Chapter 28

Jiang Chi’s question caused Chen Xi’s heart to skip a beat. Looking at him with a startled expression, she asked in confusion, "Is he being special to me?"

Jiang Chi, watching Chen Xi who seemed completely oblivious to her own fortune, muttered to himself. To say nothing of the fact that Zhou Yanzhou was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had always been the one cared for by others, when had he ever taken such meticulous care of anyone? If this didn't count as special, what did?

Jiang Chi had intended to give Chen Xi a proper explanation, but midway through, he remembered Zhou Yanzhou’s instructions and stopped himself. He clicked his tongue, leaned in closer, and fixed his gaze on her bewildered almond-shaped eyes, whispering mysteriously, "Let me put it this way: I’ve grown up with him since we were kids, and I’ve never seen him be this kind to anyone."

Chen Xi didn't grasp the intent behind Jiang Chi’s words. She widened her innocent eyes and turned her head to look silently at the man standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, taking a call. Sunlight streamed through the glass, bathing him in a glow that made him look almost divine. He held his phone with one hand, the other tucked into his suit pocket, listening to a work report with a bored, nonchalant posture that was unexpectedly striking.

Chen Xi pursed her lips and slowly looked away. Meeting Jiang Chi’s meaningful gaze, she curled her lips and played dumb. "He’s just doing it because of my uncle’s request, nothing more."

Seeing how clear-headed Chen Xi was, Jiang Chi raised his eyebrows in surprise. He stood up, hooked his car keys with his index finger, and said, "Let’s go. Where do you want to wander?"

"I’m putting my life on the line today to play the companion and show you around."

*A bit dramatic, isn't it?* Chen Xi thought to herself, head bowed.

Hearing the commotion, Zhou Yanzhou turned toward Chen Xi. Seeing her put on her pink backpack, ready to leave with Jiang Chi, he pressed the mute button and asked in a gentle voice, "Are you leaving?"

Jiang Chi made a noise of acknowledgment and explained simply, "I didn't want to disturb you since you're busy. Remember to pay me back for this favor later."

Zhou Yanzhou glanced at the demanding Jiang Chi, then turned his gaze to Chen Xi. Before leaving, she had changed out of her pajamas into a mid-blue T-shirt paired with a mango-yellow skirt. Her shoulder-length hair was styled in a braid resting against her chest, making her look exceptionally fresh and refined.

A flash of admiration passed through his eyes. Ignoring his phone, he leaned in and instructed Chen Xi, "Call me if anything happens. I’ll come pick you up as soon as I’m done."

His demeanor was that of an elder, showing no sign of ulterior motives. Chen Xi raised her eyelids and bowed her head in agreement. Seeing this, Jiang Chi clicked his tongue meaningfully.

Zhou Yanzhou shot him a sidelong glance and asked coldly, "Are you sick?"

He then warned Jiang Chi, "Don't take her to any chaotic places. She isn't you."

Unaccustomed to his overprotective nature, Jiang Chi rolled his eyes twice and waved his hand. "That's enough. You're complaining about a free driver? Did I ask you for a tour guide fee?"

Seeing Chen Xi still standing there, Jiang Chi asked with a fake smile, "Are we going or not, little sister Xi?"

Chen Xi gave Zhou Yanzhou a hurried look, and seeing his face clearly telegraphing "don't worry," she quickly chased after Jiang Chi.

Jiang Chi, annoyed by Zhou Yanzhou, spent the whole journey complaining about how narrow-minded he was. Chen Xi listened silently, neither voicing an opinion nor playing along. When Jiang Chi grew tired and felt bored, he turned to glance at the straight-faced Chen Xi and asked curiously, "What do you think of my brother?"

Chen Xi: "..."

*Must everything revolve around Zhou Yanzhou?*

She gave the question serious thought, but after a long while, she couldn't reach a conclusion. Finally, she said with resignation, "He's very fake. Faking it to death."

It was the first time Jiang Chi had heard someone describe Zhou Yanzhou that way. He couldn't wait to pull the car over to the side of the road and asked with unconcealed gossip, "How is he fake?"

Chen Xi: "..."

Avoiding Jiang Chi’s burning gaze, she picked at her fingers and said vaguely, "Just fake. So fake that you can't tell the good from the bad."

"Sometimes he's gentle and thoughtful, other times his temper is bad and strange. In short, he's not a good person."

Jiang Chi was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. He looked at the naive, budding Chen Xi and then thought of Zhou Yanzhou’s history of passing through countless flowers without ever getting a petal stuck to him, and he couldn't help but worry for the young girl.

