Chapter 4 – Who’s Whoring Who

It was a sunny day.

This year, Feng City’s winter had been unusually long. More than half a month after the Spring Festival, temperatures still hovered around single digits. The sun was a rare sight, and the air remained damp and chilly.

After leaving Jin Garden, driver Old Liu was already waiting by the car. Xi Yufeng got in and instructed him to head for his home in the southern part of the city.

On the way, Xi Wangchen called, but Xi Yufeng didn’t answer. The phone rang again immediately afterward. Still suffering from a hangover, Xi Yufeng was about to ignore it when he saw Meng Chao’s name on the caller ID; he answered.

“Dare I ask Chairman Xi if he knows what time it is?”

“Hmm.”

“Just ‘hmm’?” Meng Chao raised his voice. “It’s almost ten o’clock. Have you forgotten our nine o’clock appointment?”

Xi Yufeng was used to his friend’s histrionics and said, “There was an issue.”

Meng Chao’s mind worked quickly. “Wasn’t it your dear little brother up to his tricks again?”

Xi Yufeng disliked the term “little brother,” but he grunted an affirmative.

“What did he do this time? Did he take you out drinking again, or lead you to some girls?”

“He sent someone to my bed.”

“…!!”

Even though he couldn’t see Meng Chao’s face, Xi Yufeng could guess how shocked he was.

But then came a sigh. Meng Chao said, as if he had expected it all along, “So they’ve finally reached this point…”

Xi Yufeng wasn’t willing to discuss the matter further. On the phone, he simply told Meng Chao that he needed to go home and that their meeting would be rescheduled for noon.

Meng Chao said it was fine and that evening was good too. Then he hesitated before asking, “You’re not going back to beat up Xi Wangchen, are you?”

“No,” Xi Yufeng replied bluntly. “We’re putting on a show.”

Meng Chao sighed with relief. “Good, we should avoid unnecessary complications at this crucial juncture.”

Before hanging up, Meng Chao couldn’t resist, risking being blocked to ask, “By the way… how was last night?”

Xi Yufeng’s expression darkened at the question. His tone was even, “What kind of answer do you expect?”

Realizing he had stepped on a mine, Meng Chao reined in his curiosity and hung up with a laugh.

As they hit a red light, Xi Yufeng took the opportunity to reach toward an odd sensation on the back of his neck. He flipped open the rearview mirror to check.

A scratch mark over an inch long, red and raw.

His already grim mood worsened. A face, brightened by desire, flashed before his eyes. Xi Yufeng slightly furrowed his brow and, as the light turned green, told the driver, “Speed up.”

The Xi family residence sat on the south side of Feng City, nestled against the mountains and beside water — a peaceful spot amidst the hustle and bustle.

The car drove up the flat cement road to halfway up the mountain. Five-meter-high wrought iron gates opened on either side. The guard stood to the side, bowing as the business car continued up the hill.

There was still a distance from here to the house. Leaning against the seat, Xi Yufeng rested. When Old Liu announced their arrival, Xi Yufeng opened his eyes. The window framed a vast sea of green, showing signs of spring.

He got out of the car and went inside. Breakfast had just been set on the table at the Xi household. Aunt Fang, the housekeeper, smiled upon seeing Xi Yufeng. “Young Master, you’re back. Perfect timing for a meal. Sit down, I’ll make you a vegetable sandwich.”

Aunt Fang had worked for the Xi family for nearly thirty years, watching Xi Yufeng grow up. She knew he didn’t fancy heavy carbohydrates like steamed buns.

Xiao Yin at the table let out a sound of surprise. Aunt Fang hurried back to the kitchen without hearing her. Xiao Yin’s face fell as she summoned the butler, instructing him to have Aunt Fang fry two oil sticks for Xi Wangchen.

In the meantime, Xi Chengli descended the stairs, followed by Xi Wangchen, yawning widely.

Breakfast at the Xi household was always late, especially since Xiao Yin and her son moved in. Xi Chengli didn’t indulge them blindly, scolding, “Knowing there’s an important meeting today, you still drank last night?”

“Yesterday was the weekend,” Xi Wangchen yawned, tears welling up. “I ran into Big Brother and got carried away in excitement.”

When he saw Xi Yufeng already eating in the dining room, Xi Wangchen snapped to attention. “Brother, weren’t you…?”

