Chapter 49
Seeing Chi Aibei suddenly staring at him without blinking, Di Zuo waved his hand in front of the boy’s face.
Meng Huaiqing asked, “Are you okay?”
Chi Aibei stood up abruptly. “I need to find my brother.”
Chi Aibei hadn’t expected a situation like this. Lin Xiu was here too; he couldn’t let them meet. As for why they couldn’t meet, Chi Aibei didn’t know himself, and he didn’t have time to think about it.
Seeing him leave in a panic, nearly colliding with an oncoming waiter, Di Zuo stood up to chase him but was blocked by Meng Huaiqing.
Di Zuo: “What’s wrong with him?”
Meng Huaiqing didn’t know what was wrong either, but he knew Chi Aibei’s expression had changed only after hearing Di Zuo’s name. However, as far as he knew, the Chi family had no beef with the Di family. It shouldn’t be enough to scare someone like that just by hearing the name.
Meng Huaiqing said, “He’s probably heard of your reputation and got scared.”
Di Zuo was a playboy, yes, but he had always treated his partners well. None of them had spoken ill of him after breaking up. Surely it wasn’t enough to terrify someone like this?
Meng Huaiqing glanced at him. “You can’t touch this kid.”
The reason Di Zuo was so unreliable was that he had grown up hearing “you can’t do this, you can’t do that,” leading to his current rebelliousness. Meng Huaiqing rarely interfered in these matters, so this was the first time Di Zuo had heard him comment on his affairs.
Di Zuo was intrigued. He sat back down, looking at Meng Huaiqing with a slouch. “Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to him too. There’s a ‘first come, first served’ rule for this kind of thing. I met him first. Even if you’re my brother, I won’t yield on this.”
Meng Huaiqing rolled his eyes at him. “Clear your head. The fact that he’s here today means he’s different from the people you usually play with. Don’t look for trouble.”
There were some things Meng Huaiqing didn’t want to say too bluntly. The Chi and Meng families didn’t have deep interactions, but Meng Huaiqing saw clearly the things Chi Wendong did in secret. Chi Wendong was a man of unusual methods. If he found out Di Zuo made a move on his younger brother, the Di family would likely suffer for it.
Despite the warning, Di Zuo felt Meng Huaiqing’s reminder carried a different meaning. He kicked the wheel of the wheelchair with the tip of his shoe. “I say, you’re getting addicted to sitting in your Second Uncle’s wheelchair. You only sprained your ankle; people who don’t know better would think your legs were broken.”
Meng Huaiqing: “Mind your own business.”
Di Zuo said pointedly, “I wouldn’t dare mind your business, but pretending to be disabled to swindle people isn’t exactly good, is it?”
That kid called him “Wheelchair Brother” with every breath, clearly having known Meng Huaiqing for a whileāand specifically because of the wheelchair. Since Meng Huaiqing was uncharacteristically managing his affairs, Di Zuo was a bit annoyed.
The day Meng Huaiqing met Chi Aibei at the mall was the day after he sprained his ankle; he truly hadn’t been able to move well. As for why he was in a wheelchair today, it was simply because he was lazy. Especially when people came to greet himāonce they started talking, it took forever, and standing was exhausting.
Meng Huaiqing knew what he was annoyed about. He did like that kid, but not in the way Di Zuo thought. He patted the armrest of the wheelchair. “Without me, this ‘disabled person,’ you probably wouldn’t have gotten the little friend’s contact info today. Just be grateful. Is it so hard to say thank you?”
…
Chi Father and Chi Mother had invited many people to the cocktail party today. Chi Aibei searched for a long time but couldn’t find Chi Wendong or Lin Xiu. Just as he was preparing to call Lin Xiu, Chi Wendong asked from behind him, “Why did you run over here?”
Chi Aibei turned to look at Lin Xiu standing beside Chi Wendong and asked anxiously, “Where did you go?”
Chi Wendong said, “Mom and Dad just took him to introduce him briefly. What’s wrong with you? Your face is so…”
Chi Wendong’s words were like piercing through Chi Aibei’s final defense line. He instantly panicked. “Introduce? What introduce? Introduce to whom? Why introduce him? You promised me you wouldn’t tell anyone! You went back on your word!”
Villains from the novel were appearing one after another. Chi Aibei admitted he was overwhelmed. He originally thought Chi Wendong was reliable, but he had let them introduce Lin Xiu. How did they introduce him? Did they say he was sponsored by their family?
Chi Aibei turned to run, but Chi Wendong grabbed him. “Where are you going?”
Chi Aibei threw off his hand. “I’m going to find them and demand an explanation.”
Chi Wendong grabbed Chi Aibei again. “Stop making a scene. Expanding connections isn’t a bad thing, and…”
Chi Aibei didn’t want to listen. “What does he need connections for? He’s just a student!”
Introducing Lin Xiu was Chi Wendong’s idea. Knowing more people would do Lin Xiu no harm. Neither of them had treated Lin Xiu’s statement about “working for him for ten years after graduation” as a joke. Besides, with Lin Xiu’s intellect and vision, he wouldn’t need to wait until graduation. Before meeting the parents, Chi Wendong had asked for Lin Xiu’s opinion, and Lin Xiu had no objections. Yet, the little one in his family was unhappy about it.
