Weekend finally arrived and for the first time, Yan Xiuchen didn't find himself looking forward to their brotherhood night. The past days since his meeting with Xiao Rufeng had left him feeling more alone than ever. Her ray of sunlight that greeted him that day was something he now craved for.
Still, even with her business card securely tucked in the safe pocket of his jacket next to his heart, even if he had already memorized her number from the very first day, Yan Xiuchen didn't dare to give her a call to hear her lovely voice.
He groaned and rubbed his face in frustration, nearly knocking the glasses off his face. He felt like a coward for not mustering enough courage to talk to her. But what would he say anyway? That he liked to hear her voice and that he was somewhat missing her?
If not for the fact that he bothered watching all the series and movies she starred in, Yan Xiuchen thought that he might actually try to find out where she lived, but his pride wouldn't allow him to do so. He didn't want Xiao Rufeng to think that he was a creep or a stalker after their first meeting.
Despite his frustration, Yan Xiuchen left the entertainment room in his house and headed to where he would meet the rest of his brothers. The rest of his brothers were already there, including Li Xiran, who recently joined their group. He obviously just arrived before him, as his overcoat was still on him.
"Just in time. I thought you wouldn't be coming tonight. Busy at work?" Zhu Baichuan asked Yan Xiuchen once he had taken a seat next to Lu Qingfeng.
"No." He replied. He couldn't lie in front of his brothers, but there was no way he would tell them what kept him busy and occupied these days.
They started playing poker while discussing the recent events in their respective businesses. Ning Xuan's company had yet to release a mobile multiplayer online battle arena game, which the rest of his brothers, except for Li Xiran, had discreetly invested in.
Lu Qingfeng had the largest share in it, as he was certain that it would be a big hit, based on what he knew from his previous life. Originally, Ning Technologies would need five years to develop the game before its release time, but because of their brotherhood's cooperation, Ning Xuan's team managed to finish the game earlier than he expected.
"Should we have a game and see how it's faring?" Song Yiran asked with a grin.
"Isn't it a 5v5 game?" Zhu Baichuan replied, looking impassively over his cards.
"Silly. Of course, Ning Xuan won't play with us. He might steal all the kills, as he knows the maps better than us." Song Yiran retorted.
Ning Xuan laughed at that.
"You are thinking too much, Yiran. Anyway, let's set the game for some other time. I don't think Chen-ge and Li Xiran are in the mood to play with us." He noted, gathering the rest of his brother's attention.
Yan Xiuchen groaned, Lu Qingfeng scoffed, while Li Xiran kept his expression neutral. The latter was a little surprised that the rest of them could be so hands-on that they would test the product themselves. He supposed that given the amount of money they invested in Ning Xuan's team, they needed to see if it's worth the gamble.
"Oh, shit," Song Yiran said. "I thought that I was overthinking when I noticed that Chen-ge isn't his usual self."
He nudged Lu Qingfeng to get his attention. "Do you know what's up with him? He's brooding more than usual."
Yan Xiuchen scowled in his direction. Song Yiran was a little close to the mark, which displeased him. Was he really that obvious?
"So Chen-ge, care to share what the problem is?" Ning Xuan grinned at him.
"Nothing you should worry about." He muttered in response.
Song Yiran stared at him for a moment and gasped. He then turned to Lu Qingfeng and whispered something. The young man furrowing his brows in response.
"What? You don't think I'm right?" Song Yiran laughed at him. "You have that same expression whenever things don't go as you plan when Su Xiaofei is involved."
"You are speaking such nonsense again." Lu Qingfeng answered.
"Am I?" Song Yiran rubbed his chin, but this was too familiar for him not to recognize Yan Xiuchen's demeanor tonight.
"Anyway, Chen-ge. My wife wants to invite you for lunch tomorrow." Lu Qingfeng said. "You too, Song Yiran. It's supposed to be dinner, but we need to fly back to Qiying City in the afternoon. Can you make time for it?"
"Hey. That's unfair, Lu Qingfeng. Why is Big Sis inviting Chen-ge and Song Yiran for lunch and not the rest of us?" Zhu Baichuan asked as he folded his cards over the table.
"Feifei owed Chen-ge and Song Yiran a favor for helping her resolve a problem a few nights ago. She wants to properly thank them and apologize for the trouble." The youngest in their brotherhood replied.
Yan Xiuchen waved a hand.
"I already said that you and Su Xiaofei owed me nothing. I did it on my own volition."
"Well, I certainly wouldn't miss a chance to have a good home cooked meal." Song Yiran grinned.
"Su Xiaofei can cook?" Li Xiran asked curiously.
"No. Lu Qingfeng is an excellent cook, in case you don't know." Song Yiran replied. "What about you, Chen-ge? Are you coming?"
Yan Xiuchen was busy thinking of an excuse not to accept the invitation. He wanted to spend the rest of his Sunday catching up with the series where Xiao Rufeng was playing a villain.
"You don't need to bring anything." He heard Lu Qingfeng say. "Nothing fancy, but Feifei also invited Miss Xiao."
Yan Xiuchen stiffened at the mention of Xiao Rufeng's name. Choosing between seeing her on a small screen or in real life, of course he would choose the latter.
"I'm going."
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om