Just before getting into the car, Kong Wenyu felt something damp on the back of his hand. When he looked up, he realized it had started to rain.
Fine, dense drops—far heavier than what you’d expect for the season.
Nie Jun held the door open for him, resting one hand on the top rail of the frame to shield him.
“Don’t let your arm get wet,” Kong Wenyu said as he sat down. “Bring an umbrella.”
Nie Jun looked like he wanted to say something, but the driver and assistant were already inside. Hai Ming stood off to the side, and a team of bodyguards waited nearby to depart.
He said nothing, just shut the door and got in from the other side.
The motorcade pulled out, grand and deliberate. The drive to the hotel should’ve only taken a dozen minutes, but traffic congestion held them up.
The interior of the car was quiet. So quiet that the buzz of a vibrating phone sounded especially loud.
Kong Wenyu lifted his chin slightly and reminded, “Someone’s calling you.”
Nie Jun pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen, then casually declined the call.
It was an unmarked number.
Before Nie Jun could put his phone away, the screen lit up again—the same number.
“Why aren’t you answering?” Kong Wenyu asked.
When they were together, Nie Jun almost never took outside calls.
“Answer it,” Kong Wenyu said.
Nie Jun had no choice but to pick up. “Who’s this?”
A young man’s voice came through: “Bro, do you have time around 3 this afternoon? There’s a buyer who wants to view the property.”
“I’m out right now. I don’t have time today,” Nie Jun replied.
“No problem, I’ll reschedule,” the voice said, slightly disappointed. “Honestly, your place isn’t going to have any trouble selling. No rush at all. You could even just authorize me to handle it, and I’ll transfer the funds straight into your account—”
“Sorry, I’ve got to go.” Nie Jun cut him off and hung up.
He slipped the phone into the other pocket. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Kong Wenyu staring at him.
“Which property are you selling?” Kong Wenyu asked.
Nie Jun paused and didn’t answer.
“Are you short on money?”
Nie Jun opened his mouth. “No.”
“Then why?” Kong Wenyu’s frustration built in the enclosed space. “What does it mean if you sell the place here?”
Nie Jun’s lips pressed together slightly. His posture, leaning toward the window, had turned stiff.
“Where are you planning to go?” Kong Wenyu pressed.
Nie Jun met his gaze. After a few seconds, he said, “That place is a little small. I want to find somewhere bigger.”
Kong Wenyu’s heart jerked up into his throat—then slowly settled again. He exhaled in relief. “I’ll give you one. It’s in the nearby villa community. Very convenient.”
Nie Jun’s hand tensed, then loosened at his side. “Alright.”
By the time they arrived at Yunjiang Hotel, they were already late. Nie Jun pushed the door open to get out, but Kong Wenyu grabbed his wrist.
Nie Jun turned to look at him. Kong Wenyu said, “It should end around noon. Wait for me downstairs. Afterward, I’ll go home with you. What do you want for lunch?”
The assistant had already gotten out first. The driver hadn’t moved yet.
Nie Jun stared at him and didn’t answer.
Kong Wenyu’s thumb gently stroked the bone of his wrist. “If you don’t want to get out, just stay in the car. I’ll come find you as soon as I can slip away.”
“That’s not really appropriate,” Nie Jun said. “You’re the groom—you should be present the whole time.”
Kong Wenyu’s grip tightened. “Jun-ge, I—”
“Don’t make this harder than it already is,” Nie Jun said, unable to find the right word. He turned his face away. “My arm hasn’t fully healed yet. For your own safety, I probably shouldn’t have even ridden in this car with you.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kong Wenyu leaned forward and suddenly silenced him with a kiss.
Nie Jun was caught completely off guard, pinned back against the seat. The driver in front didn’t dare move, barely even dared breathe, clutching the steering wheel in panic and shock.
Kong Wenyu pressed in deeper, prying his mouth open with a forceful, desperate urgency.
Outside the car, a crowd was already gathering at the hotel entrance. Even Yu Jiaduo had started approaching, wanting to peer into the window.
Nie Jun turned his head, trying to avoid the kiss—but Kong Wenyu chased after him, refusing to let go.
He moved with increasing urgency, halfway off his seat. Just as he was about to press in closer, Nie Jun reached up and caught him by the neck, firmly pushing him back.
Kong Wenyu frowned at him, lips flushed a deep red, chest rising and falling with each breath.
