IOLYF Chapter 5

Han Shao Zhou stared at the message for a long time.

The memories of Wen Ci were already blurry, the details faded, leaving only a faint sense of bitterness and regret lingering in his heart. But as time passed, that vague longing seemed no longer enough to stir any deep emotions in him.

Still, it was impossible to be completely indifferent toward someone he had liked for so many years.

He didn’t really want to think about what he should do when Wen Ci returned to Chuanghai. To him, there wasn’t much connection between the two things.

Wen Ci had his own career plans and life goals. Now, he just wanted to reconnect with old friends before returning to Chuanghai, which was perfectly normal.

Han Shao Zhou tossed the phone onto the pillow and pulled Mo Ming closer, wrapping him in his arms.

When Mo Ming was asleep, he was especially docile. Han Shao Zhou kissed him hard, and even though Mo Ming frowned in his sleep, it only made Han Shao Zhou want to hold him tighter.

Having such a soft little lover warming the bed made thinking about irrelevant matters feel like a waste of life.

The minor episode where Han Shao Zhou felt slightly rejected by Mo Ming passed quickly. Later, Han Shao Zhou took a couple of minutes to seriously think about it and realized it might be because he hadn’t given Mo Ming an official status, which made Mo Ming hesitant to openly acknowledge their relationship in front of his friends.

Strictly speaking, Han Shao Zhou was still Mo Ming’s financial backer, not his boyfriend.

By the end of his thoughts, Han Shao Zhou even felt that the problem might actually lie with himself.

***

On his birthday, Han Shao Zhou was still on a business trip in another city in the morning.

Mo Ming thought Han Shao Zhou wouldn’t make it back in time, so he planned to go to the theater in the evening to watch a performance and visit his teacher. But in the afternoon, Han Shao Zhou called him and asked him to go to Zhao Cheng’s bar. Han Shao Zhou’s friends were gathering there at seven that evening, and he would head there directly from the airport, arriving a bit later than them.

“Don’t worry, they’re old friends of mine. You’ve met them before.” Han Shao Zhou’s friends were many, but this time it was just a small group he was close with.

“Brother Shao, I…” Mo Ming hesitated, “I’ll wait for you to come back. How about we celebrate at home? I’ll cook your favorite dishes…”

“Are you nervous?” Han Shao Zhou laughed, “Don’t worry, it’s just a few friends having a drink. Plus, it’s a chance for you to get to know them better, so it’ll be easier to bring you to gatherings in the future.”

This was Han Shao Zhou’s birthday gift to Mo Ming—a small surprise.

He knew that compared to gifts like houses, cars, or jewelry, what Mo Ming wanted most right now was recognition.

Even if he was just a little lover, he was still Han Shao Zhou’s beloved little lover.

Han Shao Zhou was in a hurry to catch his flight, so he didn’t talk to Mo Ming for long.

After hanging up the phone, Mo Ming sighed softly.

This man never used to be so complicated.

In the evening, Mo Ming changed his clothes and headed to Zhao Cheng’s bar, a place he had visited once before, so he knew the way.

As soon as Mo Ming walked into the bar, Zhao Cheng greeted him with a smile, raising his hand in a familiar gesture, “Little Mo Ming, remember me?”

“Yes,” Mo Ming nodded obediently, “Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Cheng’s smile grew even brighter, “Come on, let’s go to the private room. Old Han should be here soon.”

Zhao Cheng had been tasked by Han Shao Zhou to make sure he welcomed Mo Ming as soon as he arrived, preventing him from encountering any trouble in the bar.

“He’s timid and soft-hearted, and he rarely goes to places like that. Don’t let strangers approach him casually.” Han Shao Zhou had instructed Zhao Cheng in all seriousness. He trusted Zhao Cheng and Qin You; otherwise, no matter how late his flight, he would have made Mo Ming wait for him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure not a single petal falls off your little white flower,” Zhao Cheng had joked.

Zhao Cheng actually had a good impression of Mo Ming. He was good-looking and gentle in temperament—no one could dislike him. But the slight resemblance in Mo Ming’s features to Wen Ci always distracted Zhao Cheng. Knowing how much his friend cherished Mo Ming, sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder if it was because Han Shao Zhou saw another person in Mo Ming’s face.

The VIP room was luxuriously decorated, different from other private rooms that were filled with smoke. This room didn’t even smell like cigarettes. The lighting was soft, and the scent of fine liquor mixed with a woody fragrance, making it rather pleasant.

On the reddish-brown sofa, there were only three people sitting, casually dressed but with a steady demeanor.

Zhao Cheng led Mo Ming inside and clapped his hands with a smile, “I’ve brought Little Mo Ming. Now we’re just waiting for Xiao Yang and Old Han.”

