Chapter 44 - Torn apart (NEW)

Happy New Year! May your year start off great with many danmei novels to read and adaptations to watch in 2023~

Unedited

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Gu Xingchuan swept past Shen Li and Zhou Moquan; he never had the habit of greeting unfamiliar people, and simply strutted towards Song Yi. He grabbed the ear of the rabbit doll and handed it over. “This is the last one.”

Song Yi blinked a few times, his heart feeling somewhat stuffy and soft. He quietly said, “Thank you.”

“Get in the car. Let’s go eat.”

Gu Xingchuan wrapped his slender arms around Song Yi’s waist. Surprised, he took a step back subconsciously. But Gu Xingchuan’s hold held and he was hugged even tighter, as if he was throwing himself into a hug.

Song Yi was somewhat embarrassed. He lowered his voice, “What are you doing?”

“Showing my sovereignty.” Gu Xingchuan glanced at him, and opened the passenger’s door with one hand, acting unreasonable.

Song Yi could not argue a bit. Not wanting to care too much, he bent over and sat in the passenger seat. Shen Li’s eyes were straight at them, his face was pale, and he stared through the window glass.

Zhou Moquan put his arms around Shen Li’s shoulders, bent his head and whispered something. His long hair covered the side of his icy face.

Song Yi didn’t feel sorry for Shen Li. Shen Li had never agreed to Gu Xingchuan’s pursuit and the two of them had nothing to do with Shen Li. However, Shen Li was still someone who he once liked after all. Having those sad eyes look back at him, he somewhat couldn’t bear it.

The black Bentley drove away. Song Yi looked at the rearview mirror. Shen Li’s shoulders suddenly shook, his expression twisted, and he squatted down tremblingly, Zhou Moquan reached out to help him up, but Shen Li roughly pushed Zhou Moquan’s arm away, before staring at the rear of the moving car.

The Bentley went further and further away, almost disappearing from sight. Shen Li quickly stood up, wiped his reddened eyes, and ran to a brown SUV parked by the side of the road. He ordered, “Drive, follow them!”

Zhou Moquan shot him a glance, showed a fleeting smile, and sat in the driving seat without saying a word.

Seeing that Shen Li’s car was following up, Song Yi raised his hand to rub his forehead, then finally sighed. How unpleasant.

He had truly liked Shen Li. When he was an alpha, Shen Li was his ideal marriage partner. With a handsome appearance, a docile personality, mixed with a little cuteness, Shen Li was one he wanted to spend his days with.

But after going through so many things, Shen Li only disappointed him now. He could understand Shen Li’s arrogance. Everyone had that, no one was perfect. But when one was at Song Yi’s age, one had to learn to control their conceit, and not be backlashed by arrogance.

Obviously, Shen Li hadn’t.

In addition to the elements he pursued for a suitable marriage partner, the most basic thing was to be sincere and have a reliable personality. This was the simplest requirement in a long-term relationship.

However, Shen Li had satisfied neither of the two. Even if the additional questions held perfect scores, with the basic questions in a mess, what was the use?

Gu Xingchuan gripped the steering wheel with both hands, glanced at the rearview mirror, increased his fingers tightening onto the steering wheel, and stepped on the accelerator even harder. The tires rubbed against the asphalt road and made a loud sound, and the car seemed to be flying off like an arrow.

Song Yi was startled, wrinkling his nose. “Drive slowly.”

Gu Xingchuan gradually let go of the accelerator, slowing down the speed of the car, and a sneer came. “Are you happy to see your old friend?”

Song Yi helplessly glanced at him. What this or that? He didn’t want to meet Shen Li and Zhou Moquan at all. Seeing them caused his head to hurt; with them out of sight, it gave him a clearer mind.

Gu Xingchuan narrowed his eyes and stared at the other with a gloomy face. “Answer your sex friend’s question.”

Seemed this Young Master Gu would not let this slide.

“Not happy.” Song Yi leaned his neck back on the back of the chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. He then lightly replied back, “Because I see you’re not happy.”

To be honest, being with Gu Xingchuan nowadays made him feel happier. Indeed, the two of them really got along very well in the past few days.

Originally with a cold face, Gu Xingchuan smiled when he heard the words. He controlled the steering wheel with one hand, turned slightly sideways, and pecked Song Yi’s soft lips. Song Yi was a little dazed, blinking slowly when he stared back.

