Chapter 27: Basement

“Did you know she was having an affair with Xie Bo?” Chi Xicheng carelessly exposed the secret that she had been carefully guarding for so long.

Lin Yiwei felt as if her heart was hanging by a thread, her palms breaking out in a fine sweat.

Unexpectedly, Chi Xiyu spoke with an easy smile, “I thought you were going to say something else.”

“How can you still laugh?!” She looked around at the people nearby, leaned closer to Chi Xicheng, and whispered, “It was I who asked Weiwei to get close to Xie Bo and drive Ye Anning away from him, and Weiwei really did it.”

“No…” Chi Xicheng looked at his own sister with an expression as if he was looking at a complete idiot, “I’m serious, Xie Bo really did have an affair with her, I saw it with my own eyes!”

“Alright, alright, have you said enough? Go back and play your games!” Chi Xiyu pushed him into the house, “Don’t spout nonsense at my birthday party, or I’ll get angry!”

“No, listen, don’t blame me for not warning you, this woman is no simple character!”

“I told you I sent Weiwei, and Weiwei reported all her actions to me. Besides, she handled things way better than you did; you even let someone slip right under your nose. If it weren’t for Weiwei, I’d still be troubled now.”

Chi Xicheng was speechless: “How could I have such an idiotic sister?!”

Xie Bo was so protective of her, yet Chi Xiyu still thought they were just putting on a show!”

Today is my birthday, Chi Xicheng, do you really have to make me uncomfortable?” Chi Xiyu got a bit angry, “It’s the same every year, such a mood killer!”

Chi Xiyu really didn’t want too many people to know that the estrangement between Ye Anning and Xie Bo was orchestrated by her.

It would make her look really bad.

“Fine, fine, fine, I’m done dealing with you!”

Sold out by someone and still counting the money for them, how could he have such a brainless sister.

After Chi Xicheng left, Lin Yiwei’s clenched fist finally relaxed.

Chi Xiyu pulled Lin Yiwei to the side of the rose hedge fence, away from the crowd, and whispered consolingly, “My brother probably said that because he saw you with Xie Bo. Don’t take it to heart.”

Lin Yiwei obediently responded, “Xixi, if it makes you unhappy, I can cut off all contact with him right away.”

Chi Xiyu shrugged indifferently, “Yiwei, do you know why Xie Bo is so popular with the ladies?”

“Because he’s good-looking?”

“Look at the guys in our circle. Generations of good genes mean few are unattractive, but Xie Bo attracts the most attention.” Chi Xiyu said mysteriously, “I think it’s somewhat metaphysical.”

Lin Yiwei had seen Chi Xiyu seriously performing tarot readings, full of ritual and belief in metaphysics, including tarot and astrology. She even wore a string of pink peach blossom crystal bracelets on her wrist.

“I used to know a girl who’s now emigrated. She was thin, with long hair, fair skin, not particularly stunning at first glance, and not great with makeup. Her style was plain like yours… But she inexplicably attracted a lot of admirers. Even walking next to a beautiful friend, people would ask for her WeChat. Isn’t that strange?”

“Do you think it has something to do with metaphysics?” Lin Yiwei showed some interest.

“Her mother was the ‘other woman’ who made it to the top, marrying a partner of my dad’s, I won’t say which corporate CEO,” Chi Xiyu said with a hint of scorn and disdain. “In our circle, for a mistress to rise up takes some skill. Her mother had it—perhaps it was metaphysical, or perhaps it was learned behavior, but she had a certain allure that naturally showed in her every move, though she wasn’t intentionally trying to seduce men. She just naturally attracted admirers.”

“What does this have to do with Xie Bo?”

“Xie Bo’s mother…” Chi Xiyu leaned in and whispered to Lin Yiwei, “You might have heard, his mother was a leading lady in the red-light district, lived with him until he was ten before she died of a venereal disease, and only then was he taken back by the Xie family.”

