Qi Yilao had cdldmshz, right? Right? Right?

Jiao Bai ate a piece of bean curd while gnashing his teeth. These old men were all problematic[1]. He had distance himself away from them as soon as possible.

The next moment, Jiao Bai deflated. He couldn't distance himself. He had to raise activity levels. He couldn’t view his friends' profile information unless the level reached 50, and when the time came, who knew what bizarre situations awaited him.

Jiao Bai finished his vegetarian meal full of frustration. When he thought about how Wang Chuqiu's ID card was still with Madam Shen, he was so furious he became a pufferfish. Even worse, Qi Yilao witnessed it.

Jiao Bai: “...”

Qi Yilao approached him with calm, steady steps, holding a lollipop that some unknown child had given him.

He wasn’t as cold, fierce and unapproachable as Shen Ji. His aura was almost devoid of any intense and intimidating sharpness. When he smiled, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes were filled with a gentle, mature charm that appealed to people of all ages and genders.

Jiao Bai turned and left. He knew that Qi Yilao wasn’t suffering from cdldmshz. To Qi Yilao, he was just some nobody, so naturally he wouldn’t remember his name.

The young man's figure was like an autumn breeze, bland yet swift. Qi Yilao’s smile remained unchanged as he turned around and gave the lollipop to the little girl who had followed him all the way.

“It’s, it’s for me?” The little girl blushed. She held the lollipop to her chest and walked away giddily.

Qi Yilao shook his head. “Still at a dreaming age.”

Shen Ji, who had come over, didn’t respond to those words, and only said, “How about a few more drinks tonight?”

“No, there’s too much to do.” Qi Yilao took the cigarette that Shen JI handed him. “Next time you’re in West City, let’s meet up again.”

Shen Ji didn’t continue to persuade him to stay. Instead, he asked casually, “Where’s Xiao Zhang? Didn't he come with you?”

Qi Yilao twirled the cigarette butt. “He went to take care of some business.”

“Looks like I won't be able to spar with that kid this time.” Shen Ji’s usual stern brows softened slightly, but when an old CEO bid him farewell from a distance, he returned to his usual stern and imposing demeanour.

Qi Lao waited until Shen Ji saw off a few guests, and then said, “Lao Shen, I heard from Madam Shen that the wedding date is the eve of the Lunar New Year this year.”

Shen Ji’s expression immediately darkened, “You’re her mouthpiece?”

Qi Yilao couldn’t help laughing. “It’s been so long. Why are you still reacting so strongly? Just register. Don’t hold a wedding.”

Shen Ji was very fed up with this matter and didn’t feel like talking about it. “It's not that simple.”

“I actually feel that it’s not as complicated as you think.” Qi Yilao said, “The outside world doesn't know that Madam Shen chose her daughter-in-law based on fortune-telling[2]. This information won’t leak. Your life after marriage will be the same as usual. What happens at home and what happens outside are two unrelated things that have nothing to do with each other.”

Shen Ji’s thoughts on this matter softened slightly.

“Besides, agreeing to marry doesn’t mean that you’re succumbing to the so-called fate. You’re doing out of filial piety, and out of all virtues, filial piety is most important.” With an unlit cigarette between his lips and hands in his pockets, Qi Yilao spoke as if he was holding a conference at a round table, slowly drawing his sword and ending the argument in one strike.

Shen Ji’s lips twitched slightly. “What did the old lady offer you?”

Qi Yilao smiled elegantly. “A handwritten manuscript.”

Shen Ji responded, “What?”

“Buddhist scriptures.”

Shen Ji: “...”

“You sold me out just for one book of Buddhist scriptures.” Shen Ji loosened his tie, unbuttoned his cuffs, and patted his friend’s shoulders a few times. He wasn’t angry and his tone was teasing.

Once a person reached his level of experience and status, there were only a handful of people who would dare to casually banter with him.

Qi Yilao didn't continue the topic. He wasn't interested in whom Lao Shen chose or how he chose them. He just looked at the slender figure beside the ginkgo tree nearby and suddenly said, “Now that he’s recovered from his cold and his throat has also recovered, his voice sounds pretty good.”

Shen Ji glanced over as well. The figure was very inconspicuous, much like a rubbish bag by the roadside. “I'll send him over to you later[3].”

Qi Yilao chuckled. “Madam Shen asked you to send him back to Qinxin Estate, not send him to my bed.”

Shen Ji let out a ruminating and disdainful snort.

“A-Lao, that what’s-his-name... that kid who served me last night," Shen Ji raised an eyebrow and continued, “Do you still need him?” The implication was: I was quite satisfied last night. Shouldn't you give him to me now?

Qi Yilao lowered his head, using one hand to block the wind while the other hand clicked his dark gray lighter. He tilted his head slightly, took a leisurely puff of his cigarette, and exhaled slowly. “Let’s wait a while.”

Shen Ji didn’t ask for the reason. “Alright.”

They had known each other for many years and were only a few years apart in age. Even a stamp of their feet could change the dynamics of the business world. These two men stood side by side, laughing and chatting. Their friendship represented the relationship between their two families.

Shen of the South and Qi of the West would never become adversaries.


[1] 有病 – means ‘to be ill’ or ‘to be not right in the head.’

[2] 命理测算 (mìnglǐ cèsuàn) fate/astrological calculations/divination
命理 (mìnglǐ) means fate, predestination. 测算 (cèsuàn) means to calculate.

[3] He says this like he’s sending over an object.