TLSMLMMM Chapter 24

Friend? What friend?

Chu Junlie’s gaze instantly grew wary. His eyes moved slightly, and after a moment, when he turned his head, his face carried a bright smile.

“Mr. Si, I don’t mind.”

Si Yunyi nodded, stood up, and went toward the bedroom. Chu Junlie’s eyes followed him closely until the door shut.

Lowering his head, Chu Junlie began wiping the dining table hard, repeatedly imagining what kind of person could be friends with Mr. Si.

He remembered that back in the small supermarket, an old regular once mentioned that the number of people who liked Mr. Si could line up from Gangcheng all the way to Paris but unfortunately, Mr. Si never had any intention of getting married.

Now that many people knew he and Mr. Si were engaged, would those people start getting ideas again? Would they try to get close to Mr. Si?

But then again, this friend might just be a simple, genuine friend like the kind of friendship he had with Grandpa Chang.

Chu Junlie stared at the dining table he’d polished to a shine, then glanced again at the closed bedroom door. A restless unease stirred in his chest. He raised a hand to press against his heart, not knowing where this agitation came from nor how to calm this strange desire that wanted to make Mr. Si’s world contain only himself.

On his first day of work, Chu Junlie put on his uniform: a wine-red shirt, a black vest, black trousers, and the standard black leather shoes.

Wearing his staff badge, he and a few colleagues who had trained with him, along with some senior employees, went through appearance checks and attendance before taking their posts. Following the training instructions, Chu Junlie prepared the tableware, cleaned his assigned area, and stood in the designated spot, ready to welcome customers.

The restaurant’s average spending per person was quite high, so there weren’t many customers in the morning. Chu Junlie secretly paid attention to the few who were there, quietly observing them.

There were three customers or rather, two groups of people all waiting for someone.

One was a beautiful woman in a black dress with refined makeup. Just from the look of the designer bag placed beside her, he could tell it was expensive.

The second was a young man in a fine suit, polite in speech, gentle in looks. From the wristwatch he wore, Chu Junlie could tell he was both wealthy and cultured. The young man kept checking the time and glancing toward the door with an expectant, slightly anxious expression.

The last was an elderly woman with graying hair, dressed casually. She had only ordered the cheapest cup of tea and looked relaxed.

Chu Junlie focused on the first two. Both were clearly well-prepared, about the same age as Mr. Si. The woman had a ring on her finger, so she was likely already taken. Narrowing his suspicions, Chu Junlie kept his eyes on the young man for a long while, occasionally glancing toward the entrance, wondering if Mr. Si would arrive soon.

He couldn’t help feeling uneasy. He knew very well he shouldn’t expose himself. If Mr. Si’s friend found out he was working part-time in a restaurant, it would surely embarrass Mr. Si.

“Young man.” The old lady raised her hand. “Refill, please.”

Chu Junlie immediately turned around, picked up her teacup, and refilled it with hot water before setting it back on her table.

Just as he bent down to place the cup, his nose twitched, he caught a familiar scent.

Looking up, Chu Junlie saw the very person he’d been thinking about, dressed in a tailored smoke-gray suit, tall and graceful, walking straight in his direction.

Chu Junlie watched as Si Yunyi walked past the woman in the black dress, past the young man, and finally stopped beside him. Si Yunyi’s gaze brushed over him, light as a feather, before he nodded politely to the old lady sitting nearby.

Mr. Si’s gaze felt like a soft touch of a feather, Chu Junlie’s face tingled slightly, as if gently teased.

He stood frozen for a moment, dazed, until he noticed the young man at the nearby table staring fixedly at Mr. Si’s back, eyes unblinking.

Chu Junlie’s expression darkened bit by bit as he looked at the man. When the young man met the waiter’s shadowed eyes paired with that tall, imposing presence, he instinctively turned away, not daring to look again.

“Ah, Xiao Si, you’re early,” the old lady greeted with a warm smile. “I thought I’d have another cup of tea alone while admiring some handsome young men.”

Hearing her voice pulled Chu Junlie back to reality. He suddenly realized that this old lady was Mr. Si’s friend, surprise flickered in his chest, quickly followed by secret delight.

“Director Wen,” Si Yunyi greeted with a gentle smile as he sat across from her. “It’s been a while.”

