Du Ziyu immediately reacted like a frightened little cat, flapping his paws trying to get up.
"Hey, don't move!" Xu Zhuo hurriedly grabbed his arm, trying to lend him strength while restraining his flailing movements.
He was only wearing a thin T-shirt on his upper body, and being grabbed and pulled by Du Ziyu, he could almost hear the tearing sound.
Running naked in the graveyard in broad daylight would be inviting trouble!
"Mr. Du!" He became anxious, embracing the other's waist firmly, imprisoning him within his own arms.
Mr. Du's hands were trapped between the two of them, finally unable to move.
His legs were very numb, and his entire body's weight leaned against Xu Zhuo. Ashamed and embarrassed, a large area from his neck to his ears turned red.
"You... Let me sit down!" he scolded angrily.
"Alright, alright, please don't move around."
Xu Zhuo crouched down carefully, slowly releasing his grip, helping him sit back on the long stone beside the grave, and thoughtfully straightening his legs.
"Do you want me to massage it for you?" Xu Zhuo asked casually while crouching beside his feet, and immediately felt it was inappropriate.
Too complaisant!
Fortunately, Mr. Du didn't notice and didn't look at him, furrowing his brow, gently tapping his thigh, and saying, "No need."
So Xu Zhuo just crouched there, quietly looking at him as he kept pounding, thud, thud, thud, maintaining the same rhythm.
They both remained silent for a while.
The cicadas around them were starting to sound a little tired, the slanting sun elongated their shadows, stretching them out ten meters away, pinned on the verdant grass.
That white, fist-sized punch danced before him, and Xu Zhuo became a little absent-minded.
He suddenly felt like he had walked into a maze, not knowing how to relate to the person in front of him.
Were they friends?
Because of his family's real estate business, he had also come to know quite a few wealthy bosses over the years, having business relationships, and they could barely be called friends.
But Mr. Du was his boss, not an equal partner, and in the workplace, there was a hierarchical existence, a natural inequality.
Friendship needs to be based on equality.
Moreover, upon closer examination, the two of them had hardly exchanged a few words, he didn't have the other's contact information in his phone, they didn't have any common interests or hobbies, and they didn't go out to spend time together, nor did they exchange holiday greetings.
However, even if they weren't friends, they weren't just a simple superior-subordinate relationship.
Which superior would collapse onto your chest and cry?
And then ask you to wipe away their tears.
And console them.
Xu Zhuo shivered - why did that sound strange?
He glanced at Mr. Du, who had a quiet appearance that was deceptive, like a harmless little lamb.
He remembered the pitiful appearance of Mr. Du when he had been frightened out of his wits, a tearful look that would soften anyone, and it was no wonder he had willingly helped him so many times, even willing to take a risk, preparing himself mentally to face the consequences later.
That's it!
A flash of insight crossed Xu Zhuo's mind.
Isn't this the definition of their relationship?
I originally saw him as a little brother who needed protection!
He's capable of taking care of children. From childhood to adulthood, he's always been the king of kids. Being referred to as "Brother Xu" for so many years was not in vain.
Xu Zhu immediately became high-spirited — Du Ziyu, he's got this!
Finally, the case was closed, and his mood lifted. A smile blossomed on his face.
Du Ziyu inexplicably glanced at him, feeling like he had recovered enough, then slowly got up.
"Let's go back."
Brief and to the point, he left after speaking.
"Hey!" Xu Zhu had no temper at all, happily picked up the umbrella and caught up with him.
"Mr. Du," they walked side by side, "It's at least 8 o’clock by the time we get back to your house. Why not find a place to eat on the way?"
Du Ziyu looked at the person next to him in surprise, not understanding why he suddenly became so enthusiastic.
Xu Zhu continued, "Advertisers have irregular lifestyles, but we also need to take care of our bodies. Try to have regular meals. It's not good for the stomach to go hungry," he turned to smile at him, "don't you think so?"
Du Ziyu looked back at the road.
After a while, he said faintly, "The outside food is not clean."
An ambiguous refusal implies room for negotiation.
He remembered that Du Ziyu had dined at the company canteen and the light diet cafeteria.
With one hand in his pocket and the other holding the umbrella, Xu Zhu gestured at the air and said, "It's simple. I have a friend on the way who runs a private kitchen. Normally, reservations have to be made two months in advance, and today is a good chance to take you there."
As he spoke, he looked at him from the corner of his eye, and Du Ziyu neither nodded nor shook his head.
He continued, "Do you have any specific preferences for cuisine?"
