Such circumstances, such an encounter, were something Xu Fangfei had never expected.
The television screen was still playing old songs. The light was decadent, black and white interwoven, and the entire space resembled an ink painting lightly brushed with sparse strokes. 3206 stood concealed at the junction of light and shadow. As he tilted his head slightly and the angle shifted, his face was revealed. He was young, at most twenty-five or twenty-six, with brows and eyes sharp and cold, carrying a desolate chill.
Their eye contact lasted only a few brief seconds.
Xu Fangfei immediately avoided meeting 3206’s gaze, enduring the pain of the scraped skin on her elbows as she climbed up from the floor.
An eighteen-year-old girl, youth at its peak. Slender brows, clear eyes, and on her cheeks, two faint patches of baby fat, white tinged with pink. All of it was utterly out of place in this night drenched in red lights, alcohol, and smoke. What was more, this beauty was luminous and delicate, so pretty and charming that she was breathtaking. Her eyes glanced around cautiously, carrying a trace of unease and fear, like a little lamb that had wandered into a wolf’s den by mistake.
Xu Fangfei’s appearance naturally drew the attention of all the men in the private room.
The entire room fell silent.
The buzz-cut man and the fat man exchanged glances, communicating with their eyes. Both felt that this tender little girl looked familiar, but with their poor memories, they could not recall where or when they had seen her.
“S-sorry…” Because she was too frightened and flustered, Xu Fangfei stood awkwardly in place, gripping the hem of her skirt with both hands, stammering slightly. “I didn’t mean to come in.”
After she apologized, the room remained quiet.
Xu Fangfei waited for a moment. Seeing that no one responded to her, she lowered her head and prepared to turn and leave. However, just as her five fingers touched the door handle, a voice suddenly rang out behind her, slick and insolent. “Who said you could leave?”
“……” Xu Fangfei’s steps paused slightly. Startled and uncertain, she turned her head back.
The one who spoke was the young man with his arms covered in tattoos.
He leaned half-sitting, half-lying against the sofa, a cigarette in his mouth. His legs were crossed and casually propped up on the tea table in front of him. The posture was anything but elegant, giving off nothing but a sense of debauchery and roguishness. His eyes were fixed on Xu Fangfei, scanning her up and down, back and forth, as if appraising a piece of pork at the market, without the slightest shred of respect.
Xu Fangfei was so panicked that her body was on the verge of trembling. Her ten fingers nearly dug into her palms. Only after taking a deep breath did she say, “May I ask if there’s anything else?”
Jiang Zhi’ang lowered his feet from the tea table. With the cigarette between his lips, he picked up a transparent glass cup with one hand and the half-bottle of liquor left on the table with the other. Tilting the bottle, he poured noisily until the glass was filled to the brim, then set it back down with a bang.
He looked at Xu Fangfei again, hooked one corner of his mouth, and beckoned to her gently, pretending to be a considerate big brother. “Little sister, drink this glass as an apology, and we’ll forgive you.”
Drinks given by strangers should not be consumed. Even three-year-old children understood that principle, especially in a place like this.
Xu Fangfei did not move.
“What, worried we put something in it?” Jiang Zhi’ang stood up and let out a snort of laughter, glancing to the side as he pretended to be troubled. He patted his forehead and asked the fat man and the others, “Isn’t this too heartbreaking? I don’t look that much like a bad guy, do I?”
The entire room erupted into loud laughter.
No matter what, this glass of alcohol could not be drunk. Xu Fangfei made the decision firmly in her heart.
But at this critical moment, if she insisted on not drinking, what would the consequences be? These people were obviously not easy to deal with. If she was stuck here and Yang Lu and the others could not find her for a long time, what then? Relying on herself alone, escaping safely would not be easy.
Unless…
Unless someone had a sudden change of heart and stepped in to help her out.
This thought sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain. At the same time, even Xu Fangfei herself did not know why, but she unconsciously and quietly glanced at 3206.