“Don’t call me Director Wen, call me Aunt Wen,” she laughed, waving her hand cheerfully. “Just look at you, still so young, yet acting so old-fashioned!”

Through the lenses of his glasses, Si Yunyi’s gaze was calm and mild as he looked toward Chu Junlie.

Seeing that, Chu Junlie immediately stepped forward, lowering himself slightly as he placed the tablet menu in front of the old lady.

“Ma’am, this is our menu. Please take your time and let me know what you’d like to order.”

The old lady flipped through it, chose two dishes, and handed the tablet to Si Yunyi. Seeing this, Chu Junlie quickly stood behind Mr. Si, unable to hide the smile tugging at his lips.

“Sir, would you like something to drink?”

Si Yunyi’s fingers slid across the screen a couple of times, adding a few items before handing it back. “A cup of low-caffeine vanilla black tea.”

Chu Junlie received the tablet with both hands, repeating the order as protocol required. When Mr. Si nodded, he happily turned and hurried toward the kitchen.

“Xiao Si, your charm hasn’t faded at all,” Aunt Wen said with a teasing grin, lifting her teacup. “You’ve already managed to dazzle two young men just by walking in. You know, even though you weren’t in my department back then, I heard plenty of stories about you.”

Si Yunyi smiled politely. “How are your daughter and granddaughter doing these days?”

“You still remember them?” she chuckled, delighted. “They’re doing wonderfully! Just recently, they even took matching mother-daughter photos together.”

She pulled out her phone, opened her photo album, and handed it to him.

Si Yunyi lowered his gaze to the screen, a smiling woman and a cute little girl kissed her cheek. Both wore matching hanfu, and the child held a small bunny lantern, her round cheeks still full of baby fat.

“My daughter mentioned you not long ago,” Aunt Wen said, swiping to show him a few more photos. “She said if you hadn’t noticed in time back then, she might’ve done something she’d regret for life.”

“I’ll say it again, you were amazing, Xiao Si. Back then, during that hospital meeting, you were sitting beside me. You overheard me talking on the phone with my daughter and somehow figured out she was in trouble. I still get chills thinking about it.”

“Thankfully, you kept her calm over the phone, and we made it in time. Otherwise, both the mother and child might have…”

Si Yunyi’s gaze lingered for a moment on the smiling mother and daughter before he gently pushed the phone back toward her. His tone was quiet, composed.

“Childbirth is already an excruciating experience for women. After giving birth, hormonal levels plummet, the neuroendocrine system goes into imbalance, and coupled with the stress and repression of the environment, it can trigger postpartum depression, sometimes even leading to extended suicidal behavior. Your daughter was a victim of all that.”

“It’s me, I wasn’t a good enough mother.” Aunt Wen sighed softly, putting her phone away. When she looked up again, she noticed the waiter returning with a tray and quickly composed herself.

“Your low-caffeine vanilla black tea.” Chu Junlie placed the cup in front of Si Yunyi, smiling warmly. “I added a little honey, I hope you like it.”

“Thank you.” Si Yunyi lifted the cup and took a small sip.

Seeing him drink it, Chu Junlie’s heart lifted with joy. He turned with his tray and hurried back toward the kitchen, almost skipping.

“Anyway,” Aunt Wen said, taking a sip of her own tea, her sharp eyes studying Si Yunyi. “Let’s talk about you. I went to the States for an academic conference, and when I came back — goodness! You’re engaged?”

“My apologies for not telling you sooner,” Si Yunyi said, setting his cup down. “It happened rather suddenly.”

“When I got back, half the hospital was talking about it,” she said worriedly. “We’ve known each other for years if you’re in trouble, you can tell me. I’d help you however I can.”

“There’s no trouble,” Si Yunyi replied evenly.

“Excuse me.”

A voice sounded beside them again. Si Yunyi turned to see Chu Junlie, back with a tray, setting down a plate of salad.

“This is our complimentary seafood and fruit salad. I hope you both enjoy it.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Aunt Wen said, pleasantly surprised. Seeing the waiter’s genuine smile, her fondness for him grew even more.

As the waiter left, Aunt Wen took a bite of the salad and looked across at Si Yunyi with amused eyes.

“Xiao Si, I swear that waiter boy is flirting with you do you believe me?”

Si Yunyi’s hand paused slightly as he held his teacup. His gaze lowered, and he gave her a polite smile.

