Qi Xu felt someone tilting his chin, a cold trickle of liquid slipping into his mouth. He was too weak to open his eyes, but the sugar started to take effect. It took a while for his mind to register that he had actually passed out.
When he finally opened his eyes, Xie Huai was still gently feeding him glucose.
From four in the afternoon yesterday to now—Qi Xu glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand—it was already ten in the morning. Eighteen hours without a bite to eat. Somewhere during that stretch, he’d been given a few syringes of glucose. As for Xie Huai? He hadn’t even had a sip of water. Still, he’d had the strength to carry him from the couch to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Eighteen-year-old boys… you can’t provoke them, and you sure as hell can’t escape them.
Qi Xu’s fingers were still trembling, and his lower half—he didn’t even want to think about it. Just the slightest movement sent a deep, aching weakness shooting through his bones.
The chain had already been removed—Xie Huai, apparently satisfied after last night, had taken it off. Qi Xu had been changed into clean pajamas. It took all his strength to raise a hand and hook his finger around the collar of Xie Huai’s shirt, his voice faint but laced with irritation:
“You really tried to f*cking kill me, didn’t you?”
Xie Huai accepted the grumble with grace and responded honestly, “I wouldn’t let you die. I still plan to keep going.”
Qi Xu didn’t even get a chance to curse before Xie Huai, ever obsessed with the details, asked with maddening seriousness, “Did it feel good last night?”
Qi Xu rolled his eyes hard enough to sprain something. He didn’t bother replying—instead, he fired back, “Did it feel tight enough for you?”
Xie Huai: “…”
Qi Xu sneered. What? Can’t win with your body, might as well win with your mouth.
Truthfully, neither question needed an answer. If neither of them had enjoyed it, that box of condoms wouldn’t be half-empty.
Eventually, Xie Huai carried him to the bathroom to wash up, then downstairs for breakfast.
Qi Xu complained that Xie Huai’s thigh was too bony, and only agreed to sit once a soft cushion had been placed on the chair.
The table was covered with light, easily digestible dishes—not the time for meat or anything too greasy after eighteen hours with an empty stomach.
Qi Xu took a few sips of porridge, then set the spoon down. His tongue ached. He must’ve bitten it during the chaos.
Xie Huai noticed and poured him a cup of soy milk. Qi Xu snapped, “Can you not bite my tongue next time? I can’t eat like this.”
Xie Huai looked at him calmly. “Sorry. Got carried away.”
Qi Xu didn’t hear a shred of actual remorse in that voice. He drank the milk in annoyed little sips. “By the way, Li Kaixing told me Chuangzhi officially declared bankruptcy. The foreign investors pulled out. Place is gutted.”
Chuangzhi’s CEO, Jackson, hadn’t directly taken part in the kidnapping case—but he had tipped them off twice. That made him an accessory, one way or another.
Xie Huai’s tone was cool, almost indifferent: “They were caught evading taxes. Investors bailed as soon as the wind changed direction. No innovation, just coasting on old models—inevitable that they’d be swept away by the times.”
Li Kaixing had said Jackson had invested his own personal assets into Chuangzhi. Now that the company had gone under, he’d lost everything. On top of that, due to his involvement in a criminal case, he was deported back to his home country. No profit, total loss. Karma, plain and simple.
Qi Xu suddenly thought of something. “Did my situation cause trouble for Old Qin?”
Xie Huai reassured him, “It’s fine. My uncle’s handling things in the political circle. Besides, our issue was only one of the sparks—it’s just the tip of the iceberg. What they’re caught up in runs far deeper than we imagine.”
The Qin family was one Qi Xu had never come into direct contact with. The people guarding his hospital room back then were probably Qin family members.
Though he’d never met the Qin elders in person, he’d heard Xie Huai talk to Old Qin on the phone. The commanding presence in that old man’s voice came through even over the line—enough to make anyone instinctively sit up straighter.
One cup of soy milk was enough to fill Qi Xu up. His appetite wasn’t great, and he didn’t eat much else. Xie Huai carried him to the couch afterward.
