Chapter 45

A nurse stepped in and said that the young master from the Xie family was outside, asking to visit.

The very next second, the old man swiftly lowered the hospital bed into a flat position and slipped on an oxygen mask.

“No way I’m letting that old Xie find out I faked being sick. If he does, I’ll be paying for morning tea all week. We agreed to split the bill.”

Uncle Li rushed forward to help the old man straighten his hair and clothes, making sure he looked like a proper patient.

Qi Xu: “…”

“Grandpa, most people try to look well when they have guests. You’re doing the opposite.”

The old man glared at him. “Don’t blow my cover. And stop smiling. Hold it in.”

Once everything was set, Uncle Li opened the door and invited Xie Huai in.

Qi Xu couldn’t help but laugh, then quickly turned toward the window, lowering his head and trying to recall the saddest thing he could from his past life—like the time he lost 0.2% on a contract negotiation. It almost worked. He nearly cried.

As soon as Xie Huai entered, he smelled mango. A plate of freshly cut mangoes sat on the table, with several pieces already eaten.

Uncle Li quickly whisked the plate away, silently praying that Young Master Xie hadn’t noticed.

The old man heard the door and slowly opened his eyes, lips trembling as he weakly called out, “Huai, my boy…”

The oxygen mask wasn’t fitted properly, so the inside fogged up the moment he spoke.

Qi Xu couldn’t help it—he turned and burst into a silent laugh. Thankfully, he managed not to make a sound. After a moment, he composed himself and stood quietly behind Xie Huai.

The old man gave his grandson a death glare, desperate to curse him out. Qi Xu just stuck his tongue out at him.

Xie Huai turned around, and Qi Xu instantly switched expressions—wiping off the smirk and putting on a look of silent grief. He wasn’t great at acting, so he kept his eyes lowered to hide the amusement still lingering in them.

“Grandpa Shen seems to be in good spirits. Why the oxygen mask?”

Qi Xu blurted out, “Because he wants to wear it—”

“If I hadn’t done it, those people would’ve dragged your name through the mud.” The old man was fuming. “And your dad, don’t even get me started—just letting outsiders talk trash about his own son!”

Qi Xu retorted, “Then you didn’t need to fake fainting. You could’ve just cleared things up for me.”

The old man didn’t respond. Qi Xu gave a faint smile. “Are you also worried I might like men?”

The old man slapped the blanket over his lap, visibly agitated. “Worried or not, it’s your life. You like what you like—I’m too old to interfere. I just didn’t want things to spiral out of control. Sometimes the more you try to cover it up, the worse it looks. It’s better if you clarify it yourself. Besides, those people clearly had ulterior motives. If you hadn’t shown up, who knows what kind of chaos they would’ve stirred up.”

Qi Xu knew he’d eventually have to deal with that side of the family. He just didn’t expect it to happen like this—centered around his sexuality.

In his past life, those relatives constantly lobbied Shen Zhuohai to marry him off quickly, urging him to make an advantageous alliance with another family at the expense of Qi Xu’s own happiness.

And it worked. Shen Zhuohai finally gave in and started arranging blind dates for him. Qi Xu, not wanting to sever ties with the Shen family too early, went along with it, though he had no intention of marrying anyone at the time.

For a while, the dates were non-stop. It felt like they were trying to “sell” him while he was still considered attractive.

“They only dare say these things in front of the Shen family. If they ever tried it out in public, your son would be the first to shut them down.”

Shen Zhuohai was obsessed with appearances. That’s why he reacted so violently—he couldn’t accept that his son might be gay. He saw it as a disgrace to the family name.

Hearing Qi Xu refer to his father without a shred of respect stung the old man. Uncle Li had told him that his son had even tried to hit Qi Xu outside just now, and that made him furious. He wanted nothing more than to teach his own son a lesson.

“Your dad’s a damn fool—striking out without even knowing the full story. I’ll have your older brother come down and clean up the Shen family mess. Anyone useless doesn’t deserve to stay in the company.”

Qi Xu thought to himself: Shen Fengkai might not be able to handle it either. That bunch only listened to money, not reason. Crying, yelling, and causing a scene—that was their go-to. Shen Fengkai was too proud to stoop to their level and argue.

Qi Xu kept his thoughts to himself. He had no intention of involving himself in anything related to the Shen Corporation ever again.

The old man gave him a sideways glance. “So… do you really like guys?”

Qi Xu: “…”

He didn’t give a clear answer. “I don’t know.”

