Page 37

He was more considerate than when they had first met.

He had only said it smelled bad, and Qin Heng had showered and changed clothes. When he came back, he did not press him with, "Is it better now?" or make dirty jokes like other boys. He had simply let the matter pass naturally.

How should he put it... it made him feel quite comfortable.

Qin Heng quickly finished the quiz.

Chi Ning looked at the quiz paper, and his admiration for "Young Master Qin's" improved emotional intelligence immediately faded.

He said in a deep voice, "I'll explain the grammar to you first, then give you some similar questions. Mark the words you don't understand in the wrong answers with a highlighter and memorize them."

Qin Heng acknowledged him. Whenever he grew tired of studying, he would turn his head and stare at Chi Ning, who was holding a book, for a while.

Chi Ning had switched books today. Several large Song-font characters were printed on the spine—The Actor's Self-Cultivation.

Qin Heng: Hm?

Yesterday it had been Human Genetic Code. Why was it suddenly The Actor's Self-Cultivation today? Wasn't that quite a leap?

He took another careful look and realized Chi Ning was reading this book much more seriously than he had read the academic one.

The youth's brows were tightly furrowed, and he even took notes.

He had put some of the complimentary snacks from Tea River Lounge onto a small plate beside him. Every now and then, he popped one into his mouth. He barely made a sound while chewing, like he was sneaking food.

To get more comfortable, Chi Ning leaned back into the cushions piled in the corner. One leg was bent, his calf resting against the knee of his other leg. His seemingly slender calf became soft and plump when pressed like that.

Qin Heng kneaded the soft grip on his pen and could not help imagining how that calf would feel. It should be soft... probably like jelly when held in his hand.

Fuck, why was he even thinking about that?!

Qin Heng cursed inwardly. If he did not study properly, forget about touching his legs—he would not even get to touch his hand.

He could even picture Ye Xinran standing gracefully beside Chi Ning, provoking him as he said, "Qin Heng, if you can't even get into Gangnan, what do you have to compare with?"

Qin Heng: Fuck!

Damn it... he could write another five sets!

The sound of Qin Heng's pen tip stabbing the desk was far too loud. After studying until ten-thirty, he had ruined one pen.

Chi Ning took a look and smiled. "That much resentment?"

Qin Heng thought, Of course.

But he looked completely serious, even somewhat troubled. "I'm strong. When I get absorbed, I unconsciously use too much force."

After saying that, he paused, suddenly realizing the ambiguity in his words. He gave a light cough, stood up, and opened the door for Chi Ning. "Want me to walk you back?"

"No need. It's only a little after ten. I'm going to Boss Xu's place to play some ball for a while." Chi Ning shook out his jacket and draped it over himself.

Qin Heng said, "Perfect. I'm heading there too."

"Then let's go together."

Chi Ning had read more than half of The Actor's Self-Cultivation today and roughly understood why his lies were always exposed and why his acting never seemed convincing.

It was because, deep down, he did not believe what he was saying was true.

The professional term seemed to be a lack of immersion.

Fortunately, once he learned how to observe, this problem could be easily solved too.

Study! Everything could be learned!

In half a month, even if he could not become emotionally intelligent, he would at least pretend to be!

At the beginning of October, on Chi Yang's birthday.

Chi Ning was practically pinned in the dressing room by his mother and dressed in a white suit.

Chen Mingxian clicked her tongue twice and said to Chi Baichuan, "I'm amazing. Both my boys are this good-looking. Too bad Chi Yang's nose takes after you and drags down his looks."

Chi Baichuan: ...

He said, "Yes, yes, yes. My wife is right."

Chi Yang, whose nose resembled his father's, had also changed into a white suit. He stood with Chi Ning, receiving guests.

Every guest who saw them said, "These two brothers are really handsome."

That was what they said, but more eyes landed on Chi Ning.

When Qin Heng arrived, he saw Chi Ning smiling at the guests.

The youth wore a well-tailored white suit. His red shirt collar was untied, exposing a stretch of pale neck. Standing beneath the hotel entrance's European Roman columns, he looked like a star that had fallen into a gloomy lake.

He seemed utterly out of place amid this world of fame and fortune.

Xu Jiahao, who had brought Qin Heng, coughed lightly. "Your eyes."

Qin Heng immediately shifted his gaze to Chi Yang.

Chi Yang showed a trace of confusion. His smile stiffened for a moment before he immediately extended his hand. "Boss Xu is here? You honor us with your presence."

The guests beside them, along with President Shen, who had just gotten out of his car some distance away, curved their lips as they watched the show.

Rumors outside said Xu Jiahao and Chi Baichuan had partnered up and were incredibly close. But what normal business partner brought the rumored romantic interest of someone else's younger son to that person's elder son's birthday banquet?

And it was a fucking man! A guy the paparazzi called a thug.

Wasn't that slapping the Chi family in the face?

Under everyone's gaze, Xu Jiahao remained utterly unmoved. He clasped Chi Yang's hand, then gave it a forceful tug, making their shoulders bump together.

Xu Jiahao patted Chi Yang's shoulder like they were old buddies. "You've grown taller again, kid. Not bad."

That truly meant they had a good relationship.

President Shen walked along the red carpet behind them, his expression somewhat unpleasant.

