The debt was cleared in just a few minutes, and the house his parents left behind was saved. An Jiayun’s originally arrogant flame was extinguished; after receiving the business card, he dared not speak or show anger. Lin Ruohuai almost couldn’t suppress a laugh.
Is this the advantage of being a rich person?
Lin Ruohuai realized his phone was still in his hand. He handed it back; his fingers no longer trembled, and his heart had steadied, though his scalp still felt a bit tingly.
Since Assistant Lin’s words represented Shen Qi’s intentions, it meant he really would have to “sell” something to pay this back.
Oh well, what am I thinking? He hadn’t even received his salary yet and was already neck-deep in debt. However, knowing that his creditor was Shen Qi made him feel slightly better.
An Jiayun was kicked out of the apartment, but he was a man who lived for appearances. He stood with his hands in his pockets, smoking a cigarette, his eyes fixed on Lin Ruohuai who was locking the door. His gaze held a trace of complex nostalgia, as if he wanted to lock away the past.
Come to think of it, this nephew he hadn’t seen in a long time was indeed different from before.
The prickly exterior had been pulled back, hidden from plain sight, but as soon as one made contact, the skin would still be pierced, drawing blood.
But he could generate money! With the entire Shen family and Xie family behind him… a little peach tree? A little peach tree that dropped money—how interesting.
Lin Ruohuai strolled out and saw Assistant Lin downstairs. He paused and walked past An Jiayun. Lin Ruohuai slowed his pace; he was too far to hear clearly, but he observed An Jiayun take his hand out of his pocket, his face souring before he turned and left.
He trotted over to Assistant Lin: “What did you say to him?”
Assistant Lin smiled brightly: “Just handling the aftermath. It’s fine now, Mr. Lin. Get in the car; I’ll take you back.”
Lin Ruohuai sat in the back seat, watching the sky through the window. It was a crisp autumn day, and there was still some time before dusk. He’d make it back in time. A faint smile touched his lips.
A good mood followed. Watching the flow of traffic, the Bentley stopped at a red light. A car nearby tried to cut in but backed off, afraid of a scratch.
Lin Ruohuai glanced back as he withdrew his gaze. Assistant Lin’s lips were slightly curved; he seemed to be thinking of something pleasant.
Is he that happy to be picking me up?
But soon, Lin Ruohuai realized he had overthought it. He watched as the Bentley gradually entered a quiet winding road, slowly arriving at a villa district in A-City. This was prime real estate—the famous “Golden Mile” where the wealthy lived.
What is this place?
He’s not selling me off, is he?
Lin Ruohuai gauged the car’s speed, wondering if jumping out would hurt or be too painful. He eyed Assistant Lin’s physique and stamina, then threw his hands up in resignation.
The Bentley soon pulled over to the side of the road, not stopping at any specific gate. Assistant Lin pointed considerately: “Mr. Xie’s residence is just ahead.”
Lin Ruohuai thought: What are you doing? Is this Shen Qi’s idea too? He leaned forward, gripping the back of the passenger seat, his voice agitated: “Why did you bring me here?”
Assistant Lin explained: “Mr. Shen believes that since it’s rare for you to be out, it would be a shame if you didn’t see your boyfriend and say hello.”
“…”
No, Shen Qi is insane.
Lin Ruohuai broke out in goosebumps. Shen Qi had brought him to his side specifically to keep him away from Xie Yusheng and create opportunities for his dear younger brother. Why was he hand-delivering him to the doorstep today?
Is he having a mental breakdown?
Or… Lin Ruohuai’s fingers curled. Had Shen Qi discovered that their relationship was just a partnership and not real? Was this a test?
If he were exposed, Xie Yusheng wouldn’t let him off, and those hundreds of thousands of yuan would vanish. He hadn’t even been paid for the banquet yet; he was told it would come with next month’s salary. Given that his wallet currently started with a negative number, Lin Ruohuai couldn’t afford to break character yet.
