All eyes fell upon Shen Yuqing, who instinctively straightened his posture under the collective gaze.
Shen Yuqing looked toward Song Lejin and raised his voice slightly, “Brother Lejin, since this guy upset you earlier, I’ve brought him here now. How would you like to have some fun with him?”
Song Lejin was momentarily stunned, not expecting the question to be directed at him. He hesitated, unsure how to respond, his eyes instinctively darting toward Song Wangzhuo before quickly looking away.
Lin Sui interjected, “Yuqing, Lejin he—”
“If Brother Lejin is the one who’s upset, then he should be the one to make the request,” Shen Yuqing cut him off, eyeing Lin Sui. “Otherwise, if you mess this up, Brother Lejin will only get more upset. Look at how many times you’ve made Song Wangzhuo run back and forth—Brother Lejin hasn’t even cracked a smile.”
Song Wangzhuo lowered his gaze. Earlier, a beta colleague had mentioned that a guest on the second floor had specifically requested him to carry several crates of liquor upstairs, asking if he’d offended someone he shouldn’t have. At that moment, he knew he was likely being toyed with again.
But it didn’t matter to him as long as they paid for the liquor.
Lin Sui hissed in realization, as if finally catching on. He turned to Song Lejin and asked, “Lejin, since this guy upset you, just say what you want.”
The hot potato had now been tossed squarely into Song Lejin’s hands. Despite his attempts to deflect, Lin Sui kept pressing him.
Even Shen Yuqing chimed in innocently, “That’s right, Brother Lejin. Just say what you want as long as it’s not too extreme, I’ll back you up.”
Song Lejin wasn’t naive; he could read between the lines. Shen Yuqing’s words were a veiled warning not to go too far.
Lin Sui added fuel to the fire, “Yeah, just say it! I’ve got your back, we’ll make sure you’re happy!”
Under the collective stare, Song Lejin’s smile stiffened on his face.
That idiot Lin Sui.
He cursed inwardly, but when he spoke, his tone remained gentle and meek. “I noticed a milk tea shop when we came in earlier. Since we’re all a bit tired of the alcohol, why don’t you go buy us some milk tea?”
Shen Yuqing took a slow, deep breath. His gamble had paid off.
Had Lin Sui been the one to speak up, he would’ve undoubtedly come up with some humiliating stunt, prompting Song Wangzhuo to walk out exactly the scenario that would trigger the plot point involving the forced humiliation. But by redirecting the decision to Song Lejin, whether out of genuine kindness or pretense, he knew Song Lejin wouldn’t want to reveal his darker side in front of others. Passing him the hot potato was the best move.
Nodding in agreement, Shen Yuqing added, “True, the alcohol’s been a bit dull tonight.”
Pulling out his wallet, Shen Yuqing handed it to Song Wangzhuo. “Get the most expensive ones my treat. Consider it a welcome-back gesture for Brother Lejin.”
Song Wangzhuo looked at the outstretched hand, the colorful lights glinting off it. The young master’s fingers were slender and fair, strikingly elegant.
Taking the wallet, he asked, “Same for you?”
Shen Yuqing thought for a moment. “A strawberry milk, I guess. It’s late better skip the tea.”
Song Wangzhuo took his wallet and left. After walking a few steps, he couldn’t help but glance back, his gaze wanting to land on Shen Yuqing but instead meeting Song Lejin’s eyes once more.
After just a few seconds, Song Lejin averted her gaze and began discussing something with Lin Sui.
Song Wangzhuo also withdrew his gaze and continued onward. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt this Omega Song Lejin seemed somewhat… afraid of him.
Song Wangzhuo soon returned with the drinks. Only Shen Yuqing remained in the booth, currently slumped over the table whether asleep or watching the lively scene below was unclear.
Placing the milk tea on the table, the rustling of the bag seemed to disturb Shen Yuqing, who propped himself up and turned to say, “You’re back.”
Song Wangzhuo gave an affirmative hum and set the wallet down. Shen Yuqing merely glanced at it. Coincidentally, Song Wangzhuo had nothing more to say either their required interaction was complete. As he turned to leave, he heard from behind: “From now on, when you see Lin Sui, steer clear.”
His footsteps paused as he turned back to look at Shen Yuqing.
This time, their eyes finally met properly.
Shen Yuqing’s eyes were bright exceptionally so, even in the dim lighting of the booth and strikingly captivating.
So it hadn’t been his imagination earlier.
He’d been thinking that given Lin Sui’s temperament, the situation would have been hard to resolve, yet Shen Yuqing had effortlessly redirected things with just a few words.
He really had been helping him out.
Last time too in the equipment room, when Shen Yuqing saw him, there had been a fleeting look of surprise on his face. He’d noticed it, though it passed so quickly he’d thought he imagined it.
Now it seemed that surprise had been genuine. Even back then, Shen Yuqing had been covering for him. But why?
Confusion flickered in Song Wangzhuo’s eyes, but Shen Yuqing showed no intention of explaining. He reached for his strawberry milk tea, but with so many drinks bought, he rummaged through two bags without finding it.
Finally, another hand retrieved the strawberry milk for him.
Shen Yuqing looked up. Song Wangzhuo simply placed his drink to the side before turning away again.
Raising an eyebrow, Shen Yuqing called after his retreating figure, “Thanks.”
This time, he truly left.
Shen Yuqing hugged his milk tea and settled back into his seat. The alcohol was hitting him now, making his head spin.
[Has Song Wangzhuo’s plot point passed yet?] Shen Yuqing asked.
The system, long accustomed to this, replied: [It’s already passed.]
This really had been making a mountain out of a molehill.
Shen Yuqing took a sip. The sweet strawberry flavor burst in his mouth. Great, now his head felt even dizzier.
Yawning, he realized he hadn’t slept well these past two days and had been drowsy all day. Combined with all the alcohol, he could hardly wait to collapse into bed.
Since Song Wangzhuo’s plot point was done, he might as well head out now.
Lin Sui had taken Song Lejin downstairs anyway they weren’t going the same direction.
Tucking away his wallet, slinging his bag over one shoulder and clutching the strawberry drink in hand, Shen Yuqing wobbled his way downstairs.
He remembered to text Lin Sui that he was heading back first.
No reply came probably too busy having fun right now.
Shen Yuqing thought of Lin Sui, and then his mind turned to Song Lejin.
His intuition told him this Song Lejin was truly no ordinary person, he’d need to put some effort into understanding Song Wangzhuo in the future.
Alone, he walked through a dimly lit alley. Though it wasn’t even nine o’clock yet, few people took this path.
After a few steps, Shen Yuqing’s expression suddenly grew serious. He frowned. Behind him.
Someone was following him.
