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 how he addressed him, then smiled. "But that makes sense. You're from the Capital, so it's only natural you're used to Capital cuisine. Just like how, here 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 the one at fault." After hearing Li Jiuying's answer, Li Rongxiu turned to complain to Chi Junrui, "Since you knew Brother Jiuying was visiting Wancheng for the first time, you should at least have arranged a meal of Wancheng specialties. What's with this state-banquet Capital cuisine? Aren't you showing off before an expert and making a fool of yourself?"

Without waiting for Chi Junrui to respond, Li Rongxiu turned back to Li Jiuying. "If you don't mind, Brother Jiuying, I'll take you to try Wancheng's specialties. I might not be able to help much if you came to Wancheng on business, but when it comes to food, drinks, and entertainment—no one is more professional than us."

Zhao Qijun and the others, standing nearby, were perfectly in sync with Li Rongxiu. Hearing this, they all chimed in, urging Li Jiuying to come with them and promising that this trip would be far more interesting than staying with stiff-necked Chi Junrui.

With his friends backing him up, Li Rongxiu became even more flamboyant in his persuasion. Which restaurants served the most authentic local dishes, which nightclubs had the prettiest women, which bars had the hottest nighttime atmosphere... He vividly painted Li Jiuying a picture of a Wancheng with a wholly different flavor.

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

Even Li Rongxiu calling him "Brother Jiuying" over and over did not necessarily mean he truly wanted to get close to him—he might not even have realized who Li Jiuying was yet. But Li Jiuying had never received this sort of treatment before, nor had he ever met anyone as wildly uninhibited as Li Rongxiu. He found it rather novel. Thus, he did not mind Li Rongxiu and the others' intention to use him to drive a wedge between them and Chi Junrui.

On the other side, Chi Junrui could no longer sit still when he saw the interaction between Li Jiuying and Li Rongxiu's group. He had gone to enormous lengths to get in touch with this distinguished guest traveling incognito, all through a friend from his years studying abroad.

Chi Junrui knew that this distinguished guest kept a low profile and disliked publicity. He had also feared that news of his arrival would spread and attract all the wealthy families of Wancheng, each scrambling to curry favor with him. That was why he had not even dared tell his parents or brothers, secretly arranging to meet the man at the Imperial Residence. He had been considering how to please him, hoping to use the guest's status to break into the Capital's business circles.

In Chi Junrui's view, as long as he could secure this connection with Li Jiuying, not only could the Chi family make a comeback, but even taking revenge on the Li family might not be impossible. Yet before he could put his grand plans into motion, Li Rongxiu and the others had thrown everything into disarray. Seeing that Li Jiuying appeared rather tempted by their persuasion, the anxious and angry Chi Junrui could only suppress his agitation and advise, "Young Master Rongxiu, stop fooling around. What status do you have, and what status does Mr. Li have? If he goes with you to those disreputable places and gets photographed by some gossip rag, 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 mockery in his eyes, smiling without any warmth.

The smile on Chi Junrui's face froze. The Li family had not originally made its fortune in the restaurant business, but while studying abroad, the old master of the Li family had keenly felt the loneliness of being in a foreign land. Overwhelmed by homesickness, he decided to enter the hotel industry. 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 established branches in the capitals of European countries, striving to ensure that people from the Empire could feel at home no matter where they were in the world.

Over the past half-century, the Li family's Evening City Grand Hotel had long become one of the defining features 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 called the Evening City Grand Hotel a "disreputable place" right in front of Li Rongxiu and Li Jiuying. 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 definitely 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 loves to visit."

However, Li Rongxiu no longer paid Chi Junrui any attention. Turning to Li Jiuying, he said, "I'd like to invite Brother Jiuying to experience the real specialties of Wancheng, instead of spending a fortune on reheated Capital cuisine here. What do you think, Brother Jiuying?"

Li Jiuying considered it briefly, then ignored Chi Junrui's already livid expression and smiled gently. "A guest follows the host's arrangements. Since you have invited me so sincerely, Rongxiu, I'll accept your hospitality. Tonight, I'll leave it all to you."

At that, Li Rongxiu could not hide his delight. He flashed Chi Junrui a provocative smile, then urged Li Jiuying before Chi Junrui could retort, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go. First, we'll have a proper Wancheng meal at the Evening City Grand Hotel. After that, we'll make sure Brother Jiuying has an unforgettable Wancheng night."

Seeing that the matter could not be changed, Chi Junrui could only give up trying to dissuade Li Jiuying and hurriedly said, "In that case, I'll trouble 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

Though they said they would let Li Jiuying 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 only took Li Jiuying to the Evening City Grand Hotel for some local cuisine, then spent a while relaxing at the bar inside the hotel.

