Before the Party

Eun-tak was stunned, but this wasn't his main focus. "Ah! Are you guys official?" He crossed his arms, raising his eyebrows, patiently awaiting an answer.

Ling Xie, hiding behind Chen Yi, jolted. He thought Chen Yi would be the one to answer Eun-tak, but instead, Chen Yi wrapped his arms around Ling Xie's waist and pushed him forward into the limelight. Ling Xie glanced up and saw the expression on Chen Yi's face, silently urging him to answer the question.

He panicked. Why me?! He moved his gaze back and forth from Chen Yi to Eun-tak, torn between answering or running away. Chen Yi read his mind and tightened his hold around his waist. Meanwhile, Young-Su, who had been quietly sitting, had moved to guard the door. Ling Xie had nowhere to escape.

These bullies! He pressed his lips together in frustration.

In the end, he slowly nodded his head. His face immediately flushed red, and he bowed his head, wishing he could dig a hole and hide.

Chen Yi, practically lifting Ling Xie off the floor in his joy, twirled him once before gently setting him down and planting a kiss on his head. If only I could tie him down in marriage. Then I'd finally be at ease.

Ling Xie buried his beet-red face in Chen Yi's chest, completely unaware of Chen Yi's thoughts.

Eun-tak and Young-Su were happy for their friends. Eun-tak, especially, who knew a little about Ling Xie's secret, wished, from the bottom of his heart, that Chen Yi wouldn't hurt his friend. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in them.

The four of them spent the rest of the school hours studying. With the top two students of the school helping Eun-tak and Ling Xie, it didn't take long for them to catch up on their subjects, regaining some of their lost confidence.

The pairs separated when school ended. Young-Su and Eun-tak headed home, while Ling Xie was on his way to his house, with a stubborn Chen Yi following closely behind.

"Are you really coming with me?" Ling Xie asked nervously. How will my mom react to this? Should I tell her Chen Yi is just a friend, or should I be blunt about it?

"We're already at your car." Ling Xie paused, looking around to confirm they had indeed reached his car. His driver had even gotten out and opened the door for them.

"Are you going to leave me hanging like this?" Chen Yi tugged at Ling Xie's shirt, his brows furrowed in a mock pout.

Ling Xie was exasperated. He felt like he hadn't won a single battle since the day began. "Alright, you can come," he muttered, too weak to resist. Immediately, he began to think of ways to counterattack Chen Yi.

Chen Yi happily dragged Ling Xie to his car, buckling him in first before doing so for himself.

Ling Xie gave a wry smile, but his heart warmed at the considerate action.

The ride to Ling Xie's home was quiet, yet pleasant. There was no awkwardness, no strange silence.

The car continued until it passed through the large gates of the mansion, stopping near the big entrance. The driver got out to open the door for his young master and his guest, and a maid came out of the house to greet them.

A myriad of emotions swelled in Chen Yi's heart as memories of the warm mansion flooded his thoughts. The last sliver of doubt in his mind finally settled as he confirmed once again, Ling Xie really is Cao Chang. My Xie'er is Coffee. A smile bloomed on his face.

Ling Xie and Chen Yi entered and were greeted by Ling Xie's mom, who was wearing a pink Sunday dress. She looked nothing like a mother of two kids.

"Yiyi!" Ling Xie's mom clapped her hands in delight when she saw Chen Yi enter after Ling Xie.

"Hello, Auntie Cao," Chen Yi greeted, bowing.

Ling Xie's eyes widened in surprise. "What the hell is this?" he asked, tilting his head in wonder. "You two know each other?"

Auntie Cao finally turned to her son. Ah! He's not wearing the glasses! Her excitement made her heart race. Chen Yi is really good! He got him to forget about those damn glasses already! She nodded to herself, her opinion of Chen Yi rising even more.

But when her attention shifted back to Ling Xie's question, a sharp pang of pain shot through her chest. She quickly shook off the feeling as her eyes began to sting, then beamed at her son. "We do! But it's a secret, hehe." She lightly covered her lips as she giggled.

Ling Xie suddenly felt helpless. What secret? Why wasn't I informed about this?

"Let's put this aside for now," Auntie Cao said, waving her hand in the air. "I have a party to attend, so I need to leave by 4:30." She explained as she led Ling Xie and Chen Yi toward his bedroom, where all the necessary equipment was already prepared.

Ling Xie glanced at the wall clock when they entered his room and saw that it was already 4:00 p.m. There were only thirty minutes left for his mom to get him ready, and the party started at five. What a tight schedule!

Ling Xie obediently let his mom do her work, forgetting the clingy person standing by, watching the magic unfold as Ling Xie transformed into Churong.

Chen Yi was amazed. He stood to the side like a proper audience, observing Ling Xie's transformation in awe. Auntie Cao is truly amazing~ There was nothing else he could say. The magic was so strong that even he couldn't help but be swept up in it.

Auntie Cao finished the makeup sharply twenty minutes later, then directly shoved a box into Ling Xie's hands before hurrying away. Her loud voice echoed behind her as she called out a cheerful goodbye.

Ling Xie glanced at the box and then at his mom, a warm smile spreading across his face at the love he received.

"Sit here and wait for me," Ling Xie said, turning to Chen Yi and gesturing toward his softest couch. "I'll go change quickly."

He then walked toward his dressing room, unaware of the heated stare Chen Yi was giving him.

Chen Yi stood frozen, contemplating. Should I sneak a peek? Barge in? Or be a good boy? He stared at the closed door leading to Ling Xie's dressing room, lost in deep thought.