Chapter 458: Plan to Win Back Boyfriend Using Green Tea 03

He Yuchuan hadn't spoken yet, and Gu Yuanheng, who was being treated as a guest, quickly introduced himself.

"...... Do you have a boyfriend now?"

He spoke quickly and naturally, and on his face he wore just the right smile of Yuge; no one could find fault.

If it were an ordinary younger brother, he should now politely shake the hand he extended.

But Jin Chen just froze, tears quickly filling his peach-blossom eyes, red-rimmed as he took He Yuchuan's hand, without even looking at Gu Yuanheng.

"Why are you crying again?"

He Yuchuan was clueless, not knowing where he had offended this delicate little thing again.

He just nodded, "Hmm." His expression didn't change, but his heart felt inexplicable ups and downs because of Jin Chen's aggrieved expression.

Crystal-clear teardrops instantly rolled from his eye sockets, landing on He Yuchuan's hand back, somewhat scalding.

Jin Chen sniffled, pouting, "Do you still like me then?"

【……】0731 silently shuddered, shaking off goosebumps everywhere.

Gu Yuanheng heard those words, his expression a bit weird; how could it feel strange—whose childhood friend would ask that upon learning his older brother had a partner?

He Yuchuan looked at the tear on the back of his hand, a little dazed; he lifted his gaze to Jin Chen's aggrieved look, followed his heart's thought, and reached out to wipe away his tears.

"What are you crying for? I never said I don't like you."

Perhaps just returning from the night, He Yuchuan's fingertips were slightly cool, just like his usual aloof demeanor, but Jin Chen didn't mind; instead, he rubbed his cheek against those fingertips.

Having received the answer, Jin Chen obediently nodded, the corners of his mouth slightly pursed into a faint smile, soft and harmless.

"Then that's good; I only have you left—don't abandon me."

That's good, I only have you left; don't leave me.

He Yuchuan responded, feeling nothing wrong.

Although Jin Chen had no blood relation with him, they had grown up together as brothers, the last bond in this world, and thus should not be separated.

Although he lacks emotional perception, he understands this reasoning.

Gu Yuanheng, neglected on the side, endured his growing strange thoughts, planning to get on good terms with Jin Chen.

"Xiao Chen, may I call you that? You've just returned, you must be tired—finish your meal and rest well."

Jin Chen dried his tears, looking at Gu Yuanheng with a smile.

But his eyes seemed to convey something else.

It was just a fleeting moment; Gu Yuanheng hadn't even noticed before Jin Chen had already turned around.

At that moment, the kitchen staff happened to bring up the porridge, also preparing three small side dishes—more than enough for dinner.

In the main hall there was a small table; Jin Chen looked at the individual portion of porridge, then turned his gaze to He Yuchuan sitting down on the sofa.

In the main hall there was a small dining table; Jin Chen looked at the single-serving porridge, then turned his head to look at He Yuchuan sitting down on the sofa.

He Yuchuan glanced at the data messages on the tablet and casually replied, "Not yet."

Gu Yuanheng spoke for him, "Today is my birthday; Yuchuan promised to go out on a date for dinner later, Xiao Chen, rest well at home."

His smile was gentle, making him appear even more attentive to Jin Chen than He Yuchuan, this Yuge.

After he said that, Jin Chen didn't say much more, dazedly nodded, turned his body to focus on drinking the porridge.

The main hall gradually grew quiet.

After He Yuchuan entered work mode, he focused intently, basically not disturbed by outside sounds; Gu Yuanheng also inexplicably read a book on the side, didn't speak further, merely covertly surveying the extremely luxurious interior of the Zhuang Yuan.

Until He Yuchuan had just finished processing the data emails, then he heard a faint sobbing sound.

He frowned in confusion; his first reaction was wondering when the Zhuang Yuan had started keeping a milk cat, only then realizing Jin Chen had already returned home.

He instinctively looked toward the other side.

"Jin Chen."

A cool voice came from behind; the back of the one drinking porridge paused, didn't turn his head, merely lifted his sleeve as if wiping his face.

Indeed he was crying; wasn't he just soothed earlier?

He Yuchuan's eyes flashed with incomprehension; he set down the tablet and rose.

He Yuchuan's eyes flashed with incomprehension, he put down the tablet and stood up.

If he didn't speak it would be fine, but once he spoke, Jin Chen couldn't help but lift his head, clutching his garment's corner with a wronged expression, his tone low like a child about to be abandoned.

"Don't you want me? Why won't you eat with me?"

"I've been abroad for five years; every day I miss my older brother, and when eating I also think of eating with you."

"But now that I'm back, I'm still eating alone."

Jin Chen didn't say a word; his voice grew softer and softer, until it was almost squeezed out of his throat, making listeners feel especially heartbroken.

He took He Yuchuan's palm and pressed it against his cheek, the action extremely intimate, his peach-blossom eyes locked without blinking.

He Yuchuan furrowed his brows in thought; his mind could almost picture a frail child alone eating in a dark room.

For some reason, his heart suddenly felt a pang of sourness.

He Yuchuan hadn't even grasped this strange feeling when Gu Yuanheng already spoke.

"Xiao Chen, it's just today; tomorrow night you can have dinner with Yuchuan, right?"

"But... when I wasn't back, Gu Ge should have eaten many meals with my older brother; why won't he even spare today's time for me?"

Jin Chen's tone was awkward, and he secretly rubbed He Yuchuan's palm.

Gu Yuanheng was choked, his face distorting for a moment.

"Because it's my birthday today—do you not understand human speech!"

Of course, he didn't say those words to He Yuchuan's face.

Of course, he didn't say that to He Yuchuan's face.

The feeling in his palm was soft and warm, like Jin Chen's nature; He Yuchuan withdrew his hand, feeling that Jin Chen's words weren't wrong.

He hasn't come back in five years; no matter how you look at it, it's more important than a birthday.

He Yuchuan, who always liked to prioritize things, thought that and turned to look at Gu Yuanheng.

"Either we eat at home, or we book a table for three at a restaurant."

"This is a declarative sentence."

Having said that, Gu Yuanheng knew there was no room for turning back.

He was so angry his teeth itched; how could his long‑sought opportunity be changed by just one sentence from Jin Chen!

But thinking of tonight's plan, he could only agree.

"Then I'll call the restaurant now and add a seat for one more person, even though having three people for a candlelit dinner is still rather strange."

Gu Yuanheng gave a bitter laugh.

But inside he thought that as long as He Yuchuan went out with him tonight, he could persuade him to spend the night outside, and he could also figure out how to get the access card that He Yuchuan carries on his person.

As for Jin Chen...

He surely couldn't possibly have to sleep together with He Yuchuan, could he!

Just as he had finished sorting out his own thoughts, Jin Chen started stirring up trouble again.

Jin Chen seemed afraid Gu Yuanheng would get angry; he furtively glanced at Gu Yuanheng's motion of preparing to call and rebook the restaurant seat, then got up and hugged He Yuchuan's arm.

"Brother, would it be alright if we ate at home? I've learned to cook myself and want to make a meal for you."

He was somewhat close; He Yuchuan should have felt uncomfortable, but just like the earlier embrace, it seemed that Jin Chen's closeness did not provoke rejection.