“Don’t believe me? Look around, no other table got a free salad. And the way that boy looks at you, he’s glued to you! Definitely not just friendly.”

Aunt Wen took another bite of the salad, nodding in satisfaction.

“Right, where were we?” she said after a moment’s thought. “Ah, yes — I heard you got engaged to some long-lost eldest son of the Yan family? Didn’t you even check his background?”

“He lost his memory,” Si Yunyi replied simply, leaning back against the cushioned seat, holding his teacup in one hand and gently tracing the rim with the other.

“Could it be that he and the Yan family are working together to deceive you?” Aunt Wen speculated between bites of salad. “The Yan family, ah… when Old Master Yan was still alive, they still had some decency. But once he passed away, just look at those younger ones completely out of hand.”

Seeing that Si Yunyi remained silent, Aunt Wen lowered her voice and leaned in slightly. “Let me tell you, the Yan family’s cosmetic surgery hospital has had several accidents recently. They’ve been covering them up, but one young woman had complications during surgery, ended up in our hospital for emergency treatment, and went straight into intensive care.

I’m warning you, don’t — absolutely don’t — cooperate with the Yan family again. They managed to botch a liposuction surgery, which is supposed to be a completely routine procedure. My daughter says it’s only a matter of time before they’re finished!

Listen to me, stay away from the Yan family and reject this marriage alliance. Even if you’re engaged, you haven’t gotten your marriage certificate yet, it’s not too late to turn back.”

Si Yunyi was silent for a moment before speaking calmly. “He’s already cut ties with the Yan family.”

“Excuse me,” came a familiar voice beside them again. Aunt Wen looked up to see the waiter boy’s bright, cheerful smile.

Chu Junlie carried a tray of dishes, glancing at the menu as he crossed off the two items that had already been served.

“Sir,” Chu Junlie bent slightly, tilting his head toward Si Yunyi, his eyes clear and smiling. “There are still two more dishes to come, I’ve asked the chef to prepare them as soon as possible.”

“No need to rush, young man,” Aunt Wen said with a laugh, covering her mouth. “You’ve already been running back and forth for us so many times, take a little break.”

“Auntie, I’m not tired at all. It’s my honor to serve you both.” Chu Junlie straightened up, his eyes shining with sincerity.

“Oh, what a sweet talker,” Aunt Wen said, laughing heartily. Watching as another table signaled for service, she saw the young man hurry off, unable to stop smiling.

“Look at him — so polite, hardworking, and full of energy. And he’s handsome, too.”

Still amused, she took another bite of salad before remembering the conversation they hadn’t finished.

“So, you’re saying your fiancé has cut ties with the Yan family. But can anyone really break away from them completely? I heard that the Yan family’s eldest son isn’t much to look at, doesn’t know anything, no education, no skills. Do you really think someone like that suits you?”

Si Yunyi quietly watched her and took another sip of tea.

As Chu Junlie finished helping another table, he passed by the one that mattered most to him and couldn’t help glancing at Mr. Si.

Sensing the gaze, Si Yunyi lifted his eyes and met his.

Chu Junlie’s ears turned red; his gaze flickered nervously but then, as if drawn by something irresistible, he looked back again, his eyes glimmering softly with light.

When Chu Junlie went to pick up the next order, Aunt Wen caught the exchange. She turned her head, glanced at the young waiter, then back at Si Yunyi, and let out a teasing “tsk tsk.”

“See that? He’s been making eyes at you all this time. Even without my reading glasses, I can tell.”

“Excuse me again, your full order has been served,” Chu Junlie said, returning with the final two dishes. He set them carefully before Si Yunyi, adjusted the utensils, and noticed that the tea in Si Yunyi’s cup was already halfway gone. Immediately, he picked it up, refilled it, and brought it back.

Aunt Wen’s smile deepened even more at the sight.

“If you need anything, please call me. I’ll be nearby.” Chu Junlie set the cup down and smiled warmly at the man before him.

Si Yunyi looked at him standing just a short distance away, clearly ready to step in and serve at any moment.

Aunt Wen resumed speaking, her tone more serious. “I’m only saying this because I care about you. You saved my daughter and granddaughter, that makes you my family’s savior. I can’t stand by and watch you get dragged into the Yan family’s mess. Think carefully, Yunyi — they’re trouble. That so-called eldest son is trouble too. Do you really want to spend your life being dragged down by them, constantly stained by their scandals?”