“I’ve heard Xu Qianxi mention it. Do you think Xie Bo’s popularity with the ladies is related to his mother’s… profession?”

Chi Xiyu, now fully trusting Lin Yiwei, spoke without reservation, “Some people, even if they don’t intentionally exude charm, carry a bit of the aura of their background. Perhaps there’s a metaphysical influence there.”

After saying this, she seemed to think it was a bit inappropriate and added, “I’m not saying Xie Bo is promiscuous like his mother, that’s not what I mean. Xie Bo was taken back by the Xie family early, grew up there, and received the best education, which is nothing like his mother.”

Lin Yiwei could tell what Chi Xiyu really meant, and the additional explanation seemed superfluous.

“Since you see through him so clearly, why do you still like him?” Lin Yiwei asked. “You should logically reject such a casanova.”

“Pfft, Xie Bo is definitely not a casanova.”

Lin Yiwei never believed in metaphysics, but the fact that Xie Bo was attractive… was undeniable.

“So, since Xie Bo is like this, with a physique that attracts love and metaphysical blessings, there’s no use getting upset,” Chi Xiyu consoled herself. “Besides, Xie Bo doesn’t love anyone but himself. In middle school, a girl who really liked him ran to the library on a rainy day to bring him an umbrella, thinking they would romantically walk back to the classroom together under one umbrella. But after he took the umbrella, he said it was too small and would wet his clothes, thanked her, and left alone with the umbrella, leaving the girl in the cold outside the library for half an hour.”

“What a jerk,” Lin Yiwei couldn’t help but curse.

If anyone dared to treat her like this, she would be so angry that she would smash their head with an umbrella.

“He’s such a jerk,” Chi Xiyu said, although she cursed him, there was a sense of relief in her eyes. “Xie Bo loves no one but himself. He accepts all the kindness, pursuit, and gifts from others, but he never gives any sincerity in return. Once I understood this, I stopped tormenting myself.”

“Indeed,” Lin Yiwei flattered her without missing a beat, “Xixi, you are much more clear-headed than those girls.”

At this moment, a ceremony host asked Chi Xiyu to blow out the candles and cut the cake. Chi Xiyu returned to her room and changed into a more dazzling dress. Under the escort of her family and friends, she stood in front of the exquisitely decorated cream cake like a crowned princess.

The flashlights were flickering, and Lin Yiwei turned her head to look at the three-story courtyard house. From a distance, the Chinese-style courtyard house was nestled in the green forest, like a cage hidden by layers of vines.

…

At the board meeting of Xie’s Group, Xie Bo was in a suit and leather shoes, wearing his thin frameless moonlight silver glasses, sitting next to his father.

Xie Sizhuo, a generation of business tycoon in Qinggang City, has continued to grow Xie’s Group with his aggressive tactics, making it a leading enterprise in Qinggang City, and he himself has also made it to the top of the Forbes Rich List.

Xie Bo is a person who admires strength. His father is his goal and idol, but Xie Sizhuo has more than one son. When Xie Sizhuo reached this position, he wouldn’t lack women around him, and naturally, there were many choices for the heir.

Among all his sons, Xie Bo was the least noticeable. He didn’t even get the “Jia” generation name like his brothers, just a single name – Bo, which was given by his mother.

After being taken back to the Xie family, this name has never been changed. In the previous years, Xie Sizhuo didn’t pay much attention to this third son, until Xie Bo started to show his cleverness and wisdom as he grew older. His excellent academic performance and numerous competition awards go without saying. He also inherited his father’s business acumen, with a keen strategic investment vision and ruthless tactics that were no less than his father’s. Xie Sizhuo gave him some funds to try and let him go. He didn’t expect this kid to do well.

The fresh produce store he started, Yue Mei, opened many chain stores in Qinggang City. The business model was also very creative, currently profitable, and the future looked bright. Therefore, Xie Sizhuo took Xie Bo to the board meetings more often.