Not stupid enough to tell his father what he’d done last night, Xi Wangchen changed his tune, almost tripping over his tongue. “Seeing how much you drank yesterday, I thought you’d be sleeping at Jin Garden.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yin’s lips curled upward. “Don’t talk nonsense. How could your big brother go to a place like that?”

What was Jin Garden? Feng City’s notorious den of debauchery. Even if Xi Chengli himself frequented it, he was ashamed to admit his son did so too.

Xi Wangchen didn’t understand the trap Xiao Yin had laid. He blurted out, “Big Brother really did go there. I heard he was there, so I went too. I caught him right outside the parking lot entrance. What a coincidence.”

“Your brother was there for business,” Xi Chengli said.

Xi Wangchen shot back, “What kind of business? He’d already checked into a room and tried to fool me by saying he was going back to sleep. But when I called him, he returned and drank more than I did.”

Xiao Yin’s smile grew as Xi Chengli’s face darkened.

Looking at Xi Yufeng, seeing no sign of contradiction or change in his expression, Xi Chengli was disappointed but didn’t say anything harsh. He only reminded him, “Go less often to places like that. Many of the people who frequent such places have ulterior motives. Be careful not to get entangled.”

Xi Yufeng replied emotionlessly.

That settled the matter. Xiao Yin was clearly unhappy with Xi Chengli’s laissez-faire attitude. She repeatedly tried to steer the conversation back to Xi Yufeng but failed, turning instead to company matters.

“That project with Rongsheng, isn’t Xiao Feng reluctant to let it go? Yesterday, I went to the company to take the proposal book to Wangchen, but — ”

“What’s the rush? The project is there, it won’t run away,” Xi Chengli interrupted Xiao Yin. Turning to Xi Yufeng, perhaps feeling guilty, his tone softened. “I know you’ve put a lot of effort into this project, but we agreed to give your younger brother a chance to train — ”

Without waiting for Xi Chengli to finish, Xi Yufeng responded indifferently, “Later at the company, I’ll have the project manager submit the proposal book.”

Due to her success, Xiao Yin didn’t cause trouble during the rest of the breakfast.

Xi Yufeng had no appetite and left the table after taking a few bites of his sandwich. Aunt Fang followed him to the door, worried he hadn’t eaten enough and packed some small dishes.

“You come home fewer times these days,” Aunt Fang sighed. “And every time, you leave soon after sitting down.”

Xi Yufeng said, “Busy with work.”

Aunt Fang advised, “No matter how busy, don’t forget to eat. If you exhaust yourself, what good is making so much money? When Madam was alive, she’d say the same thing.”

Hearing “Madam,” Xi Yufeng pursed his lips and looked down at the neatly stacked glass bowls, ultimately accepting them.

Just as he was about to get in the car, Xi Wangchen chased out of the house. “Last night, I knocked on your door but got no response. The waiter said you brought someone in?”

Xi Yufeng: “Hmm.”

“Tsk, you should have said earlier. Turns out you didn’t fancy those boys I found for you.” Xi Wangchen lowered his voice. “Rest assured, Big Brother, I won’t tell Father. So that celebrity you kept before was just for show, tsk, if only I had known…”

Xi Yufeng’s lips curved, a fleeting sneer. He knew the tricks of this mother-son duo all too well. Not wanting to linger, he opened the back door and got in.

Xi Wangchen still had questions, chattering at the window. “Who was it? A waiter from Jin Garden?”

Xi Yufeng ignored him without getting upset. Glancing at the driver’s seat, he leaned in and whispered, “How was it? That drug worked well, didn’t it? I went through great lengths to get it.”

Xi Wangchen, hoping for praise, was startled by the icy look Xi Yufeng gave him. He stammered, “Big Brother, you’re not angry, are you?”

“How could I be?” His tone was relaxed. Xi Yufeng smirked. “But since it’s so hard to obtain, next time, keep it for yourself. Don’t waste it.”

An hour later, upon arriving at the company, Xi Yufeng first convened a brief meeting with the managers of various departments. Then he called his assistant Shi Mingxu to arrange the handover of the project.

Replacing a leader wasn’t a minor matter. After the project changed hands, previously agreed-upon plans might be overturned, and even managerial positions could change. Moreover, economic losses were minor compared to the potential erosion of team confidence. Xi Yufeng planned to grant extended vacations and bonuses to the core project members. He couldn’t let the employees who had labored through sleepless nights feel discouraged.

