True Color (COLOR)
.jpg)
At five thirty, Qi Xing drove to Lin Zhinian's studio. Although he didn't like seeing Ye Xingzhou, he endured it for the sake of pursuing Lin Zhinian.
It took Lin Zhinian two days to tidy up the studio. With the help of Ye Xingzhou's lawyer, the housing contract dispute was basically resolved. He was in a rare good mood, especially since Ye Xingzhou had messaged him at noon, inviting him to dinner that evening.
He specifically asked if it was a social obligation, and Ye Xingzhou's reply, though brief with just "no," was enough to make him happy.
This good mood lasted until Qi Xing arrived, putting an end to it.
"Teacher Lin, can we leave now? Ye Xingzhou wants to have dinner with you tonight."
Qi Xing smiled brightly, completely unaware that Lin Zhinian's smile froze upon hearing his words.
Lin Zhinian hesitated, "Together?"
"Yes," Qi Xing nodded, "Teacher Lin doesn't mind, right? I'll come along to make up the numbers."
Lin Zhinian could only say he didn't mind.
In the car, Lin Zhinian asked about the occasion, and Qi Xing casually said, "Ye Xingzhou came to my father's company today to discuss business. It happened to coincide, so we arranged to have dinner together tonight."
Lin Zhinian bit his lip. He actually wanted to ask, who was being made up for, Qi Xing or himself.
But the words didn't come out, so he changed the topic, "Is Ronghua Corporation going to collaborate with Ye’s Corporation?"
Qi Xing said casually, "It's about the Xingneng Technology project. They're currently in the B-round of funding. Ye Xingzhou wants my father to join in. Whether it will happen or not remains to be seen."
"Xingneng Technology?"
Qi Xing nodded, "Yes, that one."
After hearing this, Lin Zhinian didn't know what to say. His second uncle had been eyeing the Xingneng Technology project all along. Everyone knew it was a golden goose that laid eggs, and countless people coveted it. Even a wealthy person might not be able to get a share. His second uncle was eager to please Ye Xingzhou, all for this project. Just a few days ago, he had set aside his pride and directly asked Ye Xingzhou, hoping he would consider their company. But Ye Xingzhou said this project wasn't suitable for them and hinted at discussing it another time.
But now, Ye Xingzhou was actively discussing cooperation with Ronghua Corporation. Even though Ronghua Corporation's current strength far exceeded their family's company, Ye Xingzhou's ruthlessness still made him uncomfortable.
Qi Xing hummed a tune, completely unaware of Lin Zhinian's conflicting thoughts. As for why Ye Xingzhou approached his family, rather than wanting to involve his father, it was more about targeting Mr. Chen. His father was well aware of this.
What others saw as a golden opportunity might not be attractive to his father at all.
Oh, it's better if it's not attractive. He didn't want to deal with Ye Xingzhou, that beast, any more than necessary.
During the rush hour, the cars on the road were queued up. Qi Xing glanced at the map navigation and smirked.
"Teacher Lin, why don't you give Ye Xingzhou a call? Tell him we're stuck in traffic and will be late, so he doesn't have to wait for us to eat."
His tone clearly showed his amusement. Besides, he deliberately chose this route.
Lin Zhinian absentmindedly made the call. On the other end, Ye Xingzhou didn't say much, just a few words before hanging up.
Putting down the phone, Ye Xingzhou looked at the young man who had sat opposite him two minutes ago. He listened quietly as the young man introduced himself and expressed his admiration.
In short, he was trying to strike up a conversation.
The young man talked endlessly, but Ye Xingzhou didn't respond. The young man became a bit embarrassed, then said, "Is Young Master Ye alone today? Do you want to go somewhere else for a few drinks?"
Ye Xingzhou's gaze paused on his face for a few seconds, then he spoke coldly, "Where have you seen me before?"
The young man said, "I read about you in a financial magazine..."
Ye Xingzhou interrupted, "You just said you're a signed artist at Haicheng Entertainment. Haicheng Entertainment's major shareholder is Ronghua Corporation. Do you know about Young Master Qi?"
