FLME Ch67

Yu Wen couldn’t help but laugh every time he chatted with Xi Su.

He had never met anyone with such an unpredictable train of thought.

Xi Su said: [If Feng Chengzhou truly wants to go after you, what good does running back home do?]

His point was that if Feng really had murder on his mind, wouldn’t a remote village make an even better spot for it than somewhere public?

Xi Su, as expected, didn’t disappoint and went off on a tangent.

Xi Su replied: [You’re right. I’ll apply for a visa right now—youth is priceless, and I can catch a direct flight to Siberia!]

Yu Wen, barely holding back laughter, exchanged a glance with Xie Heyu, then leaned in to whisper, “Our Teacher Xi here is unbeatable on the comedy track; forget starring in an idol drama, he should join a reality show…”

The funniest thing was, Teacher Xi didn’t even think he was being funny.

The lobby was noisy, and they had to whisper. Xie Heyu said, “He could livestream a BBQ—one job, double the earnings.”

Yu Wen praised, “You’re a genius.”

Xie Heyu humbly replied, “Flattery.”

Yu Wen repeatedly assured Xi Su that Feng Chengzhou had no intentions of having him executed, but Xi Su was still skeptical. Only after Yu Wen promised that if his life were really in danger tonight, he’d call the police and get President Feng locked up indefinitely, did Xi Su reluctantly agree to show up.

Xi Su: [Brother, I trust you. If I die, make sure you avenge me.]

Yu Wen: [Definitely.]

Xi Su: [Good brother.]

While waiting for Xi Su, Yu Wen and Xie Heyu strolled around outside the banquet hall, looking for a suitable spot for the two to talk.

Outside the hall was a fountain pool and a small garden with a secluded, leafy pathway. The sound of the fountain masked conversations, making it an ideal spot for private discussions.

It was dusk, the sky like a deep sapphire, with streetlights casting a dim, hazy glow.

“Here should do,” Yu Wen said.

The two sent Xi Su a message, and Yu Wen also left a note with a passing waiter to notify Feng Chengzhou.

Behind some flowering trees was a swing chair camouflaged by the leaves, almost invisible, but Yu Wen’s sharp eye caught it, so he sat down to rest.

Xie Heyu stood in front of him and asked, “Aren’t you going back in?”

The swing was quite clean, and Yu Wen leaned back, lazily propping his chin up.

“I’m full, and it’s noisy in there. I don’t feel like going back in.”

Xie Heyu crouched down to look him in the eye.

“I brought a little cake.”

From his side, he lifted a small paper box, opening it to reveal a four-inch mousse cake.

Yu Wen sat up straight, “Where’d you get that?”

Xie Heyu replied, “While leaving the message, I stopped by the kitchen.”

Yu Wen loved this particular dessert. The cake on the table had been cut into small pieces for easy eating, and he’d only managed two pieces before it was all gone.

He’d seen Xie Heyu carrying a gift box earlier and assumed it was a favor from the host.

Yu Wen said, “Teacher Xie, we really do think alike.”

He undid his suit buttons and fished around in his vest pocket, proudly pulling out a small box of cherry tomatoes.

With pride, he announced, “I brought these for you. The chef said we could have more anytime.”

“No wonder your suit suddenly puffed up,” Xie Heyu said.

People came and went at the banquet in formal attire, all glitz and glamour, but the portions were small and fancy, designed to keep everyone half-hungry.

Holding the cake, Yu Wen mused, “If I’d known, I would have eaten like Xi Su and filled up beforehand. What kind of lame banquet makes me attend in person?”

Xie Heyu chuckled.

After a while, Xi Su messaged that he was about ten minutes away.

Yu Wen turned off his phone, not planning to leave. These two were a bit eccentric; if they could resolve things privately, it would be ideal. He just hoped they wouldn’t go off track and escalate things instead.

“Teacher Xie, have you ever seen the kind of passerby perspective in novels? People who happen to witness significant events nearby…”

“Hm?” Xie Heyu responded.

Yu Wen took a bite of cake, swallowed, and muttered, “Today, I’ll give you a demonstration.”

He still couldn’t get over the Pisces design Xie Heyu had drawn. It wasn’t that he suspected anything. If Xie Heyu were truly a “transmigrator,” he had no reason to hide it, and when recalling the book’s details, Xie Heyu’s expression showed no cracks.

Either they’d read different books, or it was just a coincidence—someone out there might have designed the same symbol, and it just wasn’t online.

He just suddenly felt a subtle bond with Xie Heyu. The design he loved most had appeared on Xie Heyu’s school uniform years ago, captured in a photo.

This delicate connection was like a key unlocking his words.

He figured a little extra sharing wouldn’t hurt.

Xie Heyu might guess… No, he would definitely guess.

But Xie Heyu would keep it secret.

Having someone to share the tacit understanding would make it easier to bear.

