WIL CH 2

Chapter 2: Deliberately Making Him Meet His Ex-Boyfriend

Wen Feng held his hand as they walked through the revolving doors. The inside looked just as Lin Xi had imagined—luxurious and dazzling. Crystal chandeliers hung from the radiant ceiling, each sparkling light merging into a river of stars. At the center of the banquet hall, a stage had been set, where a graceful lady was playing the violin. All the guests were dressed in formal attire, elegant and refined. Only Lin Xi felt like he had stepped into a world that didn’t belong to him. His plain clothes made him stand out, completely at odds with the glamorous crowd.

The man beside him stayed silent, his hand never once letting go of Lin Xi’s. The warmth in his palm gradually eased the tension that had knotted up in Lin Xi’s chest.

Wen Feng led him across the hall and into a private room, where the seats were already filled. The sudden appearance of an unfamiliar face at Wen Feng’s side drew surprised looks from everyone at the table.

Only the seat of honor and the one beside it remained empty. Lin Xi hadn’t even figured out what was happening, his mind still blank, when Wen Feng calmly guided him to sit down in one of them.

“Sorry,” Wen Feng said, taking his seat, “I went out to bring him in.”

The man sitting on Wen Feng’s other side turned to look at Lin Xi with mocking curiosity. Feeling uneasy under his stare, Lin Xi quickly picked up the glass of water in front of him, pretending to take a sip to mask his discomfort.

Lin Xi recognized this man. He was Qin Zhiyan, Wen Feng’s close friend from university. Back then, their names had spread across campus—two heirs of wealthy families, practically everyone knew them.

“Well, well, Wen Feng,” Qin Zhiyan teased, his tone light but his gaze still fixed on Lin Xi, “you’ve changed your taste lately? Started fancying college boys now?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. He’s thin-skinned.” Wen Feng’s voice carried displeasure as he picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of crispy corn pancake onto Lin Xi’s plate.

“Protective, aren’t you?” Qin Zhiyan smirked. “So, little brother, how old are you this year? Which university are you studying at?” He was the only one at the table bold enough to pry like this. Relying on his close friendship with Wen Feng, Qin Zhiyan dared to ask the kind of questions no one else would.

Wen Feng set his chopsticks down and said coldly, his thin lips parting slightly, “And what does that have to do with you?”

Lin Xi could sense the tension rising—Wen Feng’s face was growing darker by the second. Not wanting to make things awkward because of him, Lin Xi quickly explained, “You’ve misunderstood. I’m not a college student.”

Qin Zhiyan raised his wine glass, took a sip, then chuckled. “Really? You look so fresh-faced, I thought you were still a student.”

“You talk too much.” Wen Feng’s words were light, almost like a joke to the untrained ear. But Qin Zhiyan had known him for over a decade. He could read the warning hidden beneath that calm exterior. Recognizing that he had already crossed the line, Qin Zhiyan tactfully backed off, giving himself a way out.

“Alright, alright, Young Master Wen,” he laughed, raising his hands in surrender, “I’ll stop teasing your little pet. I’ve never seen you like this before—what’s with the short temper tonight?”

With that minor interruption settled, no one else at the table tried to strike up a conversation with Lin Xi. And that suited him just fine. He wasn’t good at socializing anyway. His free time was usually spent at home, either drawing manga or playing games. He almost never went out.

The discussions at the table—about business strategies and entertainment industry gossip—held no interest for him. Instead, he quietly calculated how much longer this dinner would last. He just wanted to go home.

Wen Feng noticed his distraction. Leaning in close, he lowered his voice and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. I just want to use the restroom.”

There were plenty of people at the table, and no one paid attention to the small exchange between them. Still, Lin Xi felt a little embarrassed. He slid back in his chair, putting a few centimeters of space between himself and Wen Feng.

Wen Feng’s gaze lingered on him, eyes holding something unspoken. Lin Xi thought he was about to say more, but in the end, he only said, “Alright.”

The banquet hall was huge. Lin Xi couldn’t find the restroom and ended up wandering in circles. He hadn’t brought his phone, and before long, he’d even lost track of the way back.

He walked aimlessly along the corridor. The dim golden lights made the place feel quiet and hushed. Occasionally, someone passed by, their voices soft and fleeting in the silence. Lin Xi realized he was drifting farther and farther from where Wen Feng’s private room had been. The hallway Wen Feng had led him through earlier hadn’t been this dark.

