When Guangning rushed out of a banqueting hall, Zhang Lingyi had already disappeared in a sunset.

Guangning run to doors of business center, jumped out on the street – looked to the right, to the left – familiar high figure was visible in nowhere.

Our marketing director had no other choice – he snatched out his phone and dialed Zhang Lingyi's number. Phone was ringing and ringing ... But, at last, the stubborn recipient picked up the call.

- Yes, - his deep, hoarse voice clearly sounded in Guangning's ear.

- Why have you left? Party is only on its middle.

- Is it important? – in forcedly indifferent voice of Linyi there was unsuccessfully hidden despair. – I am not a beautiful girl, who falls into strangers' hugs.

Ran Lingyi away because of being jealous about the girl? He was upset because of a summer rain (if you remember - in the last chapter the summer rain has been mentioned in accordance with Xia Yingchu) or the blossoming lilac?

Or our first Uni's handsome boy suddenly gave up to the ordinary girl by the name of Xia Yingchu?

- I suppose, you should return for the party to take care of this beauty? – the voice of the personnel director shook a little and was interrupted, full of venomous acid.

- What's the nonsense? – Guangning's heart burst of fire.

What this stubborn "highbrow" Gong means – that him, shou-shou, should be sent back to a party - and enjoy happiness with any stupid girl? This is our new lifestyle, really??

Enough! If your partner is in a stupor, it is no need to follow him!

- And where are you now? – politely, carefully hiding his rage, asked Guangning.

- Me? I am wandering in our most popular among tourists pedestrian street, near the International hotel's entrance, - Guanging heard some dissatisfied snorting in receiver. – What's for? Have you really decided to dump one lovely girlfriend alone on a ball?

It seems to me, or someone was going to swallow a lot of vinegar?

And whom he is jealous of? The girl to me? Or me to the girl?

Wan Guangning, inspired with these assumptions, quickly hung up, being going to catch his fugitive.

Going hastily to the mentioned place, he quietly giggled with himself – so funny, his severe gong turned into a nervous shou-shou and started to suffer with premature climacteric syndrome? Otherwise where is the original of these mollycoddle's claims?

The mentioned hotel was located near the business center, where they celebrated the anniversary of Huidi International.

Wang Guangning, running at full speed, arrived there just in five minutes. Arrived ... and saw his partner, leaning lonely against the streetlight opposite the hotel entrance, with a cigarette in his hands.

The evening street shone with lights, the idle life on it was bubbling - a merry crowd of tourists flowed, bright and informally dressed, past the young man. On this stage Lingyi seemed to be a lonely cliff, cutting through this noisy flow of people, who were bending around him and hurrying further, without any attention to him.

He stood - thin, refined, in a puritan black coat, so vividly contrasting with the cheerful and colorful crowd around, and among them seemed completely alien, strange, a stranger from another, sad and strict world.

Alone as the "sad Demon, the spirit of exile." (it is a citation from the Lermontov's poem "Demon" – rus.translator's similitude)

He stood with a completely expressionless, impassive face, squeezing a long cigarette in his thin fingers, from which, in the light of a lantern, a whitish smoke was slowly spreading in clouds.

So amazingly beautiful ... so painfully lonely ...

Wang Guangning at the sight of him immediately calmed down - and some vague feeling pierced him.

And this feeling turned out to be ... a burning desire to beat the "sad exile" well, to prevent him to do stupid things and to play himself a sufferer without any reason.

Only look at him – what a great actor! ... And, he is smoking... Disgusting!

Wang Guangning was angry, but another, more tender feeling, was rising in his soul. He did not expect to see his former rival so sad and depressed.

- Hey, you, the phantom of the Opera, - he approached his "ghost" from the back and ruthlessly ripped the short hair on the back of his head.

It seems that Lingyi absolutely was not ready to see Guangning here - he was staring at him in amazement, muttering in disbelief: - Shou-shou, where are you from?

Guangning, completely ignoring his surprise, with an evil squint measured a cigarette puffing with smoke:

- Didn't anyone declare to be going to quit this disgusting habit?

Zhang Lingyi, frantically hiding his hand with a cigarette behind his back, another one embarrassingly dispersed the smoke around him. As if he was a stupid thief, who, shutting up his ears, was stealing a bell (Chinese idiom). But, feeling that it was useless, he fiercely took the full breath with the last puff - and muttered helplessly:

- Quitting of smoking is not such an easy thing, I am in the process.

