Chapter 1097: The Gentle Neighbor's Drama Queen Sweetheart 25

Midway through the banquet, Xue Yuanjing arrived late in a graceful manner.

Unlike his previous days of slovenly dirtiness, he was now neatly groomed, no different from before their breakup.

Xu You glanced at him and could tell at a glance that he was probably using his boyfriend's identity to come straight from the counter.

She then secretly rolled her eyes, feeling stifled in her heart.

How had she never noticed before how shameless Xue Yuanjing was?

As soon as Xue Yuanjing entered, the first thing he saw was Jin Chen and Zhongyu Yu standing side by side, chatting and laughing happily.

They looked so well matched.

His eyes betrayed jealousy and resentment; how could they have become so intimate after knowing each other for such a short time? Zhongyu Yu used to be completely unlike this.

Zhongyu Yu didn't see him approach, but sensed an uncomfortable gaze; out of the corner of his eye he spotted Xue Yuanjing and frowned in displeasure.

But mindful of the setting, the malicious expression on Xue Yuanjing's face flashed and vanished as he hurried over to Xu You.

"Sorry, dear, I'm late today."

The friends beside Xu You all wore bewildered expressions, and Xu You herself was no exception.

"What are you on about?"

He hissed a reprimand, "Do you dislike that your life is too good?"

Xue Yuanjing's smile remained, looking intimately close, "You wouldn't want to lose face here, would you?"

"I'm just here to keep you company; I've accompanied you to every banquet before."

Xu You's face darkened; she almost wanted to drive him away on the spot, but the host was still present, an elder, and if the banquet were ruined because of him, it would be a loss not worth the gain.

He pulled Xue Yuanjing close and snapped coldly, "If you dare cause trouble, I'll make sure you can't even be a beggar."

"Whatever it is, we can talk after it ends." Xue Yuanjing reversed his grip, pulling him close with a beaming smile, "Rest assured, I just want to have a proper talk with you."

Tonight he had it in the bag; there was no way he'd let Xu You go again.

Jin Chen witnessed this scene, took out his phone, and messaged Zhou Yao.

Jin Chen: Xue Yuanjing has arrived at the banquet; you didn't come with him?

The other side replied quickly.

Zhou Yao: I'm outside the banquet hall; do I need to go in now?

Jin Chen raised his eyes to assess the situation; it seemed Xue Yuanjing still had another trick up his sleeve, otherwise how could he appear so confident?

Jin Chen: No need, I'll call you later.

Zhou Yao: Okay, boss, I'll keep working then.

Jin Chen: What are you doing?

Zhou Yao: Writing a paper; Xu You said she'd kick me out if I couldn't finish it.

Jin Chen: ……

He turned off his phone, head aching.

He had hired someone with money to study.

The entire first half consisted of guests getting to know each other, either directly discussing projects or arranging to play golf, all in an effort to make the most of the banquet to broaden their networks.

Jin Chen had no one in particular he needed to meet, so he brought Zhongyu Yu to sample various cakes, rating their sweetness, and they had a great time.

"I think…"

Zhongyu Yu wiped off the cream, looked up at him earnestly, and said, "Still, yours tastes the best."

Having been fed by Jin Chen for so long, his palate had become quite refined.

"Everything here is so sweet; do you all in high society love desserts?"

Jin Chen chuckled lightly, using his fingertip to wipe the corner of his mouth, "Probably to keep guests from getting drunk too easily."

"You eat like this, it's a bit too sweet."

Zhongyu Yu's eyes flickered; he instinctively asked, "And you? Do you get drunk?"

"No."

Jin Chen withdrew his hand, sensing something subtle, "... You don't want me to get drunk?"

Zhongyu Yu hummed, pondering how to reply, when a sudden voice interrupted their conversation.

"Jin Ge, you actually brought a companion this time."

The comer was a youth in a small suit, fairly handsome; seeing Jin Chen, he spoke in a coquettish tone.

"We've known each other for so long; why didn't you invite me?"

【Oh ho! A suitor has arrived! Host in danger——】

Jin Chen's brow twitched; he locked 0731 into the little black room.

"Who… is this? I don't think I've met you before; Jin Ge, won't you introduce me?"

【50】 Li Yuan, without the embarrassment of a solo performance, steered the topic toward Zhongyu Yu, also seeking to take the lead, smiling and humming, yet with hidden probing.

He really hadn't seen this person before; to be brought as a banquet male companion by someone Jin Chen had just met, the person must either have an impressive background or be highly capable.

Zhongyu Yu keenly sensed a danger signal coming from this person, as if it were a warning.

He disliked this feeling, as if the person wanted to steal Jin Chen away.

