Chapter 26

National Day arrived in no time. Xi Shi had originally planned to spend two blissful days cuddling with Jing Chen at a hot spring resort, but that plan had died in the cradle.

During the week-long holiday, traffic was congested everywhere. In a first-tier city like Yanjing, the crowds were overwhelming, and every street and alley was clogged to the point of immobility. Xi Shi simply stayed home and slept for two days, only dragging himself out of bed on the 3rd for Xi Yue’s birthday party.

As the only daughter of the Xi family and the apple of her aunt and uncle’s eyes, Xi Yue had lived a life of extreme extravagance since childhood. For her birthday, the Xi family had even booked the File Manor—renowned as a "princess castle"—to host the celebration.

To avoid embarrassing the family, Xi Shi drove the sports car his older brother had given him. This proved to be a misery; the traffic was as jammed as a constipated bowel, and a journey that usually took forty minutes ended up taking nearly two hours. He had intended to arrive early, but thanks to the delay, he, the brother of the host, arrived fashionably late while other guests were already trickling in.

As the star of the show, Xi Yue had been styled by a professional team. She wore a blue-gray haute couture dress, her hair done in a princess style adorned with a dazzling diamond crown. Her makeup was exquisite, elevating her beauty from a six to a ten; she looked striking.

Seeing Xi Shi arrive alone, Xi Yue paused, then glanced behind him with lingering hope, failing to see the person she wanted to meet.

"Second Brother," Xi Yue walked over, linking her arm through his and pouting playfully, "didn't you say you were going to bring a friend?"

Xi Shi tugged his arm, but couldn't pull it free. Enduring the goosebumps rising on his skin, he said, "Probably stuck in traffic. They’ll be here soon, don't worry."

"Really?" Xi Yue’s eyes sparkled. "Don't lie to me."

Xi Shi chuckled softly. "How would I dare lie to you?" She’d eat him alive on the spot.

Satisfied, Xi Yue instructed him to let her know the moment they arrived. Only after Xi Shi nodded did she let him go.

Xi Shi handed his gift to the waiter at the entrance and walked into the lush, green party venue. The site was decorated like a dream; colorful light strips were draped overhead like a brilliant nebula, and the arrangements on the lawn were breathtaking, weaving a fairy-tale wonderland under the night sky.

There were many people in attendance today, feeling even livelier than Xi Yue’s eighteenth coming-of-age ceremony. As soon as Xi Shi appeared, he drew many eyes. This was his first public appearance since the Shao family broke off their engagement with him. Everyone had assumed that after being jilted, Xi Shi wouldn't be doing well, and that he would likely appear haggard, forcing a smile.

The facts proved them dead wrong. Xi Shi was still the same eye-wateringly handsome man; far from haggard, his state could only be described in four words: brimming with spirit. It was clear that he had been living quite well in the month since the engagement was called off. Shao Xun, on the other hand, was rumored to have offended someone and had been grounded by his father. The onlookers, disappointed in their hope for a spectacle, silently muttered to themselves: *What a good actor.*

Xi Shi walked through the crowd with an expressionless face. He didn't have many friends in this circle to begin with, and since Qin Mingtian was traveling abroad, there was no one to talk to. While many wanted to see him make a fool of himself, no one dared to approach him. As a member of the host family, he technically should have been helping to greet guests, but no one had assigned him that task.

Xi Shi was happy to be relaxed. He found a seat, took out his phone, and snapped pictures of the decor, sending them all to Jing Chen. After all, given Jing Chen’s status, he wouldn't have the chance to attend such a high-end event; a virtual look would count as broadening his horizons.

Jing Chen was still locked in negotiations during the National Day holiday, and the other party had resorted to hooligan tactics. Hearing his phone vibrate, he took it out. Seeing a message from Xi Shi, his expression, soured by the unreasonable demands of the negotiators, softened.

Jing Chen: "At a wedding?"

Xi Shi: "A birthday party. I heard just renting this venue and the setup cost over a million."

Xi Shi: "It’s too extravagant to waste, so I’m letting my darling lover feast his eyes on it too."

