"Brother Song, Si Tai invited me to dinner tonight. Are you free this evening? If you’re not busy, shall we go together?"
In a tea restaurant over a hundred meters high, Song Chaoge was having tea with Guo Anle.
From this height, one could fully appreciate the Haojiang Tower outside.
"Si Tai invited you, not me. Why should I go?"
Song Chaoge held his teacup and said naturally, "I’m not fond of being a third wheel."
Guo Anle gave a wry chuckle, then sighed helplessly, "Brother Song, stop teasing me. It’s not about being a third wheel. I’m worried that if I go alone, the atmosphere will become too awkward."
"The atmosphere will become awkward?"
Song Chaoge looked puzzled. "Why do you say that? Doesn’t Si Tai like you?"
"That’s just politeness. And even if Si Tai likes me, what good does it do?"
Guo Anle showed a bitter smile. "Last time I visited, I already talked about it with Yi Hui."
Like a gossip enthusiast, Song Chaoge immediately asked with interest, "Did you confess?"
Guo Anle was silent for a moment before smiling. "Sort of."
Guo Anle sighed, somewhat disheartened but not entirely negative, "Yi Hui’s response was very direct; she told me she had no feelings for me and only thought of me as an ordinary friend."
"Brother Song, she already rejected me. If we sit together again, wouldn’t it be awkward? If you were there, it might be a little better."
"Do you mean to say that you plan to never meet her again?"
"No." Guo Anle replied without hesitation. "I’ve never thought that."
"Then that settles it. It’s normal for her to reject you. It would be strange if she accepted straight away."
Guo Anle was puzzled.
Song Chaoge took a sip of tea. "You’ve probably never chased a girl, right?"
"Brother Song, have you?"
Song Chaoge was suddenly at a loss for words.
Whether it’s a distinguished young master like Guo Anle or an even more prominent Song Chaoge, men like them are destined not to put much effort into pursuing women.
Not needing to put much effort into pursuing women doesn’t mean they won’t suffer from matters of the heart.
Just like Guo Anle, who was deeply troubled at the moment.
"So, Brother Song, what do you think I should do?"
Guo Anle changed the subject himself.
"... ’Though filtering a thousand times is hard, it’s only when all the sand is blown away that the gold is found.’ Chasing a girl seldom succeeds on the first attempt, and those who do succeed on the first try, you probably wouldn’t like."
Guo Anle nodded in agreement. "That makes sense."
"First, you need to prepare yourself for a prolonged effort."
Perhaps entirely inexperienced in love, Song Chaoge spoke calmly, "Chasing a girl is like climbing a mountain, feeling a bit of hardship and thinking about giving up, then why did you think of climbing in the first place?"
"Also, girls often like to say one thing but mean another; maybe she’s just testing you."
Guo Anle chuckled. "That might be possible with other women, but not with Yi Hui. I understand her character. If she says that, it really means she only sees me as an ordinary friend."
"How many times have you seen her to dare to say you understand her?"
Song Chaoge asked meaningfully.
Guo Anle fell silent for a moment and then said reflectively, "It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen someone. With some people, even a single glance can last a lifetime. I indeed haven’t had much contact with her, but I still can’t stop thinking about her."
"You shouldn’t be telling me this, but saying it in front of her."
"Brother Song, I’m already so melancholic, yet you’re still mocking me."
Guo Anle shook his head and drank his tea.
Song Chaoge laughed, "So you mean to say it was love at first sight for you?"
"I guess you could say that."
Guo Anle’s eyes revealed a reminiscing tone, "I still remember the first time I saw her. Others were all dressed up flamboyantly, but she was very plain with a high ponytail. If it weren’t for the King of Gambling leading her, I wouldn’t have known she was his daughter. Brother Song, I’ve encountered quite a few women, but no one has given me the same feeling."
"So what are you hesitating for?"
Song Chaoge said, "In your life, there shouldn’t be many things you truly pursue; don’t let her be the one you forever regret."
Guo Anle thought silently and finally nodded. "You’re right, Brother Song. If I give up now, I will surely regret it later."
Song Chaoge sipped his tea. "If you really want me to go, I can accompany you."
Guo Anle showed gratitude.
"Brother Song, I cannot thank you enough."
"If this really works out, you’ll have to remember to give me a big red envelope."
Guo Anle laughed heartily. "No problem. If Yi Hui and I really end up together, Brother Song, you should be my best man."
"Best man might be too much."
Song Chaoge shook his head with a smile. "I’m not up for that."
As they relaxed enjoying their afternoon tea, Geng Long walked in.
He greeted Guo Anle first.
Guo Anle nodded coolly, quietly sipping his tea.
Geng Long then said to Song Chaoge, "Young Master Song, I need to step out for a bit."
Song Chaoge glanced at him, not asking any further, "Go ahead with your tasks."
Geng Long turned swiftly and went downstairs to get into a sedan.
"Brother Long, everything has been arranged, at Chu Tian Hotel."
Chu Tian Hotel in Haojiang is regarded as a budget-friendly hotel, a choice for travelers seeking economical options.