Volume 1, Chapter 138: Maintenance

The rules of the Bai family are strict, and the elder Mr. Bai is an incredibly traditional and conservative man. It is no wonder that Bai Yinian, as the sole heir to the Bai family, was almost beaten to death after coming out to his family.

On the other end of the phone, Bai Yinian listened to Fu Linhan’s furious cursing in silence. He found himself missing the days when Fu Linhan would chatter away endlessly. Once Fu Linhan had tired himself out from yelling, Bai Yinian spoke slowly, "I came out to my family—why are you so agitated?"

"I… damn it, I’m worried about you! You’re a stubborn idiot, but you’re still my brother. How could you not tell me about something this big? Don’t you think of me as your brother?"

The moment Bai Yinian heard the word "brother," he felt a surge of irritation. His voice turned icy cold. "That’s right. I don’t want to be your brother at all."

Upon hearing this, Fu Linhan stood stunned for a long time, as if struck by lightning. Then, he roared furiously into the phone, "Fine! You said it yourself. From now on, Dongzi is my only brother. You can go to hell for all I care!"

He slammed the phone down in a rage, tossed it to Pei Jingmo, and angrily gulped down a glass of liquor. Watching this scene, Pei Jingmo frowned deeply. He snapped a photo and sent it to Bai Yinian. "I told you not to force him, yet here you are, playing hard to get."

Bai Yinian replied, "I’m not playing games. I’m just truly exhausted. Damn it, why did I have to fall for a straight man?"

Bai Yinian rarely cursed; it was clear he was in immense pain.

"Did they beat you?"

"I won't die."

"You really enjoy courting disaster, don't you?"

"It’s better than having them force me into blind dates with women every day. I’d rather resolve the problem once and for all."

"Heh—you’re too naive."

"What?"

"Just wait and enjoy the life that awaits you: your grandfather stuffing women into your room, or even resorting to drugging you."

Bai Yinian: "..."

Seeing that Fu Linhan had already drunk quite a bit, Pei Jingmo walked over and snatched the glass from his hand. "That’s enough. It’s your birthday party today. If you get yourself blind drunk, do you expect everyone to toast a drunkard?"

"What the hell is there to celebrate? Happy birthday—happy! I’m not happy at all!"

"Then what would make you happy?"

"I..."

Fu Linhan couldn't find the words; his face looked wretched.

"Your goddess is right here, yet you’re still not happy. It seems your feelings for her aren't so deep after all."

"Hmph, who says? I’m happy when my goddess is around." With that, Fu Linhan stumbled off to find Xiang Xinlei.

At this moment, Sheng Yuru, Chu Xingzhi, and Lu Rongrong arrived together. The moment Sheng Yuru saw Song Qingyu, her mood soured. That wretched bitch—why was she everywhere? Couldn't she just vanish from the face of the earth?

Lu Rongrong didn't want to see Song Qingyu either. After all, Song Qingyu had been present when Gu Yuandong humiliated her the other day, witnessing her disgrace. After handing her gift to Fu Linhan, Lu Rongrong wanted to find Gu Yuandong, but fearing his unpredictable behavior in the private room earlier, she turned to confront Song Qingyu instead.

Gu Chenxi, sensing malice, spread her arms to shield Song Qingyu. This gesture made Lu Rongrong grind her teeth in frustration. She had tried everything to curry favor with this little simpleton, yet the girl remained unmoved and protective of Song Qingyu, as if Song were some kind of man-eating monster.

"Be a good girl, Xiao Xi. I have something to discuss with Miss Song."

Sensing the protection, Song Qingyu felt a warmth in her heart. She smiled dotingly at Gu Chenxi. "Don't worry, it's alright."

Gu Chenxi leaned into Song Qingyu's ear and whispered, "Be careful, Sister Qingqing. She’s not a good person."

Gu Chenxi didn't lower her voice, and Lu Rongrong’s face turned green. But because the girl was Gu Yuandong’s sister—the little princess of the Gu family and her own future sister-in-law—she had no choice but to swallow her anger.

Stepping aside, Lu Rongrong began, "I underestimated you. You look cold, pure, and naive, but in reality, you’re busy sucking up to Xiao Xi and flattering Young Master Fu. What? Not satisfied with your husband, so you’ve come to steal someone else’s?"

Song Qingyu felt speechless. "Is this all you wanted to say, Miss Lu?"

Seeing Song Qingyu’s calm, unburdened expression, Lu Rongrong sneered, "I’m here to warn you. Some things are better left unsaid, or they’ll rot in your stomach forever. Don't let your tongue bring disaster upon you."

"Things that shouldn't be said—are you referring to what you saw and heard in the private room at 'Hidden' the other day?"

"You—"

"Rest assured, Miss Lu. Gu is my superior; I will protect his reputation. However, since you’ve come to see me, I have something to say to you as well."

Lu Rongrong was taken aback. "What?"

"Gu doesn't love you. Is it really worth it to marry a man who doesn't love you back?"

"Love?" Lu Rongrong laughed out loud, as if she had heard the greatest joke in the world. "What is love? Can you eat it? What century are we in that people are still talking about love?"

Song Qingyu: "..."

"Don't tell me you're naive enough to think love is everything. Let me tell you, in this society, interest is what matters."

Song Qingyu smiled faintly. "If interest is everything, then why do you look so unhappy? It doesn't matter what others say, but ask yourself: if you marry him and spend your days in an empty room, watching him be intimate with other women, will you truly be happy?"

Lu Rongrong had intended to put Song Qingyu in her place, but she hadn't expected to be lectured instead. Her expression was ghastly. "And what about you? Are you happy married to a poor laborer? If you want a designer bag, a luxury car, or a villa, can he provide any of it?"

Song Qingyu smiled. "Everyone has different pursuits. I don't care about what kind of car I drive, whether my bag is a designer brand, or if I live in a villa. We live in an eighty-square-meter apartment, and seeing him every day makes me happy."

Lu Rongrong had previously felt that the dynamic between Song Qingyu and Gu Yuandong was off, but seeing how devoted Song was to her laborer husband, she felt a sense of relief. With nothing left to say, Lu Rongrong walked away.

As soon as she left, Chu Xingzhi emerged from the shadows, having overheard their entire conversation. His face was pale and wretched, his hands clenched into fists.

When Song Qingyu saw him, she paused, then turned to walk away, but Chu Xingzhi stepped forward and grabbed her arm.

"Can you not even bring yourself to speak to me now?" His voice was raspy and low, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Song Qingyu pulled her arm away. "There is nothing left for us to say."

"Not even a greeting?"

Song Qingyu sighed softly. "There’s no need."

Chu Xingzhi’s heart felt as if it were being torn apart. "You just said you were happy. Is that the truth?"

"Yes."

"Good..." Chu Xingzhi nodded, his knuckles white from clenching his fists. "I understand. I wish you happiness."

As he turned to leave, he suddenly caught sight of Gu Yuandong standing on the second-floor balcony, watching him with a gaze so icy and terrifying that it sent a chill to his very bones.

"Mr. Gu, I’ve heard much about you. May I offer you a drink?"