Chapter 58: I Will Go with You

True Color (COLOR)

That night, the celebration party was held at a top-floor hotel in a skyscraper in Manhattan. 

Qi Xing raised his glass frequently amidst the clinking of cups, the sounds of flattery and congratulations as his face beamed with a smile.

"I see you like this now. You really have the aura of a young talent." Li Zechen came over and raised his glass to toast him before teasingly saying, "Uncle Qi must be very pleased to see this."

Qi Xing clinked glasses with him while shaking his head helplessly: "Spare me, please."

The other party asked him with a smile, "Have you calculated how much your net worth has skyrocketed since the listing?"

Qi Xing replied, "I don't know. I'm too lazy to calculate it because my dad won't let me squander it."

He held nearly thirty percent of the shares in this subsidiary, which his dad had specifically given him. And after successfully going public today, the stock price soared. 

If he were to calculate his wealth, he indeed had money now. Perhaps, next year his name would even appear on the domestic Forbes billionaire list. But with his dad around, it was just a number because he even had to report to his family if he wanted to buy something.

"Your dad's strictness is both good and bad. It can be annoying, but it really helps you avoid detours. Others can only envy you." Li Zechen casually comforted him.

Qi Xing nodded randomly because it was indeed annoying. 

He didn't even have the freedom to date!

Ye Xingzhou was clearly in the room downstairs, yet he didn't dare to let anyone know he was there because he feared that if Ye Xingzhou showed up, the others would see him and eventually, it would reach his father's ears.

Now that his relationship with Ye Xingzhou had changed, he began to worry about these trivial matters. Even his hard work in coming to the U.S. was less about his wealth and more about proving to his dad that he was no longer a child and could do serious things.

With so many worries and concerns, this really wasn't like him, so love truly wasn't a good thing.

Another investor came over to toast, and Qi Xing, unable to refuse the warm invitation, could only accept it with a smile.

Once the person left, Li Zechen gestured to him: "Give me your cup."

Qi Xing, even though confused, still handed him the wine glass.

Li Zechen poured the remaining champagne from his glass before taking some cola, sprite, and two other drinks from the beverage table. He skillfully mixed them before finally creating a drink that was almost the same color as champagne.

Qi Xing raised an eyebrow. 

Li Zechen returned the glass to him: "Just a little trick because I see you've had quite a bit to drink. If someone toasts you again, then just drink this. Don't worry, I often do this."

Qi Xing laughed: "With your thoughtfulness, you definitely won't have trouble finding a good partner in the future."

Li Zechen replied nonchalantly: "When you say things like that, it makes me feel there's still hope. To be honest, I really regret it. We’ve known each other for so long, yet I let someone else get ahead. If only our parents had helped us connect a few years earlier."

Qi Xing shook his head: "Don't say that. How old was I a few years ago? My parents would never have agreed."

"Now that the listing is done, when are you going back to China?" Li Zechen smiled before changing the subject, and asked, "Are you free to come to my house for dinner tomorrow? My parents want to see you and it's just a simple meal. After all, they haven't seen you in years. When you were a little, you used to come over to eat all the time. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"

Qi Xing was about to say "yes" when another hand reached for his glass from behind. He turned in surprise to see Ye Xingzhou, who directly poured the drink Li Zechen had mixed into his own mouth.

Qi Xing snapped back to reality and pushed him: "Didn't I say that you shouldn't come?”

Ye Xingzhou set down the cup: "Are you feeling guilty?"

Qi Xing shut his mouth.

Wasn't he feeling guilty? But with so many people from back home that were also here, who knows how many of his dad's spies were among them?

"...Your face is still swollen. You don't feel embarrassed coming out like this?"

Li Zechen's gaze swept over Ye Xingzhou's ruby tie clip before extending his hand: "Mr. Ye, nice to meet you."

Ye Xingzhou slowly reached out to shake his hand with his voice cold: "Nice to meet you."

They held the handshake for two seconds before they released each other's hand.

Qi Xing sensed the subtle atmosphere between them and cleared his throat: "I need to go to the bathroom."

He made a quick escape.

Ye Xingzhou followed him. While Qi Xing was taking care of his business, Ye Xingzhou stood by with his arms crossed while watching.

Qi Xing couldn't take it anymore: "Can you look away a bit? With you staring at me like this, I can't pee."

"He's inviting you to his house. What are you planning to say? Will you agree?" Ye Xingzhou asked softly.

Qi Xing replied, "So what if I agree? I know his parents because we were neighbors when we were kids. My parents were busy with work, so I went to their house for meals every day. Is it wrong to go for a meal now? Why are you so annoying..."

"When the party ends, come with me," Ye Xingzhou interrupted him directly.

