TBFFC Chapter 92

TL: Moonlit

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When the news of Lin Feng and Yan Qi getting married spread, it shocked everyone.

No one had expected that these two individuals, who had pretended to be so distant, would suddenly make such a big move.

Qin Yi sent a message to Lin Feng inquiring, “Didn’t you say you had no feelings for the Yan family’s female?”

No feelings, and now you’re married!

Lin Feng chuckled mischievously in the communication, “Before, I didn’t have feelings, but when I thought about him entering the mandatory matching pool soon, I felt uneasy. So, I shared my feelings with him, and luckily, Yan Qi thought I was alright, so we got engaged.”

What do you mean by feeling uneasy when you see him with someone else? Isn’t that being in love?

Qin Yi really wanted to knock on his second son’s head to see what exactly was going on in his mind. Maybe all that research has made him go crazy.

But fortunately, Yan Qi didn’t mind.

“Alright, regardless, it’s a good thing. Ask Yan Qi when his parents have time, and both families can meet.”

“Sure, I’ll ask him.”

After ending the communication, Lin Feng turned to Yan Qi, “I just asked my parents about their availability. When can your parents meet?”

Yan Qi clutched the red notebook in his hand, feeling like he was in a dream. He hadn’t even had the chance to inform his family yet, and now he suddenly heard this. His heart tightened. He had indeed done something crazy, but he had no regrets. “I’ll go back and ask. When are you leaving for North Star?”

Just as they got together, they were going to be separated soon. Yan Qi felt a bit reluctant. He reached out, grabbed Lin Feng’s clothes, and leaned against his arm.

The warm sensation on his arm softened Lin Feng’s heart, and he said, “This weekend, after handling things over there, I can return to the capital star. I won’t have to stay there for long periods anymore.”

Yan Qi nodded, “Work is important, and I’m about to start running the dessert shop here too. Otherwise, I would have gone with you.”

“Stay here and wait for me to come back,” Lin Feng said, unable to resist reaching out and caressing Yan Qi’s cheek. “Can I kiss you?”

Yan Qi’s cheeks turned red, and he tightened the grip on Lin Feng’s clothes, nodding slightly in silent consent.

—

Lin Yue was in shock when he saw the news in the family group chat. He frantically mentioned Lin Feng, “Brother, you are unbelievable! You acted like you didn’t understand love before, and now you got married! You said my brother was fast, but you are not slow either!”

Lin En was also agitated and yelled, “What are you shouting about? Now our family has only one single person left, wake up and realize that! And you still have the face to yell here. I can’t stand you; get yourself together, or you won’t have the right to speak later!”

Lin Yue: “…So being single means having no rights, huh?”

Lin En: “Do you want to challenge that?”

Lin Yue: “…I dare not.”

Xia Jue looked at the dejected Lin Yue and asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Lin Yue looked up at Xia Jue and said, “Are your family pressuring you to get married? After my eldest and second brothers got married one after the other, it’s finally my turn!”

Xia Jue slightly pursed his lips in response to the question, “Have you thought about the kind of partner you want in the future?”

Suddenly, Lin Yue locked eyes with Xia Jue’s purple eyes and replied, “Regarding that, I haven’t really thought about it. But it should be someone I like, right? How about you?”

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know if he’d be willing.”

Unexpectedly, Xia Jue gave such a bombshell answer, and Lin Yue’s curiosity surged, “Really? You already have someone you like, then why aren’t you together? What kind of person is he?”

Who wouldn’t be interested in Xia Jue’s love life?

“It’s not a female.” With those simple words, the atmosphere seemed to freeze. Lin Yue blinked, thinking he misheard, “Huh?”

“Do you find it strange?” Xia Jue’s eyes revealed a trace of anxiety, though he concealed it quite well.

Lin Yue didn’t expect Xia Jue’s love interest to be male. He had seen such individuals before, and the Empire had a special policy for them to register special marriages. He was just a little surprised, but he hid any peculiar feelings inside. “It’s somewhat surprising, but not strange. After all, who you like is a very personal matter. Does he know?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t figured out how to tell him yet.”

