Chapter 027: Two and a Half Men

"Xiaoyu, what’s this about?" Li Huan was somewhat confused. Why did this guy bring a girl over? Was he worried I’d get bored at home and wanted to introduce me to a girl for company?

But then, Xiaoyu’s next words completely floored Li Huan.

"This is my girlfriend, Pei Yao!" Xiaoyu’s expression was tinged with a hint of bitterness as he glanced at Pei Yao, then said, "This is Li Huan. Come on, say hello to Brother Huan!"

Pei Yao seemed to listen to Xiaoyu very well. She sweetly called out, "Brother Huan," her voice pleasant and her face lit with happiness, as if meeting Li Huan was something truly to be celebrated.

Li Huan’s expression froze. He genuinely hadn’t expected Xiaoyu to have such a beautiful girlfriend. He’d always assumed Xiaoyu had issues in that regard and only liked men. Pei Yao’s greeting completely overturned the effeminate image he’d held of Xiaoyu.

"Come in," Li Huan stepped aside and invited them into the living room, giving Pei Yao a quick appraisal. He was a little surprised; judging by her clothes, her family seemed well off, though she looked young enough to still be in school. He wondered how Xiaoyu had managed to lure her out.

"Brother Huan, what happened to your hands? You’ve got them wrapped up..." Xiaoyu, ever sharp-eyed, noticed Li Huan’s bandaged hands the moment they entered. He hurriedly grabbed Li Huan’s hands to examine them, his face instantly clouded with concern.

Li Huan felt a wave of embarrassment. Xiaoyu just couldn’t help himself—always so touchy-feely. Li Huan was used to it, but doing this in front of Pei Yao was a bit awkward.

Just as Li Huan tried to pull away, Pei Yao suddenly stepped forward, rapping Xiaoyu’s hand with her knuckles. "Did you forget what I told you? Keep your hands to yourself. What if you hurt Brother Huan?"

Sure enough, Pei Yao’s words had an effect. Xiaoyu let go of Li Huan’s hands, rubbing the back of his own hand with a pout, shooting Pei Yao a disgruntled look. "I didn’t mean to! If Brother Huan would take better care of himself, his hands wouldn’t both be hurt!"

"Don’t use that word!" Pei Yao pinched Xiaoyu’s cheek, then turned to Li Huan with a slightly embarrassed smile. "Hehe, don’t mind us, Brother Huan. I need to train him or he’ll never change."

"It’s fine, you don’t have to be so polite with me," Li Huan nodded, genuinely respectful of Pei Yao’s tact. She was a sensible girl, though perhaps a little domineering with Xiaoyu, which explained his slightly aggrieved expression.

The three of them sat in the living room, chatting casually. When Xiaoyu inquired about Li Huan’s injuries, Li Huan brushed him off with a random excuse. Xiaoyu, of course, wasn’t satisfied, pressing for details several times until Pei Yao intervened, finally making him drop the subject.

From Xiaoyu, Li Huan learned that the folks from Dancing with Wolves hadn’t caused any further trouble, the chubby guy hadn’t returned to the bar, and Li Gang had been discharged from the hospital the previous afternoon. He’d gone straight back to work that night; the head wound hadn’t affected him much, though he had to wear a hat to cover it up.

Hearing that Li Gang was fine, Li Huan relaxed and called him over. Li Gang arrived quickly, showing up a little after eleven with roast chicken legs and beer in tow.

The three of them got along well, and Pei Yao was easygoing, able to join in any topic. The atmosphere was lively until noon, when Su Dieyi returned home. She was taken aback to see the living room crowded with people.

Su Dieyi was undoubtedly beautiful. Though simply dressed, her elegant and refined aura was unmistakable. Her tall figure and unique presence even left the lovely Pei Yao staring in awe.

Xiaoyu opened his mouth, unsure what to say, and Li Gang almost dropped his roast meat in surprise. Only Li Huan’s warning saved his shirt; he quickly wiped the grease from his mouth and stuffed the meat in.

Li Huan approached, noticing that Su Dieyi carried bags of vegetables and meat—she was preparing lunch. He felt a small wave of gratitude but remembered his own injuries made him useless in the kitchen, so he introduced Li Gang and the others instead.

Su Dieyi hadn’t expected to find three strangers in the living room. Once Li Huan introduced them, she managed a polite smile, though her expression was a little awkward.

Her relationship with Li Huan was complicated—not particularly close, but she’d offered to help because he was injured. This scene, however, made her feel strangely uncomfortable, as if she were in a more intimate role in Li Huan's life. Her cheeks reddened, and she didn’t know how to explain herself.

"I’ll go make lunch while you chat," she said, then beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen. Soon, the clatter of cooking could be heard.

