PTBLSI chapter 27

 

After breakfast, Fu Yanchuan and Qi Xi went downstairs together. He drove, and the driver took Qi Xi to school.

They had already said goodbye, but Qi Xi followed him to the car door and said, “Coach Fu, don’t forget to teach me how to swim. When are we going? If it’s not on the weekend, I—I need to ask for time off in advance.”

“You really want to go?”

“Not really.”

Qi Xi avoided Fu Yanchuan’s gaze. He was thinking that Fu Yanchuan would definitely wear swim trunks when swimming and that he could then observe his perfect muscles in more detail.

Fu Yanchuan saw through Qi Xi’s thoughts at once and said, “I’ll arrange the time. Get in the car and go.”

“All right then, Brother Yan. Goodbye!”

Fu Yanchuan waited until Qi Xi left before driving away. He worked in the office for two hours, then took a finely carved box and went to a birthday banquet.

The birthday celebrant was his second uncle. When Fu Zhenrong fought to seize power, his second uncle, Fu Shengchang, was the only one who did not participate.

Today, Fu Shengchang was celebrating his 73rd birthday. He didn’t like lively scenes, so the birthday banquet consisted of only the extended Fu family. Having suffered a serious illness in his youth, he had been recuperating in a hillside villa ever since. He never married and had only one biological daughter, whom he publicly claimed as an adopted daughter. He also had a pair of five-year-old dragon-and-phoenix twins[mfn]in Chinese culture, “dragon-and-phoenix twins” usually means male [dragon] and female [phoenix][/mfn].

After Fu Yanchuan parked the car and got out, he happened to run into the twins. The two kids were playing with a dog in the yard. When they saw him, they ran toward him and clung to his legs. They said in unison, “Uncle Yan, you haven’t come in such a long time.”

He bent down and picked up a child in each arm. The dog they had been teasing chased after him in circles.

There were already many people inside. Fu Yanchuan carried the children inside and saw their mother, who was his cousin.

She was called Fu Wanyi. She didn’t have much of a presence in the Fu family, but because Qin Hui had a good relationship with Fu Yanchuan, she was known.

Fu Yanchuan put the children down, and Fu Wanyi immediately said, “You two go out and play. Don’t cause trouble here.”

The twins looked at Fu Yanchuan in confusion. They hadn’t wanted to come in themselves. They immediately shouted the dog’s name and ran out.

Fu Yanchuan rarely did anything extra or useless. He turned to look at Fu Wanyi, who suddenly asked, “Are you really going to get married?”

“Don’t listen to people talking nonsense. I’m not getting married.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone nearby joined the conversation. “Didn’t you set an engagement date already? You’re just short of sending out invitations. How come you’re not getting married?”

The speaker was one of Fu Yanchuan’s female cousins, the daughter of his fourth aunt.

The Fu family had been passed down from Fu Yanchuan’s great-grandfather until now. They were an extremely bloodline-focused family. When Fu Zhenrong became the head of the family, he only had one child, Fu Yanchuan, to avoid power struggles among his children.

From birth, Fu Yanchuan was treated as the heir of the Fu family. He had always been exceptional, steadily growing toward becoming the future controller of the Fu family.

But when he turned eighteen, he came out to Fu Zhenrong, saying that he only liked men. He even went abroad with Qiao Ye and messed around for two years.

To the Fu family, to Fu Zhenrong, and even to Fu Yanchuan himself, this matter was nothing more than a rebellion in life. When Fu Yanchuan came back, nothing changed.

Now, however, everyone finally realizes the importance of this matter. If Fu Yanchuan did not have children with a woman, then there would be no heirs.

This meant that if he had no children for his entire life, then, in the Fu family, which valued bloodlines, the next leader would be one of his nephews or nieces.

Fu Zhenrong tried every possible way to force Fu Yanchuan to marry. Meanwhile, the Fu family members who wanted to regain power tried to prevent him from marrying.

This very cousin of his told the He family that Fu Yanchuan was keeping a boy outside. Whether the marriage would happen or not had always depended on the He family. She didn’t expect Fu Yanchuan to personally bring Qi Xi to confess to Miss He.

The He family finally fell out with Fu Zhenrong. Fu Zhenrong was so angered by this that he was furious for several days.

Fu Yanchuan looked at his cousin expressionlessly and said, “If I really get married, wouldn’t that be letting Sister Hui’s intentions go to waste?”

Fu Yanchuan stared at his cousin so intensely that she took a step back. She couldn’t figure out his attitude and wasn’t sure if he truly planned to never marry or have children, or if he was retreating to advance, luring out those coveting his position and pinning them down in one move.