The word "love" is hard to decipher in this world. Unfortunately, for people like them, emotions were the most useless things of all. Back then, when Guan Yue had pursued him so relentlessly, making scenes and using family connections as threats, the Third Brother hadn't compromised even a fraction. Now, a little girl with no background and no leverage certainly couldn't be the one to dictate his life. It was nothing more than a fated encounter, fleeting and without a future.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chi sighed. He looked at the young, innocent Chen Xi with pity and kindly warned her, "You really should be cautious when dealing with someone like Third Brother."

"Little sister, most men are liars. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Don't take the wrong path."

Chen Xi looked up in surprise, confused by Jiang Chi. The man shrugged, the pity on his face vanishing instantly, replaced only by the playfulness of someone who treated life as a game.

***

The previous advice felt like a dream, dissipating as soon as the wind blew. Before Chen Xi could process it, she was carried away by Jiang Chi's chatter.

Jiang Chi scrolled through a travel guide for Beijing on his phone and said, "How can you come to Beijing and not visit Tiananmen? I’ll take you for a spin."

Chen Xi thought they would be walking, but she didn't expect to just be driven around Chang'an Avenue. Perhaps to finish his "task," Jiang Chi drove Chen Xi around the Second Ring Road, briefly introducing the key attractions. When they passed in front of Tiananmen, he intentionally slowed down and rolled down the window so she could take photos.

Chen Xi: "..."

Perhaps sensing her lukewarm reaction, Jiang Chi took her to the nearby Beijing Hotel. Chen Xi had grown accustomed to their ways, but watching Jiang Chi negotiate with the hotel manager so skillfully, she couldn't help but sigh—it was no wonder so many people loved Beijing; there was a reason for it. It was just that the "Beijing of the working class" and the "Beijing of the Beijingers" seemed to be two entirely different worlds.

Jiang Chi requested a table on the top floor of the VIP building and ordered a massive spread, claiming it was of state-banquet quality. Chen Xi sat in her chair in silence. August air was blowing from the AC, yet she felt cold. The location was prime: to the south was the bustling traffic of Chang'an Avenue, and to the west was the Forbidden City, built with golden glazed tiles. For a moment, Chen Xi felt as though she were standing at a height she had no business occupying.

Jiang Chi was a gentleman, taking care of her throughout the meal. The chef came over specifically to introduce the ingredients and the way to eat each dish. There were many things Chen Xi had never seen before, yet she managed not to embarrass herself. It was objectively a grand experience, but she found it utterly dull.

After only a few bites of the overflowing table of food, Chen Xi was full. She looked at Jiang Chi, who was still explaining the dishes, and couldn't help but say, "I'm full."

Jiang Chi paused. He looked at Chen Xi, whose face showed her embarrassment, and asked with concern, "Is it not to your taste?"

Chen Xi smiled and shook her head. "It’s delicious, I just don't have much of an appetite."

Seeing this, Jiang Chi didn't force her, and after a few more bites, he stopped as well.

After settling the bill, they walked out of the Beijing Hotel; it was already five in the afternoon. Having spent nearly the whole day out, Jiang Chi lacked the patience to keep babysitting a high school student. He checked the time and asked with a slightly awkward expression, "Look, we’ve pretty much seen everything. I’d feel bad leaving you here alone, so why don't you come with me?"

"I’ll let you know when Third Brother is done so he can pick you up. Don't worry, I won't lose you."

Chen Xi had long sensed Jiang Chi’s impatience and had been waiting for him to bring it up. She smiled and nodded in agreement.

Seeing her accept, a flash of pleasure crossed Jiang Chi’s face, and he immediately drove to a bar in Sanlitun. Chen Xi had never been to such a place. Looking at the low-key sign as she stepped out of the car, she thought it was a restaurant, only to find a whole new world inside. Once she stepped through the door and walked a dozen paces in, she was met with deafening heavy metal music.

Chen Xi froze in fear. Jiang Chi, walking ahead, turned back to see her hesitating. He waved his hand and said, "This is also a feature of Beijing. Since we're here, might as well have some fun."

Chen Xi: "..."

Under Jiang Chi’s pressure and persuasion, Chen Xi followed him inside. As soon as they reached the chaotic dance floor, Jiang Chi shoved Chen Xi toward a charming, mature bar hostess, asking her to look after the girl while he dove into the crowd like a butterfly.

The bar was dimly lit; the background music, conversations, and clinking glasses were noisy and jarring. Chen Xi didn't dare to wander off, sitting obediently in the booth arranged by the hostess, silently observing the surreal scene.

The hostess was beautiful, with a head of permed wavy hair, bright red lipstick, and a cheongsam that accentuated her figure. Every movement she made was seductive. She seemed very familiar with Jiang Chi. After dancing a few rounds, the hostess walked out, breathless, sat down across from Chen Xi with a familiar air, and looked at her with a smile.

Chen Xi felt stiff, her fingers nervously gripping the edge of the booth.

"Little sister, are you of age?" the hostess asked loudly, seeing how tense Chen Xi looked.

