AAMIBBSBY 4

Shen Shixiao observed his nervous appearance. He brought it a bit closer and narrowed his eyes to examine it. “Where is the wolf?”

A few days ago, Xia Zhi hesitated for a long time before placing an order for pepper spray on a certain treasure¹A common slang/censorship term for Taobao (淘宝), the massive Chinese online shopping platform owned by Alibaba.. Battling wits and courage in a wealthy family, it is unavoidable to be poisoned or plotted against by bad people. Therefore, when necessary, one needs to bring out some methods.

It was quite expensive too.

Yet by the looks of it, Shen Shixiao misunderstood.

At this moment, Xia Zhi was so embarrassed his scalp went numb. Facing the servants’ strange gazes, he explained with an awkward smile, “Have you not heard the saying—boys must protect themselves well when outside?”

Shen Shixiao lifted his eyes, waiting for him to continue making things up.

“An outstanding boy like you needs to always keep a bottle for self-defense.” 

The corners of Xia Zhi’s eyes lifted with a smile as he picked up another bottle of the anti-wolf spray from the ground. “One bottle for you, one bottle for me—friendship for all lifetimes!”

Ah, this, it seems he should have said love.

Shen Shixiao watched him with great interest. His gaze fell on the ground and swept over it slightly, suddenly changing. 

He walked toward Xia Zhi, went straight around behind him, and bent down to pick up a photo frame. 

The woman inside had similar eyes and brows to Xia Zhi; it should be his late mother.

Taking the photo frame, Xia Zhi hugged it in his arms. “Thank you.”

Arriving at Xia Zhi’s room on the second floor, the interior was a minimalist European style, spacious and bright. A white grand piano in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows was spotless.

Shen Shixiao knew he could play the piano? 

It should be the standard equipment of the wealthy.

“There are clean clothes in the closet, and the agreement is on the table—just sign it and give it to me.”

After Shen Shixiao left, Xia Zhi picked up the contract and studied it seriously. He had to say, the other party’s sincerity was quite good, not treating him unfairly at all. 

Especially when he saw the column for post-divorce property division, Xia Zhi was stunned.

The supremely evil capitalist²Usually a severe insult for greedy bosses, but Xia Zhi is using it ironically. The “capitalist” offered him so much money in the divorce settlement that he is playfully cursing him while loving the cash.! So fragrant³A Chinese meme internet. It means it’s delicious.!

After taking a shower, he changed into clean white pajamas. After Xia Zhi settled his mother’s portrait properly, he prepared to sleep. 

At this time, the sound of discussion faintly came from the corridor.

“Our Mr. Shen’s temper is so bad. Will Mr. Xia be in danger?”

“Mr. Shen has always hidden a bai yueguang in his heart, and only towards the bai yueguang will he be gentle and patient.”

“Hey, this is Mr. Xia’s room. He will hear us!”

The unhurried footsteps left. Xia Zhi’s lips curled. The acting was so fake—they were only short of clinging to his door and telling him, “Hey! Shen Shixiao doesn’t love you at all! He is very fierce!”

In this kind of wealthy family of theirs, how could the servants’ IQ and EQ be so low? 

It was just done deliberately. 

What is their purpose?

Yet then again, Shen Shixiao’s temper shouldn’t be gentle; people without methods who are easy to talk to in the sea of commerce would have long been eaten until not even bone dregs remain⁴An idiom describing absolute ruin or being utterly devoured by ruthless competition (especially in the business world)..

The bai yueguang should also be real…

Tired from a long day, Xia Zhi sank into the soft and comfortable large bed, preparing to sleep beautifully and not waste brain cells. 

Shen Shixiao is now equivalent to his gold master daddy⁵Or Sugar Daddy. An internet slang for the person who is funding you, investing in you, or paying your bills.; playing his role well is ok. 

He himself also couldn’t take advantage of others for free, helping out wherever he can.

He really is a little angel.

Waking up the next day, Xia Zhi, sporting a head of messy hair, was invited by the butler to eat breakfast. 

It was already eight o’clock. Shen Shixiao was currently at the company holding a morning meeting.

The breakfast was very sumptuous. The butler held a notebook in his arms and introduced the situation at home to Xia Zhi.

“The first floor is the reception room, the third floor is the gym, the first basement level is the game room and theater, and the second basement level is the wine cellar. You can enter all of these casually.” The butler pushed up his glasses and said meaningfully, “Except for the innermost room on the second floor—you must not enter it. It is a forbidden area within the Shen family.”

Xia Zhi took a sip of milk. “No problem.”

The space between the butler’s brows slightly wrinkled; he seemed a bit puzzled. 

Xia Zhi’s gaze met his, asking with a smile, “What’s wrong?”

The butler revealed a professional smile. “I thought you would be curious, what is inside?”

Xia Zhi shook his head like a rattle-drum. “Not curious.”

The butler’s smile stiffened for a few seconds. “Good. Mr. Shen will have the driver take you to attend a cocktail party tonight. The clothes have already been prepared.”

