YRMD-96 Are You Back?

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A week passed quickly in the busy work. Today was Mr. Wen’s eightieth birthday.

All of the Wen family’s business partners, friends, and relatives came to the party. This time, the Wen family spent a lot on the birthday banquet, showing the status and power of the family.

At the banquet, everyone was well dressed and jeweled.

The handsome Yibo was wearing a white shirt and dark blue suit with a dark sparkle like starlight. He looked mature and stable, and was in high and vigorous spirits. He came with Zhan.

Zhan was wearing a dark blue suit, which outlined his perfect figure, dreamy, beautiful, elegant… he was so stunning like the goddess of the starry night.

Yibo and Zhan were wearing couple dress and were a perfect match.

When they appeared, they instantly became the focus, attracting countless admiring eyes.

Many people were guessing and whispering about the relationship between Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan.

And Wen Rong, Mr. Wen’s eldest son, went to greet them personally, showing great respect.

They walked to Mr. Wen calmly under the gaze of thousands of people.

Mr. Wen was surrounded by many people, including Jiyang and Haoxuan.

Jiyang and Zhan exchanged a glance.

Wang Yibo brought a gift to Mr. Wen, “Mr. Wen, this is for you. My wife and I wish you a long and prosperous life.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wang.” Mr. Wen took the gift.

“Why don’t you open it to see if you like it, Mr. Wen?”

The gift was packed in a rectangular top-quality brocade box, which was lightly fragrant.

Mr. Wen opened the box. There was a scroll inside. He took it out, Rong and Wen Li, his sister, unfolded the scroll, It was the real handwriting of the famous calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty.

Mr. Wen was amazed when he saw it. It was exactly the masterpiece he had been looking for before.

“Mr. Wang, thank you. Then I will accept it.”

“I am glad that Mr. Wen likes it.”

Just as Mr. Wen accepted the gift, there was a hubbub.

A smile appeared on Mr. Wen’s wrinkled face, “Is she eventually back?”

The third lady of the Wen family was the third child of Wen Rong and also the most excellent child to be proud of in the family of her generation.

From the age of 16 to 26, she nearly spent all her time abroad. Unless there was an occasion where her attendance was a must, she would come back.

“Dad, A-Qing must come back at your 80th birthday party.” Rong was also proud of this daughter.

“Take good care of Mr. Wang.” Mr. Wen was afraid that they would snub Yibo so he reminded Rong.

“Sure.” Rong raised his glass and walked towards Yibo, “Welcome, Mr. Wang.”

The Wang family held an important position in the South. Though Yibo was younger than most of the CEOs there, his confidence. and strong vibes were something unrivaled.

Yibo was so noble that he was surrounded by the crowd shortly after his arrival. They all hoped that they could connect with him and take him as a backer.

Zhan just stood next to him quietly, hearing them talk about business in the market.

Jiyang came up and said to Yibo, “Mr. Wang, may I borrow your wife?”

Yibo knew that Zhan would be bored, so he agreed to Jiyang’s request.

Jiyang brought him to somewhere quiet, where there were two swings. They sat down and looked up at the bright moon.

“The moon is particularly beautiful tonight.” Jiyang felt it.

“Ah-choo!” However, Zhan killed the scene by a sneeze.

“Are you cold?” Jiyang looked at him, “Let me get you a shawl.”

Zhan nodded.

Jiyang let him wait there and he stood up and left for the back door of the villa, where there was a gallery and eight columns.

When he approached, he found there was a man standing behind a column. His black shirt and suit nearly blended into the dark so that he could hardly be seen.

He happened to be having a phone call getting his back towards Jiyang. His rich voice was extremely pleasant to the ear in the quiet night.

“I have returned to the homeland. Thank you for your kindness. If you come to Chongqing, I must invite you to dinner.”

His voice was so charming and magnetic that his every word could be remembered clearly.

Though Jiyang had never met this guy, he was attracted by his voice.

Jiyang was bewildered by his voice and froze there. Until the man turned around, he saw Jiyang steps away.

Jiyang felt he was caught red-handed. The man’s face was blocked by the shadow of the column and he was not able to scan his face.

Jiyang lowered his head and explained, “I didn’t know you were here, and I didn’t mean to listen to your phone call. I am just going to get something inside.”

Finishing his words, he walked past the man towards the door calmly and pulled the door.

“It doesn’t matter.” His voice came behind, followed by the fresh scent of his body.

