"Didn't Chen Yu tell you? Isn't that why he went to bring you over?" Sima Li asked.
Mo Fei blinked and shook his head.
"Well, now he knows," Chen Yu said lightly, already waving Sima Li off as if dismissing an irrelevant notification. "It doesn't start for another hour. You've seen everyone... let's go." Before Mo Fei could even process what "go" meant, Chen Yu had already grabbed him again and dragged him out. "We'll be back!" he shouted over his shoulder.
The door slammed shut behind them.
The next second, they were back inside Mo Fei's apartment. Mo Fei had barely taken two steps in before Chen Yu made a sharp turn and headed straight for the wardrobe like a man on a mission. The wardrobe doors flew open. Chen Yu leaned in, scanning the contents with narrowed eyes.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk…" He clicked his tongue "Not bad," he admitted, pulling out a few hangers. "When did you update this? Because I know you." He turned to Mo Fei with suspicion. "You barely wear flashy designers."
Mo Fei dropped onto the bed, watching him. Aria had updated the wardrobe and Louis had added more pieces aggressively, and with a very specific warning: If you disgrace me and yourself by dressing like a bum, I'll throw you out of a window myself.
Mo Fei snorted softly. Dress like a bum? Not in this lifetime. If anything, he planned to expand this wardrobe further. "I don't really feel a party is...."
He didn't even get to finish. Chen Yu had already started pulling out outfits and throwing them onto the bed like he was fueling a fire. "I haven't seen you in weeks," Chen Yu said, tossing another shirt. "And even then, you nearly scared all of us to death."
Mo Fei tilted his head slightly to dodge a jacket flying dangerously close to his face. "Yeah, right. That was an accident, but... "
"Even then," Chen Yu cut him off again, "it doesn't mean you should hide and cower in here." Another outfit landed beside him. "I'll make it up to you by never leaving your side."
A pair of trousers came flying. Mo Fei dodged again. Was this man even capable of listening? "I'm saying," Mo Fei said, trying again through gritted teeth, "I don't think Zhang Yichen wants me anywhere near him... " A shoe flew across the room.
This time Direct hit on his face "Ow!" Mo Fei yelped, grabbing his head.
Chen Yu didn't even notice. Instead, he suddenly froze mid-motion. "Ahah!" He straightened, eyes lighting up as he pulled out a particular outfit. "This is the one." He turned and threw it at Mo Fei. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get dressed!"
Mo Fei stared at the outfit in his hands. "But… I don't want to go," he said weakly.
Chen Yu rolled his eyes. "Listen," he said, finally pausing. "I know the past few weeks have been a lot. But if you want a proper comeback, you have to show the world you're stronger." His expression hardened slightly. "And that you've moved on." A brief shadow crossed his face "Especially that woman."
Mo Fei went quiet. Then he looked down at the clothes again. It was just one night and Chen Yu… was a good friend.
If he wanted to understand this new world, and survive in it then hiding wasn't an option. He exhaled. "…Fine."
Chen Yu's face lit up instantly. "That's my Mo Fei!"
Mo Fei held up the clothes again then looked at Chen Yu. "Well…?"
Chen Yu, "…."
Mo Fei stared at him. Is he… staying? A slow realization crept in. Is Chen Yu actually planning to watch me change? Mo Fei's brain screamed internally. Chen Yu, don't do this to me. He tightened his grip on the clothes, staring at him pointedly.
Chen Yu's brain finally caught up. "Oh!" He laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry, sorry! I'll give you space, hehe!"
And just like that, he turned and hurried out of the room and the door closed behind him.
Mo Fei finished changing not long after, and when he stepped out of the room, Chen Yu immediately looked him up and down.
Chef who? That was not his only talent, fashion was apparently among his many gifts.
Mo Fei glanced down at himself once more. The outfit fit perfectly, sharp, expensive, and just flashy enough to turn heads without trying too hard.
Chen Yu folded his arms proudly. "Let's go. They're waiting."
Mo Fei gave one last glance around the apartment, then looked for his phone. He found it on the couch where he had tossed it earlier and quickly unlocked the screen.
He sent a message to Louis: Attending a party with Chen Yu.
That was enough, there was no need to over-explain. If he told Louis too much, the man might manifest in the apartment out of pure stress. Satisfied with his logic, Mo Fei slipped the phone into his pocket and followed Chen Yu out.
They took the elevator down, by the time they reached the parking area, Sima Li and Nil were already waiting.
Sima Li saw Mo Fei step out and he let out a long whistle. "Well," he said, clearly impressed. "No one's going to take their eyes off you tonight."
Before Mo Fei could even react, smack! Chen Yu hit Sima Li on the head. "Shut up."
Sima Li clutched his skull dramatically. "Violence! In public?"
"Serves you right," Nil said dryly, shooting him a glare.
Sima Li laughed. Mo Fei, meanwhile, looked around discreetly. His eyes scanned the parking lot once.
He did not see Zhang Yichen. The relief that washed through him was so immediate it almost showed on his face.
He could survive anything, but Zhang Yichen, that was a different matter entirely.
"Yichen already left?" Chen Yu asked, sounding offended on principle.
Nil nodded. "He went ahead."
Chen Yu clicked his tongue sharply. "That annoying brat."
Despite the insult, Nil still moved to open the car door for him with practiced ease, he climbed in first and Mo Fei followed after him, sliding into the back seat.
Sima Li got in at the front and started the car, still in far too cheerful a mood for the time of night. The engine purred to life.
And just like that, the four of them pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the party.
Toward lights, noise, alcohol, industry sharks, and whatever disaster the night had already prepared in advance for Mo Fei.