Si Yunyi lifted his gaze briefly toward Chu Junlie, standing not far away. At the mention of the Yan family’s faults, he showed no visible reaction.

“My friend attended your engagement banquet,” Aunt Wen continued, narrowing her eyes. “She said that eldest son showed up late, wearing shabby clothes, and even brought a dog that’s how he exchanged rings with you? Honestly, you have the patience of a saint.”

She squinted slightly, studying the ring on Si Yunyi’s finger. It looked vaguely familiar, though she couldn’t recall where she’d seen it before.

“Showing up late to your own engagement, dressed like that, with a stray dog in tow and you still went through with it. Really, Yunyi, what were you thinking? If you actually marry him, won’t people just laugh at the Si family?”

Si Yunyi calmly continued eating, his tone steady.

“We’re already legally married.”

“Legally—?” Aunt Wen froze mid-bite, her fork suspended in the air. It took several seconds before she reacted.

“What did you just say?”

“We’ve already registered our marriage,” Si Yunyi said, raising his head to meet her eyes. “It happened yesterday. I just haven’t had time to inform everyone yet.”

Aunt Wen’s breath caught slightly. She set down her utensils, her brows knitting together tightly.

“Yunyi, I always thought you were a smart young man. How could you make such a reckless decision?”

Seeing that Si Yunyi didn’t argue only listened quietly, made her even angrier.

“After all these years of friendship, you didn’t come to me when you were in trouble, and now you don’t even tell me you’re getting married? You owe me an explanation today. Marriage is a lifelong matter, how could you treat it so lightly?”

Si Yunyi gently set down his utensils, about to speak when suddenly, Chu Junlie appeared behind Aunt Wen. His eyes were faintly red as he lightly tapped her shoulder.

“What is it, young man?” Aunt Wen turned, confused, to see the waiter standing beside her.

“Could you please not blame Mr. Si?” Chu Junlie’s voice carried a trace of sadness, his expression drooping like a scolded puppy, ears metaphorically lowered.

Aunt Wen froze, astonished. She hadn’t expected Si Yunyi’s charm to reach this level, that a mere waiter, after only meeting him a few times, would actually step in to defend him.

“And why shouldn’t I say anything?” she asked, baffled, pointing at herself. “I wasn’t even speaking that loudly, what’s gotten into this boy?”

Chu Junlie kept his head lowered, not daring to reveal his relationship with Mr. Si.

If the elderly lady in front of him knew that he was the very “eldest son of the Yan family” she had been criticizing and that he had already married Mr. Si yet was now working as a waiter, she would probably be even angrier at Mr. Si.

“Wen Auntie.” Si Yunyi wiped the corner of his mouth and gestured for Chu Junlie to come stand beside him.

“Let me introduce you.” Si Yunyi’s tone was calm and composed.

“This is my legal spouse, Chu Junlie.”

The world suddenly fell silent.

Aunt Wen froze where she sat, holding her utensils midair as she stared at the two men in front of her, completely motionless.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between them as flashes of memory surfaced, the waiter’s bright smile at Si Yunyi, the complimentary salad, the honey he added to Si Yunyi’s tea, the way he carefully adjusted the tableware when serving, and how his eyes would occasionally flicker toward their table no matter where he was.

Aunt Wen squinted hard, and finally noticed the ring on Chu Junlie’s hand, identical to the one on Si Yunyi’s finger.

No wonder! She had thought it looked familiar earlier, as if she’d seen it somewhere before. The truth had been right before her eyes and she hadn’t realized it!

Thinking back to all the things she’d just said about the Yan family’s eldest son, then remembering how happily she’d eaten the salad he served, Aunt Wen set down her utensils and covered her face with both hands.

“I’m sorry, Auntie.” Chu Junlie bowed his head in apology. “I should’ve told you earlier. I just didn’t want Mr. Si’s friends to know that I was working here.”

Guilt flickered in his eyes.

He could endure hearing others badmouth the Yan family or himself but he didn’t want Mr. Si to be judged or ridiculed for marrying into his family.

Chu Junlie glanced shyly at the man beside him, the tips of his ears turning red.

Mr. Si could have kept their relationship private. If he hadn’t clarified, Aunt Wen’s misunderstanding would have passed as something trivial.

