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墨書 Inktalez
After School Time--
"Backpack." Standing outside the door, Yan Yulong extended his hand towards Xia Xihe. Xia Xihe, confused, handed him her backpack. Yan Yulong took her backpack and stylishly slung it over his shoulder, taking her hand as they walked away.
"Uh... I can carry it myself..." Xia Xihe felt embarrassed to let him carry her backpack.
"Shut up." Yan Yulong said domineeringly, and Xia Xihe had no choice but to obediently close her mouth.
Although they had been walking together on campus for quite some time, this was the first time they were holding hands so openly. As they passed by, the rate of people turning to look at them was a staggering 200%, even the teachers couldn't help but steal a few glances. The gazes felt like needles piercing her skin, and Xia Xihe was so embarrassed that she couldn't lift her head, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.
Suddenly, Yan Yulong stopped in front of her. Xia Xihe, who had been looking down while walking, unexpectedly bumped into his hard back.
"What are you doing?" Yan Yulong frowned at her.
"N-nothing..." Xia Xihe covered her aching nose.
Yan Yulong placed a helmet on her head and fastened the strap. Xia Xihe glanced nervously at the motorcycle behind him and asked, "Uh... where are we going?"
"To get measured." Yan Yulong's words were as concise and cryptic as ever.
"Excuse me, what does 'get measured' mean...?"
"Why ask so much? You'll know when we get there. Get on." Without further ado, Yan Yulong pulled her onto the motorcycle. The bike roared as it sped out of the school gate, heading towards the busiest shopping street in the city center.
The motorcycle finally stopped in front of a three-story building with a distinctly European architectural style.
The ground floor housed a café, and a staircase entwined with vines wound its way up the exterior wall, connecting all three floors.
Xia Xihe followed Yan Yulong to the second floor. Upon reaching it, they entered an airy courtyard filled with rose bushes and various potted plants. In the center of the garden stood Western-style wicker chairs and a coffee table, along with a white swing that looked quite romantic and charming.
Yan Yulong pushed open a door and turned around to see Xia Xihe lost in thought. He impatiently called out, "Hey, come in."
"Oh, oh..." Xia Xihe hurried over. He looked up at the glass door, where a small wooden sign hung, reading "Puccini."
Upon entering the room, he was greeted by a faint, elegant scent of roses. Near the door were two rows of coat racks, and on a cabinet lay leather shoes, scarves, belts, and other accessories. It appeared to be a clothing store.
"Young Master Yan, welcome," two women in pink-purple outfits greeted Yan Yulong. One of them called out into the room, "Manager, Young Master Yan is here."
"Coming..." A young man walked out from behind a door. He had shoulder-length hair, red lips, white teeth, delicate eyebrows, and slender eyes. His tall and lean figure exuded an effeminate aura.
Wen Zhaohui spoke softly, "Xiaolong, your clothes will take another three days to be delivered."
"I know; I'm here to get his measurements today." Yan Yulong pulled Xia Xihe, who had been standing behind him.
"Oh..." Wen Zhaohui looked at Xia Xihe with surprise and then smiled playfully. "Your friend?"
Yan Yulong knew what he was thinking and deliberately flashed a bright smile as he replied, "My wife."
"Oh..." Wen Zhaohui responded knowingly. He turned to Xia Xihe with a warm smile and extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Wen Zhaohui; you can call me Brother Wen."
"Hello, I'm Xia Xihe..." Xia Xihe shyly shook his hand.
"Xihe, nice to meet you," Wen Zhaohui said enthusiastically before turning to Yan Yulong. "What kind of clothes do you want?"
"A formal suit."
"A formal suit?" Wen Zhaohui said to the female staff member, "Bring out the samples."
The staff member brought over a design book along with a pot of floral tea. The three men sat in Wicker Chairs near the window while Wen Zhaohui flipped through the book and asked Xia Xihe, "Xihe, what style do you like?"
"Um... I don't mind..." Xia Xihe replied blankly; he had no idea why Yan Yulong had brought him to get fitted for a formal suit.
"How about making some shorts that are about seven-tenths in length?" Wen Zhaohui pointed at a design that resembled children's clothing.
"Ah?" Xia Xihe said awkwardly, "This... this... seems a bit inappropriate..."
"It won't be! This style is really cute, perfect for a little elementary school boy like you."
"I... I... I'm a high school student..." Xia Xihe informed shyly.
"Uh? Oh... I'm sorry..." Wen Zhaohui also felt embarrassed, "I thought you looked so cute that you were an elementary school student..."
"No... it's fine..."
Yan Yulong interjected coolly, "Ah Wen, stop it. No matter how shameless I am, I wouldn't go after an elementary school student."
"That's hard to say..." Wen Zhaohui retorted without holding back.
