Chapter 29
The interior design exuded a European style, with the surrounding ambiance filled with whispering exotic jazz music.
The waiter standing by the table was a handsome foreigner with attractive features. He had brown hair and azure blue eyes. He spoke a string of words that seemed to be either German or Italian, then placed two exquisitely crafted menus on the table before stepping back.
Mo Yanze pushed one of the menus towards He Yanlu and gently encouraged him, “Choose whatever you like.”
His demeanor, tone of voice, and gaze all portrayed the perfect elder brother.
Twenty minutes ago, the man had questioned himself, “What’s wrong with an older brother coming to see his younger brother?”
The ambiguous response, the teasing tone, and the indulgent look in his eyes.
Mo Yanze, a man nurtured by golden soup, possessed refinement, temperament, and elegance. These qualities didn’t require deliberate learning or imitation; whenever he desired, he could exhibit them effortlessly.
Radiating what he believed to be an irresistible charm, Mo Yanze enticed, “How about we talk over a cup of coffee?”
He Yanlu was bewildered by the sudden transformation of the man before him, who had been brash and overbearing just moments ago but now appeared gentle.
He felt a bit flustered, and this uneasiness and perplexity even overshadowed the apprehension and resistance he had felt when he had almost collided with the man before.
He couldn’t trust that this so-called elder brother was genuine.
Perhaps he should be cynical, furious, and express extreme disdain with his tone or cold indifference to make the other person leave.
—To others, such a reaction seemed more normal.
However, the real He Yanlu rarely got angry and would not erupt at others without cause. Rather than saying he was introverted, timid, and reluctant to speak, it was more accurate to say that he felt it wasn’t worth getting angry at unfamiliar people.
He built a high wall of aloofness and indifference, masked by coldness and disregard, living in his own world where only he knew his joys and sorrows, smiles and frowns.
He initially thought that a cup of coffee would take no more than half an hour. There were ordinary cafes near the Xingyue Garden, so he hesitated whether to accept the invitation. But while he was contemplating, Mo Yanze took him in the car and they arrived at this upscale venue he had never set foot in before.
Perhaps it was a common quirk of every writer that when faced with something unpredictable, they would be involuntarily drawn forward by an unknown force, gradually sinking deeper, seeking to explore the development and outcome of the situation…
The hand-painted illustrations on the paper menu had embedded carved patterns, providing a unique tactile sensation.
He Yanlu glanced at it briefly, but apart from the exorbitant prices, the other characters on the menu seemed like gibberish to him.
He surveyed the surroundings, filled with extravagant aristocratic young masters, exquisitely beautiful women with porcelain-like elegance, and attentive personal attendants… Were these just the gimmicks of high-end establishments?
He Yanlu suddenly regretted being brought to this place by the man who claimed to be his “elder brother.”
Was it really necessary to make things so complicated?
He Yanlu said, “I can’t understand.”
He needed to return home before twelve o’clock, otherwise, Xiaohei would worry about him…
He suddenly thought of the Cinderella story, where if she didn’t leave by midnight, the magic would disappear. He chuckled; his “twelve o’clock” was noon, so such a thing shouldn’t happen, right?
His Xiaohei would obediently wait for him at home, wouldn’t he?
At most, he would lie on top of him and act spoiled in annoyance.
…
The duration of a cup of coffee, to be precise, could be short or long. It could end in five minutes or extend indefinitely, to the point where you couldn’t tell if you were drinking coffee or measuring time.
Mo Yanze gazed at his “beauty” of a younger brother. The legendary “cold as ice” and the person in front of him were worlds apart. What exactly happened that shattered the rumors about him?
After being pushed away by He Yanlu outside the teahouse that day, Mo Yanze couldn’t help but hire a private detective to investigate He Yanlu’s background—he wasn’t married, nor was he in a relationship. So who was the “son” he mentioned?
[…Suffers from gastritis and mild hypoglycemic symptoms, likes sweet food, has a small appetite, easily gets drunk…] He already had some miscellaneous information from the private detective, along with the crucial point that Mo Yanze cared about the most, [Renowned online writer “Zhiyan”]…
They say writers usually have some mental issues. Could his younger brother also have a condition similar to dissociative identity disorder?
Mo Yanze propped his chin with his hand, staring at He Yanlu, who was still lost in thought.
Yesterday, he had spent a hefty sum to invite an experienced psychiatrist and provided them with books written by Zhiyan, hoping for a quick analysis. If everything went according to plan, he would know the results soon.
Mo Yanze wasn’t a patient person, especially when it came to this temptingly stunning younger brother before him.
Everyone is attracted to beautiful things, and they have a penchant for possessing them. Faced with such a delicate and attractive man, who shared half of his blood…
The mere thought of it made Mo Yanze excited, wishing to immediately lock the other person in a “cage” and treasure him within a range that only he could touch, allowing only himself to appreciate and play with him.
Without responding to He Yanlu’s “I can’t understand,” Mo Yanze raised his hand to signal the waiter, who approached with a smile and politely inquired.