“Thank you.”

The leisure time in the afternoon passed very quickly. Xia Zhi held delicate desserts and happily savored his afternoon tea. 

The first-floor flower garden of the Shen family was set at the connection between indoors and outdoors. The space above was covered by glass windows, intelligently controlling the temperature; the outside could be sweltering heat or severe cold, but the inside was like early spring in all four seasons.

Xia Zhi sat on the rocking chair and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. 

Capitalists really know how to enjoy themselves.

He transferred some money to Xiao Pang at the film and television city, entrusting them to temporarily take care of three little kittens. He temporarily couldn’t go back in the near future. 

Xiao Pang teased him, asking him if he had latched onto a wealthy woman.

Yes! Yes!

However, it’s not a wealthy woman, but a wealthy businessman.

When evening arrived, Xia Zhi changed into the white suit, waiting for the driver’s arrival. 

He had to say that the suit handcrafted and customized by pure Italian designers, whether in terms of texture or feel, truly deserved to be called superb. 

The proportion and lines of the suit complemented Xia Zhi’s waist very well; coupled with the fact that his appearance was originally beautiful. A small black mole next to the corner of his eye embellished him just right, just like a deeply affectionate aristocratic young master.

A car honked in the garden—it should be that the driver had arrived. 

Xia Zhi walked in the evening sunset, as if draped in a layer of gentle filter.

In the car, Shen Shixiao’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

“It’s just an ordinary banquet. Xia Huaishan will probably also go.”

Xia Zhi nodded. “Has he bothered you recently?”

Ever since their marriage alliance was finalized, Xia Huaishan often persistently called him. If the calls were rejected, he would bombard with text messages, repeatedly asking him when he would bring Shen Shixiao home for a meal. 

He thought that since Xia Huaishan couldn’t contact him, did he have the guts to go bother Shen Shixiao?

Shen Shixiao murmured, “Spam text messages cannot be received.”

“Pfft, beautifully done.”

Xia Zhi laughed out loud, then comfortably leaned back on the genuine leather car seat. He raised his head and asked, “What do I need to do in a while? You just need to instruct me directly.”

Shen Shixiao: “The first thing, first change ‘Nin’ to ‘Ni’.”⁶Both words mean “You.” “您” (Nin) is the formal, highly respectful version (usually used for elders, superiors, or clients). “你” (Ni) is the casual, everyday version.

Xia Zhi gave an “oh” sound.

Is Shen Shixiao disliking that I called him old, hehehe.

“Actually, there’s no need to do much—just attend the cocktail party in the name as my partner.”

“Do we need to act very affectionately?”

Because Xia Zhi had laughed wildly just now, the distance between the two had unknowingly gotten a bit closer. Shen Shixiao lowered his head slightly and could smell the faint lime scent on Xia Zhi’s body.

“Improvise freely.”

Although this cocktail party was just an ordinary banquet in Shen Shixiao’s mouth, Xia Zhi only knew when he arrived that even ordinary wealthy businessmen could not get in. 

This cocktail party was organized by Fang Tingyu, the crown prince⁷An informal title used in business circles for the male heir of a major corporation or incredibly wealthy family. of Fangjin Real Estate. To celebrate the subsidiary company formally entering the electronics industry, not only were there wealthy businessmen and celebrities in the circle coming to show support, but many big-name stars were also invited to make an appearance, creating a massive momentum.

Fang Tingyu was Shen Shixiao’s childhood friend, and the relationship between the two was very ironclad.⁸Used to describe an unbreakable, incredibly close friendship (“tight” or “solid bros”).

In the hall, Xia Mingxuan found it tiring to follow Xia Huaishan around toasting everywhere, holding his wine glass and complaining to Qin Wanru. 

This was Qin Wanru’s first time attending such a grand gathering. She had picked out her most gorgeous evening gown, her eyes full of spring breeze.

Xia Huaishan’s quota to enter was obtained for him by Shen Shixiao’s assistant. If he couldn’t see Shen Shixiao, wouldn’t blocking the assistant be easy? 

However, Xia Huaishan also had anger in his heart. No matter what, the two families were in-laws. Shen Shixiao was inevitably being too unreasonable.

Xia Mingxuan’s gaze patrolled everywhere. Whenever he ran into a big shot who could help his career, he would pretend to be noble and aloofly glamorous and walk over to exchange business cards with them. 

Normally, attending small cocktail parties in the entertainment circle could still make him be the moon surrounded by stars⁹An idiom describing someone who is the absolute center of attention, surrounded and fawned over by a crowd of admirers.. In this time and place, who recognized him?

A burst of urgent footsteps came from the center of the cocktail party. Xia Mingxuan turned his head upon hearing the sound, only to see the Fang family’s crown prince, Fang Tingyu, walking toward the banquet entrance. 

Almost everyone’s gaze looked toward those grand doors, guessing what kind of figure was arriving.

