Chapter 53 – Could I Be Unlikable?

The class reunion was scheduled for the day after Bian Ji returned to Shanghai. Yan Ankuo was considerate of his long flight and allowed him to catch up on sleep before they headed out.

Bian Ji dressed similarly to how Yan Ankuo usually did, selecting a few neatly pressed shirts, and asked, “Is it alright for me to go like this?”

Yan Ankuo chuckled, “We’re meeting classmates, not clients.”

Bian Ji sat down, frustrated, “Just don’t let it happen that everyone’s in suits and ties while I’m the only one in shorts.”

“We don’t dress like that every day,” Yan Ankuo reassured him, “Reunions are about comfort. Wear whatever you’re used to, relax.”

In the end, Bian Ji chose a casual shirt to wear as an outer layer. When they arrived at the restaurant, Wen Hongyu was chatting with someone in the smoking area. Seeing Bian Ji, he put out his cigarette and waved, “Hey, you made it.”

Bian Ji quickly switched into social mode, greeting everyone with a smile.

Yan Ankuo busied himself with introductions, “This is Wen Hongyu, you’ve met before. That over there is Xu Sheng, my senior sister.”

Introducing himself, Bian Ji said, “Nice to meet all of you! My name is Bian Ji.”

Xu Sheng stepped forward to shake hands, admiringly, “My goodness, Ankuo, your partner is so handsome.”

Yan Ankuo nodded, not modest in the slightest, “That’s what many people say.”

Xu Sheng, realizing her comment might be inappropriate, hastily changed the subject, “Well, we shouldn’t stand here. Let’s head to the private room.”

Few knew about Yan Ankuo’s past relationship with Lin Yu, so no one questioned Xu Sheng’s words. Although Bian Ji found it odd, he wisely refrained from commenting further.

At the table, apart from Xu Sheng who later transitioned to corporate legal affairs, the rest were all lawyers. Naturally, their conversations veered towards cases.

Xu Sheng asked, “Ankuo, I heard from Hongyu that you got hit by a car recently?”

Yan Ankuo didn’t want to discuss it, merely acknowledging with a brief, “Mm.”

Those at the table who were unaware of the specifics hurriedly inquired, “What happened?”

“It was a former client’s ex-husband I represented. After losing the case, he sought revenge and ended up hitting Bian Ji’s car.” Yan Ankuo summarized briefly.

Someone at the other end of the table exclaimed, “Damn, what did you sue him for?”

“I had Wen Hongyu help me. We reported it to the police, initiated a criminal case, and handed it over to the prosecution. The person has already been arrested.”

“Why didn’t you directly sue for traffic manslaughter? Wouldn’t that have been a sure win? Filing it as a criminal case could risk complications along the way.”

“It wasn’t possible. This accident proved his intentional malice; it couldn’t be categorized under civil law.”

“Oh, well, that makes sense then.”

As the topics became more specialized, Bian Ji started to zone out, wondering if anyone had touched the salmon on the table and whether it would stay fresh if left out much longer.

His mind wandering, a bespectacled man suddenly asked him, “Mr. Bian, what type of cases do you handle?”

Bian Ji hastily waved his hand, “Ah, I’m not a lawyer, I’m a flight attendant.”

“What?” the man was shocked, “Then how did you meet Attorney Yan?”

“On a plane,” Bian Ji smiled.

“Incredible,” the man commented, “Yan Ankuo actually likes someone he met on a plane.”

Bian Ji felt slightly offended but his professionalism kept him courteous as he joked, “Is there a law against falling in love on a plane?”

“Haha, Mr. Bian, you’re so humorous,” the man laughed, explaining, “I just assumed that given Ankuo’s personality, even if he liked men, he would prefer…someone similar to him?”

The man didn’t realize that his commentary on others’ relationships had crossed beyond the bounds of social etiquette, continuing,

“Like classmates or colleagues, people who know each other well.” Sensing the conversation taking a wrong turn, he hastily added, “I didn’t mean to imply you two aren’t compatible. What I meant is, you don’t seem like the type he’d normally talk to. What led to you two getting together?”

Bian Ji didn’t allow him to pry further into his privacy, politely declining, “You might think so because you don’t know me or my profession. But it doesn’t matter, as long as Ankuo understands me.”

Realizing his faux pas, the man awkwardly laughed, “You’re right. Sorry, I’m not good with words. Please don’t take offense.”

“No problem,” Bian Ji smiled back, “And I indeed don’t understand you guys either. I’m only interested because of him. Coming here today is also a learning experience.”

A few polite words defused the previous awkwardness.

Feeling apologetic, the man made a point to introduce Bian Ji to more people, steering the conversation towards him to ensure he didn’t feel excluded.

Bian Ji was skilled at engaging in conversation; as long as he was provided enough topics, he could make anyone like him.