Seeing that he couldn’t hold him back, Chi Wendong shouted to Lin Xiu, “Lin Xiu, don’t just stand there. Stop him.”
Lin Xiu intercepted Chi Aibei, who was running toward him, by the shoulders. “They didn’t mention the sponsorship.”
Chi Aibei, who was struggling a second ago, suddenly froze. He looked up at Lin Xiu.
Seeing his faintly red eyes, Lin Xiu couldn’t help but recall the contract Chi Wendong brought during their first meeting. He had read that contract; the conditions looked almost like child’s play, every clause written from his perspectiveāespecially the one about not telling anyone he was sponsored.
Seeing Chi Aibei stop struggling, Lin Xiu’s brow twitched… So that really is what he cares about.
Lin Xiu didn’t let go of his shoulder. “They only said I was their recognized godson. Nothing else.”
Chi Aibei looked at Lin Xiu skeptically. “Really?”
Lin Xiu: “Why would I lie to you?”
Chi Aibei couldn’t find a reason for Lin Xiu to lie, but he felt Lin Xiu’s expression was a bit strange. He turned back to check with Chi Wendong.
Watching Chi Aibei standing obediently in front of Lin Xiu, Chi Wendong felt inexplicably jealous. So much for being the biological brother; he doesn’t even believe me.
Chi Wendong: “Come here.”
Chi Aibei didn’t move, and Lin Xiu didn’t remove his hand from his shoulder either.
Just as Chi Wendong was about to frown, he heard Lin Xiu say, “We’re leaving first.”
Chi Aibei’s scene had drawn the attention of many people around them. Chi Wendong sighed. “I’ll have someone drive you back.”
…
Coming out of the hotel, Chi Aibei kept his head down.
He hadn’t made up with Lin Xiu yet, and now he had caused trouble again.
Watching Lin Xiu walking ahead alone without speaking to him, Chi Aibei felt anxious. What do I do? Am I going to be sent back to school again?
Chi Aibei didn’t want to waste such a good opportunity to be together. He chased after Lin Xiu. “Brother, should we go upstairs and eat something before we leave?”
Lin Xiu had things on his mind and didn’t notice Chi Aibei’s cautious mood. Hearing him say he wanted to go back inside to eat, he glanced at Chi Aibei. “We’re going back to eat instant noodles.”
Chi Aibei was stunned. Going back to eat instant noodles meant… he could go home with him!
Chi Aibei tilted his head to look at Lin Xiu, wanting to confirm if that was what he meant, but fearing Lin Xiu had just spoken too fast and would retract it if asked.
Lin Xiu: “What are you looking at?”
Chi Aibei tentatively held up two fingers. “I want two eggs.”
Lin Xiu: “…” That’s all the ambition you have.
…
Di Zuo and Meng Huaiqing missed the drama. When they heard the commotion and came over, they only saw Lin Xiu taking Chi Aibei away right in front of Chi Wendong.
Meng Huaiqing asked, “Who is that?”
“You mean the one who took Little Sweet Bean away?” Di Zuo said. “That’s Little Sweet Bean’s brother.”
“?” Meng Huaiqing turned to look at Chi Wendong. That was his brother, so who was this?
In the crowd, He Chenjiang stood unattended, seeming to have lost his protagonist halo. He had watched the whole scene and was still standing there, staring in the direction of the door.
Di Zuo scoffed. “This guy came too.”
Meng Huaiqing: “Who?”
Di Zuo jerked his chin. “Named He, obviously. Who else? Speaking of his family, they’re pretty disgusting too. They clearly won’t let their family line end, yet they can’t bear to let go of that connection with the Chi family. They raise a son to swing both ways, and he doesn’t even spare a fool.”
Meng Huaiqing didn’t know if He Chenjiang swung both ways, but hearing Di Zuo keep saying “fool,” he glanced at him. “Do you actually know who that boy you asked for contact info was?”
“Who do you mean? Little Sweet Bean?” Di Zuo had guessed Meng Huaiqing knew who the kid was the moment he was warned. To avoid looking like he lost to Meng Huaiqing, he had held back from asking. Now hearing him bring it up, Di Zuo couldn’t be bothered to be reserved. “Who is he? If you know, just tell me so I don’t have to ask around.”
Meng Huaiqing slowly started his wheelchair. “His name is Chi Aibei. The Chi from the Chi family.”
“…” Di Zuo grabbed Meng Huaiqing’s wheelchair, nearly flipping it over. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Meng Huaiqing, rarely having such a good temper, only looked back and glared at him. “Do I look bored?”
Di Zuo knew Meng Huaiqing wouldn’t joke about this. It took him a long while to squeeze out a sentence: “Where is he stupid?”
Indeed, Meng Huaiqing wanted to say the same thing. Where was he stupid? He was clearly a brave, warm-hearted, and cute little friend. Why did rumors say he was a fool?
Di Zuo looked at He Chenjiang again. This time, He Chenjiang noticed him too. Di Zuo’s mouth twitched. “Damn it. Even a perfectly normal person turns into a fool around him. This prick is toxic, isn’t he!”
He Chenjiang frowned at Di Zuo, who was muttering something unknown. What is this idiot mumbling while looking at me? Is he cursing me?
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