December 27th, Thursday.
As they were leaving work in the evening, Li Yifei said to Qian Fei, "I'm going out tonight, won't be home for dinner."
Qian Fei acknowledged this without showing any hint of "eating alone is so lonely" on her face. Instead, her expression clearly radiated joy that seemed to say, "Great! I can finally do whatever I want freely!"
Li Yifei was extremely displeased that after all this time, his absence still meant so little to her—especially after he'd lowered himself to consider her as one of the guys. Yet she could remain so indifferent to him skipping dinner. He decided he needed to teach this insensitive tomboy a lesson about what brotherly affection really meant.
That evening, he had dinner plans with Jin Tian.
Coincidentally, right after dinner, Dajun called to invite him out for drinks.
He usually had a rule—when hanging out with the guys, he preferred not to bring his girlfriend along, feeling it would make casual banter inconvenient. But considering Jin Tian had been introduced to him by Dajun and they all knew each other, he brought her along anyway.
At the bar, he and Dajun got so engrossed discussing a business collaboration that he completely forgot about Jin Tian.
When he finally remembered, the other guys told him Jin Tian had already taken a taxi home by herself.
"She told you several times she wanted to leave, but you kept saying 'wait a bit, wait a bit,' so she just left on her own."
Li Yifei asked Dajun, "Did she ask about me?"
Dajun nodded, "I think so."
Li Yifei said, "Oh. Well, fine if she went back. Saves me the trouble of taking her home."
Dajun said, "I think she might be upset. I'd feel slighted too in her place."
Li Yifei grunted, "Then let her be upset. She can come find me when she's in a better mood. I'm not in the habit of indulging women's temper tantrums."
Dajun cursed, "Would it kill you to comfort her a little?!"
Li Yifei scoffed, "Do I look like someone who coddles women?"
Dajun waved a hand, "Alright, alright! I just gave you another chance to show off! Whatever, let her go. Now we can drink properly!"
Li Yifei checked his watch and after a moment said, "We've finished discussing business anyway, so I'm heading back. We'll drink another day."
Dajun's jaw dropped in exaggerated surprise, "Li Yifei, are you turning over a new leaf? It's only 10 pm and you're going home? The night's just getting started!"
Li Yifei stood up, "I've got work tomorrow, got a problem with that? Want me to call you first thing when I wake up?"
Dajun affectionately called him an "asshole."
●︶3︶●
On the way back, Li Yifei unintentionally recalled Qian Fei's eager, secretly delighted expression before leaving work and began pondering what secret might be behind that look.
When he got home and opened the door, he saw Qian Fei squatting in the middle of the living room, staring intently at the TV tuned to a channel with a logo that strongly resembled a toilet.
She was so absorbed that she didn't even notice him entering.
After changing his shoes, he walked over and nudged her with his foot, asking, "What are you doing? Having a toilet break here?"
Qian Fei turned her head to look up at him.
"Don't disturb me! Dapeng's about to sing! I've been waiting all evening for this!"
Li Yifei glanced at the TV. So her eager, delighted expression earlier was just because she was looking forward to watching this?
"What's this show?" he asked.Qian Fei replied impatiently, "The Big Show! What can I expect from someone as uncultured as you? Don't bother me now—Da Peng is about to sing!"
Li Yifei stood beside her without moving.
He decided to see what this Da Peng guy looked like, the one who had her so utterly enchanted.
The music started, and surprisingly, it was the tune of "Glorious Years," one of his favorites.
He found it somewhat amusing.
BEYOND's songs were every teenage boy's anthem. Back when they were seventeen or eighteen, everyone loved belting out a few lines during breaks in the school hallway.
But singing a song that nearly everyone knew and often covered—and making it convincing—was no easy feat.
That’s what he thought, until the first line of the lyrics came from the mouth of the man dressed in BEYOND’s signature style, holding a guitar. He was slightly stunned.
It was uncanny! Not just the voice, but the emotion behind it.
The man on screen sang with heartfelt passion, while he stood outside the TV, quietly listening alongside the woman crouched on the floor. The song moved them both deeply.
He remembered the days when he and his reckless friends used to shout this song outside the classroom. Through this man’s voice, he felt as if he could touch his own lost youth.
When the song ended, he remained still for a long time.
He was starting to understand why that idiot crouched on the floor was so obsessed with this man called Da Peng.
There really was something infectious about him—something that might just be called "inspiration."
●︶3︶●
When Da Peng was announced as the season’s champion, Qian Fei burst into uncontrollable tears.
Li Yifei handed her tissues while rubbing his temples. "Seriously, sis? I’ve never seen you cry like this, not even when you got dumped! Tsk, and now you’re actually sobbing!"
Qian Fei sniffled. "You don’t get it! Th-this is called tears of joy!"
Li Yifei scoffed. "Yeah, I don’t get it. All I see is a fangirl!"
Qian Fei sighed. "Ugh!"
Li Yifei’s headache worsened. "Now what’s wrong?"
Qian Fei said gloomily, "Da Peng has a stand-up comedy show at the National Theatre at the end of the month. I really want to go, but I couldn’t get tickets!"
