Slice of Memory 2

It was time for them to work so Zhao Yuzi left heavily for her division.

When Xiao You Ren started doing his work, Wang Huanling suddenly made a sound.  "You have a lot of strong backers from behind, what are you paying for?"  those words were really very condescending with a tone full of contempt, not to forget a crooked smile tugging at his lips which soon disappeared due to being ignored.

Hearing that from someone who is considered a friend, really hurts.  In the past, it was never once for Xiao You Ren to think badly of Wang Huanling, but today that man had shown his true self.  Deafened by hearing, Xiao You Ren went back to his work without paying any attention to his surroundings.  When his ears couldn't stand the negative words that came out of people's mouths he plugged the earphone.

In the afternoon, Xiao You Ren met Liu Xuan again at the same place.  This time he was the one waiting, because the man had not yet arrived.  Unlike before, Xiao You Ren felt much more relaxed although it did not reduce his level of vigilance.  Even holding an unlocked cell phone was the best option when something bad happened he could quickly contact Wang Xian Wei.  However, he couldn't really believe what Liu Xuan said yet.

Shortly after thinking about that, a tall male figure with an alluring gentle smile peddled into the restaurant and took a step closer to Xiao You Ren.  Several pairs of eyes followed Liu Xuan's movements until the man sat across from Xiao You Ren, calling the waiter to deliver some of their orders.

When the maid left, Xiao You Ren couldn't keep quiet without asking, "What do you mean by confirmation this morning?"

Apart from what Zhao Yuzi said, he had also read it himself and a few sentences could not prevent Xiao You Ren's curiosity.  The man in front of him was too much.

On the opposite side, Liu Xuan didn't overreact even was barely expressionless other than continuing to smile.  If Xiao You Ren was a young girl perhaps he would feel a little goosebumps by the current situation.  Moments later Liu Xuan revealed a few sentences in reply.  "Because I want to," the answer was very annoying as a mischievous smile appeared on the corners of Liu Xuan's lips.

Xiao You Ren really didn't expect things like this to happen, he was serious and very serious about dealing with this matter.  After all, he had already involved quite an influential person.  Sighing with a hint of vexation in disguise, Xiao You Ren spoke again.

"Xuan, I'm being serious."

Unmoved, Liu Xuan was frozen just because Xiao You Ren's mouth finally said his name.  Ever since they became friends again, that man had never called him anything other than 'you'.  That simple happiness for a moment made Liu Xuan float until finally Xiao You Ren's cold voice interrupted again.

"I'm seriously."  Not only his voice, but the expression on his face as well.

Liu Xuan was shocked again, it had been a very long time since he had last seen Xiao You Ren have this much expression in front of him.  Although that doesn't cover up the fact that there is still a sense of vigilance being blatantly displayed.  If this was the case, it wasn't Liu Xuan that made Xiao You Ren remember to miss him, but the opposite.  It was even possible that he would not be able to escape this second feeling.

…..

A waiter came back to them with a variety of food, Liu Xuan was still floating in his mind, while Xiao You Ren was embarrassed and didn't ask any more questions until the man answered.  Liu Xuan's reaction was beyond Xiao You Ren's expectation, thus making him both confused and annoyed.

It was different with the waiter placing the order on the table, seeing Liu Xuan who was motionless as if he had lost consciousness with his eyes kept open, made him feel something was wrong.  So the waiter ventured to ask, "Is there something wrong, Sir?"

Xiao You Ren understood how the waiter felt, so he looked at the man before him before replying, "Nothing, he's just confused."

Hearing that explanation the waiter nodded in understanding and moved away from them after politely inviting the two of them to taste the food.  Liu Xuan came to his senses, staring at Xiao You Ren who was starting to enjoy the food.  Watching from this close distance made him unable to stop smiling, the heart that had been dry for a long time was slowly re-watered by the high-quality solution.  Slowly he pulled out his chopsticks and put the dim sum one by one into the Thai Red Curry so that it was submerged in the red sauce.  Thinking back on their close days, Liu Xuan grew even more excited.

"You Ren," called softly, Liu Xuan raised a piece of dim sum to give to Xiao You Ren.  In his eyes there seemed to be so much joy and hope launched to attack the eyes in front of him.

Xiao You Ren let out a gasp, a question mark on his face before shaking his head hastily.  "I have a stomach problem, so I don't eat spicy food anymore." Giving a polite reply, Xiao You Ren forced his lips into the slightest smile possible.  There was a strange feeling that was starting to form in his heart with all of Liu Xuan's treatment.  Not just suddenly wanting a relationship like it used to be, but more than that.  Xiao You Ren started to notice it every time he looked at those eyeballs in front of him.

Seeing the curvy face while stuffing the dim sum pieces in his mouth and the eyes that were starting to lose their cheerful glow, forced Xiao You Ren to stretch out his chopsticks to grab one of the dim sum pieces in someone else's bowl.  "No problem trying one."  The voice was very soft, but had great power.  The evidence alone could easily change Liu Xuan's mood.

