Chapter 24

When Hua Mao left, he only spoke one sentence to Yang Lei.

“I’m not afraid of you stealing Da Ge. Even if you’re better than me, you can’t be better than a girl, can you?”

Hua Mao was grinning.

Yang Lei became alert.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll know when you go to Grand Century Restaurant and ask around.”

Hua Mao left.

At this time in the Grand Century Restaurant, a rumor kept spreading around.

From the restaurant doormen to the waiters, to the kitchen cooks, to the parking lot managers, and then to the management’s managers and deputy managers, nearly all of them knew this rumor.

Because in that time of over a month, there was a special guest who appeared in the restaurant on time nearly every night, and always came alone.

Grand Century Restaurant was a place that the common residents at that time couldn’t really afford. It was mostly civil servants and wealthy people who came. Every time, this guest sat at the same corner by the window, ordering a drink and some very trendy Western desserts at that time, or one or two simple dishes, but only eating a little each time, as though coming to spend money and not to eat.

This guest was a young lady. A very pretty lady.

Everyone who saw her had difficulty forgetting how pretty this lady was.

After the 2000s, there were more and more beautiful girls. The streets were filled with beautiful girls who knew how to dress up, but no matter how beautiful they were, how beautiful their makeup was, there were very few that were like those beauties from the 1980s and 1990s.

Theirs was of a completely natural quality, unable to be created. A real noble lady.

It was said that from the day this beautiful lady appeared at the Grand Century Restaurant, she became the focus of gazes from young men, and the object of older ladies’ and young wives’ jealousy. But no matter how many people were watching her, talking about her, guessing where she came from, and what her purpose was, other than when she ordered, she stayed silent. Every night, she just sat there alone and got up to leave after about two hours.

Later, someone finally found the pattern. She always appeared during the two hours when the general manager, Fang Yu, would appear in the main hall to work.

It wasn’t until Fang Yu hadn’t gone to Grand Century Restaurants for several days because of Jianghu matters, that the young lady finally said something other than her order to the waiter.

“Excuse me…”

The lady’s voice was as gentle and delicate as she was.

“…Your general manager, Mr. Fang… Is he not here these days?”

From that time on, everyone knew that she came for Fang Yu.

Ever since the ancient times, beautiful women loved heroes; moreover, Fang Yu was a handsome man.

At that time, there were girls who bravely pursued out of love, but it was very rare for such a young woman to use this kind of public and conspicuous method to actively and openly pursue.

Gossip always spread the fastest. The news spread quickly, and of course it spread to Fang Yu’s ears.

Fang Yu had noticed this girl. It was impossible not to recognize guests who came to the restaurant every night for a month, even if they had a plain face without any characteristics, much less a pretty girl like her.

But Fang Yu didn’t take these rumors to heart at all. At that time, he was settling Hua Mao’s business. Revenge had been taken, and the people were pacified, but Jianghu’s matters all had to be completely “finished.” Even if it was a revenge killing, it had to be finished cleanly. If it couldn’t be finished cleanly, it would leave a lifetime of trouble, so all of Fang Yu’s energy was on dealing with these matters. How could he care about these jests?

Having dealt with this matter, Fang Yu showed up again at the Grand Century Restaurant that night. The lady called over a waiter, her voice still gentle and delicate.

“Could you please ask your general manager to come over?”

Hearing the waiter’s message, Fang Yu looked up and came from behind the manager’s desk, walking towards the corner table where the lady was sitting.

Nearly all of the workers looked over together, even more excited than when waiting to watch a movie.

“Hello. How can I help you?” Fang Yu asked politely.

The lady raised her eyes, looking at Fang Yu. Her eyes were like two beautiful springs. She maintained a formal posture, but her face turned red.

“Do you have papaya and snow clam soup?” the lady asked softly.

Fang Yu was taken aback.

“Sorry, we don’t.”