Jing Chen’s expression softened further. He remembered reading somewhere that when you see a beautiful wildflower on the side of the road and want to share it with someone, that is love. Xi Shi seeing a beautiful scene and wanting to share it with him—that must be what it meant.

Jing Chen felt more confident about revealing his true identity after returning, confessing his feelings, and transforming their "kept" relationship into love.

Jing Chen: "It looks very beautiful."

Jing Chen: "By the way, no drinking."

Xi Shi pursed his lips. His little lover was getting bold, actually trying to order him around.

*Why don't you fly to the moon:* "Okay, I won't touch a drop."

*Why don't you fly to the moon:* "If you don't believe me, Officer Jing can video call me tonight and give me a breathalyzer test [wink]."

Jing Chen: "..."

Here it was again. Where did he learn all these flirtatious tricks? If he were really a police officer, he would have handcuffed this cheeky little imp a long time ago.

...

"Xi Shi."

Just as the conversation between Xi Shi and Jing Chen was sliding into R-rated territory, he heard someone call his name. Xi Shi looked up and saw a young man walking toward him, smiling. "Hi, long time no see."

Xi Shi thought for a moment before remembering the man’s name was Xu Zhou. They weren't close. Xi Shi gave a polite nod.

Xu Zhou, however, acted familiar and leaned in. "Do you know Huo Qin? He's from a side branch very close to the wealthy Huo family. He's moving into a new home in a couple of days and invited me. I don't know what gift to send; it’s so frustrating."

Xi Shi: "?"

Xi Shi was confused. "And?"

"And," Xu Zhou took out his phone, "I want you to give me some advice."

As he spoke, he opened his photo album to an invitation for a housewarming party. Instead of swiping past it, he zoomed in and showed it to Xi Shi. "Look at the invitation Young Master Huo sent me. Rich people are just different; even their invitations are more exquisite than others'."

Xi Shi: "..."

Xu Zhou swiped to the next photo. The next one was a wedding invitation, with the names of the couple clearly written: *Shao Xun, Xi Shi.* It was the invitation for his wedding to Shao Xun. Although the wedding never happened, the invitations had been sent out.

"Oh! Sorry, sorry, I forgot to delete that. But compared to this, Young Master Huo’s invitation is truly more elegant and luxurious. The Shao family is a top-tier wealthy family in Yanjing, but compared to the Huo family, there’s a fundamental difference."

Xi Shi: "............"

Xi Shi finally understood Xu Zhou’s intent. He was here to show off that he knew Huo Qin and to step on Xi Shi while he was at it.

*It’s laughable, damn it.*

Xi Shi dug into the dusty corners of his memory and finally found the source of his history with Xu Zhou. It was rumored that Xu Zhou had pursued Shao Xun and been heartlessly rejected. After Xi Shi became engaged to Shao Xun, Xu Zhou had apparently held a grudge, and now he was crawling over to mock him. Of course, the main point was to brag about climbing a higher branch than Shao Xun.

*No, if Shao Xun rejected you, go find Shao Xun; why seek validation in front of me?* Xi Shi really wanted to give him a hard slap to wake him up.

"You're absolutely right," Xi Shi said, his face impassive, even offering a polite smile. "For a prestigious family like the Huo's, ordinary gifts won't do. I actually do know of a decent gift, but it depends on whether you're willing to pay the price."

Xu Zhou was only here to show off and disgust Xi Shi; he hadn't intended to let him pick a gift. But since the conversation had reached this point, he couldn't help but ask, "What gift?"

Xi Shi crooked his finger, signaling for him to hand over his phone. Xu Zhou was wary, but handed it over anyway. Xi Shi easily found a shopping app on the home screen and clicked into it.

Ten seconds later, he turned off the screen, tossed the phone back to Xu Zhou, stood up, and patted his shoulder meaningfully. "Selected. It perfectly matches your temperament."

With that, he walked away. He was afraid of getting hit if he lingered.

