Chapter 127
Sun Yujie’s honesty about his own sexual orientation had a significant impact on Su Bin.
It seems that his brief relationship and swift breakup with Cheng Ang had contributed to his growth. It was as if a dreamy little boy had suddenly matured overnight, daring to face the harsh realities of life and the vividness of bloodshed…
Reflecting on himself, Su Bin realized that not only had he not dared to confess the true nature of his relationship with Allen to his roommates, but he also sometimes avoided the promises he made to Allen—ever since Allen issued the command of “no public acknowledgment,” Su Bin had hesitated to say something like “let’s just be friends” to Dani. Anyway, he felt it wasn’t really necessary.
But because of his duplicity, Su Bin naturally carried some guilt and unease in his interactions with Allen afterward. Even though Allen didn’t investigate or bring up the topic again, Su Bin always felt like he owed him something.
At this moment, Su Bin began to consider following Sun Yujie’s example and bravely taking a step forward…
However, Su Bin’s realization was just a fleeting moment. Without continuous pressure or stimulation from others, he would always, like an ostrich, habitually bury his head in the sand, enjoying the tranquility of the moment and refusing to confront issues until absolutely necessary.
During the Easter holiday, the operational agent found a suitable location near the university in City L and successfully opened the second branch of “Boss Su’s” shop.
To inspect the new branch, Su Bin and Jin Fei were planning to visit City L. Su Bin also invited Sun Yujie, who had nothing to do at home. However, Allen and Yang Chengzhe were too busy with their research work and had no intention of joining the trip.
Thinking of City L, Su Bin thought of Li Meihan. After contacting her in advance, he learned that Li Meihan hadn’t traveled far for Easter, but she was planning a two-day trip to the northern part of Country B with friends. Since she had some free time, a meeting was naturally in order.
This time, when Su Bin met Li Meihan, she brought along a female friend, a fellow Chinese student from her department who hailed from Nanjing.
Upon learning that Su Bin was opening a new store for “Boss Su,” the two girls were extremely excited. They had heard of “Boss Su” before, but they never expected Su Bin, their acquaintance, to be the owner!
“Facebook is going crazy now. If this shop can expand nationwide in Country B, you’ll definitely be the next top ten outstanding young people in China!” the Nanjing girl exclaimed.
Li Meihan also felt a sense of pride for having such a “classmate” and “fellow townsfolk.”
“Su Bin, I didn’t expect you to have such courage. It seems like you’ll soar to great heights in the future!” Li Meihan smiled.
“Don’t flatter me. I couldn’t have done it alone. My roommate helped me a lot!” Su Bin patted Jin Fei’s arm. “Here, this tycoon, he’s the one who invested in ‘Boss Su.'”
Jin Fei modestly said, “It’s nothing. Su Bin also has his own abilities.”
Today, Jin Fei, the tycoon, had changed his usual slick and playful demeanor for a more serious one, quietly showing off his presence. Su Bin was a bit unaccustomed to it.
Li Meihan added, “By the way, Su Bin, I checked your school’s social network. You’ve cleared your account, and I also heard that you dropped out of the provincial university?”
Su Bin said, “Yeah, I’m probably going to study at M University in the future.”
Li Meihan looked at him brightly and said, “If our high school classmates and your classmates from the provincial university knew how successful you are now, what do you think they would think?”
Su Bin understood that by “classmates,” Li Meihan was referring to Chen Xiaotian, Huang Zhengming, and others.
It seemed like in the eyes of the public, every person who had been hurt should have the mentality of “I could have done better without you.” But strangely, Su Bin didn’t feel that way at all.
It’s not that he had completely let go of the past; he wasn’t a saint. He still felt nauseous thinking about past events—but the problem was, he simply didn’t have the time to dwell on it now.
Every day, his studies, career, and Allen took up all his time and energy. He would occasionally care about Sun Yujie or play games with Jin Fei when he had some free time. So, Su Bin didn’t have the energy to care about the past.
At this moment, Su Bin finally understood what Allen meant by “dominance.”
“Only a few people know my true identity now, so don’t let this secret out,” Su Bin reminded them, “Honestly, my life has nothing to do with them anymore, and it would only cause trouble if they found out.”
Li Meihan nodded in understanding. “Then have you found a new partner recently?”
Su Bin said, “Um… a partner? Doesn’t seem like it.”
Jin Fei: “…”
Sun Yujie: “…”
Afterward, Su Bin jokingly suggested to the two of them whether they wanted to work part-time at the branch in City L. The two girls were thrilled. “Of course we’d love to. It’s an opportunity we can’t find elsewhere!”
After wandering around City L in the afternoon and having dinner with Li Meihan at her insistence, the three of them drove back home.
On the way, Jin Fei asked, “Is that girl surnamed Li your high school classmate?”
Su Bin said, “She was my ex-girlfriend’s desk mate.”
Jin Fei clicked his tongue. Cutting straight to the point, he said, “Does she like you?”
