Chapter 9: Beauty or Life
Upon entering the flyer, he took a casual look around. It was like a minimalist, well-decorated little living room squeezed into a sphere; overall, it felt very cozy.
There was a large, one-way window inside. When Jiang Xu was outside, he couldn’t see anything different about it, but standing inside, he could see the outside scenery perfectly.
Below the window was a large control console that looked quite advanced.
He walked over and sat in a chair. After Bernd pressed a few buttons on the console, he sat down beside him.
“It’s a deal, then. I just messaged Zoe; he’s our witness.” Bernd leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs quite comfortably.
He suddenly gave a curious tsk. “Are you really willing?”
“?” Willing to do what? Jiang Xu silently sized up Bernd. “I am.”
“You’re something else. Only a week and you’re already bored of him.” At this point, he joked, “Then again, Young Master Jiang has never been interested in those flirtatious types. Lasting a whole week is actually quite long for you.”
“?” Alarm bells rang in Jiang Xu’s mind. Was the stake of the bet… Fei?
He found it somewhat unbelievable—what a vile wager. These Xiongchong truly didn’t treat Cichong like living beings.
Bernd noticed Jiang Xu’s expression change slightly and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Xu raised a hand to rub his brow and said nonchalantly, “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I temporarily forgot when exactly we made this bet.”
“You really do have a short memory. Wasn’t it the night your grandfather forced you to marry Major General Fei?” Bernd recalled the scene. “You threw such a massive fit that night. If it weren’t for your buddy here accompanying you for drinks to calm you down, you probably would have charged into the Walker house to commit murder.”
As he spoke, he made an exaggerated throat-slitting gesture.
“……..” Jiang Xu lowered his hand, his expression returning to normal. “You know I didn’t favor this marriage; it was decided by the family elders.”
“Yeah, I know.” Everyone in their circle knew. Bernd nodded as if it were a matter of course.
Jiang Xu looked at him coldly, remaining silent for a long time before saying, “Then do you think you’ve lived too long? I don’t mind continuing this bet with you. At most, I’ll be beaten by the old man until I can’t get out of bed, but you…”
Jiang Xu swept his gaze over Bernd from head to toe, his eyes devoid of emotion, as if he were looking at a dead object.
“Don’t… don’t look at me like that.” Bernd felt a shiver run through him under Jiang Xu’s gaze. He felt like a piece of meat on a chopping block.
“Wait, is your grandfather that protective of him? Then aren’t I… doomed?”
Bernd’s face darkened as he frowned, contemplating whether this bet needed to continue.
Seeing him fall into silence, Jiang Xu actually felt relieved.
Since this was a matter decided by the family elders, and even the original owner—the only grandson of the Jiang family—couldn’t escape his fate, it seemed there were many secrets hidden in the middle.
But this was perfect; it gave him an excuse to back out.
He quietly observed the other’s reaction. Seeing that he was still hesitating, an idea came to Jiang Xu: “No, I never go back on my word. Since I promised you, I won’t renege. The bet must happen today.”
“No, let’s… let’s not.” Bernd still wanted to live; his family wouldn’t dare oppose the Jiang family.
Besides, Bernd was also a bit in the wrong regarding the bet, since he was the one who had egged Jiang Xu into making it back then.
“We can fulfill the bet after some time. There’s no rush.” Bernd really wanted to see how wild and explosive Fei Walker could be in bed.
But only if he was alive to see it.
“I don’t make promises lightly…” Jiang Xu continued.
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Bernd nodded. Jiang Xu did have that kind of reputation in their circle, so he didn’t argue. He could only say, “It’s me who’s backing out, okay?”
“Fine.” Jiang Xu remained as steady as a mountain, his face revealing nothing.
However, his fingers slowly tapping on his leg betrayed his little scheme.
It was just that these bugs weren’t familiar with Jiang Xu and didn’t know this was his tell when he was leading someone into a trap.
If his former assistant were present, they would know their Chairman was already thinking about how to dig a hole for someone.
As they spoke, the flyer reached its destination.
Since they were already here, Jiang Xu was perfectly happy to meet the “demons and monsters” surrounding the original owner.
After getting off the flyer, he realized they were far from the bustling market. Before them was a club with a very grand entrance.
Hmm.
One look at the towering gates and you knew a lot of money had been spent. The dazzling gold made his eyes ache.
The Yaci at the entrance saw the two bugs and hurried forward to show their enthusiasm: “Lord Jiang Xu, Lord Bernd, you’ve arrived!”
As he spoke, he leaned against Bernd, who habitually raised a hand to wrap around the other’s waist.
“Little darling, take us to find Zoe.” He playfully tweaked the Yaci’s chin.
“I’ll take you there right away.” The Yaci looked shy, his eyes uncontrollably drifting toward Jiang Xu.
Bernd tsked and turned the Yaci’s face back. “Darling, he’s not someone you can fantasize about. Look again, and it’ll be a pity for those beautiful eyes.”
“Lord Bernd is teasing me again.” Although the Yaci said this, he didn’t dare look at Jiang Xu again.
A glance was enough; if he broke the taboo again, he knew the consequences.
Coming to the central area of the club, Jiang Xu found an arena set up right in the middle.
Under the Yaci’s guidance, they saw Zoe in a VIP booth closest to the arena area.
“Lord Jiang Xu, Lord Bernd, Lord Zoe is over there.” The Yaci pointed to Zoe in the booth.
“Go on then.” Bernd released his hand from the Yaci and waved him away casually.
After the Yaci left, Jiang Xu followed Bernd into the booth.
Only one Xiongchong was sitting there. No need to guess; good.
He sized the other up freely. Perhaps because his gaze was too blatant, the other felt it and looked over.
“Jiang Xu.” Zoe stood up and waved at him. “You brat, can’t even find your shadow after you get married, and you don’t even contact me. Really.”
“The family, you know how it is.” Seeing how familiar the other was with him, Jiang Xu realized he seemed closer to Zoe than to Bernd.
“Cut it out. Don’t think I don’t know you haven’t been back to the Jiang house once these past few days. What? Still mad at your grandfather, Zolan?” Zoe pulled Jiang Xu over and pushed him directly onto the sofa beside him.
Jiang Xu stumbled a bit from the pull, his brow furrowing with slight displeasure.
The other seemed used to it. “Don’t give me that look; it doesn’t work on me.”
Zoe nodded to Bernd. “You’re here?”
“Hey, I say.” Bernd was very dissatisfied with Zoe’s attitude. “Why are you so cold to me? We’ve been playmates since we were kids.”
“Who was your playmate?” Zoe was speechless. If you really counted, he had only grown up with Bernd until he was ten. After his family was promoted, they moved next door to the Jiangs.
Because they were close by, he and Jiang Xu became familiar through their interactions.
Plus, kids don’t remember much, so Bernd was naturally forgotten over time.
Who knew Bernd’s family would also move from Planet Qiwang to the capital in recent years? Once the family elders found out, they started socializing again.
That was how he met Bernd again.
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