“All right, all right, stop laughing. Show our Young Master Xiao some respect. He’s had a rough time lately…”
The refined-looking man in a casual silver-gray suit made it halfway through before bursting out laughing.
“Hahaha! No, I can’t do it!”
“…”
Xiao Ji stared at him darkly and ground out each syllable of his name.
“Chu. Xi. Yuan.”
“Sorry, brother.”
Chu Xiyuan fought desperately to contain his laughter.
“I really couldn’t help it.”
Xiao Ji: “…”
“Ahem. We’re done laughing. Seriously.”
Someone cleared his throat and asked more earnestly, “But have you really decided on an alliance with the Songs?”
“He’s obviously just having some fun. How could the Songs compare with the Qiaos?”
“Forget the families. Song Liang himself is useless. What could he possibly bring to the table?”
“…”
Everyone present was either a close friend of Xiao Ji’s or came from a family with ties to the Xiaos. Naturally, they knew he would be the sole chosen successor to the Xiao family.
Surely he wouldn’t choose someone as worthless as Song Liang for a partner. His uncle, who controlled the entire Xiao Group, would never agree.
Yet Xiao Ji said nothing as they joked around. He merely reclined in his cushioned seat, staring at the wineglass in his hand with a cold, brooding expression.
Their smiles vanished.
After exchanging uncertain glances, Chu Xiyuan finally spoke.
“You’re serious?”
When Xiao Ji didn’t answer, Chu Xiyuan let out an exaggerated laugh of disbelief.
“Have you lost your mind, Xiao Ji? You actually fell for that simp? What, did all his groveling finally move you?”
Xiao Ji shot him a sidelong glance.
“Fuck off.”
Now that he had spoken, the atmosphere eased a little. Someone smiled and tried to smooth things over.
“Song Liang isn’t that bad. At least he’s devoted to our Young Master Xiao. Seven or eight years of chasing him—that’s dedication.”
“Dedication, my ass.”
Chu Xiyuan brought the cigarette between his fingers to his lips, took a drag, and lazily exhaled a ring of smoke.
“He just wants the Xiao family’s money. Dress it up however you like. His whole family is probably counting on him marrying rich so they can all climb the ladder.”
“That’s not entirely fair. I heard he saved Xiao Ji this time and ended up in the hospital himself. You can’t fake something with lives at stake.”
“Oh, please. He probably just got lucky. Playing around is fine—Song Liang’s more than willing to throw himself at you. But taking him seriously? Forget it.”
Chu Xiyuan looked at Xiao Ji.
“Besides, your uncle wouldn’t agree, would he?”
Xiao Ji remained silent.
Chu Xiyuan smiled and lowered his voice.
“I’ve recently found someone just your type. Innocent, beautiful, all cool and untouchable. Works in entertainment. First-rate face and body. Want an introduction?”
“Not in the mood.”
Xiao Ji tipped back his head, drained his glass, and stood to leave.
Chu Xiyuan was about to stop him when someone suddenly turned the lounge door handle from outside.
Everyone frowned.
They were regulars here, and every member of staff knew who they were. No employee had ever dared enter so casually, without even knocking.
Chu Xiyuan was about to reprimand whoever it was when the door swung open.
A tall man in a black suit strode inside. His features were rugged and sharply defined, his expression a blend of rakish charm and untamed aggression. His heavy-lidded eyes swept lazily over the room.
Everyone froze.
Liang Ziyu?!
Although the Liangs were now counted among Linhai’s elite families, everyone knew their early power had come from the Xinglong Society—an actual criminal organization.
Even after Chairman Liang had legitimized the family’s businesses and founded the Xinhe Group, Linhai’s wealthy circles remained wary and reluctant to associate with them.
Chu Xiyuan and the others rarely dealt with this young executive of their own generation.
Partly because of the Liang family’s past, and partly because of Liang Ziyu himself.
Plenty of stories circulated in their circles. He supposedly held a position at Xinhe while still involving himself in the Xinglong Society’s illicit businesses.