The old man, surprisingly open-minded, said, “Sounds like you’re still figuring it out. Need me to find you a teacher?”

Qi Xu replied dryly, “No thanks.”

The old man pressed on, “I heard you came with that Xie boy. Did you two spend the night together?”

“Grandpa, are you interrogating a suspect now?” Qi Xu forked a piece of mango and popped it into his mouth.

The old man tossed his apple core into the trash. “Just checking in on your love life.”

Qi Xu, still chewing mango, mumbled, “There’s nothing to check. I’m single.”

A nurse walked in to report that Young Master Xie was here to visit. The old man immediately flattened the hospital bed, lay down, and put on his oxygen mask like a pro.

“Xie Laotou can’t find out I faked being sick. Otherwise, I’ll be buying breakfast for the next week—and we agreed on going Dutch.”

Uncle Li stepped forward to tidy the old man up, making him look more convincingly ill.

Qi Xu: “…”

“Grandpa, most people try to look more lively when guests visit. You’re doing the opposite.”

The old man glared at him. “Don’t ruin it. Stop grinning and hold it in.”

Once everything was in place, Uncle Li opened the door to let Xie Huai in.

Qi Xu turned away to face the window, trying not to laugh. He ran through the saddest moments from his past life to suppress the urge—like the time he lost 0.2% of a contract. That one really hurt.

As Xie Huai entered, he caught the strong scent of mango. A half-eaten plate of cut fruit sat on the table.

Uncle Li quickly whisked the plate away, hoping the young master wouldn’t notice.

Hearing movement, the old man slowly opened his eyes and whispered weakly, “Huai, my boy…”

His oxygen mask wasn’t sealed properly, and the inside fogged up when he spoke. Qi Xu turned around and couldn’t hold back a snort—but at least he stayed silent. After a moment, he composed himself and casually stood behind Xie Huai.

The old man gave his grandson a betrayed look. Qi Xu stuck out his tongue.

When Xie Huai turned around, Qi Xu immediately put on a somber face, trying to hide the leftover amusement in his eyes.

“Grandpa Shen, you look fine. Why the oxygen mask?”

Qi Xu blurted out, “He wants to wear it—”

Then quickly recovered: “I mean, he’s having trouble breathing. Doctor’s orders.”

The old man called Xie Huai over again. He walked to the bedside, and then the old man called Qi Xu too—who reluctantly joined him in this performance.

With a trembling hand, the old man grabbed Xie Huai’s hand. Then he grabbed Qi Xu’s and clasped them together—two long, elegant hands now tightly joined under the old man’s wrinkled but warm one.

Firm. Close. As if they were meant to be inseparable.

Qi Xu pursed his lips, acutely aware of the heat radiating through his hand.

“Ah Huai, I’ve watched you grow up. I trust you. You’re both good kids. From now on, I’ll leave Qi Xu in your—”

Before he could finish something even more outrageous, Qi Xu leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Grandpa, keep this up and I swear I’ll unplug your oxygen tank.”

The old man: “…”

Qi Xu pulled his hand back and crossed his arms. “Grandpa, your acting is terrible. Xie Huai’s just being polite. He saw right through you.”

The old man yanked off his oxygen mask. “You little brat! You gonna sabotage your own grandpa like that? I hadn’t even finished my lines!”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Qi Xu said flatly. But hearing the old man’s speech reminded him too much of his deathbed in his past life.

He turned to Uncle Li. “Don’t humor him next time. He doesn’t need to be in the hospital at all.”

Uncle Li, sensing Qi Xu was actually upset, quickly agreed. “Yes, yes, whatever the young master says.”

Then he brought over the plate of fruit again. “Young Master Xie, have some fruit.”

Qi Xu took it from him. “He’s allergic to mango.”

Xie Huai said gently, “You don’t have to trouble yourself.”

He sat on the chair beside the bed, while Qi Xu settled onto the nearby sofa—making it look like he was the visitor.

The old man lowered his voice and said sincerely, “Please don’t tell your grandpa I faked being sick. He’ll make me suffer for it. I’d lose all face.”

Qi Xu doused him in cold water. “Why would he cover for you? You’re not his grandpa. He’s not getting anything out of this.”

The old man grabbed the apple from the nightstand and tossed it at Qi Xu. “You always have something snarky to say!”

The apple arced through the air. Qi Xu caught it smoothly and took a crisp bite.

The old man considered what Qi Xu said. He really didn’t have much leverage right now.

