Chapter 58: The Hongmen Banquet

  I sat in the living room, listening to the sound of Zhuo Yang stir-frying dishes coming from the kitchen. I thought for a moment and hesitated before dialing his phone number, waiting for him to pick up.

  "Hello? Hello? Hello?"

  "Hey! Weiming, I've arrived in Changchun. I'm heading to the restaurant we booked for this morning. Have you arrived yet?" On the other end of the phone came Zhu Yang's scolding and panting voice, seemingly in a great hurry.

  "So soon?" I asked in surprise.

  "We're going to meet soon, can't wait! I'll be there soon, don't worry." Zhu Yang's tone was filled with the excitement of when we first fell in love.

  "Zhu Yang, I'm so sorry! I won't be able to make it to the restaurant we agreed on. Fang Wenke found out about our meeting today and invited you over to his place instead... He's being really sincere..." I said with a heavy heart.

  "I'm listening." I heard Zhu Yang's voice on the other end of the phone, silent and not speaking.

  "Hey! Zhuyang, are you still listening?" I asked tentatively.

  "Hey, listen... But you know very well that I met with you tonight just to make up with you. How could you let me have a head-on confrontation with Fang Wenke?" Zhu Yang's tone was somewhat unstable, I guess he must be furious.

  "Sorry, I have to respect my boyfriend."

  "Alright, it seems you really don't plan on accepting my sincerity! Send me his home address! I'll go right away!" Zhu Yang compromised.

  "Well then, be careful, I'll send you the address right away!"

  "Alright, hang up."

  The phone was hung up hastily, I thought he must be very anxious, anxiously thinking for a while about how to face Fang Wenke.

  I sent the address to Zhu Yang and then put down the phone and walked into the kitchen.

  I stood behind Fang Wenke, looking at his tall figure of over 1.8 meters, constantly chopping and stir-frying vegetables. Occasionally, he would also ask me to wash the vegetables, but firmly refused to let me touch cold water. I was grateful to have such care, which was the first time in my life that someone took care of me like this, surpassing Zhu Yang's love for me, and even surpassing my own self-love.

  I wrapped my arms around Hou Ke's waist from behind, like embracing a tree trunk, reliable and at ease. I knew he loved me just as much as I loved him.

  It was probably over half an hour later! The doorbell at home rang, I guessed it was Zhu Yang who had arrived, Fang Wenke and I went to the door together and saw Zhu Yang wearing a thick windbreaker.

  Zhu Yang's face was frozen bright red, with a faint smile on his face, still looking calm and composed. On his hands were a pair of woolen gloves that I had knitted for him two years ago.

  "Your house is really hard to find! But this big house is really impressive!" Zhu Yang politely greeted me and Fang Wenke, with an expression that was clearly a fake smile.

  "Sorry about that, I was supposed to pick you up, but the dishes are all cooked and it's not worth the effort." Fang Wenke suddenly became very polite.

  "You can invite me and I'll be honored, what else is there to accept."

  "Hurry up and take off your shoes and come in! You must be frozen!" I said hastily.

  After Zhu Yang entered the house, I accompanied him to sit in the living room. Fang Wenke went into the kitchen again and was busy, occasionally he would look towards the direction of the living room and stare at me unceasingly, as if I might be kidnapped by Zhu Yang at any moment.

  "Do you live in his house? I see you're wearing all home clothes." Zhu Yang's eyes scanned me up and down.

  "Well, I've already lost the house in the small town to my dad's gambling, I have nowhere to live, so I had to come here."

  "What about your mom? Why didn't you tell me about this?" Zhu Yang took off his gloves and put them on the sofa.

  "She went back to her uncle's house in the countryside and will be staying there for a while. What are you talking about? Our relationship wasn't bad at that time, was it?" I said with a bitter smile.

  "I'm sorry... Back then, I hurt you, but now I regret it. Li Yue is not suitable for me at all, and I've had enough of her spoiled princess attitude. I really regret not cherishing you properly back then." Zhu Yang reached out to grab my hand, but fortunately, I reacted quickly and managed to pull away in time.