His partner full of indignation, pricked the theoretician of quitting with a sidelong angry glance.

But he artfully changed the topic:

- But still - what our honored guest is doing here? Why does he not continue his fervent confession to the "summer rain" (or just Xia)?

Lingyi, as a living scene, saw again, with his own eyes, that four years ago love confession - then the same handsome man from the stage cheerfully and decisively declared his love for Yu Haining. Now he was talking about someone from the personnel department ... And Zhang Lingyi could not help but see the repetition of the former ... But four years ago, he was angry with his eternal rival, who managed to jump him and confess first ... And now his feelings radically differed from the past ...

That day he was infuriated only by the trickery of his insidious enemy, and the only thing that filled the soul that day was the desire to fight back as quickly as possible.

And now he felt completely helpless, so helpless that he could not even bear it and stay in the hall until the end of the confession.

With horror he imagined how he would hear with his own ears, that Wang Guangning confessed his love ... not to him ...

If he listens to this news to the end, it will cut off, bring down everything ... all dreams and hopes ... all unused chances and unspent opportunities ... it will destroy everything that could bring him happiness.

He was not sure of himself, in his ability to keep himself in his hands and stay within the framework of friendly relations, he was afraid to give himself away, to cross the boundaries, because there would be no return.

If ... even it's cowardly ... to escape, without having heard the end of confession, he could pretend knowing nothing about it, so could pretend, that nothing had changed.

And, just rushing out of the business center building and clutching the cigarette right there, he realized how scary these words of the guest of honor seemed to him.

At this moment of weakness, it seemed fortunate that he had something to occupy his hands and mouth.

- It's strange - I do not remember when I said that I intend to confess feelings to some Xia? – Guangning's voice sounded very angry. – May be, it would be better to listen to the end. And do not invent too much. I just said that I like someone from your department.

Lingyi angrily squinted... Well, why to deny the obvious? The personnel department means the beauty Xia Yingchu ... Isn't she the best, the most beautiful, the upbringing — everything that Guangning liked four years ago.

- Ehe-he, - the proud Fumokashi representative continued, and a slight sarcastic smile touched his lips. - I repeat for anybody a bit stupid - I mentioned the HR department, but I did not mention the name of Xia Yingchu. I did not pronounce any name at all...

"Then ... then ... who can it be?" – thoughts, as a flock of scared little birds, swept over the head of a high-wise HR director, his eyes widened, trying to comprehend the enigma. He was one hundred percent sure that his tormentor did not know anyone in Huidi except himself and Xia Yingchu. And if it's not Yingchu, then ...

The guess seemed to be on the surface, but it looked absurdly ... although painfully attractive ...

The same-sex barrier stood before Zhang Lingyi's eyes, depriving the ability to think reasonably — it was easier for him to believe that his partner was in love with Xia Yingchu, than to admit his tender feelings towards himself.

That is why he did not dare to take a decisive step forward, which could become critical.

But now ... now the truth was somewhere here ... very close ... only to stretch a hand...

Thousands of fears, big and small, fell upon Lingyi, making his heart pound as battle drums. He made decision, he doubted, he made up this decision again - and again he was afraid of his determination - and all this in a split second.

But the temptation was too great - he could not force himself to retreat, refuse the ghostly possibility of near and deafening happiness.

- Wang Guangning ... - Lingyi began in a shaky voice, grabbing the hand of the man standing in front of him. - Wang Guangning ... I wanted to ask...

- Kiss my ass! - suddenly shouted Guangning at the top of his throat, his eyes glittered like those of a lion who had caught the prey. – SPONGE BOOOB!!! MY HERO!!!!

He burst out of weak hands of his partner and trotted to the glittering by color lights, stretching along the whole street, the row of slot machines. The nearest of them was filled to the top with yellow-violet freaks.

Lingyi's hands fell powerlessly...

O Wang Guangning, the most beautiful and cruel tyrant of all times. How old are you?! In your solid age, with your business position - isn't it time to forget your stupid children's habits? How is it that they have not changed a jot?

The yearning sufferer, as a loyal dog, followed his emperor, who was already jumping and dancing in impatience near the glass wall, not taking his greedy eyes away from the desired prey.