Before long, he had used three icebreaker games to elevate the atmosphere at the table to its peak, bonding with several senior partners. Yan Ankuo was almost disoriented, wondering who among them was the true old friend.

Unfortunately, these people’s occupational habits were incurable. Midway through, a lawyer took a call from a client, and the discussion tilted towards a company’s merger and acquisition case.

Economic law wasn’t Yan Ankuo’s forte, so he remained silent like Bian Ji for the latter half of the evening, only chatting amongst themselves in a small corner.

Before leaving, Yan Ankuo asked Bian Ji, “Are you bored?”

Bian Ji shook his head, denying it, but Yan Ankuo could see the drowsiness in his eyes. He therefore made an excuse about something urgent and ended the dinner early.

Bian Ji was genuinely exhausted, having not dealt with such a challenging social scene in a long time. He started dozing off as soon as they got in the car. Yan Ankuo wanted to chat with him but noticed he was asleep, so he didn’t disturb him.

Yan Ankuo drove to the entrance of Bian Ji’s apartment complex, accidentally waking him up with the slight jolt of braking. Bian Ji, a light sleeper, didn’t need much time to come to, looking vaguely out the window, “Huh? Home already?”

“Get out,” Yan Ankuo said, “You slept the whole way.”

Bian Ji rubbed his head, “Didn’t get much rest last night.”

Yan Ankuo accompanied him as they closed the car doors and entered the elevator together.

Perhaps still groggy from sleep, Bian Ji asked a question he wouldn’t have dared ask when awake, “By the way, why did they say you never had a partner? You and Lin Yu were together for so long…you didn’t tell them?”

“No,” Yan Ankuo replied as Bian Ji pressed the floor button, remembering it quickly. With an impassive face, he pressed the close door button, “He refused to let anyone in our circle know.”

Bian Ji blurted out, “No wonder.”

Without context, Yan Ankuo couldn’t discern if he meant “no wonder you brought me to meet your friends today,” or “no wonder no one knew you dated.” He guessed it was the former and detected a hint of unhappiness in Bian Ji’s tone.

“Bian Ji,” Yan Ankuo explained, “I’m the type of person who wants what I like to belong solely to me, hidden away where no one else can see. But I know you’re not someone who can be locked up. So I brought you to meet them today; from one perspective, it’s insecurity, but it’s also a declaration.”

The elevator slowly ascended, stopping on the sixth floor with a ding.

Pausing for a moment, Yan Ankuo continued, “I think you’re so wonderful, I should let more people know about you.”

The elevator doors opened, revealing bright lights outside that made it hard to open one’s eyes.

Bian Ji shielded his eyes, taking a few steps out before stopping. He turned back to Yan Ankuo, saying, “Thank you for thinking I’m great…but I do seem to be different from your friends.”

Yan Ankuo asked, “Did you not enjoy tonight’s gathering?”

“It’s not that I disliked it — I couldn’t be unlikable, could I?” Bian Ji, self-aware and handsome, skillfully used his appearance as a social tool. He made a joke about it when the mood between them grew somber, “It’s just too fast. We haven’t fully understood each other yet, and now we’re introducing each other to our social circles. Attorney Yan, I’m not as much of a scholar as you. I learn slowly, you have to give me some slack.”

“Sorry,” Yan Ankuo nodded, “This time, I didn’t consider it carefully. I won’t invite them again next time.”

It was a minor issue; besides, his intentions were good. It was just that Bian Ji himself couldn’t yet cross the hurdle of sharing social circles, finding it too intimate.

What couple doesn’t need to compromise? Bian Ji didn’t want him to apologize so solemnly, stroking his face, “It’s fine, don’t dwell on it.”

The elevator doors were about to close. Bian Ji stepped out, saying, “Tomorrow I have a hearing to attend, I need to go back and prepare my speech, you should head home. No video calls tonight, get some rest early.”

Yan Ankuo found it strange, “What hearing?”

“At the beginning of the year, Tianru and I wrote a self-assessment report, which included many suggestions regarding reforms to cabin service management. The group said they hope to gather ideas and hold a democratic vote.”

This matter was supposed to have concluded last month, but due to many department leaders having other important meetings at the last minute, it was postponed until tomorrow.

Yan Ankuo wanted to ask Bian Ji why he hadn’t told him about such a big deal, but fearing it might upset him, he held back, simply nodding, “Need any help?”

“No, it’s my own work,” Bian Ji felt there was no need for others to interfere.

Yan Ankuo followed him for a few steps, intending to stay with Bian Ji to finish preparing his materials before leaving, hoping to see if there was anything he could assist with. Seeing Bian Ji showing no intention of inviting him inside, he opened his mouth, but in the end, could only leave with a stomach full of unsaid words.