But he still chose to introduce him openly to his friend.

“I’m sorry,” Si Yunyi said, handing a napkin to Aunt Wen. “I simply wanted you to get to know Xiao Chu without being influenced by public gossip.”

Aunt Wen accepted the napkin awkwardly and wiped her mouth before looking at Chu Junlie again.

She had heard too many things about the Yan family’s eldest son and assumed the rumors were mostly true.

But after interacting with the young man as a stranger, her own impression based purely on what she’d observed was completely different.

This boy wasn’t at all like the gossip said. Instead, he was hardworking, polite, dependable, and even quite good-looking.

“I owe you an apology, Xiao Chu.” Aunt Wen looked remorseful. “I didn’t know you were the Yan family’s eldest son, and I shouldn’t have said those things in front of you.”

“Auntie, it’s all right. I’m no longer the Yan family’s eldest son, I only have one identity now, and that’s being Mr. Si’s… legal partner.” Chu Junlie lowered his head, embarrassed but sweetly glancing toward Si Yunyi.

“Please rest assured, I’ll never do anything to hurt Mr. Si,” he said earnestly, meeting the old lady’s eyes. “I’ll listen to everything he says.”

“Waiter!” someone at another table called out. Chu Junlie quickly bowed to Aunt Wen, then looked at Si Yunyi.

“You’re still on duty,” Si Yunyi said gently. “Go ahead.”

Hearing that, Chu Junlie hurried off to the other table. Si Yunyi picked up his utensils again and motioned politely for Aunt Wen to continue eating.

After what had just happened, Aunt Wen was clearly a bit distracted. She took a few bites of food, glanced at Si Yunyi, and hesitated to speak.

“If you have something to say, please say it directly,” Si Yunyi said with a faint smile. “When you’re scolding people at the hospital, you’re never this reserved.”

At that, Aunt Wen couldn’t help but relax and laugh.

“With that grand introduction just now, I’ll remember this meal for the rest of my life. You didn’t invite me here to eat, you came to teach me a lesson.”

Si Yunyi’s lips curved slightly.

“That young man really is quite good,” Aunt Wen admitted after a pause. “No matter how I criticized the Yan family or badmouthed him, he didn’t say a word. But the moment I said something against you, he couldn’t hold back.”

Si Yunyi said nothing, quietly continuing his meal.

“He said he’s no longer part of the Yan family and he meant it,” Aunt Wen said thoughtfully. “So, you’ve really brought him into your home as your spouse now?”

“Yes,” Si Yunyi replied calmly, without hesitation.

The old lady glanced around and spotted Chu Junlie still busy serving other guests. Looking him up and down a few times, she couldn’t help but tease,

“I may not know what kind of people you usually like, but my instincts are still sharp. This young man, the way he carries himself, the straight bridge of his nose, do you know what that means?”

Si Yunyi looked at her, humoring her with interest.

“It means he’s proud,” Aunt Wen said in a lowered voice. “He’s sensitive about how others see him. From his face alone, I can tell he’s not the type to just quietly obey — men like that don’t stay as live-in husbands for long.”

“You, on the other hand,” she continued, squinting at Si Yunyi’s nose, “your bridge is straight but a bit finer, that shows orderliness, self-discipline, and independent thought. You don’t trust easily.” She chuckled. “Maybe it’s strange for a doctor to analyze faces like this.”

Si Yunyi smiled faintly, his gaze briefly resting on Chu Junlie, now smiling as he served another customer before returning to his meal.

The young man at that table looked up from the digital menu.

“This dish called ‘Encounter’ could you tell me about it?” he asked with a pleasant smile.

“It’s a seafood and fruit salad,” Chu Junlie replied with a gentle smile. “It includes crab meat, lettuce, strawberries, and grapefruit. Because of its pink color and the sweet flavor from the dressing, we call it ‘Encounter’.”

“I’d like to order one ‘Encounter’ for that table.”
The young man pointed toward the man sitting across from the elderly lady, the admiration and amazement in his eyes impossible to hide. “Please give it to that gentleman.”

Chu Junlie’s hand paused mid-tap on the tablet. He slowly looked up at the customer in front of him, his gaze heavy.

“Our restaurant doesn’t offer that kind of service.”