Gu Xingchuan looked at him ambiguously, with a low voice saying, “Your mouth is so sweet.”

No matter what Song Yi thought about their relationship, at least now, Song Yi belonged to him alone.

Song Yi touched his wet lips, and gave him an annoyed look. “Drive well.”

The car stopped at the entrance of the only Chinese restaurant in Palm Springs, with typical Chinese decoration, bearing a retro Tang style – small bridges and flowing water with green plants complementing each other.

They found a private room by the window, and ordered a few clear and refreshing dishes, but before the dishes came, Shen Li and Zhou Moquan walked into the private room one after another.

Shen Li squeezed out a smile, and asked as if nothing was wrong, “We are friends in foreign land. You won’t mind if we sit at the same table with you, right?”

To be really honest, he did mind. Though it was Shen Li’s freedom to choose a mate, knowing that it was a holiday, and insisting on hanging around him with Zhou Moquan was making Song Yi upset. How unreasonable.

Gu Xingchuan took off his sunglasses and casually placed them on the table. The metal glasses frame slammed on the mahogany table with a crisp sound. He glanced coldly at Shen Li, raised his thin lips and uttered, “Scram.”

Shen Li froze, immediately shrinking behind Zhou Moquan in fright. He still had lingering fears about the almost-beating last time.

Zhou Moquan frowned in displeasure, and patted Shen Li’s arm to comfort him. “Please be a gentleman to an Omega.”

Gu Xingchuan glanced at Zhou Moquan indifferently, looked him up and down, folded his arms and sneered, “Fine. He can sit here. You can scram.”

Zhou Moquan’s face darkened. The entertainment circle had always focused on building human relations, and it was the first time that he faced such disrespect.

Song Yi thought about it. These people followed him from afar. If they wanted to sit here, then fine. He was not afraid of the two of them. He bumped Gu Xingchuan’s arm. Gu Xingchuan turned his neck to look at him, instantly suppressed the hostility on his face. He asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Song Yi picked up the menu, stretched out his hand to Shen Li’s direction, and said politely, “We didn’t order enough dishes, so you can order what you want yourself.”

Shen Li’s tense body relaxed. He sat down across the huge round wooden table, staring at Song Yi longingly, looking pitiful like a puppy abandoned by its owner.

If it was before, Song Yi would immediately bring him into his arms to hug and comfort. But now that his fiancé was here, this was not what he should do. Hence, he turned a blind eye and discussed the next itinerary with Gu Xingchuan instead.

Shen Li’s eyes were wide open, not getting the response he expected from Song Yi. He took out a few tissues, wiped his nose hard until the tip of his nose became red, and occasionally let out a few inaudible sobs.

Zhou Moquan held his shoulders and coaxed him with a low voice.

A round mahogany table, like a dividing line, separating the two worlds.

Gu Xingchuan ordered a dish of brine shrimp. As soon as the dish came, he put on his gloves and started peeling the shrimp neatly. Those pianist fingers were extremely dexterous, as if one was playing rubber bands 1 翻花绳: . In the blink of an eye, the fat shrimp meat was exposed. Then it was dipped into some sauce and placed inside Song Yi’s bowl.

“Thank you.” Song Yi was not used to being taken care of like this. He cleared his throat. “I can do it myself.”

As if he didn’t hear it, Gu Xingchuan peeled off the shrimps in a small bowl, took off his gloves, reached out to pick up the chopsticks, and asked as a matter of course, “Do you want chicken nuggets with lemon juice or sweet and sour pork ribs?”

Song Yi hesitated. He didn’t want to be taken care of like a baby, but he couldn’t have Gu Xingchuan’s chopsticks hanging in the air, so he quickly answered, “Sweet and sour pork ribs.”

Gu Xingchuan placed that into his bowl. “What do you want to eat tomorrow?”

Song Yi couldn’t face the gazes of Shen Li and Zhou Moquan. Bowing his head as he ate, he pretended to be calm. “Barbecue ba …”

Gu Xingchuan nodded his jaw, picked up the kettle to add water to Song Yi’s cup. “Go to Seattle with me in a few days’ time. We can have BBQ in the wild. My family’s chef is very skilled.”

Song Yi smiled dryly. The dinner table was too quiet – Shen Li and Zhou Moquan had stopped talking. Feeling a little uncomfortable, he only gave a soft “hmm”.

