When they arrived at the vineyard estate for the wine tasting, the cold wind had Xu Yichen shivering so hard that Qi Xu could actually hear his teeth chattering beside him.
“You might want to get back in the car and put on another coat—don’t chip your teeth.”
Xu Yichen couldn’t take it anymore. He turned around, rummaged through the car, and pulled out a long down jacket that covered him from head to toe. The warmth felt like heaven.
Tonight’s wine-tasting event was hosted by a group of rich second-generation heirs, including Xu Yichen’s friend Zhang Xinping. He’d sent Xu Yichen an invitation and asked him to bring a few friends to liven up the scene.
Being the social butterfly that he was, Xu Yichen had no shortage of friends. A single message in the group chat, and every young master and heiress who was free instantly responded.
But when it came to real friends, there were only a few: Xie Huai and their circle. Fang Qian didn’t like such gatherings, so she stayed home; Jiang Zimu was caught up in a burst of artistic inspiration and locked away painting. Xie Huai hadn’t replied to any of Xu Yichen’s messages—he’d gone to the Qin family, which Qi Xu had been the one to mention.
Qi Xu glanced at the rare vintages displayed at the entrance, the ones prepared for the auction. These rich kids had clearly brought out their family’s best stock.
Inside, everyone was dressed to the nines—no one else had shown up bundled in a puffer coat like Qi Xu.
When he turned around, he noticed that Xu Yichen had somehow ditched his down jacket and was now proudly showing off his carefully chosen leather jacket.
And there he goes again, trying to look cool.
It was warm inside thanks to the central heating, so Qi Xu also took off his coat, revealing a cream-colored sweater underneath. But he kept his scarf on.
From the upper floor, Zhang Xinping spotted Xu Yichen’s arrival. “Yichen’s here—with a friend. I’d better go say hello.”
Everyone assumed Xu Yichen’s “friend” meant Xie Huai and his crowd, so a group of them followed downstairs. But instead of seeing Xie Huai, they found a not-quite-unfamiliar face.
After a bit of friendly teasing between Xu Yichen and Zhang Xinping—mostly about how Xu Yichen had once tried secretly refilling wine bottles with water only to get caught by his dad and lose a month’s allowance—Zhang Xinping turned to greet Qi Xu.
He genuinely respected Qi Xu. Family background aside, Qi Xu had impressed him back during that yacht “reshuffling” incident, and the fact that he didn’t cling to the Shen family made him even more intriguing.
“I didn’t see you at Uncle Xu’s banquet recently. Yichen said you were on a business trip? Must’ve been a big project if they sent you personally.”
Before Qi Xu could answer, someone behind Zhang Xinping gave him a probing look. “I heard the Shen Corporation had major upheavals recently. Did the Shen family hand you a project during that time?”
“You probably haven’t handled those before, right? Want some pointers? We’d be happy to share our experience.”
With Shen Zhuohai demoted, Shen Fengkai promoted to VP, and Shen Zhuohong recalled to the country, Qi Xu—a previously unacknowledged son—now had the chance to step into the family’s business.
They saw it as pure dumb luck.
And yes, they were jealous. Six months ago, he’d been a rural nobody, and now he was stepping into an empire. Every single one of them had fought tooth and nail against their own siblings to earn a shot at inheriting their families’ companies.
But they would never begrudge someone like Xie Huai or Xu Yichen or Zhang Xinping—their families were equally powerful. It was expected that they’d excel. Qi Xu, though? They still looked down on him.
Now here he was at their wine event with Xu Yichen. Could he even taste wine properly? Could he tell one from another?
Their words sounded polite on the surface, but Qi Xu heard the mockery clearly—this was the highborn, patronizing tone of someone “generously” acknowledging an outsider.
This was exactly why, in his previous life, he had avoided this circle. After being set up once, he’d decided all so-called rich-kid circles were rotten.
He admitted it was a bias, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. Like they say: You are who you surround yourself with.
Then again, the people around Xie Huai weren’t like that.