Nie Jun steadied himself for a few seconds, then opened the door and stepped out. He circled around to the other side to open the car door for Kong Wenyu, but the latter had already beaten him to it and gotten out on his own.
A light rain was still falling. Kong Wenyu brushed aside the umbrella offered to him and asked Yu Jiaduo, who was standing outside the car, “What are you staring at?”
“Handsome as ever,” Yu Jiaduo praised with a grin. Then he urged him, “Why’re you so slow? Everyone’s already inside. If you’d taken any longer, I’d have thought you were ditching the wedding.”
“I was planning to,” Kong Wenyu replied.
Yu Jiaduo laughed loudly, clearly not taking it seriously, and walked with him quickly toward the entrance.
As he stepped through the doors, Kong Wenyu cast a glance back out of the corner of his eye, searching for Nie Jun. All he could see was Nie Jun standing straight and still at the foot of the stairs, his gaze following him all the way.
Kong Wenyu turned his head, trying to get a better look—but in that instant their eyes met, Nie Jun quickly looked away.
Once everyone had gone inside and the greeters at the entrance were stationed with guest lists in hand, Hai Ming, leaning on his cane, slowly made his way toward Nie Jun from a short distance away.
“Did you eat breakfast?”
Somewhere upstairs, someone had turned their background music too loud. One piano piece flowed into the next.
Nie Jun glanced at him, then looked back at the rain curtain. “Be careful—it’s slippery.”
Hai Ming tapped the ground with his cane. “I am being careful… I asked if you’ve eaten. If you haven’t, go in and get something. It’s still a long way to lunchtime.”
Nie Jun blinked—he actually hadn’t heard Hai Ming’s question earlier.
“What happened to your mouth?” Hai Ming asked again. “Looks like it’s bleeding a bit—might’ve cracked.”
The piano notes drilled into his ears again. Nie Jun sighed silently and pressed his thumb to the sore spot. “Just a heat sore. I’m gonna step out for a smoke.”
As he spoke, he fished out a cigarette pack, popped one out with a flick, and bit it between his lips. Then he started patting down his pockets for a lighter, checking a few before finally finding one.
Hai Ming looked at his back and couldn’t help raising his voice: “It’s raining out!”
But Nie Jun, likely not hearing him again, wandered slowly out into the rain.
Kong Wenyu stood by the window, looking down. The drizzle added a cinematic haze to the traffic-filled street below, and the umbrella-toting pedestrians looked like they were walking through a painting.
The piano music droned on, dull and repetitive, and the heavy scent of perfume was giving him a headache.
When he spotted the figure by the streetlamp outside, his irritation spiked.
Nie Jun stood there, cigarette in his mouth, clicking the lighter over and over without success thanks to the rain.
He seemed to chuckle—his shoulders moved slightly.
Raindrops hit his hair, quickly soaking it. His jacket was already darkened at the shoulders.
Kong Wenyu saw him toss the unlit cigarette into a nearby trash bin and pull out his phone. A second later, Nie Jun’s phone vibrated.
He moved, checked the screen, and—perhaps because the rain was heavier now—wiped at it obviously before answering.
Over the crackling of rain, Kong Wenyu’s low voice came through the receiver: “Hello?”
Kong Wenyu clenched his jaw. “Where are you?”
“Need me to do something?” Nie Jun’s voice was broken up by the rain—it came through in fragments, hard to catch.
“I asked—where are you?” Kong Wenyu repeated, sharper now. “Nie Jun.”
Half a threat, half anger.
Whether Nie Jun picked up on it was unclear—his tone didn’t change. “Outside the hotel.”
“You’re standing in the rain,” Kong Wenyu snapped, barely containing himself. “Get inside. Now.”
“Okay,” Nie Jun said—but Kong Wenyu could still see him, motionless, only running a hand back through his wet hair.
Kong Wenyu hung up and immediately called Hai Ming.
“Boss?”
“Get Nie Jun inside,” Kong Wenyu said through clenched teeth, his hand gripping the railing so tightly his knuckles went pale. If someone hadn’t been approaching with a wine glass, he might’ve left right then and there. “Right now.”
Hai Ming hurried off with his phone. A moment later, Kong Wenyu saw him appear down below, cane in one hand and umbrella in the other.
The large black umbrella covered both men beneath it. Kong Wenyu stared at the puddles under their feet, but it didn’t help ease the pressure in his chest.