“It’s just sending a dish over, how could you not?” the young man said, pulling a pink banknote from his wallet and setting it on the table. “Please help me out—consider this a tip.”

The smile on Chu Junlie’s face faded bit by bit. He bent down slightly, pointed to the ring on his own hand, and said coldly,

“Sir, do you see this?”

“I see it,” the young man replied, looking a little confused.

“Then look again at that handsome gentleman. Doesn’t he have the exact same ring on his hand?” Chu Junlie’s smile returned but this time, it was sharp.

“I can’t really see clearly,” the man said carelessly.

Chu Junlie turned to glance at Si Yunyi, then at the assistant manager to make sure no one else was watching. He reached into the inner pocket of his uniform, where he kept something close to his chest and pulled out a small red booklet. Opening it, he covered most of the details with his hand, revealing only the photo inside.

“See this? That’s me.” He pointed to his image, voice low and tightly controlled. “And the person next to me do you see who that is?”

The young man looked from the photo to the man sitting across from the elderly lady. The faces matched perfectly.

“Take your filthy money,” Chu Junlie said, his voice barely above a growl, “and stop trying to mess with someone else’s marriage. Just because you’re a customer doesn’t mean I won’t hit you.”

The dark, dangerous glint in his eyes made the man freeze. He snatched the cash off the table and stiffly leaned back, as if trying to retreat.

Chu Junlie closed the tablet, turned to leave with a cold face but after two steps, he suddenly turned back, meeting the man’s eyes directly.

“Stop looking at my spouse,” he said, his voice low and sharp as a blade. “Or I’ll gouge your eyes out and serve them with your meal.”

The man went pale, his body rigid as he slowly turned his head away.

Chu Junlie took a deep breath, forcing down the rush of anger. Then, with practiced ease, he put his professional smile back on and continued working.

At the other table, Si Yunyi had finished eating and was quietly sipping his tea, waiting for Aunt Wen. Chu Junlie hovered near their table, walking by again and again under the pretense of work.

Si Yunyi eventually noticed. Looking up at him, he caught the faintly aggrieved look in Chu Junlie’s eyes—helpless and pitiful.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

Chu Junlie hurried over, wanting to explain what had just happened but then remembered Aunt Wen was still there. Mr. Si hadn’t even noticed that man earlier, and if he brought it up, wouldn’t that just draw his attention?

What if Mr. Si looked at that man and thought he looked better than him?

Swallowing back his frustration, Chu Junlie only leaned closer and asked softly, “Mr. Si, would you like to order anything else?”

Si Yunyi studied him for a moment, then turned to Aunt Wen. “Would you like anything more to eat?”

“I’m full, I’m full,” Aunt Wen said quickly, shaking her head. Today’s meal had already been dramatic enough.

“No, that’ll be all,” Si Yunyi said, glancing back at Chu Junlie. “Please bring the bill.”

“This one’s on me,” Chu Junlie said, forcing a small smile. “My treat for Mr. Si and Aunt Wen.”

“Young man, you shouldn’t spend on us,” Aunt Wen said, feeling embarrassed.

“It’s no trouble.” Chu Junlie’s eyes lit up slightly. “Mr. Si gives me plenty of pocket money, I don’t even know how to use it all.”

Aunt Wen couldn’t help laughing and glanced at Si Yunyi.

“We’ll get going then,” Si Yunyi said, standing up. Chu Junlie followed them out, clearly reluctant to part.

“I look forward to your next visit,” he said earnestly.

“Go back,” Si Yunyi told him, seeing that he still hadn’t turned around. “See you this afternoon.”

“See you this afternoon, Mr. Si,” Chu Junlie said, watching them walk away until they were completely out of sight before returning to the restaurant.

As soon as he stepped inside, he spotted the young man leaving his seat. Chu Junlie’s expression darkened as he strode over.

“Where are you going?” he demanded.

“I—I’m just going to the restroom,” the man stammered, startled.

When the assistant manager walked by, Chu Junlie plastered on a polite smile and gestured toward the restroom. “The restroom is that way. Be careful, the floor’s slippery.”

Those last words came out slow and heavy, laced with quiet menace. The man swallowed hard and walked off stiffly in the direction Chu Junlie pointed.

The restaurant hit its afternoon rush, and Chu Junlie barely had a moment to breathe, greeting customers, pouring drinks, serving dishes. Every waiter was rushing around like in battle, yet had to remain composed and attentive.

