Qi Xu saw Xie Huai walk in. To say he was surprised would be both true and false—he had messaged him, but it had only been ten minutes. What, did Xie Huai fly over here?
Everyone’s attention turned to the man standing in the doorway. The pressure radiating off him was intense. With that kind of presence, people instinctively thought he was here to cause trouble—no one dared speak.
It was Qi Xu who finally broke the tension. “This is my assistant. Come on in.”
Xie Huai didn’t deny it, silently accepting the title as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Then he began walking toward Qi Xu, one step at a time.
Under that stare, Qi Xu withdrew the arm he had casually slung over the back of the couch and sat up straighter, letting the girl in his arms fully detach from him.
Then, face calm and voice composed, he turned back to answer Qin Sheng’s question. “President Qin, this project has always been overseen by Director Li. I’ll leave the contract details to him.”
Xie Huai’s sudden appearance didn’t deter Qin Sheng’s desire in the slightest. The person in his arms might’ve been sweet and soft, but Qi Xu was the one he really had his eye on.
“What, President Qi, don’t want to deal with me personally? We were just hitting it off, weren’t we?” Qin Sheng said with a teasing smile.
Li Kaixing was sweating. His boss had a meeting at ten in the morning. If he showed up late, it would count toward his attendance record—and if his credits didn’t add up, it was game over. He couldn’t let that happen.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the “assistant” spoke first.
“President Qi, should I reschedule your 8 a.m. flight? But time’s tight to get to Hong Kong Island, and President Su of Luozhi has been waiting a while.”
Xie Huai had done his homework. He knew who Qin Sheng was—a high-level exec at Xunda with a wife and kid, currently cuddled up in a bar booth with another man, and shamelessly eyeing Qi Xu like he was dessert.
Disgusting.
Qin Sheng sobered up a little at a familiar name. “Luozhi? President Qi, you’re working with them?”
Luozhi was a rising tech firm based in Hong Kong Island, already set to go public. Its CEO, Su Jianpeng, was a PhD graduate from H University and had thrown himself into AI development after graduation. Rumor had it Su handled the tech side while a mysterious backer funded the operation. The true owner behind Luozhi remained a hot topic in their circle.
Qi Xu rolled his eyes inwardly. Wow. Xie Huai really knows how to hype things up. But he had no choice now—he had to run with it.
“We met once before. I figured I should fly over for a face-to-face.”
Qin Sheng’s mind was already turning. If Qi Xu had that kind of connection, maybe he could use him as a bridge to Luozhi.
“Then I’ll continue discussing things with Director Li tomorrow. No need for you to change your travel plans.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Xin Xin. She immediately understood, poured a drink, and leaned in to feed it to Qi Xu again—same act, different round.
Holding the glass up to him, she cooed, “President Qi, you’re so amazing. I couldn’t understand half the things you were talking about.”
Qi Xu instinctively glanced at Xie Huai—and didn’t even know why he did it.
Before he could respond, a hand shot out, snatched the glass away, and brushed roughly across Qi Xu’s lips, hard. The full glass spilled, splashing all over Qi Xu’s clothes.
It didn’t show on his black outfit, but the smell of alcohol clung to him.
Xin Xin gasped and reached out in a panic to help, but Qi Xu stopped her.
“I’m fine.”
Xie Huai set the glass down on the table, voice flat and cold. “Health comes first, President Qi. You’re still on medication.”
Qi Xu gave a small laugh, then casually wiped the corner of his mouth where Xie Huai had touched.
Yep. He’s pissed.
Qi Xu played along. “Apologies, President Qin. I won’t be able to continue drinking with you tonight.”
Something definitely felt off between these two. Before the so-called assistant arrived, Qi Xu had been full of rich-boy energy, clearly just having fun. After the assistant showed up, though, he suddenly toned everything down.
Qin Sheng figured someone from the family must’ve sent this “assistant” to keep the young master in check. He gave a generous smile.
“President Qi has already given me a great time. It’s getting late, and you’ve got a flight early tomorrow. Let’s save the rest for the celebration party.”
