time bringing someone to a banquet; many who had gotten the news beforehand were curious, wondering just what kind of divine being could make this ten-thousand-year-old unblooming tree's heart stir.

Upon entering the hall, they attracted many gazes—some curious and probing, others ill-intentioned.

Zhong Yu wore a flowing, cool-toned long moon-white shirt with a satin sheen, flowing and cool, a jade hairpin securing his long hair hanging to the left.

Snow-white skin, bright eyes; black hair, white clothing.

Jin Chen, who had his arm around him as they entered, also wore an outfit coordinated by Zhong Yu: a similar-style black long coat, left chest adorned with a split-head chain pin, noble and unworldly, adding an air of 'strangers keep away'.

As soon as the two entered, they could feel the gazes falling on them; Jin Chen soothingly patted Zhong Yu's waist and spoke low.

"Are you a bit nervous?"

"Not nervous." Zhong Yu lifted his gaze to him; his smile was like melting ice and snow, his aloofness turning into an obedient charm only he could see.

"Oh, Boss Jin! Long time no see."

The host of the banquet walked over, clinked glasses with Jin Chen, and spoke in a friendly tone.

"This is the first time I've seen you bring a companion; it really makes my humble abode shine."

Jin Chen curled his lips, smiling aloofly yet politely: "Manager Chen, this mansion is quite magnificent."

After exchanging pleasantries, the host went to greet other guests; originally just a perfunctory business banquet, the second half is the main event.

Walking further in, they ran into Xu You, who had arrived early.

Xu You had been holding a wine glass and chatting with a few friends; upon seeing the two approach, his gaze fell on Zhong Yu.

He is indeed handsome; if not for knowing beforehand that he is male, calling him a peerless beauty would not be an exaggeration.

But looking closely, one can also see some restrained sharpness hidden beneath his beauty, so he does not appear effeminate.

Xu You walked over to them.

"Boss Jin."

He clinked glasses with Jin Chen, naturally standing aside, and said, "Boss Jin, you probably won't hold what happened before against me, right?"

Jin Chen gave him this face: "Of course."

Facing Zhong Yu's somewhat puzzled gaze, Jin Chen explained, "This is Xu You."

"Hello."

Xu You extended his hand toward Zhongyu, his eyes holding a smile.

Zhong Yu blinked lightly and shook hands with him.

Xu You asked him, "Do you know that Xue Yuanjing also found another woman?"

"... I only found out after we broke up."

Zhong Yu felt it was hard to put into words.

Xu You laughed again, clinked glasses with him, and said, "Congratulations on escaping the sea of suffering."

He didn't say more, chatted casually for a couple of sentences, then parted ways and went back to chatting with his friends.

Zhong Yu linked arms with Jin Chen, his gaze still on Xu You, looking as if lost in thought.

Jin Chen pinched his cheek, a hint of jealousy in his tone: "Nice, coming out with me and then going to look at others."

"Nowhere..."

Zhong Yu withdrew his gaze: "I just feel that Xue Yuanjing is really good at deceiving people."

Xu You looks formidable, yet he too was deceived by Xue Yuanjing for so long—what a pity.

Jin Chen lightly pinched his cheek again: "Don't think about him."

"I'll go say hello to them; this is for you."

He picked a few thumb-sized desserts, placed them in a white porcelain plate, and handed it to Zhong Yu: "Be good and wait for me."

"Mm."

Zhong Yu nodded, took a fork and tasted carefully; after just two bites he stuck out his tongue.

Not tasty.

Too greasy, like biting raw honeycomb.

He glanced around; it seemed other guests were pairing desserts with drinks, which appeared to be the proper way to enjoy the sweets here.

Zhong Yu's highball glass, which he had been holding since entering, finally caught his eye, and then he gave up.

He doesn't like drinking alcohol.

So he casually set the dessert aside and picked a few pieces of biscuit that looked less greasy to eat.

As he ate, Zhong Yu's attention was drawn to a few people not far away who were talking with Jin Chen.

He followed the sound and looked over, his brows slightly furrowing.

"Boss Jin, you actually brought a female companion this time; it seems the earlier rumors about your being pure-hearted and chaste were all false."

Several pot-bellied middle-aged men clinked glasses with Jin Chen; they were high-end users of the club and regular members on the fourth floor.

Jin Chen didn't bring Zhong Yu over to greet them, knowing these people have no filter.

But he hadn't expected the topic to still be steered this way.

"That's right, rumors aren't to be trusted," someone chimed in, smiling meaningfully, "Later, Boss Jin and the brothers will go have a drink."

Jin Chen kept his distance, his expression cold: "No need for a drinking session; I brought him here—how could I possibly drink with others?"

"Ah… Boss Jin, you don't know, that place is great, and there are even prettier ones, not inferior to your Zero Degree Club…"

Before he could finish speaking, that man was attracted by the jogging Zhongyu, his gaze fixed intently.

Zhong Yu linked his arm with Jin Chen's, gently swayed, looked up at him, his unhappiness plainly visible.

"Don't drink." He spoke very softly, with a strong possessiveness he himself didn't realize, "Don't drink with them."

That kind of drinking party sounds really improper.

Zhong Yu hid behind Jin Chen, avoiding the gaze of those few people.

"Not going," Jin Chen embraced him, first coaxing gently, then lifting his gaze, his voice laced with chill.

"Gentlemen, restrain your eyes."

Those few men, as if waking from a dream, were frightened by Jin Chen's attitude and dared not tease further, exchanging a few glances.

Could this not be a lover, but a true partner?!

If she weren't his girlfriend, how could he protect her so tightly?

"This... Boss Jin, is this your girlfriend?"

"He's male," Jin Chen glanced at him, "Gentlemen, please continue, I'll take my leave."

"Male... ahahaha..."

That guy was so embarrassed he almost wanted to dig a hole to hide in.

Watching Jin Chen take the person away, he patted his mouth and looked at the others, "How could you tell he's a man? What's Jin Chen's taste?"

"Oh dear, why do you care what they like? I see it as protecting them like a beloved treasure."

Someone hastily cut ties with them, saying, "If Boss Jin grows dissatisfied, it's not something a few lovers can compensate for."

Even as the few people's voices faded, Zhong Yu, being led away by Jin Chen, still caught the gist.

He watched Jin Chen finish the remaining wine in his cup, suddenly feeling a bit at a loss, clutching tightly at the corner of his clothes.

Jin Chen felt his clothes being pulled, lowered his eyes in puzzlement, ruffled Zhong Yu's hair, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Seeing Zhong Yu's expression off, Jin Chen lowered his head to meet his gaze and teased, "Really jealous? I never agreed to go."

"Or is something uncomfortable?"

Zhong Yu controlled his expression, shook his head, "No discomfort."

He leaned into Jin Chen's embrace, rubbing slightly, trying to steady his mind.

Jin Chen only drank a little; he won't get drunk.

Zhong Yu lowered his eyes, fingertips gripping the hem of his shirt, his heart still unable to stop panicking.

Don't ruin the fun… be happy.

He took a deep breath, pulled his lips into a smile for Jin Chen.

Jin Chen, however, kept feeling something was off, but with so many people around, he didn't ask on the spot; he only reached out to gently stroke his cheek, his eyes like moonlight flowing water.