Chapter 28

"Since you're older than me, I'll call you Brother Jiuying. You can just call me Rongxiu. From what you said, Brother Jiuying, you seem very familiar with Capital cuisine." Li Rongxiu smoothly changed the way he addressed him, then added with a smile, "But that makes sense. You came from the Capital, so it's not strange that you're used to Capital cuisine. It's like me in Wancheng—I'm used to the local food. Is this your first time in Wancheng, Jiuying?"

Li Jiuying nodded. "Yes."

"Then Young Master Chi is in the wrong." After hearing Li Jiuying's answer, Li Rongxiu turned and complained to Chi Junrui, "Since you knew Brother Jiuying was visiting Wancheng for the first time, you should have arranged a meal of Wancheng specialties. Why serve state-banquet Capital cuisine? Aren't you showing off before an expert and making a fool of yourself?"

Before Chi Junrui could retort, Li Rongxiu turned back to Li Jiuying. "If you don't mind, Brother Jiuying, I'll take you to try some of Wancheng's specialties. I might not be able to help much if you're here on business, but when it comes to food, drinks, and entertainment—no one does it better than we do."

Zhao Qijun and the others, who had an excellent rapport with Li Rongxiu, immediately chimed in. They urged Li Jiuying to come with them, promising that the trip would be far more interesting than staying with that fake prude, Chi Junrui.

With several friends backing him up, Li Rongxiu's pitch became even more extravagant. Which places served the most authentic local dishes, which nightclubs had the best-looking women, which bars had the liveliest atmosphere at night... He vividly painted Li Jiuying a picture of a Wancheng with a unique flavor all its own.

Li Jiuying watched Li Rongxiu pat his chest and make bold guarantees, speaking with animated enthusiasm, and found it rather amusing. With his knowledge and experience, he could naturally tell that this group led by Li Rongxiu, who had appeared out of nowhere, was very much at odds with Chi Junrui, the man his adjutant had introduced as being responsible for receiving him.

Even Li Rongxiu's repeated "Brother Jiuying" might not have meant that he truly wanted to get close to him—perhaps he still had not realized who Li Jiuying was. But Li Jiuying had never received this kind of treatment before, nor had he ever met someone as wild and uninhibited as Li Rongxiu, so he found it rather novel. Therefore, he did not mind that Li Rongxiu and the others wanted to use him to provoke Chi Junrui.

On the other side, Chi Junrui could no longer sit still as he watched Li Jiuying interact with Li Rongxiu and the others. He had gone to enormous lengths to get in touch with this distinguished man traveling incognito, all through a friend from his years studying abroad.

Chi Junrui knew that this distinguished man was naturally low-key and disliked publicity. Afraid that word would spread and draw Wancheng's wealthy families into competing to curry favor with him, Chi Junrui had not even dared tell his own parents or brothers. He had secretly arranged to meet him at the Imperial Residence, thinking of how to please him and use his status to enter the Capital's business circles.

In Chi Junrui's view, as long as he could establish a connection with Li Jiuying, the Chi family would not only have a chance to rise again—it might even have a fighting chance at taking revenge on the Li family. Yet before his grand plans could even begin, Li Rongxiu and his group had thrown everything into disarray. Seeing that Li Jiuying seemed quite tempted by their persuasion, Chi Junrui suppressed his anxiety and anger before trying to reason with him. "Young Master Rongxiu, stop fooling around. What is your status, and what is Mr. Li's? If he goes with you to those disreputable places and gets photographed by gossip tabloids, you won't be able to bear the responsibility."

"Oh? So Young Master Chi means that our Li family's Evening City Grand Hotel is a disreputable place?" Li Rongxiu looked at Chi Junrui with open mockery, his smile not reaching his eyes.

The smile on Chi Junrui's face stiffened. Although the Li family had not originally made its fortune in the restaurant industry, Old Master Li had keenly felt the loneliness of being in a foreign land while studying abroad. Overwhelmed by homesickness, he resolved to enter the hotel business. He built Evening City Grand Hotels in several important cities in the United States and the Federation, as well as in Wancheng itself. Later, he opened branches in the capitals of various European countries, hoping that citizens of the Empire, wherever they might be in the world, could feel at home.

