Before Zhou Ziheng left, he still handed Xia Xiqing the key card to his apartment.
Neither could articulate a proper reason for giving or receiving the key, yet Xia Xiqing inexplicably accepted it.
For the first time, Xia Xiqing felt the apartment was so large—vastly empty, even though his own home was similarly spacious. Sitting on Zhou Ziheng’s black sofa, he obediently took every pill Zhou had set aside for him. Whether it was the medicine or not, he suddenly felt sleepy again, his whole body sluggish. Too lazy to go back, he ended up spending the night in Zhou Ziheng’s bedroom.
The next morning, he woke up unusually early. Xia Xiqing had intended to head straight back, but remembering Zhou Ziheng’s instructions, he conscientiously ate breakfast and some fruit. While showering, he noticed his body had recovered significantly—Zhou Ziheng’s medicine seemed to be working after all.
Except… Xia Xiqing shifted awkwardly before the mirror. The trail of kiss marks across his back was completely out of reach. How was he supposed to apply medicine there?
Just as he considered messaging Zhou Ziheng to complain, he remembered the guy was currently grounded.
Boring.
With Zhou Ziheng gone, it felt like his very essence had been drained. Nothing held any appeal anymore.
Only the prospect of retaliation could spark his interest now.
When Ruan Xiao called, Xia Xiqing was slightly puzzled but guessed her purpose. The moment she appeared at that dinner, he’d figured out her identity—after all, there was only one major player in this circle with the surname Ruan.
“Xiqing, I heard Wei Min got hospitalized after Ziheng beat him up?”
Xia Xiqing hummed in acknowledgment, methodically buttoning his shirt.
“The Wei family wants to stir trouble now. After all, Zhou Ziheng is a public figure—they can use this as leverage. Though the Zhou family holds significant power, it’s not impossible for them to make waves. After all, netizens these days jump at any hint of scandal.“ Ruan Xiao seemed to be walking somewhere, someone greeting her as she went. She responded politely, ”Plus, the Zhong and Wei families are jointly developing a project now. They’re practically grasshoppers on the same boat.”
“What kind of project?” Xia Xiqing buttoned his shirt all the way up, yet the kiss mark on his neck remained visible.
“A commercial complex development. I don’t know the specifics—it’s not within my family’s business scope.” Ruan Xiao sighed. “If only there were a real estate company right now that could take Wei’s place. Preferably one with deep pockets, willing to throw money at it to push him out. The head of the Zhong family wouldn’t turn down money.”
No sooner had she finished than Xia Xiqing chuckled softly. Ruan Xiao was puzzled and about to ask what was so funny when Xia Xiqing spoke calmly, “There is one. A real estate development company, in fact.”
“What?” Ruan Xiao was baffled. Could Xia Xiqing be referring to Zhou Ziheng’s brother? But wasn’t Zhou Zijin in finance?
“Huanya.”
Ruan Xiao gasped. Huanya? “Isn’t Huanya owned by Xia Yunkai… Xia? Are you Xia Yunkai’s…”
“Correct. Though I’d rather not admit it, I am indeed his son—and currently Huanya’s largest shareholder after him.”
Ruan Xiao was speechless for a moment. Though she’d always thought Xia Xiqing looked like someone who wasn’t exactly short on money, he was so low-key, never mentioning his family. Combined with his artistic aura, it was impossible to imagine he was actually a second-generation heir.
“I thought you came from a middle-class family… Now that I think about it, you do resemble Uncle Xia quite a bit…”
Xia Xiqing frowned. “No, I’m nothing like him. He saw my pursuit of art as a failure, so he never mentioned I was his son to anyone. In the industry, people only ever saw his younger son.”
Ruan Xiao sighed. She’d seen her fair share of messy family dramas like this. Regardless, now that Xia Xiqing had laid his cards on the table, Wei Min was as good as finished. “Goodness, if Wei Min knew he drugged Xia Yunkai’s son, he’d probably cry his eyes out.” While this project is officially billed as a Zhong-Wei collaboration, I hear there’ll still be a bidding process. You guys get involved, and I’ll give it a nudge from my end—the Zhong family will ditch Wei Min like a discarded pawn in no time.”
