Chapter 90

Qi Xu warmed up at the stationary targets and then moved to the moving targets, which were the real challenge for him.

He was an excellent shooter. In his previous life, all his pent-up emotions were channeled into archery and shooting. He had once been teased by Li Kaixing that even if he were unemployed, he could still bring glory to the nation. At 28, he was at the perfect age to officially participate in the Olympics.

Some bold men tried to approach Qi Xu as previous men had done, but as expected, they were all rejected.

Without professional equipment, it was clear he was a first-time visitor to the club, and no one knew which family he belonged to.

Only upper-class individuals and young masters from various families came to this club for leisure.

For example, Cheng Yuching, who was just chatting with Fang Qian, is the second son of the Cheng family. The Cheng family runs a chain of restaurants, and they live in the same neighborhood as the Fang family, so he has known Fang Qian since childhood.

However, since he couldn’t even recognize all the characters, he was sent to an international kindergarten, then attended an international elementary school and middle school. Due to lax parental supervision, he began to head in the direction of a spoiled rich kid. The Cheng family took emergency measures, quickly transferring him to a key high school, and even used their financial influence to donate a sports field to the school.

During his three years of high school, Cheng Yuching suddenly came to his senses and was admitted to F University. Now, during the summer vacation, he returned to the capital with friends to have some fun.

The recent events involving the Shen family have become a hot topic within the circle. Cheng Yu nudged Xu Yichen: “Did you bring him along? You wouldn’t have actually recruited him into the team, would you? Your judgment doesn’t seem that great either. Speaking of which, if he can join, why can’t I? At least I’ve known you guys longer than he has.”

Xu Yichen stepped back in disgust: “What do you mean ‘recruited into the team’? Qi Xu isn’t our subordinate; he’s our friend. Besides, our personalities clash; spending time with you would eventually drive me crazy.”

“The Shen family is in a mess right now. Shouldn’t he be laying low? Isn’t he being too flashy?” Cheng Yu scanned the crowd of people taking photos with their phones, clearly some had already recognized Qi Xu.

Xu Yichen snorted, “The Shen family’s affairs have nothing to do with him. Can’t he go out and have fun? Does he have to deal with all these unpleasant matters every day?”

As he spoke, Xu Yichen walked over to Qi Xu, followed by Jiang Zimu and Fang Qian, blocking most of the curious glances, just like at the previous banquet.

Qi Xu noticed their actions and smiled, “Why aren’t you guys playing?”

Xu Yichen crossed his arms, ” Mr. Qi, you’re too accurate. You never miss a shot.”

Fang Qian had just fired a few shots and wasn’t feeling very confident. She asked, “Qi Xu, have you studied this?”

Qi Xu took off his goggles: “Does self-study count? Let’s just say I’m naturally gifted, a born sharpshooter.”

Everyone was amused by Qi Xu’s words, knowing that he hadn’t been affected by the Shen family’s affairs.

Of course not. If he had been affected, he wouldn’t be Qi Xu. Besides, Xie Huai was by his side.

They hadn’t played for long when Cheng Yuching joined in, suggesting a competition.

Xu Yichen thought it was a provocation and accepted the challenge without hesitation.

It was four against four, with the total number of rings added up, and the side with the highest total would win.

That was bad news, as their side had someone who missed nine out of ten shots.

After accepting the challenge, Xu Yichen realized, “Zimu, can you hit nine out of ten shots in one second?”

Jiang Zimu replied honestly, “In the next life.”

Xu Yichen felt defeated, thinking this match was a sure loss.

Fortunately, Cheng Yqing’s side also had a novice who was even worse than Jiang Zimu. At least Jiang Zimu had good form, which was a pleasure to watch.

When it was Qi Xu’s turn to take the stage, he didn’t take the competition seriously either, directly aiming at the moving target.

The target on the wall was moving. Qi Xu held his gun with a calm expression, and everyone unconsciously held their breath.