Du Ziyu kept his eyes straight ahead and after a moment, uttered two words, "None."
They got into the car with Du Ziyu still sitting in the back. Xu Zhu took the driver's seat, and called his chef friend.
After hanging up the phone and starting the car, he said, "We'll get there in an hour and a half. I'll let you know when we arrive. If you're tired, you can get some more rest."
Du Ziyu grunted, and didn't speak for the rest of the journey. Xu Zhu wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep, so he didn't dare to speak and disturb him.
He remembered the time they were trapped in the elevator, and how Du Ziyu was still at the company at midnight, indicating that he was a workaholic, and he probably didn't get enough sleep regularly, which was why he could doze off anytime, anywhere.
When the sun had completely set and only a faint light remained in the sky, their car stopped at an old building on the edge of the city.
This building had been around for some time and was said to be a historical building, but had been renovated and rented out as a high-end restaurant. Xu Zhu's friend ran a Cantonese cuisine private kitchen there.
Xu Zhu was a regular here and was taken directly to a small private room by the front desk. The place was not large, but was finely decorated, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
"What's on the menu for today?" Xu Zhu sat down and asked the waiter.
The menu changes daily based on the season and ingredients, the waiter recited. Xu Zhu, who kept an eye on Du Ziyu, didn't notice any particular reaction to any of the dishes.
It's troublesome, if he asked directly, he probably wouldn’t say anything and ordering everything would be too wasteful.
Xu Zhu had to estimate and order a few dishes and then asked, "What about desserts?"
Du Ziyu glanced up at him.
The waiter said, "Ginger milk pudding, coconut red bean cake, and mango pancake."
Xu Zhu frowned, realizing none of those was what he wanted.
"Hey, look who's here!" Before anyone appeared, his voice was heard. Xu Zhu turned to look and saw his friend, called Ye Shunan, a young man in his twenties, wearing a chef's uniform and hat with a smile on his face.
"You disappeared for so long, finally showing up," Ye Shunan lightly patted Xu Zhu's shoulder, then looked at Du Ziyu, "This handsome guy, I haven't met yet, introduce him?"
Xu Zhu coughed and said, "My boss, Mr. Du."
Du Ziyu nodded to him, acknowledging the greeting.
Ye Shunan was surprised, and said to Xu Zhu, "You’re really out looking for work?"
Xu Zhu replied, "Can I fake it?" He didn't want to discuss this, "By the way, where's your signatory mung bean cake today? It's not on the menu."
"Oh, that," Ye Shunan scratched his nose awkwardly, "There's only one box left, and I'm keeping it for myself."
Xu Zhu patted his belly, mocking him mercilessly, "Still dare to eat? Your little belly will turn into a beer belly. I want all of it, pack it up. Thank you."
Ye Shunan protested immediately, "Impossible!"
Xu Zhu leisurely said, "We have many beautiful women in our company."
Ye Shunan said, "Half a box! No more!"
"In addition, reserve another batch for next week," Xu Zhu paused, "I might not want it, but let's make a reservation just in case."
"Deal!" Ye Shunan grinned, showing a sly smile, "So, when will you... hehe..."
"Hey!" Xu Zhu glanced at Du Ziyu, seeing him lowering his head to look at his phone, he breathed a sigh of relief, and warned Ye Shunan in a low voice, "As a chef, pay attention to your image."
Ye Shunan noticed his gaze, and smiled cunningly.
Xu Zhu had a bad premonition, and sure enough, Chef Ye extended his right hand, "Mr. Du, I'm really sorry for the poor hospitality."
Du Ziyou raised his head upon hearing the words, and elegantly shook hands with him. His clear and cool voice was calm and composed as he said, "Hello."
Ye Shunan was carefree and had never been affected by the austere atmosphere of Binging's family. Instead, he smiled like a kind father and said, "We are stubborn, and we need you to bear with us. Criticize us for any shortcomings, and it's okay to scold us a bit!"
Xu Zhu secretly rolled his eyes. Du Ziyou remained silent, and picked up a damp towel from the table.
The kind father continued with a serious tone, "We Binging are also regarded as second-generation wealthy, and inevitably may become a bit arrogant. You also need to discipline him occasionally, don't feel that it's okay just because of a good personal relationship. It would be harmful for him, you know?"
In the end, he added, "What do you think?"
Xu, an aggressive second-generation Binging, twitched his mouth.
Du Ziyou wiped his hands with the towel and slowly spoke, "I think he's quite good."