Qi Xu lay there lazily, watching Xie Huai tap away on his laptop. He was too worn out to move, just idly scrolling on his phone when a local news notification popped up. It was about the chaos erupting over the Shen family’s baby swap scandal.
“The background in that video of Qi Guohui looks familiar… Was that Grandpa’s private fishing estate?”
Qi Xu didn’t care about the contents of the video—Qi Guohui’s words didn’t matter. It was all something he’d known deep down but had never said out loud. In his past life, the Shen family had buried that truth so deep that it never came to light before his death. Over the years, he’d lost the obsession with going public after being “reclaimed” by his birth family.
Whether or not he had been switched at birth no longer mattered. Blood ties had never meant much to him anyway.
But now, with the truth coming out—and with the distinct touch of Shen Senior’s involvement—it brought back memories of the old man’s guilty gaze in his final moments at the hospital.
Qi Xu knew then: the old man had regretted sacrificing him for the family’s survival. Ten whole years of silence and suffering.
Shen Corp was the result of Shen Senior’s lifelong devotion. He’d built skyscrapers from the ground up with his own hands. The amount of effort behind that could never be fully understood.
And yet now, Shen Senior had personally brought that empire crashing down. Everything he had built—gone in an instant.
Xie Huai glanced at Qi Xu’s phone and reached over to pull the blanket over his legs. “Grandpa found me personally, knowing I hadn’t turned Qi Guohui over to the police. He explained everything and had Qi Guohui record the truth and release it publicly.”
Qi Xu felt a tangle of emotions. Shen Senior had chosen to stand on the opposite side of his own family—for him. He didn’t know what kind of mindset the old man had at the time. Part of him even wished Shen Senior had stayed like in their past life—protecting his family’s legacy until the end.
His expression turned somber. The old Shen estate was now empty, with only the elder left behind.
Xie Huai seemed to sense what he was thinking. “Both of the elders left for vacation this morning. Off-season travel—they’ll be back around New Year’s.”
Qi Xu blinked. “Oh.” He hadn’t expected them to be so chill about it. Just up and left, no drama.
Then again, with everything so messed up, maybe leaving the cleanup to the younger generation was the smartest move.
Suddenly, Qi Xu narrowed his eyes. “So, what exactly did you do to Qi Guohui during those few days you kept him locked up?”
Xie Huai didn’t look up, still working through his files. He answered casually, “He’s alive. Handed him over to the police.”
Of course Qi Xu knew he was still alive. If he weren’t, Xie Huai wouldn’t be here acting like nothing happened. Honestly, he wouldn’t have been able to do what he did last night—he’d be in prison.
Qi Guohui had been detained privately for a few days. Qi Xu was sure Xie Huai had used some off-the-record methods. The people who knew were all Xie Huai’s most trusted, but nothing in life is absolute.
“Huai-ge,” Qi Xu said seriously, “Qi Guohui’s trash. I just… I don’t want scum like him tainting your future, even in the smallest way. You deserve better. You should shine.”
Xie Huai reached out and tilted Qi Xu’s chin up, placing a soft kiss on his lips. “Relax. I still want to mess around with you in bed for years to come. I didn’t do anything reckless.”
Qi Xu had no choice but to temporarily believe him. He did ask Lao Gao afterward, but everyone involved kept their mouths shut.
After staying at Xie Huai’s private residence for a few days, Qi Xu had fully settled into a lazy, pampered rhythm—meals served to him, clothes handed to him (and, naturally, also taken off by the one who put them on).
Xie Huai went off to work each day looking sharp and composed, while Qi Xu stayed home living the slacker life. Even though there were online meetings and documents piling up, he just didn’t have the energy for any of it. It was like someone had sucked the life out of him.
So Qi Xu decided it was time for a carefully planned jailbreak.
These past few days, Xie Huai had stopped bothering to lock him in. He could move freely around the house.
After Xie Huai kissed him goodbye on his way to work, Qi Xu watched the Maybach drive off from the window, then immediately called Xu Yichen to come pick him up.
