Chapter 12: Damn it, why did Luo Xing delete him?

"Go on, go on," the man nodded. The two families were of similar standing; if the children got along, a marriage alliance would benefit both. Gu Liang watched her run toward Gu Shiyan, chatting idly with those nearby. "Only children like them can still play together these days."

"Gu Shiyan!" The girl's voice was sweet as honey as she ran over, holding up her long skirt.

Gu Shiyan glanced up, his tone cool as he called, "Liu Mingyue."

Liu Mingyue stood before him, studying him intently. The tips of his slightly long hair fell across his lashes, and beneath the fine folds of his eyes, a pair of dark irises gleamed cold and sharp. The slightly upturned, narrow corners of his eyes lent him a hint of languor, but in their depths was an undeniable aloofness and indifference. He was taller than most people present.

Gu Shiyan glanced around the room, casually picked up a glass of champagne from the waiter’s tray.

Liu Mingyue called after him, "Hey, your dad said you should play with me. You don’t need to go looking for him."

Gu Shiyan turned, withdrawing his hand smoothly, his voice low. "Play?"

The word was drawn out, almost with a hint of mockery.

Liu Mingyue’s ears turned red as she nodded. "Of course. Didn’t you often play with me when we were little? After the banquet, let’s play some tennis. My dad just opened a new court."

"Too many people. Not interested." Gu Shiyan tipped back his head and took a drink, then settled into a single-seat sofa, leaving his half-finished champagne on the table.

"But it’s my family’s place. I can have everyone else cleared out," Liu Mingyue said, setting down her own wine glass, deliberately nudging it so it clinked against Gu Shiyan’s.

"If I’d known, I’d have had champagne too," Liu Mingyue muttered. She was about to sit beside him, only to realize he’d chosen a single seat, leaving no room for her.

She pouted. "Gu Shiyan, with such a big sofa right there, why insist on squeezing into that little one?"

Gu Shiyan gave a nonchalant "Mm," as if to say, "Why not?"

Liu Mingyue deflated. "You really haven’t changed at all."

Gu Shiyan didn’t answer, eyes on his phone. Li Zhao was still messaging, asking why he’d suddenly invited him to the birthday party.

Gu Shiyan typed back with one hand: "Don’t come. Too many posers."

Li Zhao: ......

Gu Shiyan stared at the unsent chat message, the glaring red exclamation point catching his eye.

He glanced at Liu Mingyue, then lazily asked, "Where’s the tennis court?"

Liu Mingyue straightened with a smile. "I’ll take you. I’ll have them clear the place now. The court’s nearby—let’s wait in the lounge for about ten minutes and it’ll be ready."

Gu Shiyan nodded lightly, drained his glass, and headed out.

Liu Mingyue glanced at her empty glass, then hurried after him.

Gu Liang watched the two leave together, saying nothing.

As soon as Gu Shiyan got into the car, Liu Mingyue climbed in after him. On his phone was a message from Gu Liang:

"Get along with Mingyue."

Annoyance welled up in Gu Shiyan’s chest, like a stick jammed there, leaving him stifled. It was just Luo Xing—what was there to be upset about? Deleted means deleted.

Liu Mingyue turned to look at him. He was leaning his head back against the seat, gaze lowered and unfocused.

She eyed his outfit. "Why aren’t you in a suit? It’s your birthday party—you should at least dress up a little."

"You all can dress up if you want. You’re the ones throwing me the party, not the other way around," Gu Shiyan replied absently, fiddling with his phone.

Liu Mingyue fell silent, turning away and ignoring him.

Gu Shiyan was glad for the peace.

Once they arrived at the tennis court, Liu Mingyue got out first, leading the way. Gu Shiyan’s eyes fell on the umbrella she opened. He glanced at the short distance between the car and the court, and suddenly remembered standing outside the women’s restroom that day, watching Shen Que hold an umbrella for Luo Xing.

Gu Shiyan stretched his numb shoulder, got out of the car, and squinted up at the blazing sun, still unable to make sense of it all.

Damn it—why did Luo Xing delete him?

Inside the tennis court.

Luo Xing and her friends hadn’t played many rounds when suddenly a manager came over to issue a refund.

"Sorry, due to special circumstances, the court is closed today."

Yao Xiangming was just getting into the game. Gripping his racket, he asked, "What? I haven’t even broken a sweat—what’s going on?"

The manager apologized profusely. "We’re terribly sorry, but something urgent came up. Don’t worry, we’ll refund your payment in full and give you a coupon as well. Would that be acceptable?"

Shen Que had already packed up his racket and went over to calm Yao Xiangming. "Let’s just find another place."

Yuncai hung her head. "What’s with today? This is our second place already. The usual spot was closed, and now this one too."

Luo Xing shrugged. "Maybe some domineering CEO booked the whole place for his sweetheart."

None of the five were the quarreling sort. With the refund and a coupon in hand, they began packing up to leave.

Luo Xing glanced around. "I’ll carry—"

Before she could finish, Shen Que held up the bag. "Got it. Let’s go."

Luo Xing caught up, but after a few steps in the lobby, she clicked her tongue. "Wait, I forgot my water bottle!"

Shen Que reached out to stop her. "Stay here. If you go, you’ll be searching forever. I know where it is."

Luo Xing held out her palm, fingers poised in a gesture of thanks. "Many thanks, Master Shen."

Across the lobby, staff members were escorting two VIPs to the reception room.

Liu Mingyue walked beside Gu Shiyan and noticed him suddenly halt, body tense, staring at the other side.

He seemed utterly absorbed.

Following his gaze, Liu Mingyue saw a boy and two girls huddled over their phones, the one in the middle with a bun facing away.

Sizing up the two girls, Liu Mingyue smiled and looked at Gu Shiyan. "They don’t really look like your type, do they?"

Gu Shiyan glanced at her. "You said you were clearing out the court?"

Liu Mingyue raised her brows. "Didn’t you say it was too noisy with too many people?"

Gu Shiyan lowered his eyes, gazing straight at her. "This will cost your father business."

Liu Mingyue was unbothered. "My dad just opened this for fun."

Gu Shiyan nodded, glancing over once more.

Shen Que emerged, holding a blue-and-white Cinnamoroll water bottle.

Gu Shiyan’s jaw tightened.

Him again.

Liu Mingyue stepped in front of him. "Are you coming or not?"

Gu Shiyan turned and walked inside.

"Thanks a lot," Luo Xing said, hugging her water bottle and giving Shen Que a thumbs up.

Just as they were about to head out, a staff member rushed over.

"Excuse me, a guest in the reception room has invited you all to play tennis together. I was sent to ask your opinion." The staff member wiped sweat from his brow—he’d just told them the court was closed, and now he had to call them back.

Shen Que eyed him. "Who?"

"They said… a friend of Shen Que’s."

Yao Xiangming punched Shen Que lightly. "Well, look at you. When did you start making such powerful friends?"

Shen Que frowned. "I have no idea."