Chapter 58: The Extra One
Inside the private room, Guang Peiliang and Song Xu sat at the head of the table, with Xu Lanjun and Xiang Sun seated beside them in order.
Zhou Lin and Wen Bairan, who had crashed the gathering, sat together at the far end.
Xiang Sun noticed the two of them whispering to each other now and then, looking exactly like a young couple secretly switching seats during study hall back in their school days.
He raised an eyebrow, then glanced at the person next to him, who remained cold-faced and silent. Stifling a laugh, he took a sip of tea and quietly asked, "How come you never mentioned her ex was this good-looking, huh? Old Song?"
A sharp, icy glare shot his way, and Xiang Sun immediately fell silent, though he couldn’t keep the grin off his face.
What goes around comes around.
Karma’s a bitch.
Well, well, so even you, Song Xu, have a day like this.
Heh.
Xiang Sun secretly delighted like a thief, while across the table, Wen Bairan had a splitting headache.
She never could have imagined bumping into Song Xu’s group like this, let alone that Zhou Lin and Xu Lanjun actually knew each other. Earlier, in the hallway, Xu Lanjun, on her way back from the bathroom, had spotted Zhou Lin and called out his name in surprise—"Zhou Lin!" Before Wen Bairan could even process what was happening, she was dragged into the private room along with them.
She had tried to object midway, but no one here paid any attention to her protests, so she had no choice but to fall silent and quietly watch what else fate had in store for her.
The room’s heating was turned up high, and the air was stifling. As someone already stuffed up from sinusitis, she was already breathless and uncomfortable. From the moment she sat down, her temples had been throbbing as if about to explode. Wen Bairan, pale-faced, cradled her forehead in her hand and rubbed it gently. Zhou Lin quietly asked if she was okay. She forced herself to say she was fine.
No sooner had she spoken than a sharp, icy glare shot her way from the side above. She shuddered, and her eyes, which had just begun to lift, dropped again.
Song Xu rarely wore such a cold expression in social settings—he was usually warm but aloof. Today was an exception. Under the crystal chandelier, the light glinting in his deep-set eyes was enough to make one’s heart race.
Wen Bairan knew this wasn’t the right time to confront him directly and could only temporarily steer clear of him. Little did she know that, to outsiders, this attempt to stay out of trouble came across more like guilt.
Zhou Lin had no particular talent for reading the room—because he never needed to care about anyone’s opinions, often going with his gut. And right now, his instincts were pissed off.
Wen Bairan’s evasive expression made it seem as though she was afraid of someone. But with him here, who did she still need to fear?
His dark eyes flashed, and he turned to look.
On the other side, Song Xu met his gaze directly, cold eyes locking with his.
This was the very definition of like oil and water.
When the two met, it was like worlds colliding.
In an instant, the air practically crackled, a strong smell of something burning spreading through the room, and even the overhead lights flickered.
Such... such intense hostility.
Wen Bairan shut her eyes weakly.
Her headache grew worse.
Guang Peiliang was an old scholar. Aside from being absorbed in his research, he remained oblivious to social tension unless someone literally threw water in his face. At the moment, he was happily perusing the menu, so delighted he was practically drooling, completely unaware of the tension hanging over the table.
"Wow, all the dishes here look quite excellent. How about letting you young folks decide? An old man like me will eat anything."
He handed the menu to Song Xu.
Song Xu lowered his eyelashes and slowly sipped his tea.
He didn’t respond, so Xiang Sun jumped in smoothly: "How about we let the ladies decide?"
Guang Peiliang: "That works too. Lanjun, you do the honors then."
"In that case, Miss Wen and I will take a look first."
Xu Lanjun was also forthright. Upon hearing this, she actually turned to them and asked, "Zhou Lin, mind switching seats?"
"Of course not." Zhou Lin readily stood up and moved to let her sit.
Xu Lanjun and Zhou Lin had met half a year ago at a mutual friend’s party. She was a few years older than that group and worked in publishing. People who first met her often thought she was a serious stick-in-the-mud, but in private, she loved to have fun—and Zhou Lin was the life of the party.
