But business had to come first. Resigned, Lian Qing did his best to ignore the overwhelming presence beside him and continued discussing plans with Pei Yusheng.
The intel Fang Yangzhou had personally delivered was also related to Pei Xiaolin, though his sources came via Qi Jii. As expected, Pei Xiaolin had already traced actions back to Qi Jii.
This was precisely the trickiest part—Pei Yusheng didn’t fear Pei Xiaolin targeting himself, but he worried about Qi Jibeing caught in the crossfire. With a family as powerful as the Peis, an ordinary person with no background would be too easy a target if left unprotected.
Noticing Pei Yusheng’s tense mood, Fang Yangzhou added, “From another angle, what Qi Ji possesses is enough to keep him safe.”
Hearing this, Lian Qing recalled the news of the assets Pei Yusheng had granted Qi Jii. He instinctively touched his nose, remembering his initial shock—it had been as great as when he discovered the true connection between the Fang and Pei families. It finally confirmed that Pei Yusheng’s first love was real.
Though reluctant to agree with Fang Yangzhou, Lian Qing couldn’t deny the truth in his statement. Pei Yusheng had not only transferred a massive fixed asset to Qi Jibut had gone to great lengths to do so properly, employing a professional asset management agency for certification. Ownership and usage rights were legally transferred, and an additional substantial fee ensured the agency would actively manage the assets.
In effect, the agency’s responsibility extended to protecting Qi Ji himself, so regardless of what Pei Xiaolin attempted, Qi Jii’s safety—both personal and financial—was guaranteed. Day-to-day annoyances might arise, but the core threat was mitigated.
Reassured, they began planning the next steps. With three people coordinating, it was easier—they could predict Pei Xiaolin’s potential moves and devise countermeasures accordingly.
Practical measures were multifaceted: more protection around Qi Jii, supervision of the asset management agency to ensure Qi Jii’s safety, and verification of the asset transfer process to prevent any loopholes Pei Xiaolin might exploit.
The discussion lasted nearly an hour, eventually turning back to the Pei family. No matter what, the Xu family didn’t govern, and as part of Hong Kong capital, their involvement was delicate. Pei Yusheng’s approach to confronting his father still required leveraging his family’s influence.
Though Pei Yusheng had severed ties with most of the Pei family, reconciliation remained possible. The prior separation had been more about personal authority than genuine estrangement; aside from Pei Xiaolin, Pei Yusheng maintained the old relationships.
Both Fang Yangzhou and Lian Qing supported Pei Yusheng working with the family. In fact, if they could help control Pei Xiaolin, it would also aid his treatment.
“Besides, Second Brother, the momentum will increasingly be on your side,” Lian Qing said. “You don’t need to worry so much.”
Even someone as dominant as Pei Xiaolin couldn’t surpass age and physical limits.
The conversation reached a natural pause, though Pei Yusheng said little, remaining silent after Lian Qing’s reassurance. Lian Qing understood his brother’s mood and didn’t press further. Until Pei Uncle’s issues were resolved, Pei Yusheng would remain tense.
Who could truly escape the shadow of their family? Most draw strength from it, while others fight their entire lives just to survive. Lian Qing knew this all too well—his mother had died young, his father was distant, siblings quarrelsome. The warmth he received from that “home” couldn’t compare to even a fraction of what he had from Pei Yusheng.
Feeling this, Lian Qing sighed softly and reached out to pat Pei Yusheng on the shoulder.
But just as his hand extended, Fang Yangzhou intercepted, gripping Lian Qing’s forearm.
The sudden contact froze him; he recoiled as if burned, jerking his hand back. Though Fang Yangzhou immediately released him, the shock left Lian Qing on edge. He widened his eyes like a startled animal.
“What are you doing?!”
Fang Yangzhou remained composed, his handsome, cold face betraying no emotion. He stepped back and said, “Yusheng isn’t in the right state.”
“Seems like he’s drunk.”
“Huh?”
Lian Qing didn’t believe it, glancing at Pei Yusheng, who was calmly sipping his glass, showing no signs of intoxication.
“Impossible—my brother handles alcohol well.”
Having known Pei Yusheng for years, Lian Qing had rarely, if ever, seen him drunk.
Fang Yangzhou didn’t argue; he scanned the table. “What did he drink at the banquet?”
“Red wine… why?”
Lian Qing’s gaze followed to the table and the bottles.
“Damn it,” Lian Qing’s face went pale. “Whiskey? He was just drinking Lafite!”
Since Fang Yangzhou entered, a server had brought another round. Three glasses now sat on the table, but only Pei Yusheng had been drinking. The others hadn’t touched theirs.
Earlier, Lian Qing had taken care to place only red wine before Pei Yusheng. Now, distracted by Fang Yangzhou’s arrival, he hadn’t noticed Pei Yusheng had finished the red wine and returned to the Macallan whiskey.
And now, the bottle was nearly empty.
Everyone knows mixing drinks can cause intoxication; even Pei Yusheng couldn’t handle this much.
Lian Qing, previously confident, now wavered.
Seeing Pei Yusheng about to pour more, he rushed forward. “Brother! You can’t drink anymore—”
In his haste, he forgot why Fang Yangzhou had blocked him.
His hand extended, only to be caught by Pei Yusheng’s iron grip.
There was no way Lian Qing could withstand that force. Pain shot through his arm, making him cry out.
“Ouch—ouch, it hurts!”
Even a restrained Pei Yusheng could inflict severe pain; tonight, in this state, Lian Qing nearly saw stars. Fang Yangzhou reacted instantly, pressing a nerve point on Pei Yusheng’s inner arm, forcing him to release his grip.
Lian Qing’s arm had gone numb, his wrist bruised in a shocking circle of purple against pale skin. It would swell soon.
Stunned, he recalled faintly from memory: Pei Yusheng becomes extremely irritable when drunk.
Anyone approaching risks being treated as an intruder—let alone touching him. Drunk, Pei Yusheng activated a “keep away” mode, ignoring both Lian Qing and Fang Yangzhou. He even rang the server bell himself and clearly ordered, “Two bottles of whiskey.”
He still wanted to drink.
Lian Qing instinctively tried to stop him: “You can’t—”
But Pei Yusheng’s cold gaze froze him mid-sentence. Lian Qing felt helpless.
Fang Yangzhou frowned at the injured wrist. “Get someone to take Yusheng back.”
Lian Qing had no one else to consult. “We have to take him away, but who can persuade Second Brother? He won’t listen to anyone, and Aunt Pei isn’t in S City…”
Recalling past episodes when Pei Yusheng lost control due to insomnia, Lian Qing felt utterly powerless.
Then a thought struck him: Qi Jii.
When Lian Qing had come earlier, it was Qi Ji who had calmed Pei Yusheng down. Now, thinking of him as a miracle, Lian Qing said hurriedly, “I should go get Qi Jii!”
Stepping back to safety, Lian Qing triggered Pei Yusheng’s attention. He shrank behind Fang Yangzhou, then realized he’d stepped into Pei Yusheng’s gaze again, the chill of his stare crawling down his neck.
Lian Qing felt like crying. Even in summer, did he really have to face these two human air conditioners alone?!