Su Bin did know that Li Meihan liked him, and pretending not to know wasn’t an option. “Um…”
“Not bad-looking, and she dresses well,” Jin Fei nodded, not sure what he wanted to express.
Su Bin asked, “Are you interested in her?”
Jin Fei rolled his eyes at him. “Brother only likes those who are wholeheartedly devoted to me. If someone already has someone in their heart, I won’t consider it.”
Su Bin said, “Then why were you acting all deep just now?”
Jin Fei raised an eyebrow. “Deep? Does brother need to act?”
Su Bin was speechless and turned to Sun Yujie. “Xiao Jie, tell the truth!”
Sun Yujie lazily replied from the back seat, “Bro Fei has always been cool and deep.”
Su Bin: “…”
Feeling a bit puzzled by Jin Fei’s behavior today, Su Bin continued to challenge him, “Cut to the chase!”
With a 45-degree expression that was half bright and half sorrowful, Jin Fei looked at the gradually dimming night road. “I’m pondering the true meaning of love.”
Su Bin: “Hey hey, you can talk while looking ahead, you know, you’re driving! No need to strike poses, I get what you mean… So, have you figured anything out?”
Jin Fei: “Let me first ask Xiao Jie. Xiao Jie, what is love?”
Sun Yujie fell silent for a moment and then said slowly, “A prison from which one cannot escape…”
Jin Fei: “What if one day you suddenly find that the prison has disappeared?”
Sun Yujie: “Even if the cage disappears, the reflexes formed from spending a long time in the cage will make one feel like the cage still exists.”
Jin Fei: “Well said.”
Su Bin: So profound! I completely don’t understand! Orz…
Jin Fei turned his head again and asked Su Bin, “What about you? What is love?”
Su Bin recalled his few romantic experiences. The first time, he was completely delusional, almost shamelessly blurting out “love,” but thankfully, he didn’t. Otherwise, it would have been a complete embarrassment! As for the second time… that shouldn’t really be considered love, right?
“I don’t know, I’ve never loved anyone,” Su Bin said bluntly.
Jin Fei looked at him speechlessly, silently sympathizing with Allen in his heart.
Su Bin: “Then tell me, what’s your conclusion?”
Jin Fei: “I don’t have one.”
Su Bin: “…” Are you kidding me?
Jin Fei said seriously, “But I have a process of thinking!”
Su Bin: “…Go on!”
Jin Fei: “I think love itself should be a wonderful feeling, misty, passionate, with a pounding heart… But once you want your love to have a result, negative feelings arise: insecurity, worry, loneliness, confusion… So, if you can reach the state of loving without expecting anything in return, it should be very impressive.”
Sun Yujie: “Well said.”
Su Bin realized clearly that he, Jin Fei, and Sun Yujie were indeed from different worlds!
However, the fact that Jin Fei would ponder such questions surprised Su Bin. He suddenly remembered how Jin Fei had consoled him with his own experiences when he had just broken up. Curiosity got the better of him, and he gossiped again, “Cangying, tell us about the people you’ve loved!”
Jin Fei: “Brother has loved countless people. How do you want me to say?”
Su Bin: “Tell me about the one you loved the most!”
Jin Fei: “It’s Lena, you know that. We even made a wish for three lifetimes!”
Su Bin: “You bastard…” Forget it, I won’t ask anything else. It’s too painful TAT~
As soon as he got home, Su Bin received a greeting message from Li Meihan, “Have you arrived?”
Su Bin: “Yep, I’m here :)”
Li Meihan: “I’ll come to M City to see you when I have time. I haven’t been to where you live yet. Can I visit next time?”
Su Bin: “Welcome!”
Li Meihan: “But you must be busy managing the restaurant now, right?”
For some reason, Li Meihan’s messages were more frequent today, but out of guilt from rejecting her confession earlier, Su Bin didn’t want to appear too cold. He replied politely, “I still have some time in a day or two.”
After sending this message, Su Bin threw his phone onto the bed and went to take a shower. So, he didn’t see Li Meihan’s startled message that came two minutes later—
“Hehe, then I’ll come to see you next weekend~”
Su Bin still slept with Allen every day. After showering, he sneakily peeked his head into Yang Chengzhe’s room, but didn’t see him. So, he quickly slipped into Allen’s room.
Allen was taking medicine. He had been having headaches recently and had to take medicine every night. His complexion wasn’t great either. Su Bin asked a couple of caring questions, but Allen remained indifferent.
Su Bin felt discouraged and didn’t try again. He climbed onto the bed and reached for his phone, but after feeling around for a while, he didn’t find it. He checked under the pillow and the blanket but still didn’t see it.
Then he looked at Allen, “Have you seen…?” But Su Bin froze halfway through his sentence, as Allen was staring at him with an unusually terrifying expression, his face almost screaming “you’re dead.”
Su Bin was scared stiff on the bed, thinking, My lord, what did I do to provoke you this time?
Then, Allen took Su Bin’s phone out of his bathrobe pocket, slapped it in front of him, and Su Bin didn’t dare to look at his phone. He waited for Allen’s verdict with a pale face—Master, please let me die with understanding!
