Turns out I Was the CEO's White Moonlight [Rebirth] - Chapter 17

The system was abruptly disparaged by its own host, feeling so aggrieved it nearly burst into tears.

Although it was indeed, perhaps, a bit useless, surely it didn’t deserve such disdain!?

Shen Yelin let out a silent, cold laugh in his heart.

The system immediately shivered.

Before they knew it, the car had arrived at the restaurant Xie Yun mentioned.

Probably because it was near the film studio, with many celebrities coming and going, the staff at this restaurant were quite adept at reading the room. Seeing a van approaching from a distance, they immediately opened the VIP entrance to let them in. After the door opened, there was a dedicated pedestrian passage that led the two of them into the lobby.

The restaurant’s decor was understated and serene, reflecting the owner’s refined taste. The waiter guided them through a low bamboo screen, pushed open the tightly closed paper door, gave a slight bow, and stepped aside.

Xie Yun entered first, pulling out a chair for Shen Yelin and waiting for him to sit before taking a seat on the other side to order. He opened the menu, skillfully recited a few dish names to the waiter, and said to Shen Yelin, “I’m not sure if these will suit your taste, so I’ll just order a few for now. If there’s another chance in the future, I’ll treat you to something better as an apology.”

Shen Yelin replied, “This place isn’t bad at all. No need.”

The quality of a restaurant could easily be judged by its decor alone though a poorly decorated place didn’t necessarily mean the chef’s skills were lacking. But a lavishly decorated establishment almost certainly wouldn’t have a bad chef.

His standards for food weren’t high; as long as it was edible, it was fine. Besides, this meal was someone else’s treat, so there was no need to be picky.

Xie Yun looked at him, shaking his head with a wry smile. “You’re just too easygoing, Senior.”

As he spoke, Xie Yun suddenly felt a slight dizziness, and the face before him blurred abruptly. A needle-like pain spread from deep within his scalp, causing his body to sway uncontrollably and bump against the table with a distinct thud.

Shen Yelin paused, turning toward the sound, only to see a pale face.

Instinctively frowning, he rose from his seat and walked over to the other’s side. “Xie Yun, Xie Yun? Are you alright?”

Xie Yun held his forehead, his fingers gripping the edge of the table tightening abruptly. Trembling, he scanned the content flashing through his mind, his eyelashes fluttering violently before he suddenly looked up at the person before him Shen Yelin was frowning deeply, a rare trace of concern on his typically aloof and distant face, lending a touch of humanity to his overly cold features.

Alive.

A living Shen Yelin.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surge of emotions rising within him, and pretended nothing was wrong as he released his grip. Smiling at the person before him, he said, “I’m fine. It might be because I pulled a few all-nighters recently and haven’t fully recovered. I suddenly got a headache just now, but there’s no need to worry, Senior.”

Shen Yelin looked at his lower lip, bitten so hard it nearly bled, and remained silent for a long moment.

Such an obvious lie didn’t require much thought to see through. But Xie Yun clearly didn’t want him to pry further, and as an outsider, it wasn’t his place to ask too many questions. So, he withdrew his hand and said, “As long as you know what you’re doing. Try not to stay up so late in the future it’s not good for your health.”

“I know, thank you, senior.” Xie Yun blinked at him, then said, “I’ll go to the restroom and splash some cold water on my face. I should be fine after that. Don’t worry about me.”

Shen Yelin gave a soft “Mm.”

Xie Yun stood up from where he was sitting, offered an apologetic smile, and turned to leave the private room.

Shen Yelin watched his retreating figure and spoke inwardly to the system, “What do you think caused that reaction just now?”

“Huh?” The system was still processing. “Host, what do you mean?”

“Nothing much.” Shen Yelin dropped the subject, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a small sip. “Forget it if you can’t figure it out.”

After all, it was just a simple guess on his part.

It wasn’t long ago that he had seen a similar change in Ji Wencheng, after all.

Considering the system’s pitifully fragile self-esteem, Shen Yelin decided, with rare mercy, to let the topic go. Otherwise, he’d likely be subjected to the system’s whining bombardment again soon just thinking about it gave him a headache.

“Host,” the system said indignantly, “I heard all of that.”

As soon as Xie Yun stepped out of the private room, the smile that had been lingering on his lips vanished completely.

The sudden flood of images in his mind made him tremble uncontrollably; even his fingers twitched slightly as he slid the paper door shut. Only heaven knew how much self-control it had taken to hold back the tears that threatened to spill and force a smile in front of the other man.

Expressionless, Xie Yun walked toward the restroom at the end of the hallway, locked the door behind him, and turned on one of the faucets. Memories of the future surged over him like a tidal wave. He cupped a handful of cold water and splashed it on his face, forcing himself to regain his composure.