Now, this tonic and beautifying product is everywhere. At that time, it was still quite rare. Fang Yu’s restaurant wasn’t that trendy yet.

“I went to many places, but none of them have this dish…. Can you make it for me?”

The lady was still speaking softly, her eyes always looking at Fang Yu.

Fang Yu was in a difficult position. How could he know to make this clam whatever!

“I’m really sorry… Our chef doesn’t know how to make this dish. Why don’t I help you ask around for which restaurant has it, okay?”

“I like your restaurant. If I teach you how to make it, can you make it for me?” the lady asked, still looking at Fang Yu.

“All right!” Fang Yu said easily.

With more new dishes, they could attract more customers. This was a good thing.

Seeing that Fang Yu had agreed, the lady slightly let out a breath. Even Fang Yu could sense the nervousness and calmness in her desperate composure…

When Yang Lei went to Grand Century Restaurant, he didn’t need to ask at all. Everyone knew of this matter.

“That young lady, heh, she’s really capable. She isn’t an ordinary person! There are many girls around Fang Yu, but she has the most ideas. She taught them some ‘papaya and snow clam soup,’ while Fang Yu stayed by her side. Haven’t they gotten close?!”

“Haven’t they? But with her style, have you seen the skirt she wore that day? I went to the department store to look at the price, tsk tsk, I was scared to death!”

“I don’t know what Manager Fang thinks of her?”

“Well, do you need to ask? Such a pretty and wealthy lady has come. Is there a man who doesn’t want her??”

…

When Yang Lei heard this, his face turned green.

Yang Lei had also met this lady. He often went to the Grand Century Restaurant to visit Fang Yu at night. How could he not have seen her? Yang Lei was also a man; how could he have no reaction to a pretty lady? He had noticed long ago. At that time, he even joked with Fang Yu: “Look at that girl, always looking at the two of us. Who does she like?”

Fang Yu even said: “You, definitely you.”

Yang Lei laughed with a “hehe”: “I don’t think so. The ladies who like me are all the bold type. This one doesn’t seem like that!”

It could be seen that Yang Lei’s intuition was very accurate.

Now that Yang Lei heard this, he had mixed feelings in his heart. He was about to ask where Fang Yu was, when Fang Yu walked out from the back of the restaurant.

“Fang…”

Just as Yang Lei was about to greet him, he paused for a moment. That lady also walked out behind Fang Yu.

Fang Yu saw Yang Lei, walked over, and patted him.

“Wait a moment for me.”

He turned to the lady.

“Miss Lin, I’ll call a car to send you home.”

“No need, my house isn’t far from here,” the lady said gently.

“It’s not safe at night. It’s better to send you off. Our car also needs to go out for business. It’s along the way.”

“Okay, then… Thank you.” The lady stared dazedly at Fang Yu.

Fang Yu saw the lady to the car and came back. He saw Yang Lei leaning against the manager’s desk, smoking.

“Heh, heh, you’ll be fined!” Fang Yu joked.

Yang Lei crinkled his eyes and glanced at him with a smile at the corners of his mouth.

“Pretty intimate,” Yang Lei said.

Fang Yu didn’t take his teasing seriously.

“Why don’t I see you so refined usually? You didn’t even say a dirty word.”

“Fuck!” Fang Yu gave him a dirty word.

“Can I say dirty words to guests?”

“Was that a guest? I heard as soon as I entered these doors. Are you treating me as an outsider? You have such a big affair, and you didn’t tell me.”

Yang Lei was still lifting the corner of his mouth.

“Enough! Hear what nonsense they’re saying.”

When Fang Yu thought of the rumors flying everywhere, he was annoyed.

Yang Lei observed Fang Yu’s expression, stubbed out the cigarette, and put an arm around Fang Yu’s shoulder.

“All right, come eat with brother.”

That night, Yang Lei didn’t mention this matter again, and Fang Yu also didn’t mention it.

