TLSOTMTKOGAYWHTDI Chapter 90

Chapter 89: How Did You Meet? – Playing the Rogue!

Qi Xiaoman was so nervous that her palms were sweating. When Lin Xu walked over in his costume, she almost tore Zhuo Huaimo’s sleeve.

“Director Zhuo.”

Lin Xu nodded politely, his gaze landing on Qi Xiaoman, “And this is…?”

“I, I’m your fan!”

Qi Xiaoman’s voice changed, “I’ve been following you since your first web series!”

Lin Xu was a little surprised, then smiled gently:

“Thank you for your support.”

For the next half hour, Qi Xiaoman felt like she was dreaming.

Lin Xu not only took a photo with her but also patiently answered all her questions.

When he learned that she was Qi Yanwang’s sister, Lin Xu was visibly stunned.

She originally thought it would be a normal meeting, but unexpectedly, their contact became more and more frequent in the days that followed.

Lin Xu’s consideration was just right.

Every time they met, he would bring a bunch of understated lisianthus, and when they chatted, he would always stop at the points of interest to Qi Xiaoman.

When Qi Xiaoman excitedly talked about her brother, he would just gently agree:

“President Qi is a role model in the industry.” Neither deliberately flattering nor pretending to be aloof.

“He’s really so different!”

Qi Xiaoman lay on the sofa, swinging her legs, sharing the details of Lin Xu with Zhuo Huaimo for the Nth time,

“Yesterday I said I liked a certain book, and today he sent me a limited edition hardcover!”

Zhuo Huaimo put down his coffee cup:

“Xiaoman, it’s okay to chase stars, but you have to…”

“I know!”

Qi Xiaoman jumped up, “I’m not a kid anymore!”

She hummed a song and went to change her clothes, “Lin Xu is taking me to a private film exhibition today!”

Watching the girl’s cheerful back, Zhuo Huaimo frowned slightly.

He dialed a number: “Follow Miss Qi, but don’t let her find out.”

Just as the other end of the phone agreed, he sent a message to Qi Yanwang:

【Check out Lin Xu. He’s too perfect, something’s not right】

Qi Yanwang replied with surprising speed: 【Already checking. He just rejected an offer from a rival company last week】

Zhuo Huaimo’s fingertip paused. The timing was too coincidental.

When Qi Xiaoman hummed a song and pushed open the door, only a floor lamp was lit in the living room.

Qi Yanwang sat on the sofa with his long legs crossed, a file clutched in his fingers.

“Brother? Why are you still up so late?”

Qi Xiaoman kicked off her high heels, her face still flushed.

Qi Yanwang raised his eyes and threw the file on the coffee table.

“How long have you known Lin Xu?”

“Just… since that day of the set visit.”

Qi Xiaoman’s eyes flickered, “He even treated me to Japanese food today!”

Qi Yanwang sneered, “So generous to an ‘ordinary fan’?”

Qi Xiaoman’s face changed drastically: “You’re following me?”

“Do I need to?”

Qi Yanwang opened the file, “Lin Xu, 28 years old, debuted for six years, became popular again two years ago with ‘Dark Night’. Dinner with Director Wang last March…”

He paused meaningfully, “The photos are very clear.”

Qi Xiaoman rushed over to grab the file: “You investigated him?!”

“Or what?”

Qi Yanwang easily dodged, “Wait until he gets you into bed before investigating?”

“You’re disgusting!”

Qi Xiaoman trembled with anger, “Lin Xu is not that kind of person at all! He hasn’t even touched my hand!”

“That’s how high-level hunters are.”

Qi Yanwang said coldly, “You have to play the long game to catch the big fish.”

Qi Xiaoman grabbed a pillow and threw it at him: “Do you think everyone is as scheming as you are?”

“Qi Xiaoman!”

Qi Yanwang grabbed her wrist, “Use your brain! Why is he suddenly so enthusiastic about you?”

“Because I’m cute, okay?!”

