“Alright, alright. Stop laughing.”
Qu Xiujie turned to look outside the window instead of Murong Cheng who was laughing sillily. He did not care if the latter was really mocking him. Meeting the couple was merely the first step; now, he had to think of the second step which was: What should he say to them?
There was despondency in his eyes, and even the scenery outside had become bland because of this. If not for being subjected to Old Lady Qu’s scheming, there was no need for him to investigate her past or even the recent activities.
His financial powers were taken away by the old lady, but that did not mean that he could not use other methods to earn money and find more about her. For instance, his friend, who was beside him, had the backing of the entire Murong family.
Although they were in their sunset years, they were still very well-known in the capital.
“What’s wrong with me laughing? Are you not allowing me to laugh?”
Murong Cheng mocked him again with his raucous laughter.
“Send me back to the hotel.”
He leaned against the seat and closed his eyes to rest. Seeing him like this, his friend was doubtful. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you looking for Ji Ziming?”
“Not going; I’m going to rest today.”
There was a hint of helplessness in his voice. He did not manage to speak properly with that man before finding the woman. The outcome was unexpected for him. He had never been at the brunt of such a treatment, and even if he did, it was him doing this to others.
“You’ve only been out for a short while.”
Murong Cheng suspected if the other’s confidence had been shattered. Ji Ziming might not even meet him per se, so what more of Pei Ge?
“But…” He purposely paused as he stopped being playful and put on a serious front. “You can’t stay in the hotel further. There have probably been some things done to your room by now. I’m afraid that Old Lady Qu came by to ask about you.”
Qu Xiujie was jolted awake at this, and he stared straight ahead. He spoke in a hoarse voice. “You’re saying that I need to move houses now?”
“Staying in my house will do.”
Murong Cheng drove as he thought of ways for him. Since the hotel was not a place for his friend to stay anymore, he might as well stay with him. The helpers at home would only need to prepare an additional portion of dinner. His family still had mansions, and they were not any smaller than the Qus’.
“I’m afraid that Old Master Murong will be angered to death if he sees me.”
He recalled that, back when he brought Murong Cheng with him, the latter’s grandfather was so infuriated that he was sent to the hospital right away. He was only discharged after Qu Xiujie brought his grandson back three days later.
His health had finally approved, and if Qu Xiujie were to trigger him by showing up, his days would be numbered.
“Can you not anger my grandfather? He is already so old and only has me as his grandson. He’s been worrying about me for so many years already.”
Murong Cheng sounded as though his heart ached for his grandfather.
“I didn’t anger him on purpose, either. It’s him who wanted to argue with me for the sake of arguing. How could I not argue with him?”
Qu Xiujie stared at Murong Cheng and saw that time had left its mark on the latter and dulled his edges. After so many years, he was the only who adhered to his conscience. All the friends around him had slowly returned to their family businesses.
Even Brother Long, whom he knew from an exchange of blows, had met his true love and given up his entire career for it. Qu Xiujie did not understand what charisma a petite lady, who was not even 160 centimeters, had, such that Brother Long, who was the big boss of the underworld, was willing to give up his career to get a smile from that little woman.
He suddenly thought of Ji Ziming. He was also a CEO known for his icy personality up until he met Pei Ge; then, he became a crazy wife-lover who would not allow outsiders near her. Even an admiring look would cause the man to look at them closely.
That one look was like a poisoned knife which could cut Qu Xiujie’s throat deeply and forbid him from saying anything.
“What are you thinking about?”
Looking at him, there was a hint of anxiety and dissatisfaction in Murong Cheng’s voice.
“I’m thinking that other than your family, I possibly have another place to stay.”
Qu Xiujie curled his lips and looked both pleased and comforted.
“Where? If you have somewhere to stay, why did you stay in the hotel right from the start?”
Murong Cheng could not help but suspect if his friend had gotten too silly after fighting it out with Old Lady Qu. He would even secretly laugh at times, but when he asked him, he was unwilling to say it.
“Ji Ziming.”
He said that name seriously. Even his friend, who was from a once glorious family, felt that it was unbelievable.
“Tell me truthfully; why do you think that he will agree to your request and fight alongside you?”
“That’s because of Pei Ge.”
“Then, tell me honestly.”
The more Murong Cheng asked, the more he was unwilling to speak. In actual fact, he was uncertain that he would really work with Ji Ziming, but he firmly believed that between him and the elderly woman, Ji Ziming was more willing to believe him.
“Since you’re unwilling to say it, I won’t ask further, but if you really have a place to stay, tell me. My family has a mansion on the capital’s outskirts, and it’s quite remote. My grandfather and his fishing friends used to stay there when they were young. If you don’t mind, I can clean it up. After all, ever since my grandfather was confined at the hospital, he has rarely stayed there.”
As Murong Cheng drove, he looked at his friend. Having suffered through hardships and joy together, he knew that Qu Xiujie had many wicked ideas. Even if it was Old Lady Qu, she might not be able to do anything to him.
“Rest assured; it’s not possible for me to die of starvation.”
Qu Xiujie righteously insisted. The place he had thought of was the mansion the man had once commissioned to be built in the past. It was on a hillside with a magnificent view; even the house’s décor was done by a team of royal designers specially commissioned from overseas by the man.
If the man was willing, he would not fret about the second or third mansion.
“Sure, sure, sure. You’re not anxious, and I’m not anxious too. Remember it yourself; if there’s anything, call me. You know my phone number. I’ll get you a new phone in the afternoon—the kind that won’t be bugged.”
