Chapter 111

In the past two or three years, the area around Qi Xu’s neighborhood had developed rapidly. The once barren plots were now towering high-rises, forming a new CBD business district, and local property prices had skyrocketed.

Of course, Qi Xu’s investments weren’t limited to just this area. With the extraordinary energy he possessed in this life, he seemed to have a knack for turning money into more money.

Xu Yichen had heard rumors that any investment Qi Xu touched would yield impressive returns, and eagerly came looking for him.

No other reason—Fang Qian’s allowance was far too little. Xu Yichen knew it was for his own good, since he spent money recklessly and without restraint, yet sometimes buying gifts to create surprises required funds.

He deliberately chose a time when Xie Huai wasn’t around—not out of fear of being tattled on, but simply not wanting to hand over leverage to someone else. It was human nature.

When Xu Yichen arrived, Qi Xu was on a voice call with Fang Qian and Jiang Zimu, discussing the gallery plan that Master Jiang was hosting.

Jiang Zimu was also one of Qi Xu’s key investments.

Having built his video account with dedication years ago, Jiang Zimu had suddenly become famous, becoming a role model for many young art students.

Fang Qian had connections, Qi Xu had the funds, and together they also had the artworks Jiang Zimu had gifted over the years.

Qi Xu’s favorite among them was a piece made up of paper currency from around the world, given as a birthday gift—it perfectly satisfied his love of money.

Fang Qian told Jiang Zimu, “I need your answer this week so I can book the venue.”

Jiang Zimu replied, “I need to ask my aunt. She heard I wanted to hold an exhibition and consulted a master for an auspicious date.”

“…”

Fang Qian knew her mother was devoutly Buddhist but hadn’t expected that even Jiang Zimu’s art exhibition would be subject to such rituals.

“I’ll ask her. By the way, don’t let Xu Yichen get involved. I noticed he just bought a supercar, and his garage is already full—he doesn’t need more.”

Before she finished speaking, the doorbell rang. Qi Xu assumed it was a delivery and went to open the door after telling the others.

Fang Qian continued scolding Jiang Zimu: “Don’t think I don’t know you’re covering for him. Since the car’s in your name, it’s yours.”

Jiang Zimu chuckled awkwardly: “Cousin, I don’t have a driver’s license.”

Fang Qian huffed: “Then go learn one.”

When the door opened, Xu Yichen appeared, holding two bottles of wine: “Surprise.”

Fang Qian, listening via headset, immediately fell silent, curious to see what he was up to.

Qi Xu smirked, anticipating the trouble Xu Yichen would cause, and couldn’t help the twitch of a smile.

Xu Yichen, thinking Qi Xu was happy to see him, urged him inside: “I brought the right bottles—they’re my best stash.”

Qi Xu closed the door and poured him a glass of water. “Why are you here?”

Xu Yichen placed the wine on the table, his intentions clear: “My sustainable development investments have been stalling lately. I want to know if you have any short-term projects I can join to make some quick money.”

Qi Xu, pretending to toy with him, said: “So you brought two bottles to sell wine?”

Xu Yichen scoffed: “These two bottles are nothing. I want to see if I can get a share in a project.”

Qi Xu sat down, smiling: “Since Fang Qian controls your money, are you trying to hide a little stash?”

Xu Yichen straightened up immediately, replying righteously: “Don’t talk nonsense. What stash? Isn’t Fang Qian’s birthday coming soon? I want to prepare a surprise for her.”

Qi Xu nodded, then asked, “You’re sure it’s not because your allowance was confiscated for buying the car?”

Xu Yichen, shocked, asked: “How did you know?”

Qi Xu leaned over his laptop, disconnected the Bluetooth headset, and waved his hand: “Handle your own family matters.”

Xu Yichen, confused, glanced at the screen and was startled by the group chat icon.

He had walked right into a setup!

Fang Qian’s playful voice echoed: “Weren’t you supposed to be dealing with company matters? When did you open a company at Qi Xu’s place?”

Xu Yichen: “…”

His lie was exposed in less than an hour. Poor timing—he should have come later in the evening.

Jiang Zimu chimed in: “Maybe it’s ‘Xu Huai Ltd.’”

Before Xu Yichen could explain, Xie Huai returned home, ignoring Xu Yichen entirely, and said to Qi Xu: “I brought you a raspberry cake.”

Qi Xu approached: “Your uncle finally let you go?”

Qin Yue’s antique street needed expansion, and Xie Huai was consulted. Qin Yue always thought of his great-nephew first in such matters. Having a family member as a consultant saved a lot of trouble and money.

Over the years, Qi Xu had often gotten gifts or favors from Xie Huai when maintaining connections. His generosity ranged from five to seven figures.

By thirty-five, he had achieved the dream of being supported by his great-nephew couple—early retirement wasn’t far off.