Human nature has many faces—Qi Xu understood that. But that didn’t mean he had to respect it.
“It’s not a Shen project, and I’m not in Shen Corporation.” Qi Xu casually took a glass of champagne from a passing tray. “Save your little tricks for someone else. They don’t work on everyone.”
He might not know these guys personally, but he knew plenty about the families behind them.
In his previous life, Qi Xu had dealt with plenty of their fathers. By the time those men reached retirement age, their heirs were still useless. The families were huge, full of half-siblings and illegitimate children, constantly scheming against each other. Even at a simple family dinner, they’d bribe the kitchen staff just to sabotage their brothers and sisters.
Li Kaixing used to gossip about that kind of stuff all the time; he probably knew more about these wealthy clans’ dirty laundry than the young masters themselves.
Xu Yichen openly sided with Qi Xu now:
“Learn from them? Please. Even the Monkey King needed eighty-one trials to reach enlightenment. Follow these guys, and you’d never get there in a lifetime.”
The faces around them instantly darkened. They didn’t dare blow up at him—Xu Yichen’s presence kept them in check—but they were clearly holding a grudge, already waiting for a chance to watch Qi Xu slip up later.
Pulling Qi Xu aside to the bar, Xu Yichen muttered, “What the hell is wrong with these people? Zhang Xinping’s wine parties are getting more lowbrow every time. I’m skipping the next one.”
Qi Xu calmed him down: “Forget it. Don’t waste energy on them. If I need to ‘learn from anyone,’ it’ll be you guys.”
Xu Yichen blinked, realizing something: “Wait, why are you comforting me? Why aren’t you mad?”
“Anger hurts the liver,” Qi Xu said lightly. “I’m trying to live a long life. Not worth it.”
Xu Yichen took a deep breath. “You’re right. Can’t get mad, can’t die young. I haven’t even confessed yet.”
The wine tasting hadn’t officially started, so Xu Yichen dragged Qi Xu around the venue. Qi Xu grabbed a small pastry to fill his stomach.
Then his phone buzzed—Xie Huai’s message:
X: [Don’t drink too much. I’ll pick you up later and take you home.]
Xu Yichen glanced at the screen, tone turning teasing: “Wow. He doesn’t even trust me to drop you off? Has to come get you himself?”
Qi Xu smirked. “He’s probably afraid you’ll get drunk, cling to a bottle, and start calling out random names.”
He lowered his head to reply, not noticing someone unexpected walk in.
Shen Zeyu’s appearance caused a ripple through the crowd. First, because he hadn’t shown up at any social events in a long time. Second, because ever since withdrawing from school, he’d basically vanished from public view—nearly a month without being seen.
He’d been dragged here by cousins from the Zeng family. The once-spirited younger cousin had turned reclusive, staying home all day. They couldn’t stand watching him waste away and insisted on bringing him out.
The Zeng family wasn’t on the Shen family’s level, but they weren’t insignificant either. Attending a wine tasting like this was well within their social reach.
Just then, Xu Yichen accidentally nudged Qi Xu’s hand, making him hit “send” on his phone. A big red heart emoji flew out.
“Uh?” Qi Xu froze.
Xu Yichen grimaced. “Ugh, I should’ve known. I never should’ve come tonight. If I’d realized these people would be here, I’d rather risk my dad’s wrath, sneak into our wine cellar, and bring a few bottles to your place instead.”
Qi Xu looked up at him, then glanced toward the entrance where the newcomers stood. He recognized the group around Shen Zeyu—they were Zeng family juniors.
In his previous life, he hadn’t been particularly close to the Zengs. The only time he visited was during New Year, when Zeng Yun would bring them to the family home.
Unlike the Shens, the Zeng family had never mocked or humiliated him. They treated him politely, as if he were any other guest—cordial greetings, a meal, and then everyone went their own way.
Those New Year visits were some of the few normal holidays Qi Xu had experienced. After his relationship with the Shen family deteriorated, even that stopped.