Finally, he instructed Shi Mingxu, “Next time Xi Wangchen asks about me, don’t easily reveal my whereabouts.”

Shi Mingxu didn’t ask more this time, merely nodding in understanding.

Regarding this cousin from his aunt’s side, Xi Yufeng intended to groom him. On one hand, after graduating, he had worked for two years at an investment bank on Wall Street, possessing both investment acumen and resilience. On the other, given the current situation, Xi Yufeng needed people who wouldn’t betray him.

It was already noon by the time he finished. In the elevator, Xi Yufeng called Meng Chao. As the lift reached the ground floor, Meng Chao’s voice came from two directions simultaneously.

“Chairman Xi, working tirelessly day and night, managing myriad affairs,” Meng Chao joked, holding his phone and laughing. “It’s not easy getting a meeting with Chairman Xi.”

It was lunchtime, and Meng Chao had booked a private room at a nearby restaurant.

Inside, Xi Yufeng casually pulled a chair and sat down, reaching into his pocket for a cigarette. With his other hand, he spun the lighter, followed by the soft sound of tobacco igniting.

“How long have you been holding it in?” Meng Chao chuckled. “Smoking is supposed to be the trademark of a rogue. You can smoke freely in public spaces.”

Xi Yufeng replied, “I haven’t been holding it in,” as wisps of smoke slowly escaped his lips. He raised a hand to press against his temple, closing his eyes tiredly.

Clearly exhausted, yesterday Xi Wangchen had orchestrated that incident, and he had to wake up early to perform at home. Meng Chao couldn’t help shaking his head and sighing. “Why go through this trouble? You’ve tarnished your own reputation by pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger. Outside, they’re spreading rumors that you play with three people in one night.”

Xi Yufeng snorted. “Three?”

“Yeah, you think that’s too few?”

“Hmm, ten would be fine.”

“…” Meng Chao was speechless for a moment. After contemplating, he suggested, “In my opinion, why not let my sister marry you sooner — ”

Before he could finish, Xi Yufeng interrupted, “Are you crazy?”

He lifted his chin, the cigarette between his fingers. “Pushing someone into the fire at a time like this, are you such a brother?”

“Our family can only help you so much. Anyway, it’s a business marriage. Afterward, you two can live freely, each playing their own games. My sister has no objections.”

Facing his friend’s goodwill, Xi Yufeng seemed unmoved. “No need. If you truly want to help me, stay as far away as possible.”

At this time, affection was akin to a sharp blade, injuring the other and possibly endangering oneself.

Xi Yufeng was always rational. Therefore, he could handle any situation, even what others saw as crises, with ease and composure.

Having known each other for many years and deeply understanding each other’s personalities, Meng Chao didn’t mention offering help again.

Unable to resist, after discussing official matters, he started probing for information about last night. “Speaking of which, you seem so tired today. Looks like the person Xi Wangchen sent you was of high quality?”

“It wasn’t the person he sent.” Xi Yufeng said.

“You dodged it? That’s good, otherwise, you might have given them leverage.” Meng Chao smiled, emboldened. “So who spent the night with you…?”

Just as he was about to get an answer, Xi Yufeng stopped his chopsticks, which had barely moved, changing the subject. “You’re talking so much today. Seems you’re not full yet.”

Meng Chao waved his hands. “Full, full. Discussing business with you is too efficient. I’m stuffed after five minutes.”

Right then, Xi Yufeng’s phone rang.

Picking it up, he saw an unfamiliar number.

Pausing briefly, he pressed the answer button.

Jiang Ruo hadn’t expected the call to connect so easily.

Half an hour ago, he had awakened languidly. The first thing that struck his nerves was the dull pain in his body, worse than when he had first learned dance and practiced the basics.

Sitting on the bed for a full ten minutes, Jiang Ruo pieced together what had happened.

There was no one else in the room. He shuffled to the bathroom to clean up. Fortunately, precautions had been taken, making things less complicated.

Facing a wall of mirrors, Jiang Ruo, bare-chested, saw traces of where he had been touched and kneaded. He didn’t feel much until he raised his hand to touch his slightly swollen lips. Instantly, everything from last night flooded his mind.

Vividly, Jiang Ruo could recall every detail, even the man’s subtle blink or the synchronized heartbeat during their physical union.

And that cold individual, who kissed with a fervor that seemed to devour him whole.