Finally, near closing time, Chu Junlie and a few coworkers began cleaning up, clearing leftover dishes and wiping tables. He noticed one table with an untouched dessert and a dish barely touched by chopsticks.

“Don’t bother looking at it,” a coworker said while tossing trash into a bin. “We’re told during training, no matter what the guests leave behind, we have to throw it all away.”

Chu Junlie didn’t respond, only quietly sorted the leftovers into separate bins.

He knew the rules, but still couldn’t help feeling it was a pity.

Once everything was sorted, he and an older employee wheeled two large bins onto the freight elevator to take them downstairs.

The garbage truck hadn’t arrived yet. When Chu Junlie looked up, he noticed an old, dirty man standing near the bins, staring at them intently.

“Get away from here!” the older employee barked impatiently. “The truck’s coming soon, you’ll get run over if you stay there!”

The old man froze, hesitated for a moment, then pulled a few crumpled plastic bags from the pocket of his dusty coat.

“Could I… just take a little bit?” he asked softly.

“The food can’t be taken. If the boss finds out, we’ll get fined!” The older employee looked helpless. “And think about it, the food in these bins was already eaten by other people. You don’t know what’s in there. Aren’t you afraid of getting sick?”

“I’m not afraid of getting sick.” The old man took two steps closer and reached out to unlatch the lid of the large bin. “I’ll just take a little. No one will notice.”

“Go away! Don’t make me chase you off!” The older employee waved his hand to drive him away. “If you get sick from eating this, we’ll be the ones to take the blame. Look at us, just a bunch of poor workers. Do you think we can afford to pay for that?”

“I won’t hold you responsible if I get sick,” the old man persisted stubbornly. “Do you even know where all this food goes? It’s processed and buried. Some of it gets used to feed black soldier fly larvae. Why would you rather let those dark, wriggling bugs eat the leftovers than let me have a little?”

“How the leftovers are handled isn’t up to us. Rules are rules,” the older worker said with exasperation. “Stop wasting time here, if you’ve got the strength, go pick up a few more plastic bottles. You’d have dinner in no time.”

“It’s getting cold these days, not easy to scavenge.” The old man clutched the crumpled plastic bag in his hand and pressed his stomach, his expression showing discomfort.

In the distance came the sound of the food-waste truck approaching. Seeing the old man, Chu Junlie’s gaze flickered slightly, and he gently pulled the old man away from the bins.

“Be careful, sir,” he said.

When the garbage truck arrived, Chu Junlie and the older employee poured the leftover food into it. The old man could only stand to the side, watching anxiously.

“Wait here for me, sir,” Chu Junlie told him as he and the other employee pushed the cart back upstairs. The old man lingered outside, peeking in every now and then.

“Don’t go helping him just because you pity him,” the older employee warned. “That old man’s son ran off after racking up debts with loan sharks. Those guys are always watching him. Anyone who gets too close ends up in trouble.”

“I don’t pity him,” Chu Junlie said evenly. “I just think… if my partner saw someone like him, what would he want me to do?”

“Your partner?” The older man glanced at him, surprised.

“Yeah. I’m married.” Chu Junlie raised his hand and flashed the ring on his finger in front of the man’s face, even wiggling it twice to make sure it caught the light.

The older man turned his head away in annoyance.
What kind of person is this!

After finishing up the restaurant’s cleaning and clocking out, Chu Junlie left through the back door of the mall and spotted the old man sitting on the steps.

“Sir,” Chu Junlie called, stepping closer. “Let me treat you to dinner.”

The old man gave him a suspicious look, but seeing the clear, steady eyes of the young man before him, he hesitated, then wheeled out his rickety tricycle used for collecting trash. “Where to?” he asked cautiously.

Chu Junlie took him to a noodle shop and ordered him a bowl of vegetable noodles. Sitting nearby, he watched the old man devour the food ravenously. After eating most of it, the old man asked the shopkeeper for some plastic bags and packed up the leftovers.

“Thank you, young man,” he said, patting his full stomach with satisfaction as he left the shop, bags in hand. “Haven’t eaten that well in a long time.”

Watching him, Chu Junlie thought back to the dream he had before his engagement, if he hadn’t woken up in time, if Mr. Si hadn’t accepted him, maybe he would’ve ended up like this old man, wandering the streets, unable to even eat a proper meal.

