Don’t Ignite It chapter 24

Yu Yu

Lu Yuan sat down, and Yu Wan immediately had someone bring dice and playing cards, inviting everyone to play a game together to prevent an awkward silence.

No one objected to the idea, and they started playing. However, as they played, Yu Wan pulled Jiang Ti aside to discuss something related to the commercial land in the north, hoping to secure it through the Jiang family’s connections. This made them somewhat distracted from the game.

Meanwhile, Xia Yu just focused on his phone, seemingly uninterested in their conversation.

However, sitting nearby, Lu Yuan played with the playing cards for a while and then initiated a conversation with Xia Yu. “The last time we met, I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t find the opportunity. It’s been several years since we graduated, and we haven’t met much. I heard you opened an art gallery.”

Xia Yu was surprised that Lu Yuan would initiate a conversation with him. He gave Lu Yuan a quick look-over and replied politely, “Yes, I’ve been running it for a few years now, just a small business, nothing too serious. I heard you joined the management at the Lu Corporation, doing well for yourself.”

Lu Yuan graduated and later joined the family business, becoming the Vice General Manager of a subsidiary of the Lu Corporation. He was considered a promising young talent, though not as outstanding as his brother Lu Zhao.

However, Lu Yuan didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he admired Lu Zhao.

Lu Yuan shook his head, “I’m just following my family’s arrangements. I can’t really call it a success.”

He fell silent for a moment after saying this. In reality, he and Xia Yu didn’t have much to talk about. They were not close even during their school days, and their relationship had only worsened when Xia Yu pursued Lu Zhao romantically.

A few years ago, they wouldn’t have been able to sit together peacefully like this.

After some thought, Lu Yuan decided to get straight to the point. He raised his glass and spoke earnestly to Xia Yu, “Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to apologize to you for.”

“Huh?” Xia Yu was taken aback. Apologize? What did Lu Yuan have to apologize for?

Lu Yuan mustered up the courage to express his feelings. “Back in college, I shouldn’t have interfered in your relationship with my brother. I said some hurtful things to you, and that was my fault.”

He wasn’t accustomed to apologizing or admitting his mistakes, so his tone was somewhat stiff. However, his eyes met Xia Yu’s with sincerity.

Xia Yu was momentarily stunned. It took him a while to process Lu Yuan’s words, and he was unsure of how to respond.

After a brief pause, Xia Yu smiled and replied, “That’s all ancient history. I’ve long forgotten about it. It was my fault, too, for being too impulsive at that age.”

Xia Yu’s magnanimous response made Lu Yuan feel even more uncomfortable.

He knew that he had been the one out of line back then, with his sharp words and unkind behavior. Xia Yu had every reason to hold a grudge, but here he was, forgiving and forgetting.

Lu Yuan had other things on his mind. He felt that Xia Yu was the unlucky one in this situation.

With both of them in silence for a while, Lu Yuan decided to continue. “There’s actually something else I’ve wanted to apologize for, but I never had the chance to do it in person.”

“Oh?” Xia Yu responded.

Lu Yuan continued, “Do you remember the handcrafted sailboat model you left at my brother’s place? It was apparently a birthday gift, and my brother said you treasured it, but it got damaged later.”

Xia Yu’s expression changed. He remembered that clearly.

It was a handcrafted sailboat model that his older brother had made for him as a birthday gift for his 18th birthday. Xia Yu had initially kept it at home but later brought it to Lu Zhao’s place during the summer vacation. He had convinced Lu Zhao to let him stay in his villa despite Lu Zhao being busy with his research projects.

When he moved his belongings, he had taken the sailboat with him, placing it in the guest room. However, it didn’t take long for the sailboat to be shattered beyond recognition, with even the fragments discarded by the housekeepers.

Upon his return, Lu Zhao hadn’t offered much explanation, only mentioning that it was an accident and that he could compensate Xia Yu with a new one.

As Xia Yu recalled this old memory, his brow furrowed. He looked at Lu Yuan and stopped smiling. His expression turned a bit cold. “Are you suggesting that you were the one who broke that sailboat?”

“It was me,” Lu Yuan admitted, sounding somewhat ashamed. “I went to my brother’s place to visit when he wasn’t around, and he didn’t allow me into your room. But I sneaked in and saw that sailboat. I picked it up, and it accidentally got broken. At the time, I didn’t know it was a gift from your brother, so I didn’t think much of it. I let the housekeepers dispose of it. My brother scolded me for it later and told me not to bother you again.”

They sat in silence for a moment. Xia Yu took a sip of his drink, unsure of what to say. Back then, when the sailboat was broken, he had indeed argued with Lu Zhao, but the argument wasn’t just about the sailboat. It was about Lu Zhao’s attitude.

Xia Yu swirled his glass gently, not feeling particularly good. However, when he raised his head, he put on a smile and said, “It’s been years, and I’ve long forgotten about it. I had many problems with your brother, and this one item doesn’t make much difference. You don’t have to carry it on your conscience.”

