Chapter 6: A Younger Brother Does Not Tolerate an Older Brother

Although he didn’t say anything, it was obvious that he didn’t want to “see him next time,” right?

—Qiao Xingzhou thought sullenly.

He didn’t really want to end this terrible meeting like this.

“Brother.” Qiao Xingzhou gathered his courage again and spoke up.

Li Zhiyi turned his head, looking at him patiently. “Hm?”

“Brother, I… I was thinking,” Qiao Xingzhou stammered, “maybe… do you want ten million?”

Qiao Minglang’s Art of War once said:

If you want to get closer to someone, give them a million.

If giving them a million doesn’t work, try the “like attracts like” principle.

If getting close to them still doesn’t work, then just give them ten million.

Hmm… it actually seems to make some sense.

Ah, whether it makes sense or not, let’s just give it a try!

“What did you say?” Li Zhiyi thought for a moment that his hearing might be failing.

“I said, Brother, do you want ten million?” Qiao Xingzhou said timidly, watching Li Zhiyi’s expression. “This is all I get for pocket money each month, and I’ll give it all to you.”

“Why do you want to give me money?” When something gets absurd enough, it becomes a bit funny. Li Zhiyi couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Do I look like I’m short on cash?”

“No, not at all.” Qiao Xingzhou quickly shook his head. “Brother certainly isn’t short on money, but selfishly, I hope you can have even more, lots and lots… Also, this is an exclusive friendship tip I learned. I’m doing this because I want to be friends with you.”

Li Zhiyi didn’t even know how to respond for a moment. He repeated it, as if to confirm he hadn’t misheard: “‘Friendship tip’? Teaching you to give me ten million?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Qiao Xingzhou nodded, and then nodded again.

“It feels like misleading the youth,” Li Zhiyi remarked, then asked, “What else did they teach you?”

What else did Qiao Minglang teach?

— “Look at his Moments more often. Wherever he goes, you go too, and build up that bond!”

— “Pay attention to the books and movies he likes, then discuss them with him. What cultured man wouldn’t appreciate that?”

— “If ten million doesn’t work, then make it twenty million. I refuse to believe he still won’t be moved!”

Even if Qiao Xingzhou was a bit slow, he could still sense that his brother’s advice was a bit embarrassing.

He chose to skip over that part of the discussion. “Haha, no, nothing else.”

Li Zhiyi glanced at him again, a bit skeptical, but didn’t press further.

“Young Master Qiao, although I don’t know who taught you these things,” seeing him go further off track, Li Zhiyi decided to gently advise him, “but trust me, using his methods, you absolutely won’t make any friends.”

Qiao Xingzhou instantly deflated. “Then… does that mean you and I aren’t friends either?”

“We’re definitely friends,” Li Zhiyi said, unable to bear seeing that expression on his face.

Qiao Xingzhou laid out the facts and reasoned, “But Brother just said that using this method wouldn’t make any friends.”

“I… with you, it’s different,” Li Zhiyi struggled to explain. “We’re a special case.”

“I see,” Qiao Xingzhou replied, half understanding, half not.

“Mm.” A sudden protective feeling surged within Li Zhiyi. “Since you call me ‘Brother,’ don’t listen to any strange advice from others. When it comes to these things, just follow what I say—you can’t go wrong.”

“But, but…” The one who told me these things is my actual brother?

This truly is—

Two tigers cannot share one mountain; a younger brother cannot tolerate an older one.

—

“What, you’re saying Qiao Xingzhou came looking for you again?” This was Hu Tianhao.

“What, you’re saying Li Zhiyi has no feelings for you?” This was Qiao Minglang.

“Qiao Xingzhou has repeatedly tried to get closer to you, constantly thinking about you. How much effort has he put into this? He definitely has a motive!”

“You’ve repeatedly tried to get closer to Li Zhiyi, always thinking about him, and he still doesn’t appreciate it? He’s definitely the one with a problem!”

Although they were each facing different advisors, both Li Zhiyi and Qiao Xingzhou couldn’t quite understand at this moment:

“What kind of problem could he possibly have?”

“—He’s just a little green tea, a copycat expert!”

“—He’s just a big blockhead, missing a few screws!”

“Uh, isn’t that a bit too much, Brother?” Qiao Xingzhou cautiously refuted. “I still think Mr. Li is very reliable and dependable.”

Qiao Minglang, however, didn’t see anything wrong with his stance. “How is that not the case? Not appreciating my younger brother is a grave offense! He’s my lifelong enemy!”

Qiao Xingzhou could only meekly suggest, “Brother, maybe ease up on the filter a bit?”

Qiao Minglang thought it over again. “Alright, filter removed. I still think he’s guilty—at most, I’ll reduce the death sentence to life imprisonment.”

On the other side, Li Zhiyi was equally puzzled. “It’s not that serious; you don’t need to be so dramatic.”

“He’s constantly clinging to you; how does that make you feel?” Hu Tianhao pressed.

Li Zhiyi thought for a moment. “I… it’s just a bit bothersome, but honestly, it’s not a big deal.”

“No way! Your current situation is very dangerous. Starting today, you absolutely must consciously keep your distance from him; otherwise, your orientation might be at risk.” Alarms were blaring in Hu Tianhao’s mind as if he were witnessing the plot twists of a BL novel. “You! Must! Care! Hand over your phone, give it here!”

“What are you doing?” Li Zhiyi looked a bit disapproving, watching as his phone was snatched away and then returned. “Why did you change his WeChat note to something like that?”

“Did I change it wrong?” Hu Tianhao said, with a serious tone. “Comrade, you’re just too naive. For you, Li Zhiyi, Qiao Xingzhou is exactly what that note says!”

Li Zhiyi was a bit stunned. “So… ‘The Copycat Expert Little Green Tea Who’s Always Clinging to Me!’?”

But, somehow, didn’t it sound… a little cute?

Not daring to think any further, Li Zhiyi quickly turned off his phone screen.