The two agreed to meet a week later on Monday.
The date was set by Mu Nianwen. Tan Janglin was more eager to meet than him, wanting to fly over the next day, but was refused by Mu Nianwen.
Firstly, because he had already arranged something and couldn’t free up time.
Secondly, because that Monday was his fixed day off every month, he didn’t have to rush back for a live broadcast, so the meeting time would be more relaxed.
He didn’t mention the reason when informing the date, and Tan Janglin didn’t ask at all, as if he already understood.
They chose to have dinner at a creative Chinese restaurant. Mu Nianwen specially checked and found that the price ranged from 400 to 500 yuan per person, which was much cheaper than expected.
He asked Tan Janglin why he chose this place, and Tan Janglin’s answer was, “I feel like you’ll like it.”
Mu Nianwen looked at the menu and reviews, and indeed, he liked it.
He had always been enthusiastic about various internet-famous foods, and despite trying countless times, he was still enthusiastic and adventurous.
Not only that, but he was also very curious and tolerant, attracted to many peculiar and creative combinations. He once joked in the live broadcast that if he were Italian, he would also make a pineapple pizza enthusiast. At that time, the audience in the live broadcast room tried to scare him with various examples, from strawberry Mapo tofu to chocolate dumplings, and he said, “I can try it,” and “maybe it’ll be good.”
The comments on that creative restaurant were full of “this is too bizarre” and “such outrageous combinations,” which made him eager to try it.
Given Tan Janglin’s performance this time, Tan Janglin scored high.
They agreed to meet at two in the afternoon and planned to have afternoon tea before dinner.
Mu Nianwen tidied himself up for this meeting, even went to the hair salon a few hours early to get a new hairstyle, hoping to completely charm Tan Janglin.
Arriving at the agreed place with a fluffy and refreshing new hairstyle, Tan Janglin was already waiting for him.
Seeing that tall figure from afar, Mu Nianwen couldn’t help but feel excited, but at the same time, his steps slowed down.
He felt nervous.
Tan Janglin was leaning on the railing, looking down at his phone, unaware of his arrival.
After not seeing each other for a while, Tan Janglin’s short hair seemed to have grown a bit longer, but it was neatly arranged, looking obedient and gentle.
Was it just his imagination? Why did this Alpha seem even more handsome?
While secretly sizing him up, Mu Nianwen subconsciously moved closer to the wall, trying to reduce his presence.
He took out his phone and messaged Tan Janglin.
—Are you here?
There were still fifteen minutes left until the appointed meeting time, and they both arrived early.
Tan Janglin typed quickly.
—Almost there.
Receiving this reply, Mu Nianwen was puzzled. He had clearly already arrived, so why lie?
Immediately after, Tan Janglin sent another message.
—”Take your time, no rush.”
Mu Nianwen touched his nose, put away his phone, and glanced at the Alpha not far away.
He was afraid that if he said he had arrived, Mu Nianwen would be anxious. This little lie was his subtle kindness.
Mu Nianwen had no reason not to be moved.
As long as he nodded, he could start a relationship with this person immediately.
Very attractive.
He quietly circled around, secretly approached from behind Tan Janglin, and then suddenly reached out and patted Tan Janglin’s back.
“Hey, handsome,” he asked, “Got a date?”
Tan Janglin turned around, his eyes filled with surprise. “Yes,” he paused for a moment, then after a few seconds of contemplation, continued, “I’m waiting for my… sweetheart.”
When he uttered the last word, he appeared very nervous, a shy blush appearing on his refined face, unable to meet Mu Nianwen’s eyes.
Mu Nianwen suddenly thought, on that day in the live broadcast room, when Tan Janglin answered his questions through the barrage, did he also have this expression?
I really want to see.
“Have they arrived?” he asked.
Tan Janglin nodded lightly and said, “Your new hairstyle looks good.”
“Good eye,” Mu Nianwen said.
The two walked shoulder to shoulder towards the dessert shop they had agreed on in advance, unexpectedly silent along the way.
In reality, Tan Janglin was as reticent as he was online.
From observing him during this time, Mu Nianwen found that Tan Janglin seemed to be the type to think carefully before speaking, unlike him, who often spoke faster than he thought, sometimes speaking nonsense accidentally.
In other words, Tan Janglin was a very stable and reliable person.
It seemed like he had discovered another of his strengths.
Mu Nianwen felt increasingly puzzled. Why would such a person put something so inappropriate in a gift? Was there some deeper meaning that he didn’t understand?
