"So, what do you plan to do? Bring him over to your place?" Jessica was incredibly curious.
When I first met Ao Chen, he was so damn obsessive-compulsive about cleanliness.
Back then, we just couldn’t mesh well until one big get-together, where Ao Chen made hotpot, and you know, sometimes the bonds between people are just that weird and special.
The aroma spread out, so enticing that our cravings went haywire. When someone teased Ao Chen, asking why he didn’t eat what was ready and instead made his own, he simply stated, "Can’t get used to Western food."
That pot of hotpot—though the setting wasn’t quite right—tasted top-notch.
In the end, twenty-some people crowded around to eat from that pot.
They polished it off clean, while Ao Chen hardly had a few bites himself, cursing them out for having no shame and stealing the food.
That’s how our friendship started, from that very meal of hotpot.
Afterward, there were few chances to enjoy hotpot again. Each time we pushed Ao Chen to cook another pot, but he always declined, saying he didn’t want his home to smell of hotpot.
Davis didn’t mind at all; he suggested doing it at his countryside villa.
Ao Chen then made the excuse of not having the hotpot base and spices to make it.
We were all itching with annoyance, extremely displeased. It’s just a meal of hotpot; what’s up with all this fuss?
To top it off, when we finally bought the ingredients for the hotpot base, he would say he wasn’t in the mood to cook.
We all clenched our fists, ready to beat him up, but he couldn’t care less, casually remarking, "Don’t feel like having hotpot anymore?"
Then we all immediately turned away, daring not to do anything.
"I forgot, I’ve also got some stuff to take care of."
"Oh yeah, me too, I’ve got a gig to rush to."
"Wait for me, I’ve got something as well."
Ao Chen let out a derisive snort. Later, we did have two more hotpot experiences, but they were at other people’s places. We only visited Ao Chen’s apartment once; after that, he refused to let us come over again.
The reason was simple: Ao Chen disliked having so many people mess up his apartment, and Davis, that dog, even broke his guitar, so Ao Chen was even less welcoming toward us.
Jessica asked this question not with any particular intent, just out of sheer astonishment that he would bring someone who was virtually a stranger back to his place.
Ao Chen glanced at her and said, "Wanting to make those rumors about me come true?"
Jessica just smiled, not saying a word, her smile deep and meaningful, "I didn’t say anything. If you think you’re that kind of person, there’s nothing I can do. If the little guy is going to be eaten by you, then what can be done about it."
She feigned pity with her expression.
It was at that moment, the mentor who had brushed past him earlier came out with a dark expression, approached the table they had been at before, and spoke without any restraint.
The man stood up, his eyes brooding as he looked at the mentor, "Hmph, then what are you doing here?
If that’s the case, don’t bother coming to me about the investment we talked about before, unless you bring him to my bed, then we’ll have something to discuss."
"What garbage." Allen complained.
"Wait till I deal with him."
Angus was rubbing his hands together, ready to teach someone a lesson.
"What are you guys up to? Come back here."
The group sat back down, with Allen looking at him incredulously, "You can tolerate this? What, are you a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?"
Ao Chen didn’t pay him any mind, instead fixating on Allen, "Go check it out, what’s his background, and this mentor, what trash. What’s Davis’s deal? Is Jessica just for show? If none of you are, then go dig up some dirt and take care of it."
Davis, "What’s it got to do with me, I don’t care."
Jessica glared at him, "Try saying that again? I dare you to repeat that."
Davis’s eyes flickered, showing a reluctant compromise, "You people are so annoying, always just threatening me, and call yourselves heroes, assholes."
Complaints aside, Ao Chen was bold enough not to fear the people in the neighboring booth, helping Huo Qi to stand up, "Get back to me after sorting this out; I’m taking him with me now."
"Aren’t you going to hide it?"
Ao Chen curled his lip, "Hide what? He’s much better looking than you. If you don’t need to hide, why would I hide him?"
Allen almost choked on his own spit, "You know that’s not what I mean."
Jessica and the others laughed heartily, showing no mercy. As for Allen, well, he wouldn’t be considered ugly, just a ruggedly handsome type;