Xie Huai hugged Qi Xu: “I left early; he’s alone, I’m not.”

Xu Yichen gritted his teeth: “Hello, there’s still someone here!”

Xie Huai glanced at him: “The door’s over there. Not walking you out.”

Xu Yichen sat back on the sofa, pouting at his laptop: “Wifey~”

Xie Huai said: “Tomorrow, replace that laptop.”

Qi Xu laughed, happily placing the raspberry cake in the fridge.

Xie Huai quickly assessed the situation: “You’d have been better off putting the car in my name. It would have lasted longer.”

Xu Yichen and Xie Huai had been brothers for years, fully aware of Xu Yichen’s scheming nature: “Yeah, in your name it lasts a while, then it becomes yours. Essentially, I bought you the car.”

Xie Huai replied: “He doesn’t have a license. No wonder it was obvious it was his.”

Jiang Zimu raised his hand obediently: “I’m getting a license, thanks to the supercar my cousin-in-law sent me.”

The tone was full of gratitude, as if thanking the top benefactor.

This was a genuine supercar.

Xu Yichen: “…”

Now everything had turned into a complete mess.

Not wanting to lose face in front of his brothers, Xu Yichen tidied up and prepared to go home for a scolding.

Xie Huai waved him off, and Qi Xu added: “Leave the wine.”

Xu Yichen chuckled bitterly: “You people aren’t human. I still care about the wine and you didn’t even think of helping me make money.”

So, to make sure his two bottles weren’t wasted, he invited Fang Qian and Jiang Zimu over for dinner at the newly established Xu Huai Ltd.

Fang Qian picked up Jiang Zimu from his studio on the way.

After graduation, the five were busy with their own careers, but they never missed gatherings. Two couples among them meant coordinating schedules was always necessary, and Jiang Zimu had the most flexible time.

Upon arrival, Fang Qian couldn’t resist scolding Xu Yichen; the others were used to it. Eventually, Jiang Zimu, the supercar owner, mediated the family squabble.

Xu Yichen pretended to cry: “Brother, it wasn’t for nothing. Can I put the car back in my name?”

Jiang Zimu bargained: “How about this, cousin-in-law—consider the car a bribe. If you buy yachts or planes in the future, I’ll handle them for you.”

Xu Yichen realized too late that Jiang Zimu was no longer so easily fooled. Time flies, and he suddenly missed the naive younger brother he once knew.

“You sound awfully familiar.”

Jiang Zimu said: “Learned from Qi-ge while investing. Followed his lead.”

Xu Yichen sighed—learning from a money lover explains his sharpness.

Qi Xu passed behind the sofa, approving Jiang Zimu’s words: “Learn a few more tricks, don’t get taken advantage of.”

Xu Yichen, frustrated, sneakily asked Qi Xu something, only for Fang Qian to give him a slap to stop him.

The chef, knowing their tastes, prepared dishes they loved.

The wine was opened by Qi Xu, reminding him of a housewarming party six years ago—same people, same wine, same Xu Yichen.

Time really did fly.

Yet everyone hadn’t changed much. Meetings still involved teasing, occasional scuffles, with maturity reserved for work.

Tonight, Xu, Fang, Qi, Xie, and Jiang were simply friends sharing a meal.

No business talk, only private chatter—especially with Xu Yichen around.

Qi Xu had learned all the high-society gossip from him—an entire entertainment section walking and talking.

They laughed until ten o’clock, the gathering over.

Xu Yichen, drunk as ever, hung on Fang Qian, with Jiang Zimu helping support him.

Qi Xu escorted them to the elevator: “Should I call Chen Wei to take you home?”

Fang Qian, sober, waved: “No need, I haven’t drunk.”

She whispered: “He’s dead meat when he gets home.”

Xu Yichen immediately stood at attention: “I’m not drunk at all.”

“…”

Qi Xu returned home after the lively evening, and Xie Huai, unbeknownst to him, was already there. It was a nostalgic flashback.

“Why are you walking so quietly?”

Xie Huai: “I thought you went with them.”

The exact same dialogue.

Qi Xu leaned on the door, tilting his head: “Don’t you think this conversation feels familiar?”

Xie Huai stepped closer: “The day I confessed.”

It turned out that when he recalled those events, someone else did too—a strange, wonderful feeling. There were no secrets between them; the other person was the secret.

Xie Huai asked: “Want to get familiar with my muscles again?”

Qi Xu: “…”

He chuckled, looping his arms around Xie Huai’s neck: “No need. Already know them too well.”

Xie Huai, teasing, said: “Not attractive anymore? Disappointed?”

Qi Xu bit his earlobe: “I love you.”

Before he could finish, Xie Huai tightened his embrace, looking only at Qi Xu, solemnly replying: “I love you.”

That day of confession was also the day they expressed their love.

And every day afterward was filled with it.