In the midst of enjoying the food, Xiao You Ren asked the same question again.  This time Liu Xuan didn't have the chance to dodge because the tone of the male voice before him sounded much more serious than before.  Sighing a few times, Liu Xuan finally brought out all the reasons underlying his actions this morning.

"I'm worried about you regarding the public opinion of your character, if I say it's not me.  What do you think they think about you?"

At that very moment, Liu Xuan said all the reasons, all the worries that were directed at Xiao You Ren.  Afraid that if he didn't say it was him who helped Xiao You Ren when he was short of breath and at that time they met for a reunion because they hadn't seen each other in a long time after graduating from university.  Liu Xuan only prevented people from thinking that Xiao You Ren was a cheap boy who received artificial respiration from random men.  He didn't want the bad judgment about Xiao You Ren from the past to repeat itself and make the boy withdraw from the world even more.  After all, Liu Xuan felt he had a responsibility to restore Xiao You Ren's figure, because he was the one who made the figure he is today.

After hearing this explanation, Xiao You Ren didn't feel calm.  On the contrary, anxiety swells in his heart and makes his mind wander everywhere.  Afraid that everything Liu Xuan did would turn into a mindless obsession with various suffocating demands.  Xiao You Ren thought that it would be best if he quickly resolved this matter and stayed away from that man.

Thinking about the gossip, Liu Xuan said he knew about the spreader, but as far as their conversation went nothing was said about someone's involvement.  Dropping his eyes on the other party, Xiao You Ren began to say, "This morning you said that you knew who spread the news."

As reminded again, Liu Xuan's face slightly lit up.  "Oh, yes."  Reply to Xiao You Ren's eyes he also revealed the identity of the perpetrator.  "From what my investigators found, he's called Song Wei."

It felt like Xiao You Ren's contents were going to be blown out, Song Wei was their division chief in place of Zheng Liam.  As far as she remembers, he wasn't that close to the man.  They don't have the kind of closeness that leads to friendship, in the company they just act like ordinary seniors and juniors.  Then, why did that man spread things like this?  What problem does he have with Xiao You Ren?

"Do you know Sir Song?"  Xiao You Ren asked in a slightly probing tone.

Without the slightest bit of hesitation Liu Xuan shook his head.  That honest expression was reassuring in Xiao You Ren's eyes, so he had no doubts.  However, the oddity grew to the point where it made him too confused.  "Then, if you guys don't know each other, why did he say it was you?  There's no way he would brag randomly, right?"

The question brought Liu Xuan to his senses.  Try to remember and weave each revealed reality with a few questions.  Thinking hard enough that a name popped into his mind, but he didn't dare to say it out loud.  "Did you have a problem with some people in the company?"  he asked a little curiously.

Xiao You Ren shook his head confidently.

"What about close friends?"

"I have a few, but what does that have to do with them?"  Xiao You Ren knew that Liu Xuan would point the finger at one of his close friends, just like in the past.

Noticing the look in Xiao You Ren's eyes, reminded Liu Xuan of the past.  He once accused one of his close friends and made that person afraid to befriend Xiao You Ren.  So he put the question aside and moved on to something else.  "When the photo was taken, what were you doing in the restaurant?"

To be honest, Liu Xuan knew that Xiao You Ren was having a meeting with  Wang Huanling, because he will be the one to attend the dinner to replace Wang Huanling according to their plan.  However, just as that day came, his father suddenly asked Liu Xuan to meet one of their company colleagues.  He couldn't come either and forgot to tell Wang Huanling about it.

"I had an appointment with my friend, then… accidentally ran into Han Yu Ge."  His voice trailed off at the end of the sentence, feeling doubtful.

A bright spot in Liu Xuan's mind began to form, he understood why Xiao You Ren could lose control and become short of breath.  The cause was Xiao Han Yu.  Liu Xuan understood the matter very well, although he didn't really understand.  In the past, it was this man who made her feel disappointed and hated Xiao You Ren.  He looked gently at Xiao You Ren's beady eyes.

"I'll find out more," he said no less gently.  This time he would help Xiao You Ren and would not let the man fight alone.  What he wanted was to show all the sincere feelings that had been hidden deep inside.

On the other hand, Xiao You Ren was worried about Liu Xuan.  More precisely to the feelings that were growing in the man's heart, he was not prepared for any eventuality.  Somehow his body felt very tired and needed rest.  Xiao You Ren's appetite had also collapsed, so he didn't finish the food on his plate.

"Thank you, Xuan.  I have to leave immediately, there's still something to do." Xiao You Ren politely said, not wanting to spoil the mood.  However, unfortunately it greatly affected Liu Xuan.  The man also finished with his food, put down his chopsticks, and hunted for words.  "Me too."

Although Xiao You Ren felt bad about it, but he didn't want to say anything.  That's how it should be.  Allowing Liu Xuan to follow him out after making payment and escorting Xiao You Ren to the parking lot, then waiting for his car to slide into the street first before Liu Xuan left.

Getting this kind of treatment made Xiao You Ren's heart even more angry.  It was uncomfortable and too heavy to bear on his narrow shoulders.  Carrying the car speeding down the street covered in the darkness of the night, he hoped that when he came home he would find Wang Xian Wei.