Chapter 3: Birthday Party

The laughter and chatter came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone present was taken aback by the words, their eyes darting between He Qiuting and Lu Shun before hushed whispers began to circulate.

“Ah… do they have some history?”

“Is it because of the land auction today…”

A subtle tension filled the air as the two locked eyes across a seat, the charged atmosphere making Zhang Wenqian, caught between them, hardly dare to breathe.

“…Lu Shun had too much to drink,” Zhang Wenqian carefully phrased his words, smiling as he tried to smooth things over. “He’s been like this since childhood when he drinks too much, he finds everyone irritating, disliking this person and that.”

Zhang Wenqian and Lu Shun had grown up together; their families were old friends, and the two shared similar quirks, making their bond exceptionally strong.

As the only person present who knew about the relationship between Lu Shun and He Qiuting, Zhang Wenqian had some understanding of the situation. Aware that Lu Shun had recently faced setbacks in love and was full of grievances, he guessed that Lu Shun was about to spill the truth after drinking and quickly leaned in to distract him.

“Can’t stand someone being handsomer than you again?” He grinned cheekily, running a hand through his new hairstyle. “So, do you find me annoying?”

Lu Shun narrowed his eyes and let out a low curse.

The atmosphere instantly lightened, and everyone laughed, resuming their meals and conversations.

Lu Shun pushed Zhang Wenqian aside and saw He Qiuting lift his head, his cold eyes filled with warning.

Lu Shun stared straight at him for two seconds, then suddenly raised a hand to cover his mouth.

He felt like vomiting.

“Damn, Lu Shun,” Zhang Wenqian, who had been focused on eating, saw the person beside him cover his mouth and rush toward the door. Before he could even swallow his food, he noticed the figure on the other side stand up.

He Qiuting pressed a hand on Zhang Wenqian’s shoulder, his expression calm. “It’s fine, I’ll go check on him.”

After speaking, he neatly folded his napkin and placed it on the table, then pushed his chair in properly before heading out.

As he stepped out, he encountered two servers pushing a cake cart into the room.

The cake was over a meter tall, crafted from fondant into the shape of a skyscraper. A silver-haired cartoon character sat on the rotating structure.

The moment He Qiuting saw the cake, his expression froze. It was only then that he remembered today was Lu Shun’s 26th birthday.

He had completely forgotten.

A dull pain in his stomach suddenly sharpened. He Qiuting pressed a hand against his abdomen, massaging it as he walked toward the restroom.

From a distance, he could hear Lu Shun retching dryly over the sink. Drawing closer, he saw that aside from alcohol and stomach fluids, nothing much had come up.

Lu Shun had had no appetite for dinner and had quietly drunk so much on an empty stomach, something He Qiuting hadn’t even noticed.

His eyes were red-rimmed as he splashed cold water on his face, forcing himself to sober up a little. When he lifted his head, he saw He Qiuting’s reflection in the mirror.

He Qiuting stood behind him, gently patting his back and silently offering a tissue.

The words “I’m sorry” hovered on his lips, but He Qiuting couldn’t bring himself to say them.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to apologize; rather, he found it difficult to translate his inner emotions into words. This was just how he was just as he had never once said “I love you” to Lu Shun.

He Qiuting feared expression, habitually suppressing his emotions to avoid exposing vulnerability. This “exposure” applied to everyone, including Lu Shun.

It was an unhealthy trait, and He Qiuting knew it, yet he couldn’t overcome it.

He stood speechless behind Lu Shun, his hand stroking along the spine a few times as if soothing a bristling little animal.

“Lu Shun…”

He Qiuting’s heart ached as he frowned, first thinking of the cake at the private room entrance earlier, then recalling how Lu Shun’s eyes had sparkled like stars when asking him if he’d come home for dinner at the auction house entrance today.

Had he known it was Lu Shun’s birthday then, no matter how busy work was, he would have put aside everything to come home and accompany him.

He sighed softly, “You could have told me in advance.”

The moment he said it, He Qiuting realized his poor choice of words. Sure enough, it immediately ignited Lu Shun’s anger.

“Told you in advance?” Lu Shun straightened up, his gaze turning cold as he rasped, “President He, is my birthday just another item on your to-do list?”

Still affected by alcohol, Lu Shun’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Should I send you an email reminder with a DDL? Notifying you that today’s my birthday, requesting your punctual attendance at my birthday party tonight?”

He Qiuting’s eyelashes fluttered, the nerves in his face tightening. “You know I’m not good at remembering these things.”