Zhou Lin had heard she worked at some biology magazine. He didn’t really understand what she did, only that the word "biology" was related to Wen Bairan’s field. He thought it might be a good opportunity to introduce them.
Back then, Xu Lanjun had teased him as the "poster boy for perfect boyfriends," joking that even while out having fun, he didn’t forget to help his girlfriend build connections—a rare quality.
Zhou Lin had listened, a cigarette dangling from his lips, smiling without a word.
Unexpectedly, not long after that conversation, the two had broken up. There had been no chance to meet since, and to this day, Xu Lanjun still didn’t know the news.
She gave Wen Bairan a quick once-over and exclaimed in admiration, saying she was indeed a rare beauty—no wonder Zhou Lin was head over heels for her.
Wen Bairan was a little embarrassed by her unreserved praise.
She turned her face to look beside her.
After giving up his seat, Zhou Lin didn’t move to Xu Lanjun’s spot but instead sat on her other side, resting his chin in his hand as he listened to their conversation.
This was a rule they had from when they were together.
Zhou Lin had many friends and attended many gatherings, often with new faces joining. Wen Bairan couldn’t remember everyone she’d only met once and didn’t enjoy making small talk. Whenever Zhou Lin stepped away, she would mostly sit alone in silence, seeming out of place in the lively environment.
Later, she grew reluctant to attend crowded events. Zhou Lin had tried to talk her into it, and she said she would go, but only if he didn’t leave her side when strangers were around.
He still remembered that promise to this day.
As Xu Lanjun flipped through the menu beside them, Zhou Lin noticed Wen Bairan’s gaze. He lowered his chin, his arrogant dark eyes holding the same care and attention as always.
"What is it?"
Wen Bairan’s eyes softened involuntarily, and she quietly asked him what he wanted to eat today.
Zhou Lin curled his lips into a smile and said, "Anything is fine. I’ll eat whatever you order. Let the guests choose first."
Xu Lanjun happened to hear this and said, "Well then, since you called me a guest, we’ll leave it up to you today."
She closed the menu, then remembered that someone else was supposed to be treating today and turned to ask: "Mr. Song, Mr. Xiang, don’t let Zhou Lin’s youth fool you—he’s a real foodie. How about we let him decide today’s meal, and I’ll find another time to treat the two of you separately?"
Xiang Sun’s mouth twitched. He didn’t say yes or no. "Well..."
Just as he was thinking of a way to decline, Zhou Lin spoke up.
"Mr. Song."
He addressed him directly, startling both Xiang Sun and Wen Bairan.
They instinctively looked at Song Xu first.
The man's expression was cold and detached, his eyelids lowered, his calm and composed demeanor showing not a hint of emotion. Little did anyone know, it was precisely this lack of reaction that made him all the more intimidating.
"I’ve heard how much you’ve taken care of Ran Ran at the company lately. This meal should really be on me." Zhou Lin deliberately used an affectionate nickname, making sure no one missed how close he and Wen Bairan were.
"Ran Ran?"
The two words slipped almost soundlessly from Song Xu’s lips, so faint they were barely audible.
Zhou Lin grinned with a roguish charm. "Yes, Ran Ran told me everything. I’ve been working out of town these past few months and haven’t been able to give her enough attention. Thankfully, Song Xu has been *so* helpful."
*Hiss—*
*Helpful*—what a way to put it!
Xiang Sun drew a sharp breath, instantly picking up on the unspoken implication of a rightful partner versus an interloper.
*Seriously, didn’t you two already break up?!*
He immediately glanced at Wen Bairan, but she was too wrapped up in her own troubles to notice.
She had certainly caught Zhou Lin’s deliberate provocation, but Song Xu’s silence was even more chilling.
The man across from her was toying with a small white porcelain teacup, his knobby thumb pressing down with measured pressure against the rim. The thin porcelain seemed fragile, as if a little more pressure would shatter it.