In his original plan, Xie Yun had intended to climb step by step to the peak before confessing his feelings to Shen Yelin.

He wasn’t in a hurry.

They had known each other since their university days, and over the years, Xie Yun believed he had come to understand Shen Yelin well. Although the other man was a natural beacon, attracting countless gazes wherever he went, he was inherently indifferent to emotions, making it difficult for anyone to truly enter his heart.

Xie Yun had relied on countless shameless attempts to pester Shen Yelin just to barely grasp his personality. Thus, he was quite confident in his carefully laid-out plan because those qualified to compete with him couldn’t match his level of persistence, and those who could match his persistence couldn’t get close to Shen Yelin.

Unless the Shen family suddenly decided to arrange a marriage for Shen Yelin, there would be no one else by his side before Xie Yun achieved his goal.

And by then, with enough power in his hands, Xie Yun would have the confidence to pursue Shen Yelin boldly and ask him to be together.

Xie Yun had no doubts about this and had been striving relentlessly toward it.

Shen Yelin was very indulgent toward him.

Xie Yun still remembered their first meeting. In a dimly lit bar, a tall, slender young man casually lowered his head, slowly swirling the dark liquid in his wine glass. His thick, long eyelashes, like crow feathers, cast dense shadows, creating a stark contrast to the noisy environment. It was as if he carried an aura of isolation from the world.

The area around him was conspicuously empty, with no one even approaching to offer a toast. He wore a custom-made B University uniform, its buttons often left undone by students fastened one by one. Well-tailored trousers hugged his straight, slender legs; though lean, he didn’t appear fragile in the slightest, nor was there any trace of effeminacy. An innate nobility, utterly distinct from ordinary people, emanated from his very bones, making him exceptionally striking and eye-catching.

“Who is that?” whispered a nearby freshman.

“Senior Shen from the Economics Department next door,” a sophomore warned quietly. “Don’t go disturbing him lightly. It wasn’t easy to get him here the student council president had to plead endlessly. And his background runs deep; he’s not someone ordinary folks like us can approach. Keep any wild ideas to yourselves, and don’t even think about asking for his number. No sneaking photos either!”

Hearing this, a group of young girls immediately looked disappointed.

After all, someone this good-looking was rare. Even just secretly taking a photo to use as conversation fodder would’ve been wonderful!

Alas, this was a lofty flower to be admired from afar, not to be trifled with. What a pity, what a pity.

Xie Yun, sitting nearby, listened to that warning, but his emotions churned fiercely.

For those of them studying art, to put it bluntly, encountering a “patron” who appreciated them early on could be immensely beneficial for their future development. He had already begun transitioning into the entertainment industry, taking on minor gigs and running errands for announcements, or playing bit parts in a few low-budget dramas. If he could latch onto a high branch that even experienced seniors spoke of with such caution, it would clearly pave a smooth path ahead.

Yet, none of this had anything to do with the turmoil in his heart at that moment.

He simply, purely, had fallen in love at first sight with the person before him.

Ignoring the seniors’ warnings, Xie Yun ordered a low-alcohol drink from the bar and walked over as if no one else were around.

Under the astonished and apprehensive gazes of the crowd, he offered a timid smile to the person who had coldly lifted his eyes, and said with a hint of anticipation, “Hello, Senior. I’m Xie Yun, a freshman this year, currently in the Art Department. This might be a bit presumptuous, but may I sit beside you?”

The other person stared at him without a word. Under the dim light, his tea-colored eyes resembled amber glass, reflecting a faint yet unusually captivating glow. After a long moment, Xie Yun saw him give a slight nod, set his wine glass aside, and utter a faint “Mm.”

It was tacit permission for his approach.

“Then…” Xie Yun asked cautiously, “would Senior be willing to tell me your name?”

The other looked at him. “You really want to know?”

He nodded.

“Why?”

Xie Yun thought for a moment, slightly troubled. “Because I told Senior my name. It’s a bit unfair if only Senior knows mine, but I don’t know yours… isn’t it?”

The other’s gaze lingered on his face, silently watching him for a while. Then, his lips moved slightly, and he tossed out a few words.

“Shen Yelin.”

His previously low spirits instantly soared. Xie Yun wore a sincere smile, his eyes shining as he sat down beside him and launched into an enthusiastic, non-stop conversation. Although, for the most part, Xie Yun was essentially performing a solo act with the other person merely offering perfunctory responses like “Mm,” “Not bad,” or “It’s alright”he still felt an unprecedented sense of joy.

The dust-covered past became irrelevant. From that moment on, Xie Yun had a brand-new life goal

He wanted this person before him, no matter what it took, he had to have him.