I translated this while I’m half-awake so please let me know if there are any mistakes.
“Sorry, I left my phone in my room,” Jing Li said politely with a smile.
As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Lele, signaling the other to stay calm and not act rashly. But when he turned his gaze back, his own heart sank.
Although Wang Lele hated rich second generations who used their connections to commit wrongdoings, he was not an impulsive person.
Yet his reaction just now seemed instinctive, as if he had experienced countless times of such indignant helplessness. That’s why he couldn’t tolerate his friend going through it again and reacted immediately to refuse.
Thinking back on Wang Lele’s overly detailed knowledge of Xingyao’s internal affairs…
Jing Li had a vague guess and decided to have someone investigate Wang Lele’s past when he returned.
If it really was Qian Jianan behind the scenes, he didn’t mind letting the other and the entire Xingyao also taste the feeling of being oppressed by power.
All these thoughts flashed in an instant. By the time Wang Lele looked over, Jing Li was still wearing that smiling expression.
Wang Lele was startled by his obstruction but sat back down obediently when he met his gaze.
Although Jing Li was still smiling, anyone could tell he was refusing with his words. Hearing this, the others at the table were also taken aback before sneakily glancing at Qian Jianan’s reaction.
Sensing their gazes and even detecting concern in Jing Li’s eyes, Wang Lele couldn’t help feeling somewhat worried.
While he did look down on some of Qian Jianan’s conduct, he had to admit the other did have the capital to be arrogant. Plus, his methods were particularly vicious and petty. For a moment, he couldn’t help worrying that Jing Li would be severely retaliated against after offending him.
There were countless people over the years who had offended Qian Jianan and suffered his revenge.
As someone who understood how difficult it was for a newcomer to climb up in this industry, it would be such a pity if Jing Li ruined his future because of this.
After a moment of silence, Wen Ting felt restless and wanted to salvage the situation for Jing Li. That way, even if Qian Jianan still found him useful, he wouldn’t dwell too much on it.
Just as he was about to speak, his friend beside him suddenly pulled him back.
He turned to look in confusion, only to see Fu Yan smiling faintly while shaking his head and mouthing, “Don’t rush, just watch.”
Wen Ting had some doubts, but seeing his composed attitude and knowing he was never one to speak groundlessly, he calmed down a little and continued watching.
Qian Jianan clearly didn’t expect Jing Li to reject him outright, either. His face froze for a moment before quickly resuming a carefree smile. “It’s fine. WeChat is linked to phone numbers nowadays anyway. I can add you first, and you can accept after you get back.”
In his opinion, he had already given enough face with this. Even the most oblivious person should know when to compromise.
With that said, he took out his phone, opened WeChat, and looked up at Jing Li, waiting for him to report his number.
However, Jing Li merely glanced at him indifferently before rejecting him again with a smile, “I don’t think there’s a need for that. Besides, I don’t really like adding strangers.”
This refusal was even more merciless as if deliberately slapping Qian Jianan’s face. The surrounding air stilled.
Qian Jianan finally couldn’t restrain himself as his expression twisted for a second, looking at Jing Li as if wanting to tear him apart.
However, Jing Li ignored his gaze completely. After saying that, he didn’t pay Qian Jianan any more attention. He casually put down his chopsticks, politely nodded to everyone at the table, and calmly said, “Sorry, I’m going to the restroom.”
With that said, he got up and left his seat.
The moment Jing Li left, the tense atmosphere dissipated by half. But with no outlet for his anger, Qian Jianan became even more irritable as his face flushed an angry purple.
When had he ever been humiliated like this!
Watching as Jing Li disappeared through the door, Qian Jianan’s eyes narrowed before pushing back his chair and standing up as well.
“I’m going to the restroom too.”
He slammed down his chopsticks on the table and looked at Jing Li’s disappearing figure with a cold laugh. Then he strode out.
Seeing him get up, Wang Lele also stood, his face clouded as he moved to follow. But Fu Yan stopped him with a call.
“Why don’t I go take a look?” Glancing at the doorway, Wen Ting couldn’t help worrying, “Qian Jianan has a wild temper. I’m concerned something will happen.”
Hearing this, Wang Lele became even more restless and was about to get up again.
“It’s hard to say who will get hurt.” Fu Yan swept him a timely glance, looking completely unconcerned as he said, “What kind of person is Qian Jianan? Do you really think Jing Li doesn’t know? Even if he doesn’t, he was probably briefed on the way here, right? If not, wouldn’t you tell him, Wang Lele? So why do you think he would act like that toward Qian Jianan?”
There could only be two reasons. He was either recklessly unaware of the consequences, or he knew but did not care anyway.
Wen Ting and Wang Lele were both taken aback for a moment, uncertainly glancing at Fu Yan. He still looked calm, even lazily hooking his lips into a smirk when he met their gazes.
