Zheng Yu'an wasn't sure why he walked over.
It was as if he were crossing a rushing river, the riverbed possibly filled with jagged stones, obstructing his path. He felt hesitant, yet irritated.
"This is Zheng Yu'an, General Manager Zheng," Yan Shuwang said, introducing him to the group, "Head of the Corporate Department at JZ Industrial Park branch."
Zheng Yu'an instinctively flashed a practiced, social smile. This expression revealed little, his eyes naturally drooping slightly at the corners, the curve of his lips just right.
Several people surrounded him, exchanging pleasantries. Their gazes were either assessing or probing, but mostly they seemed to be casually tagging him.
When Yan Shuwang introduced his own friends, his attitude was much more casual. He gestured around with his fingertips and said lightly, "This is Li Shu from Future Media, Boss Li, and Lin Nianxiang from JA, senior engineer."
Zheng Yu'an smoothly offered his business card. Li Shu was handsome, probably because he worked in media. He was well-dressed, like a model. Zheng Yu'an noticed he was wearing coloured contact lenses, a rare shade. Zheng Yu'an subtly glanced at his eyes a few more times.
Lin Nianxiang, on the other hand, was the most ordinary-looking of the group, with delicate features, a ready smile, and a comfortable, likeable presence.
"JZ Bank released a set of commemorative coins before the Lunar New Year," Lin Nianxiang said, initiating a conversation. "Mickey Mouse, wasn't it?"
Zheng Yu'an smiled. "Yes, for the Year of the Rat. We bought the rights from Disney. Would Engineer Lin like a set?"
Lin Nianxiang was obliging. "Sure, I'll take a look when I have the time."
Yan Shuwang simply stated the names of the remaining people without further elaboration. Zheng Yu'an roughly understood the situation. Li Shu wasn't very sociable, while Lin Nianxiang was friendly and approachable, chatting with Zheng Yu'an in a casual manner.
"Colin mentioned you before," Lin Nianxiang said, looking at Zheng Yu'an. "He said you're a good basketball player."
Zheng Yu'an said modestly, "I'm far from his level. I even embarrassed myself."
Lin Nianxiang said, "Colin won't mind. You're so good-looking."
Zheng Yu'an blinked, pursing his lips with curiosity. He asked softly, "What are Mr. Yan... Colin's boyfriends like?"
Lin Nianxiang said, "He hasn't had many boyfriends. We've barely met any of them, anyway. He's not serious, and he wouldn't bring them around for us to see." Lin Nianxiang gave him a knowing look. "You're the first one he's actively introduced to us, even if you're straight."
Zheng Yu'an was speechless.
Lin Nianxiang seemed to find him amusing and called out to Yan Shuwang, who was standing with Li Shu, "Colin, come over here for a second."
Yan Shuwang walked over. Li Shu's expression was playful, and his gaze lingered on Zheng Yu'an's face for a few seconds.
"Yu'an is asking about your boyfriends," Lin Nianxiang said, completely selling him out. "Are straight guys interested in this kind of thing?"
Zheng Yu'an awkwardly rubbed his nose. He felt embarrassed to discuss someone's private life behind their back; it wasn't very gentlemanly.
Yan Shuwang didn't seem offended, but he looked at Zheng Yu'an with some surprise.
He said, "I'm single now."
Lin Nianxiang laughed. "What about Mr. Yu'an?"
Zheng Yu'an said generously, "I don't have a girlfriend either."
Li Shu suddenly snorted. "Why are you so eager to distance yourself? Are you afraid we'll make a move on you?"
Zheng Yu'an was taken aback. He hadn't expected Li Shu to be so aggressive. He didn't think he had said anything wrong, but he might not have been tactful enough, so he didn't want to explain any further.
Lin Nianxiang quickly smoothed things over. "Yu'an was just saying something casually, why are you being so harsh?"
Li Shu shrugged with a mocking expression. "I'm going for a smoke," he said.
Lin Nianxiang sighed. "I'll go with you."
After they left, Zheng Yu'an felt less awkward being alone with Yan Shuwang. He studied Yan Shuwang's face. Yan Shuwang glanced back, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Why are you asking about my boyfriends?"
Zheng Yu'an said honestly, "I'm just curious."
Yan Shuwang remained noncommittal.
Zheng Yu'an thought for a moment and explained, "I occasionally came into contact with your community when I studied abroad, but I definitely wasn't very familiar or knowledgeable. But I really..." Zheng Yu'an searched for the right word, carefully choosing "admire."
"Admire me?" Yan Shuwang actually laughed this time. His eyes were long and narrow, his eyelashes thick and delicate, like the most exquisite tail feather of a male bird-of-paradise during courtship.
"What do you admire about me?" he asked.
Zheng Yu'an chuckled softly. "There's too much. If you want me to say nice things about you, I could go on forever."
Yan Shuwang seemed pleased by his flattery. He moved closer to Zheng Yu'an, lowered his head slightly, and the hair on his shoulder brushed against Zheng Yu'an's neck.
Yan Shuwang whispered close to his ear, "You can tell me slowly. After all... we'll have plenty of time in the future."
An Dai was certain to come to the pottery exhibition. When she arrived, Yan Shuwang had just purchased an owl vase. Zheng Yu'an also liked it and held it in his hands, admiring it together with Yan Shuwang.
An Dai was meeting Yan Shuwang for the first time, so Zheng Yu'an naturally introduced them. To avoid formality, he used Yan Shuwang's English name.
"Colin," Zheng Yu'an said, "this is the exhibition curator, An Dai."
An Dai had seen countless beautiful people, but someone as exceptional as Yan Shuwang was rare. She was uncharacteristically shy and only managed a "Hi" as a greeting.
After An Dai left, Yan Shuwang said, "She's very beautiful. You have good taste."
Zheng Yu'an was surprised and chuckled. "Don't misunderstand, it's in the past."
"I don't misunderstand," Yan Shuwang said casually. "I know she's your ex-girlfriend."
Zheng Yu'an was even more surprised. He was confused and asked a silly question, "How do you know?"
Yan Shuwang looked at him for a moment, then playfully raised his eyebrows. "I'm not telling you," he said.
Yan Shuwang didn't take the owl vase in the end. He gave it to Zheng Yu'an.
Li Shu: I knew it.
Lin Nianxiang smiled ambiguously.
"Let's hang out together sometime," Lin Nianxiang said to Zheng Yu'an as he left. "Colin really likes you. You're very interesting."
Zheng Yu'an didn't know what was interesting about him, but he didn't refuse Lin Nianxiang's invitation.
Li Shu was lukewarm towards him, as if he had clearly categorized Zheng Yu'an.
"You don't need to worry too much about Li Shu," Yan Shuwang said as he was leaving. "He just doesn't know any better."
Zheng Yu'an smiled. "I don't mind, it's okay."
Yan Shuwang looked at him for a moment, then suddenly called out, "Zheng Yu'an."
Zheng Yu'an responded, "?"
Yan Shuwang didn't say anything. He walked a few steps forward. Because they were so close, Zheng Yu'an instinctively wanted to step back, but Yan Shuwang clearly wasn't going to give him the chance.
Zheng Yu'an felt a tightening around his waist. He was being embraced by Yan Shuwang.
Zheng Yu'an was speechless.
Yan Shuwang turned his head, his lips brushing against his neck, a hint of mischievousness in his voice. "Relax, they're all watching."