Chapter 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 would. He simply let the matter pass naturally.

How should he put it... it was quite comfortable.

Qin Heng quickly finished the quiz.

Chi Ning looked at the quiz paper, and his newfound admiration for Little CEO Qin's emotional intelligence immediately faded.

He said gravely, "I'll go over the grammar with you first, then give you some similar questions. Mark any words you don't understand in the wrong answers with a highlighter and memorize them."

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

Chi Ning had changed books today. Several large Song-style 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 looked more closely and found that Chi Ning was reading this book far more seriously than he had read the academic one.

The young man had his brows tightly furrowed and even took notes.

He had portioned some of Tea River Lounge's complimentary snacks onto a small plate and kept it tucked by his hand. Every so often, he popped one into his mouth. Even when chewing, he made almost no sound, as if he were sneaking food.

To get more comfortable, Chi Ning leaned back into the cushions piled in the corner against the wall. One leg was bent, the calf resting against the knee of the other leg. His calves did not look particularly fleshy, but pressed together like that, they looked soft and plump.

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

Fuck, what the hell was he thinking about?!

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

He even imagined Ye Xinran standing elegantly beside Chi Ning, demonstrating his superiority as he said, "Qin Heng, if you can't even get into Gangnan, what do you have to compete with?"

Qin Heng: Fuck!

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

The sound of Qin Heng's pen tip stabbing the tabletop was far too loud. By the time they had studied until ten-thirty, he had ruined one pen.

Chi Ning glanced over and smiled. "That much resentment?"

Qin Heng thought, You bet.

Yet he kept a perfectly serious face, even looking slightly troubled. "I'm strong. When I get absorbed, I unconsciously use too much force."

After saying that, he paused and suddenly realized the ambiguity of his words. He cleared his throat and stood up to open the door for Chi Ning. "Want me to take you back?"

"No need. It's only a little after ten. I'm going to Boss Xu's to play some ball." Chi Ning shook out his jacket and put it on.

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

"Then let's go together."

Chi Ning had finished more than half of The Actor's Self-Cultivation today and generally understood why his lies were always exposed and why his acting always looked fake.

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

The professional term for it seemed to be a lack of lived experience.

Fortunately, after learning how to observe, this problem could be readily solved too.

Learn! 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 pinned down in the dressing room by his mother and put into a white suit.

Chen Mingxian clicked her tongue twice and said to Chi Baichuan, "I'm amazing. Both my boys are this handsome. Too bad Chi Yang got your nose—it dragged 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 beside Chi Ning to receive the guests.

Whenever the guests saw them, they said, "These two brothers are so handsome."

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

When Qin Heng arrived, this was what he saw: Chi Ning smiling at the guests.

The young man wore a well-tailored white suit. His red shirt collar was unbuttoned, without a tie, revealing a stretch of fair neck. Standing beneath the European-style Roman columns at the hotel entrance, he looked like a star that had fallen into a dark, gloomy lake.

He was utterly out of place in this world of fame and profit.

Xu Jiahao, who had brought Qin Heng over, gave a light cough. "Your eyes."

Qin Heng immediately shifted his gaze to Chi Yang.

Chi Yang showed a hint of confusion. His smile stiffened for a moment before he immediately extended his hand. "Boss Xu is here? What an honor."

The guests nearby and President Shen, who had just gotten out of his car in the distance, curled their lips in amusement as they watched the show.

Rumors outside said Xu Jiahao and Chi Baichuan had teamed up, that their relationship was exceptionally close. But what proper business partner brought the younger son's rumored romantic interest to the older son's birthday banquet?

And it was a 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 unshaken. He clasped Chi Yang's hand, then tugged hard, bumping their shoulders together.

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

That really did mean they were close.

President Shen walked down the red carpet behind them, his expression a little unpleasant.

But wasn't everyone putting on an act?

Chi Baichuan had sent him an invitation, and he had come, hadn't he? Everyone knew the Shen Family and the Chi family were at odds.

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

Chi Ning lowered his eyes and swept them over the positions of the three of them. He immediately reached out and patted Chi Yang's jacket hem. "There's dust on it, bro."

Hurry up and finish exchanging pleasantries. Stop spacing out. If President Shen and Boss Xu ran into each other, it would be hard to smooth things over.

Chi Yang understood. Suddenly, he felt as though his younger brother had grown up a little too and was beginning to understand social etiquette.

He released Xu Jiahao's hand and looked at 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 for a moment, their minds immediately racing. If Qin Heng was Boss Xu's son, that meant something entirely different.

Everyone knew Boss Xu had no intention of dating. He might not even have a biological son in this lifetime. Boss Xu had long considered adoption, but unfortunately, he had never found a child he liked. Had he found one now?

Chi Yang cursed furiously in his heart.

Handsome my ass. Handsome, handsome, handsome. All he knew was how to deceive young boys!

He smiled brightly. "Handsome. Congratulations, Boss Xu. Please, both of you, come in."

Chi Yang grabbed Qin Heng's hand and squeezed it with resentment.

Qin Heng smiled. "Hello, Brother Chi."

Chi Yang thought, Brother my ass. Am I your brother? Keep dreaming. 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.

Only a few seconds after the two left, Shen Zongze stood before Chi Ning.

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

"My dad loves lively occasions. He's inside preparing his speech." Chi Yang smiled cheerfully.

Chi Ning smiled as well.

That speech was about the shares. The outside world still did not know that the Chi family had already recovered the shares. They thought the shares distributed earlier had all been purchased by retail investors.

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

He really did not know what expressions President Shen and Shen Minyi would wear after hearing the truth.

Would they fly into a rage, or dump the blame on Mrs. Shen?

"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 a little.

Muddy waters were best for fishing.

Chi Ning's smile made Shen Minyi freeze. He felt that smile was too sweet, so sweet it was almost frightening. Chi Ning had never smiled at him like that.

Chi Ning bent his elbow and jabbed Chi Yang in the waist, sounding reproachful. "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, right? It only takes ten minutes to get here? I thought they'd arrive earlier than Boss Xu, who lives in Gangnan."

Chi Yang: ...

Damn! His little brother knew how to sarcastically mock someone for arriving late!

Though it was a bit obvious, it was progress!

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

Shen Minyi wanted to explain, but when he remembered his parents beside him, he gritted his teeth and held it in.

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 brothers leaned their heads together and whispered.

Chi Yang said, "Not bad."

Chi Ning gave a quiet snort. "That photo of Qin Heng giving me the gold medal was taken on Mrs. Shen's orders. It wasn't clear, but Shen Minyi was in the background. She originally wanted to warn her own son not to fall for someone he shouldn't like, but she never expected us to benefit from it. I hold grudges."

Chi Yang's expression turned slightly cold. "So that's what happened. What did Shen Minyi want from you?"

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

Chi Yang gripped Chi Ning's shoulder hard. "Shen Minyi is no good."

He was even worse than Qin Heng.

He did not say more, only reminded him, "Don't let anyone fool you. I might not be able to keep an eye on you during the banquet. If anyone bothers you, you can show them a sour face directly. Don't be afraid."

Chi Ning said, "It's fine."

He was not here to pull a sour face today. He was here to test the results of his studies!

Chi Ning took a glass of juice from an attendant'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 place where he stood was just behind and to the side above Shen Minyi's head.

"Bzz—"

The microphone gave a burst of feedback. Chi Baichuan walked onto the stage. After finishing his lengthy opening remarks, he handed the speech notes in his hand to Chen Mingxian and pulled his wife to his side.