The young man's face showed a moment of panic, then he tried to maintain composure, "I know him but he doesn't know me. If someone like Young Master Qi took an interest in anyone from our company, it would be a blessing but I'm not that lucky."
Ye Xingzhou lifted his coffee cup and took a sip, recalling Qi Xing's arrogant attitude while reprimanding that young star in the nightclub restroom last night. He suddenly smiled, surprising the young man opposite him.
Putting down the coffee cup, Ye Xingzhou lightly touched the handle, speaking mysteriously, "You say you don't know him, then you don't."
The young man couldn't figure out what he meant and tentatively asked, "Would Young Master Ye like a drink?"
Ye Xingzhou replied, "Drink without eating?"
The young man said, "We could eat..."
Ye Xingzhou interrupted him, "Let's drink here."
The place was a Western restaurant, but Ye Xingzhou ordered Baijiu (Chinese white spirit) [1]. The young man's face turned slightly pale.
[1] Baijiu (白酒) is a traditional Chinese liquor that is often referred to as "white alcohol" or "white spirits." It is a strong distilled spirit typically made from sorghum, although other grains like wheat, barley, rice, or even tubers like sweet potatoes can also be used. Baijiu is known for its high alcohol content, ranging from around 40% to 60% ABV (alcohol by volume), making it one of the strongest alcoholic beverages globally. It has a distinct aroma and flavor profile, with different types of baijiu having varying characteristics based on their production methods and aging processes.
Ye Xingzhou calmly poured the liquor, "Aren't you drinking?"
The young man hesitated but thinking about the money he had spent, he reluctantly took a sip.
Meanwhile, in the car, Qi Xing continued chatting with Lin Zhinian. He then changed the topic, "Teacher Lin, what do you really like about Ye Xingzhou?"
Lin Zhinian looked embarrassed, and Qi Xing tilted his head, "Can't I ask? We're friends, right? Just casually talk about it. Where do I fall short compared to him?"
"You can't really compare," Lin Zhinian sighed helplessly. "I've known him for a long time. I like him, and there's no specific reason. It was my lack of understanding before that led us to miss each other. Now, if I have the chance to make up for it, I want to start over with him. ... Sorry, Qi Xing, I only see you as a friend, nothing more."
Qi Xing smiled, "Teacher Lin, you want to start over with him but I don't think he wants that. He's simply not interested in you at all. Do you know what kind of person he is outside? Oh, last night, I saw him in the nightclub restroom getting touchy with a guy, then he took the guy away when he was drunk."
To make Lin Zhinian give up on Ye Xingzhou, he fabricated Ye Xingzhou's reaction without blinking an eye, as it was the truth anyway, just omitting the fact that he, himself was the one involved in the altercation.
Lin Zhinian's expression changed slightly, and he instinctively said, "I don't believe it. Xingzhou is not that kind of person."
Qi Xing replied, "You keep saying he's not that kind of person, but do you really know what kind of person he is? Can I make up such things to deceive you? My friends who were with me drinking and playing cards last night saw it too. It's not just me who witnessed it."
Anyway, Lin Zhinian didn't know those friends of his, and even if he did, he couldn't verify their claims.
Lin Zhinian fell silent. He didn't have the confidence to guarantee that the current Ye Xingzhou wouldn't do such things.
But at least, the Ye Xingzhou from before wasn't like this, and he didn't want Ye Xingzhou to become like this.
"Teacher Lin?"
Qi Xing's voice brought Lin Zhinian back to reality, and he reluctantly replied, "Maybe it's not what you think, Qi Xing."
Qi Xing thought to himself, ‘I was almost involved in that kind of situation with him yesterday. It's not like he's not capable of it.’
"If it's not like that, then what is it like?”
Lin Zhinian was left speechless by the question.
Qi Xing didn't press further, preferring to let Lin Zhinian see for himself. If he didn't believe it, then he should witness it with his own eyes.
He was determined to expose Ye Xingzhou today.