Ruan Xiao’s analysis hit the nail on the head, each point striking a chord with him. Xia Xiqing changed his mind and decided to visit the company he’d never set foot in before to handle this matter.
This was his first visit to the company since returning to China. Though he’d always disdained being labeled “Xia Yunkai’s son,” it would be a shame not to exploit someone who’d failed to fulfill even the slightest paternal responsibility throughout his entire life.
Xia Xiqing initially considered taking the flashiest yellow supercar from the garage, but then reconsidered. After all, he was now something of a minor public figure, and with upcoming filming alongside Zhou Ziheng, it was best to avoid unnecessary trouble.
The Media Asia building wasn’t far from his home. From the floor-to-ceiling windows of Xia Xiqing’s residence, the tallest structure was clearly visible. Rarely wearing sunglasses, he sported an outfit that screamed second-generation heir. Tossing his keys into the receptionist’s arms, he slipped his hands into his pockets and strode through the company entrance, heading straight for the most attractive receptionist at the front desk.
“Hello, sir. How may I assist you?” The receptionist smiled warmly, though her gaze carried a hint of recognition—she’d likely vaguely recognized him.
“I’m here to see Xia Yunkai.”
“Xia…” The receptionist fell silent upon hearing the company president’s name. “Um… Do you have an appointment?”
“No.” Xia Xiqing’s fingers tapped lightly on the marble countertop, his expression indifferent.
The receptionist offered an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid our chairman is extremely busy, sir. Appointments are required for meetings.” She produced a notepad and fountain pen, holding them out to Xia Xiqing. “Perhaps you could leave your contact details and the nature of your business? We’ll convey your message or notify you when the chairman’s schedule permits.”
“Is that so?” Xia Xiqing chuckled softly, twirling the pen in his hand. “When he created me, he didn’t bother scheduling an appointment either.”
Pushing his sunglasses up onto his forehead to reveal a pair of striking almond-shaped eyes, Xia Xiqing tapped the pen on the memo pad as if testing the ink. Seeing the receptionist frozen in place, he nodded toward the internal phone on her desk. “Go tell him now. His son’s here to cause trouble.”
The receptionist nodded frantically, dialed the number, and answered while glancing at Xia Xiqing, who remained bowed over his pen. The chairman’s assistant on the other end initially dismissed it as nonsense and scolded her. But after the receptionist described Xia Xiqing’s appearance, there was a few seconds of silence.
“Have him come up.”
Hanging up, the receptionist exhaled in relief.
“Um… Mr. Xia, the Chairman requests you proceed directly to the 28th floor. Someone will meet you at the elevator.”
Xia Xiqing offered her an exceptionally gentle smile, murmured a quiet “thank you,” then slipped on his sunglasses. Just as he lifted his foot to leave, he turned back, a look of recollection on his face. “Oh, right. You’re quite diligent in your work—worthy of praise. But…” He adjusted his sunglasses and lowered his voice. “Whatever you do, don’t mention on Weibo that you saw Xia Xiqing. This is a bribe.” He smiled as he tore off the page from the memo pad, pressing it forward with his index finger toward the receptionist.
“Got it.”
With that, Xia Xiqing left the front desk and walked straight to the corner elevator.
The receptionist flipped over the memo page. To her surprise, it featured a cute cartoon sketch of a girl dressed just like her.
So he really was that artist guy from the internet! And he was the chairman’s son!
The receptionist clutched the small paper excitedly, zoning out for the rest of the morning, unable to focus on work.
Xia Xiqing rode the elevator to the top floor. As soon as he stepped out, he saw a tall woman standing respectfully with a cold expression. “Young Master Xia, I’m Angelica, the Chairman’s assistant. This way, please.”
Too lazy for small talk, Xia Xiqing followed her to Xia Yunkai’s office. Angelica pushed open the door, announced his arrival, and Xia Xiqing walked in. Xia Yunkai stood facing the floor-to-ceiling windows. Hearing the movement, he turned and flashed Xia Xiqing a warm smile—a smile that made him cringe.
“I won’t beat around the bush. There’s no need for us to put on some act of deep father-son affection.” Xia Xiqing, radiating a rogue-like aura, sat down directly in the swivel chair opposite Xia Yunkai’s desk, casually resting his feet on the desk. “I want Huanya involved in the Zhong-Wei family joint venture project.”