He was still sitting lazily and indifferently on the sofa, still playing on his phone, occasionally lifting his glass to take a sip of liquor. Everything happening to her seemed completely cut off from him, utterly irrelevant.
The disappointment came in an instant.
Xu Fangfei shook her head, forcing herself to wake up. Last time at No. 9 Xiwang Street, these people had been extremely respectful toward 3206. He was clearly a big boss figure. They were bad people. If 3206 were not the most ruthless and cold-hearted of all, how could he have earned their obedience?
What nerve of hers was misfiring, for her to fantasize about him saving her from danger?
Xu Fangfei no longer looked at 3206. She bit her lip and silently thought about how she could leave this place safely. At that moment, the private room door behind her was suddenly pushed open again from the outside.
Xu Fangfei froze slightly and instinctively turned her head to look back.
The first to enter were two tall, burly men with powerful builds and cold, stern faces. Following behind them was a middle-aged man in a gray suit, around fifty years old, with graying hair at his temples and polished leather shoes. There was a mole beneath the outer end of his left eyebrow. His appearance was unremarkable, yet his eyes were sharp as a hawk’s, keen and extremely shrewd.
As soon as the middle-aged man stepped inside, everyone in the room immediately stood up respectfully. “Old Jiang.”
Jiang Zhi’ang restrained himself slightly and obediently called out, “Dad.”
Zheng Xiye also stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. “Old Jiang.”
“Mhm.” Jiang Jiancheng nodded lightly. He flicked the hem of his suit aside, bent down, and sat on the sofa. Lighting a cigar, he casually greeted everyone. “Relax a bit, young people. No need to be so stiff.”
“Dad, I already told you there was no need to come, no need to come.” Jiang Zhi’ang said unhappily. “I’m doing just fine here with Brother Ye. What are you worried about that you had to come check on me in person?”
“What, did I interrupt your fun again?” Jiang Jiancheng felt a surge of irritation whenever he saw this useless son and scolded him. “If your mother weren’t nagging me all day about being worried, I wouldn’t bother caring whether you live or die.”
Jiang Zhi’ang scratched his head after being scolded, glancing around and not daring to make a sound.
Jiang Jiancheng took a puff of his cigar, then looked toward Zheng Xiye beside him and said, “Ah Ye, this brat hasn’t caused you any trouble recently, has he?”
Zheng Xiye sat back down on the sofa. The corner of his mouth lifted faintly as he replied, “Young Master Jiang has been doing fine.”
Jiang Jiancheng nodded, satisfaction gradually appearing in his eyes.
All these years working under him, Zheng Xiye had never disappointed him. This young man was ruthless enough and fierce enough, had the skills, and, more importantly, had a sharp mind. When risking his life, he was an indestructible blade. When wearing a human skin, he became a refined young gentleman who could step onto the grand stage, managing all kinds of business in impeccable order.
Jiang Jiancheng valued Zheng Xiye greatly, sometimes even more than his own biological son, Jiang Zhi’ang.
Jiang Jiancheng knew very well that earlier on, Jiang Zhi’ang had been jealous of Zheng Xiye and had played dirty tricks on him. Zheng Xiye had survived a brush with death and returned alive. Without holding a grudge, he still treated Jiang Zhi’ang as a real brother and continued to risk his life for their father and son.
From that point on, Jiang Zhi’ang genuinely came to respect Zheng Xiye from the bottom of his heart, and Jiang Jiancheng also regarded Zheng Xiye as another son.
“Ah Ye, this time I came to Lingcheng because there are some matters I need to explain to you in person.” As Jiang Jiancheng spoke, his peripheral vision flicked to the side, and only then did he notice the frail, slender figure standing in the corner.
Jiang Jiancheng’s gaze darkened slightly as he asked in a deep voice, “Whose girl is that?”
“Oh, why is this little girl still here?” Jiang Zhi’ang called to the people beside him and instructed, “Take her to the private room next door to wait for me first. I—”
Hearing this, Xu Fangfei was terrified and nearly cried out for help on the spot. However, a voice sounded before she could, light and casual, replying, “Mine.”
