The next day, Lu Zhiyue got up unusually early, and after breakfast, he headed to the office. For the past half month, he’d been stuck in the hospital bickering with Mr. Chi, leaving a pile of work untouched. From the moment he woke up, the phone hadn’t stopped ringing.
Despite pulling an all-nighter the previous evening, Lu Zhiyue showed no signs of fatigue.
Compared to arguing with Mr. Chi, work with a clear structure was a breeze for him.
At noon, Lu Zhiyue returned to his office after a meeting and found two missed calls on the phone he’d left on his desk.
Judging by the number, it was from home.
Lu Zhiyue dialed back, and the slightly panicked voice of Butler Zhang answered, “Sir, Young Master Chi hasn’t come out of his room at all today. We knocked on his door, but there was no response, and he hasn’t eaten all day.”
Before leaving, Lu Zhiyue had instructed the household staff to take good care of Chi Suinian, warning them about his temper. The butler and maids got a taste of it on the first day, and without a response, didn’t dare enter the master bedroom, so they called him instead.
Glancing at the time, Lu Zhiyue calculated that Chi Suinian had been resting since yesterday evening, nearly twenty hours. There was no way he could still be asleep.
Lu Zhiyue froze for a moment. Could he have snuck out?
But he quickly dismissed that idea—if Chi Suinian had discovered something, he wouldn’t have left quietly. He’d have stormed into the company to curse him out by now.
The secretary walked in to ask about lunch, but Lu Zhiyue waved her off, picked up his coat and keys, and rushed back home. On the way, he tried calling Chi Suinian’s phone twice, but both times, there was no answer.
With an intensifying sense of unease, Lu Zhiyue sped up, and half an hour later, he was back at the villa. The housekeeper and maid were standing outside the second-floor master bedroom, looking anxious and helpless. At the sight of him, they both let out a sigh of relief.
“Sir, you’re back.”
“Yeah.”
Lu Zhiyue knocked on the door, but there was no sound from inside.
He raised an eyebrow, twisted the doorknob, and walked in.
The room was empty and quiet, with the wheelchair usually placed at the end of the bed nowhere in sight. There wasn’t even a shadow of anyone on the bed; pajamas lay messily atop the blanket.
“What… what…” Butler Zhang circled the bed in disbelief, muttering, “How could Young Master Chi just disappear…”
Lu Zhiyue let out a cold laugh, “You’re asking me?”
Butler Zhang stiffened, immediately apologizing, “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t take good care of Young Master Chi. I’ll send someone out to look for him immediately.”
…
“Suinian, your phone’s been ringing all afternoon. You okay?” By the lakeside at a mountainside villa, Tang Jin had organized a barbecue and spent all morning badgering and persuading Chi Suinian to come along.
When Chi Suinian got up, the sky was still barely lit. He’d taken the elevator down himself and waited in the misty dawn for a few minutes until Lu Heng’s imposing G-Wagon pulled up.
Leaving at just the right moment, moving quickly, Chi Suinian had somehow slipped out of everyone’s view at the villa.
The pavilion was filled with people today—all handsome guys and pretty girls, each one a prominent figure among Jin City’s rich kids. They were accustomed to large gatherings and all sorts of entertainment. Before his car accident, Chi Suinian had been close with them, but now, he could only quietly lean back on the lounge chair, half-involved in the festivities.
His phone buzzed endlessly on the table, ringing as soon as it stopped, with the words “Lu Dog” persistently flashing on the screen.
“‘Lu Dog’…” Tang Jin set down a plate of skewered meat in front of Chi Suinian and asked, “Is that Lu Zhiyue?”
Before Chi Suinian could reply, Lu Heng, seated next to him, cut in, annoyed, “That name isn’t very respectful to those of us with the last name Lu. Every time I hear you calling him that, I feel like you’re insulting me too.”
“That’s on you,” Tang Jin smacked him on the head, “You dared show up with that banner without even noticing you spelled it wrong? You ruined the welcome party all by yourself.”
“What the…!” Lu Heng cursed, “How’s that my fault?”
Tang Jin chuckled, “Whose fault would it be, then?”
Lu Heng slammed his fist on the table, “It’s the fault of that printing shop. The owner’s an idiot who didn’t even know he’d messed up the letters. He ought to just go out of business.”
During their conversation, Chi Suinian’s phone rang again.
“Wow… Lu Zhiyue’s called at least a few dozen times by now,” Tang Jin clucked his tongue, “Did you two have a fight?”
Chi Suinian picked up a skewer and took a bite, “Fight my ass.”
There was never a time he and Lu Zhiyue got along.
Chi Suinian switched off the noisy phone that had been vibrating all afternoon and tossed it into a box containing who-knew-what, out of sight and out of mind.
The skewer tasted bland, with little salt, oil, or seasoning. It was practically inedible, and after one bite, he refused to eat any more. “What’s the plan for tonight?”
“Over there.” Lu Heng gestured with his chin toward a man opening champagne, “It’s Xu Qing’s birthday tomorrow, so he rented out a bar and invited everyone to celebrate.”