Lin Yue nodded in understanding, not pressing further on the topic. He changed the subject, “Oh, by the way, I need to go out for a while tonight. There’s a classmate gathering that I’ve postponed several times, and I can’t delay it any longer.”

“Go ahead, have fun, and don’t worry about me.”

“There’s nothing much to do, just meet up and chat. You should rest early tonight; I don’t know how late it’ll be.”

“Okay, sure.”

When Lin Feng and Yan Qi’s marriage news spread, Lin Su was also surprised and couldn’t help but remark to William, “My two brothers are extraordinary. Either they have no partner, or once they do, they get married right away. Their speed is incredible.”

William chuckled and patted Lin Su’s head, “They are at that age when they don’t want to waste time. When they meet someone they like, getting engaged right away is understandable.”

“That’s true, but I still feel it’s a bit too fast. Anyway, we were even quicker; we got married on our first meeting. The receptionist tried to persuade me to reconsider, but I resolutely chose you. See how good my eyes are?”

Seeing the slight raise of his little female’s chin and his proud appearance, William nodded, “So you fell for my ears and tail, I know.”

Lin Su immediately felt guilty, “Ahem, it’s not just that. It’s mainly because you are a good person, and your glowing appearance attracted me.”

William playfully raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Lin Su emphatically nodded, “Of course!”

As the conversation progressed, Lin Su hooked his arm around William’s neck, “Do you want to see more of my sincerity?”

Facing such teasing from his little female, William, who had already learned not to hold back, didn’t hesitate. He immediately carried him and kicked open the bedroom door, saying, “Sure!”

After an eventful night, with the passionate waves subsiding, Lin Su rubbed his sore waist as he got off the bed. William smiled and reached out to help him massage it, “Feeling uncomfortable?”

Lin Su nodded, looking pitiful, “My waist is sore.”

William playfully pinched his cheek, “Think twice before trying to tease me next time. Don’t go out today; rest well at home.”

Lian Su nodded, “Okay.”

Originally, they had planned to go to a fast-food factory to check things out, but Lin Su had to postpone it and spent the day lazily with William at home.

In the evening, Lin Su and William were strolling around the restaurant when they unexpectedly ran into Lin Yue.

“Third brother, you’re here for dinner?”

Lin Yue had a bit to drink, and his cheeks were slightly red. He adjusted his tie and replied, “Yeah, there’s a classmate gathering tonight, and we decided to have it here.”

Smiling, Lin Su said, “Take it easy on the alcohol. The new white wine is quite strong. Don’t get drunk.”

“I only had a little. It’s a bit spicy. I’ll get some fresh air before going back in. You go ahead and do your thing.”

“Alright, if you need anything, just call the waiter.”

“Sure.”

As Lin Su walked away, Lin Yue ran his hand through his hair, feeling a bit emotional. The mention of a certain person during the meal reminded him why he had been reluctant to attend class reunions all these years. You never knew when the conversation would touch upon scars that people were unwilling to reveal.

During high school, he had a crush on someone. The person was gentle, delicate, and possessed a pure and refreshing aura that seemed tailor-made to his preferences.

At first, the person didn’t pay him much attention, but he persistently tried to make his presence felt until there were signs of progress. They became friends, and though the person was still not overly enthusiastic, they were no longer distant.

Back then, he didn’t consider that there might be many clues hinting that the person was likely male, not female. Otherwise, why would someone who appeared so feminine be so fond of fighting?

He just hadn’t thought about it that way.

And that led to the subsequent embarrassment.

“Hey, Lin Yue, were you waiting for me here?” Tang Song had just gotten out of his car and spotted Lin Yue standing on the steps. He walked over with surprise, “You look like you haven’t changed at all, just like back in school.”