“Lin Xi?”

The half-lit glow fell over a figure ahead. For a moment, Lin Xi thought he was hallucinating.

“Lin Xi, what are you doing here?” The familiar voice cut through his memories. It wasn’t an illusion. It was real. Standing before him was his ex-boyfriend—Jiang Boqing.

“What a coincidence.” Lin Xi stared at the man before him, both familiar and unfamiliar. He recalled Jiang Boqing’s youthful face. Yet in just four short years, the changes were staggering. He couldn’t find even a trace of that boy in the man standing in front of him now.

“Lin Xi, how have you been these past few years?” Jiang Boqing’s eyes flickered with hesitation when he noticed the band-aids covering Lin Xi’s neck.

Lin Xi smiled lightly. “I’ve been doing well.”

It was a polite exchange, the kind most ex-lovers fell into after years apart. The usual: long time no see, how have you been? It always seemed like they were hoping to hear that you hadn’t been doing well, that life had been hard without them. But Lin Xi’s life was, in fact, fine. Since marrying Wen Feng, he’d never had to worry about having a place to live or not having enough money. Even his career was something he genuinely loved. A person’s greatest needs were nothing more than food, shelter, and, if fortunate, companionship. Lin Xi was already content with his life now. He no longer expected anyone to stay by his side forever.

Jiang Boqing’s sudden departure back then had taught him a lesson: promises were easy to make in moments of passion, but they were fleeting, destined to expire quickly. Just like now—he no longer expected Wen Feng to love him.

“Lin Xi, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye.” Jiang Boqing’s eyes were filled with remorse. His peach blossom eyes, wide with double lids, had once been Lin Xi’s favorite feature. Back then, he’d thought Jiang Boqing’s eyes shone like stars. But now, after four years, that starlight had dimmed.

“It’s alright. It’s all in the past.” Time dulled everything that once felt important. Besides, it had been Jiang Boqing who broke things off first. The pain and disappointment of that time had already faded into nothingness. Things were fine as they were now.

“And you? When did you come back to the country?” Lin Xi was tired. Even if the past no longer hurt him, he didn’t want to reminisce with Jiang Boqing. He tried to steer the topic elsewhere.

“A little while ago. I wanted to reach out, but you changed your number. I couldn’t get through.”

“Lin Xi, it must be fate that we’re meeting like this. I’ve barely returned to the country, and here I am, running into you.” Jiang Boqing wouldn’t let it go. He moved closer, step by step, until Lin Xi’s back hit the wall, leaving him no room to retreat.

“It’s just a coincidence.” Lin Xi sighed.

“But to me, this coincidence feels like destiny.”

“We’ve been broken up for almost four years now.” Lin Xi reminded him. Jiang Boqing had left without a word, breaking up with him over the phone. Lin Xi hadn’t even been able to see him one last time. He had even written a long email, hundreds of words, pleading with him to stay. Years later, Wen Feng had found that old email. It had led to a long, cold war between them.

Jiang Boqing leaned in closer, his body almost pressing against him. “Lin Xi, but I’ve never been able to forget you.”

“President Jiang, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to say things like that to my lover?”

Wen Feng’s voice came suddenly from behind them. Lin Xi’s heart lurched in panic. His first instinct was to shove Jiang Boqing away.

Jiang Boqing staggered backward from the push.

Hands in his pockets, Wen Feng strode forward slowly, his narrowed eyes gleaming with a faint, icy smile. His presence was chilling.

Lin Xi lowered his head, guilt creeping in despite knowing he’d done nothing wrong. Still, he felt like an adulterer caught red-handed. His gaze dropped to his white sneakers—only for a pair of polished black leather shoes to stop directly in front of them. A moment later, a pair of broad, strong arms wrapped around him—Wen Feng pulled him into his arms.

“Didn’t you say you were going to the restroom? Isn’t this the restroom?” Wen Feng’s tone carried no visible emotion, yet the pressure in his voice was suffocating.

“I got lost. I didn’t bring my phone, and running into him was just an accident.” Lin Xi told the truth.

Under the bright light, Jiang Baiqing stared at the two men pressed so closely together, looking utterly disbelieving. It wasn’t that he couldn’t accept the possibility of Lin Xi being with someone new—it was that he couldn’t believe the person would actually be Wen Feng. He stood frozen in place, unable to say a word.