Chi Suinian didn’t know much about this person or his family background, but right now, he desperately needed a lively, rowdy environment to numb himself and forget the awful marriage with Lu Zhiyue, at least temporarily.
“I’ll go, too,” he said.
“Not a chance.” Tang Jin waved his hand like a windshield wiper, “Your body isn’t fully healed yet. Even if you go to a place like that, it’ll be a waste of time. You need more rest.”
“It’s settled,” Chi Suinian insisted.
…
The second part of the night’s plan was set. When Xu Qing heard that Chi Suinian was coming, he personally came over to invite him.
Xu Qing was actually a minor rich kid, with a thin family background, but he made up for it by being sincere and easygoing, which made him quite likable.
Knowing the status Chi Suinian held among their group, Xu Qing saw his attendance at the party as his real ticket into their circle.
The birthday celebration was at a bar Chi Suinian frequented. His usual spot had been taken, so he, Tang Jin, and Lu Heng settled into the seat next to it.
With his legs still healing, Chi Suinian moved slowly and slouched casually. In the bar’s dim lighting, his appearance showed no sign of the injury.
The same wild and carefree Chi family heir from a year ago.
“Damn, that brat Chi Yu is here, too.” As soon as they sat down, Lu Heng grumbled, gnashing his teeth.
He was looking at a young man with hair dyed in all colors, enthusiastically playing dice and shouting louder than the bar’s music.
In Jin City, there was only one family with the surname Chi, so Lu Heng’s curse clearly meant him. Turning to Chi Suinian, he said, “What a small world, huh? Enemies meet.”
Chi Suinian gave a disinterested glance in that direction. The young man, surnamed Chi, was a distant relative of his. Chi Yu was his second uncle’s son. The kid must have been dropped on his head as a child, as he was reckless and shameless, often a regular at the police station. Getting detained was like going home for him.
Since childhood, Chi Suinian had found him annoying and never associated with him. The last time they met had been five years ago.
If Lu Heng hadn’t pointed him out, Chi Suinian might not have even recognized him.
“What did he do to you?” he asked, expressionless.
“I…”
“Ugh, all for love,” Tang Jin butted in, looking nosy as he slung his arm over Chi Suinian’s shoulders. “See that girl next to Chi Yu?”
Chi Suinian glanced at the girl in an elegant dress beside Chi Yu.
“Lu Heng was super into her a few months ago. He spent all kinds of money to win her over, just when it looked like she’d finally agree, Chi Yu swooped in and ruined everything. Lu Heng even smashed a KTV because of her. I told you about this in the hospital, right?”
Chi Suinian nodded, remembering that Tang Jin had mentioned it in passing.
“Hey! I told you not to bring that up! It’s humiliating!” Lu Heng scowled, slumping over his drink to drown his embarrassment at being rejected by a younger kid.
Chi Suinian sipped his drink, hoping to drown his own frustration. The fiery liquid burned from his tongue all the way to his chest.
The alcohol was even stronger than he remembered.
Chi Suinian glanced down at the bottle.
—It was his usual brand, so why did this bottle seem so intense?
“This drink is too strong. You should stop.” Just as Chi Suinian was lost in thought, his glass was taken from him.
Annoyed, he frowned. “Why are you so naggy?”
“…I’m just looking out for you, alright?”
Chi Suinian clicked his tongue. “With that tone, I almost thought my grandma had come back to life.”
“…”
After years in nightclubs, Chi Suinian had developed an impressive tolerance. Being told to stop after only a sip was annoying.
He turned to Lu Heng, draping an arm over his shoulder. “Lu Heng, let’s drink.”
“Alright.”
Seeing the two of them open another bottle, and it being another strong one, Tang Jin’s lips twitched, but he didn’t dare stop them, fearing he’d get smacked.
Just as Chi Suinian was drinking, a figure appeared before him. He slowly looked up to see a young man with colorful hair grinning at him. “Hey, bro. Fancy meeting you. I heard you were awake but didn’t get a chance to visit. Since we’re here now, let me introduce my friend, and we’ll toast to you.”
Chi Yu’s tone wasn’t exactly friendly; it felt more like a challenge.
The stranger Chi Yu had brought along couldn’t keep his eyes off Chi Suinian. After just a few glances, he felt his mouth go dry, as if his mind was filling with wicked thoughts. His tongue flicked over his red lips, his striking features looking almost devilish in the dim light. “Nice to meet you, Young Master Chi.”
Chi Suinian looked at him without much emotion. “Who are you?”
He had a pair of eyes that naturally drew people in, and under the influence of alcohol, they were even more captivating. Leaning back lazily on the couch, he made people want to get close but also warned them off.
But a beautiful person often has thorns. Chi Suinian half-closed his eyes and suddenly smirked. “Whoever you are, you’re in my way. Move.”
Chi Yu’s face darkened. “Come on, bro, I brought my friend over to drink with you. No need to insult him like that, right?”
“Oh, sure,” Chi Suinian raised his chin, gesturing at the table. “Since we’re here to drink, how about you start with ten shots to show your sincerity?”
The liquor on the table was strong and had a lasting kick. Drinking ten shots right off the bat would surely mean being carried out.
Chi Suinian was clearly messing with him.