The moving target wasn’t particularly fast, but it was still a small competition, and with everyone watching, Xu Yichen imagined the pressure he would feel if he were standing there.

The interval between the two shots was less than two seconds, and the continuous gunfire echoed in everyone’s ears.

It wasn’t until Qi Xu had fired all his bullets and removed his ear protection that they reacted and looked at the display screen, gasping in astonishment—ten shots, ten hits.

Cheng Yuching watched this scene and was speechless. What was the point of all his shooting practice?

After finishing, Qi Xu didn’t interact with the others and returned to his seat to reply to Xie Huai’s message.

In the end, Xu Yichen and the others lost by five rings.

They accepted the loss, but today’s spotlight was undoubtedly theirs. Who could match Qi Xu’s prowess?

After the shooting session ended, Cheng Yuching stuck to them like glue, refusing to leave.

Even when they went into the private room for dinner in the evening, he followed them. Xu Yichen couldn’t take it anymore: “Cheng Yuching, enough is enough. Are you going to follow us here and freeload on our dinner? As the young master of the Cheng family, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at if people find out you’re doing this?”

Cheng Yuching acted like Fang Qian’s little brother, always by her side. He hadn’t spoken a single word to Qi Xun yet and was eager to ask where he had learned to shoot. If possible, he wanted to ask if Qi Xun could teach him, and he was willing to pay.

“Eat your own food. I’m talking to Qian’er, and it’s not bothering you.”

Xu Yichen didn’t know what Cheng Yucheng was thinking, but seeing him constantly pestering Fang Qian was annoying.

After sitting down, Cheng Yucheng asked Fang Qian, “Qian’er, has Qi Xu learned shooting? How come he’s so good at it?”

Fang Qian glanced at him: “He hasn’t. How many questions about Qi Xu have you asked me on the way here? What are you trying to do?”

Fang Qian warned him, “Making friends is fine, but don’t try your usual tactics on Qi Xu. He’s not part of this circle, and he’s not your type of person. Don’t provoke him.”

Fang Qian had known about Cheng Yuching’s sexual orientation for a long time. She had even seen him kissing a younger student in the art studio at school before.

Fang Qian saw that he wasn’t listening and didn’t want to out Xie Huai and Qi Xu, so she could only tell Cheng Yucheng more seriously.

It was obvious that Cheng Yucheng wasn’t listening; his mind was already filled with images of Qi Xu shooting at the shooting range.

On the other side, Qi Xu had no idea what Cheng Yucheng was thinking about him. He received a message from Xie Huai saying he had arrived at the door.

Hanging Out: [888 private room.]

X: [Aren’t you coming to pick me up in person?]

Just Waiting to Die: [You’re so full of yourself, you want me to come pick you up.]

X: [Not that big? You said it was big.]

Just Waiting to Die: [……]

Qi Xu flipped his phone over, picked up his cup, and took a sip of water. He didn’t want to admit that he had said those things. It was just flirting when the mood was right, which was only human nature.

He got up to go out and pick up the arrogant Xie Huai.

Before she could finish, Xu Yichen, his hair standing on end, dragged Fang Qian out of the private room.

In the 888 private room, Jiang Zimu had just finished eating a juicy crab leg when he looked up and saw that he was the only one left at the table.

Where had everyone gone?

Qi Xu had just reached the elevator entrance when the doors opened, and Xie Huai stepped out.

Qi Xu raised an eyebrow: “You’re so full of yourself. Didn’t you say you wanted me to come down and pick you up?”

Xie Huai casually wrapped his arm around Qi Xu’s waist as they walked out: “I still want to go to bed tonight, so it’s better if my boyfriend picks me up at the elevator entrance.”

Qi Xu chuckled: “I’m not that unreasonable. Just going downstairs to meet my boyfriend won’t stop you from going to bed tonight.”

He wasn’t an unreasonable person, but Xie Huai seemed to be.

Xie Huai asked, “Are you having fun at the shooting club?”

Qi Xu replied, “It’s okay, it’s a good way to relax.”