In the restaurant, the young man drank half a glass of white wine, showing signs of intoxication as he tried to get closer to Ye Xingzhou.
Ye Xingzhou remained calm, sipping his coffee.
The young man placed his hand on Ye Xingzhou's back. "Young Master Ye, aren't you drinking?"
"You were the one who wanted to drink," Ye Xingzhou's voice remained steady as he picked up his coffee cup again, avoiding the young man's hand.
Undeterred, the young man, fueled by alcohol, leaned closer, his words carrying obvious suggestive tones. "Drinking all the time isn't really fun. I don't feel like drinking anymore. Young Master Ye, why don't we go somewhere else and do something different?"
Ye Xingzhou's gaze returned to the young man's face, pausing for a moment this time. His eyes showed a hint of interest, leading the young man to believe he had a chance. His voice became even more ingratiating, "Shall we go?"
Unexpectedly, Ye Xingzhou asked a question that caught the young man off guard, "Have you had plastic surgery?”
The young man was taken aback, licking his lips awkwardly before truthfully admitting, "I've just had some minor adjustments."
Ye Xingzhou inquired, "What did you adjust?"
The young man, unsure why Ye Xingzhou was interested, and not daring to hide anything, replied, "My eyes, I got double eyelid surgery."
Ye Xingzhou's gaze swept over his eyes again. They were indeed almond-shaped, just like that specific guy but a fake is a fake, even if it's almost identical, a slight difference makes it obvious.
The young man felt uneasy under Ye Xingzhou's scrutiny, his drunkenness fading slightly. He hesitantly called out, "Young Master Ye?"
Ye Xingzhou slowly finished the last sip of his coffee, set down the cup, and asked, "When will he arrive?"
The young man, now fully alert, exclaimed in surprise, "I..."
Ye Xingzhou interrupted, "You just glanced down to send a message to him, didn't you? It should be almost time. Where are you planning to go? Upstairs to the hotel?"
The young man instinctively stood up, wanting to escape but two strong bodyguards appeared behind him and forced him back into his seat.
Ye Xingzhou remarked coolly, "Since you've taken his money, let's play this game to the end."
………
When Qi Xing and Lin Zhinian arrived at the hotel, it was almost 7 o'clock in the evening.
"The fish took the bait."
Glancing at a newly arrived WeChat message, Qi Xing smiled and locked his phone screen.
Before getting off the car, Lin Zhinian received a call from his second uncle, asking him to come home immediately.
"Must you go back now?" Qi Xing frowned at the words, displeased that the stage was set and the actors were ready, yet the audience was leaving, wasting all his efforts.
"Sorry, there's something urgent at home today. I'll definitely treat Young Master Qi to dinner another day, I promise," Lin Zhinian apologized.
After finishing the call, Lin Zhinian dialed Ye Xingzhou's number, but there wasn't much conversation, just a few words before hanging up.
…………
Ye Xingzhou put away his phone and glanced at his watch.
A few minutes ago, he casually arranged for Lin Zhinian's uncle to encounter some trouble, easily diverting his attention.
The young man remained seated across from him, looking dejected and quiet, as meek as a quail.
Ye Xingzhou stood up, draped his suit jacket over his arm, and said softly, "Let's go."
…………..
Lin Zhinian had made up his mind to leave, and Qi Xing couldn't force him to stay. "Alright then, I'll call a car for you. I have some other matters to attend to, so I can't give you a ride."
Lin Zhinian thanked him, "I'll just take a taxi myself, no need to trouble you, Young Master Qi."
After they left, Qi Xing also got out of the car, closing the door firmly.
Giving up was not an option.
Even if Lin Zhinian couldn't witness it firsthand, he could still take photos or videos.
Qi Xing stretched his neck, striding into the hotel with determination, ready to "catch them in the act."
As the elevator doors closed, Ye Xingzhou glimpsed Qi Xing stepping into the hotel lobby, and he pressed the floor button.
The bait had been taken.
Translator:
Who's really the fish?