WIL CH 9

Chapter 9: Going Home?

“I heard the Jiang family went all out for this engagement. Climbing up to the Xie family—it’s practically like leaping through the dragon gate^[1].”

“This Xie Yunxue really is something. She’s gorgeous, and her family background is way higher than Jiang Boqing’s. So why would she fall for an illegitimate son like him?” Qin Zhiyan crossed his arms, clicking his tongue as he stared at the couple onstage.

Wen Feng cast him a glance and said lightly, “How do you know it’s not true love?”

Qin Zhiyan looked as if he had just heard a joke, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. “True love? Come on. How many of us actually marry for love? Most of us are bound by family interests. Xie Yunxue might look innocent, but Jiang Boqing—he’s no simple man. I’ve heard he’s got an older brother at home. For this illegitimate son to marry into the Xie family, he must have some tricks up his sleeve.”

Wen Feng ignored the latter half of his comment, only replying, “At least you’re self-aware. But don’t lump me in with the rest.”

Qin Zhiyan’s mouth twitched. He rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine. You’re the exception. Still, you’ve got guts. Coming out publicly? It’s a miracle Uncle Wen didn’t get so mad he ended up in the hospital!”

Back when Wen Feng suddenly came out of the closet, it had scared the life out of him. He’d never once suspected that the childhood friend he’d grown up with was gay—he’d hidden it too well. For over twenty years, not a single hint slipped. And then, out of nowhere, he went abroad, got married, and then dropped the bomb on everyone. The calmest person turned out to be the one hiding the biggest secret.

Lin Xi couldn’t join their conversation. He sipped quietly at his fruit juice. The table was filled with exquisite dishes, but he had no appetite. Was Wen Feng doing this on purpose, forcing him to attend this engagement? Or did he genuinely want him to come? Lin Xi couldn’t tell.

He sat there like he was on pins and needles, wishing it would all end soon. Every time he thought he’d said goodbye to Jiang Boqing for good, fate threw them together again. And every encounter forced him to relive and reexamine his past.

The engagement banquet was grand—almost like a wedding. After the couple gave their speeches onstage, they began walking down among the guests to toast each table. The guests were all prominent figures from both political and business circles, most attending out of respect for the Xie family’s status.

Xie Yunxue, arm in arm with Jiang Boqing, slowly approached their table. The moment Lin Xi met Jiang Boqing’s gaze, his fingertips trembled ever so slightly. He quickly lowered his eyes, refusing to look again.

“President Wen, President Qin,” Jiang Boqing greeted them first, still wearing a polite smile. “Thank you for coming.” The night Wen Feng had confronted him seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Wen Feng didn’t expose him. “Congratulations, President Jiang. You’ve finally gotten what you wanted.”

He lifted his wine glass, every movement elegant yet distant. Even just standing there, his cold, composed aura was suffocating. The crystal glasses clinked, making a crisp, sharp sound.

The liquid in Jiang Boqing’s glass trembled, almost spilling over. His face turned pale, his jaw tight as he forced out a stiff smile. “President Wen, you jest.”

Then he turned to Qin Zhiyan, raising his glass again. “President Qin, an honor.”

Qin Zhiyan, though he didn’t think much of Jiang Boqing, couldn’t embarrass him in public. He put on a smile and said, “President Jiang, Miss Xie—congratulations on your engagement.”

Xie Yunxue then spotted Lin Xi and looked pleasantly surprised. She hadn’t expected to see him again—especially not at her engagement banquet. Holding Jiang Boqing’s arm, she smiled sweetly. “What a coincidence! You’re the handsome guy I met at the supermarket that day!”

Even though Lin Xi desperately wanted to avoid her, there was no escaping now. “Mm. Congratulations to you both.”

He never looked at Jiang Boqing again. His gaze stayed fixed on Xie Yunxue’s face. At that moment, Lin Xi felt a deep ache for this innocent girl—she had been deceived into marriage by Jiang Boqing, used by him, yet still clung to him with a happy smile. She believed she was loved, unaware that ahead of her lay an abyss that would swallow and hurt her.

Only Lin Xi knew the truth—knew that while Jiang Boqing was preparing for his engagement to Xie Yunxue, he was still trying to win Lin Xi back. But he couldn’t reveal it. Toward Xie Yunxue, guilt rose in his heart.

Suddenly, his hand was pried open, and another hand slid into his—ten fingers tightly interlacing. Trembling fingertips were firmly enveloped.

Wen Feng’s deep voice echoed close to his ear.

“Miss Xie, let me introduce—Lin Xi, my lover.”

This was the second time Wen Feng had publicly declared him as his lover, and both times had been in front of Jiang Boqing. Lin Xi knew Wen Feng was doing it on purpose—to humiliate him.

Xie Yunxue, being someone from the top of the entertainment circle, had seen it all. She didn’t show the slightest sign of discomfort over their relationship. Instead, her eyes lit up with excitement.

