True Color

Qi xing got home and immediately fell into a deep sleep with his head covered. He slept until nine o’clock in the morning when he was awakened by a phone call from Yang Kaiming.

“Qi xing, is everything alright with you? Did Ye Xingzhou take you back last night? Did he do anything to you?”

Yang Kaiming’s voice sounded uncertain, careful not to upset Qi xing. Qi xing, in a drowsy state, closed his eyes a few times and vaguely recalled that it was indeed Ye Xingzhou who brought him back last night.

And then, what happened?

Scenes from the previous night replayed in slow motion in his mind, freezing at the moment when Ye Xingzhou dominated him from above, looking down at him.

Sitting up abruptly, his drowsiness vanished, and he couldn’t hold his phone steady. It fell to the ground with a “thud,” and Yang Kaiming exclaimed from the other end, “Qi xing? What’s wrong?”

Qi xing picked up the phone and cursed, ” Why are you asking me about what happened last night? If something happened to me, it would be too late for you to come and collect my corpse. I can never count on you why did you let him take me?”

Yang Kaiming asked hesitantly, “…So, did he do anything to you?”

Qi xing stood in front of the bathroom sink, looking at the series of red marks on his neck, shoulders, and collarbone in the mirror, and raised his middle finger.

That pervert Ye Xingzhou

Damn it.

Qi xing turned around in anger, unable to vent his grievances and anger. He kicked the trash can, then held his foot in pain, jumping up.

He couldn’t deceive himself. Those marks on his body clearly told him that he had been taken advantage of by that perverted Ye Xingzhou. 

Realizing this, Qi xing’s hair stood on end, and he felt a chill throughout his body.

At half past ten, Qi xing appeared at the company’s entrance and went straight to the chairman’s office using the elevator.

He hadn’t planned to go to the company that day. Half an hour ago, Qi ronghua called him with a serious tone, demanding that he came to the company and visit his office.

 Qi xing knew that his father must have been upset about what happened last night. Although he used to go out and drink every day, he had never returned home as drunk as he did last night. He couldn’t escape a scolding.

Qi ronghua was indeed very angry. Even though he spoiled his son, he didn’t want him to become a worthless person who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. Especially when Ye Xingzhou, a person of slightly older age, brought Qi xing back last night, even though he felt that Ye Xingzhou, as a young person, was too cunning, the fact that his son was so far behind him made him feel dissatisfied. Therefore, starting from then, he decided to spend more effort in disciplining his son.

“From today onwards, wherever I go, you’ll follow me and learn to do legitimate business.”

Qi xing blurted out, “Isn’t that the same as being in prison?”

Qi ronghua raised his eyebrows, 

“It’s not much different,” Qi xing dryly laughed. 

Qi ronghua grabbed a file from the side and threw it directly at Qi xing, who quickly dodged.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Seeing Qi xing wearing a high-neck cashmere sweater, he became even angrier. “Have you hooked up with someone again? Look at yourself when you came back last night. If it wasn’t for Ye Xingzhou sending you back, who knows who you would have spent the night with? I’ve told you so many times, either find someone to have a proper relationship with, settle down early, and accomplish something, or stop fooling around outside. Haven’t you listened to a word I’ve said?”

Ignoring Ye Xingzhou for now, Qi xing responded with irritation, “Then why don’t you go ask him who I hooked up with?”

Qi ronghua paused, suspiciously asking, “What do you mean? And why did you ask the secretary to purchase him a tie yesterday?”

Of course, Qi xing wouldn’t say that Ye Xingzhou was plotting against him. bacause it wouldn’t make sense  nor would he say that apparently Ye xingzhou took advantage of him the previous night. He casually replied, “No relationship at all, I accidentally dirtied his tie before, so I compensated him. It was just a coincidence that we bumped into each other last night.”

 Qi ronghua didn’t think much of it. He didn’t think that the young Ye Xingzhou would be interested in having anything romantic with his son, given his son’s character. The previous night was probably just because of courtesy that Ye Xingzhou happened to send him back.

“If there’s no relationship, then keep your distance from him. In the future, don’t fool around him and cause him trouble. Forget about what happened yesterday, but there can’t be another time.”

After lecturing his son, Qi ronghua concluded, “That young Ye will come to the company in person later to discuss an investment project with me. You’ll also listen in. It’s fine if you don’t understand, you’ll learn over time. We’ll also treat him to lunch.”

Qi xing hesitated. Was it still possible for him to leave now?

Ten minutes later, Qi ronghua’s secretary knocked on the door and informed them that the Ye family’s people had arrived. Qi ronghua immediately got up to welcome them.

Qi xing lazily stood up and caught sight of Ye Xingzhou entering the room. He was dressed impeccably, and the bruise on his face had already faded. He brought three or four people with him and shook hands with Qi ronghua as he entered, exchanging pleasantries.