Qin You and Jiang He had met Mo Ming before, so Zhao Cheng skipped over them and was about to introduce Mo Ming to the other person, Cai Zhao.

Before Zhao Cheng could say anything, Cai Zhao looked at Mo Ming in surprise and said, “Mo Ming, it’s you?”

Mo Ming was also taken aback, “Director Cai…”

“You two know each other?” Zhao Cheng asked in surprise.

Cai Zhao chuckled, “Of course, Mo Ming was the second male lead in my last drama. And this Han Shao Zhou, he didn’t even mention it to me.”

The Cai family was a giant in the domestic textile industry, with a vast business empire. However, Cai Zhao didn’t follow the family’s plan to go into business. He studied directing and screenwriting in college and joined the entertainment industry right after graduation, steadily climbing the ranks. Now, he was one of the most sought-after directors that actors competed to work with. He was known for his sense of humor and lack of pretension, but when it came to work, he was stubborn and serious.

“Wow, what a coincidence,” Zhao Cheng said. “No need for introductions, then. You’re already familiar.”

“Mo Ming, come sit over here,” Qin You said calmly. “Since you’re Han Shao Zhou’s person, you’re naturally our friend too. Don’t be too reserved.”

Mo Ming nodded and felt more relaxed. Han Shao Zhou’s group of friends was obviously very impressive.

Cai Zhao looked at Mo Ming thoughtfully and asked, “Zhao Cheng mentioned you’ve been with Han Shao Zhou for three years. Why hasn’t he given you any decent resources?”

“It’s because I’m lazy,” Mo Ming replied with a smile.

Cai Zhao shook his head with a light laugh, “I’ve worked with you for several months now. I know you’re hardworking and quick to learn—a natural talent for acting. Honestly, if it weren’t for the heavy investment from Sun Chao’s company in the last drama, I would have replaced him with you as the lead. You’re much better than him.”

“Who would have guessed, Little Mo Ming is so talented,” Zhao Cheng said with a grin. “Old Cai rarely praises people like this.”

“By the way, Mo Ming, have you decided which crew you’re joining next?” Cai Zhao asked.

“I have a variety show recording scheduled for early next month…”

“Why are you doing variety shows? They drain the energy out of actors. What’s wrong with your company? Shouldn’t they be getting you good scripts right now? You’re in the perfect state to hone your skills on set,” Cai Zhao said, his emotions rising. “You’re an artist at Xingci, right? Hasn’t Han Shao Zhou given you any support? How can he just let the company waste your potential like this?”

Mo Ming was about to explain, but Zhao Cheng patted Cai Zhao’s shoulder with a laugh, “Maybe Old Han doesn’t want Little Mo Ming to get too exhausted.”

“Then why was he so generous when he was pursuing Wen Ci? He practically sent all the best resources in the world to Wen Ci for him to choose from,” Cai Zhao remarked.

As soon as he said this, Zhao Cheng and the others’ expressions turned slightly awkward.

Mo Ming didn’t react much; he simply placed his hands quietly on his lap, looking at Cai Zhao like an obedient student.

Cai Zhao realized that discussing this in front of Mo Ming was inappropriate—it felt a bit like sowing discord. So, he quickly changed the subject, “Anyway, Mo Ming, let’s work together again in the future.” He wasn’t just saying this casually; he genuinely had plans in mind.

Not wanting to reject Cai Zhao’s kindness in such a setting, Mo Ming nodded and said, “Thank you, Director Cai.”

The group chatted for a while, and then the door to the private room opened again.

“Sorry, I got stuck in traffic.”

The man who entered had slicked-back hair and looked rather ordinary, but he had a spirited demeanor. He appeared younger than Zhao Cheng and was dressed in cargo pants and a denim jacket. He walked in with an apologetic smile.

Behind him was a woman with delicate makeup.

Zhao Cheng, leaning against the sofa, didn’t get up, casually smirking at the man, “You’ve got some nerve, Xiao Yang, making us wait so long.”

“Sorry, Brother Zhao, the traffic was really bad… Oh, let me introduce everyone. This is my girlfriend, Xixi.”

Yang Guan was a newcomer to Han Shao Zhou and Qin You’s circle, and he hadn’t really become part of the group yet. Zhao Cheng and the others didn’t particularly like bringing Xiao Yang along to gatherings because he was too young and still too emotional—a bit of a lovestruck fool. If it weren’t for the fact that the Yang family and the Han family were close, and Yang Guan’s grandfather had asked Han Shao Zhou and the others to look after his grandson, they wouldn’t have bothered with him.

