Chapter 6

The next evening, Yu Jiatuo came by. Kong Wenyu had just finished working out and was getting a massage.

The butler led Yu Jiatuo upstairs, pushed open the door, and walked in a bit before spotting Kong Wenyu lying outside the steam room while a therapist was massaging his head.

“The Yu gentleman is here,” the butler said softly.

Kong Wenyu opened his eyes just a sliver, took a few seconds to fully awaken, then looked at the visitor.

Yu Jiatuo stepped closer, braced a hand on the edge of the bed, and studied him for a moment before saying, “You’ve lost weight.”

Kong Wenyu gave a faint smile and started to get up, but the therapist reminded him, “We still need to rinse.”

“Go ahead and finish,” Yu Jiatuo said as he straightened up, dragged a chair over, and sat down. “I’m not in a hurry.”

Kong Wenyu, perfectly at ease, lay back down and closed his eyes again while the therapist adjusted the water temperature, rinsing the foam from his hair.

Yu Jiatuo leaned in a bit, lowering his gaze to the row of buttons along the bed.
“Ao Yongwang has come to see me twice. What did you do to him?”

“‘Do to him’ seems a bit dramatic,” Kong Wenyu chuckled for a few seconds before replying, “What did he want from you?”

“He wanted me to be his mediator,” Yu Jiatuo said. He was two years older and carried himself with a more mature air. “Do you have any sense of proportion at all? Why insist on messing with Ao Yongwang? When you marry Ao Qingqing, he’ll be your brother-in-law. How do you think that’ll sound when people talk about it?”

“As expected, you’re here to mediate.”

Kong Wenyu reclined lazily. “My dad’s gone, my second aunt doesn’t really interfere with my business, and my mom’s health isn’t great.”

He paused, and perhaps found his own situation darkly amusing, because the corners of his lips tilted upward slightly. “So if Ao Yongwang wants to deal with me, the only person he can go to is you.”

Yu Jiatuo crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair, his head tilted slightly as he watched the foam on Kong Wenyu’s hair slowly rinse away. “As your cousin, I should probably do my part. If I don’t step in, you’re going to become completely lawless. Look at the timing—we need to at least maintain a united front with the Ao family. Why start an internal fight now?”

The sound of running water stopped. The therapist gently patted Kong Wenyu’s hair dry with a towel.

Kong Wenyu said nothing, simply opened his eyes and looked at the reflection in the mirror.

“Is Ao Qingqing going to the banquet with you tonight?” Yu Jiatuo asked.

“I don’t know,” Kong Wenyu replied.

“My dear young master,” Yu Jiatuo sighed. “In a situation like this, you should be the one to reach out. You can’t just sit there waiting for the girl to chase after you, can you?”

Kong Wenyu stayed silent. The bed automatically lifted, transforming into a sofa chair. The therapist switched on a hairdryer at low speed, styling his hair.

That night there was a high-end jewelry gala to attend—Llno, the luxury brand the Kong family had built over the past century. They had poached top designers with lucrative offers, and the models were all currently trending A-list celebrities.

Influential figures from business and politics would all be there. The Kong family had to make an appearance. Ideally, it should be him attending, though his second aunt, Kong Lingru, could also go.

Yu Jiatuo was already dressed to perfection: a tailored suit, handmade leather shoes, hair styled neatly. He was ready, just waiting for the right time to leave with Kong Wenyu. “When you see the Ao family tonight, don’t be too serious, don’t get sarcastic, and don’t lose your temper.”

Three “don’ts” in a row. Kong Wenyu sighed. “I wouldn’t make things difficult for him in that kind of setting.”

Yu Jiatuo clearly didn’t trust him and kept instructing, “There’ll be plenty of reporters there. If they catch something on camera, it’ll be a pain to clean up later. If you really don’t like Ao Qingqing, just treat her like a decorative vase. I know a few quiet, well-behaved girls. After tonight, I’ll introduce them to you—you can pick.”

Kong Wenyu turned his head to look at him, forcing the therapist to pause mid-motion and wait until he turned back again.

