{Shen Qi, do you have the right to say that? 4}

Upon seeing the visitor, Xu Qingyan’s momentarily focused gaze dimmed once again.

It was as if, in the presence of the other man, he was utterly defeated.

The visitor was none other than his romantic rival, Shen Qi. Cheng Shuangyi had once left Xu for Shen, and not long after, when Shen Qi returned from abroad, Cheng Shuangyi abandoned Xu in the same way.

In other words, from beginning to end, Xu Qingyan had been nothing but an insignificant and superfluous figure in their relationship.

Xu Qingyan sighed. Sensing that Shen Qi’s visit wasn’t friendly, he figured Shen was probably here to confront him. Xu didn’t mind embarrassing himself, but he didn’t want his brother to be dragged into it.

So, Xu Qingyan naturally stepped forward on his own.

“Why are you here? Is there something you want?”

In his despair, Xu spoke with self-mockery. “Do you think I got in the way of you two, and now you’re here to settle the score?”

After all, it was Cheng Shuangyi who had approached him first.

Xu had always had a slight fondness for Cheng Shuangyi, though it hadn’t been obvious. But he couldn’t resist her advances, and he fell for her completely, going along with the ridiculous and meaningless marriage arrangement between their families.

Xu thought that Shen Qi’s arrival showed he wasn’t that different from any other man. In the end, even he was caught up in worldly matters.

A man is always bothered by a woman’s past.

Shen Qi was no exception.

However, Shen’s gaze never once settled on Xu Qingyan, as if Xu wasn’t worth his attention at all.

Shen Qi bypassed Xu entirely, walking directly toward his close friend.

Xu Qingyan tried to stop him but found himself frozen under the weight of Shen Qi’s intense gaze.

Shen Qi spoke bluntly, “Zhao Buhui, I’m here to see you.”

“What’s the matter?” Zhao replied casually, but there was no sign of politeness in his tone. It felt more like he was being forced to deal with a nuisance. Despite Shen Qi’s return to the country with a wealth of Silicon Valley resources and support from multiple rounds of investment, Zhao Buhui remained unimpressed.

Without even glancing at his visitor, Zhao checked the wear on his pool cue.

Shen Qi was unfazed by the cold reception. He calmly pulled out a well-prepared contract.

“I think our two companies should take some time to discuss a potential collaboration. Of course, I’ve come with plenty of sincerity.”

Shen Qi rarely asked for favors; even at his lowest points, he had never begged anyone. Yet, here he was, humbly offering to talk about a partnership, showing genuine sincerity with no hint of arrogance.

“Go on, what do you want in exchange?”

Zhao Buhui had only ever seen Shen Qi looking cold and distant, surrounded by others. He had never seen him like this, humbling himself to ask for something.

Now Zhao’s interest was piqued.

“I heard a bit about your company’s situation today,” Shen Qi said, walking over to the pool table under the dim lights. He naturally grabbed another cue from the rack. “I want to ask a favor. She’s just returned to Jiangcheng, and there’s a lot she doesn’t understand. I hope you won’t bully her at Zhao’s company.”

Zhao Buhui raised an eyebrow. “Shen Qi, you usually keep things well hidden. Who knew you were such a romantic?”

“But do you really think you’re in a position to say that?”

On the deep green pool table, Zhao Buhui skillfully struck the white cue ball, sending a crisp sound through the air as it collided with the pink ball, which rolled smoothly into the corner pocket in the break zone.