Don't Shake the Meat Apart

Fangfang and Ran Ran kept chatting with Su Yang, taking turns to say a few words, leaving Chen Xiaolan unable to get a word in.

Although she was fairly cheerful by nature, that side of her only came out when she was with people she knew well. Whenever she met someone for the first time, she had no idea what to say.

In fact, she was more of a slow-to-warm-up type—slightly introverted, too.

Someone like Su Yang, on the other hand, was a genuinely outgoing social butterfly. He didn’t care whether someone was a stranger or not; as long as they were human, he could strike up a conversation with them.

A little over ten minutes later, the waiter began serving the food.

Before long, the table in front of them was covered with all kinds of delicious dishes. Seeing that everything had arrived, Su Yang said, “Everyone, dig in. We can chat while we eat.”

“Sounds good. Let’s eat.”

After their brief conversation, the five of them had become somewhat more familiar with one another.

Aside from Su Yang, the other four were all very reserved while eating, taking tiny bites. Fangfang in particular moved in a way that looked even more feminine than a woman.

He was sitting directly across from Su Yang. Su Yang really couldn’t bear watching him move like that, so he lowered his head and focused on his own food.

They had only been eating for a while when Fangfang suddenly stood up and moved to sit beside Su Yang. The sight made the eyes of the other three girls nearly pop out of their heads.

Su Yang was startled. He hurriedly leaned toward Emma and asked, “What are you doing?”

Before Fangfang could answer, Chen Xiaolan immediately shot him a fierce glare.

The muscles on his face twitched. He forced a laugh and said, “Oh, it’s nothing. The three of us were sitting a little too close together, so I thought there would be more room over here. Who knew it would be just as cramped? Hahaha.”

After saying that, he stood up and returned to his original seat.

Su Yang swallowed nervously, still shaken. This was the first time in his life he had encountered a situation like this.

Chen Xiaolan quickly said, “Sorry about that, Su Yang. His brain’s a little strange. Every now and then, he does things that are impossible to understand. Don’t take it personally.”

“It’s fine.”

Everyone continued eating. A few minutes later, Fangfang suddenly picked up a large shrimp and placed it on Su Yang’s plate.

Su Yang shuddered slightly. He looked up in a daze and said, “Uh… what’s this?”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I noticed you hadn’t eaten any shrimp, so I thought you might be too shy to take one. I was just helping you,” Fangfang said with a smile, raising his pinky finger daintily.

Chen Xiaolan and Ran Ran exchanged helpless glances. Ran Ran nudged Fangfang on the shoulder and said in a low voice, “Just eat your own food. He doesn’t need your help.”

Fangfang rolled his eyes and shrugged, continuing to eat as if he didn’t care.

Su Yang had been enjoying his meal, but after receiving repeated advances from a man, he felt more than a little uncomfortable.

He quickly finished the food in front of him, pulled out a napkin, and wiped his mouth with a smile. “Well, I’m done eating. You guys take your time. I’m going to use the restroom.”

“Okay.”

Su Yang looked at Emma. “Take your time eating.”

“Okay.”

With that, he headed toward the restroom. The shrimp on his plate remained untouched.

Only after Su Yang left did Chen Xiaolan glare at Fangfang. “Can you stop pulling this move every time you see a man? It’s obvious that he’s from a completely different world than you.”

“Who can blame me? He’s so handsome—he’s exactly my type! Besides, just because we aren’t right for each other now doesn’t mean we won’t be later.”

“But he didn’t even touch the shrimp you gave him,” Ran Ran said.

“That’s because he was shy~”

Chen Xiaolan said, “I really regret bringing you here!”

…

Meanwhile, Su Yang used the restroom, then went to the front desk and paid the bill on his way out. After paying, he walked out of the restaurant and stood by the roadside, lighting a cigarette.

“Damn, it feels awful being watched by another man like that. I got goosebumps several times. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“Phew!”

Su Yang inhaled deeply and exhaled a cloud of smoke. He checked the time. It was already 7:40 p.m.

By then, Paris had fallen dark. The beautiful streets were ablaze with lights, and crowds of people filled them, creating a lively scene.

Many wealthy people had also brought out their top-of-the-line sports cars to show off on the streets.

Two minutes later, Su Yang finished his cigarette and took out his phone to send Emma a message.

“Emma, I’m outside the restaurant. Just come out when you’re done eating.”

“You’re not coming back in?”

“It’s a little stuffy inside. I’m going to get some fresh air.”

