OSM Chapter 11: Would you mind helping me out by driving Li Yuze back to the hotel?

Gao Kui suspected his foot might be broken. It wasn’t until He Zhiqiu once again firmly answered Li Yuze’s question that the weight pressing on his foot finally lifted.

“Senior, what happened just now?” He Zhiqiu hadn’t forgotten Gao Kui’s abrupt yelp and asked with concern.

Gao Kui coughed awkwardly and said, “It’s nothing, nothing. The chair leg pressed on my foot.”

This excuse might fool a child, but it was clear Gao Kui wasn’t willing to explain further.

Sensing this, He Zhiqiu didn’t press the issue and instead changed the subject. “Senior, why… did you think I was already married?”

“Ah, well…”

Gao Kui shot a quick glance at Li Yuze, who was leaning back in his chair and watching him. Hastily picking up a cup of tea, Gao Kui took a sip to wet his throat before earnestly explaining, “People our age getting married is pretty common. Maybe it’s less so in our industry since most are focused on building their careers, but since you’re just starting out, I figured you’d already have taken care of something as important as marriage.”

The sincerity of Gao the Film Emperor’s explanation was commendable, but he hadn’t anticipated that his foot would once again be subjected to merciless stomping under the table. A little more pressure, and he’d be limping home this afternoon.

He Zhiqiu nodded in understanding.

But since the topic had come up, Gao Kui couldn’t resist asking a few more questions out of curiosity. “So, why haven’t you gotten married yet? Haven’t met the right person?”

Lowering his gaze, He Zhiqiu murmured a quiet “Mm,” then picked up his chopsticks and ate a shrimp.

Beyond such a simple response, anything else he could say now would be unnecessary.

After all, aside from Li Yuze, it seemed he could never fall for anyone else again.

Although he hadn’t tried to start a new relationship, he was certain of this.

It was strange. Between him and Li Yuze, there had never been an explicit confession of affection.

Yet he just knew—they had truly liked each other back then.

But there had always been a thin layer of glass between them.

And in the end, it remained unbroken.

In fact, the little accident involving He Zhiqiu’s grandfather was just the beginning of destiny’s cruel joke. That day, He Zhiqiu had planned to confess to Li Yuze, only to receive a sudden call from home. He had to leave overnight with his parents. Before leaving, he explained the situation to Li Yuze, thinking he’d be back in a week, two at most.

He never expected his father to drive too fast, colliding with a truck loaded with cargo. His mother died on the spot to protect him, and his father, rushed to the hospital, didn’t survive much longer.

Upon hearing the news, his grandfather fell into deep guilt. Already in poor health, the shock worsened his condition.

Now, looking back, it was all in the past. His parents had undoubtedly gone to heaven, no longer burdened by the cost of supporting his expensive dreams. His grandfather’s health gradually improved. Even now, at 80, he could still stroll around with a birdcage in hand.

But back then, it took He Zhiqiu a full six months to recover.

He moved to a new city with his grandfather for treatment. When everything settled, he returned briefly to City A to complete his withdrawal from school.

He wanted to find Li Yuze, only to learn from Tao Yang that Li Yuze had gone abroad.

Many times, He Zhiqiu resigned himself to the belief that humans are powerless against fate.

When fate decides to hide someone, no matter what, it will not let you find them. After handling his parents’ affairs, he had called Li Yuze, but the phone rang endlessly without being answered. When he tried again, the line had already been disconnected.

He thought, Li Yuze must have tried to contact him, too—at least made a call.

But his phone had been completely destroyed in the accident and couldn’t be used.

Later, he finally learned from Tao Yang that Li Yuze had entered the entertainment industry. He also learned that Li Yuze publicly announced to the world that he was married.

He Zhiqiu ate his meal one bite at a time, thinking to himself, this was perfectly normal.

After all, they had been apart for three or four years by then, and they’d never explicitly confessed their feelings.

What right did he have to feel hurt? What right did he have to stop him from falling for someone else and starting a new relationship?

“Are you heading back to the set later?” Gao Kui, ever the chatterbox, kept the conversation going.

He Zhiqiu said yes and casually asked, “What about you, Senior?”

Gao Kui replied, “I need to take Li Yuze back to his hotel first. He has work tomorrow and an early flight.”

Since it was a personal trip, Meng Lin didn’t come along. The hotel Li Yuze stayed at was close to the film set, so Gao Kui figured it’d save Meng Lin a trip.

He Zhiqiu nodded, just about to say he’d take a taxi back himself,

When a “clang” sounded. The wine bottle by Li Yuze’s side fell to the floor. He reached to pick it up but missed repeatedly, finally slumping over the table in a daze.

…

Gao Kui jumped back in alarm, cautiously stretching out a hand to check his breathing. “Still alive?”

He Zhiqiu was also startled, watching anxiously for a few moments before picking up the empty bottle. “He’s probably just drunk, right?”

“No way. With his tolerance—a single bottle of red wine? Oh my god—of course, he’s drunk!” Gao Kui suddenly stood, stamping his foot and shooting a peculiar glance at Li Yuze.

He Zhiqiu didn’t notice his strange behavior. He placed the bottle back on the table, his brows slightly furrowed with worry.

By the time they finished eating, it was about time to leave. Gao Kui glanced at his watch and said, “Let’s go. We’ll get him back to the hotel first.”

He Zhiqiu responded with a nod, waiting for Gao Kui to help Li Yuze to his feet so they could head out together. However, when Gao Kui hoisted Li Yuze’s arm over his shoulder and gave it a solid lift—

Li Yuze didn’t budge.

…

“Well…” Gao Kui trailed off, crouching slightly to think for a moment before calling He Zhiqiu over to give it a try.

To be fair, He Zhiqiu was the shortest among them, standing at just 1.78 meters, with a lean build to match.

If Gao Kui couldn’t lift Li Yuze, it would be just as challenging for He Zhiqiu.

Besides, though Li Yuze looked tall and lean, his muscles were solid. Back in school, he could easily lift He Zhiqiu off the ground.

Years had passed since then, and with Li Yuze having grown even taller, it would undoubtedly be harder now.

Sure enough, He Zhiqiu draped Li Yuze’s arm over his neck and attempted to lift him twice, but Li Yuze remained firmly in place.

Standing off to the side, Gao Kui watched as Li Yuze didn’t so much as wobble. Silently, he gave He Zhiqiu a thumbs-up and mouthed, Impressive. Thorough and flawless execution.

Then he stepped in, gave a light lift, and finally managed to haul Li Yuze to his feet.

But Li Yuze could barely stand and had to lean heavily against He Zhiqiu.

Afraid that he might fall, He Zhiqiu  stopped worrying about the little things and firmly supported his waist. “I’ll help get him to the car first,” he offered.

Gao Kui initially agreed but then noticed a slight twitch in Li Yuze’s fingers. Immediately, he changed his tune. “Actually, wait! I just remembered there’s something I need to take care of.”

He sidled up with a friendly tone, asking, “Xiao Qiu, do you know how to drive?”

“Yes,” He Zhiqiu replied.

Relieved, Gao Kui’s face lit up like he’d been saved. He quickly handed over the car keys. “Would you mind helping me out by driving Li Yuze back to the hotel?”