"I’ll help out, too!" Pei Yao stood up with a greeting and followed her, leaving Li Huan with the other two—or rather, two and a half men—in the living room.

Xiaoyu sneaked a glance at the kitchen, then leaned in conspiratorially. "Little Huan, is that girl your girlfriend?"

"You mean Su Dieyi?" Li Huan glanced at the figure busy in the kitchen, feeling a strange emotion stir inside. "No, she’s just a classmate. We share this place as roommates."

"Oh, that’s good!" Xiaoyu looked relieved, his face blooming into a bright, mischievous smile.

Li Huan couldn’t help a shiver, rolling his eyes at Xiaoyu, and said gloomily, "Cut it out. Don’t even think about it, you hear?"

"I don’t want to..." Xiaoyu lowered his head, his cheeks flushed as red as a rose petal.

"Li Huan, just give in to him, or I might have to take matters into my own hands," Li Gang joked, pinching Xiaoyu’s cheek, which nearly provoked a fit of rage.

To be fair, Xiaoyu was quite the sight. Anyone who saw him would immediately think of the term "pretty boy." Not only was his skin pale, but also smooth and tender, almost like a girl’s. He claimed he never used any skincare products. Such androgynous charm would certainly attract someone as burly as Li Gang.

Of course, nothing scandalous would ever happen between Li Gang and Xiaoyu. Xiaoyu would never agree, and Li Gang was only joking around. Otherwise, with Xiaoyu’s delicate build, he’d never survive Li Gang’s roughness.

"Let’s talk business—Li Huan, what are your plans? Will you return to work at Dancing with Wolves?" Li Gang’s amusement faded as he grew serious.

Hearing this, Xiaoyu also leaned in. He’d come today partly to ask Li Huan about his plans. If Li Huan decided to change venues, Xiaoyu would follow him without a second thought.

"I haven’t decided yet. But Sister Feifei came by yesterday and told me to rest at home for a few days. If things get resolved, I’ll definitely go back. I still need to earn a living," Li Huan replied. He had thought things through—just as Sun Feifei had said, he couldn’t just walk away unless forced into a corner. For now, there might still be a turning point with the chubby guy, provided Sun Feifei’s powerful backer was willing to step in personally.

As for Big Baldy, he’d have to wait for Sun Feifei’s update. For now, the fact that Big Baldy was in the hospital because of Li Huan wasn’t his biggest worry; he just needed to watch out for Baldy’s lackeys.

Thinking of all this gave Li Huan a headache. He’d been living such a peaceful life—checking out pretty girls, drinking and chatting with wealthy ladies, earning easy money. The past two days had been more thrilling than anything else he’d ever experienced.

"If Sister Feifei gets involved, there shouldn’t be a problem. Even someone like Dog Master would have to show some respect to her backer," Li Gang mused, giving Li Huan a meaningful look.

Li Huan knew exactly what was going through his head. When it came to lecherous thoughts, only Fatty could outdo Li Gang among his acquaintances. But truthfully, Li Gang was all talk—he’d blush just having a conversation with Sun Feifei. By his own admission, he was still a pure-hearted old bachelor.

"So what’s the real relationship between Sister Feifei and the boss? I heard the boss is a stunning woman. Could it be that they share the same... hobbies?" Li Huan remembered Sun Feifei’s comment last night about not being interested in men, and the boss’s rumored beauty. The thought sent his mind spinning, imagining two gorgeous women together.

"You mean..." Li Gang feigned innocence, then suddenly put on a look of realization. "Sun Feifei and the lady boss are... together?"

"Uh..." Li Huan almost nodded, but seeing the cunning smile on Li Gang’s face, he realized he was being baited. He quickly backtracked, "I didn’t say anything. That’s all in your head!"

"Brother Gang, you’re awful, always bullying our little Huan," Xiaoyu said coquettishly, casting a sultry look at Li Gang. It was enough to make Li Huan want to march over and give him a beating. He really couldn’t understand what Pei Yao saw in him.

"Be careful, if Pei Yao hears you, you’re done for!" Li Huan raised his voice just slightly. As soon as Pei Yao’s name was mentioned, Xiaoyu’s face fell in distress.

"You lucky dog! But it’s such a shame—Pei Yao is such a lovely girl, and now her future happiness is out of her hands," Li Gang said, sneaking a glance at Pei Yao. She really did have a shapely figure, but unfortunately, she liked Xiaoyu, which made Li Gang feel the world was all topsy-turvy.

"Tch, I’m a real man!" Xiaoyu puffed out his not-so-impressive chest, trying to assert his masculinity. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much for him to show off in front of Li Gang.