  "It's all in the past, isn't it? We've both tried for each other, but if it's not meant to be, then it's just not meant to be." I said calmly.

  "Are you still blaming me? We're a good match! Otherwise, how could we have loved for so long? I was just blinded by Li Yue's beauty!" Zhu Yang's tone became increasingly urgent, making me feel tense.

  Fortunately, at this time, Fang Wenke walked over with two plates of stir-fried dishes, relieving my embarrassment. "Wei Ming, serve the dishes, go set the table and bring bowls and chopsticks!"

  I took advantage of the dish being served to hastily extricate myself from Zhu Yang's conversation and take over Fang Wenke's fragrant spicy shredded meat.

  Smelling the stir-fry aroma, I really didn't expect that my housemate Wen Ke was a great chef. I couldn't help but exclaim: "Wow! So delicious!"

  Fang Wen Ke pinched my face and said with a pout: "You be good, I'll cook for you every day from now on!"

  But Zhu Yang, who was sitting next to him, had a green face. However, I think it's really excessive to show off happiness in front of Zhu Yang.

  After all the dishes were served, Fang Wenke opened a bottle of wine, which was estimated to be worth over 800 RMB. This was probably the cheapest wine in his house, because with Fang Wenke's personality, he wouldn't serve good wine to entertain his love rival.

  "Zhu Yang, dig in! Don't be polite!" Fang Wenke said with a smiling face.

  Zhu Yang nodded slightly, but instead of picking up his chopsticks, he grabbed a glass of mineral water from the side and took two sips before moving his chopsticks.

  I clearly understand what Zhu Yang's actions mean, because the healthy habit of drinking water before meals is something I taught him.

  Of course, I also taught Fang Wenke.

  Fang Wenke saw Zhu Yang and drank two mouthfuls of water before meals. He turned his head and stared at me, as if to say: "You rascal, how do you also have the habit of drinking water before meals!"

  I lowered my head and glanced at Fang Wenke with a repentant look, then quickly picked up the dishes to eat.

  The atmosphere at the dinner table was very low-key, and the three of us hardly spoke a word, actually just didn't know how to break the silence.

  But Houweng Ke still made the first move with a thick skin.

  "Zhu Yang, actually I invited you here today without any ill intentions. I also know what your purpose is for coming back to find Wei Ming. But I couldn't just let her meet with you like this, after all she's already my girlfriend now. I also know that the two of you had a very deep memory together, and that memory even haunted Wei Ming for a long time. But I want to tell you, she has already let go, and I hope you can too, and treat Li Yue well."

  Zhu Yang across the table didn't say a word, he lowered his head and continued chewing on something in his mouth, while I had no idea what to say.

  "You don't have to be embarrassed, we've all liked someone before. My past has been honest with Ming, but now I only love her. So let the past go completely, and force yourself to put down what you can't let go of. Something that's cracked can never be restored, do you understand?" Fang Wenke continued.

  Zhu Yang nodded slightly, sighed twice, and finally spoke up: "Actually, I was quite surprised when you invited me today. I also guessed this outcome. But what I want to say is that my decision has been carefully considered. Perhaps my presence has caused trouble for you and Wei Ming, but if I don't express my true feelings, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

  "What is your heart's voice?" Fang Wen asked with a knowing smile.

  "She knew what was on my mind." Zhu Yang suddenly looked at me with a decisive gaze, and for this moment, even ignored Fang Wenke's presence.

  We were awkward for about five seconds, and I finally couldn't hold it in anymore, saying "I don't know anything, all I know is let's hurry up and eat!"

  I tapped on the rice bowl in my hand, interrupting Fang Wenke and Zhu Yang's conversation, and also stopping their discussion on this topic.

  And what happened next can be imagined, the three of us were basically in a state of silence and confrontation.

  Fang Wenke wanted to force Zhu Yang to tell the truth with his own mouth, but Zhu Yang was evasive and didn't let him succeed.

  I was sandwiched between the two of them, watching the psychological battle between these two men, and couldn't help but feel that the confrontation between men is truly terrifying.