❖

Zhang Lingyi also caught sight of Wang Guangning. He stared blankly for a moment, then his pupils suddenly widened. Despite the tumultuous waves crashing against his heart, the expression on his face was unchanged.

Was this a dream? Or was it reality?

For the past four years, Zhang Lingyi had dreamed of their reunion countless times. Each dream had seemed extremely real, to the extent where he had become so deeply immersed that he was not willing to wake up. As soon as it appeared in reality though, he retreated.

In that second, it was as if time had frozen. The two had probably never imagined that they would reunite under such abrupt circumstances, so were both temporarily at a loss of what to do.

Underneath his utter bewilderment, Zhang Lingyi was also faintly angry.

Four years was far too long. It had resulted in the blurring of their shared memories, yet, magnified the pain of reality.

It was to the extent that he couldn't help but hate Wang Guangning.

The elevator doors were like the gateway of time, causing the period of the last four years to be slowly spread out right in front of them.

The pair stood there, facing each other as they studied the familiar yet strange features before them.

It was different, that was plain to see. The planes of their faces had matured, carrying a hint of vicissitude distinctive of the years that had passed. However, they also unexpectedly overlapped with the memories of each other from four years ago.

During the silence, the elevator doors had begun to slowly close. Wang Guangning recovered first and promptly hit the button that would open them. He walked out, the corner of his lips curving up into a charming smile. "Long time no see."

Zhang Lingyi hadn't anticipated that these four words would be the ones which Wang Guangning would speak first. He was stunned for a second, then forced out a stiff smile. "Long time no see."

It truly was a long time since they had last seen each other. In that moment, everything that he had prepared to say when they met again was forgotten.

Wang Guangning extended his right hand and Zhang Lingyi gripped it mechanically.

"You probably still have matters to attend to, so let's go out for a drink next time when we're free," Wang Guangning said. He pulled out his business card from his wallet, then handed it to Zhang Lingyi. "This is my business card."

Zhang Lingyi accepted it, then stared blankly as Wang Guangning turned and strode away.

It wasn't until the shadow of Wang Guangning's figure had disappeared that he finally recovered.

"Wang Guangning!" Zhang Lingyi suddenly slammed his fist into the wall. However, he didn't know exactly what he was trying to give vent to.

Zhang Lingyi sorted out his state of mind, then took the elevator to Huidi International's office on the 35th floor. He received a call from David as soon as he entered; the other man requested to meet him.

"Lingyi, you came a moment too late! I was interviewing our candidate only a while ago." David looked at Zhang Lingyi in excitement. "A particularly exceptional young man just left. This is great, now we can set the marketing director position for our Southern China branch."

"Oh, was that person really so outstanding?" Zhang Lingyi raised his eyebrows. The marketing director position had been empty for quite a long time since they were unable to find a person suitable for it. David's fussiness was also notorious in the industry; thus, it was truly unexpected to hear him speak so highly of someone else

"En, it's Fumaokaisi's marketing director. His name is Ning, and he recently came back from Taiwan," David told him. "We'll arrange for you to meet him whenever you're free during the next few days. If there are no problems, then we'll take him."

Fumaokaisi?

Ning?

Zhang Lingyi recalled the business card that Wang Guangning had given him. His expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "Is the person you're talking about Wang Guangning?"

"Yes! You know him?" David's eyes shone. He seemed to have just thought of something. "Oh, right. He was your fellow classmate. En, many talented people have graduated from your university! Not bad, not bad."

So, Wang Guangning's reason for appearing here was because he had an interview with Huidi International?

Although Zhang Lingyi's mood was somewhat complicated, he still held a faint sense of anticipation. "Okay, David. I'll be in this city for the next two days, so you can arrange a meeting at any time."

❖

That evening, Wang Guangning watched TV while lying on his bed in the hotel. He also used his iPad to check through his emails. His phone abruptly began vibrating, and he picked it up. A series of numbers flashed across the screen.

Wang Guangning's heart trembled. Although this string of numbers did not exist in his contact list, it was etched deeply into his memory. When he was in Taiwan, there were many occasions where he almost couldn't restrain himself from dialling those exact numbers.

Unexpectedly, he hadn't changed his number.

Wang Guangning felt an indescribable emotion swell up. After hesitating for a few seconds, he finally picked up

"Hello."

"Hey......Wang Guangning?"

