The weather was getting warmer. On the evening of March 12th, the fourth day of the second lunar month.
At a high-end entertainment club in City A, inside a private room. The temperature was warm. A young man sat in the corner, wearing only a dark blue hoodie with black pants. His features seemed to blend into the shadows, his face expressionless as he played Happy Eliminate on his phone.
Yin Quan: “I’ve prepared a birthday gift for Young Master Xu.” The door opened, and several attractive young women entered – some sexy, some charming, some innocent, and even two who looked like students.
Yin Quan: “Young Master Xu, these girls are nice. Pick two to keep you company. They’re all new.”
Hearing this, Xu Si didn’t look up, speaking coldly: “Not interested. Don’t bring these people in again.”
“Young Master Xu doesn’t like them? I’ll find better ones another day.”
He’d seen too many like this – saying no on the surface but actually quite wild in private.
“I said I’m not interested.”
Yin Quan wasn’t embarrassed, smiling: “Since Young Master Xu doesn’t like them, you can all leave.”
He exchanged glances with Li Chengjun sitting beside him and whispered: “Could he be impotent?”
Li Chengjun shook his head: “Who knows? Maybe he’s just keeping himself clean.”
Hearing this, Yin Quan scoffed: “There aren’t many clean people in this circle.”
“True, but we’ve never seen him before. Maybe he’s really just not interested.”
“Maybe.”
Lin Tianshi looked at the two whispering: “What are you talking about, Master Li, Master Yin?”
Yin Quan smiled: “Secretly asking what Master Yin gave Young Master Xu.”
Lin Tianshi said: “Haha, won’t we know when Young Master Xu goes back? Today’s gathering is for Young Master Xu. Let’s toast to him – happy birthday!”
Xu Si raised his glass and drank it all: “Thank you.”
“Young Master Xu can really drink.”
After he finished, everyone else drained their glasses too. All present were prominent young masters of City A, with the Xu family ranking first, followed by the Lin, Li, and Yin families. The others barely qualified to be there.
They’d heard Xu Hengyu had a family but never seen them, so everyone in the circle was curious. Recently, Xu Yanyu had been bringing Xu Si to charity galas and other events. Some said Xu Hengyu cared most about this younger son, others said he was illegitimate. Amid the various rumors, people were still somewhat afraid of the Xu family before anything was confirmed, all wanting to build good relationships with Xu Si to curry favor with the family later. Xu Hengyu’s public actions were almost flawless – bringing Xu Si to events and letting him socialize would help him better assist Liang Jieran in the future.
Yang Shikun and Hao Ming rushed in, pushing open the door.
Yin Quan looked at them: “And these are?”
Xu Si looked toward Yang Shikun: “My brothers.”
Li Chengjun said: “Young Master Xu’s friends are our friends.”
Yang Shikun and Hao Ming sat beside Xu Si, handing him birthday gifts: “Happy birthday, Brother Si.”
Xu Si took their gifts and set them aside, separate from the others’ gifts.
Yang Shikun and Hao Ming couldn’t join in the others’ conversation topics. Watching Xu Si drink glass after glass, Yang Shikun worried and tugged gently at his sleeve, asking quietly: “Brother Si, you’ve had a lot. Can your stomach handle it?”
Xu Si shook his head: “It’s fine.”
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Everyone thought it was the server. When no one moved, Lin Tianshi, being closest, opened it. Seeing the girl outside, he was momentarily stunned.
Her eyes were like crystal, beautiful as if they could speak, her face small and delicate, skin fair with a pink tinge. She wore a light yellow cardigan over a white dress.
Lin Tianshi had seen all sorts of girls, but never one so stunning: “Lost your way, sister?”
“I’m looking for Xu Si.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Xu Si looked up to see Jiang Rong at the door. Why was she here?
Lin Tianshi smiled: “And you are?”
“A classmate, here to deliver a birthday gift.”
Jiang Rong had originally planned to have Yang Shikun pass on the gift, but hearing he was drinking, she came herself.
“Young Master Xu’s classmate? Come in, sister.”
As soon as Jiang Rong entered, almost everyone’s eyes fell on her.
“Young Master Xu, your classmate is quite pretty.” “Sister, come sit with us.” “Sit here, sit here.”
Xu Si watched Jiang Rong holding the gift, thinking she would leave, but she just held out her gift, saying softly: “Happy birthday, Xu Si.”
Xu Si couldn’t quite sort out his emotions. His fingers curled slightly: “Thank you.”
Earlier he’d said “thank you” too formally, yet here he was saying it again.
“Aren’t you Young Master Xu’s classmate? Stay and play with us, sister.” “Come sit here.” “Sit here.”
Xu Si thought she would leave then. But Jiang Rong said okay.
Yang Shikun immediately squeezed over, making room: “Sit here, Student Jiang.”
Jiang Rong sat between Yang Shikun and Xu Si.
“What’s your name, sister?” Lin Tianshi asked.
“Jiang Rong.”
“Just drinking is boring. How about a game? Want to play?”
“What game?” Yin Quan asked.
Lin Tianshi explained the rules: “Draw a card from the deck. Whoever gets the Joker, we set a punishment. Can’t do it, drink three glasses. How about it?”
Li Chengjun smiled: “Sure, sure. What do you think, Young Master Xu? And your three friends?”
Xu Si’s voice was flat: “Whatever.”
Yang Shikun wasn’t worried for himself but concerned for Jiang Rong. He glanced at her, hearing her say: “Okay.”
“Student Jiang… can you drink?” Yang Shikun asked quietly.
“No, but isn’t there another option?” Jiang Rong’s entering here was like a rabbit walking into a wolf’s den. Yang Shikun suspected their punishments would be extreme.
“Then let’s play.” Lin Tianshi shuffled the selected cards: “Come on, everyone draw.”
Xu Si looked at his card – Ace of Hearts. His gaze flickered to Jiang Rong’s card. The Joker was clearly in her hand.
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