“Seventh Uncle.”

Suddenly, someone called out. Everyone in the hall looked toward the door. Only Fu Yanchuan did not move. Without looking, he knew it was Fu Zhenrong.

Although everyone in the Fu family was more or less afraid of Fu Zhenrong, some people still asked him about Fu Yanchuan’s marriage with the He family, not understanding the situation.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the entire hall turned cold. Fu Yanchuan met Fu Zhenrong’s gaze and loudly announced, “I have never made a marriage arrangement with the He family. Don’t mention it again.”

Fu Zhenrong didn’t speak, but his expression was ugly. As the host, Fu Shengchang came over and took Fu Zhenrong by the arm. He said to the others, “You go play by yourselves. Yanchuan and the others are playing cards in the mahjong room.”

Fu Shengchang was a good man who got along with everyone in the family. Fu Yanchuan watched as Fu Zhenrong was pulled away and went to the mahjong room.

The villa was several decades old and had no air conditioning. The mahjong room was filled with thick cigarette smoke.

As soon as he reached the door, someone called out to him: “President Fu, it’s been a while. You finally came. Today, you must lose some money to me—I’m about to die poor!”

Someone at the table had already given up their seat. Fu Yanchuan sat down. The person who had spoken was the Hong brother that Fu Shengchang had just mentioned: his cousin, Fu Jinghong. He reshuffled the cards and asked, “Is one million enough?”

“How are you so stingy? Yuejiang spends more than this just buying gifts for his little lover.”

Fu Yanchuan only then noticed Fu Yuejiang sitting on the sofa in the corner. He didn’t speak. Fu Jinghong gossiped as he drew cards. “Speaking of which, the He family and Seventh Uncle made quite a fuss this time because of you. If you really don’t want to get married, you might as well just have a child.”

Fu Yanchuan played a card and said, “Where would I get one? Pick one up from the roadside?”

“Doesn’t Wanyi have two? Those two kids don’t know who their dad is anyway. You can adopt one of them. They like you, and you don’t dislike them, right?”

Before Fu Yanchuan could respond, Fu Yuejiang in the corner suddenly sneered and said loudly, as if afraid others wouldn’t hear: “President Fu, if you became those two kids’ dad, Qin Hui would probably be able to rest in peace.”

Fu Yanchuan abruptly clenched his hand until his knuckle twisted out of shape. Back then, Fu Wanyi liked Qin Hui. He knew about her feelings and had tried to bring them together. At that time, he didn’t know what Fu Yuejiang had done to Qin Hui, nor did he know about Qin Hui’s feelings for him.

Fu Yuejiang staggered out from the corner with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He looked like he was still hungover.

He stood in front of Fu Yanchuan and continued to provoke him. “Back then, he didn’t become the father of Fu Wanyi’s children. You replaced him, so there must be some connection between them, right?”

“Yuejiang, stop talking!”

Fu Jinghong tried to pull Fu Yuejiang away but was pushed aside instead. Yuejiang forced himself right up in front of Fu Yanchuan, grabbed his collar, and said, “You don’t want to say anything, Fu Yanchuan? When Qin Hui died, the name he kept calling was yours!”

Fu Yanchuan grabbed Fu Yuejiang’s wrist, twisted it hard, and pinning him down. He slammed him onto the card table, leaned in to examine him, and suddenly let out a mocking laugh.

“Fu Yuejiang, did you fall in love with Qin Hui?”

“What? Don’t talk nonsense. How could I possibly love someone like him—”

Fu Yuejiang suddenly struggled, but Fu Yanchuan let go of him. He straightened his clothes, stepped back, and stared steadily at Fu Yuejiang as he said, “This is your retribution.”

Fu Yanchuan turned and left. When he reached the door, he heard the sound of Fu Yuejiang flipping the table behind him. He suddenly wanted to see Qi Xi, so he gave the gift to Fu Wanyi and slipped away.

Qi Xi was still in his last class of the morning when his phone suddenly rang. Even though it was on vibrate, the sound was still obvious.

He hurriedly took out his phone. Seeing that it was from Fu Yanchuan, he hung up without thinking twice.

Fu Yanchuan looked at the hung-up call. Of the three times his calls had ever been hung up on, all three were by Qi Xi.

After a while, he received a text message from Qi Xi:

[Brother Yan, I’m in class. I can’t answer the phone.]

[What are you looking for me for?]

Fu Yanchuan didn’t like communicating this way. He turned off his phone. Two seconds later, he picked it up again and replied to Qi Xi.