Mo Yanze made a coffee selection using the same language that He Yanlu couldn’t comprehend. Then he turned to He Yanlu and said, “I’ve chosen for you, and you’ll like it.”
His smile was mysterious and profound.
He Yanlu snapped out of his daze and continued to feign an expressionless demeanor, sitting upright with caution.
Just as the waiter was about to leave, Mo Yanze’s phone on the coffee table started flashing and vibrating. He answered the call in front of He Yanlu—
[Young Master Mo, Dr. Li just called to say that they have completed the initial analysis. Are you available to listen now?…] “Hmm,” Mo Yanze responded, his gaze never leaving He Yanlu’s eyes.
[He said that from reading the novels alone, he did not perceive Mr. He to have severe mental issues. For a deeper understanding, he would need to personally converse with him… He speculated that Mr. He might have lived alone for too long, resulting in a somewhat reclusive temperament… Craving for familial love, especially paternal affection, with a soft and timid heart, rarely revealing true emotions to outsiders… He also mentioned that he is easily moved and probably has a tendency to be sentimental, with a strong sense of reliance on familiar people or things… Hehe, quite an adorable personality.]
After listening, Mo Yanze hung up the phone and uttered only three words from start to finish—initially a sound of agreement, “Hmm,” and a final sentence, “Okay.”
He Yanlu asked in a declarative tone, “You’re busy.”
Mo Yanze smiled and said, “Not really.”
He Yanlu asked, “What time is it? I need to go back before twelve, so let’s finish talking quickly.” He was getting anxious; this cup of coffee seemed to have no end in sight.
Mo Yanze glanced sideways at his phone, which showed 11:56. He said, “It’s half past eleven,” and put the phone away in his pocket. He smiled and asked, “Why so hurried? Is someone waiting for you at home?”
He Yanlu’s eyelids drooped suddenly, without giving an answer.
“Are you on guard against me? Or do you dislike me?” Mo Yanze asked.
“Dislike?” He Yanlu said, “If I disliked you, I wouldn’t have come here with you.”
But being on guard was a certainty. How could he not be guarded against a stranger who claimed to be his half-brother?
“Relax a bit… Xiao Lu.” Mo Yanze lowered his voice, reaching out to touch the other person’s hair.
Upon hearing that phone call, for some reason, Mo Yanze felt an indescribable sensation—a magnetic field emanating from the seemingly profound young man before him, yearning to be touched by someone.
With a lazy and pure gaze combined with a jarring indifference, he exuded an astonishing allure.
He Yanlu evaded Mo Yanze’s fingertips. His gaze remained unchanged, and the action of avoiding wasn’t deliberate—it was instinctive.
In reality, he felt a slight discomfort. He didn’t like being called “Xiao Lu” by someone unfamiliar.
He wasn’t accustomed to being treated so warmly by someone he had just met, nor was he prepared for the sudden closeness.
However, what he found most puzzling was his own inability to resist the “brother” label. Because they were family, he pitifully anticipated and secretly reveled in it…
He slightly tugged at the cushion of the armchair with his fingers, brewing his awkward temperament deep in his heart.
Mo Yanze smiled politely, retracting his fingers.
Being avoided didn’t anger him or make the situation awkward.
However, his gaze changed, becoming as sharp as a hawk’s, fixated on He Yanlu.
He could see through the subtle expressions and gestures, capturing them in their entirety.
—That’s right, the icy exterior was just an illusion, merely a mask!
For a college student with limited life experiences, He Yanlu’s instinctive reactions were enough to fool him. That’s why others found him difficult to approach.
However, the truth of the matter couldn’t escape Mo Yanze’s insight.
What is a hidden message, what is yielding while resisting, what is hidden motive, what is covert seduction. Without much thought, with just a single phrase or a single action, he could discern them.
He Yanlu’s reactions were rooted in one reason—
The loneliness of growing up could cause a person’s character to polarize. One type is isolation, disconnecting from the world, and cherishing the bliss of their own little world. The other type is acting like a clown, seeking attention, and avoiding brief moments of loneliness.
The former elicits sympathy, while the latter is pitiable.
He Yanlu’s timid heart made him fear the proximity of others, so he instinctively kept his distance before being hurt.
It’s not that he can’t obtain it; he simply doesn’t want it.
Without expectations, there is no disappointment.
This way, everything will be fine, and they will always be at peace.
…
A waiter approached, carrying a tray with a delicate beige floral plate placed in front of He Yanlu. On the plate lay a piece of coffee-colored layered cake, adorned with a golden spoon as an accessory. The overall visual effect made the dessert look like a shimmering work of art.
Mo Yanze explained, “It’s an authentic Italian tiramisu, and this café is the only place in the entire city that serves it. Give it a try.”
The foolish He Yanlu stared at the dessert in front of him, his mouth watering.
He had no resistance when it came to these sweet treats, especially chocolate.
