As for Pink-Hair, before Falling in Love, He Insisted That He Wasn't the Possessive Type - Chapter 19

“What earring?” Yu Qingdu had originally intended to return it to him directly, but now that Shang Qingye had asked, he felt a sudden urge to tease him.

Seeing that the man before him seemed to want to go back on his word, Shang Qingye tightened his grip on Yu Qingdu’s hand. “Are you trying to renege on our deal? Would a big boss really break his promise?”

“Do you like them that much?” Yu Qingdu asked, looking at him with a beaming smile.

“It is none of your business whether I like them or not; you gave them to me, so they are mine.” Shang Qingye did not bother to argue logic, despite the fact that the earrings he was demanding were originally a gift from the man standing in front of him. “Even you cannot take them back.”

For reasons he could not quite identify, Yu Qingdu felt a surge of happiness. “Let go, and I will give them to you.”

Shang Qingye raised an eyebrow, seemingly weighing the man’s credibility. After a few seconds, he slowly released his hand.

Yu Qingdu stretched his freed arm before pulling a velvet box from his pocket under Shang Qingye’s watchful gaze. He handed the box to Shang Qingye, who snatched it back and flipped it open. The pair of star earrings lay safely inside. He safely tucked the box into the pocket of his leather jacket.

“I am leaving.” After reclaiming the star earrings, Shang Qingye glanced at Yu Qingdu and announced his departure.

“You arrived early today, and you are leaving early as well.” Yu Qingdu pressed a finger to the corner of his mouth, his eyes appearing to hide countless secrets.

“Whatever,” Shang Qingye replied casually. He turned toward the door and, with his back to Yu Qingdu, waved a hand. “I am off.”

Yu Qingdu watched him leave. As if timing his entrance to Shang Qingye’s exit, Xu Yue walked in. “Finished talking?”

Yu Qingdu glanced up at him. “Talking about what?”

“Falling in love,” Xu Yue said with a broad smile. “You know exactly what I mean, yet you make me say it out loud.”

Yu Qingdu sat back in his office chair and laughed. “Everyone says you have spent too much time with Jiang Zhiyan.”

Xu Yue nodded, smiling as he continued to listen.

“But how could that idiot ever be as sharp as you? You are full of schemes.”

Yu Qingdu and Xu Yue locked eyes, both wearing smirks. Xu Yue found a spot on the sofa and sat down, speaking in a gentle tone. “It is such a rare thing for you to be in a relationship, so I was naturally curious.”

Xu Yue remained his usual, gentle self.

“Allow me to correct you: I am not in a relationship.” Having known Xu Yue for years, Yu Qingdu understood his personality perfectly. He did not elaborate further, offering only a calm correction.

“Fair enough.” Xu Yue smiled and did not press the issue. Instead, he asked, “Have you given it a name yet? We need to start preparing the materials.”

Xu Yue pointed toward the glass display case on the desk. Yu Qingdu followed his gaze to the set of gemstone jewelry on his table.

“I have.” Yu Qingdu picked up a pen and wrote a single character on a piece of paper: “Qing.”

“Its name is Qing.” Yu Qingdu set the pen down.

Xu Yue nodded. “Understood.” Then, his tone shifted playfully. “I just wonder which Qing this refers to.”

“It can be whichever one you want it to be.” Yu Qingdu ignored the teasing, simply smiling at him before taking a sip of tea. Xu Yue laughed and said no more.

Downstairs, Shang Qingye walked out of the office building. The sun was out, but it was not dazzling; it felt warm and comfortable against his skin. As he stepped out, he touched the hair tie securing the small ponytail at the back of his head. Looking at the greenery outside, he licked his lips.

Although all necessary preparations were complete, Yu Qingdu grew increasingly busy as the date of the finals approached. He was so occupied that he had no time to flirt with Shang Qingye. Finally, March arrived as scheduled.

Yu Qingdu and Xu Yue each held a suitcase as they stood in the office. Qin Zhiyan and Bu Qingyao were also there to see them off.

“Jiang Zhiyan is frantically sending messages in the group chat.” Xu Yue looked at his phone and laughed helplessly at Yu Qingdu.

“Let him stay there and learn a bit more.” Yu Qingdu also checked his phone, though he was only looking at the time.

A month ago, Yu Qingdu had sent Jiang Zhiyan elsewhere to purchase raw materials. Xu Yue nodded and tapped on his screen to reply to Jiang Zhiyan. Seeing that it was almost time to leave, Yu Qingdu said, “Let us go. We need to get to the airport.”

Xu Yue finished his last line of text and put his phone away. “Zhiyan, while Qingdu and I are away for the next few days, please help look after the studio.”

Qin Zhiyan had known them for many years and was a reliable man. He nodded. “Alright, you two go ahead and do not worry.”

Xu Yue nodded and then turned to Bu Qingyao with a gentle smile. “Xiao Yao, it will be hard work for you to help out as well.”

Bu Qingyao nodded vigorously. She was determined to look after the studio. If an accident happened while Yu Qingdu and Xu Yue were away, she would surely lose her job.

“Let us go.”

Yu Qingdu and Xu Yue went down to the first floor. As they exited the elevator, they encountered someone. A glint of amusement flashed in Xu Yue’s eyes as he asked softly, “Do I need to step away?”

Yu Qingdu glanced at Xu Yue, but Shang Qingye spoke first. “No need. It is just one sentence.” He smirked and looked at Yu Qingdu. “First place.”

Yu Qingdu understood his meaning and replied, “First place.”

Hearing this, Shang Qingye stepped aside to let them pass. “Alright. I will be waiting, Boss Yu.”

Yu Qingdu’s lips curled into a smile. He nodded and left with Xu Yue. Xu Yue was not an overly nosy person, but he could not help but ask with a smile, “Do you have a secret code now?”

“Yes, so you would not understand.” Yu Qingdu laughed.

Xu Yue shook his head and asked no further.

Back in late February, while Shang Qingye and Yu Qingdu were out together, Yu Qingdu had taken some time to handle matters regarding the international competition. At that time, Shang Qingye had made a joking remark: “You are so serious; you treat this competition like it is your wife.”

Yu Qingdu did not immediately refute him. Only after finishing his work did he look at Shang Qingye seriously. “Because this is my heartfelt wish.”

To call it a dream felt too grand, and to call it a desire felt too small; therefore, calling it a heartfelt wish was just right. “I hope to be the first place winner of this final,” Yu Qingdu had said earnestly at the time.

Shang Qingye studied him closely for a long moment before laughing. “I bet you will be first.”

“Then I will thank you in advance.”

Sitting on the plane, Yu Qingdu rested his head against the window, quietly watching the white clouds outside. Once upon a time, he had also hoped his mother would take first place in a final. After the plane landed, Yu Qingdu and Xu Yue were taken to a hotel by the organizers.

“The finals and the rehearsal are tomorrow, right?” Xu Yue asked.

“Yes,” Yu Qingdu nodded.

“Did the organizers tell you if they received the entry pieces?” Xu Yue inquired.

Yu Qingdu’s competition pieces had been shipped through the organizer’s official channels long ago. “They were received. We just need to show up tomorrow.”