He Qiuting couldn’t even remember his own birthday.

“No, you don’t forget. You remember the floor area ratio of every Cloud Horizon property, you remember bond yields, you remember dollar exchange rates. How come you only forget my birthday?”Lu Shun’s questioning carried a hint of choked sob, the feeling of grievance amplified by alcohol as his eyes moistened for the first time before He Qiuting.” “You don’t forget, He Qiuting. You just don’t care.”

The words pierced He Qiuting’s heart with pain.

Looking at Lu Shun’s tear-glazed eyes, He Qiuting appeared awkward as he actively reached for the other’s hand. In Lu Shun’s view, this small gesture already represented the utmost compromise He Qiuting could make.

Lu Shun’s heart softened momentarily, but the next second he heard He Qiuting say, “I’ll make up for your birthday. Whatever ceremony you want, I’ll arrange it. I’ll remember from now on.”

He Qiuting was truly a fool – he fundamentally didn’t understand what Lu Shun truly wanted.

Infuriated, Lu Shun snatched his hand back, the tear tracks vanishing from his eyes as his gaze turned sharp and cold.

Walking out of the restroom, he said while moving, “Fine, let’s talk business then, President He.”

He Qiuting nodded. “Go ahead.”

He didn’t even recognize anything inappropriate about the situation. Lu Shun lacked nothing – whatever gift he wanted would inevitably be profits clearly marked and signed on a contract.

“I can provide you with a 3-billion bridge loan,” Lu Shun slowed his pace, making an outrageous demand. “20% annual interest. If Cloud Horizon’s cash flow continues declining, I require a debt-to-equity conversion clause in the contract.”

“You want to join the board?” He Qiuting stopped walking, his lips moving as he uttered in a cold, detached voice, “20% annual interest? Are you running a loan shark operation?”

The implication being he might as well just rob them.

Lu Shun smiled. “Cloud Horizon’s cash flow is tight. Bank approvals are slow and might get rejected. Cooperating with me means not just this loan – I can also help you resolve the power plant matter.”

After a pause, Lu Shun added, “Oh, and that power plant? I’ve already applied for its designation as industrial heritage.”

The weight of this statement was immense.

The power plant’s heritage status application meant not just skyrocketing cultural value, but also that Lu Shun could receive government policy subsidies – and more importantly, it signified monopoly control over this region’s power supply.

Lu Shun could seal off the cable passages within the power plant under the pretext of industrial heritage preservation and had the authority to reject Yunji Real Estate’s application for new access points.

If He Qiuting wanted to build his own substation, the required costs and time would be incalculable.

The Sky Citadel project couldn’t afford to wait.

Lu Shun’s power plant was akin to a blade pressed against Yunji’s vital point how much blood would be let now was entirely his decision.

“I’ll handle the funding issue myself.” He Qiuting tightened his abdomen, suppressing the burning pain churning in his stomach. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “As for the power plant matter, revise your terms.”

Lu Shun, already furious and further agitated by alcohol, was practically ignited by the slightest spark.

“What, are you so unwilling to let me interfere with your company? Do you think I’d harm you or something?” Lu Shun’s expression turned vicious and impatient, his voice rising sharply, drawing glances from people in the distance.

“He Qiuting, can you even see clearly the fund flows beneath Yunji? Do you think every subordinate is utterly loyal? Are you certain the debts you’ve guaranteed won’t backfire?”

He Qiuting’s face darkened. “You’re drunk.”

“I’m fucking not drunk.”

“Then what are you trying to say?” He Qiuting stared into his eyes, a faint, bitter smile appearing. “That I’m utterly useless, not as discerning as you?”

“I didn’t say that.” Lu Shun knew these words must have struck He Qiuting’s pride. He couldn’t quite meet those eyes and lowered his head, still fuming but without the earlier arrogance.

“Lu Shun.” He Qiuting’s gentle voice made his nerves tense. “Does meddling in my affairs and watching me compromise bring you particular amusement?”

Lu Shun fell silent, the effects of the alcohol dissipating rapidly.

“Happy birthday,” He Qiuting said.

“Send the power plant contract to my email once it’s drafted. As long as it’s not excessive, it’ll be fine.”

With those words, He Qiuting left.

Lu Shun returned to the private room alone. As soon as he entered, he heard the birthday song. A crowd held glasses ready to celebrate, but he felt no joy at all.

Zhang Wenqian craned his neck to look behind him and whispered, “Where’s He Qiuting?”

