Ch52 - Something was off

“Shi di, are you alright?” Zheng Mi Mi observed my expression as she exclaimed, “Are you not feeling well?”

After listening to her monologue, I was indeed not feeling great, in fact my heart wasn’t feeling great at all. At this moment, I wish I could’ve dropped everything to be by Sheng Min Ou’s side, clarifying everything that had happened between us, and then embraced and kissed him under the spill of moonlight. From then onwards, we would spend the rest of our lives lovingly with each other. 

However, I also knew that if I went to confront him now, he most definitely would not admit to anything, and he might even turn the tables on me and chide me for thinking too much of myself again.

“I’m fine.” I smiled at Zheng Mi Mi as I continued, “The air-conditioning here gave me a slight headache, I’ll just head outside for a bit and I’ll be alright again.”

 

 

Even if he continued to vehemently deny everything that had happened, I found that I couldn’t care less about it anymore. I had set up this whole scheme and now I was likely to ruin it all because of this one action, but I didn’t care. One of my biggest traits was being brazen-faced, so if he wasn’t going to react to what I was doing, then I’ll just go to him instead.

Back in the ancient times, we had Kua Fu who attempted to hunt down the sun, and now, we have Lu Feng chasing birds. If he refused to come down, then I would relentlessly chase after him; we’ll find out who’s more patient in the end. 

I was about to go to the balcony to look for Sheng Min Ou, when my way was blocked. A young woman, who looked to be a secretary appeared in front of me and informed us that Xiao Sui Guang had called for us and wanted to see Zheng Mi Mi and myself.

 

When I glanced at Zheng Mi Mi, I saw that her brows were furrowed too, as surprise was etched plainly on her face.

He was an elder after all and could be thought of as my saviour in some regards, so I nodded at her as I motioned for her to lead the way.

“Why would my uncle want to see you?” Zheng Mi Mi had an arm hooked with mine as she whispered softly in my ear, before suddenly catching sight of Xiao Mo Yu standing beside Xiao Sui Guang from afar. As if an epiphany hit, she remarked, “Oh, I got it, it had to be my cousin who spilled this news to him. What an underhanded trick, I didn’t even snitch on her for messing around with celebrities again, but here she is spreading news of me to my uncle already.”

 

Xiao Sui Guang wanting to see me wasn’t exactly a big deal. Both Zheng Mi Mi’s parents were abroad as she returned to China alone, and now she had gotten a “boyfriend” whose name he probably had never heard of. Being an elder as part of the older generation, it made perfect sense for him to want to meet me.

“You would be Mi Mi’s boyfriend, right.” Xiao Sui Guang remarked with a kind smile on his face as he reached out and shook my hand. “He’s very handsome, Mi Mi really has grown up now, she’s got good taste.”

“Hello Mr. Xiao, I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.” I shook hands with Xiao Sui Guang and when I turned around I saw that Xiao Meng had also extended his hand out to me.

 

“I’m Xiao Meng, I’m pretty much Mi Mi’s older brother. In the future, don’t hesitate to reach out to me if needed.” As he spoke, he retrieved from his pocket an exquisite gold foiled business card as he passed it to me. 

I accepted it with both hands, and replied rather embarrassedly, “I only bought this outfit today, so I don’t have a business card on me…”

“No worries at all, you can just give it to me next time.”

Of course I wouldn’t interpret this as if he really wanted my business card, and an invitation for me to actually reach out to him if anything happened. These were just words of pleasantry, plain and simple. In this world, if something really happened, the only person I could unreservedly reach out to was my older brother. Apart from him, there was no one else.

In the end, how can someone else’s brother be better than your own brother? 

“I heard that you two met at the boxing club?” Xiao Sui Guang asked.

Zheng Mi Mi and I from beginning to end was but a total lie. This kind of story could deceive Xiao Mo Yu, being more naive and inexperienced…

However, in the face of Xiao Sui Guang, I found it onerous to continue fabricating the lie. His gaze bore in me too deep, coming from someone who was older and had experienced it all. It was like in one glance he was able to penetrate through all my disguises and deceit.

“En…….Yes.” 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“How old are you this year?”

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Fortunately, Zheng Mi Mi realised what a predicament I was in, stepping forward to take Xiao Sui Guang’s arm in her hand as she pleaded coquettishly, “Okay now, Uncle, what are you doing here, are you about to reference his ID next? It hasn’t been long since we started dating, don’t put too much pressure on him.”

Xiao Sui Guang smiled and he replied, “You’ve really all grown up now, look at you, protecting someone else from your family.”

Zheng Mi Mi blushed at his words as she feigned anger, “Uncle, cousin has actually also found herself a boyfriend, he’s also really famous. Next time, why don’t you also ask her to bring her boyfriend for you to meet?” 

She had been kicking a soccer ball around and striked it right at Xiao Mo Yu’s doorsteps.

Xiao Sui Guang immediately looked at his daughter, “Oh? You’ve changed your boyfriend again?”