“You guys are too anxious to grow up. Come on, let’s go inside. Everyone’s here; we’re just waiting for you.” Lin Yue patted his old friend’s shoulder with a smile. “By the way, have you gained weight recently?”

“That’s right! Ever since my partner attended that culinary and dessert academy your younger brother runs, they’ve been trying out various delicious dishes at home every day. My happiness index is off the charts, but I’ve gained some weight.”

Lin Yue nodded with a smile, “I understand, I understand. So, don’t show off.”

“Haha, by the way, Lin Yue, are you still single?” As one of the people who knew about the past, Tang Song looked at Lin Yue with a hint of concern in his eyes.

Lin Yue patted him on the shoulder, “What are you thinking? I’m single because I haven’t found the right person, and it’s not like what you’re thinking. It’s been so many years; who remembers such things?”

“You really don’t remember?” Tang Song looked somewhat skeptical and leaned closer, “But I heard he’s back.”

Lin Yue’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he smiled, “The world is vast, whether he wants to come back or leave, it’s his freedom, isn’t it? Let’s go inside.”

Clearly, he didn’t want to discuss the matter any further, and Tang Song tactfully didn’t press on.

However, as they approached the private room’s door, they overheard a conversation from inside, “Hey, do you know that Shi Xia, who left back then, changed his name to Xia Jue?”

“Xia Jue?” someone exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t that a famous director?”

“Yes, it’s him. Now he’s doing great as a top director. I heard he returned to the capital star not long ago.”

Tang Song sensed Lin Yue’s tension and looked at him questioningly, “What’s wrong?”

“I have something to attend to, I’ll leave first. Please greet them for me.” Lin Yue hurriedly said and turned to leave. He accidentally bumped into a chair in his haste. Tang Song was about to follow him, concerned about something being wrong when he was intercepted by the people inside the room who pulled him in with a smile.

Coincidentally, William, who had just come out of the private room, noticed and subconsciously followed, “Lin Yue?”

Lin Yue, who was about to open his car door, looked at William with a blank expression, “Your Highness.”

Noticing something was off, William spoke up, “Find a substitute driver.”

Lin Yue swallowed hard, suppressing the panic in his heart, and nodded, “Okay.”

William’s appearance helped Lin Yue calm down a bit.

Instead of rushing to start the car, Lin Yue turned around and sat on a bench in the garden.

William had someone bring him a glass of water but didn’t ask what had happened. He simply sat down beside him.

Lin Yue took a sip of water and turned to look at William. “I’m fine now, thank you.”

William nodded, standing up, “If there’s anything you can’t solve, just speak up. Anyone in the family will help you.”

Lin Yue felt a warmth in his heart. He knew that William was not one to meddle in others’ affairs. His willingness to say this was likely for the sake of Lin Su’s face.

This person, who was usually so cold and unyielding, had softened for Lin Su.

Smiling, Lin Yue nodded, “I know, thank you. Can you keep this matter from my younger brother for now?”

William glanced at him, “Sure.”

Without saying anything more, William returned to the restaurant.

Leaning against the back of the chair, Lin Yue’s emotions were complex.

The words he heard from the private room just now, that Shi Xia was Xia Jue, had stabbed his chest like a dagger.

Why was he so dull to not have noticed earlier?

Thinking back now, Xia Jue had many flaws.

The sudden invitation to play the lead role, the sudden display of tenderness, the sudden revelation of liking males.

Pressing his hand to his forehead, why didn’t he think more about it?

For so many years, he never imagined Xia Jue would return. Even if he did, Lin Yue always believed Xia Jue wouldn’t come looking for him.

He blinked hard. The matter had to be resolved; now that he knew, he couldn’t let it continue.

Regardless of Xia Jue’s intentions, he needed to find out clearly.

He was never someone who dwelled on things. Just like when he confessed to Xia Jue and was told he liked males, he did have a moment of hesitation, but he quickly figured things out. He would go all the way for the person he liked, regardless of their gender.

However, he was ultimately rejected thoroughly.

For that reason, the other even left the capital star.