Lu Shun sat down with a grim expression, distracted. “He left.”

Then he opened another bottle of wine, forcing a smile for the crowd. “President He just secured the prime land plot and has a lot on his plate. No time to hang out with us. Never mind him, let’s continue.”

…

Without He Qiuting, the dinner felt dull and meaningless to Lu Shun. It wrapped up hastily within an hour.

The spacious room was left with only Zhang Wenqian and Lu Shun.

Lu Shun kept drinking, his drunken gaze unfocused, his fingers stiff and numb, barely able to hold the glass.

“He… he’s mad at me…”

“What right does he have to be mad at me… huh?”

Lu Shun grabbed Zhang Wenqian’s arm, acting out drunkenly. “My birthday, he forgot. Fine, fine, fine. I’m not angry, but he just left me like that?”

“Wasn’t he wrong to do that? He Qiuting, weren’t you wrong?”

Zhang Wenqian winced at him. “I’m Qianzi, not He Qiuting. Hey! Don’t pull my clothes they’re expensive!”

His newly bought shirt had its collar torn by Lu Shun. Zhang Wenqian straightened his collar, distressed, and asked, “What exactly happened between you two? After all these years of knowing each other, what can’t be talked out?”

Lu Shun had always known his limits when drinking, never losing control as badly as he did today.

“He never tells me anything…” Lu Shun’s eyes trembled as he laughed bitterly, wiping away tears with his hand. “He Qiuting is just a mute…”

“Well… but that’s just He Qiuting’s personality. Wasn’t he like that since childhood? Always quiet and withdrawn.”

“Damn it, stop drinking.” Zhang Wenqian snatched the bottle from Lu Shun’s hand and said bluntly, “He Qiuting came from a troubled family background, and he witnessed his father jump off a building with his own eyes. It’s understandable that he has some personality issues. Sometimes it might not be directed at you – he might just feel insecure?”

Zhang Wenqian had never been one for profound insights, and even he was startled by his own unexpectedly serious remark.

Lu Shun looked up, momentarily stunned.

Zhang Wenqian continued, “But to be honest, you two never seemed like you belonged in the same world. All these years, I’ve never understood – what exactly do you see in him?”

“He’s good-looking.” Lu Shun blinked slowly.

“Don’t bullshit me. All those handsome celebrities throwing themselves at you in the entertainment industry, I’ve never seen you give any of them a second glance.”

Lu Shun’s face grew warm as he shook his head, his thoughts becoming sluggish.

He had asked himself this question more than once.

What did he like about He Qiuting…

As a child, he had considered He Qiuting an important playmate – not exactly someone he liked, but definitely someone he relied on, because He Qiuting would protect him unconditionally.

But later, when he grew up and became strong enough to not need to depend on anyone, then why did he still like He Qiuting?

Perhaps because He Qiuting was the only person who never tried to please him.

People always develop interest in things they can’t control. After seeing countless faces groveling before capital, Lu Shun became increasingly fascinated by He Qiuting’s indifferent expression.

Or perhaps, it was because He Qiuting possessed a kind of clumsiness that he could never understand or learn himself.

He would rather suffer heavy losses himself than lay off longtime employees.

Even with benefits right before his eyes, he refused to use shady methods to crush competitors.

Like those stereotypical protagonists in novels – kind, righteous, always putting themselves last and rules first.

He had the foolishness of a protagonist, but not the plot armor.

Or perhaps… He Qiuting was like a stock undervalued by the market, judged by Lu Shun to have potential value despite going through a slump that nobody believed in.

Lu Shun was willing to adopt a long-term holding strategy, giving this stock patience and companionship to uncover its deeper value.

He Qiuting was a stock he held!

“Hah…”

Lu Shun thought delightedly, his drunkenness causing K-line charts to appear in his blurred vision.

He realized he was truly drunk.

When he woke again, he was no longer in the private room.

Harsh white light made him instinctively frown. His eyelids fluttered several times before he managed to open them, his blurred vision making out mottled light patterns on the ceiling.

Lying in bed, Lu Shun felt his throat unbearably dry. When he swallowed, a tearing pain immediately followed.

“Mmm…”

Lu Shun let out a vague groan and tried moving his fingers, only to find them restrained by something cold.

He opened his eyes again, finally adjusting to the light, slowly making out the needle inserted in the back of his hand.

A transparent IV tube connected to a medicine bag hanging above, liquid dripping down slowly, drop by drop.

He was in the hospital.