Watching this, Wen Bairan felt a sudden, inexplicable shudder run down her spine, as though it were her own neck under his thumb. She instinctively shrank back, her breath catching.
Just then, Song Xu looked up.
His cold gaze settled briefly on her—like a guilty ostrich hiding its head—making her blood run cold.
"I’ve been very attentive to her," he said, a slight lift to his narrow eyelids, pausing meaningfully. "Not just at work."
His tone was suggestive.
Zhou Lin’s face darkened instantly.
Wen Bairan stared at Song Xu in disbelief. His half-smile was clearly a provocation.
Noticing how tense Zhou Lin had become beside her—the tightness in his shoulders, the veins bulging in his neck—she quickly reached under the table to restrain him.
With Guang Peiliang still here, if Zhou Lin were to flip the table now, no one would be able to save face.
She gave him a look that said ‘behave’, urging him not to make a scene, and swiftly redirected the conversation to Guang Peiliang.
"Let’s follow Professor Guang’s lead. Today is mainly to welcome him, after all."
Guang Peiliang, completely oblivious, was still thinking about Xu Lanjun’s promise of another meeting. As long as she was willing to see Song Xu again, this trip would be worth it. He chimed in cheerfully, saying anything was fine.
Wen Bairan was immensely relieved that Zhou Lin had truly mellowed out lately. She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, and his expression softened slightly as he took a deep breath, reining in the simmering rage in his eyes.
"Then you make the arrangements, A Lin."
"Alright, I’ll handle it."
Seeing Zhou Lin so compliant, Xu Lanjun sighed inwardly as he went out to order. *It’s true what they say about one thing taming another.* She remembered his reckless, young-master temper when they first met. Now he had been polished smooth—no doubt thanks to Wen Bairan.
Wen Bairan didn’t feel she deserved such praise. She was about to explain that they had already broken up, but before she could speak, she felt Song Xu’s gaze fixed on her, as if waiting for her to clarify.
Remembering his earlier deliberate provocation, anger flared in her, and she swallowed her words, offering only a faint smile to Xu Lanjun—as if in tacit agreement.
Song Xu’s eyes narrowed slightly, the air around him growing colder and more dangerous.
The owner of Yuelan Mansion knew Zhou Lin well and was aware of his reputation for being a lavish host. She brought out the best they had to offer—a night of exquisite delicacies, each one a masterpiece from the head chef’s repertoire, earning praise from both Guang Peiliang and Xu Lanjun.
As the meal drew to a close, the owner came to offer a toast.
/
Due to recent rains and the aging electrical circuits in the old neighborhood around Yuelan Mansion, the power had been fluctuating. To apologize, she generously gave each guest a serving of bird’s nest with snow frog, mentioning it was all in honor of Young Master Zhou.
Guang Peiliang, who had initially thought Zhou Lin young and impulsive, now regarded him with newfound respect, praising his wide social circle and thoughtful arrangements.
Zhou Lin knew how to play it sweet, saying he had learned it all from Sister Lanjun.
That one remark left both Guang Peiliang and Xu Lanjun beaming.
For the rest of the evening, Song Xu remained silent.
Guang Peiliang tried several times to steer the conversation toward him and Xu Lanjun, but Song Xu was unresponsive. Fortunately, Xu Lanjun didn’t seem to mind, chatting happily with Zhou Lin instead.
As the focus of the evening gradually shifted from Song Xu to Zhou Lin, Xiang Sun grew uneasy.
In all the years he’d known him, he had never seen Song Xu at a disadvantage. What was going on tonight? Had he really been hurt by Wen Bairan’s two-timing?
That didn’t seem right.
As he watched Zhou Lin and Wen Bairan interact, he grew more and more puzzled.
When Zhu Qiwei had married that young heir, everyone felt it was a pity, but hardly anyone thought Song Xu had lost—after all, the guy was nowhere near his league. If anything, Zhu Qiwei had been blind.
But Zhou Lin was different.