Yang Lei wanted to ask, but in matters like these, Yang Lei was careful instead. He wasn’t crude like he was in fights. He thought that if Fang Yu really had thoughts about that lady, if he asked, it was asking for his own sorrow. If Fang Yu didn’t have such thoughts, and he kept asking, Fang Yu’s lack of thoughts could instead turn into having thoughts.

Yang Lei was impulsive, more so than anyone. Yang Lei could endure, better than anyone.

He didn’t ask a single word.

But after two days, the two of them ran into that lady.

That lady’s surname was Lin. Her name was Lin Shanshan.

Lin Shanshan teaching the chef how to make papaya and snow clam soup, was finding an opportunity to get to know Fang Yu. She also truly got to know Fang Yu, but after making this dish, she originally hoped that Fang Yu could interact more with her. Yet she hadn’t thought that Fang Yu was really professional. Not only did he not ask for her contact information, but he also didn’t say an unnecessary word. It was completely a gentleman’s friendship. After teaching them how to make the dish, she went and sat in the restaurant again. Fang Yu just greeted her and spoke a few words with her. Sometimes, he brought some drinks and desserts, and gave some discounts and whatnot. There was nothing else.

Lin Shanshan also couldn’t stand it anymore. No matter how reserved she was, she hadn’t thought that Fang Yu would be such a gentleman. After all, around her, none of the men she had met were like this. After knowing her, they all actively pursued her. Now, she also didn’t know what to do going forward.

So, she could only muster her courage again, and go find Fang Yu.

That day, Fang Yu was quite free. He went to Yang Lei’s company and waited for Yang Lei to finish work. When Yang Lei finished work and the two of them came out together, they saw Lin Shanshan waiting at the entrance of the company.

Lin Shanshan had heard from the Grand Century Restaurant, and knew that Fang Yu came here to see Yang Lei, so she came over.

“Miss Lin?”

Fang Yu was also very surprised.

“What can I do for you?”

Lin Shanshan bit her lip. Fang Yu saw her expression, and was a little silent.

Fang Yu wasn’t a fool. This lady’s thoughts were expressed so obviously that everyone could see them. Could Fang Yu not see them?

Beautiful girls were every man’s longing. It wasn’t true to say that Fang Yu wasn’t moved at all.

But Fang Yu wasn’t someone who easily took this step emotionally. Or else, could a major gangster like him, with status and social standing in Jianghu, not have a woman?

Yang Lei looked at these two people on the side. He didn’t speak.

“…In the future, don’t call me Miss Lin. You can just call me Shanshan,” Lin Shanshan said quietly.

“I… I want to be friends with you. Can I?” Lin Shanshan gathered all of her courage. Her face was red to the back of her ears.

“We are already friends,” Fang Yu said. He wouldn’t embarrass any girl.

Lin Shanshan lowered her head and took out a card from her bag. It was the most popular and exquisite greeting card of those years. It was also scented, and it was the most advanced music card of that time. It was an electronic card that could automatically produce pleasant music once it was opened.

Lin Shanshan handed the card to Fang Yu and blushingly said, “It’s for you,” and then turned around and quickly left.

“…”

Fang Yu accepted this card. Opening it, there was a string of tinkling music notes, like the lady’s soft heart.

Inside, several lines were written in elegant script: “Fang Yu: I wish you success in your work and happiness every day.” Below, there was also a tiny phone number.

Yang Lei stood to the side with crossed arms. Fang Yu glanced at him.

“What’s with your expression?”

Fang Yu asked Yang Lei.

“Envy and jealousy,” Yang Lei said.

If it were 2011, Yang Lei should say envy, jealousy, and hate.

Fang Yu gave the card to Yang Lei.

“Why are you giving it to me?”

“I don’t have a place to put it right now. Should I hold it in my hands?”

“I also don’t have a place.”

“Put it in your office.”

“You don’t want it? It’s the lady’s love letter, such an infatuation.” Hearing that Fang Yu didn’t plan to take it, Yang Lei’s originally extremely gloomy mood became better.