Xu Zhou, feeling curious, opened his phone. The screen was frozen on the main product image of a shopping site. What greeted his eyes was a highly realistic, thick, and grotesque... image. It was as if Xi Shi was mockingly saying: *Give him a d*ck.*

The unexpected visual assault almost made Xu Zhou drop his phone. His face twisted. *This Xi Shi, how can he be so shameless! Looking at this kind of thing in public.*

*Simply, simply uncouth!*

The "uncouth" Xi Shi was in a fantastic mood. He grabbed a glass of fruit juice, took two sips, and his WeChat pinged. He checked the message, immediately set the juice aside, and headed for the entrance.

Xi Yue had been keeping a close eye on Xi Shi. Seeing him head to the door, she knew the person she was expecting had arrived. Although she was annoyed that Xi Shi hadn't notified her, she quickly adjusted her emotions. She smoothed her hair, took a deep breath to ensure she looked her best, and headed toward the entrance as well.

However, when she arrived at the flower-covered archway and saw who Xi Shi had brought in, her smile froze.

Xi Shi was walking in, laughing and talking with a young man who possessed an air of natural nobility—clearly a person of significant status. But it wasn't the Huo Siyi she had been waiting for. Furthermore, the man had brought a beautiful companion—a woman in a blue-and-white porcelain cheongsam with bright, beautiful eyes. It was the popular A-list actress, Tian Ran.

"Second... Brother, who are they?" Xi Yue asked cautiously. These two were clearly of high status; she didn't dare offend them rashly.

Xi Shi smiled lightly. "I’m not very close with Huo Siyi, so I couldn't invite him. But his cousin, Huo Siyuan, is a friend of mine, so I invited him and his fiancée, Miss Tian. Young Master Huo, Miss Tian, this is my cousin, Xi Yue, the birthday girl."

Tian Ran handed her gift to Xi Yue and said with a warm smile, "Happy birthday."

Xi Yue couldn't smile. She had made today so grand and lively specifically so everyone would see the son of the richest man attending her party. That was the kind of glory and honor not even the top socialite in Yanjing possessed. Besides, she was dressed so beautifully today; she didn't believe Huo Siyi wouldn't be tempted. If she could win over Huo Siyi, she would be unrivaled in prestige and envied by all. Even if she couldn't, as long as he appeared tonight, she could manufacture headlines. Being linked to him in a scandal was an honor those socialites couldn't dream of, and it would greatly satisfy her vanity.

However, in all her calculations, she hadn't accounted for Xi Shi pulling this stunt. The difference between the son of the richest man and the nephew of the richest man was worlds apart. And since the man had brought his fiancée, there was no chance for a scandal.

With her great expectations dashed, Xi Yue’s eyes instantly reddened. She looked at Xi Shi with venomous eyes, nearly losing her composure and smashing the gift Tian Ran had given her into Xi Shi’s face. Luckily, her parents, hearing that a guest as noble as "Young Master Huo" had arrived, rushed over to prevent a scene.

Although he wasn't the son of the richest man, Huo Siyuan’s status was still significant. Xi Jinnian forcibly restrained his nearly hysterical daughter and said respectfully to Huo Siyuan, "Young Master Huo, Miss Tian, welcome to my daughter’s birthday banquet. Please, come in, please."

Huo Siyuan’s status was exceptional, and he was soon surrounded by the crowd, leaving the birthday girl momentarily forgotten.

Xi Shi lingered slightly behind, glancing at Xi Yue being comforted by her aunt. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was looking, he shot her a provocative look.

Who said he had to bring Huo Siyi to make up for things, to support Xi Yue, and to make the outsiders think they had climbed into the Huo family’s graces to offset the damage caused by the Shao family breaking off the engagement? Huo Siyuan could do that too.

And not only could he do that, but he could also ensure all of Xi Yue’s dark little schemes fell through.

Xi Shi felt the pent-up frustration of the last few days vanish into thin air. He wasn't a block of wood; he could resist manipulation too.

Xi Yue received his provocation and knew he had done it on purpose. Her face turned green with rage, and she nearly had another outburst, only being restrained by her mother, who was desperately trying to calm her down as tears streamed down her face.