{She always holds the steering wheel herself. 1}

Zhao Buhui had an air of shutting his door to all visitors.

Normally, with Shen Qi’s personality, if someone issued a dismissal, he wouldn’t linger a second longer on Zhao Buhui’s turf. But today, Shen Qi didn’t leave. Instead, he casually unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and rolled them up with deliberate ease.

Shen Qi didn’t seem angry, nor did he show any shame for “protecting” Qian Xu.

He picked up the pool cue again, checked the brand of the chalk, and looked up, asking, “Want to play a round?”

Zhao Buhui and Shen Qi didn’t have much interaction within their circle.

Though they both came from prominent families and had known each other since childhood, their impressions of each other were only shallow at best. Within these elite families, there were different inner circles, and not all social events had the same guest lists.

Everyone had their own small group of interests, and their relationships weren’t particularly close.

As a result, Zhao Buhui hadn’t really paid attention to someone like Shen Qi in the past.

Until Shen Qi returned to the country this time.

Two things now tied him to Shen Qi: one, his close friend’s former fiancée had once been involved with Shen Qi. As soon as Shen returned, this friend’s fiancée immediately broke off their engagement and rushed into Shen Qi’s arms. The second was related to Qian Xu—

There were many versions of the story, but they all revolved around Qian Xu’s three fruitless years.

Initially, after hearing the full story, Zhao Buhui wasn’t moved at all and simply remarked, “That woman was truly foolish.”

She had misplaced her affections.

Knowing Shen Qi’s nature—putting interests above all else—it was difficult for most people to talk about emotions with someone like him.

But after seeing Qian Xu today, even though they didn’t get along, Zhao Buhui could clearly sense what she had truly endured over the years, the deception and betrayal she had faced—

He couldn’t imagine the anger she must feel inside.

She could have used their past relationship to her advantage, could have taken advantage of Shen Qi and extorted a sum that would have allowed her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

But she hadn’t.

She didn’t show any fragile or sensitive emotions, instead pretending as if nothing had happened and continuing with her own affairs.

Originally, Zhao Buhui didn’t want to play this round with Shen Qi. If anyone should play, he could’ve handed the cue to Xu Qingyan, allowing him to regain a little bit of a man’s basic dignity.

However, suddenly, Zhao Buhui felt the urge to teach Shen Qi a lesson on the pool table.

Zhao Buhui raised his cue. “Let’s play.”

He assumed Shen Qi wasn’t good at pool. In his mind, Shen Qi wasn’t much different from those studious types, especially the famously disciplined Shen Qi, who probably hadn’t spent much time at a pool table during his school days.

But the next few shots weren’t as bad as he had expected.

Zhao Buhui had to adjust his focus, becoming more serious and concentrated in order to gain the upper hand in the match. From Shen Qi’s sequence of shots, it wasn’t hard to notice that his moves were highly calculated, and every seemingly casual shot made perfect use of the angles and force.

So, even though Zhao Buhui won, the victory wasn’t easy. Throughout the process, there was an underlying tension that he was reluctant to admit.

“I lost.”

Although he was indeed slightly inferior in pool, when Shen Qi said those words, it gave off the illusion that even the loss was part of his plan.

Despite his defeat, Shen Qi remained composed, saying, “Mr. Zhao, although I didn’t win this game, I still hope you’ll consider what I mentioned earlier.”

As for Xu Qingyan, who had suddenly stood up, eyes reddened, Shen Qi remained indifferent, as if afraid Xu would become entangled. Before Xu Qingyan could formally challenge him to a game, Shen Qi succinctly stated, “Sorry, I’m not in the mood to play another round today.”

But Zhao Buhui didn’t let him leave so easily.

He quickly stepped in front of Shen Qi, blocking his path. Without using his hands to stop him, Zhao leaned casually against the walnut doorframe of the private room, saying, “If I just stop bullying her because you told me to, wouldn’t that be pretty embarrassing for me?”

Zhao Buhui instructed the waiter to return the cue, his gaze once again turning playful and cynical. “After all, I’m the only heir to my family. However I want to play, it’s my freedom.”

“I hate when people try to tell me what to do.”

“She’s different from the others,” Shen Qi, usually cold and ruthless in business, now spoke of her differently. “Ah Xu is pure, and her nature is completely unlike the people in your company. She’s not suited to be in your family’s toxic environment.”

“If you care so much about Qian Xu, why did you go separate ways with her in the U.S.?” Zhao Buhui couldn’t stand it anymore, and bluntly pointed out a brutal fact to the man in front of him: “It was you who let her be slandered and ridiculed. What, now you want to save her from the ‘fire and brimstone’?”

Zhao Buhui sneered, “Shen Qi, your act is a bit much, don’t you think?”

“There have been some misunderstandings between us,” Shen Qi briefly revealed a trace of hidden sorrow, but such emotions never lingered long in his rational mind. “I have no need to explain everything to outsiders.”

“Even if you wanted to explain, I’m not really in the mood to listen,” Zhao responded without hesitation.