The gossip media were all saying that Xie’s Group might be inherited by this third son in the future. Even if his birth was not good, others dared not underestimate him.

During the tea break, Xie Bo saw Chi Xiyu’s Moments, a vlog video for her birthday.

Xie Bo was about to swipe away when a light figure appeared in the automatically playing video, passing by in a flash.

Xie Bo paused the play button, enlarged the screen, and recognized Lin Yiwei’s thin back. He sent her a message in the morning asking what she was doing, but she didn’t reply. She actually went to Chi Xiyu’s birthday party, probably attracting many cold eyes. This doesn’t matter. However, thinking of Chi Xicheng, Xie Bo became a little restless. Chi Xicheng had tried to assault her several times, always thinking about it. She dared to show up in front of him, dared to…

Was she really not afraid, or did she just not care? The coffee machine poured out hot Americano, the high temperature burned his fingers, like a sharp thorn drilling into his heart.

Xie Sizhuo walked into the tea room and instructed Xie Bo: “You will speak on behalf of me at the board meeting later, decide the content yourself. Whether Yue Mei can take root in first-tier cities depends on whether you can convince them this time.”

After saying this, he asked his assistant to send the materials to Xie Bo, “I won’t interfere, everything is up to you.”

Xie Bo calmly replied, “Rest assured.”

He took the documents and went to his office to prepare, but his mind was unsettled.

All he could think about were the whip scars on her back…

Xie Bo’s hand tensed, his knuckles turning white.

Unable to bear it for even a second, he stood up and strode out the door.

However, looking at the bustling corridors of Xie Corporation…

Years of careful planning had earned him the right to stand here today, beside Xie Sizhuo.

No one could stop him.

…

Chi Xiyu was busy fussing over the three-tier birthday cake and filming a beautiful vlog.

Lin Yiwei picked up a cocktail from a waiter’s tray and, carrying it casually, wandered close to the villa.

At the entrance, there was an elegant and misty Chinese bamboo screen, and the guest dining room featured a floating ceiling with surrounding light strips.

People sat in small groups in the living room, chatting. Lin Yiwei wasn’t conspicuous as she meticulously inspected the villa’s layout and every room open for viewing.

The reception halls on the first and second floors, the study and home cinema room, the gym, and the private bedrooms on the third floor were not open to visitors.

Also not open for viewing… was the sunken basement.

Lin Yiwei stood at the top of the spiral staircase leading to the basement, pretending to be distracted while surreptitiously observing.

She did notice something unusual, such as a Filipino maid carrying a tray downstairs.

Leaning over the staircase, she saw the maid enter a code to unlock the basement door, go in, and then the door closed behind her.

Lin Yiwei couldn’t stay at the staircase entrance forever. She wandered with her drink to a window, but her gaze remained fixed on the stairs.

Half an hour later, the maid came out carrying the tray.

Lin Yiwei’s mind was buzzing with countless possibilities, even suspecting that Lin Xie might be imprisoned by the Chi family, and that the maid had just brought him a meal!

Lin Yiwei walked towards the spiral staircase; the area was not open for visitors, but she couldn’t care less.

This was an opportunity not to be missed; she might not get another chance.

She walked down the stairs step by step to the tightly closed coded door, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest.

Was Lin Xie inside?!

Suddenly, someone grabbed her collar and yanked her back sharply.

Looking up, she saw Chi Xicheng’s devilish face.

His crooked left eyebrow loomed before her eyes, his gaze filled with malice as he patted her face—

“I told you, one day you would fall into my hands, and here’s the chance,” Chi Xicheng said, gripping Lin Yiwei’s collar and dragging her up the stairs, “Since you’ve come right to me, I won’t be polite!”

“Chi Xicheng, how dare you!” Lin Yiwei clung to the stair railing. “The house is full of guests, what do you think you can do to me?”

“Make it clear, this is my house, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Through the wrought iron railing of the spiral staircase, Lin Yiwei looked at the keypad door just a short distance away and suddenly came up with an idea.