Then there was his ruthless, unpredictable nature and his determination to repay every slight.
A man who could spill blood without blinking belonged to a different world from theirs. They had no interest in becoming close.
But why had he suddenly appeared here—and come directly to their room?
They exchanged glances in silence. Finally, Chu Xiyuan stepped forward.
“Can we help you, Mr. Liang?”
Liang Ziyu didn’t even look at him. His gaze settled directly on Xiao Ji.
“Know Song Liang?”
Chu Xiyuan and the others blinked. Xiao Ji was also surprised.
“You could say that.”
“You either know him or you don’t. What’s ‘you could say that’ supposed to mean?”
Liang Ziyu lifted his brows, a trace of impatience entering his voice.
“What’s your relationship with him?”
Xiao Ji frowned slightly.
“What exactly are you getting at, Mr. Liang?”
“Just asking what your relationship is.”
Liang Ziyu looked thoughtful.
“Or his relationship with your uncle.”
Xiao Ji: “?”
Everyone else: “?”
“You must be joking. What relationship could he possibly have with my uncle?”
Xiao Ji’s expression was unfriendly. He had little affection for the Liangs and even less desire to deal with Liang Ziyu.
“I have things to attend to. Excuse me.”
Before Liang Ziyu could speak, one of his men stepped in front of Xiao Ji.
Xiao Ji’s face chilled.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Nothing much. I just need you to pass on a message.”
After seeing footage of Song Liang attending the Xiao Group’s gala with Xiao Ji, Liang Ziyu had spent a long time thinking it over at home.
Surely someone as insignificant as Song Liang wouldn’t dare challenge him on his own. Xiao Yi was probably directing him from behind the scenes.
The eyewitness story, the gun he had supposedly found—most likely all lies.
Xiao Yi must have planned the Yalong Bay incident. Xiao Guangjin and his idiot son had been set up. Redhead’s gun was surely still in Xiao Yi’s hands.
“Tell your uncle he still has something of mine. I’d appreciate him returning it soon. Otherwise, he can’t blame me for playing dirty.”
No one could have mistaken that for a friendly message. But Xiao Ji genuinely didn’t know what object he meant.
“Have you misunderstood something, Mr. Liang?”
Liang Ziyu gave a cold smile. His gaze passed over the unhealed abrasions on Xiao Ji’s face and neck.
“You were lucky. Only minor injuries after a car crash.”
Xiao Ji’s expression changed.
He instantly realized that the man before him had caused his accident.
Elsewhere, Song Liang was reviewing his unread WeChat messages.
Ever since his appearance at the Xiao Group’s gala, everyone had flocked to him. The young heirs who had previously dismissed both him and the Songs were suddenly calling him their brother, fishing discreetly for details about his relationship with Xiao Ji.
He had been busy and ignored them at the time. Only now did he have a chance to read their messages.
Then he came across Chi Yi’s.
First, Chi Yi had expressed shock over his relationship with Xiao Ji, then asked whether his earlier promise of an invitation was genuine.
When Song Liang hadn’t replied, he had brought up something else.
[Chi Yi: Song, did you offend Mr. Liang? When he saw the photo of you with Xiao Ji, he got so angry he smashed Xiaoqiu’s phone. He said he’d kill you. Be careful.]
“…”
Song Liang’s expression shifted subtly.
“I think I know who caused the crash.”
【…I think I do too.】
Plenty of people wanted their host dead. But only one would dare act so openly.
Liang Ziyu.
There was no denying it: a gangster really did act recklessly. No hesitation about revenge, even less regard for the consequences than its host.
3085 sighed.
【With his character set to avenge every slight, he definitely won’t let you off.】
Song Liang had realized that too.
After a moment’s thought, he opened his phone and sent someone a message.
[Uncle, someone wants to kill me. I’m scared. Can I come and stay with you?]
“…”
In his office, Xiao Yi stared at the message and fell silent.
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