Sigh, why is this so hard? It’s all that scheming man Shen Qi’s fault.
Assistant Lin considerately parked the car outside the range of the Xie residence’s surveillance. Lin Ruohuai got out reluctantly. As he hovered by the gate for a moment, Xie’s mother spotted him and called him in.
Mrs. Xie was wearing a shawl, her hair held up by a single hairpin. her makeup was smooth and clean, her aura elegant and noble. She waved him in: “Here to play with Yusheng? He’s throwing a tantrum today. Perfect timing—go talk to him.”
Throwing a tantrum? Hope he doesn’t take it out on me.
“Sure thing, Auntie. Please lead the way,” Lin Ruohuai said with a relaxed smile.
“Don’t you know exactly where Little Yu’s room is? You need me to lead the way? Xiao Huai, you’ve grown distant lately.”
Mrs. Xie spoke politely, but her eyes betrayed her true disdain for the now-bankrupt Lin Ruohuai. Likely, Xie Yusheng had said something to her in private, which was why she wasn’t making things difficult for him.
His acting skills from the past few days weren’t for nothing. Lin Ruohuai smiled with his pale red lips: “It’s been a while since I was here; I really am a bit lost. Auntie, you rest; I’ll go find him.”
Mrs. Xie’s smile faded: “Xiao Huai, nothing happened on your end, did it? Why the sudden visit?”
The silver chain wrapped around Lin Ruohuai’s wrist shimmered—it was an accessory Shen Qi had prepared for him. “What could happen? I’m healthy and eating well! I just haven’t seen ‘Big Brother’ in a while and wanted to chat.”
Lin Ruohuai added a parting shot: “I don’t know why he’s in a bad mood. Maybe someone upset him and he’s shutting everyone out. How can he even shut his own mother out?”
Lin Ruohuai turned back and giggled behind his hand: “Ah, I didn’t mean it like that. Just talking. Don’t take it to heart, Auntie.”
Mrs. Xie almost lost her composure.
Lin Ruohuai felt triumphant. With his hands behind his back and his head held high, he went upstairs, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
Meanwhile—
[Assistant Lin: Mr. Shen, Mr. Lin has entered the residence.]
The morning had been sunny, but by the afternoon, dark clouds gathered. There was no sign of thunder or rain, but the dense forest chased the direction of the wind.
Overcast, no sun, windy, no rain—what perfect weather for a walk.
Shen Qi had rarely come downstairs, but he was currently clearing his mind by the fish pond in the courtyard. The old butler followed behind, carrying a heavy bag of fish food.
The fish swam freely. Shen Qi’s face showed no emotion: “They’ve eaten their fill and can’t swim much anymore. How free. Unfettered.”
The old butler found a way to praise him: “Young Master, you are a good man.”
Shen Qi sneered inwardly. Indeed, I am so considerate that I even planned this much for Lin Ruohuai.
Whatever they wanted to discuss or do behind closed doors—who would know but them?
Even if it’s fake, plenty of fake things in their circle become real.
Shen Qi’s eyes reflected the swimming fish, each one plump and fat. “Keep feeding them.”
The old butler didn’t follow the order: “The amount for today is enough, Young Master.”
Shen Qi lowered his eyes without any emotional burden, saying flatly: “Is that so? Is it enough? Then why isn’t he back yet?”
The sky had turned gray. What was the difference between gray and black?
The old butler watched Shen Qi’s fingers gripping the armrest; the knuckles turned white before finally relaxing, reddened from the friction against the material.
The old butler said: “Young Master, actually, we didn’t have to send him to the Xie residence. Mr. Lin didn’t even ask to go.”
Shen Qi spoke nonchalantly, looking at the man who didn’t know the inside story: “It’s a rare outing. Wouldn’t he want to see his ‘boyfriend’?”
The old butler comforted: “Mr. Lin didn’t mention it, so he probably didn’t want to go.”
Shen Qi: “I am considerate.”
