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When Ji Shou heard that Xu Zhiqiao’s friends from Jindong were coming, he specifically arranged for the driver to be at her disposal and instructed Sister Li to prepare the guest room.
Xu Shu shook her head. “Don’t bother. She’s already made arrangements. Teenagers feel restricted staying in someone else’s home.”
After thinking for a moment, Ji Shou agreed. “Alright. If you need anything, just say the word. Your Mother and I won’t be around these next couple of days—go directly to your Big Brother if anything comes up.”
Xu Zhiqiao nodded obediently.
Her two friends from Jindong were named Wei Long and Qu Xiuxiu—classmates who had been with her all three years of high school. Their bond was deep.
Xu Zhiqiao hadn’t planned on letting them stay at the Ji Family’s house. Instead, she took them to the apartment Xu Shu had bought for her.
It was a duplex with all utilities and essentials ready. Xu Zhiqiao had cleaned it in advance—it was move-in ready.
Qu Xiuxiu complained the entire way, “I told him not to dress like that, but no—still covered in brand logos. We’re in University now! So tacky.”
“I like it,” Wei Long retorted, indignant. “What’s wrong with logos? My father paid for them with real money.”
The Wei family had struck it rich during Wei Long’s middle school years—an overnight fortune.
Unlike the old-money types like Ji Huailuo and Zhou Cong.
Wei Long’s father loved to tuck a designer bag under his arm, puff out his wealthy belly, and hand out pocket money to the kids during the holidays.
Xu Zhiqiao always got the biggest red envelope.
There was a time when, in her heart, the image of an ideal Father looked just like Wei Long’s father.
“My father still talks about you since you moved here,” Wei Long muttered. “He’s asking whether you’re coming back for the New Year. Says he wants to give you a big red envelope.”
Xu Zhiqiao handed him a yogurt box. “I’ll call and say hello to Uncle Wei tonight.”
Qu Xiuxiu sighed, “Look how tan I’ve gotten. Military training was hell.”
Then the two started asking about her life—how things were going, whether she’d gotten used to it here, and if her stepfather treated her well.
The three old friends had endless topics to catch up on, chatting freely with no reservations.
Xu Zhiqiao asked, “You two wanna eat at my Mother’s place, or should we…”
“Definitely on our own,” Wei Long said firmly. “I get all awkward at other people’s homes.”
Qu Xiuxiu agreed, “Let’s find a hotpot spot nearby. I’ve been craving it.”
“Alright.”
During National Day, everywhere was packed. Worried they wouldn’t get a seat, Xu Zhiqiao made a reservation and picked up a queue number in advance. They planned to walk over once the time got close.
Just after reserving, Ji Huailuo called.
Demanding to know why she wasn’t at home.
Xu Zhiqiao said, “I won’t be coming home the next few days.”
“Where are you?” Ji Huailuo’s voice turned cold. “Try staying outside overnight and I’ll break your legs.”
“…You’re sounding more and more like a school disciplinarian,” Xu Zhiqiao muttered. “I’m not telling you. My Mother already agreed.”
The apartment was her secret base. She didn’t want anyone else to know about it.
Ji Huailuo raised his voice immediately, “You think I want to babysit you? My father and your mom put you in my care. Now you disappear for days with a male classmate? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Xu Zhiqiao was fuming. “There are three of us—we’re not doing anything inappropriate.”
Two words from Ji Huailuo: “Address.”
“…”
Silence.
He was acting like she’d secretly booked a hotel room with her boyfriend behind her parents’ backs and was now a delinquent girl beyond salvation.
There was no way he’d let this go without an answer.
“Xu Zhiqiao,” Ji Huailuo’s voice was icy, “I can find out with one phone call. You’d better say it yourself.”
“…West City Garden Haidilao. Happy?” she said, irritated. “We’re just here for dinner.”
Ji Huailuo: “Wait right there.”
As soon as the call ended, Xu Zhiqiao found herself staring into two pairs of curious eyes.
“That’s your stepbrother?”
“Why does it sound like a boyfriend?”
“…Don’t talk nonsense,” Xu Zhiqiao mumbled. “He’s just always been brainless.”
Qu Xiuxiu looped her arm around hers. “And you’re just as brainless.”
Wei Long added, “You both are.”
Xu Zhiqiao snapped back, “The biggest one is you.”
“…”
—
Ji Huailuo arrived before she did.
When Xu Zhiqiao saw the group sitting beside him, she had to bite back the urge to explode.
“You really don’t have any manners, little sister,” Zhen Chuang drawled. “Your good friends came and you didn’t even introduce them to your Big Brothers. We should be the ones treating them to dinner.”
Zhen Chuang’s girlfriend, Zheng Yingying, gave him a light punch. “Talk properly!”
Hua Qingyang coughed. “Your Big Brother booked a big table. After dinner, we’re heading to Chixia Horse Ranch.”
“…”
Ji Huailuo gave Xu Zhiqiao a look, then said politely, “Xu Zhiqiao, take your friends in first. Your Big Brother Zhou Cong is making a fuss—I’ll go hurry him along.”
“…”
Xu Zhiqiao’s chest felt tight, but she didn’t want to let Qu Xiuxiu and Wei Long see. She forced herself to act natural and led them inside.
There was a strange feeling she couldn’t quite describe.
Like two different worlds colliding.
Especially with Wei Long.
Usually carefree, even he started tugging at his logo-covered clothes and removed his matching hat, discomfort written all over his face.
Xu Zhiqiao frowned and linked her arm through his, lowering her voice, “What are you doing?”
Wei Long whispered, “Your stepbrother’s watch costs seventeen point eight million. The guy on the left is fiddling with a lighter worth tens of thousands. And the one on the right—”
“Why do you care?” she muttered. “We’ll eat and leave.”
Besides, she couldn’t tell brand names—didn’t know the difference.
Wei Long sighed, “Those brands aren’t even mainstream. If I didn’t know my stuff, I wouldn’t have recognized them either.”
Qu Xiuxiu chimed in, “I told you not to wear stuff plastered with logos. Even a fifty-yuan sale outfit would’ve been better.”
The three of them huddled together, Xu Zhiqiao with one arm around each of them.
At some point, a cold voice came from behind. “Xu Zhiqiao, let go.”
Ji Huailuo was back.
Zhou Cong stood beside him.
No idea where he came from, but he wore a formal outfit: crisp white shirt, black slacks, suit jacket casually slung over his elbow.
On Zhou Cong’s right stood a young woman.
Xu Zhiqiao was confused. She had just wanted to eat a simple meal with her friends. How had it turned into such a scene?
“Big Brother, I already made a reservation,” she said calmly. “Let’s sit separately.”
Ji Huailuo glanced at Wei Long. “Why not introduce us?”
“Because I don’t think it’s necessary,” she replied.
“…”
That line was already charged with tension.
“Our number just got called,” Xu Zhiqiao said firmly. “See you later, Big Brother.”
With that, she dragged Qu Xiuxiu and Wei Long to another section.
Ji Huailuo was stunned. “Is she mad at me?”
Zhou Cong’s gaze followed her silhouette until it disappeared, then finally looked away.
“Maybe she’s afraid you’ll get in the way of her love life,” he said, tone mild.
Ji Huailuo muttered, “With that nasty attitude, no way she’s coming to the horse ranch with us.”
Zhou Cong said flatly, “Aren’t you worried that if you leave, she might not come back tonight?”
“…” Ji Huailuo shivered. “You’ve got a point. But what if she refuses to go with me?”
Zhou Cong flung his jacket over his shoulder. “Talk to her friends. If she cares that much, where they go—she’ll go too.”