Chapter 8

 

Chapter 8: Enemy

Meng Fu wiped the sweat off his forehead, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

This was his and Xiaoyi’s new home—a modest two-bedroom apartment. The rent alone had cost him most of the money he had painstakingly saved while in prison. After a week of searching, he had finally landed a job as a waiter at a restaurant.

He was relieved that the manager hadn’t checked his records.

After all, having a criminal past made most people turn him away without a second thought.

“Meng Fu, ever since you started working here, the restaurant's business has been booming.” Jiang Hui, a college student working part-time, clapped Meng Fu on the shoulder with a grin, then clicked his tongue in mock exasperation. “Meanwhile, a handsome guy like me still goes unnoticed. What’s the deal?”

Meng Fu only smiled lightly, continuing to wipe the glass in his hands with focused precision.

“But seriously, you’re so oblivious. Those girls keep asking for your number.”

“No need. I don’t have a phone.”

He finished wiping one glass and picked up another, carefully polishing it. He couldn’t afford to be careless. Losing this job was not an option.

“No way. In this day and age, who doesn’t have a phone?” Jiang Hui gawked at him, disbelief evident on his face. He assumed it was just an excuse to turn down the women’s advances.

“I don’t have anyone to contact.” Meng Fu replied softly.

Jiang Hui merely chuckled, giving him a knowing look. As he studied Meng Fu’s sharp yet delicate features, he suddenly understood why so many women were interested in him. Meng Fu was undeniably beautiful.

The soft melody of a piano filled the restaurant at night, weaving through the air like a gentle breeze.

Meng Fu didn’t know how Meng Yi had managed to slip out of the employee lounge, but before he could stop him, the boy had already rushed to the piano.

“Jiejie, let me play,” he said to the woman seated at the instrument.

The pianist glanced at the handsome young man before her. Seeing nothing unusual about him, she stood up and stepped aside.

The moment Meng Yi’s fingers touched the keys, it was as if a dormant soul had been awakened. His hands danced over the black and white keys with an effortless grace, filling the restaurant with a melody that made time itself seem to pause.

Meng Fu hurried forward but stopped in his tracks when he heard the music.

He wasn’t the only one who had been frozen in place. Many others had put down whatever they were doing, entranced by the sound.

He had intended to reprimand Meng Yi, but seeing the pure joy on his brother’s face, he changed his mind.

“Meng Fu, your brother plays exceptionally well.” The restaurant manager called him over, eyes gleaming with appreciation. “Why don’t we hire him as our in-house pianist? He’ll be paid just like the other staff.”

Noticing the hesitation in Meng Fu’s eyes, the manager added, “Don’t worry. Nothing bad will happen to him.”

Meng Fu felt a deep sense of gratitude toward the manager. This job meant stability for both of them. It also meant he wouldn’t have to worry about where to leave Meng Yi when he was working. Plus, an extra salary meant a little more breathing room in their lives.

He began to feel like fate was finally being kind to him.

As though, just when he had been suffocating under the weight of life, the heavens had granted him a breath of fresh air. He could finally breathe again. Finally, he had the strength to keep going.

If only he hadn’t run into him a month later.

Meng Fu saw Gu Ze enter the restaurant, snapping his fingers to call a waiter.

Everyone was busy. Normally, he would have gone over, but his feet felt rooted to the ground. An invisible force held him back.

He had always endured Gu Ze’s verbal assaults in silence. But not today. Not here.

He was terrified that Gu Ze would sneer at him, calling him a murderer for everyone to hear. Terrified that his coworkers would know the truth. Terrified of losing his job. Terrified of having his dignity crushed in front of so many people.

A sudden bump on his shoulder snapped him out of his trance.

“What’s with you? Spaced out? Table 24 is waiting for their order,” Jiang Hui prodded him.

“You go. I’ll take care of your table instead,” Meng Fu said.

“Fine, fine.” Jiang Hui handed him a tray without a second thought. “Remember, Table 24.”

“Got it.”

 

“Send Meng Fu over.”

Gu Ze didn’t even glance up as he flipped through the menu, his tone commanding.

Jiang Hui raised a brow at him, puzzled. It wasn’t unusual for women to request Meng Fu, but now men were doing the same? “Sir, Meng Fu is busy right now. I can assist you instead. May I recommend—”

“Enough. Get him.”

“Understood.”

Jiang Hui walked away, muttering under his breath. Does having money mean you can be this demanding? Does food taste better when Meng Fu serves it?

“Gu Ze, why insist on that specific waiter?” The man sitting across from him, President Liang, asked with curiosity.

“I want to see how he’s doing.”

“Oh,” Liang smirked knowingly. “So, is he your lover?”

At that moment, Meng Fu arrived at their table. “Mr. Gu.” He inclined his head slightly, his posture impeccably polite. He then nodded at Liang. “What would you like to order?”

Gu Ze stared at him, his eyes cold. Then, with a voice as sharp as ice, he uttered just two words:

“Enemy.”

For a split second, the air seemed to freeze. Even his heart turned to ice.

Such a simple, direct, and cruel declaration. And he had no way to refute it.

He took a quiet breath and forced himself to speak naturally. “Would you like to hear our recommendations? We have a signature dish called ‘First Love,’ made primarily with shrimp—”

“Why do all these dishes have such poetic names?” Liang interrupted, amused.

“They are named after novels written by the author Su Yu,” Meng Fu explained.

Liang nodded in understanding. No wonder. Su Yu was a well-known romance novelist. He thought of Su Yu’s delicate features and then looked at Meng Fu. Truthfully, Meng Fu’s looks were just as striking.

More importantly, Su Yu was known to prefer men. And he was rumored to be involved with Qin Mo from the Qin Corporation.

Could it be the same for Meng Fu?

The ordering process stretched on. Gu Ze deliberately asked for descriptions of every dish, dragging out the interaction. Liang, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at Meng Fu’s profile.

Finally, once the food was ordered, Meng Fu turned to leave.

Liang smirked. “This Meng Fu is quite the looker.”

Gu Ze shot him a cold glance, making him chuckle. “Relax. I have an idea. Since he’s your enemy, why don’t you let me take care of him for you?”

“How?”

“Ever heard of breaking a straight man? Su Yu was ruined by Qin Mo, you know.” Liang smirked. “Wouldn’t it be fun to watch him crumble?”

Gu Ze’s expression darkened with disgust. “You want to touch Meng Fu?”

Liang grinned. “He’s as pretty as Su Yu, if not more.”

A slow, mocking smile spread across Gu Ze’s face. “No need. I’ll handle my own revenge.”

Later, as Meng Fu cleared another table, Jiang Hui nudged him. “That guy at Table 47—what’s his deal? Why did he insist on you?”

Meng Fu’s heart clenched. He forced a small smile. “I owe him money.”

A lie.

He didn’t owe him money.

He owed him a life.