Since he had been rejected, what did it mean now?

The replacement driver had arrived, and Lin Yue returned to the hospital. Standing in front of the ward, he looked through the glass at Xia Jue, who was sitting on the bed, quietly reading a script.

His heart felt sour.

He pursed his lips, trying to suppress the strange feelings inside him. He pushed the door open and entered.

Hearing the movement, Xia Jue turned his head. “You’re here so early. Did it end ahead of schedule?”

Xia Jue took off the glasses on his face, looking at Lin Yue with suspicion. “Did something happen?”

Lin Yue brought over a glass of water, drank it, and then put down the cup. “Xia Jue, did you change your name?”

Such a simple sentence was almost equivalent to exposing everything hidden.

Xia Jue’s jaw tensed suddenly. “You know?”

In fact, as soon as he knew that Lin Yue would attend the alumni gathering tonight, he knew it would come to this.

Some things, even if he wanted to wait and tell Lin Yue in person, were impossible to hide forever.

Lin Yue put down the water glass and turned to look at him. “Is it fun to lie to me?”

“No.” Xia Jue didn’t evade and met his gaze. “I did come back with a purpose.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Complete what should have been completed back then.”

Lin Yue’s hand at his side clenched unconsciously, making him tense all over. He wanted to continue asking what was left unfinished, but another voice told him not to ask. It wouldn’t make any sense to bring up the past after so many years. If there was anything that couldn’t be completed back then, it was also fine now.

“Lin Yue, I’m sorry for lying to you. It wasn’t my intention, but I needed a reason to get close to you.”

“Xia Jue, you could have just said it directly. We don’t have deep hatred or grievances between us. Why make things so complicated? Even if the business deal didn’t work out, we were classmates for so long. If you had returned and said something, would I not meet you?”

“You won’t.”

Lin Yue bit his lip, feeling uncomfortable as he turned his head to look elsewhere.

Indeed, Xia Jue was right. Xia Jue understood him better than he had thought. If he had known Xia Jue had come back, he would definitely have kept his distance, finding a hundred or even a million reasons not to see him.

“Lin Yue, you seem very easygoing. It’s like everything can pass with you. But sometimes you can be ruthless, so if you knew it was me looking for you, you definitely wouldn’t meet me, and you wouldn’t have so much time to spend with me.”

“Now that you are so clear about it, why bother doing these useless things? Weren’t you the one who rejected me back then?”

Why was it like this now? Regretting it and realizing that true love was with me after you left?

Lin Yue’s imagination turned nauseating.

“Although I was angry at the time, you treated me as a female all along, but I was happy that you liked me. Your confession letter was terrible, with even typos, but it was unexpectedly cute.” Xia Jue lightly curved his lips, a hint of the same melancholy appearing in his purple eyes, making him look extremely melancholic. “I liked it a lot.”

Even now, he was Xia Jue’s most precious treasure.

Suddenly, the truth was revealed, and Lin Yue felt embarrassed. “Xia Jue, I don’t want to reminisce about the past with you now. I just want to know why you came back and caused so much trouble. What exactly do you want?”

“Pursue you.”

Two short and straightforward words left Lin Yue, who had a lot to say, dumbfounded in place. After a while, he seemed to find his voice again. “What? Are you joking? You can’t possibly like me, right?”

“Yes, I like you. I’ve liked you for many years. Lin Yue, can you give me another chance?”

Lin Yue blinked his eyes. “What are you thinking, Xia Jue? What do you take me for? If I have found someone suitable, even my cat or dog could have gone to school already!”

Coming out now and telling him that he liked him, asking for another chance—it was way too late!

“But the fact is you haven’t found anyone, and I still have a chance, Lin Yue…”

“Don’t call me that. There’s no future. Do whatever you want.” Lin Yue dropped those words and turned around to leave the ward. He was furious!

Seeing Lin Yue leave without looking back, Xia Jue sighed, lifted the blanket, and pressed the bedside bell. In a moment, medical staff rushed over.