Zhong Aiming and Li Kaixing exchanged a few more pleasantries with Qin Sheng and escorted him downstairs like they were sending off a god.
In the blink of an eye, only Qi Xu and Xie Huai remained in the private booth.
Qi Xu rubbed his temples and finally let out a breath, loosening up. “How did you get here so fast?”
Xie Huai didn’t look at him. His voice was icy. “President Qi seems awfully good at this sort of thing. Was I interrupting you and your little beauty?”
Qi Xu clicked his tongue. “What kind of nonsense is that? It’s just business. I didn’t even—”
He cut himself off. The way he was talking sounded exactly like some scummy playboy. And saying this to Xie Huai of all people? That made it even weirder.
He scratched his head and didn’t continue.
Then Xie Huai pressed again, his tone sharp: “Why stop? Go on. It’s no big deal, right?”
Qi Xu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He had no idea why Xie Huai’s temper was flaring like this. Leaning in a little, he said, “Huai-ge, don’t tell me you’ve never had to put on a show at one of those fancy high-society parties. You don’t like everyone you meet, do you? But you still have to play along. It’s the same in my world—this is just part of the business.”
There was a faint scent of alcohol on Qi Xu, but his speech was crisp and his lips moved with clarity—he clearly wasn’t drunk.
Xie Huai turned his head and glanced at him, noting how Qi Xu was sitting upright, not leaning on him at all. His back was tensed, as if bracing himself.
“Is Yunrui yours?” Xie Huai asked, bending slightly to pick up a sealed bottle of water from the table. He twisted the cap and handed it to Qi Xu.
Qi Xu didn’t take it, his expression sharpening. “You’ve been looking into me?”
Xie Huai didn’t answer. Instead, he brought the mouth of the bottle close to Qi Xu’s lips, almost as if trying to feed him water.
Qi Xu snatched the bottle away, and water splashed onto his arm, dribbling down to his elbow.
Xie Huai’s eyes followed the path of the droplets, staring until they disappeared into the crook of Qi Xu’s arm.
“No. I know Zhong Aiming, but I didn’t know he was working for you.”
Qi Xu gave him a look, then Xie Huai continued, “I had someone try to recruit him.”
Qi Xu chuckled, clearly pleased. He finally tilted his head back and took a sip from the bottle Xie Huai had given him.
“So he’s someone you couldn’t get. Tough luck—he’s with me now.”
Xie Huai gave him a long look.
The frost in his eyes had melted, replaced by something more complicated… and a hint of helpless resignation.
Qi Xu yawned and stood up. “Let’s go. I’ve got class tomorrow.”
They walked out, one after the other. Just as they exited the booth, someone behind them called out in a soft, delicate voice, “President Qi.”
Qi Xu didn’t hear it.
But his “assistant” did.
Qi Xu noticed Xie Huai stop and asked, confused, “What is it?”
Then the voice came again: “President Qi.”
This time, Qi Xu heard it and turned around.
Xin Xin had changed outfits. She wore a tight, strapless crop top and a sheer shawl draped over her shoulders. She was biting her lip, eyes full of hope as she looked at Qi Xu.
Qi Xu knew these girls had nightly quotas—how many bottles they had to sell, or how far they had to go with clients. Whatever it was, the money had to be made.
Their booth hadn’t opened anything fancy tonight, and Qi Xu remembered that Qin Sheng had left with the boy earlier.
He patted his pockets—he’d rushed out without even bringing his wallet.
Qi Xu extended his hand toward Xie Huai. “Wallet.”
Xie Huai didn’t say a word. He pulled out his wallet and handed it over.
Qi Xu casually opened it. Seeing all the red bills inside, he raised an eyebrow, then counted out ten and handed them to Xin Xin.
“Thanks for your work tonight. I know you’ve got to report back to your floor manager.”
But Xin Xin didn’t take the money. Her eyes instantly turned red.
She had thought President Qi liked her. He hadn’t touched her inappropriately in the booth, hadn’t tried to get her drunk. For the first time, she felt respected. She had even gone to change outfits, hoping they’d leave together—maybe spend the night.