The word ‘again’ was used brilliantly, leaving others with a lot to ruminate over.

Xiao Mo Yu hurriedly lowered her head as she sipped her wine in an attempt to cover up her guilty conscience. 

Xiao Sui Guang snorted coldly in response, and for a moment there wasn’t a trace of a smile anywhere, as it was evident that he was strongly opposed to his daughter’s behavior.

However, when he looked at me again, he quickly reverted back into the appearance of a magnanimous elder.

“Oh, by the way, Xiao Sheng also enjoys boxing, he can talk to you about this.” Xiao Sui Guang turned his head to quietly mutter a few words with the female secretary from before, and the other party gave a serious nod before taking her leave.

As to who “Xiao Sheng” could be, I didn’t even need to use my brain to figure it out. Just the instant darkening of Xiao Mo Yu and Xiao Meng’s expressions was enough of an indicator. 

Xiao Mo Yu clearly didn’t want to see Sheng Min Ou, as she quickly excused herself saying she needed to go to the bathroom, and slipped away in an instant.

Xiao Meng employed more tact in his performance. He started off with the false pretenses as he reminisced on how it had been a long time since he had seen Sheng Min Ou, and he had missed him dearly. It was plain that just moments before, the two of them were on the same balcony and it was impossible for them to not see each other there, but here he was sprouting lies as if it was all true.

“Mr. Lu, your watch here is very interesting.” Xiao Sui Guang noticed my watch and displayed great interest in it.

I stilled for a second before pulling up my sleeves to reveal a rose gold mechanical watch on my wrist. It was paired with leather straps, and if it had to be labelled as something of interest, it really could only spark rather inconsequential interest. 

“Eh?” Zheng Mi Mi exclaimed surprisedly, “There are no hands on this watch, how are you able to tell the time?”

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I explained how the watch worked to her, “This is a minute repeater watch. If you were to check the time you wouldn’t look at the hands to tell the time, rather, you’d listen.” After saying so I activated a dial on the side of the watch, and from the watch core came three different sounds of distinct rhythms, each chime sounding crisp and melodious, like a bird’s cry. “The time right now is 8:18pm.”

 

Zheng Mi Mi leaned in towards Xiao Sui Guang, attempting to see the time displayed on his wristwatch. Upon seeing the time really was 8:18pm, she cried in wonder at the accuracy of my watch.

There really was nothing magical happening though. There were three kinds of sounds, the first of which every chime would represent an hour, the second differing chime representing every quarter past, and the third distinct tone denoting a minute. If I wanted to know the time, all I had to do was add the three individual parts together, and possess basic mental arithmetic skills. That was it. 

“It appears that Mr. Lu is very knowledgeable about watches.” Xiao Sui Guang remarked, suddenly enthused. “I also quite have an interest in watches, and therefore have some sort of collection at home. If the opportunity arises, Mr. Lu, you could come to my house to take a look.”

Xiao Meng added, “My uncle is a watch enthusiast. We have a whole room full of iconic watches, and he also had a vault door commissioned to guard against theft.”

I waved my hand hurriedly as I replied, “I only know about it because this knowledge is required for my line of work, and I dare not call myself an expert on this subject. Individuals like Mr. Xiao would be regarded as an expert, however for me, at most the knowledge I have is just a mere product of circumstance.”

Xiao Sui Guang began laughing as he talked with us about his collection. However, the atmosphere surrounding our conversation had become much more relaxed than the initial interrogation I went through. 

When Sheng Min Ou arrived, Xiao Sui Guang had just begun talking about his most prized watch.

“That really is one beautiful watch. I’ll have to show it to you if I get the chance.” He saw Sheng Min Ou heading our way, and hurriedly waved him over to his side, “Xiao Sheng, come, come here, let me introduce you to a friend. This is Mi Mi’s boyfriend, Lu Feng.”

A smile appeared on Sheng Min Ou’s expressions as he reached out his hand at me, “Congratulations.”

His hands were slightly cold to the touch, and my palms were faintly sweaty, so the feeling of our hands being held together was not too pleasant of a feeling. 

I didn’t know why, but though Sheng Min Ou looked at me with the most ordinary gaze, his eyes not particularly cold, I still felt as if his sights were as sharp as a blade, as it sliced at my flesh.

Despite myself being the one who had set up the trap, seeing him actually fall right into it flustered me slightly.

“Uncle, we all are from the same boxing club, Cousin in l-…Mr. Sheng is even our shi xiong.” Zheng Mi Mi explained.

“What a coincidence.” Xiao Sui Guang smiled, “Young people should take this time to hang out together and talk more with each other. Xiao Sheng, you take work too seriously, you need to regulate yourself and know when it’s time to take breaks, alright? Otherwise, when you get to my age, that type of lifestyle just isn’t sustainable.” 

It was rare for Sheng Min Ou to not display any sort of impatience towards the ramblings of an ‘idiotic commoner’, as he appeared to really take in his words and listen attentively. He nodded before replying, “I understand.”