They arrived a bit early, and Yu Wen heard footsteps. On instinct, he stood up, poked his head out, and then plopped back down.

“What’s…”

Yu Wen made a “shush” gesture to Xie Heyu.

“Why bring so many people? It’s not a fight, is it necessary?” asked Bian Ce.

Xie Heyu stayed silent. Hidden in the shadows, they wouldn’t be noticed if they stayed still. Xie Heyu edged slightly forward, tilting his head to glimpse the scene by the fountain, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

Feng Chengzhou had brought eight bodyguards.

President Feng had taken off his jacket, calmly unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves.

“You’re being too careless; he’s far more dangerous than you think,” Feng Chengzhou said, narrowing his eyes, his handsome brows heavy with seriousness. “Someone who’s good at lying low, waiting for the right moment, is like a venomous snake, ready to strike at any time. If he wants to take advantage of this private meeting to twist the narrative, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”

Bian Ce, standing on the steps with his arms crossed, pondered, “How would he turn the tables?”

Feng Chengzhou replied, “…If I knew, why would I bring bodyguards?”

Bian Ce sighed, “So your plan is to have the bodyguards protect you?”

Feng Chengzhou nodded, leaving Bian Ce stumped.

While the setup seemed over the top, he couldn’t think of a better solution.

Feng Chengzhou instructed his bodyguards, “When he shows up, surround me immediately. No matter what he says, don’t let him get within ten meters.”

If he stayed far enough away, no one could touch him.

The bodyguards nodded solemnly.

The eight burly bodyguards formed a wall around Feng Chengzhou. He’d been working out for years, and even through his shirt, you could see his well-defined muscles.

With all nine of them standing there, their intimidating presence suggested they were facing a serious threat.

…Yu Wen decided he didn’t want to get involved.

“Let the brothers have a magic showdown.”

He turned back, cradling his little cake, and waved at Xie Heyu, beckoning him over to an ideal viewpoint tucked into the bushes, where he squatted down.

“This is what you meant by the bystander’s view?” Xie Heyu asked.

In the dim, shadowed bushes, a single beam of light from the banquet hall shone across Yu Wen’s face, making his eyes especially bright, curved in a mischievous smile.

“Guess why I’m always on the scene?”

Under countless watchful gazes, Xi Su strolled nonchalantly along the path from the other side.

Due to their positioning, Yu Wen saw Xi Su even before Feng Chengzhou did. Focusing for a moment, he realized Xi Su was carrying a thin, long object on his shoulder.

Is that a…?

“A hoe?” Xie Heyu recognized it.

Yu Wen: “…”

Wearing a high-end tailored suit with a hoe slung over his shoulder, Xi Su looked as if he’d just returned from a rice paddy, carefree as ever. 

With a little tune humming in his mind, Xi Su confidently headed to the meeting.

Yu Wen had been right: it was a lawful society, and Feng Chengzhou wouldn’t actually kill him. At most, he’d get a beating, and after passing through the garden, he had specifically borrowed a hoe from a gardener—armed with this weapon, surely Feng Chengzhou would hesitate at least a bit.

He wasn’t someone to be trifled with, after all.

With that thought, he took out a skewer of his leftover barbecue, took a bite, and continued walking forward—until he caught sight of eight or nine hulking figures standing on the steps beneath the faint glow of lights.

Xi Su’s expression froze.

His face went blank as he chewed mechanically, panic growing in his eyes as he accidentally met the gaze of one of the towering men. Heart pounding, he quickly looked away.

110! Police! Help!

To everyone else, though, he looked unruffled and calm, carrying himself with an intimidating aura, almost an enigma, as he strolled forward in a suit and with a hoe.

“What kind of tactic is this…” Bian Ce muttered softly.

Feng Chengzhou sneered, “Impressive. He’s really unpredictable, my dear brother.”

Bian Ce’s expression grew serious as well. “Stay cautious. I’ll check the surroundings for any reporters.”

Feng Chengzhou nodded. With a chilling look at Xi Su, Bian Ce turned and left.

Xi Su continued munching on his barbecue, showing his tidiness by putting the used skewers neatly back in a plastic bag.

“We spoke on the phone before, but since we had others around, I couldn’t say much, so we postponed until today…” Feng Chengzhou said, taking a step forward with one hand in his pocket, head held high, exuding a haughty aura. “Let’s be direct. What’s your goal?”

Xi Su’s legs felt like jelly.

He realized that the person who had just left must be notifying a sniper to take him out. This madman of a brother really was a lawless thug who didn’t even know murder was a crime!

Stay calm, stay calm.

Maybe if he turned around, he’d find a bloody bullet hole in his head. It was better to keep things steady, create a distraction, and find a chance to escape!

His ears were buzzing, and he barely heard a word Feng Chengzhou was saying, but to keep up appearances, he let out a dismissive “hmph.”

“Hmph?”

