Page 18

Chi Ning pondered for a moment. "Xu Jiahao won't believe you."

True enough, Qin Heng thought.

Chi Ning looked exceptionally well-behaved, and the contrast was even starker whenever he stood beside Qin Heng.

He studied Chi Ning's expression.

There was no anger or dissatisfaction on Chi Ning's face, only a trace of confusion. His entire face seemed to say: How could you be this kind of person?

In his previous life, Qin Heng had been modest and courteous around him, knowing exactly when to advance and retreat. A few ambiguous words were enough to make him embarrassed. He had never teased him like this.

Qin Heng suddenly said, "I don't care why you lied to Brother Xu. I won't expose you. I can even teach you how to act."

Chi Ning had seen him at his most miserable, so there was no point pretending. He might as well drop the act. Though Chi Ning was not especially skilled at dealing with people, he was very smart. Going by his habits, he would definitely pay some tuition after agreeing.

Chi Ning's fists clenched.

What did he mean, "Want to learn? I'll teach you?"

He was not even willing to pretend anymore?

Turning his head away, he said angrily, "You don't want to help me rent a place, right? Zhang Qiuwen should be an adult too. I'll just ask Zhang Qiuwen for help."

Chi Ning stepped past Qin Heng, but halfway through, someone grabbed his wrist.

Qin Heng's gaze darkened. Gripping Chi Ning's thin wrist, he gritted his teeth. "You're willing to help anyone, aren't you?"

He and Zhang Qiuwen had come from the same orphanage. They fought together, ate together, and could even make money together. They were brothers who had grown up sharing everything. But he simply did not want Chi Ning to bypass him and help Zhang Qiuwen instead.

Chi Ning twisted his wrist free and said coldly, "Not exactly. I'm selective."

Qin Heng laughed in anger. He did not know what was wrong with himself as he snapped, "Me, Ye Xinran, Zhang Qiuwen—who's next? Are you planning to help every person you meet?"

Chi Ning gave an oh and turned back openly. "How did you know I helped Ye Xinran?"

Remembering the faint sounds from behind the wall that day, he suddenly understood. "You saw it?"

Chi Ning stared directly into Qin Heng's eyes. "Qin Heng, whether I'm helping people, how many people I help, or exactly who I help—what does that have to do with you?"

Qin Heng froze for a moment, his lashes lowering.

Chi Ning was right. It had absolutely nothing to do with him.

He was ill-intentioned. Whether Chi Ning would be deceived had nothing to do with him.

Zhang Qiuwen was so close to him and such an honest person. If someone was willing to help him, Qin Heng should have been happy.

Besides, Chi Ning was not his. What right did he have to interfere so much?

Even if Chi Ning really joined him later, he could still help whoever he wanted. Qin Heng could not restrict Second Young Master Chi's freedom.

Qin Heng's thoughts were a mess, and he said nothing for a long while.

Watching him, Chi Ning suspected he had spoken too harshly and felt a tiny bit guilty. It wasn't Little Qin who lied to me. Why do I keep taking it out on him?

"I, uh... I... Isn't Zhang Qiuwen your friend?"

The explanation was a little clumsy, and he even stumbled at the beginning.

Qin Heng's brows relaxed, and his dark eyes instantly cleared like a cloudless sky. "So Zhang Qiuwen benefited because of me?"

What about Ye Xinran?

Once his mood improved, his brain began working again.

He knew he could not ask that last question, so he swallowed it.

Qin Heng blinked and betrayed his brother without hesitation. "Zhang Qiuwen isn't an adult."

Chi Ning had never met Zhang Qiuwen in his previous life. How could he know whether that was true or false?

But he had been reborn. He had learned to be cautious!

"Really? I'll ask him before I decide. You acknowledged Xu Jiahao as your godfather. He won't treat you badly. He might even give you a place to live, so you probably don't need a house as much as Zhang Qiuwen does."

Qin Heng clenched his molars, his face an image of calm. "Fine. Go ask."

Though he could not understand why, he simply did not want Chi Ning getting too close to Zhang Qiuwen.

Especially over something as intimate-sounding as renting a place together.

After Chi Ning left, Qin Heng pulled out the Little Smart phone he had recently bought for work and texted Zhang Qiuwen: [If Chi Ning asks how old you are later, say you're seventeen.]

-

After leaving the restroom, Chi Ning asked Zhang Qiuwen, only to receive an unexpected answer.

Zhang Qiuwen said, "I'm seventeen. Otherwise, why would I call Qin Heng 'brother'?"

Chi Ning pondered. "That makes sense."

In that case, Qin Heng really was the only one who could help.

Fine. He would talk to Qin Heng again after work.

He sighed softly, picked up a cue stick to play for a while, then thought better of it and put it back.

Mm... The pool table Jiang Shijie had sat on was pretty dirty.

Frowning, Chi Ning returned to the sofa.

When Qin Heng emerged from the restroom, he saw Chi Ning sitting obediently on the sofa, looking troubled.

The corner of his lips lifted. It seemed Zhang Qiuwen had managed to keep it hidden.

So innocent. How had he been raised?

When Chi Ning had gone to confirm it earlier, Qin Heng had been holding his breath, afraid something would go wrong.

Who would have thought the little lamb had grown a bit of caution—but not much.