After a few words, Ye Xingzhou’s gaze turned to Qi xing, and he reached out his hand.

Under the watchful eyes of others, Qi xing suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and extended his hand.

“Qi xing, good morning,” Ye Xingzhou said casually, as if it was just a formality to shake hands with him. Their palms brushed against each other, and before he could glare at the person, Ye Xingzhou let go of him as if nothing happened and continued to talk with Qi ronghua.

Qi xing was filled with anger, but he remembered that this was his father’s office and he didn’t dare to make a scene. He managed to hold it in.

Afterward, both sides sat down and got straight to the point.

The Ye family’s people came today to discuss project financing with Ronghua Capital. Ye Xingzhou was indeed skilled in business negotiations, calm and composed, effortlessly handling the conversation. Despite Qi ronghua’s smooth sailing in the business world over the years, he felt somewhat pressured facing someone like Ye Xingzhou, even though the latter appeared polite and gentle.

Qi xing watched coldly from the side, becoming increasingly displeased with Ye Xingzhou. Taking advantage of his father’s vulnerability was despicable, and now Ye Xingzhou was pretending to be a respectable person in front of his father as well. He wished he could rip off this person’s mask on the spot and let everyone see what kind of person he truly was.

“Mr. Ye, after all the talk, you’re just trying to get my father to invest money. And you’re asking for ten billion right off the bat, claiming to offer more than ten times the return. Who knows if you’re just boasting? The Ye family is already a big business. You can invest on your own, so why do you need partners?” Qi xing nitpicked, and Qi ronghua hesitated for a moment but didn’t interrupt him. Ye Xingzhou shifted his gaze to Qi xing and calmly said, “Whether it’s boasting or not, it’s written in the business plan. Qi xing, you can read and assess it yourself. As for why we want Ronghua Capital to join, as I just mentioned, Ronghua Capital has the capability.”

Qi xing casually flipped open the business plan on the coffee table, quickly scanning a few pages. The company seeking financing was an energy technology company, with only three original shareholders. The Ye family was the largest shareholder, and the target funding for the Series B round exceeded 5 billion, with the Ye family leading the investment. The founder of the company also accompanied Ye Xingzhou that day, specifically to answer professional questions for Qi ronghua.

Qi xing couldn’t tell whether the project was good or bad, but his father had indeed been investing in the high-tech industry in recent years, aiming to expand his business in that area. Ye Xingzhou’s approach seemed to align with his father’s interests.

However, he didn’t know whether what Ye Xingzhou brought along was a golden opportunity or a ticking time bomb.

Qi xing was absentmindedly watching the conversation between Ye Xingzhou and Qi ronghua, paying little attention. Qi ronghua clearly showed interest in the project. Although he didn’t give an immediate answer, there was definitely something to discuss. However, a project worth ten billion couldn’t be finalized in just one or two days.

At noon, Qi ronghua suggested that they all have a meal together, and Ye Xingzhou didn’t refuse.

Qi ronghua had some matters to attend to, so he asked Qi xing to accompany Ye Xingzhou and the others downstairs first.

Without his father by his side, Qi xing couldn’t be bothered to put on a facade. He ignored Ye Xingzhou completely as they rode the elevator downstairs. Ye Xingzhou stood calmly behind him, seemingly unfazed by the fact that his business visit was being snubbed.

As the elevator reached the ground floor and the doors opened, Ye Xingzhou suddenly turned his head and whispered in a low voice to Qi xing, “There’s one on the back of your neck too.”

The high-necked cashmere sweater couldn’t cover it up. Those were the marks he left on Qi xing’s neck last night.

Qi xing’s expression changed, but Ye Xingzhou had already stepped out of the elevator ahead of him.

From start to finish, he maintained the appearance of a composed, refined gentleman.

Qi xing forcibly suppressed the urge to start a fight right then and there, constantly reminding himself to stay calm. Ye Xingzhou was a lunatic, but he wasn’t. He shouldn’t lower his standards because of him.

On the way to the hotel, Qi xing looked back and saw Ye Xingzhou’s car behind them. He sneered and asked Qi ronghua beside him, “Dad, are you really planning to invest in this project? I don’t think Ye Xingzhou has good character. Maybe you should reconsider?”

Qi ronghua smiled and replied, “What does it matter? Even if he kills or sets fires, business is business. This project indeed has potential, and your godfather also thinks highly of him. I have no reason to reject the business that comes to us.”

Qi xing wanted to ask more, but his father continued, “I didn’t want to teach you these things before, but now I think I should. People like Ye Xingzhou, no matter what dubious means they used to rise to power, it has nothing to do with us. With people from families like theirs, I’ve seen all sorts of characters, even if their personalities are unpleasant. So what? Business is business. We just need to be cautious and not let them scheme and deceive us. Considering someone’s character is something to think about when it comes to marriage, not in business.”

“…Alright,” Qi xing thought it over and decided to keep quiet.