Xia Yunkai’s brow furrowed. “Zhong Chi’s project?”
“Exactly.” Xia Xiqing removed his glasses and twirled them on his finger, tilting his head up to grin at Xia Yunkai standing to his left. “Actually, no. I don’t want Huanya to participate. I want Huanya to kick Wei Min’s team out and take their place.”
Hearing Wei Min’s name, Xia Yunkai walked over and sat across from him. “Was the Zhou family’s second son beating someone up the other day related to you? Are you trying to cover for him?”
Xia Xiqing paused twirling his sunglasses, letting out a cold laugh. “Actually, it was him defending me that landed that bastard Wei Min in the hospital.” He surveyed the enormous office. “Sitting in this fancy office every day, you probably don’t even know your son nearly got drugged and raped.”
Seeing Xia Yunkai’s expression darken, Xia Xiqing chuckled again. “Don’t get worked up. It was attempted rape. I wouldn’t embarrass you that badly.” “Young Master Zhou stood up for me, and I’m genuinely grateful. But…” His fingers fiddled with the diamond-encrusted temple of his sunglasses. “For scum like that, a beating alone won’t suffice.”
Xia Yunkai fell silent for a moment. “Regarding this project, I’ll have someone look into it…”
“You think I came here to discuss?” Xia Xiqing’s tone turned icy instantly. Rising, he pressed his hand on the tabletop. “You owe me so much. Now I’m giving you a chance to repay me…” He curved his lips, those beautiful eyes—exactly like his mother’s—cold and mesmerizing. “Dad, shouldn’t you cherish this opportunity?”
Seeing the expression on Xia Yunkai’s face shift from surprise to resignation, Xia Xiqing finally let out a laugh. His eyes flickered toward the stacks of golf clubs behind Xia Yunkai’s desk, and he let out a disapproving “tsk.”
“If you ask me, Zhou Ziheng is hopelessly inexperienced. How could he resort to fists? He ended up covered in injuries himself. If it were me—” Xia Xiqing’s gaze returned to Xia Yunkai—“I’d use a golf club, of course. One solid swing to the head, and half his life would be gone.”
Xia Yunkai’s eyes darted away so obviously that Xia Xiqing felt he’d killed two birds with one stone, a satisfying feeling. Before leaving, Xia Yunkai gave him the project manager’s contact information.
Wei Min’s company was a subsidiary of his father, Wei Cheng’s, and all its external loans came from his father’s influence. Yet even that parent company couldn’t hold a candle to Media Asia, let alone Wei Min’s makeshift operation. Zhong Chi was the sharpest of them all. Now that Media Asia had extended an olive branch, he’d happily discarded Wei Min like a rotten pawn.
On the third day, Xia Xiqing watched as the Zhong family representative finalized the contract with Media Asia. He then rode directly in Xia Yunkai’s assistant’s car to the private hospital where Wei Min was recuperating. This hospital exclusively catered to high-profile clients—essentially, those with connections and privileged backgrounds.
Coincidentally, Media Asia had invested in this very hospital. Though the lobby manager didn’t recognize Xia Xiqing’s identity, he immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Angelica.
“We’d like to see Mr. Wei. Could you tell us which ward he’s in?”
The manager nodded repeatedly, his face beaming. “I’ll take you both there right away.” Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the young man behind Angelica—dressed in a black suit, wearing dark sunglasses, and holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. He felt vaguely familiar, yet couldn’t quite place him.
“This is the place.” He led them to the door of a luxurious suite. “Shall I notify him for you?”
“No need.” Angelica offered a professional smile. “Manager Wu, I actually came to discuss follow-up investments with you. Let’s step aside to talk.”
With the chairman’s assistant speaking so directly, the manager dared not refuse. He nodded in agreement, watching as the young gentleman with the bouquet pushed open the ward door and stepped inside, closing it behind him in an instant.
Only after following Angelica out of the VIP area did he suddenly sense something amiss. The bouquet that young master held didn’t look like something for visiting a patient at all—it was filled with pristine white chrysanthemums, more fitting for a funeral.
Unable to provoke the Xia family’s wealthy patron, the manager broke out in a cold sweat. He could only wish the young master of the Wei family good luck—he wasn’t exactly a saint himself.