The whole plan had been Xu Yichen’s idea to begin with, and if they got caught red-handed, Xu would take the fall.
Xu showed up not long after. Qi Xu strolled out of the house confidently—just as expected, no one stopped him. But the moment he stepped into the car, the bodyguards informed Xie Huai and began tailing them.
As soon as Qi Xu got into the car, he was surrounded and questioned from every angle. The driver stayed focused on the road while the other three gathered around him in the backseat.
Fang Qian took one look at Qi Xu and could immediately tell he’d been well taken care of—his complexion was glowing, and his lips were rosier than any lipstick she owned.
“I was thinking we’d go skiing over winter break, but guess that’ll have to wait till next year. No worries though—we’ve got plenty of time. We can plan it out properly later.”
Xu Yichen chimed in, “Skiing’s nothing. We’re gonna travel the world together.”
Then he turned to Qi Xu, eyeing him up. “Qi-shao, how’s your health? Should I have my staff arrange for a traditional Chinese medicine specialist to tag along?”
Qi Xu hadn’t seen them in a while, and their energy lifted his spirits. He rolled his eyes and fired back, “Xu-shao, you sure you’re the one living a good life? Your face is pale—you’ve been pulling too many all-nighters? Maybe you’re the one who needs some TCM.”
Xu Yichen clutched his chest like he’d been mortally wounded. That venomous tongue—so familiar. He dramatically collapsed onto Fang Qian’s shoulder like he’d been poisoned.
Jiang Zimu leaned in with concern, “Xu-ge, what’s with that redness behind your ear? Did you get injured back then? Why hasn’t it healed after so long?”
Art students really did notice all the little details.
Qi Xu had used a scarf to cover the marks on his neck, but Xie Huai had a bad habit of biting, and he hadn’t spared a single inch. The red mark behind his ear? Fresh from last night. Jiang Zimu’s eagle eyes had caught it immediately.
Xu Yichen and Fang Qian exchanged a glance—no words needed—and quickly told Jiang Zimu, “Kiddo, stop asking so many questions.”
None of the three asked about the Shen family mess. Instead, they focused entirely on Qi Xu himself. They were his friends—not because of his background, but because of him. His personality had drawn them in, not his name.
Partway through the ride, Xu Yichen’s phone rang. It was Xie Huai.
He wiggled the phone at Qi Xu and asked, “Should I answer?”
Qi Xu replied dryly, “If you don’t, we might get hit with a full-on American-style roadblock.”
Xu Yichen picked up the call anyway, grinning as he said cheekily, “Xie-shao, your boyfriend’s in my hands. If you want him back safe and sound, you’d better cover today’s expenses—or I’ll make sure he suffers.”
Qi Xu couldn’t help but laugh. Xu Yichen really came alive around an audience.
On the other end, Xie Huai replied, “Check his left pocket. My black card’s in there. All of today’s charges go on me.”
Xu Yichen had him on speaker, so Qi Xu heard everything. He raised a brow and reached into his pocket—sure enough, there it was.
When had Xie Huai slipped that in?
So the man had known all along that he’d try to break out today—and even prepared his travel funds in advance.
Gotta admit… that was ridiculously thoughtful.
Xu Yichen was speechless. “Qi Xu, wasn’t the plan only between us? Just us and the heavens? How the hell does he know everything? You’ve got no secrets left in front of him.”
Qi Xu held the black card between his fingers. “In front of a black card, secrets aren’t worth much.”
Xu Yichen let out a dramatic tsk, gave him a thumbs up, and said, “You really are something. Xie-shao’s buying today!”
Fang Qian and Jiang Zimu broke into enthusiastic applause.
Xie Huai ignored their collective chaos and spoke to Qi Xu directly. “You coming back to the high-rise tonight or the villa?”
Qi Xu thought for a second. “Haven’t been to the high-rise in a while.”
“I’ll have someone clean up the place.” On the other end, Xie Huai sounded like he was in a meeting—someone had just opened the door to his office. “No alcohol tonight. I’ll be checking.”
Xu Yichen now found himself downgraded to glorified phone stand, wincing through this syrupy couple banter.