Qi Xu figured Xin Xin thought the money wouldn’t count toward her nightly quota, so he clarified, “Don’t worry—we’re together. He handles the money.”
Xin Xin didn’t dare meet Xie Huai’s eyes. She still remembered the way he’d looked at her when he barged into the room—like she was nothing. It sent chills down her spine.
She quietly took the cash and looked like she wanted to say something, but the two men didn’t give her the chance. They were already walking away.
Once in the car, Qi Xu noticed a bag on the seat. He picked it up casually and glanced inside—dried fruit.
His eyes lit up. “You made this for me?”
Xie Huai took the bag from his hands without a change in expression and tossed it to the back seat. “No. It’s for pigs.”
Qi Xu didn’t argue. He knew he’d get to eat it anyway when it was time to take his medicine. The whole bag was practically his.
Then Xie Huai told Lao Gao, “To Muni.”
Muni—one of the luxury hotels under the Xie family brand.
Qi Xu leaned his head on his hand, frowning. “We’re not going back to campus?”
“It’s already past midnight. You don’t exactly look travel-ready,” Xie Huai replied. “Can you even stand up to shower?”
Qi Xu snorted. “Not only can I stand, I can do a handstand.”
He conveniently forgot that this body wasn’t his 28-year-old self—it was 18 now. Back home, half a glass of champagne would get him tipsy. But here he was, overconfident after two drinks.
And who had just been wobbling down the hallway in S-curves, refusing help?
Xie Huai briefly considered the possibility of Qi Xu showering upside down: zero. Drunk or not, Qi Xu wasn’t pulling that off.
Qi Xu held out his hand. “Mouth’s bitter. Gimme a dried fruit.”
Xie Huai fished one out of his pocket, unwrapped it, and handed it over.
Qi Xu popped it in without hesitation, then shoved the wrapper back into Xie Huai’s hand.
Though he had his eyes closed, leaning back to rest, Qi Xu wasn’t that drunk. He stayed sharp in public.
He asked lazily, “Don’t tell me you disappeared the last couple nights just to make this stuff.”
Xie Huai didn’t deny it. “You eat too fast.”
Qi Xu, still chewing, grumbled, “You’ve only got yourself to blame. Who told you to share them? I barely got any.”
He actually sounded a little… aggrieved.
Xie Huai laughed. “I only gave out five pieces. How long are you planning to hold that against me?”
Qi Xu shot back, “Mind your own business.”
Muni was close, and soon Lao Gao pulled up at the entrance.
As Qi Xu stepped out of the car, the muggy night air helped clear a bit of the alcohol haze.
“I didn’t bring my ID,” he told Xie Huai.
“I brought it,” Xie Huai replied calmly.
“…”
It was such a weird exchange, but Qi Xu couldn’t even explain why.
Not that it mattered—he spotted the hotel manager already waiting at the door for the Xie family heir’s arrival.
Following behind Xie Huai, Qi Xu listened as the manager reported that the top-floor suite had been prepared and asked if there were any other instructions.
“Have them send up some hangover soup,” Xie Huai said.
In his past life, Qi Xu traveled a lot for work, and he always stayed at Muni. He even had a VIP membership with them.
Why not stay at Shen Group hotels instead?
Because ten years from now, the Shen Group’s hotel division would only exist in a few first-tier cities and the capital. Back then, both he and Shen Fengkai had been so focused on landing government-backed projects that they neglected the hotel business entirely. Shen Group, once built on hospitality, had all but abandoned it.
Meanwhile, Xie Huai took over the Xie Group and immediately restructured it with an iron grip. His new policies brought swift results. The expansion rate was staggering.
At the time, Qi Xu had jokingly called him an octopus—grabbing every industry and somehow excelling in all of them. The Xie Group bloomed across every sector.
Just before Qi Xu’s death, he heard that Xie Huai’s luxury cruise ship was finally complete and would soon set sail on an auspicious date. But Qi Xu had been too caught up with a project meant to impress Shen Zhuohai ahead of his birthday banquet, and the invitation had ended up tossed aside without a second thought.