As he spoke, Qi Xu realized that this wasn’t the way to the private room. How did they end up in the smoking area?

Until he heard Xie Huai say, “A lot of people are looking at you.”

Qi Xu detected a hint of hidden meaning in his words, pushed him against the window, and asked with a half-smile, “Jealous?”

Xie Huai was usually very straightforward about such things, and nodded, “Jealous. I don’t want others to look at you. I want to lock you up.”

He locked it again, and Qi Xu deliberately lowered his voice to provoke him, “Hui Ge, you let me out. Do you really want to lock me up forever?”

It wasn’t just verbal provocation; he leaned in close to Xie Huai’s ear, gently blowing on it, his moist lips teasingly brushing against his earlobe.

Xie Huai pressed his body tightly against him, his arms around his waist sliding down his back and into his shirt, moving suggestively, his breath lingering on Qi Xu’s cheek as he slowly told him what was on his mind.

“If you’re willing, I’ll lock you up forever.”

Qi Xu laughed. At this moment, he was still wondering if he was willing, asking for his opinion.

He couldn’t hide the smile in his eyes. He took Xie Huai’s tie and pulled him forward, opening his heart and saying, “If you want to lock me up, I’m willing.”

Xie Huai suddenly pressed Qi Xu down. The latter knew what he wanted to do, so he raised his hand to hook his neck, allowing him to exert more force.

A kiss fell upon him with uncontrollable passion, devoid of any lust, simply a pure act of possession, wanting to claim him as his own.

As always, the two of them were essentially madmen—one was sick, and both were beyond redemption.

Xie Huai wanted to lock him up, possessing an overwhelming sense of ownership over him. He accepted it willingly, tacitly allowing the other to indulge any dark desires on him.

But it wasn’t entirely acceptance; occasionally, he would bare his claws and scratch, not hurting the other but causing an itch.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the smoking area. The person approaching was Cheng Yuching, who had come to find Qi Xu.

Xie Huai heard the sound and grabbed Qi Xu’s neck, lifting his gaze. His icy stare fixed on Cheng Yuching, making Cheng Yuching feel as though he were in an ice cave, his feet frozen in place with nowhere to go.

Cheng Yuching, standing nearby, clearly heard Qi Xu’s voice as he became aroused. Xie Huai raised his gaze again, and this time Cheng Yuching saw the ruthless intent to kill in his eyes.

Cheng Yuching’s heart trembled, and he felt as if a boulder had been placed on his body. He struggled to turn around and took hesitant steps until he left the smoking area, where the hunting intent on his body finally dissipated. He panicked and rushed into the stairwell, only to encounter two people kissing.

Qi Xu felt Xie Huai kissing him even more fiercely, pushing him aside to avoid him, mumbling, “Ah Hui.”

Xie Huai was ultimately soft-hearted and wished he could teleport back to his big bed at home.

Qi Xu leaned against Xie Huai to rest for a moment, panting as he pulled his hand to look at his wristwatch: “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Xie Huai supported him with his other hand: “I don’t want to eat, I want to eat you.”

Qi Xu cursed him: “Really, am I food? Eating me will prolong your life?”

Xie Huai bit his ear and said, “Sweet.”

Qi Xu hissed and elbowed him: “In public, don’t be so vulgar.”

The two rested for a moment in the smoking area before returning to the private room.

The 888 private room was full of people, and no one looked up when Qi Xu and Xie Huai entered.

Even Xu Yichen, who usually couldn’t stop talking when he saw Xie Huai, was silent as if someone had turned off his vocal cords. He had to press a button to get a word out, and there was an unexplained blush on his face.

Otherwise, no one at the table would have been able to eat their fill.

The atmosphere was strange, but they managed to finish the meal without incident.

Finally, Cheng Yuching picked up his wine glass and toasted Jiang Zimu: “Brother Zimu, you’re the one who can endure loneliness. You’re sure to achieve great things in the future.”

Jiang Zimu clinked glasses with him, taking it as a compliment.