Chapter 25

Zhou Yanzhou had just stepped out for some fresh air and a smoke. Unexpectedly, he caught sight of a scene that made him call out to Chen Xi, who was standing motionless under the corridor outside the restroom.

Still absorbed in Liang Wei’s warning, Chen Xi stiffly poked her head out and locked eyes with Zhou Yanzhou for a brief two seconds. Slowly, she released Liang Wei’s hand and apologized with a full measure of regret, “Well, I’ll go in first.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “I remember what you said. Thank you for your concern.”

Seeing that Chen Xi hadn’t taken her warning to heart at all, Liang Wei, afraid Zhou Yanzhou might notice something, forced a flawless smile and quietly urged, “Go in, I won’t disturb you.”

Chen Xi nodded, slipped past Liang Wei, and with an almost childlike bounce in her step, headed toward Zhou Yanzhou.

Bouncing like a child, Zhou Yanzhou stubbed out the cigarette he had just taken a couple of puffs from, stood with his hands in his pockets, and waited until Chen Xi reached him. Then he reached out to brush the moisture from her cheek and softly asked, “Have you eaten enough?”

Chen Xi had eaten most of her meal but could still manage a bit more. She blinked, studied Zhou Yanzhou for a moment, and answered with mock modesty, “About seventy or eighty percent full.”

Zhou Yanzhou gave her a sidelong glance and leisurely asked, “So, you mean you can still eat more?”

“All right, then stay a little longer.”

Chen Xi felt as if it made her seem like she had eaten a lot, though she had only had a small bowl of rice.

Liang Wei seemed to fade into the background; Chen Xi didn’t see her again after entering the living room and had no idea where she had gone.

Zhou Yanzhou didn’t formally introduce Chen Xi or properly introduce his two friends to her. At that time, Chen Xi didn’t think much about it; her mind was occupied with wondering just how expensive that meal was, how the Norwegian salmon was transported back and placed on the table, and how they managed to keep it so fresh.

Her understanding of social class was vague then; she didn’t even realize that if not for a chance accident, she and Zhou Yanzhou would probably never cross paths in their lifetimes.

Perhaps she was too young to grasp the complexities of wealth, status, and identity, or maybe she stubbornly believed that true love could overcome all obstacles. So, faced with many predictable difficulties, she fancifully thought there would always be a twist of fate.

It wasn’t until she hit a wall that she realized how hard it was for two people from different social classes to walk the same path.

The meal had been fairly pleasant. After returning from the restroom, Zhou Yanzhou had served her plenty of dishes, filling her bowl until it could hold no more.

Seeing that he showed no sign of stopping, Chen Xi hurriedly covered her bowl with her hand, shaking her head and gesturing that she didn’t need any more.

Only then did Zhou Yanzhou relent, putting the lamb he had just served into his own bowl.

Jiang Chi noticed every move between them, both shocked and amused. When had he ever seen this guy serve someone food? Normally surrounded by attendants who had to watch his mood, he was hardly this considerate.

Thinking this, Jiang Chi put down his chopsticks and asked seriously, “Are you really my brother? You seem like a completely different person.”

Zhou Yanzhou gave him a cold glance and replied indifferently, “Do we even know each other?”

Jiang Chi scoffed, clearly dissatisfied, “No. If you say that, it’s no fun.”

“I went to great lengths to bring back lamb and salmon for your welcome feast, and you just disown me like that.”

Zhou Yanzhou ignored Jiang Chi, set down his chopsticks, glanced at Chen Xi who was eating quietly, and asked slowly, “Are you full?”

Chen Xi had just stuffed a piece of salmon in her mouth and mumbled in confusion, looking at Zhou Yanzhou.

He rested his hand on the back of the chair, crossed his legs, and lounged casually. “Eat until you’re full, then we’ll go. I’ll see you back to the hotel.”

Chen Xi hesitated, nervously swallowed the meat, put down her chopsticks, and nodded, “I’m full.”

The scene was so theatrical it made Jiang Chi burst out laughing.

He clapped his hands and joked with Chen Xi, “Little sister, are you really that afraid of him?”