After hanging up, he asked, “How did he check if you’d been drinking?”
Qixu answered bluntly, “He kissed me.”
The three of them: “……”
Well damn. That was a mouthful of dog food.
Xu Yichen smacked himself. Why the hell did he even ask?
When it came to food, fun, and partying, no one topped Xu Yichen.
Today’s itinerary was packed, and the first activity hit right at Qixu’s sweet spot—shooting.
The private shooting club required a special VIP card for entry, usually catering to upper-crust folks like Xu Yichen.
Xu Yichen saw Qixu staring intently at the clay pigeon launcher and raised an eyebrow. “Knew it. I just knew you’d be into shooting.”
Qixu retracted his gaze. “And how would you know that?”
Xu Yichen replied confidently, “You throw darts like a pro—clearly trained. Anyone good at darts would be into shooting or archery. It’s obvious. Plus, it’s the kind of thing you and A-Huai both like.”
To read that much from something so minor—this guy really was sharp.
Qixu chuckled. Fang Qian and Jiang Zimu were walking ahead, and he asked about Xu Yichen’s romantic progress. “Still haven’t gone through with your confession? Another year gone just like that.”
Xu Yichen deflated like a popped balloon. “I was gonna confess during a ski trip, you know? Snow all around, just the two of us, super romantic. But it got canceled again. Why does confessing become such an ordeal for me?”
Qixu thought about it. Come to think of it, most of Xu Yichen’s failed attempts kind of had something to do with him.
“Why don’t you just surprise her? Go bold. No better time than the present.”
Xu Yichen: “……”
“My only mission today was to get you out to have some fun. Now you’re telling me to confess? I’m not going in unprepared—I don’t fight battles without a plan.”
Qixu gave him a warm reminder: “Then you’d better start preparing fast—someone else might beat you to it.”
Xu Yichen followed his gaze and saw a tall man standing in front of Fang Qian, who was wearing a shooting outfit and had her hair tied up in a high ponytail. Moreover, he recognized this man.
He stormed over and stood in front of Fang Qian: “Cheng Yucheng, what’s going on?”
Cheng Yqing looked at Xu Yichen innocently: “Why are you so angry? Did I call you? I have something to discuss with Qianer.”
Xu Yichen clenched his teeth at the nickname. This man had been sitting next to Fang Qian for three years and had earned such an intimate nickname.
Fang Qian raised her hand to push Xu Yichen aside: “You’re blocking me. Cheng Yucheng has something to say.”
Xu Yichen stood still: “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Qi Xu didn’t continue listening and took Jiang Zimu to the other side.
Although Jiang Zimu was an art student, he had picked up a little of everything from spending so much time with the four of them, but he wasn’t proficient in any of it. For example, his cousin’s karate, he had learned to intimidate people with his aura; Xu Yichen’s spending money like water, he had learned to turn off the faucet; Xie Huai’s shooting, he had learned to hold a gun.
Qi Xu watched Jiang Zimu hold the gun with a standard posture, clearly a seasoned pro.
A loud bang, and the bullet missed the target.
Qi Xu forced a smile, not laughing out loud, and encouraged him, saying his posture was beautiful.
Just as he was about to lower his head to reload the gun, a man walked up behind him and struck up a conversation: “Hello, is this your first time here?”
Qi Xu, dressed in shooting attire, stood out among the crowd with his narrow waist, long legs, and youthful vigor.
He replied, “Yes, it is.”
The man smiled, casually revealing the honors on his custom shooting attire. This was a shooting competition organized by the club, and he had achieved remarkable results.
“It’s not easy to get the hang of it on your first try. For example, the gun you’re holding isn’t suitable for beginners. I’m a regular at the club, so if you need help, I can give you some guidance.”
Qi Xun politely declined: “No, thank you.”
The screen displayed ten consecutive bullseyes, drawing the attention of the entire venue.
After dealing with Cheng Yuching, Xu Yichen turned around to see an even more serious scene: “Wow, my Qi Xuwan is too charismatic. Wait, Ah Hui’s position seems a bit endangered.”