“Mr. Chi, at least find a safe place, okay? I don’t want Xixi to know about us. She would definitely blame me.”

Hearing her tone soften, Chi Xicheng asked, “What do you mean?”

“Down there.” Lin Yiwei gestured with her eyes towards the space beneath the stairs, “That room there, it’s definitely empty and won’t be discovered.”

“No, that below is my sister’s art studio, no one is allowed in.”

Hearing the words “art studio,” Lin Yiwei’s heart tightened.

“Why can’t we go into the art studio?”

“How should I know? My dad won’t allow it. He says not to disturb her while she’s painting. I have no interest in going in there either.”

Lin Yiwei felt a throbbing in her temples.”The art studio… Isn’t it perfect?”

Lin Yiwei hooked her finger on the back of Chi Xicheng’s hand and flashed a mischievously provocative smile, “Isn’t it thrilling, Mr. Chi?”

“So this is how you seduced Xie Bo, right?”

“If you say so, then it is.”

Chi Xicheng, indeed taken by her antics, felt a tingle of excitement and dragged Lin Yiwei down the spiral staircase to the keypad door.

“My dad and sister, every time they go down there, they act all mysterious.” Chi Xicheng lit up the touchscreen, “They never told me the password, but I’ve seen the maid enter it a few times. There are no secrets in this house that can be kept from me.”

Sure enough, after two attempts, the door opened.

“Mr. Chi, you’re amazing!”

“My sister is crazy, making her art studio so secretive, saying she fears disturbances. She paints such trash…”

Lin Yiwei followed Chi Xicheng into the art studio.

The room was about the size of a classroom, filled with numerous easels and many unfinished paintings.

If Chi Xicheng weren’t right beside her, she would almost have screamed out the name “Lin Xie.”

But the studio was empty; nobody was there.

Not here?

Chi Xicheng grabbed Lin Yiwei from behind by the collar, swept the paint boxes from the table, and pressed her down.

Lin Yiwei felt a black hole of disappointment growing inside her, threatening to consume her.

It was not until Chi Xicheng lifted her skirt that she snapped back to reality, realizing the imminent danger.

Without another word, the young girl grabbed a wine glass that had been left on the table, hurled it at the canvases, and quickly ignited her lighter, tossing it out.

Her movements were fluid, as if rehearsed thousands of times.

The lighter set the canvas on fire, and the flames spread like a virus.

“Damn it!!!” Chi Xicheng was baffled by her sudden action, “What are you doing!”

The girl’s expression turned icy cold.

She had been holding the glass filled with alcohol all along, and had prepared the lighter in advance.

Lin Yiwei would never fall for the same trick twice.

The canvas blazed furiously, and the smoke instantly triggered the ceiling’s fire alarm, causing it to emit loud sirens.

However, underneath the burnt remnants of the canvas, Lin Yiwei spotted a huge painting of a young girl lying by a riverside.

Sunlight scattered over her, the water shimmering as the stream flowed over her fair legs, her clothes damp, and her long hair spread out in the water like striking green seaweed.

The girl’s half-concealed neckline was adorned with a cross pendant.

Lin Yiwei suddenly clutched her chest, feeling the gold cross she had worn since birth.

This painting was also by Lin Xie!

The next second, the room’s automatic sprinkler system activated, showering water everywhere like a lotus sprinkler head, quickly controlling the flames.

Chi Xicheng and Lin Yiwei were drenched like drowned rats.

The alarm system also triggered panic, and people from the house rushed outside. Security personnel, carrying fire extinguishers, hurried down the spiral staircase and saw the disheveled Lin Yiwei and Chi Xicheng in the studio.

Chi Xiyu, confused and panicked, also rushed into the studio.

Chi Xicheng, she knew his true colors all too well, seeing Lin Yiwei trembling beside him, she instantly understood everything.She yelled hysterically at Chi Xicheng—

“Chi Xicheng you idiot, what are you doing?! You ruined my birthday party! And you destroyed my painting! That was the painting I was going to enter in the competition!”