As for how much of this ardor stemmed from the drug and how much from a man’s instinct to conquer, Jiang Ruo couldn’t tell.

Initially planning to treat last night as a novel experience, Jiang Ruo even felt he had gotten the better end of the deal, after all, he had bedded that high-class commodity for free. However, when he emerged from the bathroom and saw the prominent business card on the table, he realized, “Oh, it was him who bedded me.”

Picking up the card, looking at the name “Xi Yufeng” printed on it, Jiang Ruo found it amusing. So the upper class wasn’t all shameless like Zhang Shaoyuan.

Since the other party had politely left contact information, there was no reason not to get in touch.

With a subtle psychology he couldn’t quite explain, Jiang Ruo dialed the number on the card.

It connected after just two rings. Hearing the expensive-sounding voice on the other end, Jiang Ruo inappropriately recalled how sexy it sounded when aroused.

Xi Yufeng: “Hello, who is this?”

Subconsciously planning to identify himself, Jiang Ruo remembered that his name was just two meaningless Chinese characters to the other party. He opted for a direct approach instead. “Young Master Xi, how long have you been hungry?”

Perhaps due to the nature of the question itself, even when asked jokingly, it inevitably carried a hint of ridicule.

It sounded somewhat confrontational.

But in Xi Yufeng’s ears, through habitual thinking, it was reduced to a more straightforward intention.

Thus, Jiang Ruo heard Xi Yufeng, in a completely serious tone, throw the question back.

“How much do you want?”

Standing on the bus back to the film city, Jiang Ruo vented his frustration by jabbing at the cracked screen with his finger, messaging An He: I’m now not only a giant in words but also in actions!

Regardless of who bedded whom, a one-night stand had already occurred. As the initiator, Jiang Ruo, once he had turned the tables, was eager to proclaim the event.

An He might have been busy, as he didn’t reply for half an hour.

During this brief yet long thirty minutes, Jiang Ruo found a seat. His head rested against the window as he spaced out, feeling more comfortable. The embarrassment gradually dissipated.

Embarrassment… Repeating the word in his mind, Jiang Ruo smirked. Had he really taken himself for some chaste hero, feeling a sense of humiliation and anger at being casually questioned?

However, recalling the conversation from dozens of minutes ago, Jiang Ruo didn’t regret his curt refusal.

“What do I want, Young Master Xi, and you know?” At the time, he didn’t wait for an answer, continuing, “It was just an accident. Calling you is like a follow-up. You don’t need to be so anxious.”

Reflecting on it now, who was anxious? Clearly, it was Jiang Ruo himself.

Following Jiang Ruo’s habit of nitpicking, in such a situation, he would have demanded a fortune long ago, just like he did with Zhang Shaoyuan last time.

When defending his rights and maintaining basic survival were at stake, he never had a bottom line.

But for some inexplicable reason, Jiang Ruo didn’t want to establish such a sordid relationship with the person on the other end of the phone.

As if helping him or responding to him was all about money.

It was clearly for his face — “client” Jiang Ruo thought this, finding a reasonable explanation for his unusual behavior, and after getting off the bus, he threw the card, still warm from his pocket, into the trash bin by the station.

Recalling Xi Yufeng’s unyielding words before hanging up, “Call me when you’ve made up your mind,” as if certain his purpose was to extort money, Jiang Ruo’s anger surged to the top of his head again. He almost fished the card out of the trash and stomped on it several times.

He didn’t do that, however, because he was running late.

There were two scenes in the afternoon, with no lines but with close-ups.

Lin Xiao was idle and slipped into the large makeup room used by non-principal actors to fix Jiang Ruo’s makeup and hair.

In the noisy environment, they had to raise their voices to converse. They were discussing what to eat for dinner when the assistant director, Zhao Sen, suddenly entered with an unfamiliar young man.

“Xiao Lin,” seeing Lin Xiao, Zhao Sen approached. “Give him some makeup, nothing too flashy. He’s playing the driver.”

“…Driver?” Lin Xiao confirmed in confusion.

There was only one driver role in this series.

Hearing this, Jiang Ruo also stood up. Zhao Sen noticed him and frowned. “Why are you still here?”

Jiang Ruo was baffled. “I’m the actor for the driver role.”

“Didn’t the production assistant notify you?” Zhao Sen scanned the surroundings, not finding anyone. Turning to face Jiang Ruo impatiently, he waved his hand dismissively. “Change out of your clothes and leave. You’re fired.”