Lu Yuan hesitated but didn’t push the matter further. The past was the past.

He took another sip of his drink and changed the topic. “Do you know that my brother has settled in Chuan City now? He even relocated the Lu Corporation’s headquarters here.”

“Uh-huh,” Xia Yu nodded. “I’ve heard.”

“Has my brother visited you recently?” Lu Yuan quickly glanced at Xia Yu and added, “I mean, besides the last time we met.”

Xia Yu remained calm and asked, “What do you mean?”

Lu Yuan was torn inside and struggled to find the right words. Stammering, he said, “I mean, has my brother… Has he said anything to you?”

Xia Yu hesitated for a couple of seconds and lied, “No.”

Lu Yuan sighed in relief.

He added, “That’s good. Just remember to keep your distance from my brother.”

Xia Yu thought to himself that his brother probably wouldn’t agree to that.

He raised an eyebrow and asked LuYuan, “Why? Are you afraid I’ll pester Lu Zhao again? Don’t worry; I won’t.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Lu Yuan said anxiously. “I’m worried that my brother will pester you.”

Xia Yu gave Lu Yuan a suspicious look, wondering if this guy knew something.

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows, feeling a bit agitated.

He picked up a chip and repeatedly flipped it on the table. He didn’t want to say much, but seeing Xia Yu again made him uneasy. Eventually, he continued, “Believe it or not, my brother… had special feelings for you.”

He emphasized “a bit,” as he was deliberately downplaying it. His brother was clearly deeply attached to Xia Yu, but there was no point in revealing too much.

He looked at Xia Yu deeply and added, “Don’t be fooled by my brother’s calm demeanor; he has a bit of madness in him. If you want a peaceful life, remember to keep your distance.”

Xia Yu pondered the words for a moment and then lazily responded, “Got it.”

Just as Yu Wan and Jiang Ti had finished their business discussion, Yu Wan called out to them, “You two, don’t just talk. How about another round of cards?”

Xia Yu had no objections and smiled, saying, “Sure.”

The four of them continued to drink and play cards, and by the time they decided to take a break, it was almost two in the morning.

Jiang Ti had consumed the most alcohol, and he was beginning to struggle to stay upright. His gaze was unfocused, and he seemed unsteady on his feet. Yu Wan, concerned for his friend, held onto him and suggested, “I’ll call a designated driver to take him home. He lives nearby.”

Xia Yu nodded and said, “Please do.”

He had also consumed a fair amount of alcohol, but he wasn’t quite drunk yet, just a bit dizzy. He stood up and said, “I’ll go to the restroom and be back in a moment.”

However, he left his phone on the table, and a few seconds later, it began to vibrate.

Lu Yuan picked up his own coat and noticed Xia Yu’s phone vibrating. Worried that it might get lost in the crowded bar, he picked it up with the intention of returning it to Xia Yu later.

He had no intention of invading Xia Yu’s privacy. However, when the phone stopped vibrating briefly and then started again, he glanced at the screen and saw a name he knew all too well.

Lu Zhao.

Lu Yuan was stunned, and he nearly dropped the phone. He hurriedly retrieved it, but in his haste, he accidentally pressed the answer button.

He was standing near the bar’s entrance, and it wasn’t very noisy there. The phone’s speaker was also on, so even though the voice was a bit distorted, he could clearly recognize the tone.

Lu Yuan listened attentively to his brother’s voice.

“Yu Yu, where are you? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Lu Yuan was left dumbfounded.

He stared at a potted plant in front of him, his lips trembling. He subconsciously brought the phone closer to his ear.

“Brother… it’s me, Lu Yuan,” he stammered, his throat dry.

Lu Zhao immediately furrowed his brow.

“Why is it you?”

Lu Yuan thought, I haven’t even asked why it’s you yet.

But he didn’t dare to question further. He licked his dry lips and gave a brief explanation, “I came to a friend’s bar to have some drinks today and ran into Xia Yu. He’s gone to the restroom now, and I picked up his phone from the table. When you called, I saw your name and accidentally answered.”

Lu Yuan wanted to ask his brother why he was calling Xia Yu.

What’s going on?

And why did he ask Xia Yu’s whereabouts as if they were close?

But due to the long-standing shadow of his brother, he didn’t dare to inquire.

He was torn, while Lu Zhao didn’t seem to mind at all. He asked, “Are you at a bar? Which one? Is it just the two of you? Are there others?”

“Just us, and our friends Yu Wan and Jiang Ti have already left,” Lu Yuan replied honestly. “It’s Yu Wan’s bar, the one you’ve been to.”

“Alright, I’ll be there soon.”

After saying that, Lu Zhao hung up.

When the phone screen went dark, Lu Yuan finally realized that Xia Yu’s phone had several missed calls, all from Lu Zhao.

Damn.

Lu Yuan stood there in a daze, thinking about the words he had just exchanged with Xia Yu, his brother’s nonchalant tone, and that affectionate nickname, “Yu Yu.” His thoughts were in complete disarray.