Not only was he handsome, but his unruly demeanor was on par with Song Xu’s. His family was a retail giant in Shenjiang, with substantial wealth. And he and Wen Bairan had years of shared history.
If these two were to compete, it was hard to say who would come out on top.
As Song Xu’s friend, Xiang Sun silently rooted for him, but his support alone wasn’t enough—it all depended on what the main players were thinking.
Wen Bairan slumped in her chair, unable to taste anything all evening, just wishing the dinner would end so she could go home and sleep.
She felt as if she were coming down with a fever—alternating between chills and heat, with a dull headache that never quite went away.
She gritted her teeth and endured until half past nine, when the gathering finally broke up.
Xiang Sun arranged a car to take Guang Peiliang and Xu Lanjun back to their hotel, but Xu Lanjun, a night owl, was hoping someone would show her Shenjiang’s nightlife.
Zhou Lin returned after settling the bill and said Wen Bairan wasn’t feeling well—he couldn’t let her go back alone and would see her home.
Xu Lanjun noticed Wen Bairan did look much paler than before and considerately said, "Alright, we’ll meet another day."
Just then, Xiang Sun "stumbled" down the steps in front of Xu Lanjun. Regaining his balance, he cleared his throat awkwardly under her puzzled gaze and said, "Ahem, well, no need to wait—I can take you out."
"You?" Xu Lanjun looked him up and down, then smiled. "Sure."
With that settled, Xiang Sun glanced back uneasily at the instigator.
Song Xu descended slowly from the doorway, stopping in the center of the courtyard. The dense night rain had dampened him. Wen Bairan looked up and saw him enveloped in the misty rain, his black wool coat glistening with rain. The light fell softly, giving him a faintly fuzzy appearance.
He seemed deep in thought, his distant profile as aloof as an immortal's, with a tinge of loneliness and desolation.
Wen Bairan just stood frozen in place.
The driver had already pulled up to the courtyard gate.
Xu Lanjun and Guang Peiliang got in the car first, followed by Xiang Sun and Song Xu.
Seeing that they had all left, Zhou Lin told Wen Bairan to wait inside while he went to get his car.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the people at the gate getting into the car. Wen Bairan weakly placed the keys in his palm and agreed.
Zhou Lin leaned in to hug her and said, "Wait for me, I'll be back soon." He then turned and hurried off through the rain.
The night was cold, the wind cutting right to the bone. The feverish feeling on her face and head grew more pronounced in the chill.
Wen Bairan closed her eyes, hoping the rain would cool her down, but soon the cold became unbearable. She hugged herself and decided to go back inside the shop to get some shelter.
She slowly made it up two steps when suddenly, she heard hurried footsteps coming up behind her.
Thinking it was Zhou Lin returning, she turned—only to be hit by a wave of intense dizziness. Her vision suddenly went black, she lost her balance, and she fell straight into the arms of the person behind her.
The cashmere felt scratchy against her skin. The cold droplets of rain cut through the warmth of the man’s embrace, while a familiar, dry, deep scent drifted into her nostrils. It took her a couple seconds to process before she lifted her head to see who held her.
Above, the moonlight shimmered coldly and mysteriously through the misty rain.
Behind the man’s complex gaze, a barely perceptible trace of worry flickered and vanished.
"Song..."
She opened her mouth but hadn’t yet spoken his name when his grip suddenly tightened around her waist.
He lifted her down from the steps and pulled her into his embrace.
Her tiptoes still hadn’t found solid ground.
Wen Bairan stared blankly at the face above her, suddenly wondering if his uncharacteristic silence tonight was because of her.
A helpless sigh drifted away in the wind near her ear.
He reached up to brush aside the troublesome strands of hair clinging to her cheek. The abnormal warmth beneath his fingertips made her delicate skin feel even softer.
Song Xu looked at her pale face just as the sharp sound of a car pulling up at the courtyard gate pierced the night.
He frowned.
"Before you pass out, you’d better tell me."
"Right now."
"Who is the unnecessary one here."