The sound of Qi Xu biting into the apple echoed. Suddenly, the old man had an idea. “How about this—Qi Xu is yours to manage from now on. Use him however you like.”

Qi Xu: “…”

He raised a hand. “No.”

Xie Huai raised his hand too. “Yes.”

Qi Xu gave up on the apple, exasperated. “Do I even have human rights anymore? You’re literally trading people!”

Xie Huai thought for a moment. “Not really. You’ve still got free will. And it’s not like I’m trafficking anyone.”

The old man added, “Want me to give you his household registration too?”

Qi Xu: “…”

He remembered the old man’s people helped him move his registration recently. The documents were still in his hands.

Resigned, Qi Xu bit back into the apple. “Go ahead, let’s see where this goes.”

Of course, the old man didn’t really want to hand Qi Xu over. This was his long-lost grandson—he couldn’t bear to part with him.

But the Shen family couldn’t be trusted. Thankfully, he still had his old friend. Among all the younger generation, he believed in Xie Huai the most. That boy had a bright future and would lead the Xie family one day.

He knew that Shen Fengkai would control the Shen family eventually, and Qi Xu, being unambitious, would just get sidelined. If things ever went south, at least Qi Xu would have someone on his side.

Sometimes, friends are more dependable than family.

When Qi Xu finally finished his apple, the two old men had wrapped up their negotiations. The old man, reluctant to let go completely, offered a compromise—shared “custody.”

Half his. Half Xie Huai’s. Not Qi Xu’s.

Qi Xu watched them shake hands and asked dryly, “Want me to take a picture to commemorate the deal?”

The old man was actually tempted. “Let me change clothes first. This hospital gown doesn’t photograph well.”

The two young men immediately tried to stop him. “No need, just lie down and rest!”

Qi Xu stayed with the old man a bit longer before heading out. But for some reason, the old man suddenly remembered the garden trees Qi Xu had stripped bare last time, and started chasing him around the room.

What was once a quiet hospital room now looked more like a game of tag.

As he reached the door, Qi Xu said to Uncle Li, “Check Grandpa’s heart rate. This counts as intense exercise. He might need that oxygen mask after all.”

The old man’s voice echoed behind him: “You little punk!”

But the moment the door shut behind him, the smile faded from Qi Xu’s face.

Just outside stood Shen Fengkai’s people. One of them stepped forward respectfully. “Young Master Xu, the eldest young master would like to see you.”

Two bodyguards stood near the elevator, as if afraid he’d try to run.

Qi Xu glanced at Xie Huai. Their eyes met. Then Qi Xu turned and left with the men.

These people wouldn’t even let Qi Xu ride in his own car—clearly scared he’d run off.

He told Chen Wei to follow behind in another car, while he himself got into Shen Fengkai’s.

As soon as he got in, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He reached in and felt a handkerchief blocking the way. It was the same one he’d used at least three times. Why hasn’t Xie Huai changed it yet? If he kept using it, it was going to be soaked with his scent.

X: Feels like you’re being taken into custody.

Attached was a photo taken from one of the hospital’s upper floors—Qi Xu being escorted to the car by Shen Fengkai’s bodyguards.

Freeloader: …

He replied with something fitting the situation:

Freeloader: If the kidnappers use my phone to call for ransom, just pay it. My life’s in your hands.

X: I can have someone intercept the car right now.

Guess the guy was too sharp to fall for a fake ransom call.

Freeloader: Relax. We’re not filming a crime drama.

X: Message me if anything happens.

Freeloader: You’ll come rescue me?

X: Yeah.

Qi Xu smiled and tucked the phone away. The car wasn’t heading toward the Shen family home—it looked more like they were going to Shen Group headquarters.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived.

He got out and was led upstairs by Shen Fengkai’s assistant. This assistant had joined right out of college and quickly become one of the most competent players on his elite team.

When it came to building a team, Qi Xu had to admit he wasn’t as good as Shen Fengkai. Over the years, he’d only managed to recruit Li Kaixing as his trusted aide, while Shen Fengkai had surrounded himself with top-tier talent.

Qi Xu had even tried poaching a few of them in his past life—no luck. Still didn’t know what kind of magic Shen Fengkai used to earn such fierce loyalty.

Back in his previous life, Qi Xu only entered the company after graduating college. Now, still a freshman, he was walking into Shen Group—clearly doing better this time around.

The assistant knocked twice on the door to the VP’s office before opening it and showing Qi Xu in.