“Everyone’s allowed to come to a party,” Qi Xu said calmly, glancing back at his phone. He tried to retract the accidental heart emoji but the time window had already passed. Xie Huai hadn’t responded yet.
Shen Zeyu and the Zeng cousins also noticed Qi Xu by the bar. Although Zeng Yun hadn’t formally brought him into the family, they had all seen Qi Xu at Shen family banquets before.
It was also their first time seeing how Qi Xu actually handled people—clearly not someone who would let himself be pushed around.
“I told you we shouldn’t have come here,” a Zeng cousin muttered quietly. “We should’ve just booked a bowling alley.”
Her older brother patted her head. “Next time. For now, we need to make introductions later.”
“Introduce him to who?” she whispered.
The Zeng juniors didn’t know why Shen Zeyu had dropped out of school. The legal trouble had been kept quiet—Zeng Yun had spun it as a “health issue” even to her own family.
The Zengs started to approach Qi Xu to greet him, but Shen Zeyu shook his head.
“You guys go. Second Brother probably doesn’t want to see me.”
In the end, the Zeng family didn’t make contact. They acted as though they didn’t know him—keeping their distance, minding their own business.
That alone was enough to give the onlookers some gossip material.
When the wine tasting began, everyone took their seats. Xu Yichen made sure to sit Qi Xu at a table surrounded entirely by their own friends—a safe zone.
Qi Xu’s attention was entirely on the wine. After tasting two varieties, he kept glancing at the table, wondering if they’d open one of those collector-level bottles.
On stage, the vineyard’s foreign representative was introducing a few newly released wines. Bored, Qi Xu casually speared a slice of prosciutto-wrapped melon and popped it into his mouth.
Another new bottle appeared, and his eyes lit up again.
This wasn’t just a straightforward tasting—too dull for that. The organizers had arranged several wine-themed games, and the blindfolded wine-guessing contest was by far the most popular.
“Qi Xu, this must be your first wine-tasting event, right? Want to get up there and play? Makes it feel more immersive,” said one of the same people who had mocked him earlier.
His friend chimed in:
“Yeah, first time? Even better—makes for a memorable experience. Need me to take a picture for you?”
“Don’t worry if you get it wrong,” another added with a patronizing smile. “You’ve probably never had wine this good before, so it’s understandable.”
“Qi Xu was always a good student—he didn’t drink back then.”
What was just a quiet jab earlier had now turned into public humiliation. They knew Qi Xu had no experience with fine wine, and that’s exactly why they were trying to push him onstage—to make a fool of him.
Zhang Xinpeng had already warned them not to mess with Qi Xu. They agreed on the surface, but clearly didn’t take it to heart. Now they were back at it with their smug sarcasm.
His expression had darkened. If he or his associates had any stake in this wine event, he would’ve already blown up at them.
Xu Yichen, annoyed, set down his wine glass. Before he could say anything, Shen Zeyu—seated not far away—stood up and said, “I’ll guess for Second Brother.”
His cousin tried to pull him back. “Why are you going up there? No one called you. And it’s not like he even appreciates it.”
Qi Xu hadn’t looked at them even once.
Shen Zeyu said plainly, “They’re bullying Second Brother.”
The guy leading the provocation laughed and said, “Come on, we’re just joking. Calling it bullying is too much. Qi Xu shouldn’t take it so seriously, right?”
Qi Xu finally spoke up. “I don’t mind idiots talking. It’s not their fault they were born stupid.”
The man’s face twisted in anger. No longer bothering to pretend, he shot back, “Trying to save face, huh? What, you think you’re somebody now? Just a peasant pretending to be a phoenix. Shen Zeyu grew up with elite education and still walks up to the stage with grace. And you? Can’t even do that? What makes you so precious, you broke little poser?”
It was a stupid move—trying to insult Qi Xu while dragging Shen Zeyu down too. A slap to the entire Shen family.
The Zeng family immediately stood up for Shen Zeyu.