Jiyang froze and his hand on the door stiffened.

The smell was so familiar that he was like being brought back to the past.

“Can’t the door open? May I help you?” Seeing that Jiyang hadn’t opened the door yet, the man was eager to help him.

Jiyang released the handle and he turned around to face him when his arms stretched out.

This time he could see his face clearly. His face was just like a work of art and every line of it was handsome and perfect. He was just the same as Bowen who he could never forget.

At that moment, Jiyang was shocked and took a deep breath. In his round and liquid eyes, there was only incredibility.

His hand had already reached the handle and he stared at Jiyang’s eyes, trying to read them.

However, Jiyang had already lost his ability to think and head. The next second he fell into the man’s arms and held his waist tight.

Jiyang closed his eyes and enjoyed the smell of the man. He was so excited that his eyes got sore and moist.

“Bowen, are you back?” His voice was intimate with a strong lovesickness.

Man’s hand was still holding the handle, but Jiyang was in his arms. It seemed that he was holding him in turn. They were so beautiful and handsome under the moonlight, looking so sweet and matched.

“Mr, you have got the wrong person. I am not Bowen.” The man withdrew his hand and took him by the shoulder. He pushed him away, performing to be strange and alienated.

It was as if Jiyang’s dream had been disturbed when he was pushed away. His eyes turned red and he looked at him carefully.

It was impossible that he had got the wrong person. Though he hadn’t seen him for five years and he had been more mature and charming, he would never forget his face and he knew he was Bowen.

“Don’t cheat me. You are Bowen.” Jiyang lifted his slender and fair finger, shakily trying to touch his face.

The man didn’t step back but moved away his face. Jiyang’s hand froze there and his eyes suggested that he was hurt.

“Mr, you have really got the wrong person.” Seeing his miserable, the man still said firmly and coldly, “I have been living abroad for years and I just got back. Today it is the first time I have met you. There are many look-alike people in the world. Maybe I look like your friend, but I am absolutely not him.”

“Aren’t you?” His heart was broken again. Jiyang was disappointed and desperate, “Aren’t you really Bowen?”

Indeed, Bowen would not be so cold and alienated to him. His Bowen was mild like a jade.

“Not really.” The man confirmed again, “I am Zichen.”

“Zichen…” Jiyang looked at the familiar face but called the different name, “What is your original name?”

“I usually use my English name abroad and seldom use my original name.” Zichen explained, “My original name is…”

His phone rang when he was about to continue.

He picked up the phone and glanced at Jiyang who was on the verge of tears, “Sorry, I need to answer the phone.”

Finishing his words, he turned around with a hand holding the phone next to his ear and the other in the pocket. Shined by the moon, he looked taller and more muscular.

Jiyang just stared at his back.

“I was just returning the call from Chad. I will be right back. Wait for two minutes.”

Finishing the call, he turned around and glanced at Jiyang, who was still gazing at him like a lover.

“Mr, I have something urgent, so I need to go now. Bye.” He put the phone away and took a step to leave.

Jiyang watched him walk away. After his several steps, Jiyang realized and caught up with him without hesitation, “Wait!”

Zichen stopped and looked at him coming running. He looked him over from head to toe like a judge.

There was no doubt that Jiyang was wonderful tonight, to say nothing of his flawless appearance.

No man could control himself when seeing his beautiful sphenoid and slender waist.

“You are really beautiful, but if you keep acting like this, I am afraid that you will degrade yourself.” He gently reminded Jiyang to stop pursuing him.

People here were all respectable, so they needed to mind their own behavior.

“I just want to know your original name.” Jiyang didn’t mean to get tangled with him. It was just difficult for him to overcome the obsessiveness when he saw a man like Bowen.

“If there is a predestined to meet again, you will know it. There will be plenty of time. I have to go. Someone is waiting for me.” Zichen kept restraint and gentle.

However, Jiyang felt his indifference and alienation again. Jiyang watched him walking away quickly.

There was only himself out of his mind.

“Jiyang, what’s wrong?”

Not long after he left, Zhan came. Maybe he had waited for Jiyang for a long time, so he wanted to find him, but only found that Jiyang stood there like a statue.

Jiyang didn’t respond. Zhan walked up to him and saw his eyes darker than the night.

“Jiyang, don’t scare me. What happened?” Zhan caught his arms and gave him a little shake.

Jiyang suddenly held him in arms and cried, “Zhan, I saw him. But he said he wasn’t him and he didn’t know who I am. What should I do?”