“Just wait and see.” Fu Yan patted their shoulders and raised his glass at them before taking a sip, seeming genuinely unworried. His composure somewhat soothed their anxiety.
In the restroom, Jing Li went straight to the sink and washed his hands.
He didn’t actually need to use the toilet. It was just that the atmosphere had clearly turned awkward earlier. Knowing Qian Jianan’s temper, he certainly wouldn’t tolerate it any longer.
He didn’t want to affect other people at the table who continued to eat, and leaving was the only way to avoid the situation.
But he had clearly underestimated how stubborn Qian Jianan could be.
Just as he finished washing his hands and was about to leave, he turned and saw someone blocking the doorway, glaring at him viciously. Seeing him turn, the person immediately quirked a brow and said sarcastically, “Oh, isn’t Jing Da Shao planning on hiding anymore?”
Jing Li expressionlessly glanced at him, putting one hand in his pocket while stepping around him to leave. As he brushed past, he calmly said, “Jing Da Shao is my brother. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Qian Jianan: “…”
Qian Jianan’s face twisted in anger again. He glared fiercely at Jing Li before grabbing his collar and gnashing out, “Jing Li, I advise you not to act shamelessly. You should be grateful I’m willing to collaborate with you. It’s best you know your place and obediently cooperate. If you push me too far, watch out, or I’ll make you unable to even walk away!”
Leaning in, he laughed coldly and threatened in a low voice, “There are countless people in this industry who have suddenly disappeared or lost their names. You better think it through clearly!”
Jing Li didn’t respond. He only lazily lifted his eyes to glance at him before looking down at his own distorted collar, tone flat as he said, “Let go.”
Seeing that he was still pretending, Qian Jianan’s expression instantly turned sinister. He increased his force as he challenged provokingly, “What can you do if I don’t let go?”
Then he saw Jing Li, while keeping one hand in his pocket, suddenly wrench his other hand grasping his collar outward. Taking advantage of his grip loosening from the pain, Jing Li shoved himself back forcefully without even glancing at him again before leaving unhurriedly.
His manner was as if he didn’t consider Qian Jianan worth noticing at all, even looking down on his earlier threats completely.
Qian Jianan stared fixedly at his departing figure, one hand massaging his sore wrist while grinding his teeth resentfully, his expression uglier than ever.
This was the first time he had been made so embarrassed.
It made him feel ridiculous and, at the same time, gave birth to endless resentment!
Someone of an inferior background who hadn’t even found his footing in the industry yet actually dared to oppose him like this.
It seemed he had to give some color for the other to see clearly1This is not literally what it says in the raw. It’s more like, if he doesn’t give Jing Li some clues, Jing Li would not know what it means to anger him.. Otherwise, he really wouldn’t know what offending him, Qian Jianan, meant!
*
When Jing Li returned to the private room, the dinner was still ongoing. But his entrance instantly silenced the room as everyone looked over at him.
“What’s going on?” Jing Li asked with a smile before walking unconcernedly back to his seat and sitting down.
The moment he sat, Wang Lele leaned in anxiously, looking him up and down while asking in a low voice, “Are you alright? Did Qian Jianan make things difficult for you?”
Jing Li obediently allowed his inspection. Only after he was done did Jing Li smile and say, “Don’t worry, what could happen to me?”
“You’re still smiling.” Wang Lele glared at him and complained, “Do you know what kind of scum Qian Jianan is that you went head-to-head with him?! Don’t you remember what you promised me?!”
“I remember, I remember. Don’t get agitated, Le-ge.” Jing Li quickly soothed along with his words, “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”
“Other than being a bit useless, that Qian Jianan really isn’t anything.”
Wang Lele was amused by his words and couldn’t help chuckling. But he quickly stifled it back when he remembered he was still angry, making for a very twisted expression.
Jing Li was instantly amused and reached out to poke his tickle spots. The two scuffled playfully again.
The others at the table were also sneaking glances at them, naturally hearing Jing Li’s words. Although unclear about his background, seeing his composure, they also felt somewhat relieved.
The atmosphere in the room gradually grew lively again. But Qian Jianan, standing at the entrance, had his face darkened in anger once more.
He stared at Jing Li chatting and laughing, the resentment in his eyes almost turning substantive.
Jing Li! You’ve got some nerve!
To still dare spout such big words at this time.
Just you wait! See how I’ll end you!
Author’s note:
Qian Jianan: Just you wait! See how I’ll end you!
Jing Li: Just you wait! See how I’ll end you!
Gu Tingshen: Just wait…
Jing Yu: Make way upstairs.
Jing Yu: Just you wait! See how I’ll end you!
Gu Tingshen: …
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