Emma was very perceptive. Although she hadn’t understood the conversation between the others earlier, she could tell that Fangfang was gay. Su Yang had obviously been made uncomfortable by him, which was why he didn’t want to go back inside.

She didn’t ask any more questions and quickly replied, “Okay. We’ll finish up and come out soon.”

A few minutes later, the four of them pushed open the restaurant’s glass doors and came outside. When Chen Xiaolan saw Su Yang standing by the roadside, she hurried over.

“Su Yang, why did you pay the bill?”

“I just happened to do it. It’s fine. We’re friends now, aren’t we? What’s wrong with treating your friends to a meal?”

“Oh, I’m really sorry. I should have been the one to pay, since we were the ones who asked you to share our table.”

“Really, there’s no need to be so polite. Whoever pays is fine. It’s just a small thing.”

“All right. Oh, right.” Chen Xiaolan moved closer and lowered her voice. “I also want to apologize for what my friend did earlier. He…”

Su Yang waved his hand. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“Even so, we were still in the wrong. How about this? Let’s add each other on WeChat. Once we’re back in China, I’ll treat you to a meal by yourself as an apology. We still have things to do when we get back to the hotel, and we’ll be busy for the next couple of days. Otherwise, I’d treat you here in Paris.”

Su Yang looked into Chen Xiaolan’s eyes and smiled. “Come on, I already told you it’s fine. But sure, we can add each other on WeChat and have a meal sometime. There’s no need for an apology, though. He didn’t actually do anything wrong, so what is there to apologize for?”

“All right. Let’s add each other first. Remember to contact me once you’re back in China. By the way, which city do you live in?”

“I live in Haicheng, though I also stay in Modu from time to time.”

“Really? I live in Modu too. Be sure to contact me whenever you’re there. No matter what, I’m treating you to this meal.”

Su Yang laughed. “Haha, all right. I will.”

“Phew!” Chen Xiaolan let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Are you heading back to the hotel now?”

“Yes.”

“We’re planning to walk back. Want to come with us?” Chen Xiaolan asked.

“Sure. We just ate, so we might as well take a walk.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Let’s go.”

Because Chen Xiaolan had scolded him earlier, Fangfang no longer dared approach Su Yang.

The five of them walked side by side toward the Peninsula Hotel, chatting as they went.

Twenty minutes later, they returned to the hotel. It was 8:10 p.m. Su Yang had no intention of going upstairs yet. He looked at Chen Xiaolan and said, “Xiao…”

“Just call me Xiaolan,” Chen Xiaolan immediately said.

“All right, Xiaolan. I’m not going upstairs just yet. I’m waiting here for a friend. You guys go on up first.”

“Okay, see you later. And remember what I told you.” Chen Xiaolan made a phone-call gesture with her hand and flashed her signature sweet smile.

Su Yang nodded. “Okay.”

“See you later, handsome Suyang! Beautiful Emma!” Ran Ran waved at Su Yang and Emma with a smile.

“Okay, bye-bye.”

After saying goodbye, the three of them turned and went back to their rooms. Su Yang took Emma to the café area and found an empty table.

“What’s up, Su?” Emma asked, staring at him with a smile.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Suppose someone of the same sex made a pass at you, or kept making suggestive advances—would that make you uncomfortable?”

Emma nodded without hesitation. “Of course! I’m totally straight, okay?”

“Good. I was worried I was overreacting.”

“Not at all. I totally understand. I’ve been through the same thing.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Last year, a female friend confessed her feelings to me. I was completely stunned. I got goosebumps all over. You have no idea what it felt like—being angry but unable to get angry, uncomfortable but having to keep it inside. It was awful.”

“Haha, with your looks, it’s not surprising that another woman would confess to you.”

“Same goes for you.”

As they chatted, Neil’s voice rang out from not far away. “Su!”

Hearing his name, Su Yang looked up and saw Fat Neil hurrying toward him, all the flesh on his body wobbling with every step.

“Hey, slow down. Don’t shake yourself to pieces.”

“Haha, where’d you go?”

“I went out to grab something to eat. Why aren’t you off work yet?” Su Yang asked with a smile.

“Almost. I can leave at nine.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Yeah, I have. Do you two want anything to drink? I can go get it for you.”

Su Yang smiled. “That’d be great. I’ll have my usual. What about you, Emma?”

“Same here. Just a latte.”

“Sure thing. Handsome gentleman and beautiful lady, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as Neil left, several people emerged from the corridor beside the hotel lobby’s tea bar.

Su Yang instinctively turned to look. He saw Holland walking out with two girls.

...