Mud beads

Liang Dong arrived before 7 p.m.

The location chosen by General Manager Lin is hidden beside Qujiang Pool. Along the street, there's only a section of milky-white stone wall, and the bronze gate is concealed in bamboo shadows; it's easy to miss if you drive by. Inside, there's a long, narrow courtyard with several suspended stone steps leading across the water to a glass hall.

Only one table of guests is accepted on the entire floor.

Liang Dong was led to the waiting area by the water. A waiter brought him warm water; the cup was so thin that he could barely feel its weight. He didn't touch the cigarette on the table, nor did he lean back on the sofa. After sitting for a while, he heard high heels clicking on the stone steps outside, so he stood up.

General Manager Lin walked in.

She wore a dark green velvet gown with a thin black shawl draped over her shoulders. Her diamond-encrusted handbag was small, held in her hand, and an emerald ring on her finger gleamed softly under the light.

"You're here so early?" She smiled when she saw Liang Dong.

"Sis," Liang Dongchong nodded, "It's alright, I was just worried about traffic."

President Lin nodded without saying anything, walked over and patted his arm, his gaze sweeping over him.

Liang Dong returned in a hurry, without a suit, wearing only a white crew-neck sweatshirt, his long hair pulled back, revealing his clean-shaven brow bone. President Lin handed him the bag and then naturally took his arm.

"Let's go, I'll introduce you to a few people today."

Liang Dong carried her bag and accompanied her across the glass skybridge.

The restaurant's waterfront side was fully open, letting in the September evening breeze through the sheer curtains, carrying the damp scent of the pond. A snow-white linen table was laid out on the long table, with silverware, cups, and fresh flowers arranged along the center line. Several green hydrangeas hung low, not obstructing conversation. Behind a dark glass wall, the open kitchen revealed a chef bent over, preparing a fish, the tip of his knife gently cutting open its belly, blood flowing down the white porcelain countertop into the sink.

The dining area connects to a lounge and living room. Beyond a dark wine cabinet, there is a billiards room. The door is half open, and the dark green billiard table is hidden in the shadows, with its brass corners reflecting a little light. Several billiard cues stand against the wall.

Three guests have already arrived, all of whom are acquaintances of Mr. Lin.

She took Liang Dong's arm and led him inside, first greeting the people around them, and then bringing him to her side.

"My younger brother, Liang Dong."

Everyone at the table gave President Lin face. They looked at Liang Dong, then at the hand she was holding on his arm, and stood up with a smile to greet him.

Liang Dong greeted them one by one and pulled out a chair for her. A teapot was brought out; he first warmed the cups, then poured tea for each of the elders at the table. The spout was neatly closed, and not a drop of water fell on the tablecloth.

"Where does your younger brother work?" someone asked.

"Can't you tell?" President Lin picked up his teacup, laughing heartily. "My brother is so handsome."

"Oh—" The person who asked the question smiled knowingly, "An actor, right? I knew he looked familiar."

"It hasn't even been released yet, what do you recognize?" President Lin said with a playful smile, glancing at the man.

The people at the table laughed.

Liang Dong sat to her left and smiled, but didn't reply.

The conversation quickly shifted from Liang Dong to a calligraphy and painting auction, and then from the auction to a menswear brand that was preparing to launch next year. Before the conversation was over, the door to the outer room opened.

The manager in charge of this table personally went to greet them, and the casual conversation and laughter in the private room subsided.

Slow footsteps came from the doorway.

Echigo Koshima leaned on an ebony cane in his right hand, his pure white vintage shirt buttoned all the way up, and a light gray suede suit jacket over it. Although he walked with a slight limp, his demeanor was one of relaxed elegance. He walked to the door, turned to the side, and gestured for his young female companion to go in first.

The girl wore a smoky blue long dress, her black hair was loosely tied up, and she carried a small silver bag. She did not help Yuejian Che, but only gently rested her hand on his elbow when they passed the stone steps of the water courtyard.

Mr. Lin finally stood up.

"Xiao Che's leg isn't fully healed yet," President Lin said with a smile as he led Liang Dong to greet them. "I'm getting a lot of attention today."

"Since Sister Lin asked me to come, how could I possibly refuse?"

Echigo spoke casually, his gaze sweeping over President Lin's exquisitely made-up face, first landing on her hand resting on Liang Dong's arm, and finally moving to Liang Dong's face, where he smiled.

Liang Dong looked at him without showing any surprise.

"Xiao Dong, this is General Manager Yue." General Manager Lin brought Liang Dong a little closer. "Don't underestimate General Manager Yue just because he's young. I have to rely on him."

