Qi Shi'an was cool about it, directly giving a dismissal: "Put the stuff down and hurry back, watch out for cars on the way."

"Not even giving me water before kicking me out!" Huo Xuechuan ran to the kitchen to put down the things, then ran straight back to the living room. He plopped down on the sofa and patted the spot beside him, "Brother Duoyi, sit down too."

Shen Duoyi looked at the time, pretending he had other business: "I won't sit, I was about to leave."

Qi Shi'an came over and kicked Huo Xuechuan aside, saying very seriously: "We haven't finished discussing the details of the proposal, where are you going? Sit down, don't mind him, he'll leave after having some water."

The three of them sat on the sofa, filling it completely. Shen Duoyi was stuck in the middle, not moving, nervously piecing together a fake proposal in his head. Just as he finished the first paragraph, Huo Xuechuan finished his water and very sincerely leaned over to ask: "Brother Duoyi, is there any news about me joining the entertainment company?"

Seeing the topic about to shift, Shen Duoyi immediately responded: "I'm keeping an eye on it for you, I'll tell you as soon as there's news."

"Then when will there be news?" Huo Xuechuan didn't act like an outsider and was about to press further, but caught sight of Qi Shi'an staring at him, so he swallowed his words.

But not speaking made him uncomfortable: "Brother Duoyi, you and my brother are pretty close, even coming to work overtime on weekends."

Shen Duoyi smiled with his head down: "Of course, I'm after the bonus."

Huo Xuechuan suddenly got excited: "Let me share some gossip with you, so you can use it to threaten him for a raise." He leaned in closer and whispered: "I'm going to have a sister-in-law."

Shen Duoyi's back instantly stiffened, but his head remained lowered. He felt that Huo Xuechuan had already figured something out, otherwise why tell him these things? Qi Shi'an was coldly observing from the side, watching Shen Duoyi's lowered brows and embarrassed expression, wanting to know how he would react.

Shen Duoyi picked up his phone to change the subject: "Let me ask my childhood friend again about your situation, I'll call him now."

It only rang a few times before connecting. Both Qi Shi'an and Huo Xuechuan tensed up to listen. Shen Duoyi, sandwiched in the middle, appeared to be making small talk but was actually calling for help: "Fei Yuan, are you busy lately? Nothing else, just about my friend's brother's matter."

Fei Yuan was very quick: "Pretty busy lately, just finished meeting with a TV station producer. I have time for lunch though, if you're free, let's meet up."

Huo Xuechuan immediately called out: "We're free! My brother's treating!"

Qi Shi'an said calmly: "Then let's eat together, my treat."

Shen Duoyi hadn't expected it to turn into a group lunch, but could only agree reluctantly. Then Fei Yuan said: "I'm at the State Guest Hotel, the restaurant where you used to work part-time. See you soon."

State Guest Hotel.

Qi Shi'an and Shen Duoyi exchanged a glance, their gazes lingering and unwilling to part, until the sound of Huo Xuechuan's sneakers stomping the ground brought them back to reality.

"Bro, should I change into a formal suit?"

Huo Xuechuan had already rushed into the bedroom, followed by a question: "What's this bottle that fell on the floor, water-soluble lubric—"

Shen Duoyi almost jumped up. Qi Shi'an might be shameless, but he still had his dignity! Qi Shi'an immediately went to the room to grab it, throwing Huo Xuechuan out. Later, when the two were changing in the room, he comforted: "It's fine, he's too naive to understand."

His heart felt like it was tied to a hand grenade, and Shen Duoyi's whole person was like that wilting hydrangea, full of despair.

They hadn't driven when coming yesterday, so now Qi Shi'an drove with Shen Duoyi and Huo Xuechuan. There weren't many cars on the road at noon, and it didn't take long to get from Yamenting to the State Guest Hotel.

Qi Shi'an couldn't be bothered to enter the parking garage and just turned off the engine in a street parking spot. Huo Xuechuan checked his hair in the rearview mirror, then quickly got out and ran into the hotel lobby.

Shen Duoyi gazed at the tall building somewhat dazedly. The new State Guest Hotel had been completed many years ago, and he'd been there once or twice to meet clients. But this old one, he hadn't really visited again.

They walked side by side toward the entrance, Qi Shi'an dangling his car keys, making a faint jingling sound as he walked. After entering the lobby, they walked side by side toward the entrance, Qi Shi'an dangling his car keys, making a faint jingling sound as he walked. After entering the lobby, he glanced at the magazine rack beside them and couldn't help saying with amusement: "Ten years, and they're still using the same brochures, haven't even changed them."

Shen Duoyi looked where he indicated: "The sofas are new, but they're still in the same places."