Thus, this plate of tiramisu ignited He Yanlu’s appetite, shattering his pretense of indifference.
Whenever he saw girls at school eating delicately beautiful pastries, he couldn’t help but sneak glances. When he was alone, he would roam the streets in search of pastry shops to buy identical treats.
Whether it was because he disguised himself too well or because people were too oblivious, no one had discovered these “adorable” traits about him. But now, only Ye Yixing knew how foolish and naive He Yanlu truly was. Just a piece of cake could make him overjoyed.
Being influenced by his interactions with the black cat, He Yanlu had undergone subtle changes. He now inadvertently revealed his true nature.
Now, under the spell of sugary treats, He Yanlu began to find excuses in his heart to speak well of Mo Yanze—
“[Brother] might be a gentle person.”
“He seems quite easy to get along with.”
…
Desires are the source of weaknesses and vulnerabilities, whether they are carnal or related to food.
He Yanlu, who had lifted his hand from the armrest, held the spoon cautiously and delicately scooped a bite of tiramisu, bringing it to his mouth. The cake, reminiscent of ice cream, was so soft! And it had a pure and fragrant… hmm, was it a hint of alcohol?
He closed his eyes with satisfaction. The texture was truly wonderful.
Mo Yanze reached out once again, lightly touching He Yanlu’s hair, and this time, the latter didn’t avoid it.
Just like a small animal. Whoever offers him food, he loses his guard.
“Aren’t you curious about me?” Mo Yanze asked.
He Yanlu licked his lips and replied, “Of course I am.”
“[Not only has he slept with one woman], but probably more than two?”
In front of him, his brother, who might actually be his irresponsible biological father, had slept with how many women to conceive a child?
—However, it would be better not to ask such questions face-to-face. Just because he didn’t mind didn’t mean the other person didn’t mind either.
Lost in his thoughts, He Yanlu foolishly began to feel a sense of affinity towards the other person.
Moreover, how much older was he than himself? Where did he live? What kind of upbringing did he have?…
The person who had been won over by tiramisu instantly turned into a curious little baby.
“If you have any questions, just ask,” Mo Yanze gently guided, seemingly aware of He Yanlu’s inner thoughts.
“What’s your name?” He Yanlu asked cautiously, continuing to scoop a corner of the tiramisu with his spoon.
“Mo Yanze.”
Is the middle character also the “Yan” character? Who chose that? Or is it just a coincidence?
He hesitated for a moment, then continued, “How did you find me?”
“It’s not that difficult for me to find someone.”
He Yanlu pondered while licking his spoon. It seemed like his “brother” was quite capable: “How did you know about me?”
Mo Yanze was a bit confused by He Yanlu’s logical questioning. What kind of construct did his brother’s mind have? Why didn’t he ask about the key points? Normally, wouldn’t he directly ask about his biological father?
“Besides him, who else could provide that kind of information?” Mo Yanze countered with a raised eyebrow.
“Huh, have you met him?!” He Yanlu seemed genuinely surprised by this fact. He himself had not only never met him, but he was even completely clueless about his biological father’s name and identity.
A wry smile formed on Mo Yanze’s lips. Finally, he understood what the problem was!
He knew that He Yanlu had crossed the line, but he hadn’t expected him to cross it to such an extent!
—He Yanlu actually believed that they were in the same situation?
Heh, this fool. But it’s better to let him continue in his mistaken belief.
Mo Yanze sneered, “Don’t you hate him?”
He Yanlu shook his head and said, “There was never a person to begin with, so how can I hate them?”
He had never shown any negative emotions because he had never cared or been interested. The concept of a “father” was not a forbidden area for him. If there had to be some connection, it might be the fantasy and longing he had for the affection and warmth of a family that he had never experienced.
Let’s analyze it objectively. If a person is born missing an arm, would they hate the arm that is no longer there? Would they blame the arm for not fulfilling its responsibility?
At most, they would envy those who have arms and silently lament their own incompleteness. That’s all.
No one is born with everything. Just having good health and a complete family, these two things alone should be a cause for gratitude.
“…Why?” Mo Yanze asked, perplexed. Why could He Yanlu be so indifferent?
He Yanlu ignored Mo Yanze’s puzzled expression. Why waste time thinking about things that don’t exist? It would be more meaningful to write a story or read a good book.
“[There was never a person to begin with, so how can I hate them]?”
Exactly. The issues of this generation shouldn’t involve the grievances of the previous generation.
However, Mo Yanze had underestimated this young man who had never received love and affection. He thought he would see anger, demands for compensation, and a fight for what he deserved…
Isn’t that how people usually are? They can become ugly due to their desires, and once you grasp that, you can manipulate them.
However, when He Yanlu spoke, his serious tone and clear gaze enveloped Mo Yanze. In that moment, Mo Yanze saw pure white feathers floating behind him, emitting a faint glow at the edges. He was left dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond.
He stared at the person in front of him, who was unlike anyone he had ever encountered before.
He became even more interested in him.