Of course, Qi Xu wasn’t personally invited to that cruise launch—every Shen Group executive was. When Li Kaixing got his invitation, he was over the moon. He spent over a hundred grand just on vacation outfits, claiming he was going to turn heads.
Qi Xu hadn’t planned on going. In the end, he didn’t go at all.
As he fell into memories of his past life, his pace unconsciously slowed until he was a few steps behind Xie Huai.
Even though Xie Huai was in the middle of speaking with the hotel manager, he somehow sensed the gap and turned around. “Want me to… carry you?”
Just as he said that, a few drunken young men stumbled into the lobby, one of them so far gone he had to be practically dragged in by two friends.
The hotel doorman immediately rushed over to help, and the once-quiet lobby turned noisy and chaotic.
Qi Xu rolled his eyes. “I’m not that drunk. I can walk just fine.”
The manager led them up to the penthouse suite. The central AC and humidifier were already running.
She politely asked again if there was anything else they needed, and only after getting a clear “no” did she leave.
Qi Xu flopped onto the couch, fiddling with his phone. “Which room are you taking?”
Xie Huai gave him the room with the full-length windows and city view.
Qi Xu peeked in and gave a mock salute. “Much obliged, Young Master Xie.”
Xie Huai replied dryly, “Don’t close the curtains tonight. You’ve got class in the morning—let the sunlight hit your face. Should help you wake up.”
Qi Xu answered seriously, “Nope, not gonna work. I can’t get up that early. Just mark me absent. If I slept in the dorms, I could at least stay in bed until 9:45.”
Xie Huai added casually, “Then I’ll carry you to class.”
“…” After a long pause, Qi Xu muttered, “If you’re tired, just go to bed.”
All this carrying, hauling, dragging… Did he think Qi Xu was a piece of luggage?
At least Qi Xu remembered that drinking and hot baths don’t mix. He took a quick shower, and when he came out, he saw a bowl of soup on the table, still steaming—probably hangover soup.
He had only taken a couple sips when Xie Huai came out of the bathroom in a robe. The sash was loosely knotted around his waist, revealing part of his chest. Beads of water clung to his defined pecs, and his damp hair clung to his forehead. The whole look was… unintentionally provocative.
Qi Xu stared. A lot.
Then, like a total flirt, he even whistled at him—with a trill.
A deep, serious male voice suddenly echoed from Xie Huai’s phone: “What was that sound?”
The call was on speaker. Qi Xu froze and blinked, suddenly very still.
“TV noise,” Xie Huai replied casually, glancing at the guy at the table.
The voice on the other end—Xie Yaoting—continued, “I’m overseas right now. Keep an eye on things at home. Your mom’s probably lonely. Visit her when you can. I’ll be gone for at least half a month. Follow up on the Longhai project. Pei Shen will assist you.”
“Got it,” Xie Huai replied.
Then his father asked, “Still out this late?”
“I’m at Muni,” Xie Huai answered truthfully.
That was the end of the questioning. Xie Yaoting simply told him to get some rest and hung up.
While all that was going on, Qi Xu had finished most of the hangover soup. His stomach felt warm, and the nausea had mostly passed.
He wiped his mouth and asked, “Was that your dad doing a check-in?”
Seeing that Qi Xu’s hair was neat and dry, Xie Huai gave a rare nod of approval. “He’s overseas. Just landed and called to check in.”
Qi Xu walked over to him, and the moment he got close, he caught the same faint scent on Xie Huai that clung to his own skin.
On instinct, Qi Xu reached up and adjusted Xie Huai’s robe, covering that distracting chest. But instead of dropping his hand, he tugged on the fabric, pulling Xie Huai even closer. Their faces were just inches apart, their breaths mingling in the space between them.
With a teasing lilt, he said, “Huai-ge, you’re packing some heat.”
Still not done being a menace, Qi Xu added, “Let me know when I can get a look at those abs.”
Under Xie Huai’s unreadable gaze, Qi Xu finally let go of the robe’s collar, turned on his heel, and walked back to his room in hotel slippers—looking ridiculously pleased with himself.