“…”
The weather didn’t cooperate. By 3:00 PM, it started to rain. It wasn’t heavy, but the distant horizon was incredibly dark.
Large raindrops fell on Shen Qi’s cheek, the back of his hand, and his collar, slowly soaking into a dark shadow.
The old butler rushed out with an umbrella: “Young Master, let’s go inside. It’s raining; you’ll catch a cold.”
Shen Qi said coldly: “It’s not heavy. A little rain won’t kill me. What great weather.”
The old butler smiled bitterly: “It won’t kill you, but being sick is miserable. I know that feeling best.”
Shen Qi straightened his back slightly, feeling the cold moisture of the raindrops. He glanced at the old butler’s thinning white hair: “Go inside. When I reach your age, I’ll stop overthinking.”
“…”
“No need to push me.”
The old butler let go, watching the Young Master’s back, feeling an awakening within—“The Young Master finally smiled.”
Lin Ruohuai searched the third floor before finally finding Xie Yusheng’s room. Rich people loved having an entire floor to themselves; the rooms were endless and a nightmare to navigate. Still, it wasn’t as big as the manor.
Lin Ruohuai was used to searching by now.
He knocked a few times, and Xie Yusheng’s “dead man” voice came from inside. Lin Ruohuai pushed the door open unceremoniously. As expected, Xie Yusheng looked like he was barely clinging to life.
“What’s wrong with you? Auntie locked you in the house?”
Xie Yusheng curled his lip: “She told me to stay in so I don’t ruin someone else’s marriage. She knows nothing—that’s my wife!”
Lin Ruohuai pulled up a chair and crossed his legs: “Can’t you jump out the window?”
Xie Yusheng wiped his face and sat up on the bed, telling his childhood friend everything: “All my assets are currently frozen.”
Lin Ruohuai’s eyebrows shot up. The status of Xie Yusheng’s parents in A-City was likely only rivaled by the Shen family. Xie Yusheng was too young right now, but since this book was a “sweet treat,” it was only a matter of time before he found a way out.
Xie Yusheng didn’t dwell on the topic. He glanced at his friend, who was dressed up like a social butterfly, and asked: “What are you here for?”
Remembering someone’s handiwork, Lin Ruohuai curled his lip: “Just finished dealing with my uncle’s business. Thought I’d drop by. Remember to send me the money.”
“Heh, debt collector.”
“…Interpret it however you want. I really am short on cash.”
Xie Yusheng: “How much?”
Lin Ruohuai knew what he was asking about, his eyes curving slightly: “It’s all paid off.”
“Shen Qi?”
“Mm-hmm~”
Xie Yusheng felt relieved. He huffed, wanting to kick him out: “How long are you staying? Staying for dinner? You think you can stomach eating at the same table as my mom?”
“I can’t.” Just thinking about it made his throat tighten with indigestion.
Lin Ruohuai judged the time by the sky. As long as he got back before dark, it was fine. He was going to be annoyed to death by Shen Qi.
Lin Ruohuai said grumpily: “I’m heading back at twilight.”
Xie Yusheng lay lazily on the bed, hands behind his head. His mind was filled with images of Shen Qingyi and Zhou Gaoyi holding hands, making his heart ache: “Whatever. Don’t bother me.”
Lin Ruohuai made himself at home, looking at everything with curiosity. He stopped at the bookshelf, but none of the books interested him. He circled the room and sat back down on the rug—it wasn’t as comfortable as the one in Shen Qi’s room. Tsk.
On Xie Yusheng’s desk was a fist-sized water ball that went duang-duang-duang—it was very fun to play with.
Lin Ruohuai squatted down, rolling the ball back and forth with his paws. When his legs got tired, he sat cross-legged, rolling it back and forth with both hands, playing with a listless yet serious focus.
When a child is quiet, they must be up to no good.
Xie Yusheng didn’t feel at ease and squinted as he walked over.
For some reason, seeing this scene made him feel as if Lin Ruohuai were waiting for someone to come pick him up and take him home.