“Shixiao, you’re here?” Fang Tingyu grabbed his hand and bumped shoulders with him. He noticed Xia Zhi and asked, “Which family’s young master is this?”

Shen Shixiao: “Zhizhi, my lover.”

A trace of shock flashed across Fang Tingyu. “D*mn, you’re playing for real?”

Various figures gradually surged around the two of them; it was unavoidable to drink and socialize.

Shen Shixiao lowered his head and asked Xia Zhi, “Have you eaten?”

Slightly raising his head, Shen Shixiao’s breath was right at hand. Xia Zhi stammered, “Not hungry.”

Accompanying someone to attend a banquet—going to eat by oneself is too impolite. 

His stomach growled inappropriately.

Wuwu, endure it a bit.

Shen Shixiao used his hand to gently support his shoulder, pointing to the distance. “You can dine over there, then accompany me after you finish eating.”

This word “accompany” seemed sticky and mush. Fang Tingyu, in particular, looked at Xia Zhi even more in disbelief.

“Okay. If you need me, call me.”

After Xia Zhi received permission, he dashed happily to the dining area. 

He was starving to death. 

The cake looks really delicious.

In the distance, Xia Mingxuan’s gaze carried mockery. “Did you see? Shen Shixiao isn’t even willing to bring him along to socialize.”

Qin Wanru echoed, “Exactly.”

Unhurriedly eating some desserts and fruits, Xia Zhi sat in front of the dining table, propping his chin up and looking around the banquet. 

When he was little, he didn’t like attending this kind of banquet socializing, but Xia Huaishan insisted on taking him everywhere to befriend high officials and noble lords. Later, graduating high school and going abroad to study, it was considered completely getting rid of Xia Huaishan.

It’s a pity that that period of memory is still very blurry to this day.

Unfortunately, an unfriendly gaze greeted him from the opposite. Xia Mingxuan smiled disdainfully.

Xia Zhi raised his wine glass, curving his lips

Your suit today is too ugly. 

Tacky.

At this time, it seemed he heard his own name in the distance. Xia Zhi looked up to search, discovering Shen Shixiao was currently surrounded by a group of fifty or sixty-year-old old men. Beside him, not knowing when, an extra pretty boy had appeared.

Those eyes were watery, and looked quite obedient.

Shen Shixiao still had that cold and alienated appearance. When meeting Xia Zhi’s exploring gaze, his eyes only then took on some warmth.

Xia Zhi understood tacitly.

I understand~

Shen Shixiao must be being stuffed with a little lover by the old antiques¹⁰Refers to the older board members. It literally means “old antiques,” but is used derogatorily or humorously to describe old-fashioned, stubborn, or elderly people in power. of the board of directors, wanting to let him rescue him from the siege!

A seductive bitch or a green tea darling?

Xia Zhi was ready.

“Xiao-ge¹¹It means Brother Xiao.~”

In the hall, a clear and clean voice sounded, mixed with a little bit of coquetry.

The band responsible for performing just happened to finish a song. The banquet welcomed a brief silence.

Xia Zhi took two steps as one and flew over with red eyes, crossing a full more than half of the banquet hall, throwing himself over weakly and helplessly like a little butterfly.

Acting like a green tea is really thrilling.

He couldn’t be green for more than three seconds—not knowing whose red wine was spilled on the ground, Xia Zhi’s right foot slipped and twisted, making him fall straight onto the ice-cold, rock-hard marble floor.

Hundreds of gazes gathered on the two people. The few old antiques crowding around Shen Shixiao frowned, retreating two steps backward in surprise.

The act cannot stop. Xia Zhi, weak and helpless, trembled with a crying tone. “Husband, it hurts!”

• 1
  A common slang/censorship term for Taobao (淘宝), the massive Chinese online shopping platform owned by Alibaba.
• 2
  Usually a severe insult for greedy bosses, but Xia Zhi is using it ironically. The “capitalist” offered him so much money in the divorce settlement that he is playfully cursing him while loving the cash.
• 3
  A Chinese meme internet. It means it’s delicious.
• 4
  An idiom describing absolute ruin or being utterly devoured by ruthless competition (especially in the business world).
• 5
  Or Sugar Daddy. An internet slang for the person who is funding you, investing in you, or paying your bills.
• 6
  Both words mean “You.” “您” (Nin) is the formal, highly respectful version (usually used for elders, superiors, or clients). “你” (Ni) is the casual, everyday version.
• 7
  An informal title used in business circles for the male heir of a major corporation or incredibly wealthy family.
• 8
  Used to describe an unbreakable, incredibly close friendship (“tight” or “solid bros”).
• 9
  An idiom describing someone who is the absolute center of attention, surrounded and fawned over by a crowd of admirers.
• 10
  Refers to the older board members. It literally means “old antiques,” but is used derogatorily or humorously to describe old-fashioned, stubborn, or elderly people in power.
• 11
  It means Brother Xiao.