Xiao Cheng squatted to chat with Bai Yiheng’s niece for a while before finally remembering the three people beside him.
Xiao Ziyue was fine—when Xiao Cheng spoke with the little girl, she stayed nearby, occasionally chiming in.
The twins, however, remained silent the entire time. They didn’t know Bai Yiheng and had no interest in conversing with someone who seemed like a potential rival.
It dawned on Xiao Cheng belatedly that he had put them in an awkward situation. Even if he didn’t want to talk to the twins, he shouldn’t have ignored their predicament. By now, the two boys were likely feeling impatient.
“Mr. Bai,” Xiao Cheng stood up and said, “We’re going to keep shopping. What about you?”
“I’m just taking Ling Ling around for a bit,” Bai Yiheng replied, glancing briefly at the twins behind Xiao Cheng without saying more.
Ling Ling, Bai Yiheng’s niece, suddenly grabbed Xiao Ziyue’s hand before they could part ways. “Can I play with you, big sister?”
Xiao Ziyue was overjoyed.
She had a soft spot for kids, and Ling Ling wasn’t a troublemaker. On the contrary, she was polite and well-behaved, practically a little angel.
Feeling flattered and overwhelmed, Xiao Ziyue turned to her brother with sparkling eyes. “Brother, can we go together?”
She didn’t have a younger sister of her own, so she envied those who did.
Xiao Cheng already liked Ling Ling himself. His only concern was Bai Yiheng and the twins’ opinions.
Bai Yiheng was the first to express his stance. “I’m fine with it if you don’t think it’s inconvenient.”
Xiao Cheng then looked at the twins standing silently off to the side. “Yixi, Yinan, what about you?”
Xiao Yixi, who usually wore his emotions on his sleeve, chuckled softly this time, keeping his discontent to himself.
“Sure, let’s go together.”
Xiao Yinan’s expression was even more reserved. He didn’t say a word, only nodding slightly.
Since the request came from a little girl, Xiao Yixi didn’t feel justified in voicing his discontent.
But as the group walked on, the twins claimed the spots directly to Xiao Cheng’s left and right.
Xiao Ziyue walked ahead with Ling Ling, while Bai Yiheng fell behind, silently observing the trio in front of him.
Xiao Yixi clung to Xiao Cheng’s arm. “Brother Cheng, I think I’m a little hungry.”
He spoke with exaggerated affection, leaning close to Xiao Cheng like a playful puppy seeking attention.
Xiao Cheng pushed his face away. “Speak properly.”
Xiao Yinan, ever the quiet one, tugged on Xiao Cheng’s sleeve. “Brother Cheng, let’s go over there to get something to eat.”
They had only eaten lunch a little while ago.
Xiao Cheng silently grumbled but decided it wasn’t worth denying their small request.
“Alright.”
He turned to say something to Bai Yiheng, but Xiao Yinan subtly blocked his view, while Xiao Yixi pulled him forward, making it impossible to glance back.
Watching this unfold, Bai Yiheng found it amusing. To him, the twins’ antics resembled the childish tantrums of youth.
Compared to them, Luo Jingshu posed a much greater threat.
Bai Yiheng couldn’t help but muse. Perhaps this was what seventeen or eighteen-year-olds should be like—possessive of those they care for but still adorably naive.
What kind of life had Luo Jingshu led to develop such an overwhelming presence? His demeanor was far more commanding than even seasoned executives in their thirties or forties.
Xiao Yixi, unable to hide his thoughts, occasionally stole glances at Bai Yiheng despite leading Xiao Cheng forward.
Sometimes, he’d speak in an intentionally coy manner, to the point that even someone as oblivious as Xiao Cheng noticed.
After the third time, Xiao Cheng smacked the back of Xiao Yixi’s head when he started acting coy again. “Speak normally.”
Xiao Yixi pouted and rubbed his head. “Fine, fine, you only hit the ones you love.”
Xiao Cheng: …
He decided to let it slide.
In contrast, Xiao Yinan remained mostly silent.
Most of the time, his attention was focused on Xiao Cheng, only occasionally glancing at Bai Yiheng.
However, Xiao Yinan had noticed something else.
Once again, his gaze met that of the strikingly handsome youth from earlier. Xiao Yinan finally furrowed his brow, unable to ignore it.
This person seemed to be following them.
Was he imagining things?