Qi Xing was taken aback: "Where to?"

Ye Xingzhou replied, "I told you this morning. To the Las Vegas."

"Isn't that a bit rushed?" Qi Xing shook his head, "I haven't even told my dad yet. I should at least wait until the others return to the country."

Ye Xingzhou insisted: "We're leaving tonight."

Unable to reason with him, Qi Xing simply gave up trying to argue because he knew, it was just a waste of breath.

"Then go away first. I really can't pee with you watching me." he frowned impatiently.

Ye Xingzhou's gaze paused before looking down.

Qi Xing noticed and blushed, "What are you looking at? You pervert."

Ye Xingzhou remained unfazed as he seriously acted like a rogue. He did not even raise his eyelids as he said, "Can't I look? I’ve seen everything about you."

Qi Xing was speechless: "That's different."

Doing that ‘thing’ and just directly staring at someone while they're in the bathroom had big differences!

Ye Xingzhou finally withdrew his gaze and turned away.

Qi Xing quickly resolved his physiological issue, hurriedly put on his pants and zipped up, all while grumbling about Ye Xingzhou. 

Right now, he deeply doubted his own judgment for falling for such a beast.

After coming out of the bathroom, Ye Xingzhou reminded him: "Go rest in the lounge for a bit. Even though there are so many guests to entertain, you don't need to stay there the whole time."

‘Fine.’ he thought, because he really had no objections as he didn't want to go back to the venue with Ye Xingzhou anyway.

He flopped onto the sofa as soon as he entered and finally revealed his true self.

What young talent? That had nothing to do with him. All he just wanted was to live off someone and wait to die.

Ye Xingzhou sat down beside him. He tilted his head to stare at Qi Xing's flushed face: "How much have you drunk again?"

Qi Xing leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes, "Not much. But there were too many people toasting, so I had to give them some face."

Ye Xingzhou lightly scraped his finger across Qi Xing's face, making him uncomfortable. 

Slowly opening his eyes, he met Ye Xingzhou's gaze, so close that he could feel his breath. The complaints he had on the tip of his tongue suddenly became unspeakable as he unconsciously licked his lips.

After a moment of silent eye contact, as his heart began to race, Ye Xingzhou chuckled softly, "Do you know what you look like right now?"

Qi Xing instinctively asked: "What?"

Ye Xingzhou replied: "A teenager in the throes of first love [1]."

[1] A young person experiencing the overwhelming emotions of their first romantic attachment.

Qi Xing kicked him, "Get lost."

Ye Xingzhou held his foot down: "Don't move."

"’Don't move’, you jerk." He mockily said, even though his face seemed even redder than before, and his insults lacked any real force.

Just as their playful banter began, Qi Xing's phone rang. It was a video call from his dad.

He jolted and instantly lost all his romantic thoughts. He sat up straight before clearing his throat and answered.

"Dad..."

His dad called to ask about the specifics of the listing today. Although there were dedicated people to report to him, Qi Ronghua clearly wanted to hear it from Qi Xing himself.

"It went smoothly, just as expected. The celebration party isn't over yet, uh—"

As Qi Xing was speaking, he suddenly inhaled sharply! Because this bastard Ye Xingzhou had actually pinched his calf!

He shot a glare at Ye Xingzhou, who remained calm as his fingers pinched a sensitive spot on Qi Xing's leg again, clearly on purpose.

Why act so seriously? Clearly, you are a rogue! 

On the other end of the line, his dad seemed to sense something and asked, "Are there other people around you?"

"No, just Xiao Liu. He spilled my drink." Qi Xing quickly said.

Ye Xingzhou teased him a few more times before finally letting go.

This call with Qi Xing’s dad would likely take a while, so Ye Xingzhou stood up and went outside the lounge and casually lit a cigarette against the wall by the door.

A few minutes later, someone approached. 

It was Li Zechen.

Ye Xingzhou's gaze shifted toward him through the swirling smoke.

Li Zechen also stopped while looking at him.

This man was different from his impression. The media in China portrayed Ye Xingzhou as a young entrepreneur that is just starting to shine. They said he was refined, elegant, and humble but the man standing here without his glasses, a bruise on his face and exuding a proud demeanor while puffing a smoke is like a dangerous beast.

……….

Qi Xing spoke for nearly twenty minutes and answered all the questions his dad wanted to ask. Hearing his dad's satisfied tone, he finally relaxed.

"Dad, can I take a leave and play around here for a few days before going back to China?"

"You want to play there? Who are you going to play with?" Qi Ronghua suddenly thought of something, "Have you seen Li Shu's son?"

Qi Xing replied: "…I saw him. He’s been with us for the entire roadshow, so we see each other every day."