Feng Chengzhou sensed contempt in that sound. So it’s true—he’s deeply dissatisfied with me, going so far as to hire a private investigator to dig up my dirt, hoping to use public opinion to destabilize my position…

So, he’s here with ill intentions.

“He didn’t hear a word Feng Chengzhou said,” Yu Wen commented to Xie Heyu from the bushes.

Xie Heyu, who didn’t know Xi Su very well, could still tell that this artist under their agency wasn’t usually this calm under pressure. He replied, “He’s not even trying to run.”

Yu Wen hit the nail on the head: “His legs are probably too weak to run.”

Xie Heyu chuckled softly.

Yu Wen grinned, “Isn’t it interesting?”

Xie Heyu looked at him, his gaze softening. “Will you bring me along next time?”

Yu Wen played it cool, “Depends on your performance.”

Meanwhile, at the fountain pool, the conversation continued with all the finesse of a square peg in a round hole.

Feng Chengzhou: “If you wish to be officially acknowledged by the family, I won’t stand in the way. Earning the family’s approval will be up to you; I won’t interfere or assist. After all, my position as the heir wasn’t handed to me on a silver platter either.”

Xi Su: “Hmph.”

Feng Chengzhou: “…Or is there some other demand you have? If there’s no conflict of interest, I can offer a hand.”

Xi Su: “Hmph.”

Feng Chengzhou: “Can you only say ‘hmph’? This conversation is meant to reach an agreement, yet you’re pushing for a fallout. Fine, I’m game.”

Finally, Xi Su managed to pull himself together enough to respond.

His tongue tripped over itself, and it was a miracle he could force out one “hmph.” Under Feng Chengzhou’s intense gaze, he summoned up the courage to add a second word: “Money.”

You keep pressing—wait until I say it, then get all bent out of shape.

Feng Chengzhou’s expression soured. After a long pause, he said, “I can offer you a position as Vice President of the corporation.”

He could simply put him in a figurehead role and keep him out of trouble.

Xi Su sneered.

Yu Wen understood that sneer perfectly. “He has no clue how to do that job.”

Feng Chengzhou frowned. “Not satisfied?”

Yu Wen scraped up the last bit of his cake, licked his lips, and tidied the wrapper back into the box. “Alright, let’s go bail them out. Otherwise, they might be here all night…”

Suddenly, Xi Su shifted his hoe from his shoulder and gave Feng Chengzhou a cold smile.

Feng Chengzhou had a sinking feeling.

Just as Yu Wen stood up, there was a dull thud behind him, and Xi Su sprawled out flat on the ground.

Yu Wen: “…What happened?”

Did they fight?

Feng Chengzhou looked equally stunned. After a couple of seconds, he finally snapped out of it. “A scam.”

So, he really had ulterior motives!

“Don’t touch him, everyone! Stay where you are!” Feng Chengzhou shouted. “Remember your positions. Don’t let him drag us down!”

“Call someone over!”

Yu Wen felt it was finally time to make his entrance.

“President Feng! I’m here!”

With a bright flash, Yu Wen leapt out of the bushes, puffing up his chest as he proudly announced, “There’s no need to worry, President Feng. There are two eyewitnesses here—no need to panic. This isn’t as serious as it seems. Maybe the blue-haired guy just fainted out of fright.”

Before he’d even finished speaking, Xie Heyu nudged his arm.

Yu Wen followed his gaze and saw Xi Su half-lift his head, his shocked eyes flitting between him and Xie Heyu.

That look was full of accusation, as if he were silently saying, “You were here the whole time—and didn’t save me?”

Yu Wen sighed, “He’s just having a near-death experience.”

It’s payback for all the trouble in a past life, being friends with Xi Su in this one.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Wen quickly added before Feng Chengzhou could react, “As everyone knows, it’s wise to rely on friends when away from home. I have a superficial brotherly bond with this blue-haired guy, and since he’s in dire straits now, Xiao Yu here can’t just ignore it. President Feng, carry on. My manager and I will take him to the hospital.”

Without further prompting, Xie Heyu had already gone forward to carry Xi Su.

Yu Wen picked up the fallen hoe and slung it over his shoulder. Then, as if remembering something, he doubled back and said, “President Feng, you’re overthinking it. He really isn’t that smart. When he hired a private investigator to check on you, he did it just to try and extort some money. If he says he wants money, he really just wants money.”

Yu Wen rubbed his fingers together, saying seriously, “The kind that comes in bills—cash.”

Feng Chengzhou: “…”

With Xi Su slung over his shoulder, Xie Heyu marched off at a brisk pace. As Yu Wen hurried to catch up, carrying the hoe, their voices drifted back.

“Teacher Xie… I’m going to… throw up… and die…”

A little later, Yu Wen’s voice rang out again, loud and clear yet hidden from view. “President Feng! Could you throw away our trash? It’s on the bench behind the tree!”

His cheerful shout echoed across the small garden.

“Thanks!”