Hearing that, Zhan was confused. It was just like nonsense that he was not him.

Zhan reached out and touched Jiyang’s forehead, then again, confirming that he didn’t have a fever, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“I…I…” Jiyang was anxious and momentarily lost for words.

“Don’t worry. Take a deep breath and speak slowly.” Zhan patted his back, trying to calm him down.

Jiyang closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “I said I saw Bowen, but he said he was Zichen, not Bowen.”

“Maybe you were hallucinating and got the wrong person.” Zhan tried to analyze for him.

“I was not hallucinating. He is really alive. I held him and his body was warm. His scent was the same as Bowen’s. He liked the perfume of salt water mint.” Jiyang was certain.

“You can’t tell it’s him by the smell.” Zhan paused and organized his words carefully, trying not to hurt Jiyang, “and you said he was alive and warm, but Bowen passed away.”

Jiyang stepped back with his face ghastly white and squatted down slowly like a helpless abandoned baby.

“Jiyang, I know it is cruel to say so, but Bowen was dead. Sober up!” Zhan looked at him feeling hurt and sad, which made him feel a lump in his throat.

“He is always in my mind.” Jiyang clutched at his heart, “He never leaves me.”

Zhan turned his face away and blinked. He put his fist under the nose and didn’t know what to say.

He could just stay with him quietly without disturbing him. When Jiyang’s phone rang, he still kept immobile.

Zhan picked up the phone and it was Haoxuan, “Mr. Wen, it is Zhan speaking.”

“Where is Jiyang?” Haoxuan asked.

“He is with me.” Zhan glanced at Jiyang who was still in pain.

“My sister is arriving. This time the whole family is here and we need to take a family photo. There must be Jiyang. Where are you? I will meet you guys.” Haoxuan said.

“I will bring him there. See you later.” Zhan put the phone away and put his hands on Jiyang’s shoulders, “Jiyang, be brave.”

Jiyang’s eyes drooped and he forced back his frailty.

“The Wen family is going to take a family photo. Freshen yourself up and be beautiful.”

Zhan picked him up, “Today’s occasion is important. Don’t lose your decency, or others will make fun of you. And you don’t need to be afraid. I will be with you.”

Though Jiyang was still unwilling and disappointed, he had calmed down.

Zhan and Jiyang returned to the venue and those guests invited were almost there. Jili was also there with Sanvitha.

Sanvitha saw Zhan and came up happily, “Hey, brother Zhan and Jiyang.”

“Brother? Are you familiar with them?” Jili said savagely.

Sanvitha pressed her lips and clenched her hands.

“It’s I that let her call us like this.” Zhan help Sanvitha wipe away her embarrassment and comforted her, “He has a sharp mouth. Don’t quarrel with him.”

“I know.” Sanvitha smiled and nodded, without taking his words to heart, “It’s bustling out there.”

“Today Wen Qing is coming back, and it is said that she brings an ethnic Chinese back.”

Jili looked at Mr. Wen and said, “Let us join in the fun.”

Haoxuan had seen Zhan and Jiyang. He came up in a hurry and got Jiyang from Zhan, with his one hand holding Jiyang’s hand and the other holding his waist.

“Why are your eyes red?” Haoxuan found Jiyang was unusual at first sight.

“Something fell into my eyes.” Jiyang told a lie.

“Are you alright? Shall we call the family doctor?” Haoxuan took out his phone for a call.

Jiyang stopped him and said, “It is just a trifle. There is no need to raise a big rumpus, or others may think I am delicate. And I am fine now. Don’t bother.”

“Don’t bother? You are my wife.” Haoxuan was unpleasant, but he still cared about him so much, “What’s wrong with my wife being delicate? Get in their way?”

Haoxuan didn’t look down on anyone but only cared about Jiyang.

Jili was frowning nearby and he looked quite jealous, Zhan and Sanvitha looked at each other, with implications in their eyes.

“I am fine. Let’s go over there. Don’t keep grandpa waiting.” Jiyang slightly pulled his sleeve, “Let’s go.”

Having suppressed his sadness, Jiyang took the initiative to hold his arms and recovered to his elegant self. When they stood together, they looked well matched.

They were always acting as the most loving couple outside, and this was their agreement.

Haoxuan smiled and walked towards Mr. Wen with Jiyang.

Zhan, Jayden and Sanvitha followed them.