[I’ll go to school to pick you up for lunch.]

Two seconds later, he added two more words:

[Wait for me.]

After sending the message, he realized that “wait for me” didn’t serve his intended purpose, but he didn’t delete it. He exited and called Qiu Yizhou.

Qi Xi received Fu Yanchuan’s message as if he had stumble upon a rare bargain. He hugged his phone and grinned stupidly. The classmate next to him looked at him strangely. He quickly put his phone away and pretended to listen to the lecture.

Class ended quickly. Everyone left the classroom, but Qi Xi remained in his seat, waiting for Fu Yanchuan to call him. He immediately picked up.

“Brother Yan, you finally came! Wait for me a bit. I’ll be out right away!”

At this time, most people had left to eat. There weren’t many people around the teaching buildings. Qi Xi slung his backpack over one shoulder and ran downstairs, thinking that Fu Yanchuan was waiting for him at the school gate. As soon as he walked out of the building, however, he saw Fu Yanchuan walking toward him.

Even though there weren’t many people on the road, those who were there all had their eyes on Fu Yanchuan.

Qi Xi ran over in big strides. When he reached Fu Yanchuan, he couldn’t stop in time and crashed into him.

Fu Yanchuan steadied him. Instead, Qi Xi grabbed his arm and asked, “Brother Yan, what are we eating?”

“What do you want to eat?”

Qi Xi tilted his head and thought for a moment. “I want to eat fish.”

Fu Yanchuan didn’t say anything. He turned around, took Qi Xi by the hand, and used his other hand to call and make a reservation.

As they walked past, people on the road watched Fu Yanchuan and Qi Xi and started discussing them in low voices.

“Who are they? Is that someone from our school? I don’t know anyone that handsome.”

“You can tell at a glance that he’s definitely not a student.”

“He’s definitely not a teacher either. There’s no way I wouldn’t know a teacher this handsome.”

“I know the other one: He’s Qi Xi from the business management department. He’s always on the list of the most handsome guys. Too bad he’s straight as an arrow. No one has ever successfully hit on him.”

“Is the other one his brother? What an absolutely top-tier, dominant aura! I feel like he’s two meters tall!”

Qi Xi didn’t notice the looks from passersby. After leaving school, Fu Yanchuan drove Qi Xi to a restaurant on the top floor of a hotel.

The restaurant offered customization, but only for fish—of every kind.

The manager led them into a private room. Although the room was small, Huo City was spread out before them outside the window. They felt hidden away from the noise of the world, as if they were in another realm.

After Qi Xi finished ordering, the manager left. Qiu Yizhou came in. Qi Xi asked Fu Yanchuan, surprised, “You called Lawyer Qiu?”

Fu Yanchuan glanced at Qiu Yizhou. “It’s Lawyer Qiu who has something to discuss with you.”

Qiu Yizhou was called over by Fu Yanchuan with a single phone call. Upon hearing Fu Yanchuan’s words, he cooperated smoothly. “Yes, I have something to tell you.”

The dining table in the room was square with chairs only on opposite sides. Fu Yanchuan and Qi Xi each took a side. Not wanting Fu Yanchuan to cause him trouble, but also not wanting to sit with him, Qiu Yizhou dragged a chair to the third side and sat down.

“Lawyer Qiu, what do you need me for?”

Qi Xi’s eyes were full of anticipation. Fu Yanchuan had told him that Qiu Yizhou would handle getting the money back from that scumbag. Eagerly, he asked, “Has he returned the money?”

Qiu Yizhou glanced at Fu Yanchuan and replied, “Yes.”

He took a check out of his inner coat pocket. Fu Yanchuan’s requirements had been meticulous, and the money had been transferred multiple times before arriving here. He handed it to Qi Xi. “This is all the manuscript fees he cheated you out of over the past two years.”

Qi Xi took it and immediately widened his eyes. “Eight hundred twenty-four thousand, six hundred eighty-two and thirty-four cents? Why are there cents?”

Qiu Yizhou had also asked Fu Yanchuan this question, and Fu Yanchuan answered, “After tax.” He gave Qi Xi the same answer: “It’s after tax.”

“Ah? Oh.”

Used to earning just a few hundred here and there, Qi Xi had no concept of taxes. Even now, he didn’t really consider what taxes had been paid.

He read the number on the check again and pushed it toward Fu Yanchuan. “Brother Yan, I didn’t misread it, did I?”

“No.”

Upon receiving confirmation from Fu Yanchuan, Qi Xi laughed and held the check up to the sky. Afterwards, he lowered his head and asked, “Brother Yan, what should I buy to look rich?”