"En, may I ask who you are?" Wang Guangning grabbed the cup of water from his bedside table and gulped it down, purposely pretending that he didn't know the identity of the caller.

"It's me, Zhang Lingyi." Flames erupted in Zhang Lingyi's chest, and he struggled to hold back from flaring up.

"Oh. What's the matter?"

What kind of attitude was this?!

Zhang Lingyi suddenly had the urge to throw down his phone and rush over to cut apart Wang Guangning's penis. He silently gave himself ten seconds to rebuild his mental state before saying, "Are you free right now? Come out and have a drink!"

Wang Guangning glanced at the time. It was just before nine. He replied, "Sure. You can decide on the location."

"Where are you currently staying at?" Zhang Lingyi asked.

"Tang Hua Hotel."

"There's a bar called Polis close by. Let's meet there!"

"En, all right."

Wang Guangning calmly hung up, then jumped out of his bed in a manner that was decidedly not calm. Opening his suitcase, Wang Guangning rummaged through it frantically. After much difficulty, he finally changed into a set of casual clothes that he felt was capable of insta-killing thousands of girls. Then, he began the process of fixing his hair.

By the time he managed to get ready and arrived outside of Polis, it was already an hour later.

Zhang Lingyi sat on the side of the bar counter where one could easily see it as soon as they walked in.

"I'll have a cocktail," Wang Guangning said to the bartender as he made to sit down next to Zhang Lingyi.

Even though an entire afternoon was already sufficient time for Zhang Lingyi to digest the fact that Wang Guangning had returned, his frame of mind was still distinctly different upon meeting the other man face-to-face. He stared at Wang Guangning for a long moment, then slowly spoke. "You've become ugly."

Wang Guangning's expression cracked and he almost couldn't resist from splashing Zhang Lingyi's face with his drink.

That was definitely his jealousy speaking! Blatant and undisguised jealousy! Everyone who met Wang Guangning remarked that he had become more handsome; in fact, the worst which had ever been said to him was that 'his elegant and graceful bearing had not lessened in the least compared to his youth'. Even after all these years, Zhang Lingyi, that bastard, still hadn't forgotten how to insult him.

Wang Guangning eyed him coolly, then retorted, "Well, I obviously can't be on par with you. You're already so ugly that it's impossible for you to be any uglier."

Upon confirming that Wang Guangning's fighting spirit was the same as in the past, Zhang Lingyi inwardly sighed with relief. Pursing his lips, he said, "When did you come back?"

In truth, he wanted to seize Wang Guangning's collar and loudly question the other about why he left without even a goodbye, why he disappeared for four years, why he didn't contact anyone during the entirety of that period, and why he returned without saying a word.

However, Zhang Lingyi didn't have any position to do so.

Hence, he ended up asking in a seemingly light and casual manner.

Wang Guangning gently shook his glass. "In the last couple of days."

Zhang Lingyi shot him a glance, "Why didn't you give me a call when you returned?"

As soon as the words escaped his mouth, Zhang Lingyi regretted them. In the past four years, Wang Guangning hadn't corresponded with anyone, so it was impossible that the other would even think of contacting him.

Zhang Lingyi had never truly understood Wang Guangning's thoughts. There was also no concrete commitment between the two. He had arrogantly believed that at the very least, they were considered friends. In the end, he seemed to have just turned around when the other had already disappeared from his world.

"I didn't have any time to." Wang Guangning smiled then sipped his cocktail.

Zhang Lingyi was immediately incensed. What kind of fucking answer was that?

'Didn't have any time to'? Was it really so difficult to make a phone call in an era like this?

However, regardless of the herd of grass mud horses galloping wildly in his heart, Zhang Lingyi didn't dare to roar at Wang Guangning like he did in the past. He forced himself to endure it, then said, "Are you here for a business trip, or are you staying permanently?"

"I'm staying permanently. Our company is preparing to expand into the mainland market, so they've dispatched me to test the waters. I'll basically just stay here from now on."

Zhang Lingyi secretly sighed in relief. "You had an interview with our company today, are you interested in working with us?"

Wang Guangning blinked. The expression on his face changed to one of sudden realisation. "Ah, you also work at Huidi International?"

Zhang Lingyi's heart sank, and his initial anticipation transformed into disappointment. However, he was a person who had rolled about for several years in the industry, so he immediately adopted a calm guise. "Yes, I'm Huidi International's HR manager. If you want to enter the company, then you need to properly ingratiate yourself to me."