Wen Feng’s hand slowly traced over the band-aid on Lin Xi’s neck. The touch made Lin Xi itch and flinch slightly. Wen Feng let out a soft laugh before looking up at Jiang Baiqing and saying, “I heard you’re about to get engaged to Xie Yunxue. So tell me, are you trying to cheat first, or are you trying to make my lover cheat on me?”

“President Jiang, I’d better remind you. If the Xie family finds out you’re cheating, I’m sure Xie Yunxue will call off the engagement. Without their backing, and with only your status as an illegitimate son, no matter how hard you fight in Jiang Corporation, you’ll never be able to secure a solid position.”

“Today you dared to flirt with my lover. Considering you two are old classmates, I’ll let it go this time. But if there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Jiang Boqing’s face turned pale with humiliation at being exposed so bluntly by Wen Feng.

Just moments ago, he had been saying he couldn’t forget Lin Xi—yet in reality, he was already preparing for an engagement. Lin Xi hadn’t known about Jiang Boqing’s illegitimate background. Back when they were together, Jiang Boqing had never once spoken about his family, and Lin Xi hadn’t pressed. Thinking about it now, their breakup must have been a calculated choice by Jiang Boqing. Realizing this, Lin Xi’s heart still stung. He felt sorrow not for Jiang Boqing, but for his own foolish self back then.

Wen Feng kept his arm around Lin Xi as they walked past Jiang Boqing. Lin Xi could feel that gaze lingering on his face, but he didn’t turn back. He simply let Wen Feng lead him away from that place of entanglement.

The warm summer night breeze brushed against Lin Xi’s face. It was already late, and the banquet was winding down. Guests were slowly dispersing, some waiting by the entrance for shuttles. Wen Feng and Lin Xi were among them.

Wen Feng had drunk too much to drive, so Lin Xi had to take the wheel. He didn’t know where exactly to head—to Wen Feng’s usual place, or back home? Wen Feng leaned in the passenger seat, supporting his forehead with his hand, eyes closed.

Lin Xi knew Wen Feng wasn’t asleep, so he softly asked, “Should we go home?”

With his eyes still shut, Wen Feng gave a faint hum in response.

The drive was silent.

As soon as they entered the house and before even changing shoes, Wen Feng pressed Lin Xi against the entryway wall and kissed him hard. His lips forced their way in, prying Lin Xi’s mouth open and claiming his tongue with practiced dominance.

The sound of lips and tongues filled the empty living room, wet and echoing. Lin Xi’s ears flushed red as Wen Feng held him firmly, leaving him no chance to escape. The kiss dragged on until Lin Xi’s legs grew weak. Wen Feng finally scooped him up and carried him into the bedroom, laying him on the bed before reaching to strip off his clothes.

Lin Xi stopped him. In the darkness of the unlit room, his eyes glimmered faintly as he asked, “Did you deliberately bring me to tonight’s banquet? You knew he’d be there—that’s why you brought me, isn’t it?”

Lin Xi was smart. He had already pieced together Wen Feng’s unusual behavior.

“Yes. So what if I did?” Wen Feng admitted without a shred of shame.

“Why?”

“To let you see what kind of trash the man you couldn’t forget really is.” Wen Feng brushed a kiss against the corner of his lips, his hot breath damp against Lin Xi’s skin.

Lin Xi turned his face away. “I haven’t been hung up on him.”

Wen Feng sneered. “Then what was that look you gave when you walked away just now? Reluctant, wasn’t it? Too bad, Lin Xi. If you ever dare to cheat, then you can forget about living.”

In just a few swift moves, Wen Feng stripped both Lin Xi and himself bare. Lin Xi’s body still ached from the night before, and fear welled up inside him. But Wen Feng’s actions were too forceful, leaving no room for resistance. Lin Xi could only beg softly, “I still have work tomorrow… please, be gentler. It hurts.”

“So fragile. When have you ever not hurt?” Wen Feng said coldly.

Every time, Lin Xi would cry out in pain and look so pitiful. And every time, Wen Feng would only want to push him further—to break him down, to make him sob beneath him, to force him to beg with his own mouth.

The best would be to hear Lin Xi calling his name, over and over again.

Wen Feng knew Lin Xi’s body better than Lin Xi himself. He knew exactly how to drive him to the edge, and he repeated those cruel motions again and again until Lin Xi’s composure completely shattered.

(To be continued…)