Neither Fu Yanchuan nor Qiu Yizhou had expected this question. Fu Yanchuan asked seriously, “What do you want to buy?”

“I want to buy a big house for just me and Dasheng so that we won’t have to worry about having a place to live. Then no one will talk about us anymore! Although my grandfather gave me a house, I’m not sure if I can get it back.”

As Qi Xi spoke, Fu Yanchuan suddenly asked, “Do you know how much the cheapest house costs?”

Fu Yanchuan didn’t answer. Qi Xi continued, “Once I buy a house, I can move out and won’t bother you anymore!”

Qiu Yizhou agreed. “That’s right. President Fu doesn’t like being disturbed. This money isn’t a lot, but it’s enough for a down payment on a small apartment for you to live in alone.”

Fu Yanchuan shot Qiu Yizhou a warning glance, then told Qi Xi, “Don’t listen to him. If you use this money for a down payment, you won’t have any money left, and you’ll have to repay the loan every month—several tens of thousands. Are you sure you can earn that much each month?”

Qi Xi thought for a moment, realized he couldn’t, and carefully put the check away. “Then I won’t buy it yet. I’ll wait until I earn more!”

Qiu Yizhou watched Qi Xi quietly. Although what Fu Yanchuan said wasn’t a lie, buying a normal residential apartment in two or three years wasn’t hard based on the prices Qi Xi charged for his paintings. If he managed things well, a single painting could easily sell for tens of thousands.

Fu Yanchuan just didn’t want to. For whatever reason, he felt that his own methods were too cunning and ruthless. When Qi Xi realized this, he wouldn’t be able to escape unless Fu Yanchuan let it go.

Thinking of this, Qiu Yizhou became curious about Fu Yanchuan’s intentions with Qi Xi.

Qi Xi was ecstatic today. The fish he had wanted to eat originally now seemed tasteless compared to his newfound wealth.

After lunch, Fu Yanchuan took Qi Xi to cash the check and deposit it, then drove him back to school.

Along the way, Qi Xi giggled intermittently. Whenever Fu Yanchuan looked at him, Qi Xi would say, “Brother Yan, I’m rich now.”

Seeing how happy Qi Xi was made Fu Yanchuan regret calculating everything so precisely. When Qi Xi got out of the car, Fu Yanchuan couldn’t resist pinching his constantly smiling face. “I’m leaving.”

Qi Xi finally stopped smiling. He looked at Fu Yanchuan seriously and kissed the tip of his finger. “Mm, goodbye, Brother Yan.”

Fu Yanchuan watched Qi Xi leave, seemingly confused by what had just happened. He casually rubbed his fingers twice and drove off.

After class, Qi Xi was picked up by his usual driver. As he entered the house, he saw Uncle Quan. Before he could greet him, Fu Yanchuan emerged from the study.

“Come here.”

Fu Yanchuan stood far off at the study door. Qi Xi immediately said to Uncle Quan, “Uncle Quan, I’ll go first.”

Uncle Quan watched as Qi Xi ran toward Fu Yanchuan. They entered the study, and after a moment, Qi Xi’s voice could be heard.

“Brother Yan, what’s this?”

Qi Xi had only visited Fu Yanchuan’s study once before. After that, he almost never went in. He knew only that Fu Yanchuan sometimes stayed in there alone at night.

Now, the study was completely different. It had been divided diagonally. The golf simulator area was gone, replaced by a thickly carpeted space for painting. Against the wall stood a large cabinet for art supplies. In the middle stood his easel and the mat he usually sat on. There was also a cat bed.

The other side was Fu Yanchuan’s office area. Half of the original cabinet had been moved out, leaving only a desk and a cabinet, making the space much simpler.

Between the two areas was a double-sided sofa over two meters long. The middle backrest could be removed to reveal a bed.

By the floor-to-ceiling window was a comfortable-looking rocking chair with an orange cat sleeping on it.

Fu Yanchuan asked Qi Xi, “Do you like it?”

Qi Xi nodded excitedly. “Will I be painting here from now on?”

Fu Yanchuan responded affirmatively.

Qi Xi thought for a moment. “But will this bother you?”

“No.”

Qi Xi thought a bit more. “What if I bother you?”

“You don’t want to be in the same room with me?”

“No!”

Qi Xi looked at Fu Yanchuan seriously and replied, “I’m afraid that when I’m painting, I’ll be too busy looking at you and forget to actually paint.”

Fu Yanchuan’s mouth curved into a sharp smile. At the door, Uncle Quan smiled even more broadly, completely losing his professional composure.

 

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