"Young Master Li, I think we're not close enough yet for you to be invited as a male companion."

Jin Chen clinked glasses with him, but his expression remained cold.

"Come on, let's go sit in the garden."

He took Zhongyu Yu's hand, preparing to leave, but Li Yuan refused to let go, completely unafraid of losing face, blocking their path.

"How are we not familiar? We've known each other for five years; don't I know you better than he does?"

Li Yuan's tone was spoiled; he glared fiercely at Zhongyu Yu, "I've only been abroad traveling for a month, and you already have someone else by your side!"

Li Yuan's tone was sharp and unreasonable; she glared fiercely at Zhongyu Yu, "I've only been abroad traveling for a month, and you already have someone else!"

As soon as those words were spoken, those who didn't know assumed Zhongyu Yu had meddled; the nearby guests whispered among themselves, obviously gossiping.

Zhongyu Yu lowered his gaze, realizing this person's intention.

He let go of Jin Chen's hand.

Jin Chen felt a sudden emptiness, instinctively turning, "Yu Bao, I really not…"

Before he could finish, his arms were filled, and the person's long hair brushed his fingertips.

"Jin Ge… he calls you like that, you must be very close."

Zhongyu Yu lifted his wet lashes, his eyes filling with mist: "You've never mentioned him to me—are you not acquainted, or are you deliberately hiding him from me?"

Jin Chen held the person close and immediately said, "Not acquainted."

Li Yuan drew a deep breath and angrily snapped at Zhongyu Yu, "Stand up straight this instant! You have no manners whatsoever—don't you dare hug him!"

Zhongyu Yu trembled, tears welling in his eyes, looking pitiful; he still didn't glance over there, only blinking as he stared at Jin Chen.

"He's so scary, I'm afraid."

"Can't I hug you…?"

His tone was coquettish yet self-assured, with just the right touch of pitifulness.

Even knowing it was an act, Jin Chen still felt his heart melt at the coquettish display, holding the person's slender waist in his arms and hoarsely saying, "Of course."

Li Yuan was about to burst with anger at this damn green-tea act.

"Jin Ge! You…"

"Shut up."

Jin Chen felt his anger rise; if he let the person say a few more words, his wife would be gone.

"Young Master Li, I've never had anything with you—please behave yourself."

I don't know where this person came from, but they're even more annoying than Xue Yuanjing.

"It's nothing to do with me… then tell me! What's your relationship with this person?!"

Li Yuan pointed furiously at Zhongyu Yu, his voice booming so he wished everyone could hear.

Zhongyu Yu's earlier pitiful, coquettish expression shifted slightly, unsure how Jin Chen would respond.

He furrowed his brows slightly, head drooping as he buried his face in Jin Chen's neck, refusing to lift it.

Sensing his wife's unease, Jin Chen held her and gently patted her back, telling Li Yuan, "I'm pursuing him; as for the rest…"

His tone suddenly turned cold, and he said indifferently, "Young Master Li, are you meddling too much?"

Having been rebuked repeatedly, Li Yuan could feel the surrounding guests' mocking glances.

"Li Yuan, come here—just a moment ago I wasn't watching you and you stirred up trouble again."

Miss Li hauled her disappointing brother away, apologetically smiling at Jin Chen: "Sorry, Boss Jin."

"I'll come by another day to apologize in person."

She dragged Li Yuan away, practically threatening that if he caused trouble again he'd be thrown out and have it written on his face.

Li Yuan was unwilling to let the person he'd pursued for so long be taken, but fearing his sister, he could only leave grudgingly.

The surrounding guests, quick to take a hint, saw there was no gossip to be had, immediately shifted the topic and chatted among themselves, as if nothing had just occurred.

Xue Yuanjing took in the whole scene, and envied Jin Chen for being able to openly embrace Zhongyu Yu, when he himself had never even been allowed to hold hands.

He also thought Zhongyu Yu was being pretentious, unable to discern priorities in such an important setting.

His gaze was too obvious; Xu You beside him rolled his eyes and drawled, "What are you looking at? Is it nice?"

Xue Yuanjing hastily averted his gaze, trying to appease: "Just casually looking; nobody here is as pretty as Xiao You."

"Xu You: 'Nervous.'"

He snatched a cup of strong liquor and poured it into Xue Yuanjing's glass, mocking and jeering, with not a shred of sympathy.

"Drink it, or you'll be thrown out when the banquet ends."

"Drink! I'll drink—we still have to talk later!"

Xue Yuanjing stared at the full cup of strong liquor, gritted his teeth, tipped his head back, and drained it.

Just thinking that the drug he'd given Xu You had already been consumed, he felt certain tonight would succeed, and also thought this strong liquor was nothing to speak of.