“Wow, you two look so perfect together! Standing side by side—such a feast for the eyes. As expected, handsome men should be paired with handsome men!”

Jiang Boqing, standing beside her, kept silent. His eyes, however, flickered strangely.

Wen Feng curved his lips into a faint smile, glanced at Jiang Boqing, then turned back to Xie Yunxue.

“You two look very fitting as well.”

Xie Yunxue tilted her head toward Jiang Baiqing and giggled sweetly.

“Really? Boqing’s like a cold-faced block of ice.”

Wen Feng smiled without responding further. After a few more polite exchanges, they excused themselves and moved to another table.

Lin Xi was still lost in his own thoughts when Wen Feng leaned in close, his voice low beside his ear.

“So sad already?”

Lin Xi frowned quickly. “I’m not sad.”

“Really? Then what’s with that half-dead expression?” Wen Feng reached out to touch his face, his eyes sharp and penetrating. A chill ran down Lin Xi’s spine.

He pursed his lips, refusing to answer.

Wen Feng pressed on.

“Face it, Lin Xi. You saw it yourself—he’s the one who abandoned you. He’s engaged now, to the famous Miss Xie. You two will never have another chance.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Feng bit lightly at the tip of Lin Xi’s ear, his hand sliding down to clasp Lin Xi’s hand resting on his thigh. There were still others seated nearby, and Lin Xi was too weary to explain anymore. He turned slightly away and whispered, “I need to go to the restroom.”

“This time, will you get lost again?” Wen Feng’s tone carried a hint of teasing meaning.

Lin Xi needed to breathe. The atmosphere here was suffocating. His gaze held a trace of pleading.

“I brought my phone this time. If I get lost, I’ll call you.”

Finally, Wen Feng released his hand, glancing at his wristwatch.

“Ten minutes. If you’re not back, I’ll come to the restroom to find you.”

Lin Xi nodded and headed toward the restroom. Wen Feng’s eyes followed him briefly before withdrawing his gaze.

Qin Zhiyan, who had clearly been watching a drama unfold, chuckled meaningfully.

“Something’s fishy. You four definitely have some secret I don’t know about.”

Leaning lazily back in his chair, Wen Feng swirled the remaining champagne in his glass.

“If you already knew, then it wouldn’t be a secret.”

“Come on, tell me—what’s the deal between you and Jiang Boqing? It doesn’t look like it’s your first time meeting.”

Qin Zhiyan truly lived up to being the heir of an entertainment company—his sense for gossip was razor sharp.

Wen Feng ignored him, drinking leisurely, clearly unwilling to talk.

Seeing that he couldn’t get anything out of him, Qin Zhiyan lost interest. Standing up, he straightened his suit jacket.

“I’ll head off first. Got company matters to deal with. Let’s catch up sometime.”

After waving a casual goodbye to Wen Feng, he left. Indeed, ever since taking over the company as promised to his old man, Qin Zhiyan had been endlessly busy—so busy he hadn’t stepped foot in any pleasure venues for days.

Just as Lin Xi exited the restroom and turned a corner, someone suddenly yanked him into the emergency stairwell. Jiang Boqing pinned him against the wall—their faces so close they nearly touched. Lin Xi struggled to turn away.

“Jiang Boqing, what are you doing?!”

Jiang Boqing’s breathing was heavy and uneven, his eyes bloodshot.

“Lin Xi… I’m in so much pain. Can’t you just hold me, like before?”

Summoning all his strength, Lin Xi shoved him away. Jiang Boqing stumbled back and fell to the ground.

“Jiang Boqing, it’s your engagement party today. Miss Xie is still waiting for you.”

Jiang Boqing had been drinking. Sitting messily on the floor, he grabbed at Lin Xi’s pant leg.

“Lin Xi, I was wrong. Please, come back to me.”

Lin Xi didn’t hesitate—he pulled his leg free from Jiang Boqing’s grasp. People were always like this—wanting everything, greedy to the core. Jiang Boqing was no longer the boy from his memories. The discomfort in Lin Xi’s chest wasn’t because he still had feelings for him, but because he pitied Xie Yunxue… and felt disgusted at his own foolish words of pleading back then.

Lin Xi rarely got angry, but now he felt his chest burn with fury.

“How many times do I have to say it, Jiang Boqing? Give it up already. You really make me sick.”

He pushed the door open and stormed out.

When he returned to his seat, he had already composed himself—his expression calm, as if nothing had happened.

Wen Feng glanced at him lazily.

“Right on time. Down to the last minute.”

Lin Xi tugged lightly on his sleeve.

“Let’s go home.”

He couldn’t stand being here for another moment.

“Alright.” Wen Feng draped an arm around his shoulders, leading him out of the banquet hall.

(To be continued…)