"Stop talking nonsense and go take his measurements."
"Alright, Xiao Han, Xiao Li, take this little brother to get measured." Wen Zhaohui instructed the two store clerks.
"Okay, little brother, please come this way." The two women smiled as they gently guided the bewildered Xia Xihe to a large mirror to take his measurements.
After they walked away, Wen Zhaohui looked at Yan Yulong with an ambiguous smile. Yan Yulong, who was watching Xia Xihe, impatiently turned his head to glare at him.
"What are you laughing at? Be careful your mouth doesn't split open."
"Hehe... it's nothing." Wen Zhaohui took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "Looks like you awakened pretty early."
Yan Yulong rested his chin on his hand and remained silent. Wen Zhaohui continued, "So it turns out sexual orientation can really be inherited."
Yan Yulong shot him a glance. "This has nothing to do with orientation; it's just that we happen to like guys."
"That's true... You used to say you'd never become like your brother or dad; it’s really just because you haven't met the right person yet."
Yan Yulong listened to him speak, but his gaze never left Xia Xihe. He watched as Xia clumsily moved back and forth between two store clerks, a warm smile unconsciously appearing at the corners of his mouth.
Wen Zhaohui followed his line of sight and sighed, "You men from the Yan Family... all have the same character."
"What character?"
"You are incredibly gentle and indulgent towards those you like, yet cold and ruthless towards others who are irrelevant."
"Why say it so harshly? Isn't my Second Brother good to you?"
Yan Yulong's casual remark made Wen Zhaohui's bright smile fade, replaced by sadness and melancholy. After a moment of silence, he quietly asked:
"How has he been lately?"
"Which one?" Yan Yulong was still watching Xia Xihe raise his hands high for the clerk to measure his chest.
"The one you just mentioned."
"You mean my Second Brother?" Yan Yulong finally turned to look at him, shrugging indifferently. "He's still the same."
"I heard... he found 'that person'?"
"He did find someone, but he doesn't seem very comfortable about it."
"Why not?"
"I'm not sure; maybe it's because 'that person' is hard to deal with?"
"Hard to deal with? Does the other party not accept Yuhau? Or is it... something else?" Wen Zhaohui asked with concern.
"I don't know their business. If you're interested, just go ask my Second Brother yourself," Yan Yulong said disinterestedly.
"I wouldn't be so troubled if I could just ask..." Wen Zhaohui murmured. At that moment, Xia Xihe had finished fitting and walked back.
"All set?" Yan Yulong affectionately ruffled his hair. The shop assistant handed the data to Wen Zhaohui, who, after reviewing it, restored his professional smile.
"What style do you want?"
"A white tailcoat would be fine," Yan Yulong answered on behalf of Xia Xihe.
"You should let Xihe express his opinion too; you're always so domineering..." Wen Zhaohui chided.
"Uh... I'm fine with whatever..." Xia Xihe replied weakly.
"Sigh, poor child, don't let them take advantage of you like this..." Wen Zhaohui said with deep sympathy, while Yan Yulong smugly curled his lips.
"When can it be ready?" he asked.
"I'll try to have it done by next week; the banquet is on the twenty-eighth of this month, right?"
"Yes, just deliver it to my house."
"Okay."
The more Xia Xihe listened, the more uneasy he felt. What next week? What banquet? After leaving the clothing store, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me... what is this dress for?"
"For attending the banquet," Yan Yulong replied matter-of-factly.
"Banquet?" Xia Xihe's mouth dropped open.
"Yes, it's my dad's birthday banquet."
"Your dad's birthday?!" Xia Xihe's mouth widened even further. Yan Yulong glanced at his expression and smirked:
"With your mouth open so wide, are you hoping I'll stuff something 'in'?"
Xia Xihe quickly covered his mouth in shock and stammered, "I... you... you want me to attend your father's birthday party?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?"
"But... um... it's just that..." If he remembered correctly, Yan Yulong's father was the boss of the Underworld, right? Even if he was retired now, it still felt terrifying.
"What are you so nervous about? It's just a matter of showing up; you won't have to perform piano or ballet or anything."
Ugh... he made it sound so easy. That was the birthday party of the former Underworld boss! Just imagining the kind of people who would be attending made him anxious. How could a mere high school student like him go to such an occasion? Oh my god...
But even if Xia Xihe had the courage of a thousand men, he wouldn't dare say, "I don't want to go."
"You're already scared before going? My dad won't eat you." Yan Yulong could tell from his expression that he was overthinking things.
"Um... yeah." Xia Xihe nodded stiffly.
"As long as you stick by my side, don't run around, don't talk too much, don't stare at people, and don't eat random things, everything will be fine," Yan Yulong said with a smile to reassure him.
Hearing that made it feel even scarier! Xia Xihe silently screamed in despair.
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