“You were also particularly quiet the first time we met,” Tan Janglin suddenly said.
“Huh?” Mu Nianwen startled, “What?”
Tan Janglin hesitated for a moment, then smiled and shook his head.
“I was thinking!” Mu Nianwen felt a bit embarrassed, “Do you want to chat with me?”
“I’m afraid you’ll find it boring.”
That wouldn’t happen. Just walking beside him, Mu Nianwen couldn’t help but feel excited, his steps lighter and more cheerful than usual, feeling great.
If possible, he wanted to hold Tan Janglin’s arm or even hold hands with him.
Should he try?
The planned dessert shop had appeared in their sight, with less than two minutes left to walk, a slight touch and then letting go, giving each other some time to silently digest and savor, it should feel great.
Just as he gathered the courage to act, he suddenly heard a surprised voice ahead.
“…Mu Nianwen?”
Mu Nianwen looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall male Alpha.
He seemed to be a bit older than him, slightly overweight, oily skin, messy curly hair, and the bulging beer belly made the T-shirt on his body very tight, making him look very untidy, giving off a dirty impression.
Mu Nianwen thought for a while, vaguely feeling that he had seen this face somewhere, but couldn’t remember who he was or what relationship he had with him.
“It’s really you,” the Alpha seemed very excited, walking quickly towards him, “Long time no see, how have you been lately?”
As he approached, Mu Nianwen caught a mole at the corner of his eye, and a corner of his brain, which had been covered in dust, suddenly lit up, and he suddenly remembered something, stepping back half a step.
Tan Janglin misunderstood that he was about to fall and hurriedly reached out to support him. From the Alpha’s perspective, it looked like he suddenly reached out to hug Mu Nianwen’s waist.
“Who is this…?” he asked, frowning.
Mu Nianwen was dumbfounded for two seconds, then hugged Tan Janglin’s arm and leaned his whole body against him. “This is my boyfriend.”
Tan Janglin visibly stiffened.
The Alpha also looked stunned, looking Mu Nianwen up and down.
The Alpha suddenly laughed.
“So many years have passed, and you still haven’t forgotten about me,” he said.
Mu Nianwen almost snapped, “What are you talking about?”
“Xiao Wen,” the Alpha glanced meaningfully at Tan Langjin, “Instead of looking for my shadow in others… why don’t you come find me? I’ve missed you all this time.”
This statement was too shocking, and Mu Nianwen’s brain died on the spot for three seconds.
There was a time when he did like this person in front of him.
At that time, this Alpha weighed only about half of what he does now, with a slender figure and a charmingly melancholic gaze, bearing a resemblance to Tan Langjin by about seventy percent.
As for now, he didn’t even have point seven percent. Perhaps “appearance reflects the mind” and “being overweight ruins everything” should each take half of the blame.
“My contact information has never changed,” the Alpha said, “because I’ve been waiting for you.”
“How many years has it been since you last looked in the mirror?” Mu Nianwen said, “You look like you’re not the same age as me anymore. Are you that clueless?”
Tan Langjin, still being hugged by Mu Nianwen, was turning his head to look at the reflective glass wall of the mall. Through the glass, his furrowed brow and incredulous expression could be clearly seen, as if he were contemplating the similarities between himself and the Alpha standing before him.
“Alphas always look a bit weathered,” the other person said, “I’ve matured a lot.”
Mu Nianwen didn’t give him any face, completely uncooperative with his solemnity, and shouted, “Get lost, you big head.”
He was so rude that the other person clearly hesitated for a moment.
“I realized back then that you’re actually not that good-looking,” Mu Nianwen said rapidly, “I didn’t expect there was still so much room for you to deteriorate. Speak like a decent human being, and I might save you some face. You already look like a pig, and your mind is full of crap… Stay away from me, don’t ruin my night with nightmares!”
The Alpha furrowed his brow, “But you clearly—”
Mu Nianwen didn’t want to deal with him anymore and pulled Tan Langjin away.
The Alpha persisted, stopping him, “Then tell me, why would you look for someone who looks so much like me?”
Tan Langjin’s expression became even more serious.
Mu Nianwen took a deep breath and looked at Tan Langjin. “Can you even endure not cursing at him?”
Tan Langjin looked at him, then at the Alpha with a face full of confusion and helplessness, as if he were about to collapse.
“Does he really look like me?” he asked.
