CHAPTER 69: FRIENDS COMES TO VISIT

Joshua didn’t answer Nine. He looked at Arthur, nodded, and said, "Yes, what a coincidence."

He was about to say something more when Arthur spoke first.

"He chose it before I did—please wrap it up for him."

The shop assistant accompanying Arthur seemed momentarily stunned but quickly nodded. Joshua blinked in surprise at Arthur, then gave a slight nod. "Thank you." After a pause, he couldn’t help but add, "If you like it too, we can share it. It’s not like I can finish the whole thing alone, right?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Joshua felt a bit foolish. Arthur was wealthy and could easily have the owner make another one.

But then Arthur’s gentle voice came again.

"Alright."

Joshua looked up, only to see Arthur holding a plate toward him.

"But I only need one piece," Arthur said softly. "Would you cut it for me?"

Joshua nodded. "Of course."

He carefully cut a slice of cake for Arthur, even adding a piece of the decorative snowpeach.

Arthur lowered his gaze, eyes lingering on Joshua’s hand—and for a moment, it was unclear whether he was looking at the cake or at him.

Just when Joshua began to feel a little self-conscious, Arthur finally accepted the plate and smiled. "Thank you."

Joshua shook his head. "No, I should be the one thanking you—you gave it up for me first."

After that, Joshua bought a few more small cakes. Before leaving, he waved to Arthur cheerfully.

If he hadn’t been wearing those sunglasses, one might have seen how his eyes sparkled—bright and clear like sunlight dancing on the sea’s surface.

Arthur looked down at his own plate. The fork in his hand gently pierced through the piece of snowpeach on top. A faint smile curved his lips as he took a small bite. Sweet syrup spread across his tongue—so lovely it almost felt excessive, sweeter than anything he’d ever tasted.

Arthur chewed slowly, as though what he was savoring wasn’t just a slice of snowpeach.

It was quite the coincidence—to meet you again here, Joshua.

"If he comes by again, let me know," Arthur said calmly.

The staff immediately bowed and replied, "Of course, Chairman... And what about the cake for the young lady?"

Arthur smiled faintly. "Just wrap up the prettiest one you have."

"Yes, sir."

Joshua returned home with his arms full of sweet spoils, while Nine kept pointing and muttering nonstop.

[Do you think Arthur recognized you? No way—he definitely didn’t recognize you.]

"Is that really such a big deal?" Joshua asked, puzzled.

From the moment he entered the shop, he had deliberately lowered his voice a little, and dressed the way he was now—he did look rather suspicious.

[That proves Arthur didn’t pay much attention to you! Clearly, he didn’t recognize you by your build either!] Nine concluded triumphantly, his tone almost gleeful.

Joshua was speechless. "It’s not like we were close or anything."

Nine snorted, about to retort again, but Joshua spoke first. "I’d only care if you didn’t recognize me, Nine. You’re the closest one to me."

Nine froze. Completely froze. It took him a long while—long enough for Joshua to get out of the car and head inside—before he reappeared, huffing loudly.

[Fine! You’re the closest one to me, too, Joshua.]

Joshua raised an eyebrow at that, surprised. Instead, he’d half-expected Nine to kick over a chair or something in protest.

His gaze drifted to the cake on the table, then he picked up his phone to call Luther—only to realize how many missed calls there were. Luther had called repeatedly, and the message list was over 99 unread. The last message was short: "I’m coming to your place." And then—nothing.

Joshua: "...Why didn’t I know Luther was calling me?"

Nine didn’t sound guilty in the slightest.

[You were resting! Why waste your time worrying about him? I was only thinking of your well-being!]

Joshua lowered his eyes but said nothing. He checked his other notifications, and there were plenty of missed messages from Henry and Justin.

Just as he was about to text them to let them know he was fine, the doorbell rang.

Joshua frowned slightly and peeked through the peephole. Outside stood four people, all wearing less-than-friendly expressions. Only Justin looked nervous and uneasy.

"They’re all here to hold a tribunal or something? And how do they even know which apartment is mine? Is the building’s security this bad?" Joshua muttered as he unlocked the door.

Nine’s voice rang out loudly.

[That’s why I keep telling you—we should live in a castle!]

Joshua: "..."

Not we, obviously. You want to live in a castle.

Outside, Luther was equally bewildered about how things had escalated.

When he arrived, he had already found Henry and Leonard waiting outside like statues. Henry wore his usual grim expression, while Leonard looked seconds away from exploding—but somehow, the bouquet of tweedia caerulea in his hands remained perfectly intact, not a single crease on the wrapping paper.

At the sound of footsteps, both turned at once to see Justin and Luther approaching.

Luther had initially planned to come here alone, but Justin, panicking like a dog that had lost its owner, insisted on tagging along. Thinking about it, since they were all friends of Joshua anyway, it didn’t matter if they came together.

"Why are you two here as well? Are you that close with Joshua?" Luther frowned as he glanced at Henry and Leonard.

Of course, they weren’t. As for Henry, Joshua had been clinging to him lately. And Leonard—ha—Luther couldn’t recall Joshua ever being particularly close with him.

Then again, with Leonard’s personality, who could he get along with? The fact that he hadn’t bullied Joshua yet was already a miracle.

Luther smirked. "Since you’re already here, why haven’t you rung the bell? What, are you scared?"

He didn’t give Henry or Leonard a chance to respond, so he pressed the doorbell.

Henry clenched his fists, his expression unreadable.

Standing off to the side, Leonard furrowed his brows, clearly irritated.

He should’ve just left—yes, that’s what he should’ve done. Joshua had provoked him, so why did he even care? It wasn’t like Joshua was his type, nor someone he’d ever wanted to get close to seriously. He had only wanted to tease him a little.

Obviously, he’d tried to be friendly, but Joshua hadn’t noticed. That was Joshua’s fault. It’s not like Leonard would say it out loud—because that was impossible.

But then again, if none of these people were scared, why should he be? He even brought flowers, for crying out loud!

Just then, the door handle turned. For some reason, all four of them suddenly tensed up.

Luther found it odd. They were just friends visiting a friend’s house, yet the air felt strangely charged—different from usual. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this nervous before.

Joshua was different. Joshua was special—a true friend, Luther told himself.

And at that moment, the door opened.

Joshua appeared before them, wearing casual home clothes: calf-length shorts and an orange tank top. His soft, slightly messy hair framed his round eyes, and his peach-pink lips stood out vividly.

Luther had always known Joshua’s lips were nice-looking—wait, what the hell was that thought? Joshua looked the same as he always did in the dorms! Nothing new here!

"Joshua! Thank goodness you’re okay. You didn’t answer your phone—I worried about you!"

Before anyone else could react, Justin rushed forward and threw his arms around Joshua, bending down and rubbing his head against Joshua’s shoulder nonstop as he spoke in a flurry.

Joshua couldn’t help thinking Justin must’ve grown a pair of husky ears and a big, fluffy tail wagging furiously behind him.

The image was utterly ridiculous.

Joshua chuckled, patting Justin’s head gently. "I’m fine."