Earlier, the young man had been in the opposite building. Now, he was across the street, appearing to mirror their movements.
Yet, he never approached.
The young man’s gaze seemed fixed on their group, though it was also distant and unfocused.
Xiao Yinan decided to remain cautious, though the figure soon disappeared from view.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence.
Xiao Yinan breathed a sigh of relief.
Noticing Xiao Yinan’s earlier glances, Bai Yiheng followed his gaze to the opposite side of the street and froze momentarily.
Luo Jingshu?
Xiao Cheng’s words echoed in his mind: The world really is small.
It was unclear whether it was a coincidence or if Luo Jingshu had deliberately followed them.
Bai Yiheng discreetly observed the expression on Xiao Yinan’s face. He knew that the twins were Xiao Cheng’s cousins, and he didn’t consider their excessive closeness to Xiao Cheng from another perspective.
As Xiao Cheng had previously mentioned, most people wouldn’t accept certain unconventional relationships.
Forget about acceptance—ordinary people wouldn’t even think in that direction.
Bai Yiheng merely assumed they were brother-complexes.
He suddenly wondered: these two would reject even him, so they’d probably be furious if they found out Luo Jingshu was Xiao Cheng’s ex-boyfriend.
Judging by Xiao Yinan’s indifferent demeanor, it seemed he had no idea that the young man across the street was his cousin’s ex.
Bai Yiheng chuckled softly but said nothing.
Xiao Yixi clung to Xiao Cheng, insisting on buying bubble tea. The group stood in front of the bubble tea shop, drawing the attention of many passersby.
Xiao Cheng asked everyone about their preferred flavors. When it was Bai Yiheng’s turn, the man smiled and shook his head. “I’ll pass.”
He wasn’t particularly fond of sweet, creamy drinks.
Just as Xiao Cheng was about to respond, Xiao Yixi interjected seriously, “This kind of thing is more for young people. You probably wouldn’t drink it, right?”
It was just shy of directly saying that Bai Yiheng was old.
Xiao Yixi met Bai Yiheng’s gaze with a hint of smugness, but the man simply responded with a faint laugh.
The next second, Xiao Cheng smacked Xiao Yixi on the back of his head.
“That’s rude. Apologize to Mr. Bai.”
Xiao Yixi pouted in grievance. “Why should I apologize? I wasn’t wrong.”
Bai Yiheng waved it off. “It’s true; I prefer tea.”
Standing outside the shop, he waited while Xiao Cheng and the others ordered. Xiao Cheng glanced over at him apologetically. “Sorry, Mr. Bai. I’ll speak with him later.”
He then softly reprimanded Xiao Yixi, who stood there like a wilting plant, sulking as his eyes reddened.
Bai Yiheng smirked and noticed a familiar figure in the distance. It looked like Luo Jingshu.
When their eyes briefly met, the other turned and left. However, Bai Yiheng suspected he hadn’t truly left the area but was simply finding another way to approach.
Indeed.
Bai Yiheng retracted his gaze, glancing at the twins in the bubble tea shop. His lips curled into a subtle smile. When Xiao Cheng turned to look at him, his expression returned to its usual mature and gentle demeanor.
Xiao Cheng studied Bai Yiheng’s face hesitantly, relieved to find no signs of displeasure.
“Why did you say that just now?” he asked Xiao Yixi in a low voice. “You don’t even know Mr. Bai. Why target him?”
Not just that comment—earlier, every time Xiao Cheng tried to speak with Bai Yiheng, Xiao Yixi had interrupted.
Xiao Yixi tugged at his sleeve. “Do you like him?”
For a moment, Xiao Cheng thought he had misheard. “Where did you get that idea?”
“Isn’t he exactly your type?” Xiao Yixi insisted, feeling he was on solid ground. “You smiled as soon as you saw him.”
Xiao Cheng suddenly felt like he was dealing with a troublesome child. He hadn’t expected even a simple smile would become suspect, let alone that Xiao Yixi would remember every word he had casually said.
“He’s my boss. Should I cry when I see him?”
“Ah?” Xiao Yixi blinked.
“And he’s also a good friend of my dad’s.” Xiao Cheng confirmed, “Stop overthinking things.”
Xiao Cheng decided he couldn’t afford to speak carelessly around them anymore. These twins seemed to take his every word seriously.
Xiao Yixi’s eyes lit up. “So, you don’t like him?”