“What’s wrong, young man?” the old man asked when he noticed the dazed look on Chu Junlie’s face.

“I think I…” Chu Junlie looked around to make sure no one was near, pressed his lips together, and quietly said the word in his heart.

“I think I miss my lover.”

The old man sat on his tricycle silently for a while. Looking at the young man’s expression, he seemed to understand and felt a flicker of sympathy. “Son, what happened to your lover?”

“I haven’t seen him for half a day,” Chu Junlie said as he walked toward the night bus stop, his gaze downcast.

The old man’s pedaling faltered, confusion replacing his sympathy.

“My lover treats me very well. The money I used to buy you that bowl of noodles, he gave it to me.” Chu Junlie stood at the bus stop. “I came home late today. I wonder if he’s eaten properly.”

The old man stayed by him quietly, eyes filled with an involuntary trace of envy.

“Sir, please don’t try to take leftovers anymore. None of us like doing that either,” Chu Junlie said gently. “If you get hungry again, wait for me there. I’ll take you out to eat.”

“Thank you,” the old man said, embarrassed. “But… my situation’s complicated. You’d better not be seen with me too often.”

“I’m not afraid,” Chu Junlie replied. He thought back to the fight with the bodyguards before, and to how that young man in the restaurant had stared at Mr. Si earlier that day. The thought had made his blood boil, he wanted to tear the man apart, to cover Mr. Si’s eyes so he could only see him.

If only Mr. Si would touch him again.

Night had fallen. In his bedroom, Si Yunyi had just changed into his robe when he suddenly heard two light taps against the window.

This was the fourth floor. Staying calm, he pulled open his bedside drawer, took out a stun gun, and hid it behind his back before drawing the curtains only to see a large, fluffy blue-gray dog standing politely on the balcony, holding a dog-food bowl in its mouth and tapping the glass with its paw, tail wagging.

While Chu Junlie was working late at the restaurant, the cleaning lady, afraid of dogs, hadn’t dared feed the wolfish creature so it had gone hungry until now.

Si Yunyi put the stun gun away and opened the balcony door. The dog, Lie Feng, nimbly jumped the short barrier between the living room and bedroom balconies, set the bowl down at Si Yunyi’s feet, and sat obediently.

When Chu Junlie got home, he saw Mr. Si still awake, lounging on the sofa with his long legs crossed, watching something on the projector. At his feet, Lie Feng was eating dog food with big, hungry bites.

Standing at the doorway, Chu Junlie found he couldn’t move his eyes away.

Mr. Si was wearing a simple white shirt, different from the way he dressed outside, the top two buttons undone, paired with black suit pants that traced a smooth, elegant line down his long legs.

Mr. Si rested one hand against his temple, the silver chain of his glasses brushing lightly against his fair wrist, hanging with effortless grace, a picture of quiet elegance.

Lie Feng noticed his owner had returned; even while eating, he managed to lift his head briefly, wag his tail twice in a half-hearted greeting before continuing to eat.

Sensing movement, Si Yunyi turned his head slightly toward the entryway, where Chu Junlie stood frozen in place.

“Mr… Mr. Si,” Chu Junlie stammered, snapping out of his daze the moment their eyes met. His ears flushed red as he lowered his head.

“I’m sorry. I came back late.”

“There’s food in the fridge,” Si Yunyi said calmly, his tone even.

Chu Junlie quickly washed his hands, took the dishes from the fridge, leftovers from that afternoon, heated them in the microwave, and carried them to the table, eating in large, hungry bites.

The restaurant had provided dinner earlier, but after working this late, he still felt starving once he got home.

“Sit properly.”

The clear, refined voice made Chu Junlie straighten his back instinctively. After a moment, he glanced toward the living room and saw Mr. Si holding a strip of jerky, seemingly in the middle of training Lie Feng.

Watching Lie Feng obediently sitting in front of Mr. Si, Chu Junlie’s throat moved slightly.

He didn’t know what Lie Feng had done to suddenly earn so much of Mr. Si’s attention.

Si Yunyi placed the jerky on Lie Feng’s nose and gave the command, “Don’t eat it.”

Chu Junlie stared blankly, setting his chopsticks down as his gaze fixed on the scene in the living room, unable to look away.

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