The circle conversed for a while longer, when Xiao Meng suddenly mentioned the various work contracts drawn between Sheng Min Ou’s Jin Shang law firm and Mei Teng Pharmaceuticals. As confidential information was involved, Xiao Sui Guang had asked me and Zheng Mi Mi to take our leave first and to go enjoy ourselves.

Afterwards throughout the banquet, the three of them were engrossed in their conversation, and they appeared to be enjoying the topic greatly. Xiao Sui Guang also brought Sheng Min Ou and Xiao Meng around with him as they clinked glasses with quite a few other people, this scene greatly reminiscent of parents who took their children along with them during Chinese New Years to toast the other parents.

I wanted to catch Sheng Min Ou alone, but there never was a chance. After the charity auction ended, the guests started enjoying themselves on the dance floor as it opened up. After this event ended, it was almost ten o’clock, and people started leaving the room in trickles. Zheng Mi Mi yawned as she similarly got ready to leave. 

I glanced back at Sheng Min Ou, who was still talking to Xiao Sui Guang, and motioned for Zheng Mi Mi to go first.

“I still haven’t eaten enough yet, you should go back first.”

 

Zheng Mi Mi looked at me skeptically, “You still want to eat? It’s true, the meal here is free, but shi di, you don’t have to eat until you burst, right?”

“Don’t you know the greatest achievement in the world of buffet eating? Holding yourself against the wall as you’re on your way out. Take your leave first, I’ll call a taxi later to make my way home.” 

Zheng Mi Mi shrugged, as she gave up and left me alone.

I waited for a while, and saw Sheng Min Ou and Xiao Sui Guang shaking hands as they went in for a quick embrace, finally showing signs of leaving, as I hurried behind to keep up with them.

I caught up to Sheng Min Ou on the long stairs outside the main entrance of the conference center as I approached from behind, “Ge, what a coincidence, you haven’t left yet? Did you drink tonight, do you want me to send you home?”

Sheng Min Ou had quite a bit to drink, his silhouette on the steps appearing rather unstable as he attempted to make his way down the steps. He heard my voice and immediately froze, before slowly turning his head back, “…You didn’t drink?” 

I laughed as I moved towards him to support his weight before replying, “I didn’t.”

After hearing Zheng Mi Mi’s words, I made up my mind to carry out this exact plan, so of course I would take extra care to not consume any alcohol.

“Oh.” He replied, fishing out the car key from his pocket, dangling from his curved index finger as he held it in front of me. “Then I’ll be in your care tonight.”

I initially thought that we would have to go back and forth on this topic of discussion for a while, and honestly did not expect him to be so complaisant today. 

As soon as Sheng Min Ou got into the car, he lowered the car window slightly so a slit appeared for ventilation. Then, he lowered the back of his seat, closed his eyes, and did not talk for the remainder of the ride. I glanced at him, turned down the air-conditioning to the lowest setting as I remained silent the whole duration and delivered him outside his apartment block.

When I was about to help him get into his apartment, I found that I had a hard time doing so.

“Hold yourself up for a while…”

After resting for a while in the car, the alcohol Sheng Min Ou consumed seemed to be completely absorbed by his bloodstream, as he appeared even more inebriated than before. As we walked, it felt as if the entire weight of his body was leaning against me, making each step an arduous effort. It was as if I had the weight of an entire mountain on my back, and it was one that I couldn’t seem to wake up no matter what. 

When we came out of the elevator, I pressed his hand against the fingerprint lock, however it showed up several times to be incorrect. I was left with no other choice, as I could only enter his password to unlock the door.

I helped him into the bedroom, stumbling and tripping over ourselves as we went. I hadn’t even gotten the time to turn the lights on, when I fell to the ground and gasped for breath, utterly exhausted.

With the curtains wide open, natural light spilled in from outside, Sheng Min Ou lay on the mattress, seemingly knocked out, as his brows and eyes were relaxed. Aside from his breathing being quite heavy, he didn’t look drunk at all.

Ai, since he was in a state like this, we could only have our conversation tomorrow then. 

To prevent him from sleeping in discomfort, I took off his shoes and socks and loosened his tie. I even unbuttoned all of his shirt.

I looked at his sleeping face for a while, and touched his searing hot cheeks. Afraid that he might get thirsty in the middle of the night, I got up and prepared to go to the kitchen to pour him a glass of water.

 

I massaged my neck and my sore shoulders as I walked out. The bedroom door was right in front of me, and I had half a foot out of the room when suddenly all the hairs on my back stood up. I knew innately that something was off.

Our evolutionary instinct against danger had me reflexively freezing in my footsteps. Just when I was about to turn my head back, my vision blurred, and when I realised what was happening, there was already a tie pressed against my tongue, acting as a gag. 

“Huh?! Hhn…Hnn…” I subconsciously moved to pull at the thing in my mouth, and flailed around as my legs seemed to be in an unstable position. The next second, as if I was a horse, I was dragged by the reins of a tie, back to the bedroom.

Jiraiya (translator): Next chapter will be nsfw

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