Chen Xi looked at the hostess and shook her head uneasily. The hostess thought of something, sighed, and stood up to head to the bar, where she mixed a drink for Chen Xi.

It was a medium-sized glass filled with bubbly soda, topped with a layer of matcha-green foam and garnished with two slices of green lime. It looked beautiful.

"Linjiangxian, want to try a taste?" The hostess pushed the drink toward Chen Xi with a smile.

***

Under the hostess's gaze, Chen Xi hesitantly picked up the glass. It was icy, still emitting a cold mist. The hostess sat with her legs crossed, leaning on the table, watching Chen Xi with a smile, waiting for her to taste it.

Encouraged by the hostess’s eyes, Chen Xi took a tentative sip. The bubbles stung her tongue, but there was a refreshing sweetness of lime—it was delicious. She took a few more gulps. Although it was noisy, Chen Xi actually liked the drinks and the hostess.

As soon as Jiang Chi arrived at the bar, he became like a wild horse off its leash, refusing to leave the crowd. Chen Xi saw several girls approach him, and he turned none of them away.

*Scumbag.* Chen Xi pouted to herself.

It was too boring, and remembering she had brought her workbook, she curled up in the corner, took out her test papers, and began doing exercises, oblivious to the world around her.

She thought she could leave once she finished the paper, but suddenly, a fight broke out in the bar. Because of a glass of wine, two men started brawling, smashing things in a frenzy. The crowd turned chaotic in an instant.

Before Chen Xi could react, she was struck by a flying glass, and blood began to flow from her forehead. Jiang Chi witnessed the scene and was terrified. He immediately dragged Chen Xi to the hospital, not even bothering with her backpack or papers.

Blood streamed down her forehead, refusing to stop. Chen Xi seemed to have lost the ability to feel pain; she sat in Jiang Chi’s car, clutching her head, staring blankly at the safety amulet hanging from the rearview mirror.

When Zhou Yanzhou learned that Chen Xi was injured, he was still in a meeting. Upon hearing the news, he was furious, dismissed the meeting on the spot, and rushed to the hospital. He drove at breakneck speed, running several red lights along the way.

Chen Xi didn't think it was a big deal. When the doctor was bandaging her, he kept listing precautions, but Chen Xi couldn't remember a single word. She kept thinking: *Will Zhou Yanzhou come?*

Jiang Chi, feeling guilty for causing the problem, called Zhou Yanzhou on the way to the hospital, trembling with fear. He didn't dare mention the bar. Looking at Chen Xi, who sat clutching her wound with a blank expression, he whispered, "Little sister Xi, I’m begging you for a favor. When Third Brother gets to the hospital, don't mention that the injury happened at a bar, okay?"

Chen Xi blinked and, under Jiang Chi’s pleading, nodded slightly. But she wondered what kind of lie could actually fool Zhou Yanzhou.

Jiang Chi hired a specialist surgeon to treat Chen Xi. Fortunately, it was just a superficial wound; her eyes were not damaged. Otherwise, Jiang Chi probably wouldn't have been able to leave the hospital today. The incident had been so sudden that he hadn't noticed Chen Xi in the corner; by the time he realized, she had already been struck.

Fearing a concussion, the doctor suggested she stay in the hospital for a few days. Jiang Chi had just finished the admission paperwork and returned to the ward when he saw Zhou Yanzhou rush in, looking weary and travel-worn.

Chen Xi was sitting on the hospital bed, staring into space. Hearing the rapid footsteps at the door, she looked over instinctively. Zhou Yanzhou ran in, drenched in sweat. Seeing the thick gauze on Chen Xi’s forehead and her small frame on the bed, he began loosening his tie as he walked.

He threw the tie onto the bed, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and stood before Chen Xi with his hands on his hips, suppressing his anger as he asked, "How did you manage to get yourself into this state?"

It was the first time Chen Xi had seen Zhou Yanzhou angry, and she was somewhat frightened. She nervously rubbed her fingers, glancing at Jiang Chi, who was gesturing frantically at the door, and lied guiltily, "I slipped and fell by accident."

Zhou Yanzhou clearly didn't believe her. He stared at Chen Xi for a few seconds, then turned to look at Jiang Chi at the door and sneered, "I asked you to look after her, and after one afternoon, you’ve managed to get her into the hospital?"

Jiang Chi was in the wrong. He awkwardly touched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "I didn't expect this to happen either."

"At least it didn't hit her eye. She can be discharged after two days."

Zhou Yanzhou only then noticed that the wound was less than a centimeter from her right eye. If it had been any closer, she might have lost the eye. At the thought of that possibility, his anger flared. His expression darkened, and he asked with an imposing, chilling authority, "How did it really happen?"

Chen Xi was about to speak when Zhou Yanzhou stopped her with a look. "You still want to lie?"