Kong Wenyu couldn’t help but smile. “Miss Wu I can meet, but the others, forget it.”

The Wu family had just arranged an engagement with the Yu family earlier that year, and they were set to register their marriage next year.

“Get lost,” Yu Jiatuo snapped. “She’s your future sister-in-law.”

Kong Wenyu laughed, and at that moment, the styling team entered. Along with them came several of the Kong family’s bodyguards.

While the stylists changed Kong Wenyu’s clothes, Yu Jiatuo stepped outside for a smoke. Ha Ming stood by the doorway, keeping a close eye on everything.

By the time Kong Wenyu came out, all the preparations for departure were in place, and Yu Jiatuo had finished his cigarette.

“I still have one question,” Yu Jiatuo said as they walked side by side, passing under layer after layer of draped curtains. “I heard that last time you were out with Ao Qingqing, you won ten thousand yuan off her?”

As they descended the stairs, Kong Wenyu replied casually, “That amount? It’s not even enough for her to buy a pair of shoes.”

Yu Jiatuo glanced at him, almost tempted to call him “big brother.”
“It’s not about the money—it’s about gentlemanly manners.”

“You’re really not the type to show mercy to a lady,” he went on. “With Ao Qingqing’s temper, she didn’t blow up at you?”

She probably did.

When she left, she hadn’t even bothered to change out of her equestrian outfit, just walked off with a stony face, and “Xiao Lang” had to chase after her carrying her bag.

As they reached the steps on the first floor to get into the car, Hai Ming held an umbrella to shield them from the sun.

Yu Jiatuo glanced around. The three trailing cars full of bodyguards didn’t surprise him in the least.
“Where’s the bodyguard who beat ‘Bitter’?”

Hai Ming glanced at Nie Jun, who stood in the back. But since Kong Wenyu hadn’t spoken, he wisely kept quiet.

Yu Jiatuo turned to Hai Ming.

Hai Ming continued holding the umbrella as he helped Kong Wenyu into the car and smiled.
“I’ll go ask right away if his injuries have healed.”

Kong Wenyu’s window slid down, his voice coming coolly from the shade:
“Are we leaving or not?”

Yu Jiatuo had no choice but to circle around to get into the same car.

By nightfall, when Kong Wenyu’s motorcade arrived, the Yu and Ao families were already there waiting by the entrance.

Car doors opened on both sides. Kong Wenyu and Yu Jiatuo stepped out together. The Yu and Ao families stopped their conversation, all smiling warmly in their direction. Ao Qingqing was among them.

She was wearing a vivid red gown, her long hair elegantly pinned up, and a pearl necklace. She looked softer than usual—maybe because she was surrounded by family.

After Kong Wenyu greeted the Yu family, Ao Yongwang smiled and said,
“Wenyu, you’re here.”

Kong Wenyu gave him a brief glance, then looked over at Ao Qingqing. She wore a bright smile, took a few graceful steps in her stilettos, and slipped her hand around his arm.

Cameramen immediately surrounded them, snapping away.
Kong Wenyu said calmly, “Let’s go in.”

The group entered together, and only when they’d cleared the photographers’ area did they break off to mingle with their own acquaintances.

At the banquet table, Ao Yongwang scanned the surroundings and said to Kong Wenyu,
“Can we stop holding grudges?”

Kong Wenyu immediately tilted his head with a faint smile.
“Mr. Ao, you make me sound like some kind of heartless ex.”

“Be serious,” Yu Jiatuo reminded quietly beside him. “If this is about business, it’s really not worth it. You’re going to marry Qingqing eventually. Don’t let trivial matters turn into a scene.”

As they were speaking, Ao Yongwang, sitting across from them, raised his wineglass. His eyes were full of cordiality, his demeanor humble.
“Wenyu, I must have done something wrong that upset you. Let me apologize. It’s just that the contract deadline is tomorrow, and the other party keeps pressuring me for a response.”

Kong Wenyu rested one hand on the table, glanced briefly at the champagne, but didn’t touch it.