“Eat slowly, no rush. He won’t push you.”

Chen Xi realized her earlier reaction had been a bit rough; she blushed and shrank in her chair, biting her lip and not daring to respond to Jiang Chi.

Seeing this, Zhou Yanzhou rolled his eyes at Jiang Chi, grabbed the lighter from the table, and tossed it at him, cursing with a smile, “Are you out of your mind?”

Jiang Chi shrugged, acting like a rascal who didn’t care. “Just joking, no need to be so protective.”

“Back when Guan Yue chased you so hard, you didn’t seem to cherish her.”

Mentioning the taboo, Zhou Yanzhou’s expression darkened instantly. His gaze turned cold as he warned Jiang Chi, “Try saying one more word about Guan Yue.”

The mood turned icy; no one spoke.

Chen Xi couldn’t understand why Zhou Yanzhou suddenly became angry when everything had seemed fine moments ago.

Not wanting to stir trouble, she kept her head down, fiddling with her sleeve in silence.

The man seated to Chen Xi's right was Meng Xianzhi. He was quiet throughout the meal, giving off a calm and rational aura.

Noticing Chen Xi’s nervousness, Meng Xianzhi poured her a cup of warm water and placed it before her. “Don’t listen to little Jiang’s nonsense. They grew up together, always causing mischief.”

“It’s a rare trip to Beijing; let the third brother show you around more.”

Chen Xi blinked in confusion and quietly asked, “Who?”

Meng Xianzhi smiled lightly. “The guy next to you, he’s the third son. I’m two years older, so we call him Third.”

Chen Xi was speechless. She had guessed wrong—it was Zhou Yanzhou.

But who was Guan Yue?

Chen Xi wanted to ask but caught the three men’s silence on the matter and sensed the name was a loaded subject.

Even Jiang Chi hadn’t escaped the unspoken rule. If she brought it up, Zhou Yanzhou would surely scold her to death.

That question lingered in Chen Xi’s mind until the meal ended and they got into the car on the way back to the hotel.

Zhou Yanzhou immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep, ignoring everyone.

Jiang Chi drove in silence as well, seemingly reluctant to disturb Zhou Yanzhou.

When the car neared Jianguomen, Jiang Chi glanced at Chen Xi, who was quietly staring out the window, and softly asked, “Hey little sister, where are you staying again?”

Chen Xi realized the hotel had been booked by He Xu. She took out her phone and messaged him to ask for the hotel’s location.

Just as she sent the message, the man beside her suddenly opened his eyes and gave an address: “Go to Yintai Center.”

Jiang Chi paused for two seconds, glanced meaningfully at Zhou Yanzhou, and then drove toward Yintai Center.

Chen Xi didn’t understand Zhou Yanzhou’s plan and could only wait silently for He Xu’s reply.

Not knowing what He Xu was doing, Chen Xi grew anxious as the message went unanswered.

Zhou Yanzhou noticed her nervousness and casually glanced at her flushed cheeks. His throat moved slightly. “So scared?”

Chen Xi looked up in surprise and repeated, “Scared of what?”

Zhou Yanzhou smiled and pulled out his phone to check the time. He spoke slowly, “Before you left, didn’t your uncle ask me to look after you? Do you think I’d let you sleep on the street?”

Chen Xi was speechless. That wasn’t what she meant at all.

Just then, a message notification sounded. Chen Xi opened her phone to see He Xu had sent a picture and an address.

She opened the photo to find the hotel’s exterior and address—it was near Wudaokou, about five hundred meters in a straight line from Peking University.

He Xu hadn’t asked when she would arrive or where she was; after sending the address, he went silent.

Chen Xi wanted to explain a few things but realized it was pointless. She deleted the message and exited the chat.

Jiang Chi naturally followed Zhou Yanzhou’s lead and drove directly to the underground garage at Yintai Center.

After dropping her off, Jiang Chi handed the car keys to Zhou Yanzhou and left.

Chen Xi got out slowly and stood aside, watching as Zhou Yanzhou took the keys, strode around the car to the trunk, and pulled out her suitcase.

