Huo Yaochuan lowered his head and sighed, his long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath his eyes.
The corners of his mouth turned down, his handsome face full of a wounded expression.
Even his tone carried a trace of humility,
"I took an overnight flight to City S just to see you."
"I've only had half a glass of water since coming in, haven't even warmed the seat, and you're already trying to kick me out."
"Brother H ultimately can't compare to Young Master Ye..."
Jiang Liuyue stood there with her arms crossed.
Seeing him still putting on this performance,
she couldn't help but shake her head with a faint smile.
"Brother H and Young Master Ye are both top supporters in my livestream room."
"But Brother Huo is just Brother Huo."
"Brother Che is my boyfriend. Are you satisfied with that answer?"
Huo Yaochuan's eyes darkened. He had been so close.
"Was it because he drove you to the airport last night that you agreed to be with him?"
Jiang Liuyue nodded: "Mhm."
Just like that?
He had missed it by a hair's breadth?!
Huo Yaochuan's expression turned gloomy.
"Alright, you've had your tea, you've sat down, now you can leave." She made a move to shoo him out.
Huo Yaochuan's rear end remained firmly glued to the sofa, not budging an inch.
Jiang Liuyue was incredulous, sparks flashing in her eyes:
"Huo Yaochuan! How can you be so shameless? Aren't you a proper company CEO?"
"Are you really going to squat here? Don't think I won't call Zhou Che."
Huo Yaochuan lowered his gaze, his long lashes casting a shadow.
Suddenly, he let out a light, amused laugh.
"Go ahead, call him."
"I'm quite looking forward to seeing how he feels when he finds out I'm at your place."
Jiang Liuyue really couldn't take it anymore this time.
She grabbed a plush cushion from the sofa and threw it at Huo Yaochuan, scolding:
"You're awful! He's your brother."
"And I'm your brother's girlfriend."
"Don't you have any sense of boundaries?!"
Huo Yaochuan suddenly looked up, smiling brightly:
"Then what about you, cooperating with Feng Xiaoman at the Players' Convention that day, pretending to be my girlfriend, being called 'sister-in-law' by so many people?"
"Didn't that also lack a sense of boundaries?"
Holy crap!!!
Jiang Liuyue finally understood why everyone said Yaochuan had a sharp tongue.
His attacks were indeed potent.
She curled her lip.
"I'm not any 'sister-in-law' now."
"I'm your sister-in-law." (implying she's now with his younger brother/brother-figure)
The smug look instantly vanished from Huo Yaochuan's face.
Watching the vivid, spirited young woman before him, a flash of determination crossed his eyes.
Actually, his subconscious had helped him recognize his true feelings much earlier.
Like why Zhou Che was late to the Players' Convention.
He was the one who orchestrated it.
He had even secretly hoped that Wanwan from the photo could interact with him as his girlfriend.
None of it was a coincidence.
It was all deliberate!
Unfortunately, he still hadn't handled the Feng Xiaoman situation properly.
It gave Zhou Che an opening.
But they had only officially gotten together yesterday. Their relationship wasn't even 24 hours old yet.
So then,
his chances were still pretty good, right?
"Shall I treat my sister-in-law to a meal?" he said.
"No need."
"Then how about Brother H wanting to treat Liuyue to a meal?" he asked again.
"..."
Jiang Liuyue hesitated.
A smile flickered in Huo Yaochuan's eyes. Without even realizing it, he had already figured out Jiang Liuyue's personality.
She cared deeply about her livestreaming career.
Even dating a rich second-generation like Zhou Che, she wouldn't give up her own work.
Jiang Liuyue finally nodded.
"Fine, I'll go change my clothes."
Huo Yaochuan watched her retreating back, his gaze deepening.
He didn't dare to dwell on what might have happened between her and Zhou Che last night.
Just as he was thinking of Zhou Che, his phone rang.
Huo Yaochuan answered. A young man's energetic voice came through:
"Bro! I've got great news to tell you, Yueyue and I are together now..."
He impatiently cut him off: "I know."
"Huh? How do you know? News travels fast. I'm just so happy, I wanted to share my joy with you."
On the other end, Zhou Che was excited and thrilled.
Huo Yaochuan's face, however, darkened completely.
Every word the other said was like a stab to his heart.
Even at the end of the call, Zhou Che asked:
"Oh, right, I heard Sister-in-law Xiaoman—I mean, Feng Xiaoman—is being discharged from the hospital today."
"She's been asking about your whereabouts in the game group, even asked me."
"But of course I'm on your side, bro. I didn't say a thing, don't worry."
Huo Yaochuan nodded: "Thanks."
"No need to thank me, we're brothers."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of the master bedroom doorknob turning rang out.
Sensing she was about to come out, Huo Yaochuan hastily said he had something to do and hung up on the other end.
But Jiang Liuyue still saw him hanging up.
She smiled sweetly:
"Who was that?"
Huo Yaochuan answered without changing his expression: "The company."
Jiang Liuyue curled her lip, calling him out directly.
"It was my boyfriend, wasn't it?"
Watching Huo Yaochuan's composure crack, she smiled even more happily.
The two went to a Western restaurant in City S, also famously ranked among the top spots on social media for "must-try aesthetic meals" and "breakup meal" lists.
Most patrons here were either passionately in-love couples or ex-couples who had already broken up.
So when Jiang Liuyue found out Huo Yaochuan had booked this restaurant, a subtle, knowing expression appeared on her face.
It seemed Huo Yaochuan really was like this.
What you can't have is always the best.
What you almost had, but was snatched away by your brother, is truly unforgettable.
"What would you like to eat?" He very gentlemanly handed her the menu.
Jiang Liuyue didn't even glance at it, pushing it right back.
"I'm not picky, I eat anything. You order."
"Alright."
Huo Yaochuan signaled the waiter and ordered six or seven signature dishes.
Their table was by the window on the 30-something floor, overlooking the river view.
This meal would easily cost several thousand, close to ten thousand.
Jiang Liuyue had been looking at the river view through the window. Sensing a burning gaze fixed on her from across the table, she met it without flinching.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
Huo Yaochuan: "At you." He paused, then added, "You look very beautiful."
Jiang Liuyue raised an eyebrow: "Brother H is into looks, huh?"
Huo Yaochuan folded his hands on the table, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface.
He said slowly:
"What if I said, it was because Feng Xiaoman sent me that photo of you, and I fell in love at first sight with the girl in the picture, that I agreed to the online relationship?"
Jiang Liuyue raised a slender, fair finger and wagged it at him in the air.
"I'm having a meal with Brother H from the livestream room, not with Yaochuan, the guild leader of Jianghu Tianxia 3."
"So, I won't answer that."
Huo Yaochuan chuckled lightly.
"Then, give Brother H from the livestream room a chance?"
"What chance?" The faint smile remained on her lips.
"A chance to pursue you."
"I have a boyfriend." Jiang Liuyue slightly emphasized her words.
She thought he would have nothing left to say.
Unexpectedly, Huo Yaochuan's tapping finger stilled. He suddenly looked up, his eyes full of laughter.
"Would you mind having one more?"