…Huh?
Xu Fangfei was stunned.
Jiang Zhi’ang was stunned too. Everyone in the private room was stunned.
“No, wait…” Jiang Zhi’ang wiped his face in confusion and looked at Zheng Xiye, pointing at Xu Fangfei. “Brother Ye, what did you say? She’s your girl?”
Zheng Xiye toyed with the lighter in his hand, neither confirming nor denying it.
“That doesn’t seem right.” Jiang Zhi’ang frowned.
Zheng Xiye ignored Jiang Zhi’ang. He lifted his chin slightly, his gaze locking straight onto Xu Fangfei, and said casually, “Come here.”
Xu Fangfei froze.
Her heart pounded like thunder. She was flustered and uneasy, so nervous that her whole body began to tremble. But at a moment like this, aside from listening to him, there seemed to be no other choice. She could only brace herself and walk toward that man.
As the distance closed, Xu Fangfei instantly sensed a change in the atmosphere around her. He was clearly relaxed and casual, yet the pressure he gave off was so strong it could not be ignored.
Finally, she reached him.
She kept her head lowered, not knowing where to put her hands or feet. Suddenly, her wrist was seized by a large hand, then lightly tugged.
In a flash, Xu Fangfei widened her eyes in shock. When she came back to her senses, she had already been pulled into the man’s arms and was sitting on his thigh.
Xu Fangfei: “……”
Her chin tightened as two long, powerful fingers lifted it. The pads of his fingers brushed against her skin, intimate and natural, gentle to an unbelievable degree. His lips drew close to her ear as he said softly, “Tell everyone whose girl you are.”
Jiang Zhi’ang narrowed his eyes, staring hard at the girl in Zheng Xiye’s arms. “Are you really Brother Ye’s girlfriend?”
Xu Fangfei’s gaze flickered. Both her cheeks were already burning red. Fortunately, the light around them was dim, so it was not very noticeable. She roughly guessed that 3206 was helping her out. With no other choice, she steeled herself and nodded obediently. “I really am his girlfriend.”
Jiang Zhi’ang was still doubtful. “Then why didn’t you say so at the beginning?”
“I was arguing with him and pretending not to know him on purpose, to make him angry.” For the first time in her life, she lied without hesitation, making it sound smooth and reasonable. After speaking, she even summoned the courage to lift her eyes and look into 3206’s bottomless, gloomy black eyes as she said, “It’s already so late and you’re still not taking me home. Do you believe I’ll really break up with you?”
The last sentence was half a threat, half coquettish. Her soft voice scattered into the night lights. Any man would be softened by it.
Seeing this, Jiang Zhi’ang spat out a curse and dropped the matter. Although he had also taken a liking to this tender little girl, everyone knew the rules. No one dared touch the boss’s woman.
Not far away, Jiang Jiancheng was also sizing up Xu Fangfei. Seeing that the girl was young but truly beautiful, he thought that in a few more years, who knew what kind of stunning beauty she would grow into. With such a woman, it did not seem strange that she could captivate a Zheng Xiye who did not go near women.
As he pondered this, Jiang Jiancheng smiled, raised his hand, and patted Zheng Xiye on the shoulder. “Alright, Ah Ye. Quickly take the young lady home. Go early and come back early.”
Ding.
Zheng Xiye put away the lighter and lifted the suit jacket draped beside him with one hand.
Everyone subconsciously made way. Xu Fangfei’s face was flushed red, flustered and panicked, and she quickly stood up and slipped out of his arms.
Zheng Xiye stood up, lowered his gaze to look at the little cub in front of him, calm and unreadable, and naturally took her hand.
Their fingers touched. The man’s fingers were long and strong, the unfamiliar sensation making her chest tighten.
Xu Fangfei’s face instantly grew even hotter. Purely by reflex, she wanted to pull her hand back.
Zheng Xiye’s expression did not change. His fingers tightened, firmly holding that small hand as he said lazily, “Your hands are so cold. Aren’t you afraid I’ll feel sorry for you if you freeze?”