Li Yifei rolled his eyes. "That’s it? Just a ticket? Leave it to me—I’ll handle it."
Qian Fei shot him a skeptical look. "How? The tickets sold out ages ago! What, do you own the theatre or something?"
Li Yifei bristled. "Underestimating me, huh? You really think I can’t pull it off?"
Without hesitation, Qian Fei retorted, "Yeah, right!"
Li Yifei smirked. "Don’t believe me? Fine. Not only will I get you in, but I’ll land you the best seats—front row, VIP!"
Qian Fei stood firm. "I don’t believe you!"
Li Yifei puffed up like a rooster ready to fight. "And if I actually do it, what then?"
Qian Fei slammed the table. "If you pull it off, I’ll change my last name!"
●︶3︶●
December 28th, Friday.
During lunch break, Li Yifei called Da Jun.
"It’s been a while since we’ve seen those troublemakers we grew up with, right? How about you organize a party tonight? Tell everyone not to be late or skip out—otherwise, Brother Fei might accidentally leak their embarrassing childhood photos to the world!" he ordered casually."What's going on?" Dajun asked groggily.
"Simply put, I missed you guys!" Li Yifei said earnestly.
"Bullshit! With your track record, there's definitely something else going on!" Dajun paused, then added, "How about Sunday? We can celebrate New Year together. Tonight's too rushed!"
Li Yifei insisted, "No, it has to be tonight. I miss everyone too much to wait until the day after tomorrow!"
Dajun cursed colorfully and asked, "So who's organizing this gathering?"
"Me," Li Yifei replied.
"Who's paying?" Dajun asked.
"You," Li Yifei said.
Dajun couldn't help but curse again, "Damn it! If I pull this off for you, I'll be the biggest sucker in the capital!"
And so, by evening, Dajun had earned himself a new title: The Biggest Sucker in the Capital.
A group of childhood friends, all seemingly respectable elites on the surface but with mouths dirtier than street thugs when joking around, gathered together.
They asked, "What's the occasion for tonight's party? Why the sudden gathering? And Yifei, are you planning to blackmail us forever with those childhood photos?"
Li Yifei smiled and nodded. Dajun pointed at him and said, "This troublemaker made me organize it. Ask him whatever you want to know!"
All eyes turned to Li Yifei.
With an air of righteousness, Li Yifei said, "It's been a while since we last met. Don't you all miss each other?"
Someone scoffed, "Cut the crap, Yifei. Every time you organize something, it's because you need us for something!"
Li Yifei patted his shoulder, "We're brothers who grew up together in the same kindergarten, bound by lifelong friendship. Don't sweat the small stuff!"
Gathering everyone closer, he explained, "Here's the thing. A friend of mine likes a celebrity and wants to see his talk show on December 30th—that's the day after tomorrow—at the National Theater. But we couldn't get tickets. So I'm asking if any of you can help me score two VIP tickets?"
The group was stunned into silence.
Dajun was especially baffled, "Seriously? You gathered all us elite young masters of Beijing for this trivial matter? Don't you think you're overestimating our usefulness here?"
Li Yifei smiled humbly, "More hands make light work!"
Someone asked, "Which celebrity is it?"
Li Yifei replied, "Dong Chengpeng, the guy from Men's Drama ."
The elite young masters fell silent for two seconds before shaking their heads collectively.
"Who the hell is that? Never heard of him. Is he even famous?" Dajun voiced everyone's thoughts.
Li Yifei kicked him, "Don't disrespect other people's idols!"
Dajun was shocked, "Whose idol? Yours? No way! I thought your idol was Sola Aoi!"
Li Yifei kicked him again, making Dajun yelp in pain.
Dajun's eyes darted around as he asked, "Tell me, you're going to all this trouble for someone over such a small matter. It's not Jin Tian, is it? But her taste doesn't seem this... plebeian."
Li Yifei kicked him once more, "Can't get enough of my kicks, huh? So liking Chengpeng makes someone plebeian? He's an inspirational idol now!" For some reason, he couldn't stand anyone speaking ill of Chengpeng these days.Da Jun rubbed his sore backside while glaring at him, shaking his head with a long sigh. "Kid, you've changed! You're turning into more of a sanctimonious dad by the day!"
Li Yifei rolled his eyes and ignored him, turning to address the group instead. "Anyway, that's the deal—take it seriously! Whether you have to buy them at inflated prices, snatch them from strangers, or pull some strings with the organizers, just get it done by tomorrow night. Otherwise, I'm posting all your childhood naked photos as a Twitter thread!"
Da Jun, representing the group, gritted his teeth in frustration. "Yifei, do you have to humiliate us like this? Threatening us with those photos over such a trivial matter? This is an insult to our dignity , you know!"
Li Yifei met his gaze with utter seriousness. "I think it's a pretty big deal, actually."
After all, this involved whether he'd lose face in front of that damn girl. Not to mention their bet about changing surnames.
●︶3︶●
December 29th, Saturday.
During the day, Li Yifei received a phone call and went out shortly after.
