Chapter 159
Jin Fei looked at Su Bin with sympathy and said, “Being with someone like Allen must be pure torment.”
Su Bin: “…” Why does that sound so familiar?
But matters of the heart are never straightforward. What Jin Fei saw as “pure torment” might be something Su Bin cherished. Otherwise, how could he and Allen still be together after all this time?
It was like Jin Fei’s own first love—messy, ridiculous, and full of drama. Yet at the time, he was genuinely smitten, giving his all, loving without expecting anything in return.
Love is like a magical spell—it can fill someone with limitless strength.
Feeling your heart race for that one person. Being completely at a loss because of them. Weighing every step, yet feeling unstoppable when it comes to them…
Suffering or not, being deceived or not, acting foolish or not—does it really matter? The most important thing is this: he’s willing.
Willing to make the other person happy, willing to make the relationship better…
Jin Fei sighed and asked Su Bin, “You really like him, don’t you?”
Su Bin poked at a crystal dumpling in the steamer basket with his chopsticks and murmured softly, “Yeah, but sometimes I really don’t know what to do.”
Take the situation with Huang Zhengming, for instance. If he confessed, Allen would get mad. But if he didn’t confess, Allen would still get mad. The stress was literally making his hair fall out these days!
Jin Fei remarked, “You’re not just telling me all this to vent, are you? Let me be clear—I can’t help you!”
“Don’t say that!” Su Bin exclaimed, looking at Jin Fei with a pleading expression. “Oh great love expert! Oh wise psychologist! Give me some advice, please!”
Jin Fei waved him off. “Forget it. One of my life principles is to never meddle in other people’s relationships.”
His own first love had turned into a colossal joke precisely because of unwanted interference from others.
Su Bin’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he asked, “You really like that Plymouth, don’t you?”
Jin Fei gave him a wary side-eye. “What are you plotting?”
Su Bin smirked. “What do you think?”
Jin Fei’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t… Are you saying if I help you, you’ll give me that car?”
Su Bin scoffed. “Dream on!”
Jin Fei: “…”
Su Bin: “At most, I’ll let you borrow it for a week.”
“A week?” Jin Fei’s eyebrows shot up in outrage. “You ungrateful little thing! I gave you that Audi for free when I came back to the country!”
Su Bin protested, “That was different. This car was given to me by Allen; how can I give it away? Letting you borrow it for a week is already pretty generous.”
Jin Fei thought for a moment, then bargained, “A week is too short—make it a month!”
Su Bin: “…You’ve got some nerve to haggle with me!”
Jin Fei: “What’s the problem?”
Su Bin: “What happened to your so-called principles?” (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Jin Fei gave a sly laugh. “Times change, my friend!”
Su Bin: “…Fine, deal.”
Jin Fei crossed his legs and leisurely took a sip of tea. “I think you should just tell Allen the truth.”
Su Bin: “That’s your brilliant idea? That’s no better than saying nothing!” (=_=)
Jin Fei shrugged. “What else can you do? Wait for him to figure it out himself?”
Su Bin: “Of course not!” That would be a death sentence…
Jin Fei: “Then just tell him. You can’t hide it forever. Allen’s so perceptive; he’s going to find out sooner or later.”
Su Bin: “…” Okay, it seemed like there really was only one way to go. (=_=)
“But,” Jin Fei continued, “you need to change how you tell him. Don’t just gloss over it—explain everything in detail, from when you first met Huang Zhengming, what happened, what you talked about, all the way to now… Aren’t you conflicted? Then tell Allen exactly that. Explain your hesitation and why you didn’t tell him earlier. And maybe throw in a bit of puppy-dog pleading, like, ‘Allen~ I didn’t know what to do~~~’” Jin Fei even mimicked Su Bin’s tone.
Su Bin’s lips twitched. “So you’re saying I should play dumb with Allen?”
Jin Fei shot back, “Play dumb, my foot!”—though in truth, you are dumb!
Su Bin: “…”
Jin Fei: “You genuinely don’t know what to do. If you did, why would you be asking me? You should be asking Allen!”
Seeing Su Bin’s utterly clueless expression, Jin Fei sighed. “Alright, let me break down Allen’s mindset for you… I think what he really wants is a sense of security.”
Su Bin blinked in surprise. “Allen needs a sense of security too?”
Jin Fei rolled his eyes. “He’s human, not a god. Why wouldn’t he?”
Su Bin scratched his head. In his eyes, Allen was this invincible force, someone who didn’t even fear death…
Jin Fei explained, “Even the strongest people feel insecure sometimes.”
—Allen getting mad at Su Bin was just a manifestation of that insecurity.
Su Bin: “So what should I do?”
Jin Fei: “You need to figure out where his sense of security comes from. My guess? It’s from being in control of everything. He’s a proud guy—he can handle his own affairs just fine. But you are an unpredictable variable. Whenever you interact with people or things he doesn’t know or can’t control, it makes him uneasy. So his sense of security comes from your complete trust and transparency.”
