Chapter 74: Elegance Never Goes Out of Style
Ye Liang Chen, walking closer and closer to Hu Yu Ying’s location — and to Long Aotian’s restaurant — felt his heart rising with a mix of dread and helplessness. Like a hero heading to the scene of the chaos, but knowing he’s about to get knocked out.
Finally reaching the restaurant door, Ye Liang Chen leaned against the wall, gasping for air like he’d just run a marathon.
“Brother Chen, what’s wrong? Did a simple dinner nearly k*ll you?” Gao Quan looked at Ye Liang Chen, who was wheezing like an old steam engine, scratching his head in confusion. “No worries, I’ve brought some cash, just in case.”
Because right now, Ye Liang Chen felt way too strange. Like someone swapped out his brain with a comedy sketch.
Deep breath. Ye Liang Chen waved his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing. I am who I am — daring to love, daring to hate. The fearless Ye Liang Chen. Nothing can stop me now.”
“Every piece I lost, I will get back, piece by piece.”
Yep, Ye Liang Chen was caught in a fierce bipolar state. On one hand, he truly hated Dragon Brother. On the other, he was genuinely afraid Dragon Brother might throw a punch. Dragon Brother was like a stubborn dog with a chew toy — once he’s interested, there’s no stopping him…
He still couldn’t forget the pain of that bottle smashing over his head…
But at this point, ignoring or retreating wasn’t an option anymore. Couldn’t beat Dragon Brother in a fight, sure — but he certainly wouldn’t let him attack just out of jealousy for his brilliance, right?
As long as he and Dragon Brother appeared together in front of Treasure Girl, with his superior guy vibe and handsome face, wouldn’t he outshine Dragon Brother? Couldn’t he also make Hu Yu Ying see the difference between a high-quality man like himself and that rustic, vulgar dragon? Subtle influence, baby!
Thinking this, Ye Liang Chen’s fear lightened, replaced by a spark of anticipation.
Imagine this: Hu Yu Ying still hanging out with Dragon Brother on the surface, but secretly sneaking around with him. Haha, just thinking about it makes his chest swell with excitement!
“Who needs arrogance? Still got the green hat.”
Once he realized this, Ye Liang Chen straightened up from his nervous huffing, fixed his clothes and hairstyle like a noble prince, and strode confidently into the restaurant with Gao Quan.
Hands in his pockets, he grinned cheerily, scanning the place and finally locking onto the table where Dragon Brother and Hu Yu Ying sat. He puffed out his chest, flicked his hair, and adopted a cocky, self-satisfied swagger—like he was the coolest cat in town.
He sat right next to their table — well, technically just separated by a narrow aisle.
At first, Ye Liang Chen thought his bold move would definitely turn heads, especially Dragon Brother or Hu Yu Ying.
Girls, once they lock eyes with you, that’s it, game over, right?
But nope. The reality was, neither of them even gave him a glance. Not a second.
“d*mn it!” Fists clenched with silent fury. “They dare ignore me? Fine! Very well! That’s what I call style!”
That restaurant mainly did shrimp hotpot — start with giant prawns, then toss in some veggies and meat to simmer away. Classic and simple. He and Gao Quan ordered a big pot, no big deal. Just money, after all.
Before the waiter left, Ye Liang Chen’s mind flickered: “Bring me two boxes of beer.”
Since Ye Liang Chen was technically an adult now — having overcome his teenage years — drinking wasn’t a big deal anymore.
“Brother Chen, you’re so awesome! When did you learn to drink?” Gao Quan looked at him in awe, eyes practically bugging out.
For students still in school, drinking was the pinnacle of maturity. For Gao Quan, though, he’d never even had a sip.
As the two boxes of beer hit the floor, Ye Liang Chen flicked his hair again. Confident, calm, he pulled out two bottles and slammed a foot on an unopened case of beer, using a bottle opener to pop them open.
Deep breath — channel the cool — then swaggered toward Dragon Brother’s table.
“Hey guys,” Ye Liang Chen greeted first, giving a slight hair toss.
At that moment, he smiled faintly — a perfect gentlemanly gesture, full of charm.
Hu Yu Ying wrinkled her nose in disgust — she’d never hated anyone this much before. Ye Liang Chen, definitely one of them.
Sneaking a glance at Dragon Brother, she felt inexplicably more relaxed. “Today my big brother is here. I won’t be afraid of you, Ye Liang Chen.”
Hearing that name, Dragon Brother cast a couple more looks his way.
Wait… wasn’t this the kid who earlier scared him off by the school entrance? Or that guy at Nan Feng Square? The one holding an umbrella in the rain — yet still soaked?
Noticing Dragon Brother’s gaze, Ye Liang Chen flicked his hair again, smirking confidently.
At least in front of Dragon Brother, he’d maintain his elegance — because, after all, Elegance Never Goes Out of Style!
“The last thing was a bit abrupt of me. But now that we’ve crossed paths again, I come to apologize,” Ye Liang Chen said with a grin that he thought was charmingly disarming.
Watching his crooked smile, Dragon Brother couldn’t help but internally swear: WTF.
He’d read so much manga, you’d think he’d understand what a crooked grin was supposed to mean. But nope — Ye Liang Chen just nailed it.
Hu Yu Ying, a kind soul she was, disliked Ye Liang Chen — but even she was a bit surprised at his attempt to smooth things over. She didn’t bother to say much, because dealing with people like him wasn’t worth her effort — best to just ignore him.
Ye Liang Chen kept that crooked grin, focusing on Dragon Brother, and confidently suggested, “Let’s drink together.”
Because, after all, actions speak louder than words — and drinking with someone lousy isn’t a real challenge for him anymore. His previous life had made him a pro at handling drinks and getting drunk (or not getting drunk), so fermenting a helpless eighteen-year-old was as easy as flipping a switch.
Let Dragon Brother try to put on a show — but he would stand in front of Hu Yu Ying, casting a stark contrast. It would leave a deep impression in her mind.
After all, compared to his gentle, sunny demeanor, Dragon Brother, who often bullied her and even forced her to do things she didn’t want, was a different story. Surely Hu Yu Ying’s heart would sway.
Dragon Brother also noticed it — even though Ye Liang Chen kept talking, his eyes kept flickering toward Hu Yu Ying.
Hu Yu Ying’s face was twisted into a rare, genuine frown — a look filled with sincere disgust and resistance, something he hardly ever saw on her face.
He didn’t know what exactly caused her to feel this way about Ye Liang Chen, but—.
He was her big brother, after all. How could a big brother not favor his close follower?
“Not interested. Don’t bother us while we eat,” Dragon Brother said, raising his gaze.
Seeing that look, Ye Liang Chen instinctively stepped back.
Gripping his fists tightly, he badly wanted to smash his bottle over Dragon Brother’s head in anger. But his face betrayed nothing — only a faint, awkward smile.
He knew he shouldn’t do that. So he just said, “Fine, I’ll leave you to your meal.”