The painting was mostly burnt, the edges of the canvas charred, and the paint washed away by the high-pressure nozzles.

Chi Xicheng, speechless, just glared fiercely at Lin Yiwei, muttering a threatening, “You little brat, just you wait.”

Lin Yiwei was soaked through, her black dress clinging tightly to her thin frame, her hair completely wet, dripping water.

Unable to help it, Lin Yiwei sneezed several times, shivering.

Chi Xiyu looked at her, fuming with anger.

The perfect birthday party had been ruined by these two, with a painting burned and almost setting the house on fire.

“Do you think you can seduce my brother?” she asked Lin Yiwei accusingly.

“I didn’t,” Lin Yiwei replied pitifully, looking at her. “Xixi, I really didn’t. You believe me, right?”

“It’s best if you didn’t.” Chi Xiyu knew all too well what kind of person her brother Chi Xicheng was. She believed Lin Yiwei in her heart, but with so many people around, it was hard to save face. She coldly told Lin Yiwei, “But with the way you are now, it’s not suitable for you to stay in my house. Go back home.”

She paused, then added somewhat “kindly,” “Don’t catch a cold.”

Lin Yiwei nodded, shivering as she hugged herself. As she left through the gate, she turned back longingly towards the spiral staircase leading to the basement.

She had a feeling, a feeling that Lin Xie was so close to her… almost within reach.

Though the temperature outside wasn’t below freezing, the cold wind blew through her soaked clothes, chilling her to the bone, and she was nearly unable to bear it.

When she stepped out, she accidentally bumped into someone.

“Sorry,” she apologized.

“Be careful.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Lin Yiwei looked up in surprise.

The man was wearing a pure black shirt, his collar untidily open, casual and lazy, still wearing those rimless moonlight silver glasses, exuding a cold, ascetic charm.

Like an electric shock, she quickly stepped back two steps.

Xie Bo steadied her, then walked into the garden.

Behind him, a sleek pure white Mosha A-Series supercar drove into the garden and parked beside the white brick driveway.

Li Du got out of the car and said to Chi Xiyu, “Miss Chi, this is a birthday present from Master Bo, wishing you a happy 19th birthday.”

The previous displeasure was swept away amidst the envious gazes and exclamations of the crowd, and Chi Xiyu ran down the porch stairs.

“Do you like it?” Xie Bo asked with a smile.

“I love it!”

She had not expected Xie Bo to give her a gift.

For the past few years, the only thing she got from him on her birthdays was a simple “Happy Birthday.”

Xie Bo didn’t even attend her birthday parties.

Today, she was greeted with such a huge surprise!

Chi Xiyu was so overjoyed she nearly fainted.

“Let’s go for a drive, and call your brother too,” he said, his eyes searching for Chi Xicheng.

“Don’t call him, he was really infuriating just now! He didn’t give me any face at all. Forget it, let’s not talk about it,” Chi Xiyu said as she opened the car door and got inside.

Situated in the suburban area, the villa had a long stretch of sparsely populated internal road. Lin Yiwei walked slowly along the tree-lined road in her difficult-to-walk-in high heels.

The supercar sped past Lin Yiwei, bringing a swoosh of cold wind that made her shiver uncontrollably.

It wasn’t until the supercar disappeared at the end of the tree-lined road that a black SUV came by and stopped beside her.

Li Du got out of the vehicle and draped a coat over her freezing body—”Get in the car! Don’t freeze to death.”

Despite her nearly depleted strength from the cold, she pushed Li Du away and stubbornly continued walking forward.

“Miss Weiwei, please get in the car,” Li Du caught up to her, “considering the loss Master Bo took for you on his car.”

Lin Yiwei could hardly hear him as she staggered and collapsed, but Li Du was quick to catch her and helped her into the car.