Noticing his gaze, Chi Ning turned around. "You're back?"

He had just acted fierce toward him, and now he needed his help again, so he could not help feeling a little embarrassed. "After you get off work, shall we find somewhere to discuss the rental matter properly?"

His voice softened as he spoke, carrying an inexplicable hint of coquettishness.

Qin Heng's ears grew warm for no reason. "Okay."

In his mind, a cartoon little white lamb was cursing, "How can you lie to him? You're really awful. Once he sees through you, he'll definitely hate you."

On the other side, a little black wolf stood with his hands on his hips and retorted righteously, "I was never a good person. I'm used to deceiving people. Young Master Chi responds to softness, not force. He likes refined people. Look how nice he is to Mo Yuanzhou. What can I do? As long as I'm not exposed, it's fine."

The little white lamb lost the argument and fell silent in anger, leaving only the little black wolf to strut triumphantly.

Qin Heng gathered his thoughts and headed toward Xu Jiahao. "I get off late, at eleven-thirty. If you get hungry, go eat first."

Chi Ning glanced at the now-empty family-size bag of chips. Forget hungry—he was even feeling a little stuffed.

It was his first time indulging in chips like this. It was satisfying, but also a little greasy.

"I'm not hungry."

The words had barely left his mouth when a line of burly men in suits entered through the door.

There were too many to count at a glance—ten in total. They entered and lined up in two rows of five. The last two held open the glass door and lifted the plastic curtain as a middle-aged man in a royal blue suit walked into the pool hall.

He was somewhat plump, but generally still handsome. His well-maintained face was rosy and glowing, giving him the air of a man riding high on success. Yet his slightly loosened tie exposed a hint of impatience.

Chi Ning withdrew his gaze.

Shen Zongze. President Shen.

He would recognize him even if he turned to ashes.

In his previous life, Shen Zongze had bought off the Chi family's shareholders and secretly seized control of Chongning.

His son, Shen Minyi, had drugged him and stolen an entire hard drive of patent data.

"Mr. Xu." Shen Zongze stood before Xu Jiahao and held out his hand. "Hello."

Xu Jiahao did not even stand. He sat behind the counter like a lord. "Hello."

The Chi family and the Shen Family were business rivals, utterly incompatible.

How Xu Jiahao handled this represented which side he would choose.

Personal matters had to be separated from business. He could be on good terms with Chi Ning, but whether he would side with the Chi family still depended on how much potential President Shen had.

Xu Jiahao clasped his hands and smiled. "President Shen, what an impressive display. You brought so many bodyguards? My little pool hall can barely hold them all."

Shen Zongze thought, Wasn't I afraid you'd get angry and have someone chop me up and smuggle me to Myanmar?

He smiled. "Business competition has been fierce lately. I'm guarding against that person from Jiurong Prestige City."

Xu Jiahao raised an eyebrow. Someone who lived in Jiurong Prestige City and was fighting with the Shen Family—wasn't that the Chi family?

He turned to Chi Ning. "Second Young Master Chi, anything you'd like to say?"

Shen Zongze looked toward the dim corner.

A fair, well-behaved-looking youth was slouched on the sofa, resting his chin on one hand as he watched with eyes full of interest.

Shen Zongze was struck by his looks at first, but quickly suppressed any improper thoughts.

The Chi family's youngest son was here. That changed things.

He had originally been afraid of offending Xu Jiahao. Now he was even more afraid that Jiang Shijie's meddling would push the always-neutral Xu Jiahao to the Chi family's side.

Damn it, how had the Jiang Family produced such a jinx?

"Me?"

Chi Ning scratched his cheek with a bent finger. "I've been coming to Boss Xu's place to play for a month, and I haven't brought bodyguards even once. There's no need. Boss Xu is a very nice person."

Shen Zongze nearly cursed aloud.

Nice, my ass!

He was putting on an act. He was vicious and ruthless!

Did you even know what Xu Jiahao did for a living?

His ability to lie with his eyes open was truly flawless.

Xu Jiahao was caught between laughter and tears. It was the first time anyone had called him a good person.

The feeling... was quite strange, but not bad.

Xu Jiahao said, "President Shen, let's talk compensation directly. Jiang Shijie broke the table Young Master Chi reserved by sitting on it. What do you think?"

Shen Zongze nearly failed to catch his breath. It had not been made clear over the phone. If he had known Jiang Shijie had offended Chi Ning, he would never have come! He would have let Jiang Shijie figure it out himself.

Damn unlucky bastard.

It would have been one thing if he had offended Chi Ning elsewhere. But offending him at Xu Jiahao's place, and even breaking the pool table Boss Xu liked—wasn't that forcing Xu Jiahao to side with the Chi family?

Now it was over. Buying Xu Jiahao over with more money was impossible. He would be thanking heaven if he could pay Xu Jiahao to remain neutral. "Boss Xu, this is one million. My judgment was poor, and I chose the wrong partner. I offended you. Please accept it as my apology."

Xu Jiahao accepted the check, did not even look at it, and tossed it aside.

Shen Zongze was thoroughly unlikeable, and the mud on his bodyguards' shoes had dirtied the little mat at the pool hall entrance.

His expression neither pleased nor angry, Xu Jiahao opened the counter drawer and took out five one-million chips.