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

Filled with mischief, Li Rongxiu simply booked the presidential suite for half a year. Then, patting Li Jiuying on the shoulder, he said with warm consideration, "We hit it off right away, and it just so happens that we're both surnamed Li. I'm recognizing you as my sworn brother. While you're in Wancheng, I'll cover all your food, drinks, and entertainment. Just relax and wait to enjoy yourself."

Li Jiuying looked Li Rongxiu over as he stood on tiptoe to act like the boss, his face full of passionate generosity, and could not help curling his lips in amusement. Seeing this, Chi Junrui became even more anxious. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes met Li Jiuying's. Though Li Jiuying still looked gentle and amiable, there was a warning and threat hidden in his gaze. Chi Junrui shuddered and no longer dared say another word.

It was not as though Li Rongxiu and the others had failed to notice the little exchanges between Li Jiuying and Chi Junrui, but none of them took it seriously. In the eyes of these young playboys, no matter how noble Li Jiuying's status might be in the Capital, this was Wancheng—the crossroads of the Empire's economic lifeblood. So long as Wancheng's tax revenue accounted for half the Empire's total income, young heirs like them would never need to grovel and flatter anyone.

That was the difference between old families and nouveau riche. The latter always lacked a degree or two of backbone and heritage when dealing with the powerful.

After secretly looking down on Chi Junrui for practically fawning at Li Jiuying's feet, they exchanged knowing smiles. Almost at that very moment, Li Jiuying keenly sensed the innate pride and reserve rising naturally from the depths of Li Rongxiu and the others' hearts. 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 the bar.

He watched Li Rongxiu deliberately place his glass of iced cocoa on the small round table before him and push it slightly 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 right on the table. I don't know Young Master Rongxiu's preferences, so you can add it 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 back slightly into the soft chair, stretching himself out more comfortably. Then 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, spinning it deftly between his fingers. Tilting his head at Chi Junrui, he continued with a smile, "Originally, we hadn't planned to invite Young Master Chi to our gathering. After all, we weren't familiar before. But since you insisted on coming, I assumed you wanted to befriend us. Since we're all friends now, surely it isn't too much to ask Young Master Chi to help me add two ice cubes?"

After Li Rongxiu finished speaking, Alan and the others stopped talking as well, looking at Chi Junrui with faint, knowing smiles.

Chi Junrui suddenly felt that the bar was far too quiet and stifling. Even the chaotic dancers on the floor, the deafening music, and the flashing lights could not dispel the oppressive silence hanging over this small corner. He looked at Li Rongxiu, who lounged there lazily, then at Li Jiuying, seated quietly to one side without saying a word. He vaguely sensed an atmosphere that allowed no refusal. After considering it for a moment, Chi Junrui suddenly smiled. "Of course. No problem."

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

Alan, seated beside Chi Junrui, pulled several tissues from the box, wiped the crystal glass holding the cocoa, and handed it to Li Rongxiu. Li Rongxiu took it and played with it for a moment before smiling at Alan. "Thanks."

Alan replied that it was nothing. Li Rongxiu then looked at Chi Junrui, smiled faintly, raised his glass in acknowledgment, and nodded. "Thank you too."

Chi Junrui stiffly tugged at the corner of his mouth and replied blandly, "You're welcome." Then he cast Li Jiuying a somewhat frustrated glance, as though trying to see through his feelings. Yet Li Jiuying's face still bore that timeless gentle smile, as if he had not noticed the silent clash between them at all.

Awkwardly, Chi Junrui drained the whiskey in his glass. The instant the cold liquid entered his mouth, it erupted with a fiery richness. Its mellow flavor swept across his taste buds and seized his senses, bringing a trace of clarity to his muddled mind. The next second, however, it seemed to grow even more muddled.

Chi Junrui felt rather dejected. He thought his performance just now had been terrible. At the very moment Li Rongxiu had asked him to add ice, he had even been startled by the overwhelming nobility and arrogance that seemed to rush straight at him, leaving no room for doubt or refusal. Though Li Rongxiu had still maintained the false politeness and easy manner of a young heir, in Chi Junrui's eyes, Li Rongxiu had seemed to become a king standing high above all others, while Chi Junrui himself was merely an insignificant attendant among the masses. It had felt as though anything Li Rongxiu ordered him to do was only natural.

The elite presence he had always been proud of had actually been suppressed by several playboys he had never thought much of before. To Chi Junrui, at the moment he added ice for Li Rongxiu, he had seemed to become a puppet on strings, unable to control a single movement.