Echizen waved his hand and slowly walked towards the table: "Sister Lin is scaring people again."

"Who would dare scare you?" President Lin sat back down at his table, patted Liang Dong's hand, and said, "Xiao Dong, greet someone."

Liang Dong hesitated for half a second before speaking, "President Yue."

Koshima Tetsuya did not respond immediately.

He handed his cane to his female companion, and after naturally taking his seat in the main seat, he slowly raised his head and looked at Liang Dong: "What's your name, young man?"

"Liang Dong," General Manager Lin answered quickly, "the new employee Lao He signed."

Echizen Toru picked up his teacup, took a sip, and raised an eyebrow at Liang Dong.

When Liang Dong met Yuejian Che's glance, the curve of her lips softened slightly.

Moth

The hot dishes were only served at this point.

The chef personally brought out the fish he had just prepared. The porcelain lid was lifted, and steam rose upwards, revealing the fish skin glistening with a thin layer of oil under the light. The waiters served the dishes according to seating order, with Toru Koshima's dish being the first to arrive.

No one discussed serious matters during the meal. When someone mentioned strange things they had encountered abroad, President Lin laughed and leaned her hand on Liang Dong's shoulder. Sometimes her hand rested on his shoulder, and sometimes on his forearm, which was rolled up in his sleeve.

Koshima Toru didn't drink, and no one tried to persuade him to.

The girl beside him was very well-behaved, serving food and adding tea without uttering a word, as quiet as a vase. Halfway through the meal, the girl took out a small, transparent acrylic box from her bag, containing pre-packaged pills. Yuejian Tetsu tilted his head back and swallowed them with warm water, his gaze falling on Liang Dong's hand through the rim of the cup.

Liang Dong caught the wine glass that President Lin almost knocked over.

Someone at the table asked him if he had a girlfriend.

Liang Dong straightened the wine glass, bent down to refill President Lin's glass, and kept his wrist steady.

"No, the company is very strict."

Upon hearing this, Echizen Toru lowered his eyes and drank his tea, the rim of the cup obscuring the slight smile on his lips.

President Lin turned to Echizen Toru: "How about it? This kid's not bad, is he?"

Koshima Toru did not answer immediately.

The night breeze rippled the water outside the window, and the lamplight cast layers of shadows that reached the shore. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his teacup lightly with his fingertips, and looked at Liang Dong calmly for a moment.

"That's good, you've kept your composure."

Mr. Lin smiled, a hint of pride and joy on his face: "I don't believe what others say, but I trust your judgment."

"truth."

Liang Dong then looked up and said, "President Yue, you flatter me."

He picked up the teapot, first refilling tea for President Lin, then got up and walked to Yuejian Che's side. Yuejian Che's cup was already empty, so Liang Dong refilled it to about seven-tenths full, the water flowing in a thin but continuous stream.

Koshima Toru did not remove the cup.

After Liang Dong put the teapot away, he said, "Thank you."

You're too kind.

Liang Dong returned to his seat, and President Lin's hand was once again linked with his arm on the inside of his body as he continued talking to others. Yue Jianche lowered his eyes and stirred the tea leaves in his cup, the interest in his eyes never fading.

The dinner party ended at 10 PM.

The group moved to the living room outside. President Lin had drunk quite a bit, but his steps were still brisk; he only gripped Liang Dong's arm tightly as he went down the steps.

"Xiaodong, you see me off," she said. "I'll tell you a few things on the way."

Liang Dong glanced at her, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

"Sister Lin." Yuejian Tetsu walked behind, leaning on his cane, and suddenly spoke up, "Lend me Xiao Liang, I'll have him play a couple of rounds with me later."

After saying that, he sat down on a single sofa by the window in front of the billiard room, his cane resting on his knees, looking relaxed.

Mr. Lin paused, turned around, and laughed loudly, "Then what reason do I have not to release them?"

She released Liang Dong's arm and patted his back: "Xiao Dong, play with President Yue for a while."

Liang Dong nodded.

Echizen instructed the driver to take Mr. Lin and his female companion away first. The two walked along the glass walkway outwards, one lightly and the other heavily, before being separated by a door.

The living room fell silent again.

Liang Dong walked to the sofa opposite Yue Jianche and sat down. The smile that had been held back all night finally dissipated, and the corners of his lips returned to a straight line.

Echizen leaned back on the sofa, raised his cane, and pointed it at the young boy's forehead: "You look like a male prostitute right now."