Chapter 140
Sun Yujie stared at Andy in disbelief, completely unprepared for this sudden turn of events. However, he quickly realized that Andy was just acting to help him out of a tricky situation, so he didn’t expose the truth.
Cheng Ang, however, didn’t miss the expression that flashed across Sun Yujie’s face when Andy made that bold declaration. His face darkened as he asked, “Is that true?”
Sun Yujie lowered his eyes, too afraid to admit anything.
Andy, trying to keep things from escalating further, said, “Sir, we didn’t come here to embarrass you. If it weren’t for that girl’s behavior, we would’ve just attended as regular friends.” As he spoke, he suddenly took Sun Yujie’s hand, adding with a tender yet resigned smile, “Xiao Jie wanted to see you. I wasn’t happy about it at first, but considering you’re part of his past and his future belongs to me, what more could I ask for? I’m willing to tolerate this, even though Xiao Jie is so shy. I’m not sure if it’s because of what he went through with you, but he seems hesitant to show any affection towards me in public…” Andy held Sun Yujie’s hand tightly, casting him a loving yet helpless look.
Sun Yujie was speechless.
In a public setting, holding hands between two men carried a clear implication, especially for someone like Cheng Ang, who was averse to any kind of same-sex physical contact. This gesture was practically a “sacrifice” for him.
Not wanting the conversation to head in an even more awkward direction, Sun Yujie raised his glass and calmly said to Cheng Ang, “Senior, congratulations on your graduation.”
Andy followed suit, raising his glass in sync and adding, “Congratulations.”
Cheng Ang’s face darkened as he stared at Sun Yujie. That cold, distant “senior” felt like a knife stabbing into his chest…
He could have lashed out at Andy for spreading lies, scoffed at Andy for his presumptuousness, or used any number of ways to deny that he and Sun Yujie had ever been together. Or, if he were honest, he could have swallowed his pride and simply raised his glass to wish them well.
But he couldn’t say a word. It was as if something was lodged in his throat, and an acidic feeling gnawed at his stomach, making him feel utterly wretched.
—You’ve broken up, so why can’t you let go?
—You knew all along that you couldn’t give him what he wanted, so what is there to regret?
…
Sun Yujie then pulled a small, elegant box out of his pocket and handed it over. The box looked suspiciously like the kind that holds something meant to be worn on a finger.
Su Bin’s heart jumped into his throat. He cursed under his breath, thinking, Sun Yujie, you can’t be serious…
With his head lowered, Sun Yujie said, “A graduation gift.”
A flicker of hope flashed in Cheng Ang’s eyes as he took the box and opened it. Inside were two sapphire cufflinks.
“You bought these?” Cheng Ang frowned. “These aren’t cheap. Where did you get the money?” He glanced at Andy with suspicion—did he ask this guy for it?
Sun Yujie looked at him and calmly replied, “Do you remember the watch you gave me? I never wore it, and letting it rust away seemed like a waste, so I sold it to buy these.”
Everyone: “…”
If the earlier toast had been a mere internal blow, this statement was a direct hit, leaving Cheng Ang pale and breathless.
Selling the watch to buy cufflinks and then giving them back… was this his way of saying they were even?
Cheng Ang felt as if his very soul had been drained. He stared blankly at the box in his hand, the glittering sapphires inside contrasting sharply with the sudden dullness in his eyes.
In another corner of the room, it sounded like another argument had broken out, complete with the sound of a glass shattering and a woman’s scream. Many people rushed over to watch the commotion, and William, who was nearby, nudged Cheng Ang. “Leo, aren’t you going to check it out?”
William’s words snapped Cheng Ang out of his daze. He forced a stiff smile at Sun Yujie and Andy, muttering a terse “Thanks, excuse me” before retreating with a polite smile. But as he turned to leave, his retreating figure looked like a defeated dog, fleeing in disgrace.
Sun Yujie watched Cheng Ang’s back with a pained expression, as if trying to etch the sight of this “heartless man” into his memory forever.
“Are you okay?” Su Bin asked, his face full of concern.
Sun Yujie shook his head, indicating that he wanted to be left alone. He pulled his hand free from Andy’s grip and said quietly, “Let’s go.”
He didn’t want to stay in that place any longer…
Su Bin glanced toward the crowd and said to Sun Yujie and Andy, “I’ll go find Jin Fei. You guys wait for me outside. I’ll have Jin Fei drive you home!”
The quiet street outside contrasted starkly with the bustling party inside.
Sun Yujie turned to Andy and said, “Thank you for what you did back there, Andy…”
Andy didn’t say anything, just stood there with one hand in his suit pocket, looking at Sun Yujie.
Facing away from Andy, Sun Yujie’s eyes reddened. “I actually lied. You know that watch is still in my room. You’ve seen it…”
Andy replied, “Jason…”
Sun Yujie whispered, “Sorry you had to see that.”
Andy remained silent.
Sun Yujie tried to hold back his tears but couldn’t help choking up. “I’m such a mess. Even though I know he’s a terrible person, I still like him…”
Suddenly, Andy grabbed Sun Yujie’s arm and pulled him into a tight embrace…
“Jason, I wasn’t just helping you back there,” Andy sighed softly and said, “Jason, I think I’ve really fallen for you.”