Chapter 15

Night, in a dazzling bar with intersecting lights.

“Come on, I’m in a good mood today, drinks on me for everyone!”

Xiao Yi raised his glass and gestured to the other patrons in the bar, then downed the drink in one go, earning cheers and whistles from both men and women. He smiled, shook the empty glass, and turned to sit back on a high stool at the bar. However, he staggered a bit, almost colliding with the chair. Ali quickly came to his aid, and he waved it off, saying, “I’m fine.”

“Young Master…” Ali looked at him with concern.

“What’s wrong? Do I look bad like this?” Xiao Yi asked.

“No, Young Master, you look very handsome!”

Xiao Yi chuckled self-deprecatingly, propped his elbow on the bar counter, buried his face in his hand, hiding his expression. Only his voice came out muffled, “But I feel like I’m a stubborn dog that won’t let go, so ugly.”

Ali opened his mouth but couldn’t find any words of comfort.

At this moment, Xiao Yi’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller’s name, sighed, and walked to a quiet corner to answer the call.

“Hello, brother, I’m sorry, I acted on my own.”

Xiao Yongqing’s voice was filled with suppressed anger. “Since when did our Xiao family need to invest with such a small company? What are you doing?”

Xiao Yi knew he was in the wrong and could only apologize, “Brother, you said this project was fully entrusted to me. I have my own ideas, and it’s not a significant project. Even if we mess it up, it won’t affect the company. Please forgive me this time.”

“Your ideas? Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking? Isn’t it because of that Fu Yu?” Xiao Yongqing spoke without thinking, and only afterward realized what he had said. He wanted to rectify it but heard Xiao Yi say, “Yes, you’re right.”

“Did you know that we know about that matter?” Xiao Yongqing asked.

“You wanted to investigate something, and it’s not difficult.” Xiao Yi seemed indifferent and continued, “I’ve never said this, but I’m actually very grateful that you and Mom and Dad didn’t expose it at the time. You didn’t accuse me of liking a man but showed concern and comforted me, helping me through that low point in my life.”

Xiao Yongqing was momentarily stunned. He had originally intended to reprimand Xiao Yi but realized he had spoken out of turn. Now, he was unsure how to respond. After a brief pause, he said, “You’re setting yourself up for another hurt if you keep this up.”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it. He’s all talk and no action, how much more can he hurt me?” Xiao Yi pretended to be casual. “Let me try again, Brother, please.”

“…I understand, but since you have your own ideas, I have mine too. I will talk to him properly.”

“No, Brother!” Xiao Yi couldn’t contain his anxiety. What could his brother say to Fu Yu? It was unlikely to be anything supportive.

However, Xiao Yongqing was resolute, and no matter how Xiao Yi pleaded, it was of no use. After ending the call, Xiao Yi pondered for a while and reluctantly sent a message to Fu Yu:

“My brother wants to see you. If he wants to meet, please don’t meet him. If there’s anything, contact me.”

Beep! At his home office, Fu Yu picked up his phone and read the new message. After a moment of consideration, he furrowed his brow and pressed “Delete.”

Xiao Yongqing acted promptly. The next day, he sent someone directly to Dongjian to find Fu Yu.

Fu Yu didn’t decline the meeting as it would have been inappropriate given his current state. When he arrived at the hotel and entered the designated private room, Xiao Yongqing was already waiting inside. The spacious banquet hall was empty except for the two of them. Xiao Yongqing’s eyes held disdain and hostility, just like when they had met last time.

Fu Yu didn’t seem to mind, greeted him calmly, “Mr. Xiao, sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Xiao Yongqing scrutinized Fu Yu, who had captivated his younger brother. Fu Yu was undeniably exceptionally handsome and unforgettable, but his demeanor was cold, uninteresting, and dull. Xiao Yi, with his vibrant and carefree personality, how could he fall for someone like this?

“Please have a seat,” Xiao Yongqing said, although he himself had already taken a seat.

Fu Yu sat across from him, and the two remained silent for a moment, not touching the exquisite dishes laid out on the table.

“What business do you have with me, Mr. Xiao?” Fu Yu got straight to the point.

Xiao Yongqing took a sip of red wine, then looked at Fu Yu over the rim of his golden-rimmed glasses, his sharp gaze fixed on the man sitting across from him.

“Since you’re a sensible person, I’ll be direct. Xiao Yi still can’t let go of you. If he tries to get close to you again, I hope you’ll reject him.”

“I would do that even without your request,” Fu Yu replied calmly.

Xiao Yongqing’s hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, and he pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. His gaze remained sharp as he continued, “I have something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Although I don’t want you two to be together, my brother treats you so well. I’ve never seen him so obsessed with anyone before, and your relationship was good back then, right? Just because he likes you, do you have to be so cruel and decisive? No compassion at all? You’re quite heartless.”

Fu Yu’s tranquil eyes revealed no emotions. “I may not be an emotionally expressive person, but I’m not heartless as you described.”

He paused for a few seconds, seemingly considering his words. “I don’t want to dwell on the past. All I can say is that cutting off contact with him was the most painful decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

Xiao Yongqing fell silent, and after a long pause, he said, “Well, I’ll trust you this time. But I hope you won’t say anything too hurtful this time.” He raised his glass of wine and made a half-hearted toast in Fu Yu’s direction. “I toast to you, as a part of our agreement.”

Given the circumstances, declining would be untimely, so Fu Yu looked at the half-filled glass of wine. He hesitated for a moment before choosing to down it.

Xiao Yongqing put down his empty glass, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said indifferently, “That’s it for today. I have other matters to attend to. You can take your time, Mr. Fu.” With that, he left without further ado.

Facing the exquisite dishes that remained untouched on the table, Fu Yu had no appetite. The red wine he had just consumed unexpectedly turned out to be robust, combined with an empty stomach, causing a headache to set in again. He decided that he wouldn’t drink anything the next time someone proposed a toast.

Unfortunately, his driver had taken a leave of absence these past few days, and considering his current condition, it was not suitable to drive alone. Fu Yu picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts. Eventually, he dialed his cousin Ling Tian’s number. After all, it wasn’t appropriate for his subordinates to see him in such a state.

He stood outside the hotel, allowing the cold wind to clear his mind. Ling Tian arrived quickly and took him in a taxi. The warmth inside the car was comfortable, and with a family member by his side, Fu Yu closed his eyes to rest, eventually drifting off to sleep.