Upon entering the ward, Wei Min lay on his bed watching a movie, utterly relaxed. Hearing the commotion, he bellowed, “Hey! You nurse! Why’ve you been gone so long? Get over here and raise this bed! Can’t you see the young master’s watching a movie? You useless idiot! If you can’t do your job, get lost!”
Xia Xiqing said nothing. With steady steps, he walked past the outer room of the suite and approached Wei Min’s bedside. This arrogant little bastard didn’t even bother to look up at the visitor. Xia Xiqing quietly removed his sunglasses and hung them on his chest before reaching out to adjust the bed frame.
“Is this better?”
“A bit too high…” Wei Min suddenly realized the voice sounded wrong. But with his head immobilized from injury, he could only squint his eyes wide to focus. Xia Xiqing placed the white chrysanthemums on the table, leaned in close to him with thoughtful care, and pinched his chin. “See clearly now? Do you like it?”
“Xia… Xia… Xia Xiqing?!” Wei Min recoiled as if seeing a ghost, his voice trembling. “How… how could you be here?!”
“Eh? Don’t you like it?” Xia Xiqing’s eyes crinkled slightly, his smile soft. “Didn’t Young Master Wei take a liking to my face?”
His grip loosened as his eyes drifted to the fruit knife on the nightstand. “Since I’m here, I might as well bring Young Master Wei a fruit basket. How about this—I’ll peel an apple for you myself.”
Saying this, he selected the reddest apple and sat on the bedside, peeling it meticulously. Long strips of peel piled up, falling onto the white quilt. As he peeled, those beautiful eyes scanned Wei Min from head to toe. Lying motionless on the bed, his arms were broken, his legs in slings, and his face was so badly bruised it made one queasy. “Tsk, Zhou Ziheng really went all out. Never would’ve guessed he was this kind of person. He was so sweet and obedient in front of me.”
“You… you two are definitely having an affair!” Wei Min was both furious and terrified. “Did he let you in? I’m telling you, if you dare do anything to me, I’ll make sure Zhou Ziheng pays. I’ll find a reporter. I’ll destroy his reputation!”
The continuous stream of fruit peel suddenly halted. Xia Xiqing’s brows furrowed, revealing a look of profound displeasure. “You think you can?”
His aura instantly cowed Wei Min. Though frightened, Wei Min reminded himself that he was a prominent figure in Beijing. Even if the Zhou family wielded immense power, could they really kill him? And who the hell was this Xia Xiqing? Some worthless painter daring to act so arrogant.
“Not only will I try, but I said I’d ruin his reputation, and that’s exactly what I’ll do! What bullshit perfect persona? I’ll tear it to shreds… Ah!”
A scream replaced Wei Min’s threats. His pupils dilated in terror as he trembled, staring at Xia Xiqing’s hand gripping the fruit knife.
“You… you…”
Blood began seeping through the quilt. Xia Xiqing deftly pulled the knife free, his utterly innocent face fixed on the speechless Wei Min as he spoke with a slow, measured smile.
“You said you have such great taste. Out of a hundred people at the banquet, you just had to want to fuck Xia Yunkai’s son?”
“Xia… Xia Yunkai?” Wei Min was so shocked he forgot the pain. “How could that be… You’re…”
Xia Xiqing pressed hard on the bloodstain through the quilt, making Wei Min scream in pain.
“I studied painting, so I know a thing or two about the human body. Next time, I won’t be so gentle—I’ll just stab you in the groin.” Xia Xiqing tossed the bloodied fruit knife onto the table with a sharp clang. He stood up, pulling a handkerchief from his chest to meticulously wipe the blood from his hands.
“If you still harbor any delusions about going after Zhou Ziheng,” Xia Xiqing bent down, giving Wei Min’s revolting face a slap, his smile cruel and beautiful, “whether it’s your project, your money, or that thing down there…”
“I’ll make sure it vanishes completely.”
Author’s Note:
…………………Hengheng under house arrest………………
Dad: Have you learned your lesson? You actually hit someone this time?! Have you forgotten every single family rule? Will there be a next time?
Hengheng: I’ll hit you every single time I see you. [Stubborn]
Brother: Disgusted.jpg
Chuchu: Your wife’s out flirting with girls and even drawing pictures!
Hengheng: Crying.jpg
