Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two: Buddies
Ye Kun’s interest was piqued as well. Both of them looked at Shi Nian. Only Xi Cheng was fiddling with his phone, his mind elsewhere.
“A friend of a friend,” Shi Nian said lightly.
“A woman?”
“A woman!”
Ye Kun and Liang Han chorused, one in question and the other in affirmation.
Shi Nian nodded.
Ye Kun’s lassitude disappeared. He sat up straight and gave Liang Han a meaningful look before stating, “I’ll go over tonight. The house is stocked with everything I need. I’ll just ask someone to send two sets of clothes over.”
Liang Han came over. “I’ll go and stay for the night.”
“You’ll have to pay for accommodation!” Young Master Ye said bluntly.
Liang Han rolled his eyes at him and said, “Pay my a*s! It’s not like I’m asking to have s*x with you!”
“You wish! Why would
I
—handsome and dashing—sleep with someone like you?” The two of them started arguing.
Shi Nian coughed lightly and warned, “If you scare away my tenant, I’ll charge you double the rent!”
‘
Yo, a little protective, aren’t we, Shi Nian?
‘ Liang Han and Ye Kun glanced at each other and smiled wickedly.
Shi Nian was too lazy to explain and ignored them.
Xi Cheng suddenly stood up. “I have something to do. I’ll be leaving first!”
The three of them watched as Xi Cheng disappeared through the door. Liang Han questioned, “What has gotten into him this time?”
Ye Kun let out a long sigh. “My guess is that Lin Yu is hounding him for marriage. The Lin family made a mistake in their decisions recently, and their businesses are collapsing. They are in urgent need of help. I guess we have to prepare red packets. Ah, we should be preparing to be groomsmen!”
Liang Han chided, “You saw his expression. Does it look like it belonged to a happy groom-to-be?”
“What does his happiness have to do with him being the groom?” Ye Kun sneered. “If he dares to refuse Lin Yu, Lin Yu will definitely die in front of him. He may not care for her, but his mother does. His mother only acknowledges Lin Yu as her daughter-in-law! We should be glad we don’t have such an assertive mother!”
Liang Han fell silent because Ye Kun was right. Then, he let out a dramatic sigh. “I didn’t expect that we rich playboys would actually be the victims of arranged marriages. How pathetic,” he paused before grumbling, “Guys, I’m waiting for a response here!”
Ye Kun rolled his eyes at him. “Look who’s talking. You’re not being forced to get married…are you?”
Liang Han was smug as he informed him, “My family only hopes that I stop flirting around so much and be more serious. I’m sighing for you guys, my buddies! After all, brothers should share their blessings and difficulties. I’ll have you know I’m very loyal!”
He received two more eye rolls.
“Speaking of which, Shi Nian, how’s your childhood sweetheart?” Ye Kun asked his best friend.
“I don’t
have
any childhood sweethearts!” Shi Nian corrected him.
Lin Yu and Xi Cheng were childhood sweethearts. Based on this standard, Shi Nian and the young lady from the Yun family really didn’t count.
Firstly, there was a huge difference in status between them and the Yun family; the Yun family weren’t members of their social circle. Secondly, there was a relationship between Xi Cheng and Lin Yu, while Shi Nian turned a blind eye to Miss Yun.
“Tsk! Your granddad is coming back soon. I reckon that the next person forced to marry will be you. Shi Nian, why don’t I lend you a female artiste? She could pretend to be in a relationship with you and drive Miss Yun away,” Liang Han offered.
Shi Nian was startled, but he immediately replied, “Thank you, but no need!”
‘Someone has already arrived one step ahead of you,
‘ he thought.
Liang Han said worriedly, “You never know. You have to think of a solution as soon as possible, bro. If you get entangled with a woman—think about it, you should learn from Xi Cheng’s plight!”
Shi Nian calmly took a sip of wine.
Ye Kun also chimed in, “Shi Nian, Liang Han is right this time. You have to be prepared—make plans early.”
Liang Han kicked him. “What do you mean,
this time
? That hurts, Ye Kun. We’re not friends anymore!”
Ignoring Liang Han, Ye Kun rubbed at his injured leg and said to Shi Nian, “You should consider Liang Han’s idea.”
Shi Nian put his glass down and reassured him, “It’s fine. I can handle it.”
His heart rippled slightly. ‘
My brothers are still in dire straits, but I have already been pulled out of the pit by Yun Nan. This feeling is great!
‘ A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Liang Han, the number one paparazzi, exclaimed, “Shi Nian, you’re awfully happy. Do I smell love in the air?”
“Hey, Ye Kun, look. He’s laughing secretly. I’ve never seen him so… so worldly since I was young.”
Shi Nian’s expression changed, and he kicked Liang Han, “What are you on?”
Liang Han immediately dodged and shouted, “Hah, you’re embarrassed! Ye Kun—Ye Kun, look, look! He’s obviously hiding something. I was right!”
Shi Nian grabbed the cushion behind him and pounced over, pressing Liang Han down on his chest.
“Why do you always do this? We’re always forced to make you shut up,” Ye Kun smilingly remarked. “Liang Han, we’ve been friends since childhood, haven’t you learned your lesson?”