Wang Guangning raised his eyebrow and swept a glance over the drink in Zhang Lingyi's hand. "Then I'll pay the bill for today."

The two casually conversed with each other for a while and talked about the recent developments in their lives. As for the past memories that they shared, Wang Guangning and Zhang Lingyi both avoided any mention of them.

By the time they had become mellow from their beverages, it was already late into the night.

Despite their unwillingness to part, in the end, they still had to bid goodbye.

The pair walked alongside each other and exited the bar. Zhang Lingyi flagged down a taxi and had just opened the door when he thought of something. "Since you're staying in G city permanently, are you looking to buy an apartment?"

"Of course~ Our company's expenditure budget isn't high enough for me to live in a hotel forever," Wang Guangning replied with a laugh that made others feel dazed upon hearing it. He was slightly intoxicated from all of the drinks he had, and there was a faint flush across his face.

"What kind of place are you searching for?"

Wang Guangning raised his head and thought about it. "An apartment like yours would be pretty good."

Zhang Lingyi casually offered, "In that case, you might as well just come and live in my apartment."

Wang Guangning replied, "I do want to, but is your family even renting it out?"

Zhang Lingyi's heart shook and he grinned, "Yeah, we're actually in the middle of looking for tenants right now. The rent is two thousand a month; water and electricity are provided and a guest room will also be included. Do you want it?"

"Are you serious?" Wang Guangning clasped his hands over his chest and revealed an expression of horror. "Such a good opportunity exists? You're not trying to take advantage of the situation because you have evil intentions towards me, right?"

Black lines covered Zhang Lingyi's face and he reached out to touch Wang Guangning's chest, "Do you possess anything worthy of me holding evil intentions towards? You don't even have a chest!"

Wang Guangning responded resolutely, "My dick is big!"

Fuck! What the hell did you end up learning in Taiwan?

Stunned, Zhang Lingyi swept a glance over Wang Guangning's......lower half. It seemed that the other man's limits had once again been refreshed.

No, I can't lose!

Hence, Zhang Lingyi straightened himself and said, "I have that myself. If you dedicate......en, then I can consider it!"

Even though the details hidden within those ellipses were not clearly stated, the two of them were both people who had experience in being gay. Therefore, they could basically just use their own brain to fill in the gaps.

Consequently, Wang Guangning's body froze in shock. = =|||

Very good, he had successfully managed to hold the atmosphere!

Zhang Lingyi was extremely satisfied.

Wang Guangning gazed at him in contempt. "Have you been......eyeing me covetously since a long time ago?"

Enough!

Zhang Lingyi shrugged and decided to ignore him. "When I first started working a few years ago, there was a lot of pressure. Since my parents aren't home for most of the year, I rented out the guest room to earn some pocket-money. However, my housemate just moved out last month and the guest room is empty again. If you're willing, I can rent it to you."

So, it turned out that Zhang Lingyi really was looking for a tenant and not because he was deliberately searching for an excuse to persuade him to move in.

Wang Guangning felt a little disappointed, but ultimately still decided to obey his heart. He reached out and patted Zhang Lingyi's shoulder, "Come and help me move out in two days then!"

Wang Guangning's action was very natural, to the extent that it seemed as if there had never been that time gap between them. When both of them became aware of what had just transpired, they were slightly embarrassed.

Wang Guangning quickly recovered and gave Zhang Lingyi a push. "Get into the taxi, the driver's becoming angry."

After watching the vehicle speed away into the distance, Wang Guangning shook his head and walked back to his hotel.

As for Zhang Lingyi who was sitting in the taxi, he didn't manage to recover for quite a long period.

Scene by scene, the memory of four years ago once again appeared in his mind. Just like how he had experienced it in his dreams countlessly for the past four years, each scene was as clear as yesterday.

He didn't understand why Wang Guangning decided to leave back then.

During those four years, he had tried multitudes of methods in his attempts to find Wang Guangning. However, the other truly was a very intelligent man. When he wanted to sever contact with people, he was capable of cutting off all means of correspondence.

Even Sun Siyang couldn't reach him.

But, no matter what happened, he had returned now.

Originally, he had thought that it would take more time to draw their relationship closer to each other again. He hadn't imagined that Wang Guangning would unexpectedly accept his invitation so easily.

Zhang Lingyi gently closed his eyes.

__________________

Wang Guangning, when did you become such an amazing actor? = = '

By the way, how many people use Discord here?

translator: k i a i