Upon seeing them, Xia Jue pointed to the cast on his leg. “Remove it.”

“Mr. Xia, it’s not time yet. It’s not appropriate to remove it now.”

“Remove it!”

After leaving the hospital, Lin Yue took a deep breath and was about to message his manager to cancel the collaboration with Xia Jue when he received a voice call from Tang Song.

On the other end, Tang Song asked, “What happened? Are you okay?”

Lin Yue pressed his forehead. “Not really. Are you done? Come out for a while.”

He urgently needed someone to vent his emotions, and Tang Song was undoubtedly a suitable candidate.

Tang Song readily agreed, “Wait for me, I’ll be right there.”

Twenty minutes later, the two of them sat in an open garden. Tang Song handed Lin Yue a bottle of water. “Tell me, what’s going on?”

Ever since Lin Yue heard his classmates talking about Xia Jue changing his name, he had been greatly disturbed, and it was all so wrong.

Tang Song had an intuitive feeling that something was amiss.

Lin Yue twisted open the water bottle and took a big gulp before speaking, “I saw him, but I didn’t know he was Xia Jue. He changed his name.”

Tang Song’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. He felt that this revelation was too shocking. After a while, he finally asked, “So, he came back to find you, and he hid the fact that he is Xia Jue while being with you. What does he want?”

“To pursue me.”

Tang Song: “…Damn.”

Lin Yue glanced at Tang Song, who was swearing. “Isn’t he just trying to play games? Back then, he was so cold when he rejected me, and now he comes back and says he wants to pursue me. Am I that easy to chase after!”

Tang Song blinked his eyes. “Are you angry because of this?”

“Then what else?”

Tang Song cleared his throat. “I’m just asking. If he’s now turning back to pursue you, what has he been doing all these years? Why didn’t he agree back then? Wasn’t he afraid you’d get married? Maybe there’s some hidden reason behind all this. I heard that the board of directors in the Xia family underwent a major shake-up recently. Could it be related to him? I’ve heard that Xia Jue’s father was a very dominant person. Maybe your relationship back then was discovered by his family, and so he had to…”

“Don’t tell me you also have the talent to be a screenwriter. Why don’t you write a book?” Lin Yue interrupted.

“Why are you attacking me? I’m just helping you analyze the situation. Besides, I think it’s quite reasonable. Think about it, when you first met Xia Jue, he was so cold and distant. How much effort did you put in to become friends with him? Even though you treated him like a female at that time.”

“Don’t talk about me. What about you guys? Didn’t you also notice that he was so pretty and slim as a child, nothing like a male! Don’t tell me you didn’t have any feelings for him back then. You gave up only because you couldn’t beat me!”

Saying this, Lin Yue tilted his chin slightly.

Tang Song felt helpless. “Let’s talk normally without personal attacks. Besides, it’s all in the past, and you still remember it. I can see that you have some unresolved feelings for him.”

Lin Yue immediately got annoyed. “Who has unresolved feelings? Do you want to fight?”

Tang Song quickly raised his hands. “Let’s talk peacefully. Do you want to hear my analysis or not?”

“Go on.” Lin Yue sat back down and listened to Tang Song continue.

“The reason I said that is because it’s possible that there was a misunderstanding between you two. When he left, did you see him? Wasn’t it his family who handled the procedures directly? And when you called, wasn’t it his female father who answered and said that he didn’t like you and rejected you?”

“So what do you mean? Are you saying that he was controlled by his family back then and now he’s breaking free?”

“There’s a possibility, whether you admit it or not. If you don’t, I have another piece of evidence.”

“What is it?”

“Look at your family background. I now think that if you weren’t from the Lin family, a male confessing to someone would be unacceptable to any other family. Maybe his family found out and wanted to harm you, but then they discovered your family’s power and had no choice but to target Xia Jue. Maybe they even made him take the blame for you!”

“No, I think I understand now. Tang Song, were you sent by him? How much did he pay you to say all this!”