“Chen Jiaming, no need to be so nasty. It’s just a wine tasting. You think we actually care about this event? That invitation came from your side, remember?”
Now it had become a game of family status. Some minor families even lower than the Zengs kept quiet, watching from the sidelines to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Chen Jiaming didn’t really care about the Zeng family, but since their families had business ties, he decided not to escalate.
“Fine, my bad. I’ll avoid dragging your family into it. I just can’t stand one particular person—rude, no manners, born in some mountain village.”
That was a direct shot.
Qi Xu put down his fork, though he resisted the urge to throw it. With his aim, it would’ve left a hole in Chen Jiaming’s face.
“You don’t like me, but you can’t do a damn thing about it. What’s wrong? Want to take me out?”
Chen Jiaming forced a smile, all fake charm. “I’m no criminal. Unlike you, who goes around beating people up when you’re in a bad mood. You beat Song Ruoming so badly he had to leave the country. Then what? Disappeared without a trace, hiding behind your Shen family bloodline like it’s a shield.”
The whole room stirred—so it was true. Song Ruoming’s sudden departure abroad had Qi Xu written all over it.
Xu Yichen was furious. He was about to lose it, but Qi Xu held him back. This wasn’t the time or place to throw punches.
Qi Xu glanced at both Chen Jiaming and Shen Zeyu. So that’s what this was. One plays good cop, the other bad cop. What a show.
Song Ruoming—he’d almost forgotten that guy.
“And now you’re suddenly trying to stand up for Song Ruoming? Bit late for that, don’t you think? Where were you when he was getting wrecked by bullying scandals all over campus?”
Qi Xu didn’t deny he was behind the move that forced Song Ruoming overseas. His frankness actually shifted the mood in the room.
Right. Song Ruoming was sent away because of a scandal. If he didn’t do something wrong, why the rush to get rid of him?
Chen Jiaming didn’t think Song Ruoming was at fault. After all, no one died, and it’s not like Song forced anyone to jump off a building.
“So you’re saying you leaked that scandal?”
He was waiting for that question. Qi Xu just shrugged. “All I did was throw a little money at those articles to help them hit the headlines. I can do the same for you when you have your own little scandal someday. Sound fair?”
It was true—he had paid to boost those stories, though the actual payment had been handled by Xie Huai. But it made a great line.
A few people around the room couldn’t help but laugh into their hands.
Chen Jiaming couldn’t take the humiliation. He stormed toward Qi Xu. Zhang Xinpeng tried to block him but failed.
No one stopped Qi Xu—he was too busy holding back Xu Yichen, who was clearly ready to explode. This guy had been like a lit fuse all night.
Now Qi Xu finally understood why, in a past life, he and Xu Yichen had ended up fighting. Two walking sticks of dynamite—of course they’d blow up when they collided.
“He’s not talking about you,” Qi Xu said calmly. “He’s talking about me.”
Xu Yichen gritted his teeth. “I was standing up for you. That idiot actually had the nerve to bring up Song Ruoming—watch me beat the crap out of him.”
Qi Xu said quietly, “Taking him down isn’t hard. Just don’t fall for his setup.”
Someone had managed to block Chen Jiaming before he could reach Qi Xu and start a fight. Almost ruined the plan—his plan. Chen Jiaming wanted to provoke Qi Xu into striking first so he’d have the perfect excuse to hit back.
“Qi Xu, are you even a man?” he goaded loudly. “All talk, no guts. Didn’t they say your adoptive father raised you well? Helped you get into Q University, raised you like both a dad and a mom? Is this how you repay him?”
That was it—clearly someone had tipped him off. He hit the exact trigger point.
Qi Xu’s face darkened. He picked up a wine bottle and walked toward Chen Jiaming. The latter’s smirk widened—he thought he had succeeded.
Xu Yichen quickly threw his arms around Qi Xu’s waist. “Whoa, whoa—chill! Didn’t you say now’s not the time to throw punches?”