Qi Xiaoman broke away from him, tears welling up in her eyes, “In your eyes, am I so worthless?”

Qi Yanwang’s expression changed slightly, and just as he was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang.

It was a text message from Zhuo Huaimo: 【Found it, Lin Xu has recently been in contact with Xingyue Media’s rivals】

He closed his eyes and handed the phone to his sister: “See for yourself.”

Qi Xiaoman glanced at it and stubbornly turned her face away: “It’s fake!”

“Three o’clock tomorrow afternoon,”

Qi Yanwang said in a deep voice, “Lin Xu will ask you to go to the Peninsula Hotel.”

He pinched his sister’s chin, forcing her to look up,

“Dare to bet?”

“I dare!”

Qi Xiaoman shook him off, “If you’re wrong…”

“I will personally apologize to him.”

Qi Yanwang let go of her hand, “If he has ulterior motives towards you…”

“I’ll go back to school immediately!” Qi Xiaoman wiped her tears and ran upstairs.

Qi Yanwang stood in front of the French window, watching the light in his sister’s room turn on and off.

His phone vibrated, and Zhuo Huaimo sent a new message: 【Arranged, Lin Xu will receive the news tomorrow morning that “the Qi family is withdrawing investment”】

He replied with an “Okay,” his gaze falling on the photo frame on the coffee table—in the family portrait, a young Qi Xiaoman was lying on his back, smiling brightly.

A faint sob came from upstairs.

Qi Yanwang clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. Some lessons must be taught in person.

Late at night, Zhuo Huaimo gently pushed open the bedroom door and saw Qi Yanwang standing by the window, smoking.

There were already four or five cigarette butts in the ashtray.

“Sorry,”

Zhuo Huaimo walked over and hugged him from behind, “I shouldn’t have taken Xiaoman to the set visit.”

Qi Yanwang stubbed out his cigarette and turned around to hug him, “It’s not your fault.”

He rested his chin on the top of Zhuo Huaimo’s head, “That girl has to experience these things sooner or later.”

Zhuo Huaimo felt the vibration of his chest: “Tomorrow…”

“Let her see it with her own eyes.”

Qi Yanwang’s voice turned cold, “It’s better than me exposing it forcefully.”

The next afternoon, Qi Xiaoman dressed up carefully for her date.

Zhuo Huaimo sat in the corner of the Peninsula Hotel lobby, watching his sister happily walk towards the window seat.

Lin Xu was already waiting there, dressed in a suit and looking elegant.

“Miss Qi.”

Lin Xu stood up to greet her, his eyes scanning the bodyguard behind her, “This is…?”

“My brother sent him.” Qi Xiaoman pouted, “Don’t mind him.”

Lin Xu’s smile stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal: “I heard President Qi is currently discussing investment in ‘Dawn’?”

Qi Xiaoman stirred her juice: “I never ask about my brother’s work.”

“I see.”

Lin Xu chuckled and suddenly lowered his voice, “Actually, I have a favor to ask you today…”

Just then, his phone rang.

Lin Xu glanced at the caller ID, his face changing slightly: “Sorry, I’ll take this call.”

Qi Xiaoman unintentionally heard a few fragmented words: “Withdrawal of investment?… Impossible… I’ll be right there…”

When Lin Xu returned, he was obviously absent-minded and even knocked over his water glass.

“Is something wrong?” Qi Xiaoman asked.

“No, nothing.”

Lin Xu tried to appear calm and suddenly grabbed her hand, “Xiaoman, could you help me talk to your brother…”

Qi Xiaoman abruptly pulled her hand back: “Talk about what?”

“That ‘Dawn’ project…”

Lin Xu’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, “As long as he’s willing to invest, I guarantee…”

“Guarantee what?”

Qi Xiaoman’s voice trembled, “Guarantee to continue being nice to me?”

Only then did Lin Xu realize he had misspoke: “No, you misunderstood…”

“Enough!”

Qi Xiaoman stood up, tears welling up in her eyes, “Yesterday someone told me you were doing this on purpose, but I didn’t believe them…”

Zhuo Huaimo walked over at the right time: “Xiaoman.”