Zhou Moquan pondered for a while, and reminded him politely, “Young Master Gu, I’m afraid you haven’t heard anything about it. California forest fires have been raging for a few days. Recently, the management of fire prevention in public forests has been revised, and outdoor BBQs are temporarily prohibited.”

Gu Xingchuan squinted at him. He glanced at him, narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling but not actually so. He asked in a mocking tone, “How funny, the public forest management law can control private estates’?”

Zhou Moquan froze. How very embarrassing.

Shen Li was displeased. Pride was something he prioritised. Now, his fiancé had lost face. He had to do something. His lips curled and from his mouth, gentle words flowed out. “Honey, I want to drink XX’s lime juice, help me buy a bottle.”

XX’s lime juice was two streets away. Song Yi saw that store on the way here. On such a hot day, running so far for a bottle of drink, it was really too torturous.

Zhou Moquan didn’t move, hesitantly glancing at Shen Li.

Gu Xingchuan reached out and squeezed Song Yi’s hand, and asked playfully, “Do you want to drink?”

Song Yi simply shook his head, not wanting to get involved between Shen Li and Zhou Moquan at all.

Shen Li looked at Zhou Moquan, deliberately prolonging his tone, turning sticky, “Honey…”

Zhou Moquan stared at him, smiled slightly, turned and walked out.

As soon as Zhou Moquan walked away, Shen Li took out a cigarette pack from his pocket, slid out one and put it on his pale lips. The lighter ignited with a hiss. He was about to smoke when he heard a cold voice demanding, “Put out your cigarette.”

Gu Xingchuan frowned slightly and looked at him with a cold expression.

Shen Li’s hand holding the cigarette stopped, his heart clenching. He couldn’t help but want to cry, “You’re worried for me?”

Gu Xingchuan held the teacup in one hand and turned around, snorting as if seeing a joke. Without mercy, he broke Shen Li’s dream. “Get out to smoke. Song Yi hates other people smoking.”

Shen Li’s face turned many colours. His chest heaved and looked at Song Yi for help.

The him then would not bother, but he was more than one person now. Furthermore, he really couldn’t stand the smoke, so he lightly advised, “Xiao Li, for your own good, don’t smoke.”

Shen Li was stunned for a moment before he pinched the end of the cigarette angrily, and crushed it vigorously in the ashtray to vent his anger. His lips were drawn into a thin line, and bitterly questioned Song Yi, “Are you both together?”

Song Yi didn’t know what to say – this relationship with Gu Xingchuan was not defined.

His silence made it even more difficult for Shen Li. The light in his eyes was dim, his thin shoulders seemed to be unable to support his head, he sniffled his nose, and asked aggrievedly, “You don’t like me anymore?”

Song Yi softened. He couldn’t stand Omegas acting like this. But before he could speak, his thigh suddenly hurt. Gu Xingchuan paused after pinching him and gave him a warning look.

Song Yi coughed awkwardly, turned to Shen Li. He said seriously, “Xiao Li, I like you, but you already have a fiancé. I won’t comment on Zhou Moquan’s character, but since you chose him, it must be because you have your reasons. As a friend, I respect your choice, and I also wish you happiness. This what I want to say most.”

Shen Li stared at him blankly, his eyes sparkling.

Song Yi sighed from the bottom of his heart. It was time to end this. “Unfortunately, I am not the one to accompany you but it does not matter. We will still be friends, and I will continue to accompany you as a friend. When you need it most, I will still help you. Only, taking care of you and loving you is something I can’t do anymore. Do you understand?”

Shen Li blinked, tears rolling down his cheeks. Still, he forced a smile. “What if I don’t get married? Will you still like me?”

“Fuck you.” Gu Xingchuan couldn’t listen any longer. Disgusted, he threw the cup in his hand towards Shen Li. It hit Shen Li’s chest accurately, and then fell to the ground with a shattering sound.

He stood up and pointed at Shen Li. Angered, he declared, “If you dare think about laozi’ s person again, I’ll twist your head off.”

The author has something to say:

Zhou and Shen Li are not deputy CPs.

There will never be a deputy CP in this text!

Friends who forget who Zhou is can read Chapter 23 again.

(Amber: Can I confess, I also forgot about Zhou.)

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