Qian Fei faintly overheard that the caller was a girl. She guessed Li Yifei had found himself a new girlfriend.
By evening, while Qian Fei was watching Happy Camp, Li Yifei returned.
He changed his shoes by the entrance while taunting her, "Does this TV only get one channel? You're practically fused to that toilet logo at this point! Couldn’t you aim higher and watch the News Simulcast or something?"
Qian Fei kept her eyes glued to the screen, not even glancing his way. "As if you watch the News Simulcast either!"
Li Yifei slipped into his slippers and walked over, pulling two flat objects from his pocket. With a dramatic smack , he tossed them onto the coffee table in front of her, as coolly as if he'd just flung a stack of dollar bills.
Qian Fei finally pried her eyes away from the TV. "What's this?" she asked, picking up the items.
The moment she looked down and realized what she was holding, she shrieked.
"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh! How did you get these?! Front-row seats?!"
Watching her bounce up and down with joy, Li Yifei smirked.
"Care to compose a proper ode of praise for the man standing before you?" He ran a hand through his hair with exaggerated flair.
Too elated to care, Qian Fei impulsively stood on her toes and hugged him.
But she let go just as quickly.
Instead, she planted loud kisses on the tickets. "Mwah! Mwah! Bro, you're the best! All my doting on you wasn’t in vain! Tomorrow, I’ll buy a whole sack of eggplants at the market and cook you stir-fried eggplant with meat every day!"
Li Yifei’s gaze drifted absently toward Qian Fei’s chest.
That damn girl’s brief hug had just revealed something unexpected.
She wasn’t wearing a bra.
And shockingly, this tomboy actually had some curves.
Clearing his throat, Li Yifei plucked one of the tickets back from her hand.
Qian Fei blinked. "Why are you taking one back?"
Li Yifei arched a brow. "You thought both were for you? Greedy much? Do you have any idea how hard these were to get?"
Qian Fei frowned. "So I’m supposed to go alone? Just give me the other one too—I’ll find someone to go with!"
Li Yifei scoffed. "And leave me with nothing? I’m going too, obviously."
Qian Fei gaped. "You’re coming? But you don’t even like Da Peng—you didn’t even know who he was!"
Li Yifei grunted. "For these tickets, I’ve decided to become a fan. Got a problem with that?"Qian Fei was in a good mood and didn’t argue with him. Smiling, she said, “Then let’s go together! By the way, how much are the tickets?”
Li Yifei put on an air of arrogance, replying, “Don’t mention money to me, how vulgar! Consider it my New Year’s gift to you!”
Qian Fei frowned. “That doesn’t seem right,” she insisted on paying.
Li Yifei grew impatient and blurted out, “Fine, my buddy got these tickets as a phone bill rebate, alright?”
Qian Fei looked at him and sighed sincerely, “If he keeps recharging his phone like this, I think your buddy’s not far from being radiated into a complete idiot!”
●︶3︶●
When Dajun handed the tickets to Li Yifei, he said, “Gangzi went through some trouble for these—paid double the market price to get them from his sister-in-law’s colleague’s sister’s classmate! The girl and her boyfriend actually cried when they took the money!”
Li Yifei asked, “Because they didn’t want to sell?”
Dajun shook his head. “No, they were moved. They said they never imagined their idol’s tickets would fetch such a high price on the black market. They were just so happy for him!”
Li Yifei nearly rolled his eyes.
He pulled out his wallet and handed cash to Dajun. “Pass this to Gangzi for me and tell him I’ll thank him properly later.”
“Forget it, you’re so broke you’re renting a place now. I’ll cover it for you,” Dajun refused.
Li Yifei insisted, “This is separate! I’ll definitely take advantage of you when I can, but this money has to come from me.”
Dajun scoffed, “Look at the state you’re in, still acting all generous! Does your landlord even know you’re spending so much effort and money on these overpriced tickets?”
Without thinking, Li Yifei retorted, “Why should she know?”
A second of silence fell between them. Then two voices spoke at the same time.
“How did you know it’s her?”
“Damn, so it really is her!”
Dajun shook his head. “Never would’ve guessed, never would’ve guessed! You’re putting in more effort for her than you ever did for Jin Tian!”
Li Yifei raised an eyebrow. “You know I’ve always treated my buddies better than women.”
Dajun scratched his cheek and asked, “I really think you care about her a lot. Are you into her or something?”
Li Yifei shot him a look. “Stop scratching your face all the time, you look like some clown hired by monkeys!” After a pause, he added, “Now that you mention it, I do seem to think about her a lot. But it’s the same way I think about you—just bros looking out for each other!”
Author’s Note: Oh my, I didn’t realize until now! You guys actually pushed me into the top 600 with your thunder votes—I’m so touched I could cry! Thank you for your encouragement, Ninth Bro will keep working hard! >3<
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Ah, I must truly love Dapeng, huh? ╮(╯ ╰)╭ Letting him shine so gloriously as the catalyst for our little scoundrel and slacker’s emotional development~~ Anyway, this chapter’s pretty meaty—don’t you guys wanna leave longer comments and earn some points or something? ^ ^
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