Even after two days had passed since the engagement, Licheng still couldn't accept the fact that Xingsi would soon be married. The couple had their pre-wedding photoshoot today, and he had been reluctantly dragged along for dinner after the shoot.
Despite his initial hesitation, Xingsi managed to convince him to join the dinner party. It was a small gathering—just a few friends spread around a long table in a private room at one of the most lavish hotels in the city.
Licheng sat at one end of the table, with Xingsi next to him, glowing as he talked non-stop about the photoshoot. This was new for Licheng. He had never heard Xingsi talk so much. Perhaps Xingsi was right when he said they weren't right for each other. Licheng had never been able to bring out this side of him.
It wasn't that he wanted Xingsi back—not really. But knowing he wasn't the one for Xingsi stung more than he'd anticipated.
His fingers nervously tapped the rim of his wine glass as he focused on his friend, barely paying attention to the conversation. Across the room, Yongjie was chatting with his friends, but his eyes never left Xingsi. Licheng was on the edge of losing it.
Soon, Yongjie approached the table. "Licheng, do you mind moving there?" He pointed to an empty seat across from Xingsi.
"Huh?" Licheng tried to keep his expression neutral.
"I just thought we should sit together." Yongjie glanced at Xingsi, perhaps hoping for understanding, but Xingsi looked visibly upset.
"Sure. Why not?" Licheng didn't give Xingsi a chance to speak. He picked up his glass and started to move, but before he could sit down, Muren approached him.
"Why don't you sit with me?" Muren said, grabbing his drink and gesturing toward a seat in the middle of the table.
When did he get here? Licheng wondered. He'd been here almost an hour and hadn't even noticed Muren. He was embarrassed.
"Sorry, but he's the only other person I know here apart from my cousin—and my cousin has no time for me," Muren said aloud, grinning playfully as he gestured for Licheng to sit beside him.
Without a word, Licheng followed. He glanced at Muren—the charming man who had recently entered his life. Muren's eyes twinkled with amusement and warmth. He wasn't like Xingsi, who was quiet and introspective. Muren was bright, loud even, and full of life, always ready with a joke or a story. It was a jarring contrast, yet oddly refreshing.
A wave of relief washed over Licheng. Muren's presence made the air lighter, and somehow, without saying much, he seemed to understand exactly what Licheng needed.
"So," Muren said, leaning in slightly, his voice lower as if they were the only two people in the room, "What were you even doing there? Listening to your love talk about his wedding photoshoot can't be that fun."
Licheng chuckled, the tension in his chest loosening. "Not my idea of a fun Saturday night," he admitted softly.
"I didn't expect you to come," Muren said, studying Licheng with a gentleness that made him feel truly seen—not as someone left behind, but as a person deserving of attention and care.
Licheng shrugged. "Didn't have a choice."
Muren laughed, a deep, genuine sound. "Well, I'm glad you came. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had anyone to sit with."
Licheng raised an eyebrow. "You? Struggling to find company? I doubt that."
Muren shrugged, smiling. "Maybe I'm picky. Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to talk to you."
A blush crept up Licheng's neck, and he quickly looked away, embarrassed by how easily Muren's words flustered him. It was strange. He had always thought he'd end up with someone like Xingsi—quiet, calm, a mirror to his own reserved nature. But Muren was different. He filled the silences with laughter, pulled Licheng out of his comfort zone, and made him feel like he could breathe again.
As the evening wore on, Muren kept Licheng engaged, steering his mind away from the melancholy that had threatened to overwhelm him earlier. Muren shared stories about his travels, work, and even ridiculous childhood anecdotes that had Licheng laughing harder than he had in months.
For the first time that night, Licheng felt present... like he wasn't just an outsider, sitting on the sidelines of someone else's happiness.
At one point, Xingsi's voice interrupted the conversation. "Hey, Licheng, don't forget we need to be at the fitting appointment by 11 tomorrow."
Licheng's stomach twisted. The thought of being the third wheel again was unbearable. He was about to mumble a polite excuse when Muren leaned closer, his voice soft enough for only Licheng to hear.
"You don't have to say yes to that," he murmured. "You deserve to be around people who make you feel good, not people who make you feel... like this."
Licheng glanced up at Muren, searching the other man's face. There was no pressure, no expectation—just quiet understanding.
Taking a deep breath, Licheng turned back to Xingsi. "I don't think I can make it tomorrow. I've got... other plans. You go ahead without me."
Xingsi looked momentarily surprised but recovered quickly, nodding with a smile. "Of course."
As the night ended, Muren walked Licheng out into the crisp night air, their faces cooled by the gentle breeze as they stepped onto the quiet street.
"Thanks for that," Licheng said sincerely. "For... rescuing me back there."
Muren grinned, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Anytime. Though I have to admit, I kind of like being the hero."
Licheng laughed, the sound light and free. "Well, you were a pretty good one tonight."
They stood there for a moment, the streetlights casting long shadows as the night deepened around them. For the first time in a long while, Licheng felt something shift in his chest—something that felt a lot like hope.
Muren's eyes met his, soft and steady. "You know, Licheng," he said after a beat, "you deserve more than just being someone's afterthought."
Licheng's breath hitched slightly at the honesty in Muren's words.
"Maybe," he said, his voice quiet but certain, "I'm starting to realize that."
As they walked together to his car, Licheng couldn't help but think that perhaps, in this charming, talkative man beside him, he had found the beginning of something new. Something better. Something just for him.