Back then, he worked part-time in the upstairs restaurant, and Qi Shi'an would come for a big meal, then wait for him to get off work on the sofa in the corner of the lobby. Those few brochures—who knows how many times Qi Shi'an had flipped through them to pass the time.

By the time they finished reminiscing, they'd reached the restaurant entrance. Huo Xuechuan was already toasting with Fei Yuan.

Shen Duoyi and Qi Shi'an walked over one after another and sat down, making introductions after being seated. Qi Shi'an extended his hand to Fei Yuan: "Hello, I'm Duoyi's friend and Xiao Chuan's older brother. I've wanted to thank you in person, and finally have the chance today."

Fei Yuan returned the handshake: "No need for thanks, I haven't done anything yet, I don't deserve it."

Qi Shi'an nodded and said: "It's not about that. I want to thank you for taking care of and helping Duoyi all these years. I'm truly grateful."

The air stiffened for a moment. Fei Yuan clearly hadn't expected this reason and looked at Qi Shi'an somewhat probingly. Shen Duoyi held his water glass, hadn't even looked at the menu, and gazed at Qi Shi'an across the table saying: "Mr. Qi, you used to like ordering chicken leg fried rice back then. I'd like to try it today."

Qi Shi'an smiled at him: "You even remember that."

The dishes gradually arrived. Huo Xuechuan wasn't eating properly, boasting about all eighteen of his skills, along with his life dreams and career goals. Fei Yuan listened until his head hurt, then looked up: "You talk so much, want to be a comedian?"

Huo Xuechuan shut his mouth, looking particularly aggrieved. Shen Duoyi found it amusing and asked him: "You hadn't met before, how did you recognize him?"

"I just looked for the most handsome one, and sure enough it was Brother Yuan!" Huo Xuechuan started flattering.

Qi Shi'an's knife tip paused, then made a mental comparison—who was most handsome wasn't so certain. Shen Duoyi was already hungry and wolfing down his food, asking between bites: "Is Lulu at home?"

"He's at his dad's." Fei Yuan pointed at the cake box beside him, "He likes the cakes here, actually I got it packed from the TV station for him."

Shen Duoyi glanced at the manager standing at the front desk and realized it wasn't the same one from ten years ago. Well, of course—how could someone not get promoted in ten years? "What's that over there?" he pointed, "A message board?"

A passing waiter said: "The restaurant has had a suggestion box since it opened, to understand customers' feedback. After renovation, it was changed to an open message wall, more transparent."

Shen Duoyi finally remembered and looked at Qi Shi'an teasingly: "We should put one in the company too, anonymous for employees."

"Could consider it." Qi Shi'an wiped his mouth, "Actually, I put one in the suggestion box back then."

Shen Duoyi didn't even think: "Suggesting bigger portions?"

They chatted quite a bit during the meal. Huo Xuechuan asked endless questions, and Fei Yuan helped give some guidance and planning. Qi Shi'an and Shen Duoyi, neither understanding nor interested in the entertainment industry, formed their own bubble of conversation, eventually really discussing project plans.

After the meal, Huo Xuechuan said: "Bro, take me back to the military retirement home, Mom and Dad miss you."

Qi Shi'an didn't agree; he was already annoyed about having their private time interrupted and didn't want to drive him at all. Seeing this, Shen Duoyi volunteered: "I'll just take a taxi back to Wenhu Apartments, you take Xiao Chuan."

Fei Yuan checked his watch: "If you're not driving, I can take you. I'll visit Grandpa while I'm at it."

They parted ways there. Qi Shi'an left with Huo Xuechuan, while Fei Yuan was waiting a few more minutes for a cake that was about to come out of the oven. Shen Duoyi had eaten his fill and stood at the entrance digesting.

He slowly wandered over to the message wall, seeing many colored sticky notes. He vaguely remembered writing one when he worked part-time, saying that when he made money, he'd come back for a big meal. But he hadn't submitted it, just threw it away after writing.

Walking from left to right, there were all kinds of opinions, even some from the restaurant's first two years of operation, dated nearly twenty years ago.

"Got my first paycheck, brought my parents to eat. They enjoyed it, though the lamb was a bit salty."

"The chairs look like sofas, very pretty, but too heavy."

"My girlfriend says the Forest Ice Cream is fucking amazing! Just too expensive!"

"Five-star service, but menu updates not frequent enough."

Shen Duoyi read with amusement—the world is vast, and a single restaurant could gather countless different types of people. He took another step forward and saw a line of familiar writing, in a familiar hand.

Signed: Qi Shi'an.

The date was the day ten years ago when Qi Shi'an bid him farewell.

Shen Duoyi couldn't breathe, reaching out to touch the glass wall with his fingertips. He rubbed hard, but that line remained perfectly intact.

"Duoduo, I think I like you."

He had always believed in materialism, but at this moment he instantly defected, convinced this was his destiny.