- Okay, you have persuaded me, let's get one... - the HR Director sighed heavily.

- Well, take a chance! - a malicious smirk popped up on Guangning's lips. He hopes, his friend doesn't think, that he had forgotten, how once this toy cost them three hundred coins and did not give up to greedy seekers of plush treasures.

- I appreciate your courtesy, but...

No, what he hints now at? Maybe, he wants to say that Lingyi CAN NOT...???

What is strongly prohibited in front of the face of the great and terrible gong??

Only one thing - when the beautiful, but poor-brained shou doubted his greatness!

Young commander Zhang Lingyi began a daring general offensive, deciding to convincingly demonstrate his combat and tactical power, hoping to earn a sweet reward.

It's strange, but the first obstacle was traditional - not a single treasure seeker had any coin.

The severe gong glanced at the unwise shou with displeasure: - Hey, SpongeBob's admirer - this peace of shit doesn't work without coins.

Guangning gave him a scornful look.

- Well, of course, from where does this great gentleman have miserable coppers in his pockets? Are you ready to give up right away? OK, forget it ... Anyway, here is no place to take them from.

The words of a cunning little thing just splashed the gasoline into the flaming fire.

The great gong Zhang, with a discontented but decisive grunt, went on a search, leaving his partner:

- Wait. Right now, I'll be back.

With these words, he went to the edge of the sidewalk, where stood, attracting the attention of customers, a tall girl of easy virtue. Beaming with a luxurious smile, with a view of emperor, descending from the Heights into the people's world, he confidently approached her:

- I beg your pardon, little beauty, could you lend me some coins?

"Beauty" looked up - and her eyes suddenly flashed with joy:

- Handsome boy, again we've met!

Lingyi stared at her, wondering - where would he get such inappropriate acquaintances from?

The girl laughed in a high, strong voice:

- Well, how did you forget, sweetie?! A few years ago, evening, the seashore, the island of Gulanyu - I bought your first kiss at an auction...

And the old nightmare that have been tormenting Zhang Lingyi for a long time hit him again.

Is it really that it is that fat woman, whose kiss seemed to him in terrible dreams? Where are her magnificent forms - except of the breast?

Girls, growing up, usually become prettier - but from where are such dramatic changes?

It was the girl, who had tested on him a deep French kiss with her tongue four years ago, and this kiss left a dark indelible mark in his soul. Lingyi was sure that he would never meet her again. But this villainous kiss pursued him at nights, despite her wide waist, and the handsome student and then the businessman could not manage to take these dreams under his strong control.

Just think about it - is it too gentle – to coward so hard?

In the meantime, Lin Zhilyuo (I hope you remember that the girl, who won the kiss, had the name of the author of the book? So lucky peace of trick... - Rus.trans.note) - she was having fun with all her heart, as if not paying attention to the horror painted on the face of her interlocutor:

- O, you, my Beauty boy, I will give you coins, but then you should quickly fuck me.

Again, she is about such nonsense!

No way!

Zhang Lingyi shook his head emphatically, rejecting the offer.

Okay, I agree to a kiss ... on the cheek... - the beauty giggled and, luring the prey, drew a handful of coins from somewhere, invitingly tossing them in the palm of her hand - charming lights flashed before Zhang Lingyi's burning eyes.

He, unable to tear his greedy gaze from the coins, was torn between "yes" and "no", but in the end he compromised:

- Well, we agreed ... but ... cha-cha ... just on the cheek.

The girl smiled suddenly with a sweet, hidden smile, held out a handful of coins to the gallant gong, leaned over and stretched her cheek ... closer ... closer ...

Zhang Lingyi reluctantly pulled his lips into a tube, intending to quickly touch her, but ... the treacherous girl quickly turned her head and ... smack ... their lips touched.

UPS!

- F...k your mother! - Zhang Lingyi screamed in surprise and recoiled.

Lyn Zhilyuo, meanwhile, was already walking away, laughing merrily and shouting in greeting:

- Hey, hey, that's good luck - again I got a kiss from such a handsome man!

Zhang Lingyi, gritting his teeth, returned with prey to Wang Guangning, who laughed, bending almost to the waist.

- He is laughing, f...king jerk! OK, you may laugh ... make fun on someone else's trouble! I wonder for whom I endure all this!