But wasn't socializing all about putting on an act? Who did not do it?

Chi Baichuan had sent him an invitation, so how could he not come? Everyone knew the Shen Family and the Chi family were at odds.

President Shen led Shen Minyi and Mrs. Shen behind the usher, walking somewhat slowly.

Chi Ning lowered his eyes and glanced at where the three of them stood. He immediately reached out and tugged at Chi Yang's clothes. "There's dust on it, brother."

Hurry up and finish exchanging pleasantries. Do not stand there blankly, or it would be hard to smooth things over if President Shen and Boss Xu ran into each other.

Chi Yang understood. He suddenly felt that his younger brother seemed to have grown up a little too, beginning to understand social etiquette.

He released Xu Jiahao's hand and turned to Qin Heng instead. "And this... is?"

Xu Jiahao reasonably suspected that the pause contained the words "wild man." He laughed heartily and slapped Qin Heng on the back. "This is my son. Handsome, right?"

Everyone froze, then their thoughts began to stir. If Qin Heng was Boss Xu's son, that carried an entirely different meaning.

Everyone knew Boss Xu had no intention of dating. He might never have a biological son in his life. Boss Xu had long considered adoption, but unfortunately, he had never met a child he liked. Had he found one now?

Chi Yang cursed furiously inside.

Handsome my ass. Handsome, handsome, handsome. All he knew was how to trick little boys!

His face was smiling. "Handsome. Congratulations, Boss Xu. Please come in, both of you."

Chi Yang grabbed Qin Heng's hand and gave it a resentful squeeze.

Qin Heng smiled. "Hello, Brother Chi."

Chi Yang thought, Brother my ass. Am I your brother? Dream on. Hello my ass.

He smiled again. "Hello."

Xu Jiahao pretended not to understand the silent battle between the younger generation and led Qin Heng inside.

They had only been gone a few seconds when Shen Zongze stepped in front of Chi Ning.

President Shen said, "Why don't I see Baichuan?"

"My dad loves a lively occasion. He's inside preparing his speech." Chi Yang smiled brightly.

Chi Ning smiled as well.

That speech was about the shares. Outsiders still did not know that the Chi family had already reclaimed the shares; they thought the shares distributed some time ago had all been bought up by retail investors.

Although the Shen Family felt they had alerted the enemy, they still believed they had a chance to secretly buy in.

He truly wondered what expressions President Shen and Shen Minyi would wear after learning the truth.

Would they fly into a rage, or blame Mrs. Shen instead?

"Hello, President Shen." Chi Ning greeted him sweetly, then said with equal politeness, "Hello, Mrs. Shen and Brother Shen."

Not Young Master Shen, but Brother Shen.

Didn't Mrs. Shen think he was seducing Shen Minyi? He could reluctantly endure his disgust and muddy the Shen Family's waters.

Muddy waters were easier to fish in.

Chi Ning's smile made Shen Minyi freeze. He felt that smile was too sweet, sweet enough to make one uneasy. Chi Ning had never smiled at him like that.

Chi Ning jabbed Chi Yang in the waist with his elbow, sounding as though he were complaining. "Big Brother, why aren't you inviting President Shen inside? I'm checking the guest list, and he's the only one left."

He muttered again, "The Shen Family is quite close to Gangxi. It should only take ten minutes, right? I thought they would arrive before Boss Xu, who lives in Gangnan."

Chi Yang: ...

Holy shit! My little brother knows how to sarcastically point out that someone is late now!

Though it was a little obvious, it was progress!

Listen to that—so obedient, so sweet, so pleasant. Who could withstand that sort of complaint?

Shen Minyi wanted to explain, but when he thought of his parents beside him, he clenched his molars and held back.

Chi Yang smiled. "Ah, children can't stand around for too long. I'll take my little brother inside first. President Shen, come with us."

After saying that, he left the Shen Family standing there and turned to guide Chi Ning through the doors with a hand on his shoulder.

The two brothers pressed their heads together and whispered.

Chi Yang said, "Not bad."

Chi Ning gave a quiet hum. "That photo of Qin Heng giving me the gold medal was taken on Mrs. Shen's orders. It wasn't very clear, but Shen Minyi was in the background. She originally wanted to warn her own son not to fall for someone he should not like, but she did not expect us to benefit from it. I hold grudges."

Chi Yang's expression cooled slightly. "So that's how it was. What did Shen Minyi want with you?"

Chi Ning said softly, "He came to give me a gold medal too..."

Chi Yang gripped Chi Ning's shoulder hard. "Shen Minyi isn't a good person."

He was even worse than Qin Heng.

He did not say much more, only warned, "Don't let anyone fool you. I might not be able to look after you at the banquet. If anyone bothers you, just show them a cold face. Don't be afraid."

Chi Ning said, "It's fine."

He had not come today to pull a long face. He had come to test the results of his studies!

Chi Ning took a glass of juice from an usher's tray and quietly went up to the second floor. The view was broad here, allowing him to observe everyone's expressions when his father announced the share inheritance arrangement.

The spot where he stood was directly behind and above Shen Minyi.

"Bzz—"

The microphone buzzed. Chi Baichuan stepped onto the stage. After finishing his lengthy opening remarks, he handed the cue cards in his hand to Chen Mingxian and pulled his wife to his side.