WSIDIILMBOCIR Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Common Knowledge

The tense standoff between the two sides instantly tilted overwhelmingly in Qin Yuanging’s favor with the intervention of Rongxin and Youxun, who had arrived upon hearing the commotion.

Rongxin and Youxun were both well-known large enterprises in the area. Unless someone had a government background, anyone would be wary of crossing them. Knowing they couldn’t gain anything, the other party changed their arrogant and overbearing attitude, nodding and bowing as they saw the men out.

“Do you need me to have someone drive you?”

Qin Yuanging asked Tang Jingxuan and Yang Yanqing, arms crossed.

Yang Yanqing’s eyes shone with a strange light as he hurriedly refused, “No, no, Mr. Qin, thank you so much for tonight. You go ahead with your business, and I’ll come back later to thank you properly!”

Tang Jingxuan forced a smile and said, “Thank you for helping us out tonight, Mr. Qin. I hope we didn’t cause you any trouble.”

Qin Yuanging felt that Tang Jingxuan wasn’t quite right. He was completely different from his previous composed and capable self, appearing wooden.

But after all, Qin Yuanging didn’t have much of a relationship with him, and given the circumstances, he didn’t ask further.

Since they said they didn’t need it, Qin Yuanging didn’t insist. He watched the two men enter the elevator before walking to the stairwell at the end of the hallway.

“They’re gone. Aren’t you coming out?”

Zhang Zhaolin, cigarette in mouth, walked out of the shadows, his face looking terrible.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I vaguely saw your car in the garage earlier. I thought I was mistaken, but when I saw Tang Jingxuan, I was pretty sure.”

Qin Yuanging rarely saw Zhang Zhaolin looking so haggard and tired. Most of the time, the man was roguish. Without his suit, he didn’t look like a respectable person at all.

“What’s going on? Did you guys fight?”

Zhang Zhaolin irritably stubbed out his cigarette in the nearby trash can.

“He’s so damn stubborn.”

Qin Yuanging knew he was talking about Tang Jingxuan.

As a friend, Qin Yuanging kindly reminded him, “I don’t care why you’re fighting, but I’m telling you, Tang Jingxuan isn’t doing well. If you really care about him, go and coax him quickly. Otherwise, if you really piss him off, you’ll be the one who suffers in the end.”

Zhang Zhaolin glared fiercely at Qin Yuanging.

“Is he crazy, or are you crazy? I’m the one who’s keeping him, why would I need to coax him?”

Qin Yuanging sneered and asked, “Then what are you doing now? Driving for more than four hours to hide in a stairwell, acting like a secret agent?”

Zhang Zhaolin fell silent. After a while, he said, “That Yang Yanqing ischánzhe him like a ghost. I wasn’t happy about it, said a few words to him, and he got angry with me. I couldn’t help myself and said some harsh things, and now it’s like this.”

Qin Yuanging: “…”

“You’re probably overthinking it. Sun Qihao was planning to introduce Yang Yanqing to me not long ago. They shouldn’t be that kind of relationship.”

Qin Yuanging wasn’t surprised that Tang Jingxuan and Yang Yanqing knew each other, precisely for this reason. With Sun Qihao’s straightforward personality, he probably just found someone from Tang Jingxuan’s circle.

Zhang Zhaolin sized Qin Yuanging up and down. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, they’re just overlapping.”

“No, why would Sun Qihao introduce another man to you?”

“Another?”

Qin Yuanging didn’t quite understand the word, and Zhang Zhaolin didn’t seem surprised that Sun Qihao had introduced him to a man.

“Don’t you like Li Chongge?”

Qin Yuanging: “…”

“Did Tang Jingxuan tell you?”

Zhang Zhaolin scoffed. “Do I need him to tell me? You’ve hidden it pretty well, but for someone like Tang Jingxuan and me, it’s not hard to see.”

Qin Yuanging then asked, “Then can you tell what Li Chongge is thinking?”

“Can’t help you there. There aren’t many people in this world who can see through him. Qin Yuanging, good luck. I’m leaving first.”

Qin Yuanging felt somewhat defeated. His little secret was almost common knowledge, yet Li Chongge remained as unyielding as a mountain.

After dinner, considering Qin Yuanging’s fatigue from the journey, no further activities were arranged, which suited him perfectly.

Qin Yuanging returned to the hotel, opened his suitcase, and squatted down to inspect Li Chongge’s work.

Then he took a photo and sent it to Li Chongge with praise: “Good job.”

Li Chongge ignored him.

Qin Yuanging then put his phone aside. After taking a shower and changing into pajamas, he directly made a video call.

Li Chongge answered.

“Why aren’t you replying to my messages?”

Li Chongge held the phone a little further away, revealing some of the background.

“I went back to the old residence today and am playing chess with my dad.”

Qin Yuanging was extremely embarrassed and smiled awkwardly as he tried to hang up the video call, but Li Chongge stopped him: “It’s okay, I’ll go outside to talk to you.”

Li Chongge returned to his room in the old residence and stood on the balcony to ask him, “Did it end so early?”

“Yeah, I want to rest early tonight. Tomorrow’s schedule is tight.”

As he spoke, Qin Yuanging wandered over to the suitcase that Li Chongge had packed for him: “I didn’t expect you to be able to do this.”

“It’s not difficult.”

Li Chongge looked at Qin Yuanging’s eyes, which were brightly lit by the light, and his gaze gradually softened.

“Are you used to staying in a hotel alone?”

“Not alone.”

Li Chongge’s expression turned cold, but then he heard Qin Yuanging say, “Secretary Bai is next door.”

“Oh? Li Chongge, you even brought me an umbrella?”

Qin Yuanging hung up the clothes and then discovered an umbrella at the bottom.

“The weather forecast says there will be moderate rain in your area in three days.”

A knock sounded, and Li Tenghe sent someone to urge him.

“Get some rest, I’ll play chess with my dad for a while longer.”

Hanging up the video call, Li Chongge returned to the study.

“Was that the Qin family kid looking for you?”

Li Chongge was somewhat helpless and emphasized again, “Dad, he’s the same age as me.”

“He’s still a kid to me. Now that he’s back, you’re finally willing to take a vacation for yourself?”

Li Chongge paused for a moment before placing his piece.

“Yes, it’s more interesting with him.”

“That’s right. You can’t always be so dull, or who would be able to put up with you when you get married?”

Seeing that Li Chongge didn’t respond, Li Tenghe glared at him: “What? You become mute as soon as I mention marriage?”

“Dad, I haven’t considered that yet.”

Li Tenghe didn’t bother arguing with him anymore and just said, “If you have someone outside, bring them home. But don’t bring home anyone who’s not respectable.”

Li Chongge did want to bring someone home, but… that person was him.

“As long as you can handle it when the time comes.”

“Oh? You really have someone?”

“No, Dad, I’m leaving first.”

Li Chongge glanced at the time, left the unfinished game, and got up to leave.

“Not staying at home?”

“No, I’m going back to water my flowers.”

Li Tenghe always felt that there was something strange in Li Chongge’s words.

His son was mature beyond his years and had a very deep mind. It was rare for him to be willing to say so much today.

Most of it was probably due to that Qin family kid.

But… well, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. It’s useless for him to worry too much.

But Li Chongge actually had the leisure to grow flowers and plants?