In fact, Han Shao Zhou hadn’t even invited Yang Guan to tonight’s gathering. Yang Guan had found out about it by accident when he was trying to join Zhao Cheng and the others for drinks. He shamelessly invited himself along, and Zhao Cheng, not taking him seriously, let him come. After all, they usually treated him as if he wasn’t even there.

But when they saw that Yang Guan had brought his girlfriend along, everyone’s expressions darkened.

The girl, Xixi, was wearing a gray-black denim skirt that hugged her curves, her figure was stunning. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and politely greeted everyone.

“Have a seat,” Jiang He, who hadn’t said much, remarked indifferently.

After sitting down, Yang Guan finally noticed Mo Ming sitting near the main seat and was momentarily stunned.

Zhao Cheng spoke up, “This is Little Mo Ming, Old Han’s person. Little Mo Ming, this is Xiao Yang.”

Since Yang Guan had invited himself last minute, Zhao Cheng hadn’t bothered to brief him on anything, so Yang Guan didn’t immediately catch Zhao Cheng’s meaning of “Old Han’s person.” He simply assumed Mo Ming was another second-generation rich kid joining the circle, so he naturally exchanged greetings with Mo Ming and then turned his attention back to his girlfriend.

“Xixi, let me introduce you. This is…”

Yang Guan went around the room, introducing each person to Shen Xixi in detail, saving the most emphasis for Cai Zhao. From the way he spoke, everyone could tell that this young lady was trying to break into the entertainment industry, using her boyfriend’s connections to network.

The group remained polite, but they were all slightly uncomfortable with such obvious social climbing from an outsider.

Yang Guan noticed that everyone wasn’t particularly interested in his girlfriend, but he wasn’t in a hurry. He cleared his throat and, with a meaningful smile, said, “Actually, Xixi is one of us. She’s Wen Ci’s cousin.”

Everyone’s faces showed varying degrees of surprise.

Shen Xixi smiled, her lips slightly pursed, eyes gleaming with a hint of joy. A strand of hair fell over her ear, which she gently tucked behind it. “I’ve heard Wen Wen talk about all of you before. I’ve always…”

“Hey, Little Mo Ming, is there anything you’d like to drink?” Zhao Cheng suddenly interrupted Shen Xixi, turning to Mo Ming. “If you don’t like these drinks, I can have them bring you something else.”

The sudden shift in focus caught Mo Ming off guard, and he, who had been staring blankly at the table, was a bit surprised, “No need to trouble yourself, Brother Zhao. I’ll just have the same as everyone else.”

“Seriously, what’s taking Old Han so long? He’s still not back,” Zhao Cheng said, checking his phone.

“By the way, Mo Ming, Han Shao Zhou mentioned that today is your birthday,” Qin You said, raising a glass with a smile. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you, Mr. Qin.”

Shen Xixi, who had been abruptly sidelined, looked upset, her lips tightening as she secretly pinched her boyfriend’s waist.

“By the way,” Yang Guan said nonchalantly to the group, “Xixi told me that Wen Ci’s family is moving back to Chuanghai. Did you guys know?”

The group: “…”

“Now we can all meet up more often. I wonder if Brother Han knows about this? If he does, he’ll be thrilled.”

Jiang He slowly replied, “Wen Ci used to hang out with us, but weren’t you still studying in Y country back then? Where’s this ‘meeting up more often’ coming from?”

“Come on, Brother Jiang, don’t get hung up on the details. Wen Ci is Brother Han’s favorite, and Wen Ci’s cousin is my girlfriend. So, in a roundabout way, aren’t we all family?”

“Just shut up,” Zhao Cheng said, unable to take it anymore. He was already regretting letting this fool join them. Glancing at Mo Ming, he said, “What do you mean, ‘Brother Han’s favorite’? Wen Ci is married now—watch what you say.”

Yang Guan looked a bit innocent, “Brother Han’s been single since Wen Ci got married, so it’s obvious he can’t forget about him. Besides, let me tell you a little secret…”

Yang Guan grinned mischievously under Zhao Cheng’s glare, which practically screamed, “You better shut up, you idiot.”

“Wen Ci and Gao Chen got divorced.”

Except for Qin You, who had already heard this from Shen Peiling at the earlier cocktail party, everyone else looked shocked.

Zhao Cheng was so stunned he even forgot to be angry. “W-What?”

“You didn’t see that coming, huh? Brother Han once said he’d wait for Wen Ci to get divorced, and now it’s happened.”

The group: “…”

Mo Ming kept his head down, curiously examining the glass of wine in his hand. He took a small sip and found it surprisingly good.

The alcohol content was low, the flavor was smooth, and it had a strong fruity taste.

It wouldn’t hurt to have a few more glasses tonight…

---

Be my Patron~
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