She followed him through the crowded garage, recognizing only a few car logos. She noticed most of the license plates began with “京,” indicating Beijing registration, and there were hardly any from other provinces.

She didn’t know then that non-local plates were restricted from entering within the second ring road; she only learned that after attending university and living in Beijing for years.

Zhou Yanzhou carried only Chen Xi’s luggage, ignoring his own.

The smell in the underground garage was unpleasant; Zhou Yanzhou showed his distaste by walking briskly, forcing Chen Xi to jog to keep up.

He was very familiar with the place, knowing which elevator was the closest, fastest, and least crowded. He led Chen Xi through the garage until they found it.

The elevator descended to the ninth floor, but they had to wait a moment. Chen Xi stood beside Zhou Yanzhou, nervously twisting her fingers and staring at the closed elevator doors with a puzzled expression.

Zhou Yanzhou carried the suitcase silently.

The atmosphere was too awkward, and Chen Xi couldn’t help but ask, “Where are we going now?”

Zhou Yanzhou, as if struck by a sudden thought, faintly smiled and raised his chin. Instead of answering, he asked, “You’re just following me like this, aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you out?”

Chen Xi was about to say she wasn’t afraid when Zhou Yanzhou continued, “You’re on my turf now.”

Having been teased by him many times, Chen Xi was used to his antics. She pouted and replied sullenly, “How much could I possibly be worth?”

Zhou Yanzhou chuckled, sizing her up. “You know, at your age, you’re a treasure from head to toe.”

“If I really sold you, it’d be at least seven or eight figures.”

Chen Xi actually started counting on her fingers what seven or eight figures meant. Seeing this, Zhou Yanzhou burst out laughing. “Are you stupid? Counting money for someone who sold you?”

Chen Xi was speechless. She was just curious about her worth.

The elevator reached the basement level one, empty and quiet. Chen Xi followed Zhou Yanzhou inside, watching as he pressed the button for the 52nd floor.

This was not a sightseeing elevator, so no view was visible. Only upon arrival did Chen Xi realize this was an apartment.

Since she was underage during check-in, it took some time.

While Zhou Yanzhou handled the formalities, Chen Xi idly observed the hotel’s décor.

The front desk clerk was a very beautiful young woman, wearing professional attire and light makeup, exuding an elegant aura.

Chen Xi thought of Liang Wei from the courtyard and couldn’t help but marvel at how many beautiful women there were in Beijing.

After filling out her personal information, the clerk asked whether the payment would be by cash or card.

Chen Xi, short on cash, nervously watched Zhou Yanzhou.

He calmly pulled out a black card from his wallet and handed it to the clerk. Seeing it, Chen Xi recalled how Zhu Qing had said the male leads in domineering romance novels all had black cards.

Apparently, they had no limit and could be swiped at will.

It was Chen Xi’s first time seeing one, and she couldn’t help but wonder how much money Zhou Yanzhou actually had.

After completing the check-in, Zhou Yanzhou took the room card and led Chen Xi to their room.

Walking down a long corridor, Chen Xi stepped on the soft carpet and glanced at Zhou Yanzhou’s indifferent expression. She quietly asked, “How much is this place per night?”

Zhou Yanzhou stopped and looked down at the curious Chen Xi. He answered lightly, “Twenty-one thousand a night.”

Chen Xi was shocked. “How much?”

“Twenty thousand.”

Chen Xi closed her eyes in despair, instinctively grabbing Zhou Yanzhou’s sleeve and whispering, “You might as well sell me.”

Zhou Yanzhou couldn’t help but smile and asked curiously, “Why?”

Chen Xi hissed and suddenly added, “Even if you sold me, you wouldn’t make enough to cover the room.”

Zhou Yanzhou was speechless.

After a moment of silence, he teased her, “How did girls make amends in ancient times?”

Still trapped in thoughts of the exorbitant room fee, Chen Xi instinctively asked, “How?”

Zhou Yanzhou glanced her up and down and said calmly, “By offering themselves.”

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