Outside, the rain poured down relentlessly. Inside the hall, laughter floated over the never-ending string of piano pieces.
Hai Ming lit a cigarette under the umbrella and handed it to Nie Jun.
Nie Jun took it, murmuring a thanks, but let it hang between his fingers without lighting it.
Hai Ming didn’t ask why. He tilted his head, listening to the sounds around them, then sighed. “I kind of feel like getting married too.”
Nie Jun turned to glance at him. “Got a girlfriend?”
“…No,” Hai Ming exhaled. “Never have the time. But now that you’re here, maybe I can finally free up some space in my life—deal with some personal business, maybe take a little time off, get some proper rest.”
“I’m leaving,” Nie Jun cut him off, gaze shifting to the unlit cigarette between his fingers.
Hai Ming froze. “What?”
Nie Jun paused, then brushed his wet hair back with one hand. “After he finishes the engagement.”
Hai Ming stared at him, forgetting all about women or vacations. “Why?”
Rain whispered steadily around them.
“Didn’t think I’d hear that from you,” Hai Ming muttered, searching for better words. “I thought you’d never leave. Just because the boss is getting engaged, you’re quitting?”
“It’s not cause and effect,” Nie Jun said quietly.
He was soaked, head to toe, but didn’t look the least bit pitiful. On the contrary—his damp hair and water-slicked features only made his face seem sharper, more defined.
With that kind of face—uncommon, striking—he could easily have a dozen heiresses lining up to throw themselves at him.
“Is it about the money?” Hai Ming asked.
“No.”
“Not happy with the job?” Hai Ming tried again. “Too many hours, no freedom, too dangerous? Or is it the boss constantly dragging you into talks that stress you out?”
“None of that,” Nie Jun said. The piano music inside had faded, replaced now by the slow drawl of a cello. He tilted his head slightly to listen, then after a pause added, “I just don’t want to do it anymore.”
“So what’re you gonna do then?” Hai Ming said. “Go back home? You’ve still gotta work, right? Why don’t you just take a break? When you’re ready, come back. I’ll talk to the boss.”
Nie Jun lowered his eyes. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”
“Seriously, why?” Hai Ming pressed. “The boss trusts you so much—he saw you out here in the rain and told me to bring you an umbrella.”
Nie Jun’s fingers tensed around the cigarette.
“You want a title, is that it?” Hai Ming asked.
Nie Jun blinked, about to protest, but Hai Ming continued, “You can have my team lead position if that’s what you want. I don’t care. It’s only an extra three thousand a month.”
Nie Jun sighed.
Upstairs, at the second-floor window, Kong Wenyu clinked glasses politely with a guest.
“Remember how we used to go racing all the time? Now you’re getting engaged, just like that,” the man across from him said with a hint of nostalgia. “Your fiancée is stunning, too. Heard her dad’s one of the major shareholders in the Kong Group…”
Kong Wenyu was only half-listening to the conversation, his attention drawn to the slight shift of the black umbrella outside—Nie Jun had stepped out from under it.
In seconds, his figure was swallowed by the rain, growing smaller as he walked away.
Kong Wenyu abruptly cut off his companion’s flattery. “Excuse me—I need the restroom.”
He hurried out of the banquet hall and down the stairs. Just as he reached the bottom, Hai Ming was coming in, standing by the door shaking off his umbrella.
“Where did he go?” Kong Wenyu demanded as he strode over. “Give me the car keys.”
Hai Ming blinked. “Who?”
“Nie Jun,” Kong Wenyu snapped. “Car keys.”
Hai Ming quickly handed them over but reached out to stop him. “It’s pouring outside—”
The party wasn’t over. Ruining a suit like that could be a real problem.
“I asked you where Nie Jun went. Are you fucking deaf?” Kong Wenyu shook him off, already pulling out his phone as he stormed outside.
“He went home to change,” Hai Ming rushed to explain, trying to slow him down. “His clothes were soaked. He said he’d be back soon… You can’t leave now—the toasts are about to start upstairs!”
Kong Wenyu hesitated mid-step, thumb hovering over the call button for just a second before pressing it.
This time, Nie Jun took longer to answer—just before the call was about to go to voicemail.
Before he could say a word, Kong Wenyu spoke first: “Where are you?”
Rain hissed faintly through the line, muffled like someone was covering the receiver. “Home. Changing clothes.”
Kong Wenyu clenched the car keys in his hand and walked into the rain. “Wait for me there.”
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