On the way, Yibo turned up and caught Zhan’s hand. Held by a big and warm hand, Zhan was just like his treasure in hand.

“Done?” Zhan asked in a low voice.

“This is not a place for business conversations.” Yibo felt dissatisfied, “That was just getting in the way of me getting along with you. They wouldn’t be on my lists of options.”

“Oh?” Zhan was slightly surprised, “Aren’t you afraid that I will be a dangerous beauty who will ruin you?”

“They are not qualified to talk about my wife.” Yibo lowered his head and whispered in Zhan’s ear.

Zhan felt his ear got hot and the auricle turned pink, “You are in charge of all that?”

“They will consider the pros and cons.” What he said suggested that the Wang family was the noblest in this community.

Zhan glanced at him. Light and shadow fell on his outline, making Yibo more handsome. Zhan said, “You are threatening them.”

“Threaten? They should know it.” Yibo didn’t care, “So you don’t need to worry. Even if you are a dangerous beauty, I will like it.”

His magnetic voice made him more soulful and Zhan couldn’t help being charmed.

The noise from the other side broke the silence of their eyes. Zhan disengaged himself from his grasp and went ahead shyly.

Yibo put his hands in pocket and smiled following him.

Mr. Wen was sitting there. It was seen that A-Qing came up and greeted him, “Grandpa, I am back. I wish you good health and all the best.”

Then she presented the gift. It was a jade which was transparent and valuable.

“You are eventually back.” His reproachful tone sounded with a trace of adoration.

It was known that Wen Qing was the favorite girl in the family and Haoxuan was the favorite boy.

“Grandpa, what are you talking about? I am here.” She bent down and took his hand, “Grandpa, though I was abroad, I was always missing you. And I was there for study and work. Once I have got enough experience, I will come back to help the family and I won’t leave any more. By then, please don’t be tired of me.”

“I can’t be happier if you can stay here. How will I be tired of you?” Mr. Wen asked her to sit beside him and looked at her face carefully, “Let me see. You look fatter than before. It seems that you had a good time abroad.”

“Fatter?” Qing touched her own face nervously.

Actually, being a little fat meant nothing. However, all women thought to be thin were more beautiful and they minded being fat so much.

“Just a little bit. It doesn’t affect your beauty.” Mr. Wen comforted her.

“Grandpa, are you praising or degrading me?” Qing smiled shyly.

“Of course praising you.” He smiled graciously.

“Then thanks for grandpa’s praise.” She was sincere, “Grandpa, I bring a friend back and let me introduce him to you.”

“Great!” Mr. Wen nodded.

She stood up. She went over to a handsome man and reached out to hold his arm.

They walked together to Mr. Wen, “Grandpa, this is Lin Hai!, and you can call him Zichen. He is a Chinese American.”

“Mr. Wen, nice to meet you.” Zichen presented his wish and gift.

Jiyang looked at Zichen held by Qing, and he was totally attracted.

His original name was Lin Hai and he was Qing’s friend. Jiyang’s shock was all written in his beautiful eyes. He still could not believe that he was not Bowen.

He clearly was Bowen. Why not?

Haoxuan felt Jiyang standing beside him froze, so he fondled the back of Jiyang’s hand and said, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I feel it hard to breathe.” Jiyang put his hand on his chests and there was obviously pain.

For years he had thought that his heart was numb and even dead, but when he saw Zichen, he felt it alive.

“Let’s get back to the room to take a rest.” Haoxuan said considerately

“No need.” It would be rude of him to leave like that. Moreover, Jiyang didn’t want to do so because he wanted to look at Zichen for a while.

Zichen was standing beside Qing. His black shirt and suit made him look handsome.

“Thank you, Mr. Lin.” Mr. Wen said, “Now that you are A-Qing’s friend, you will be our guest of honor. So just make yourself at home.”

“Great!” Zichen was frank.

Mr. Wen appreciated his frankness and he was satisfied.

“Dad, the photographer has everything ready. Let’s take a family photo first.” Rong told him.

“Sure.”

When everyone was ready, the photographer took the family photo for celebrating Mr. Wen’s eightieth birthday.

All the guests were clapping.

After that, he made a speech about appreciating everyone to attend his birthday party, and then the feast began.

The music started with the changing lights. Haoxuan and Jiyang danced firstly in the middle of the hall to enliven the party.

Qing walked straight to Zichen and reached out her right hand to him with a smile, waiting for his acceptance.