This was now Shen Fengkai’s office—but it used to be Qi Xu’s. On his first day as VP in the last life, he had all the furniture replaced with brand new pieces.

Employees had definitely noticed. Rumors of his strained relationship with Shen Fengkai were already circulating.

And the rumors were true. The two titans clashed constantly, and their teams tiptoed around them in fear of getting caught in the crossfire.

Shen Fengkai looked up from his desk when Qi Xu walked in.

The assistant led him to the guest area and turned to leave when Qi Xu suddenly said, “It’s a national holiday today. Your boss forcing you to work like this—maybe it’s time to find a better employer?”

The assistant had clearly heard the family gossip. His eyes flicked nervously between Shen Fengkai and Qi Xu. Why’s this little ancestor starting trouble the second he walks in?

He quickly recovered and replied, “Young Master Xu, per labor law, holiday shifts come with triple pay. We volunteered to work. Any unused leave gets rolled into annual vacation.”

Qi Xu didn’t press further, like it had just been a random comment.

The assistant set a cup of tea in front of him, then quietly exited and didn’t come back.

Shen Fengkai walked over with a folder in hand and handed it to Qi Xu. “Since you’re so concerned about workers’ rights, here’s a chance to get involved. This is a current project. Help follow up on it. Ask me if you don’t know something.”

Qi Xu stared at the file in disbelief. For a moment, he seriously wondered if Shen Fengkai had been possessed. Did he really just say that? Did he really just hand over a project?

In their past life, Shen Fengkai would’ve stripped him of everything—including his underwear—before giving up even a scrap. Voluntarily handing over a project? That’d only happen in another lifetime.

Well, lucky him—it was another lifetime.

Qi Xu flipped through the file. He didn’t even have to start from scratch. This project was already two-thirds done—he just had to finish it.

Qi Xu, you’re really killing it this time around. Even he was starting to envy his current self.

He tossed the file back onto the desk. “Yeah, no thanks. I don’t know how, and I’m not interested.”

Shen Fengkai had fully expected him to accept. He himself had started getting involved in company matters at this age, full of excitement and ambition, determined to take the family business to new heights. And now, Shen Group was steadily heading in that direction.

Qi Xu, on the other hand, hadn’t had any of that elite training. Shen Fengkai gave him the benefit of the doubt and patiently explained what the project really meant.

Taking over the project meant being officially brought into Shen Group—it meant attending executive meetings, being considered for equity transfers, and a stake in the company. Shen Fengkai broke it all down, step by step.

After hearing all that, Qi Xu had only one thought: Shen Fengkai really must be possessed.

Creeped out, he quietly shifted away from him on the couch.

Just as Qi Xu was starting to doze off, Shen Fengkai added, “You can use any of my people. Just say the word.”

What the hell is going on with this world? Qi Xu thought it was all getting a little too surreal.

“I don’t need it. I just want to collect my year-end bonus and live like a carefree trust fund kid. I’m not interested in thankless grunt work. And just so we’re clear—I’m not joining Shen Corporation.”

Shen Fengkai frowned. “You’re part of the Shen family. It’s your destiny to work at Shen Corp. Or are you planning to help some outside company take down your own family’s business?”

That actually wasn’t the case. Qi Xu already had a direction in mind—one that had nothing to do with the projects Shen Corp was involved in. They weren’t even in the same ballpark.

And honestly, even if he did help other companies take Shen Corp down, what could they really do to him? Call him an ungrateful traitor? Been there, heard that, plenty, in his last life.

Qi Xu’s tone turned somewhat sincere. “Can’t I just coast through life? Is working really mandatory?”

Shen Fengkai glanced at him. “That’s your ambition? To leech off the family until we’ve got nothing left?”

He didn’t actually believe Qi Xu was that kind of person. Say what you want, but the kid had Shen blood in his veins—he was a hell of a lot better than some of their so-called relatives.

The two of them stayed locked in a stalemate in the office for quite a while. Qi Xu wanted to leave, but then he saw the message from Old Master Shen, asking him to come back home and talk things through.

So he couldn’t just walk out. Half-slumped over the table, Qi Xu started spamming Xie Huai with nonsense texts.

Mooch & Rot: [I’ve kidnapped the account holder. Ransom: 100 bucks. No pay, no return.]

A few seconds passed. No reply—just a transfer of 100 yuan.

Qi Xu accepted it without shame.

Mooch & Rot: [Thanks for sponsoring my Crazy Thursday, Brother Huai. I’ll enjoy it.]