“Enough!” Fang Yu could tell that Yang Lei was being sarcastic with him.

That night, they ate outside. Yang Lei and Fang Yu both drank wine, and Yang Lei raised his eyes and asked Fang Yu: “Just what do you think about her?”

Today’s face-to-face meeting made Yang Lei unable to sit still. He couldn’t keep waiting. If he kept waiting, he was afraid that Fang Yu would become someone else’s person the next day.

“How can I think?” Fang Yu said.

“I don’t believe that you really don’t have any thoughts at all.”

When Yang Lei said these words, his heart was bitter. He knew that, for a girl like this to actively pursue, few men could really resist.

“She’s really not bad, but look, are we the same kind of people?” Fang Yu said.

“If you’re not the same kind of people, then you don’t dare to have thoughts?”

“It’s not that I don’t dare.”

Fang Yu drank a mouthful of wine and raised his eyes to look at Yang Lei.

“I told you about my past sweetheart. When she and I were together, I swore to treat her well. But later, there were too many things that I knew I couldn’t do. I can’t give a good girl security, unless that girl is also playing with me and doesn’t take it seriously,” Fang Yu said.

“According to your words, you’re not going to date?”

Yang Lei was still unhappy in his heart. He didn’t know if Fang Yu didn’t like that lady, or if although Fang Yu liked her, he didn’t want to burden her.

“After a few years, I really can’t mess around anymore, and Jiu Ge won’t need me to mess around. Then I’ll find a girl and get married.”

“All of these are excuses,” Yang Lei couldn’t help saying.

“Do you have someone in your heart or not?”

Fang Yu stared ahead. His expression was a little complicated, a little bewildered. Fang Yu was always firm. He rarely had this kind of expression.

“I don’t know,” Fang Yu said.

That night, Yang Lei followed Fang Yu back to Fang Yu’s house.

Right now, both of them each had their own work to do. It wasn’t like before. Yang Lei didn’t have that much time to often go to Fang Yu’s place and live, so right now, when Yang Lei occasionally followed Fang Yu back, it was like a tacit indication. They were going to sleep together.

Fang Yu didn’t say anything. They entered, and just as the door closed, Yang Lei tightly hugged Fang Yu, bringing him toward the bed.

They took off their clothes with heavy breaths. Yang Lei roughly and impatiently fondled Fang Yu. His strength was much greater than usual and much more impatient.

“…!” Fang Yu was hurt by Yang Lei, and he couldn’t help but push him away.

“What’s with you?”

Fang Yu asked hoarsely.

“Nothing.”

Yang Lei also answered hoarsely. He fondled Fang Yu’s body forcefully. Now, Fang Yu already didn’t resist his fondling. He fondled Fang Yu’s smooth skin and strong waist. He couldn’t restrain the complicated motions that filled his heart, and kissed Fang Yu’s neck. After kissing a few times, he couldn’t bear it anymore, and went to kiss Fang Yu’s lips.

“…”

Fang Yu turned his head away.

The two of them had played until now, and they had gotten used to playing, but they had never kissed.

This was like a bottom line. No one had talked about it, but it was a bottom line that both of them were clear about.

They could jerk each other off and they could give blowjobs, but that was all “playing.” Even if their playing went too far and it was absurd, that was still playing. But kissing wasn’t the same. That was something only lovers would do. If they kissed, then that really wasn’t playing, and they couldn’t keep playing.

Yang Lei knew, and Fang Yu knew.

So Yang Lei had never kissed Fang Yu. No matter how passionate he was, he hadn’t. He strenuously restrained himself.

Even though in dreams, he had already kissed Fang Yu countless times. He always greedily, deeply kissed him, entangling his tongue and not letting go, wishing that he could not let go for a lifetime…

Seeing Fang Yu dodge, Yang Lei didn’t insist. He kissed Fang Yu’s face once, and brought their things together…