He drank the last sip of champagne, took her hand, and walked to the dance pool elegantly.

More and more people were joining the dancing, including Yibo and Zhan.

“Aren’t you afraid that I will step on your toe?” Zhan raised his head and said.

“Your heart will ache for that,” Yibo put his hand on Zhan’s waist.

“…Shameless,” Zhan raised his eyebrows.

“Hah…” Yibo smiled.

When Yibo and Zhan turned around, Zichen and Qing were walking past them. With the light, Zhan could see the face of Zichen clearly. He was stunned, stepped on Yibo’s foot, and fell into his arms.

Before that, Zhan didn’t notice him in the crowd, and now he could see his face, he finally knew how Jiyang felt.

If he wasn’t Bowen, who else could he be?

Zhan just kept watching him.

Yibo didn’t feel good seeing his wife staring at another man. He made a few coughs to draw Zhan’s attention.

“Is he so good-looking? Yibo questioned.

“Yes, he is,” Zhan replied without thinking.

“What?” Yibo was so unpleasant about losing his charm to his wife.

It was not until now that Zhan realized he had made a slip of tongue. He comforted him quickly, “I mean, he is good-looking but not as good as my husband, the most handsome man for me.”

Zhan didn’t lie about that because he still loved Yibo most. Besides, Yibo and Bowen was not the same style in appearance.

“That’s not genuine at all,” Yibo wasn’t satisfied, “You have never looked at me like this.”

Anyone could tell he was being jealous.

“I…” Zhan didn’t know how to contradict him, “I want to take a break.”

Zhan stopped dancing and walked away.

Yibo followed him, “Are you afraid?”

“Why should I be afraid?” Zhan took a cup of champagne from the waiter and took a slip, trying to calm himself down, “He looks like Bowen as if he was Bowen.”

“Jiyang’s lover?” Yibo recalled.

“Yes. But what made him become Zichen, and a Chinese American?” Zhan wondered.

“Just because he looks like Bowen doesn’t mean he is Bowen. Besides, Bowen has gone. It makes no difference to talk about this,” Yibo raised a cup of champagne to his lips.

Zhan stared at Zichen again. His eyes were moving with him.

Meanwhile, Yibo stood in front of him, “No matter who he is, you can only have eyes for me.”

“…” Zhan was amused.

“Don’t look at him. Look at me,” Yibo emphasized.

“Fine,” Zhan smiled and nodded, “Only you.”

“So, what happened just now…”

“I made a mistake,” Zhan surrendered.

Yibo pinched Zhan’s face, “Good.”

In the dance pool, Jiyang had already felt disturbed and, what was worse, he made a wrong move and sprained his ankle, falling down in front of Haoxuan.

In a hurry, Haoxuan reached out his hand to hold him, but someone had held his waist, turned him around, and resumed the dance under his lead.

With a hand on his waist, Zichen held Jiyang’s hand and started the dance.

And Haoxuan took Qing’s hand and danced as if nothing had happened.

Jiyang was so close to Zichen, surrounded by his mint fragrance. His heartbeat fastened.

He was nervous and disoriented, while Zichen was calm like he only cared about the dance.

He stayed peaceful and said nothing, which made Jiyang felt detached and bitter.

“Thank you for helping me,” Jiyang said.

“You are welcome,” Zichen replied, “Young mrs. Wen.”

Not Mr. Song, but young mrs… It seemed like he heard all the introduction.

Once the music was over, they separated. Haoxuan came to help Jiyang immediately, “Are you all right?”

He crunched down to check his ankle, and Jiyang stopped him hurriedly, “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Haoxuan asked him again.

“Will I continue to dance if it’s not fine?” Jiyang said, “I know what’s more important.”

Qing looked at his nervous young brother and said, “It has been a while since I saw you last time, and in this time, I find you love your wife more, Haoxuan. I’m so jealous,”

“If you are jealous, sister, you should go to find a husband in no time,” Haoxuan suggested.

“Do you think finding a husband is like shopping at a grocery store?” Qing argued.

“I thought you had found a desirable man,” Haoxuan glanced at Zichen standing by her side, “I shall leave you and Zichen alone.”

Hearing this, Jiyang felt rotten.

But why should he care about this, especially he was Zichen, not Bowen?

“Let’s go, honey,” Haoxuan held Jiyang’s hand and walked away.

Jiyang hesitated a bit. He wanted to turn around and took another look at Zichen, but he restrained it and left with Haoxuan.

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