Yu Jiatuo nudged his arm, which finally made him straighten up a little and clear his throat.
“What exactly did you do wrong?”

Yu Jiatuo had to nudge him again.

Kong Wenyu shot him a look, then finally picked up his glass.
“I’ll have someone send the contract to you tomorrow.”

“I’ll send the payment over as well,” Ao Yongwang added quickly. “Two million, together with it.”

Yu Jiatuo smiled.
“That’s better. We’re all going to be family.”

“Yes, yes,” Ao Yongwang agreed eagerly, raising his glass. “Mr. Yu, you’re Wenyu’s cousin, which makes you Qingqing’s and my cousin too. We’re all one family.”

Kong Wenyu finally lifted his champagne flute, raised it slightly, and took a sip.

Nie Jun stood not far away, watching Kong Wenyu’s every move.

The bruise at the corner of his mouth had faded a bit; under the light, you could still see its shadow.

Ao Qingqing’s bodyguards were stationed nearby as well. The one called Bitter occasionally threw over sharp, hostile looks.

Hai Ming shifted to stand further inside and commented meaningfully:
“You broke Bitter’s arm. The young lady didn’t get mad?”

Nie Jun kept his eyes on Kong Wenyu.
“She’s probably angry.”

“Doesn’t look like it,” Hai Ming said, glancing at Ao Qingqing. She sat right next to Kong Wenyu, occasionally pouring him drinks. “They seem pretty close.”

Nie Jun’s gaze lingered for a moment on the edges of their clothes brushing together, then he quietly looked away.

After a while, he suddenly asked,
“In these arranged marriages, what’s the main thing they care about?”

Hai Ming paused for a second.
“You mean the boss?”

“People like them,” Nie Jun clarified, “do they all have to marry for alliances?”

“Pretty much.” Hai Ming thought about it. “Everyone I know in that circle does. If they actually like someone, they just keep that person by their side. Everyone in their social circle understands how it works. Even Mr. Yu is the same—he got engaged earlier this year, but he still has several lovers outside.”

“Is that… acceptable?”

“It is—as long as the legal spouse doesn’t make an issue out of it,” Hai Ming said. “And usually, no one does. These marriages are about power and resources, not about love. As long as it doesn’t become a huge scandal, no one cares.”

Nie Jun nodded.

“What’s on your mind?” Hai Ming asked.

“Nothing. Just asking casually.” Nie Jun turned slightly, the motion tugging at the wound on his shoulder. He didn’t even flinch.

“But Miss Ao might be different,” Hai Ming said, clicking his tongue. “She’s got a fiery temper. If they get married and the boss keeps lovers outside, she might just tear the Kong family mansion apart.”

Nie Jun nodded again but stayed quiet.

Hai Ming waited, then called his name:
“Did you know the boss before all this?”

Nie Jun froze and looked at him.

Hai Ming smiled.
“He’s sought you out privately twice already.”

Nie Jun didn’t bring up what had happened on the yacht that night. Instead, he said,
“Probably because I beat Bitter.”

“That’s the only reason?” Hai Ming shook his head in doubt.
“I can’t help feeling like something must have happened between you two—something that made him treat you differently.”

Just then—clang!

At the banquet table, Ao Qingqing accidentally knocked over her wineglass, the sharp sound of glass hitting the floor cutting through the chatter.

Nie Jun’s gaze shifted in that direction, and he immediately noticed that Kong Wenyu’s trouser hem was wet.

“Looks like the young lady’s drunk,” Hai Ming said beside him, also watching the scene. “I wonder if the boss is even going home tonight.”

The implication in his tone made Nie Jun freeze for a split second.

Then he responded,
“If he’s not going home, I’ll stay on duty here.”

Hai Ming glanced at him.
“Why are you so obsessed with working?”

“….” The same familiar question. Nie Jun kept his expression steady.
“To make money.”

But from the look on his face, he didn’t seem like someone driven purely by money—because despite the 270,000 yuan in bonuses he’d just received over the past two days, he didn’t look the slightest bit happy about it tonight.