X: [I just sent you 3,000. Go ahead and accept it.]

Mooch & Rot: [Can’t. Three thousand’s enough to file a police report.]

Shen Fengkai noticed that little smirk on Qi Xu’s face—it was more genuine than anything he’d shown his own brother. And he wasn’t naïve. He could tell when someone was flirting.

“I’m not judging your preferences,” Shen Fengkai said, “but don’t mess around. If you’re serious with him, then settle down. Bring him home sometime.”

Qi Xu looked up. “Are you seriously out of your mind?”

Before they could escalate into a full-blown argument, Zeng Yun called to ask when they were coming home.

Despite insisting he wouldn’t, Qi Xu ended up returning to the Shen residence.

When he arrived, the house staff was still busy cleaning up the aftermath of that morning’s banquet. After the old man fainted, the entire household had been on edge.

Shen Zhuohai had come home with a dark cloud over his head, and the staff, sensing their employer’s foul mood, moved cautiously, afraid of triggering anything worse.

Now, seeing Young Master Xu back for the first time in ages, the veteran servants knew something major was up. The kitchen was immediately told to prepare extra dishes.

Qi Xu walked into the living room and ran into Shen Zeyu coming out of the study. He didn’t stop—just headed straight upstairs.

Whatever peace there was shattered when he came back down for dinner. Shen Zhuohai gave a sharp snort to show his displeasure. “I figured you didn’t think of this place as your home—or me as your father.”

Qi Xu noticed that none of his favorite dishes were on the table. Looked like he’d really be ordering that Crazy Thursday after all.

He sat down, disinterested. “By blood, you’ll always be my father. That’s just a fact.”

No matter how many lives he lived, he would always carry Shen blood.

Shen Zhuohai, already on edge, got even more irritated. “What, you think you can change that? I can’t even tell if you see me as your father. You really don’t want to come back to the Shen family, do you?”

Qi Xu had honestly never given it much thought—what his life would’ve looked like if he hadn’t come back.

He’d have done well on the college entrance exams, probably still gotten into Q University, and likely gone into business. Except back then, he was the one being funded, not the one with money.

Without a powerful background, he would’ve had to claw his way up. But he’d still make it—his company would’ve eventually become a major player.

And his personal life? He wasn’t big on romance. He might’ve stayed single forever, maybe adopted a cat in his later years. Then, after his death, left his fortune to charity—with a portion set aside for the cat’s remaining days.

The thought made him oddly emotional. His voice softened. “I never really thought about it like that.”

Qi Xu’s shift in tone eased some of Shen Zhuohai’s anger. He started to calm down.

After all, if Qi Xu didn’t come back to the Shen family, what were his options? Go back to that backwater village of his? His whole life would be ruined.

The Shen family could offer him a cushy life—comfort, resources, a future. Hell, even if he never worked a day in his life, they could afford to support him.

No one at the table brought up Qi Xu’s sexuality. In their circle, scandals among spoiled rich kids weren’t anything new. Even someone like Shen Zhuohai had heard plenty.

Messing around while you were young was one thing. But once it was time to settle down, you followed the rules—marry, have kids, do your duty.

Power and money always came with strings. Shen Zhuohai had already made peace with the fact that Qi Xu liked men. As far as he was concerned, it was just a phase. When the time came, he’d marry, whether he liked it or not.

Dinner was deeply uncomfortable for Qi Xu. Every bite sat in his throat like a rock—he didn’t want to swallow, but he had no choice.

Only the dessert brought him a little relief.

After dinner, things looked deceptively harmonious again. They sat together in the living room, watching TV with Zeng Yun.

Qi Xu didn’t care for dramas. He sat quietly, scrolling on his phone.

Shen Zeyu was chatting with Zeng Yun about the drama on TV, laughing and having a great time.

Suddenly, Shen Fengkai spoke up, “Is your phone really that entertaining? Can’t even spare a moment to chat with your mother?”

Qi Xu looked up at the comment. Everyone turned to him.

He didn’t want to be here to begin with, so he figured he might as well be honest. “Mom, my boyfriend’s super clingy. If I don’t go upstairs and keep him company, he’ll throw a fit.”

Zeng Yun’s smile turned awkward at the reminder that Qi Xu’s partner was a man. “Go ahead, then.”

As Qi Xu was heading upstairs, he got a message from Xie Huai.

X: [Not coming home tonight?]

Wow, what perfect timing—like a spot-check.

Mooch & Rot: [Nope.]