“Right,” Xiao Cheng said firmly, glancing at Bai Yiheng with added seriousness in his tone. “He’s my boss.”
Xiao Yixi cheered up immediately, and Xiao Yinan visibly relaxed as well.
But in his excitement, Xiao Yixi accidentally stepped on something slippery and nearly fell.
The sudden incident caught even Xiao Cheng off guard, but Bai Yiheng quickly reached out to steady him.
Though Xiao Yixi didn’t fall, the bubble tea in his hands spilled, staining both his and Bai Yiheng’s clothes.
Xiao Cheng froze momentarily, then hurriedly took out some tissues from his pocket. “Wipe it off quickly.”
Bai Yiheng’s light-colored clothes didn’t show much of the stain, but the strong sweet scent lingered.
He frowned and turned to his niece, Ling Ling. “Ling Ling, can you stay with your brother and sister for a bit?”
He couldn’t stand walking around with the scent clinging to him and needed to clean up.
Ling Ling obediently nodded. “Okay.”
“Mr. Bai, you go ahead. We’ll take care of Ling Ling,” Xiao Cheng assured.
Xiao Yixi, too, wrinkled his nose. “Brother Cheng, I’ll go clean up too.”
Though the spill on him wasn’t as bad, he didn’t want Xiao Cheng to think he was unhygienic.
“Go on.”
Once the two left, Xiao Cheng was left with only Xiao Yinan, and the atmosphere grew awkwardly quiet.
Xiao Ziyue was playing with Ling Ling, the two whispering and giggling, their laughter drifting to Xiao Cheng’s ears.
He had thought Xiao Yixi was the handful, but now he felt it was better with him around.
Without Xiao Yixi, Xiao Yinan’s silence made the air oppressively awkward.
Feeling a twinge of tension, Xiao Cheng avoided looking at the boy beside him, keeping his eyes fixed on the duo ahead.
Xiao Ziyue wanted to take Ling Ling to buy clothes, so Xiao Cheng quickly followed.
His sense of fashion, however, was promptly dismissed by Xiao Ziyue. “Ugh, brother, stop interrupting! Go pick something for yourself!”
She shooed him off toward Xiao Yinan.
“Brother Cheng, are you nervous?” Xiao Yinan’s voice was quiet. His calm gaze rested on Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng’s smile stiffened. “Of course not. I’m looking for clothes.”
He pretended to focus on browsing, grabbing a jacket almost at random. “This one’s not bad. I’ll try it on.”
He needed to find something to do to ease the awkwardness.
Xiao Yinan reached out. “Let me help you.”
His fingers brushed Xiao Cheng’s shoulder. The young man’s muscles immediately tensed, and he sidestepped slightly.
Xiao Yinan paused, blinking in mild confusion.
Clutching the jacket tightly, Xiao Cheng said, “It’s okay. I’ll do it myself.”
He quickly glanced at the dressing room not far away and strode over.
“I’ll try it on myself. Yinan, you should pick something you like too.”
Under Xiao Cheng’s watchful gaze, Xiao Yinan reluctantly turned and walked a few steps away, his voice subdued. “I’ll do as you say, Brother Cheng.”
Xiao Cheng heaved a sigh of relief and glanced in the distance to ensure Xiao Ziyue and Ling Ling were still occupied before slipping into the dressing room.
In truth, he had taken a liking to the jacket and wanted to buy it.
Since coming here, he hadn’t done much serious shopping for himself. His wardrobe was still full of unworn clothes, tags still intact. Xiao Cheng wasn’t one to focus much on appearances.
Shoes, though—he had bought plenty.
Xiao Cheng hung his jacket, preparing to change.
Underneath his outerwear, he wore a fitted turtleneck sweater. His lean waist curved into a slight arch at the back, flowing into subtly broader hips below.
He removed his coat and hung it carefully, his fingers just brushing the new jacket when the dressing room door was suddenly pulled open from the outside.
Startled, he turned sharply. “Who is it?!”
Was it Xiao Yinan?
The figure at the door spoke softly, his voice gentle and warm. “Brother Cheng, it’s me.”
With a backward push, he closed the door behind him.
Xiao Cheng exhaled, the tension in his arms easing.
Continuing to dress, he asked casually, “What are you doing here?”
Luo Jingshu stood behind him, quietly observing the silhouette before him, his gaze dark and intense.
“I came to see you.”