Qi Ronghua asked: "How is he? Do you get along?"

Qi Xing felt a bit awkward but Qi Ronghua continued to probe: "If you stay there to play, can he accompany you?"

Hearing this, Qi Xing's mind shifted, and he followed his dad's words: "Ah, he just happens to be on vacation too and said he would take me to other cities to explore."

Anyway, later he would talk to Li Zechen and ask him not to expose him.

So, It shouldn't be a big problem.

After getting Qi Ronghua's approval, Qi Xing couldn't help but feel excited as he repeatedly nodded to assure his dad that he would be safe, before finally hanging up the call.

Afterward, he eagerly got up to go out to the lounge to tell Ye Xingzhou but that bastard was no longer there, and he didn't reply to his messages either.

Just then, his assistant came looking for him. Qi Xing casually asked, "Did you see Ye Xingzhou?"

The assistant replied: "I just got here and saw Young Master Ye going downstairs with Mr. Li. They seemed to be heading to the fencing hall downstairs."

Qi Xing exclaimed: "Huh?"

………

Five minutes later, he walked into the fencing hall on the first floor, where Ye Xingzhou and Li Zechen were facing off.

Both held the swords that pointed at each other, ready to attack. They just wear the protective masks but not the protective gear.

Qi Xing felt a bit bewildered but remained silent and just quietly watched while leaning against the wall.

Li Zechen made the first move. 

He launched a swift and fierce attack on Ye Xingzhou. His strikes were quick and precise while pressing forward step by step but Ye Xingzhou responded calmly, as if he already calculated the opponent's attack targets and routes that he even controlled the rhythm with remarkable sensitivity. 

When Li Zechen's sword tip aimed at him, he accurately deflected the attack with his own sword.

Li Zechen missed his strike and frowned.

He saw the corner of Ye Xingzhou's lips curl up in a disdainful smirk, or perhaps he misread it but Ye Xingzhou didn't give him a chance to think because he counterattacked. 

Ye Xingzhou skillfully attacked, retreated, and attacked again. 

Clearly, he was not in a hurry to achieve victory because he even played with the sword in his hand, it was as if he was toying with Li Zechen.

Li Zechen found it hard to grasp his tactics, and unknowingly, a hint of impatience crept into his movements. Ye Xingzhou seized the opportunity as he suddenly lunged forward with a fierce glint in his eyes and his sword ruthlessly stabbing toward Li Zechen.

Li Zechen's heart jolted.

And for a moment, he even had the illusion that this man was exuding a chilling aura, as if he truly intended to harm him.

But these swords had been specially treated and lacked real lethality. Even so, Li Zechen's shirt was torn by Ye Xingzhou's sword, and he felt a sharp pain in his chest. 

If this sword could kill, he would have bled by now.

Li Zechen stumbled back a step, and Ye Xingzhou's sword stopped in front of him. Only after Li Zechen said, "I lost," did Ye Xingzhou slowly retract his sword.

Li Zechen removed his mask with his furrowed brows still tense.

Ye Xingzhou ignored him and casually took off his mask before walking straight toward Qi Xing.

Qi Xing tilted his head and smiled before asking, "You two seem quite interested that you both even bother to come here to play."

Li Zechen also approached with his expression returning to normal: "It was my suggestion."

Qi Xing reminded him: "Your shirt is torn. Why are you two playing this without even wearing protective gear? Aren't you afraid of getting hurt?"

"It's fine. I have spare clothes in my car." Li Zechen replied as he prepared to leave. 

As he turned, he paused and said to Qi Xing, "I think I understand why Uncle Qi opposes you two. He's so strong and dangerous, and he's really not suitable for you. Your dad will probably find it hard to agree to your relationship. Think it over and be rational."

Ye Xingzhou's expression turned slightly cold, and Qi Xing felt a bit choked. Before he could speak, Li Zechen smiled and left gracefully.

With the instigator gone, the two of them were left in a strange, awkward silence.

"Um, he was just talking nonsense..."

Qi Xing wanted to explain, but Ye Xingzhou asked him: "Are we leaving now?"

Qi Xing replied: "Now?"

Ye Xingzhou looked at him: "Are we going or not?"

Qi Xing hesitated. He should probably go back to the venue one more time, but suddenly he didn't want to.

Leaning against the wall, he reached out to tug on Ye Xingzhou's tie and pulled him closer. He fiddled with the ruby on the tie clip, and leaned up to kiss Ye Xingzhou.

Ye Xingzhou raised an eyebrow.

"Let's go, Daddy." Qi Xing murmured and no longer mentioned those unimportant things, "I'll go with you wherever you go."

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