Over the past half-century, the Evening City Grand Hotel under the Li family had long become one of the most representative symbols of Wancheng and even the Empire. Even His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire had stayed at an Evening City Grand Hotel during overseas visits. Now, Chi Junrui had said in front of Li Rongxiu and Li Jiuying that the Evening City Grand Hotel was a "disreputable place." Though everyone understood that Li Rongxiu was deliberately picking a fight, if the remark were taken out of context and spread around, Chi Junrui would undoubtedly be the one to suffer.

Startled, Chi Junrui immediately denied it. "Of course I wasn't talking about the Evening City Grand Hotel. I meant the bars and nightclubs Young Master Rongxiu likes to visit."

Yet Li Rongxiu ignored Chi Junrui and turned to Li Jiuying. "I'd like to invite Brother Jiuying to experience the true flavors of Wancheng, instead of spending a fortune to enjoy reheated Capital cuisine here. What do you think, Brother Jiuying?"

Li Jiuying considered it briefly. Ignoring Chi Junrui's already livid expression, he smiled gently. "A guest follows the host's arrangements. Since you have invited me so sincerely, Rongxiu, I will impose on you, my host. I'll leave tonight's arrangements to you."

Li Rongxiu could not hide his delight and gave Chi Junrui a triumphant smile. Then, before Chi Junrui could strike back, he urged Li Jiuying, "What are we waiting for, then? Let's go. First, we'll have an authentic Wancheng meal at the Evening City Grand Hotel, then we'll make sure Brother Jiuying has an unforgettable Wancheng night."

Seeing that it was futile, Chi Junrui could only abandon his attempts to dissuade Li Jiuying. He quickly said, "In that case, I'll impose on Young Master Rongxiu as well."

No matter where Li Rongxiu wanted to go, Chi Junrui would stick with them tonight. He absolutely could not give them a chance to be alone.

Chapter 28

Although he said he would take Li Jiuying to experience Wancheng's "nightlife," given the Li family's strict curfew and Chi Junrui's careless remark, Li Rongxiu did not go too far in the end. He merely took Li Jiuying to the Evening City Grand Hotel for a local meal, then spent some time relaxing at the hotel bar.

When he learned that Li Jiuying had just arrived in Wancheng and had not yet checked into a hotel, Li Rongxiu conveniently booked him into the presidential suite at the Evening City Grand Hotel. A night in the presidential suite was not cheap, but Li Rongxiu felt that spending so little to watch Chi Junrui grow increasingly anxious while being unable to get a word in edgewise was absolutely worth it.

Filled with the urge to play a prank, Li Rongxiu simply booked the presidential suite for half a year. Then he patted Li Jiuying's shoulder and said warmly, "We hit it off at first sight, and it just so happens that we both share the surname Li. I'll recognize you as my sworn brother. I'll cover all your food, drinks, and entertainment in Wancheng, so just wait and enjoy yourself."

Li Jiuying looked over Li Rongxiu, who was standing on tiptoe to act like the boss, looking utterly impassioned and generous. Unable to hold back, he curled his lips in a smile. Chi Junrui, standing nearby, grew even more anxious. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze met Li Jiuying's. Though Li Jiuying still looked gentle and approachable, there was a veiled warning in his eyes. Chi Junrui shuddered and did not dare say another word.

It was not as though Li Rongxiu and the others had failed to notice the subtle exchange between Li Jiuying and Chi Junrui, but none of them cared. In the eyes of these young playboys, no matter how distinguished Li Jiuying's status might be in the Capital, this was Wancheng, where the Empire's economic lifeblood converged. So long as Wancheng's taxes accounted for half the Empire's total revenue, they, the children of great families, would never need to bow and scrape to please anyone.

That was the difference between old families and nouveau riche. The latter always lacked a measure or two of dignity and breeding when dealing with the powerful.

