By the time they had unpacked all the takeout Lin Sui had ordered, Song Lejin happened to emerge from his room. He had changed into a light-colored outfit that made him look exceptionally gentle.
Shen Yuqing only glanced at him before averting his gaze, but then he noticed Lin Sui staring at Song Lejin, completely transfixed, as if he had even forgotten to blink.
Shen Yuqing cleared his throat lightly and nudged Lin Sui’s arm, signaling him to snap out of it.
Lin Sui also coughed awkwardly, lowering his head and busying himself with something to do.
There was no helping it he just adored this kind of ethereal, soft-spoken Omega.
Song Lejin perfectly embodied everything he liked.
As Song Lejin walked over, the others started teasing, “Wow~ That outfit looks amazing on you!”
Song Lejin smiled faintly. “Alright, enough teasing.”
His gaze landed on the spread of lobster dishes covering the coffee table, and he raised an eyebrow. “It really has been a while since I’ve had crayfish. What a treat tonight.”
Lin Sui immediately said, “If you like it, have more I’ll peel some for you!”
The fact that Lin Sui had feelings for Song Lejin was no secret among their group, so everyone tactfully left the seat next to Song Lejin open for him.
Song Lejin gestured warmly. “Don’t stand on ceremony, everyone. Sit down.”
While he spoke, Lin Sui had already silently peeled a whole bowl of shrimp for him.
Song Lejin generously said, “Brother Sui is so kind he peeled shrimp for all of us.”
One of the slightly drunk guests smirked and emphasized, “Oh, for all of us?”
Before Lin Sui could respond, Song Lejin cut in, “Of course! Brother Sui is absolutely the best.”
Lin Sui, who had just been handed a “good guy” card, wasn’t exactly thrilled, but when he met Song Lejin’s eyes, he forced a smile. “Everyone, dig in! I’ll peel more for you all!”
Shen Yuqing swirled his wine glass, musing to himself indeed, only those who were favored could afford to be so bold.
The little episode passed quickly. By the end of the night, Shen Yuqing’s head was also starting to feel heavy. Just as Lin Sui had said, the alcohol was strong, and its effects crept up slowly. Shen Yuqing hadn’t thought he’d drunk much, but the delayed kick was hitting him now.
Noticing this, Song Lejin said, “I had someone prepare sobering soup. Let me get a bowl for everyone.”
While the others were visibly tipsy, Song Lejin had barely drunk anything his face wasn’t even flushed.
He headed to the kitchen and soon returned with the soup. “Alright, no more drinking. Everyone, sober up a bit.”
Song Lejin handed a bowl to Shen Yuqing. “Yuqing, drink up, or you’ll have a bad headache later.”
Shen Yuqing murmured his thanks and took the bowl, sipping it slowly. It was sweet and actually quite tasty.
Before long, the bowl was empty.
Lin Sui, who was still somewhat coherent, announced, “It’s getting late. Let’s call it a night we’ll meet up again another time!”
Song Lejin smiled. “Thanks, everyone, for coming to warm my new place. Let’s do this again soon.”
As they prepared to leave, Shen Yuqing hazily glanced out the window. The rain had stopped at some point. Song Wangzhuo had said he was going back upstairs he probably wouldn’t go out again tonight, right?
He glanced at the time on his wrist comm unnoticed, it was already nearly 9 p.m.
At this hour, Song Lejin probably wouldn’t be going out anymore, so Song Wangzhuo going out for part-time work shouldn’t be a big issue.
Shen Yuqing felt slightly relieved it seemed his task was nearly complete.
Song Lejin looked at Shen Yuqing, who was resting with his eyes closed on the sofa, and said, “Yuqing, let me take you home.”
Shen Yuqing waved his hand dismissively. “No need, no need. I can get back myself. Didn’t drink… much.”
As he struggled to get up, he realized his body felt strangely weak.
Song Lejin, standing nearby, steadied him with a concerned look. “Are you alright?”
Shen Yuqing waved again and opened his smart device to call Xiao Zhao. He had told Xiao Zhao where he was going before leaving. When the call connected, Shen Yuqing said, “Come pick me up.”
Xiao Zhao quickly agreed and hung up.
Lin Sui, also slightly tipsy, said to Song Lejin, “Sorry for bothering you so late. You haven’t even rested yet.”
“Not at all,” Song Lejin replied. “I’m really happy, Brother Sui. You know I never had many friends growing up.”
A hint of loneliness flickered across his face. “You’re the only one who ever included me. I should be thanking you.”
Lin Sui grinned foolishly. “My friends are your friends! Right, Yuqing?”
Hearing his name, Shen Yuqing mumbled incoherently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
His head felt dizzy why did it seem like the hangover soup from last time had done nothing? If anything, he felt worse.
Fortunately, Xiao Zhao arrived soon, accompanied by Wu Yi. The two helped Shen Yuqing up. Before leaving, Shen Yuqing glanced at Lin Sui and asked, “Need a ride home?”
Song Lejin interjected, “No need. You go ahead. I have plenty of rooms here Brother Sui can stay the night.”
Shen Yuqing nodded and let Wu Yi and Xiao Zhao support him out.
The living room finally quieted down. The smile on Song Lejin’s face faded as he glanced at the servants. “Clean up.”
The servants hurried to obey, not daring to displease him.
Song Lejin’s disdain was unmistakable Lin Sui was utterly foolish.
He had asked Lin Sui to invite Shen Yuqing and Pei Yiyan, but instead, a bunch of stinking alphas had shown up.
“Lejin, what are you looking at?” Lin Sui’s voice came from behind.
Song Lejin turned around, his gentle smile back in place. “Let’s go, Brother Sui. I’ll take you home.”
By the time Wu Yi carried Shen Yuqing home, he was already asleep. Pei Yiyan, who had been waiting in the living room, frowned at the strong smell of alcohol. “Why did he drink so much?”
Xiao Zhao was equally worried. “Yeah, I’ve never seen the young master like this. Wu Yi, put him down gently I’ll make some hangover soup.”
Wu Yi carefully laid Shen Yuqing on the sofa, but he didn’t wake.
As Xiao Zhao headed to the kitchen, Pei Yiyan asked again, “What happened?”
Wu Yi also shook his head: “When Xiao Zhao and I arrived, Young Master Shen was still awake. He vomited once as soon as we reached downstairs, then fell asleep in the car. That’s how he ended up like this.”
Both of them glanced at Shen Yuqing. Wu Yi continued, “But Young Master Shen and his friends probably just drank too much. I saw a table full of food they likely overdid it with alcohol. Some sobering soup should do the trick.”
Pei Yiyan gave a slight nod. Soon after, Xiao Zhao came out with the sobering soup and called Shen Yuqing’s name twice, but there was no response.
Xiao Zhao frowned, “What’s going on?”
If it was just drunkenness, he should have woken up.
Lying quietly on the sofa, Shen Yuqing wasn’t making any noise or fuss, only his steady breathing audible.
This was enough to alarm Xiao Zhao. “I’ll call a doctor to check on him,” he said.
Shen Yuqing’s safety was no joking matter. If anything happened to him, Xiao Zhao would be in serious trouble.
Pei Yiyan observed the situation, finding it odd as well. He recalled that when he and Shen Yuqing first got engaged, Shen had gotten drunk out of anger once. Back then, he had been utterly unruly and aggressive. Why was he so quiet today?
While Xiao Zhao was calling the doctor, Pei Yiyan reached out and checked Shen Yuqing’s pulse.
Steady and strong. He was fine.
For some reason, Pei Yiyan felt a wave of relief.