When Qi Xiaoman saw Zhuo Huaimo, tears finally fell: “Sister-in-law…”

Lin Xu’s face turned pale: “Director Zhuo? This, this is a misunderstanding…”

“Do I need to call security to check the surveillance footage?”

Zhuo Huaimo said coldly, “Your performance just now… was really bad.”

On the way back, Qi Xiaoman remained silent.

Zhuo Huaimo ruffled her hair, “Silly girl, you’re not too stupid. As soon as a man mentions money, you know to back out. You didn’t fall head over heels!”

Qi Xiaoman looked up, her swollen eyes filled with surprise: “You…aren’t scolding me?”

“Why would I scold you?”

Zhuo Huaimo handed her a tissue, “I don’t blame you. It’s my fault for not keeping a close eye on you. Strictly speaking, I should be the one apologizing to you! And…”

He paused, “Liking someone isn’t wrong, what’s wrong is the people who use that liking.”

Qi Xiaoman’s tears welled up again: “But I argued with my brother yesterday…”

“That’s because he cares about you.”

Zhuo Huaimo said softly, “Your brother, he’s just like that. He does ten things, but only says one.”

Qi Xiaoman looked at Zhuo Huaimo, as if she could suddenly understand why her brother loved him so much, why he was willing to break with his family to be with him.

She suddenly became interested, propped her chin with her hands, blinked her eyes and asked,

“How did you and my brother meet?”

Zhuo Huaimo raised his eyebrows, smiling playfully, “How did we meet? By playing the rogue!”

“Ah?”

Qi Xiaoman looked incredulous, “Playing the rogue? With my brother’s personality, he can still play the rogue?”

“I played the rogue!” Zhuo Huaimo said triumphantly.

Qi Xiaoman was immediately choked, and gave a thumbs up,

“As expected of you!”

Back home, Qi Xiaoman went straight to the study.

Qi Yanwang was looking at a file, and put down his pen when he saw her come in.

“Brother…”

Qi Xiaoman twisted her fingers, “I’m sorry.”

Qi Yanwang got up and ruffled her hair: “Silly girl.”

Those simple three words made Qi Xiaoman’s tears fall again.

She threw herself into her brother’s arms: “I’ll never trust people casually again…”

“That won’t do either.”

Qi Yanwang was rarely gentle, “You still have to trust when you should.”

He paused, “Just remember to ask me first.”

Zhuo Huaimo stood outside the door, watching the siblings reconcile, and gently closed the door.

At dinner, Qi Xiaoman had recovered some of her spirits.

She bit her chopsticks and asked, “Brother, how did you find out about Lin Xu’s affairs?”

Qi Yanwang put a piece of ribs in her bowl: “Eat.”

“Tell me!”

Qi Xiaoman persisted, “Do you have some kind of secret intelligence network?”

“Don’t speak while eating or sleeping.” Qi Yanwang put on a stern face, but couldn’t hide the smile in the corner of his eyes.

Zhuo Huaimo kicked him under the table: “Tell us, I’m curious too.”

Qi Yanwang was helpless: “It’s actually very simple.”

He put down his chopsticks, “Lin Xu recently changed his agent, and the new agent is the lover of Xingyue Media’s rival boss.”

Qi Xiaoman widened her eyes: “So complicated?”

“This is nothing.”

Qi Yanwang snorted, “Last year, a small celebrity was juggling three investors at the same time for resources…”

“Stop, stop, stop!”

Qi Xiaoman covered her ears, “I’m never chasing stars again!”

Late at night, Qi Yanwang hugged Zhuo Huaimo and whispered, “Thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

“Thank you for using a method I’ve never used…”

He kissed his lover’s hair, “To teach her these things.”

Zhuo Huaimo turned around and interlocked his fingers with him: “She’s my sister too.”

He paused and continued, “Can you tell me now?”

“Hmm?”

“With your family, what exactly is going on?”