The angry gong was rubbing his lips with force, as if trying to scrape off the unpleasant sensation from which his hair stood on end with fear.

Wang Guangning, having a great laugh, looking on a slaked, disheveled gong, giggled again to himself and, arrogantly raising an eyebrow, grabbed a handful of coins from his hand:

- Well, relying on your fortune, let's hope that this money is enough for us today ... Here, perhaps, a whole jin (500 g – Chinese measure) in coins is.

And shook his head reproachfully:

- Is it worthy of the proud gong to coward like that? Only shou can afford to be so shy!

Oh you, ungrateful shou-shou!

With a wide step, exited, indignant to the depths of his soul, the gong resolutely moved to the slot machines.

Now I will show you, who is active and who is passive here...

He came out with a blunt machine - face to face in a fierce midnight fight - and sternly drove out of his head this old memorable loss...

The coin in hand ... thrown into the slot of the coin acceptor ... this stupid music started playing ... a strong, faithful hand fell on the lever ... so ... calmly ... calmly ... the grappling hook went down ... with a light pinch hooked on the toy ... a rapid turn ... throw down... voila!

Dumbfounded, Wang Guangning, opening his mouth, was staring at this lightning cobra's shot, not believing his eyes, as if in front of him the usual frog suddenly turned into the beautiful Cheng-Wan (the second ruler of the Zhou dynasty), the imperial son and heir.

Proud, defended his high title of gong, he seized the yellow-purple freak, and, not feeling his feet for joy, threw it high into the air, waving it to dumbfounded Guangning in front of his nose, and casually declared:

- Keep your SpongeBob SquarePants. ...

The marketing director thoughtlessly extended his hand and took a small soft toy in his palm, continuing to be amazed:

- Oh Lingyi, when did your fishing skills become so amazing?"

The lucky fisher became suddenly blushing and coughed, hiding his awkwardness:

- No special skill. Just successful hand.

It is not a sin to be embarrassed. If Wang Guangning would know, how many times during these past four years the gallant gong fought with slot machines. He attacked them at every opportunity. Several times he was caught up with this hopeless affair by university students - and they raised a laugh.

But why did he care? He trained and trained - sight, grip, lift, throw - and here it is, the doll, in his hands. Brainless yellow-violet doll. But the one, who needed it, went abroad and will not know about his successes, and will never return from there ever again.

But every time when fishing ended in victory, at that moment, when the doll fell into his hands, he madly wanted to stretch it to that far someone and say: - Do you remember? Are you missing? I remember. I miss.

And somewhere deep in the soul there lived a vague hope, that the day would come - and the tormentor-lord of his thoughts and wishes - would return and give the opportunity to perform this ritual in his name and accept from his faithful slave a submissive offering - Sponge Bob Square Pants.

He repeated and repeated his doll fishing, dreaming about how he could fulfill the unfilled desire of the past - maybe then the past will change, and we can start this game from the beginning ... honey sweetness of memory mixed with bitter regrets ... but the heart does not want to reckon with obstacles, persistently cherishing foolish, timid, unrealizable hope.

Over the past four years, countless times he passed along this street, alone, tightly clutching another trophy in his hands, torn from a soulless automaton, carefully recalling distant memories, gradually fading into a mist of memory.

And now all these memories appeared in his face, uncontrollably, as the spring flow breaks the ice. His face, usually cold and restrained, lit up with some sort of unearthly glow.

Guangning silently stood, slightly bowing his head to the shoulder, and looked at the beloved toy in the hand of his former rival. On his face melted a quiet, almost imperceptible smile. But from this smile, the gong's heart pounded like a hammer in his chest - and the mood suddenly flew up to the heavens like a balloon.

- Thank you ... - he looked thoughtfully up at the stars, which could not break through the fierce radiance of the night city lights.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Zhang Lingyi leaned forward, firmly squeezed the young man, standing in front of him, around his waist and savagely sank into his mouth.

It was like being poured in the middle of a hot summer, like among the dim, dreary raining day take a sip of incomparable yuhou tea (tea collected after the Bread Rain season), as if in a black sky, long pressing on the top of the back of his head, there somebody suddenly cut through a hole - and sound of thunder struck the ears, and a white flash of lightning filled the old darkness with white radiant light, and the whole world, uniting the earth and sky into the whole one, shuddered in amazement.

Wang Guangning's eyes suddenly widened ...

§