Xu Fangfei lightly bit her lip and did not speak.
Behind them, Jiang Jiancheng held a cigar in his mouth, taking in the pair’s intimate little gestures, and finally dispelled his doubts completely.
*
Zheng Xiye held Xu Fangfei’s hand all the way into the elevator.
He pressed the close-door button. The moment the elevator doors shut, his fingers loosened and he released her.
Thump, thump, thump.
Xu Fangfei’s heart was racing. Her face was still red. Her left hand held her right hand, which still retained the warmth of his fingertips, and she stood there dazed, unable to come back to her senses.
Suddenly, a few faint words were tossed by her ear. “What happened just now was due to circumstances. I offended you. Sorry.”
Xu Fangfei shook her head and did not speak.
He then asked, “Here with friends to have fun?”
“…Yes.” Xu Fangfei still did not dare look at him. “It’s my classmate’s birthday today.”
Zheng Xiye’s tone was indifferent. “Go say goodbye to your friends, then I’ll take you home. This place is small. If you’re bumped into again, it’ll be hard to explain.”
Xu Fangfei paused, waved her hand, and said, “No need to take me. No need… no need to trouble you.”
Zheng Xiye glanced sideways at her lazily. “You told me to take you home in front of so many people just now, and now you’re afraid of troubling me?”
Xu Fangfei: “.”
At the time, the situation was urgent. I just wanted to leave as quickly as possible and said it casually. Xu Fangfei replied silently in her heart.
Zheng Xiye pressed the number “1” in the elevator.
The elevator descended and soon reached the first floor. Xu Fangfei returned to Yang Lu’s birthday private room, told everyone that something had come up at home and she had to leave early, and then walked out of the Golden Mamba Entertainment KTV alone.
Zheng Xiye stood by the roadside in a crisp, well-fitted suit, smoking as he waited for her.
When Xu Fangfei’s figure appeared, Zheng Xiye narrowed his eyes, casually stubbed out the cigarette, and tossed it into the roadside trash bin.
A black G-Class SUV slowly drove up and stopped in front of them.
Zheng Xiye reached out and pulled open the rear door.
Xu Fangfei did not react at first and stood there in a daze.
Zheng Xiye waited a moment, then lifted his eyelids and glanced at her lightly. Only then did she realize what was happening. She hurriedly bent down and got into the car.
As soon as she settled into the seat, a cold-white, long-fingered hand entered her field of vision, holding a tube of ointment.
Xu Fangfei looked up in confusion.
Zheng Xiye’s gaze swept over her reddened, abraded elbow, and he said calmly, “When you get back, disinfect it with iodine first, then apply a thin layer.”
Xu Fangfei froze. Not wanting to owe him another favor, she politely declined the ointment he offered and said softly, “Thank you, I have medicine at home.”
The man looked at her and raised an eyebrow, then said nothing more.
They rode together all the way back to Xiwang Street. After that, Zheng Xiye closed his eyes to rest, while Xu Fangfei lowered her head uneasily. Neither of them spoke another word.
The drive was short, less than twenty minutes, before the car stopped.
After getting out of the car, Xu Fangfei walked ahead and Zheng Xiye walked behind, about half a meter apart. They did not look like companions, but as if they had returned to being strangers.
Night fell lightly. In the height of summer, cicadas in the trees cried out miserably in a vast chorus that set one’s nerves on edge, like an inexplicable fate shouting recklessly.
Xu Fangfei walked straight to the entrance of No. 9, Xiwang Street.
Zheng Xiye watched the slender figure enter the old residential compound, then turned to leave. Suddenly, a voice called out to him from behind. Not his name, just a soft, light, “Hey.”
He lifted an eyebrow slightly and turned back.
In the night, the girl’s figure looked a little hazy, pure as newly fallen snow, like the shadow of a flower soaked in water. She hesitated, a little nervous and a little uneasy, and asked him softly, “Just now, when we were leaving, why did you hold my hand?”