After secretly looking down on Chi Junrui for being almost servile, the group exchanged knowing smiles. At almost that very moment, Li Jiuying keenly sensed the innate pride and reserve that arose from the depths of Li Rongxiu and the others. With interest, he took a sip of the whiskey Chi Junrui had poured for him, but his gaze remained fixed on Li Rongxiu, who insisted on drinking iced cocoa in a bar.

He watched Li Rongxiu deliberately place his glass of iced cocoa on the small round table before him and nudge it toward Chi Junrui. Smiling, he said, "Add two ice cubes for me."

Chi Junrui froze, then instinctively glanced at Li Rongxiu before smiling in reply. "The ice is on the table. I don't know Young Master Rongxiu's preferences, so please help yourself."

"But the ice bucket is closer to you." As Li Rongxiu spoke, he casually glanced at Li Jiuying.

Under the dim bar lights, Li Jiuying watched Li Rongxiu lean slightly back into his cushioned chair, allowing his body to relax more comfortably. He naturally crossed one leg over the other, revealing a small stretch of snow-white ankle. His right elbow rested loosely on the armrest, his middle, ring, and little fingers slightly curled, while his index finger rested lightly against his brow. In his left hand, he held a complimentary matchbox from the bar, turning it nimbly between his fingers. Tilting his head at Chi Junrui, he continued to smile. "Originally, we didn't intend to invite Young Master Chi to our gathering. After all, we weren't familiar with each other before. But since you insisted on coming, I assumed you wished to befriend us. Since we're all friends now, it isn't too much to ask Young Master Chi to help me add two ice cubes, is it?"

After Li Rongxiu finished speaking, Alan and the others stopped talking as well and looked at Chi Junrui with faintly amused expressions.

Chi Junrui suddenly felt that the atmosphere in the bar was unbearably quiet and stifling. Not even the frenzied crowd on the dance floor, the deafening music, and the flashing lights could melt the obscure stillness surrounding this small area. He looked at the languid Li Rongxiu, then at Li Jiuying, who sat silently to one side. He vaguely sensed an atmosphere that allowed no refusal. After a moment of contemplation, Chi Junrui suddenly smiled. "Of course. No problem."

With that, Chi Junrui swiftly picked up a small pair of silver tongs and dropped two ice cubes into the crystal glass of iced cocoa. The instant the ice landed in the cocoa, a few drops splashed onto the small round table. Chi Junrui lowered his head to look at those droplets, feeling as though he could hear the ice striking the crystal glass.

Alan, seated beside Chi Junrui, pulled several tissues from the box and wiped the crystal glass holding the cocoa before handing it to Li Rongxiu. Li Rongxiu took it and toyed with it for a moment, then smiled at Alan. "Thank you."

Alan replied that it was nothing. Li Rongxiu then looked at Chi Junrui, smiled faintly, and raised his glass in his direction. Nodding, he said, "And thank you too."

Chi Junrui stiffly tugged at the corner of his mouth and replied blandly, "You're welcome." Then he glanced at Li Jiuying with some frustration, seemingly trying to read his emotions. Yet Li Jiuying still wore that eternally gentle smile, as though he had not noticed the unspoken clash between them at all.

Somewhat embarrassed, Chi Junrui drained the whiskey in his glass. The instant the cold liquid entered his mouth, it burst with a fierce, rich fragrance. Its full-bodied flavor assaulted his taste buds and overwhelmed his senses, bringing a trace of clarity to his muddled mind. The next second, however, his thoughts seemed to grow even murkier.

Chi Junrui felt somewhat dejected. He thought his performance just now had been terrible. At the very moment Li Rongxiu had asked him to add ice, he had been startled by the unmistakable nobility and arrogance that seemed to bear down on him. Though Li Rongxiu had still maintained the false politeness and approachability of a young man from a great family, in Chi Junrui's eyes, he had seemed like a king seated high above all others in that instant. Chi Junrui himself had been no more than an insignificant attendant among the masses. It seemed only natural that whatever Li Rongxiu commanded him to do, he should do.

The elite presence he had always taken pride in had actually been suppressed by several playboys he had never considered worth noticing before. To Chi Junrui, the moment he added ice for Li Rongxiu, he had seemed like a puppet on strings, every movement beyond his control.