Two hotheads trying to hold each other back—only this time, the bigger bomb was definitely Qi Xu.
Xu Yichen couldn’t hold him. Qi Xu, with his natural strength, broke free and marched toward Chen Jiaming, wine bottle in hand.
A fight was about to erupt. Most of the onlookers were more interested in watching the drama than stopping it.
Chen Jiaming raised his fists defensively, and as Qi Xu lifted the bottle, he drew his arm back to punch.
But in the next second, someone stepped in front of Qi Xu and grabbed Chen Jiaming’s arm.
Qi Xu froze when he saw the familiar figure. Then, wordlessly, he tossed the wine bottle to the ground.
The sharp shatter of glass snapped everyone out of it. Once they saw who had arrived, the crowd swarmed—some to hold people back, some to defuse the tension.
Chen Jiaming’s face turned pale the moment he saw Xie Huai. The grip on his arm felt like it came from a steel clamp—his bones might as well have shattered like the glass on the floor.
Dressed in a long black coat, Xie Huai stood cold and aloof, his sharp features exuding quiet authority. His eyes, when turned on Chen Jiaming, were icy enough to chill the whole room.
He rarely showed up to second-gen social events like this. Most people who invited Xu Yichen were just hoping he’d bring Xie Huai along. Nine times out of ten, he declined. The one or two times he did come, he barely made an appearance.
One of Chen Jiaming’s friends forced a smile. “Young Master Xie! You’re here! The wine tasting’s still going on—why not join us for a few glasses?”
Xie Huai didn’t answer.
Chen Jiaming’s face went a few shades whiter.
They were starting to get a sense of why he’d shown up. Still trying to ease the tension, someone said:
“Jiaming was just messing around with Qi Xu. It was all in good fun—no one was really gonna throw punches.”
Why wasn’t Chen Jiaming saying anything? Because the pain in his arm was so intense he couldn’t get a word out. A fine sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead, soaking through the inner lining of his shirt.
Xie Huai finally let go. Chen Jiaming stumbled back, practically collapsing into the arms of his friend behind him.
Without sparing him another glance, Xie Huai turned to Qi Xu.
Qi Xu met his eyes calmly and said, “Didn’t hit anyone. I just wanted to ask Young Master Chen how much that bottle costs. My hand slipped, and it dropped.”
That move earlier didn’t look anything like someone trying to ask about a wine price—especially with half the room watching.
But no one said a word.
Xie Huai finally spoke his first sentence of the evening.
“Messing around? What exactly were you playing at?”
Backed now by Xie Huai, Xu Yichen’s voice grew louder. “That dumbass tried to force Qi Xu into playing the blind wine guessing game. When Qi Xu declined, he started throwing shade, accusing him of bullying and dragging up old stuff—his words got nastier and nastier. I was gonna hit him, but Qi Xu stopped me. Then Qi Xu was about to hit him, and you stopped him. Only casualty is that bottle on the floor.”
Xie Huai looked at the wine set on stage and said coolly, “Young Master Chen wants to play? Then I’ll gladly keep you company.”
He waved a server over to bring all the wines down from the stage, then casually tossed an eye mask at Chen Jiaming.
“You know your own family’s wines so well—no need to re-taste them, right?”
Chen Jiaming couldn’t figure out where this was going but still played along, wearing a smile. “I can start right away.”
With the blindfold on, Xie Huai personally mixed the wines—ten of them—all into a single glass. He left just one bottle untouched.
He laid the rules out plainly. “This glass contains ten of the wines. One is missing. You just need to tell me which one didn’t make it in. If you get it wrong—keep drinking.”
The wine glass was nearly filled to the brim—just one sip of that blend of ten different wines would be enough to knock someone out cold.
The moment Xie Huai spoke, the room rippled with shock. It finally dawned on everyone—he was standing up for Qi Xu.
They didn’t know why, but his intention was clear the moment he appeared: stepping in like a divine soldier descending from the heavens to shield Qi Xu.