Chi Yu glared at him. “You’re doing this on purpose.”
Chi Suinian’s smile widened. “Yes, on purpose. So, little brother, going to complain to your dad now?”
“You—!”
“What, you what?” Lu Heng had already had enough of Chi Yu and shooed him away like a fly. “You know he doesn’t want you around, yet you insist on being here. No shame.”
Chi Yu was so furious he couldn’t speak. He shot Chi Suinian a venomous look and stormed off.
The stranger he had brought, however, kept his gaze lingering on Chi Suinian for quite a while.
“You okay?” Lu Heng asked.
Chi Suinian shrugged. “What could happen to me?”
Ever since the elders left their inheritance to him, Chi Yu’s family hadn’t stopped causing trouble, especially Chi Yu. Being an only child born late in life, he was the apple of their eye, spoiled rotten and taught to believe Chi Suinian had stolen his father’s share of the company. This resentment had festered since childhood, becoming irreparable.
After his grandparents passed, Chi Suinian no longer felt any attachment to family and held no expectations for Chi Yu’s side of the family.
Slowing his drinking pace, he leaned back, frowning as he pressed a hand to his stomach.
Thinking he might’ve overdone it, Tang Jin’s face filled with worry. “What’s wrong? Stomachache?”
Chi Suinian frowned, clutching his stomach briefly, then nudged Tang Jin’s leg. “Move. I’m going to the bathroom.”
“I’ll help you.”
Chi Suinian scowled impatiently. “I’m not crippled; I’ll go myself.”
He pushed Tang Jin aside, about to step out of the booth, only to find a wall of people blocking his path, sealing off the only way out.
Chi Suinian was so angry he almost laughed.
It really had been too long since he’d gone out; now anyone dared to step in his way and pick a fight.
“Move…” he looked up, locking eyes with Lu Zhiyue’s dark gaze.
Lu Zhiyue stared at him for a moment, his voice cold as he said, “Who let you come here?”
Listen to this jealous, possessive tone—did Lu Zhiyue think he was somebody special?
Chi Suinian sank back onto the sofa, a mischievous nerve in his brain suddenly sparking to life. “Where did this young master come from? Not bad-looking. Come over here and have a drink with me. All of this…”
Chi Suinian pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it onto the table. “…is yours.”
Tang Jin: Whoa.
Lu Heng: Impressive.
The bar wasn’t that big, and with Lu Zhiyue’s upright, out-of-place presence, he was already drawing all eyes the moment he walked in. Who knew how many people were secretly watching.
Seeing Chi Suinian insult someone like this, many onlookers were practically sobered up, eyes wide as they watched.
Lu Zhiyue was a well-known figure in Jin City. Most people his age were famous because they were “so-and-so’s son.”
But Lu Zhiyue was famous purely for his personal achievements, making him a high, untouchable figure to these privileged kids who feared nothing.
And now, this lofty man was being publicly humiliated by the most notorious playboy in Jin City.
Quite a few people were waiting for a good show.
Chi Suinian paid no mind to the surrounding stares—he was too distracted to care. Having had a lot to drink, his stomach felt uncomfortably full, and all his focus was on keeping himself from embarrassing himself. His insults toward Lu Zhiyue were almost subconscious.
Seeing Lu Zhiyue unmoving, Chi Suinian was at his limit. He pushed past him and was about to leave, but after only a few steps, someone grabbed his wrist.
“Come home with me.”
Go to hell, I just need the restroom!
Chi Suinian gritted his teeth inwardly but remained defiant on the outside. “Lu Zhiyue, don’t you have better things to do? What does it matter to you if I go home or not? Let go.”
But the grip on his wrist remained tight, refusing to budge.
Chi Suinian was infuriated, struggling to pry his hand free.
If this were before the accident, Chi Suinian would’ve broken free easily. But now his body was pathetically weak, flailing helplessly in Lu Zhiyue’s grip with no escape.
“Lu Zhiyue, damn it…”
Before he could finish cursing, Chi Suinian felt his body lifted, his head spinning as he dangled.
???
The world flipped, his view filled with dark fabric, and as he looked up, he saw a pair of straight legs. Shaking his dazed head, he realized he’d been hoisted over Lu Zhiyue’s shoulder.
Hoisted… over… his… shoulder…
Chi Suinian’s voice turned ice-cold. “Lu Zhiyue… I’ll kill you.”
Lu Zhiyue didn’t react, carrying Chi Suinian out with slow, steady steps. Passing by a group of stunned onlookers, his expression remained unchanged.
Chi Suinian, on the other hand, was about to be shaken sick.
His stomach was pressed painfully against the bone of Lu Zhiyue’s shoulder, feeling unbearably uncomfortable.
“Lu Zhiyue…” Chi Suinian’s tone softened slightly. “Put me down.”
Almost there…
But Lu Zhiyue didn’t respond or release him, carrying Chi Suinian until they reached a deserted outdoor area.
Chi Suinian couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Lu Zhiyue, you bastard, put me down! I’m about to pee myself!”
“…”
TL- Hi Readers! Let me know if you spot any mistakes and Buy me some coffee☕