Jin Fei’s analysis hit Su Bin like a lightning bolt. This was exactly what his and Allen’s contract had outlined (though Jin Fei didn’t know about the contract). Why hadn’t he realized it sooner?
Su Bin hesitated and asked, “If I come clean with him, does that mean Allen won’t be angry anymore?”
Jin Fei said, “All you need to focus on is how to confess to him. As for the outcome or consequences, that’s not something you need to worry about.”
Su Bin: “…”
Now that he thought about it, Jin Fei was probably right. Allen had always emphasized that Su Bin should tell him whatever he was thinking instead of worrying about making decisions on his own.
Jin Fei continued, “I can’t guarantee he won’t get angry, but if you follow my advice, I promise he’ll be less angry.”
Su Bin sighed, “Alright, I’ll give it a try…”
Jin Fei stretched out his hand. “Alright then, car keys.”
Su Bin: “Not yet.”
Jin Fei protested, “What? Are you trying to back out?”
Su Bin replied, “I have to see if your advice works first. Besides, I’ll need to check with Allen to see if he even agrees.”
Jin Fei scoffed, “Don’t give me that! Allen dotes on you so much—just whisper sweet nothings to him while you’re cuddling, and he’ll agree to anything.”
Su Bin: “…”
Jin Fei teased, “What? Why’s your face as red as a monkey’s butt? Am I wrong?”
Flustered, Su Bin snapped, “Shut up!”
After finishing their tea, Qin Chao arrived to discuss some restaurant matters with Su Bin. Uninterested, Jin Fei left but glanced back at Su Bin one last time, noticing how focused he was on the conversation.
The dynamic between Su Bin and Allen reminded Jin Fei of the concept of “absolute obedience” in the military.
A soldier’s first duty is to obey, without questioning whether their superior’s orders are right or wrong. Every action must be reported to the superior—even relationships. Who you date, what you do, everything must be disclosed if the superior asks. The military operates as a unified whole, like a single body. The brain gives a command, and the limbs have no choice but to follow. In such a system, there can only be one decision-maker; personal thoughts are not allowed.
The rationale is simple: from a personal perspective, a soldier’s job is to fight, and fighting often leads to death. Fear of death is human nature, even for soldiers. If fear causes hesitation or desertion on the battlefield, a war cannot be fought…
Of course, this had little to do with love. Jin Fei was merely drawing a comparison in his head and didn’t share these thoughts with Su Bin.
As his gaze shifted, Jin Fei noticed Huang Zhengming at the bar, staring intently in Su Bin’s direction.
Even earlier, while chatting with Su Bin, Jin Fei had felt Huang Zhengming’s gaze. The man’s feelings were written all over his face. It was painfully obvious—someone like him wouldn’t last long here.
Su Bin was so oblivious to everything. No wonder Allen must find it exhausting to be with him sometimes.
In a relationship, what could be more frustrating than having a partner with zero emotional intelligence?
…
After finishing his discussion with Qin Chao, Su Bin headed to the wine cellar to inventory supplies. He overheard two part-time girls gossiping about the restaurant next door:
“I think Rock (Huang Zhengming’s English name) is such a charming guy! So low-key.”
“Yeah, I also like guys who are quiet but capable. And he seems like someone with a past, you know? Sometimes he looks so focused and composed, but other times there’s this melancholy in his eyes. He’s probably been hurt before—so heartbreaking!”
(Su Bin: …What nonsense!)
“Did you notice? Rock spaces out a lot when he has nothing to do.”
“I didn’t notice that, but I’ve seen him sneaking glances at our boss a few times.”
“Hey, hey, do you think he…?”
(Su Bin: Hah! He’s probably hoping for a raise!)
“Aren’t they classmates? Both from Hangzhou. Rock is so considerate with girls, and he doesn’t have that macho attitude like guys from the Northeast… Gosh, a guy this good is still single? Even I’m tempted!”
(Su Bin: Is this why Chen Xiaotian cheated on me after almost four years together? How is someone as shady as Huang Zhengming this popular with women? It defies logic! =皿=)
“But isn’t our boss single too?”
“That’s different. The boss feels out of reach, and he’s kind of distant with women.”
“True. ‘The Overbearing CEO Falls for Me’ only happens in novels, after all!”
“Boss isn’t even an overbearing CEO. He’s more of a soft and cuddly uke.”
“Hehehe…”
Su Bin: “…” Damn it! I’m having Qin Chao dock your bonuses! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Fuming as he exited the wine cellar, Su Bin planned to pick up Allen. But before he could leave, Huang Zhengming—who hadn’t spoken to him in over a month—suddenly stepped in front of him and asked in a low voice, “Bingzi, do you have a moment?”
Su Bin: “…Uh? What’s up?”
Huang Zhengming replied, “I want to talk to you.”
Feeling awkward, Su Bin said, “I was just about to leave…” And he really was—not just making an excuse. But when he saw the flash of disappointment on Huang Zhengming’s face, Su Bin couldn’t help feeling guilty, as though he’d done something wrong.
In the end, though, he steeled himself and hurriedly fled.
