The Xiao family dinner was scheduled for 6 PM.
Twenty minutes before the banquet officially began, guests had already started to arrive.
Xiao Rang, as the host of the evening’s event, moved through the crowd with a wine glass, exchanging pleasantries with the incoming guests, before heading up to the second floor.
This was a venue Xiao Rang had specially arranged.
His close friends from the group chat had already arrived, with only one person still missing.
“Chuan’er, didn’t you say Qiao Nan was coming? How come he’s still not here at this hour?”
Xiao Rang sat on the sofa opposite Qian Chuan, pulling out his phone to tag Qiao Nan in the group chat.
“Just called him, he said he’s stuck in traffic and will be here soon,” Qian Chuan replied, leaning on the railing and looking down at the lobby.
“Has Zhong Shiyi arrived?”
Xiao Rang pointed to the right.
“Look, over there.”
Qian Chuan focused his gaze and saw Zhong Shiyi in a silver-gray suit, holding a wine glass and chatting with someone in the lobby’s right section.
His silver hair was strikingly flamboyant.
Two years had passed, and Zhong Shiyi had changed somewhat, but not drastically.
“Still the same as before, even a peacock displaying its feathers isn’t as ostentatious as him.”
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard a commotion in the lobby; men and women alike were looking towards the main entrance.
Qian Chuan followed the movement and let out a “whoa.”
“He’s finally here.”
Xiao Rang also saw him and let out a cringing “tsk.”
“So grand? It’s just my birthday; he doesn’t have to give so much face, does he?”
—Qiao Nan walked into the lobby, guided by a waiter.
Today, he was wearing a custom GUCCI evening gown, whose close fit perfectly showcased his advantages: a slender waist, long legs, and an elegant, beautiful physique.
His short hair was meticulously trimmed, just reaching behind his ears, and his usually casually falling bangs were slicked back with hair gel, revealing his exquisitely sculpted eyebrows and eyes.
He was already strikingly handsome by nature, and even without deliberate dressing up, he was enough to catch people’s attention.
Now, as he walked step by step into the light, he practically drew everyone’s gaze in the room.
His friends, who had also squeezed over to the railing to watch the spectacle, hissed, “Old Xiao, you need to be realistic. Can’t you see the murderous look on Qiao Nan’s face? He probably came with a knife.”
“Does anyone else think Qiao Nan’s outfit looks familiar?”
Qian Chuan suddenly gasped, remembering something.
“If I’m not mistaken, the day he broke Zhong Shiyi’s leg, he was wearing something pretty similar, wasn’t he?”
Xiao Rang cursed under his breath and quickly ran downstairs.
“No, I have to go down and watch.”
***
Qiao Nan entered, met by everyone’s gazes.
Such situations were commonplace for him.
He took a glass of wine from a waiter’s tray and, with a perfectly appropriate smile, went forward to greet Xiao’s parents and other familiar elders.
He was likable and sweet-spoken, not only popular with his peers but also with elders who liked to engage him in conversation.
When Qiao Nan finally managed to extricate himself, he saw Xiao Rang and Qian Chuan, along with a whole group of people, rushing towards him.
Xiao Rang, in particular, was staring at him as if he were a thief.
Qiao Nan handed him the pre-prepared birthday gift, pouting.
“Happy birthday. I’m not here to crash the party, why are you guys so nervous?”
The two had a good relationship, so Xiao Rang didn’t bother with formalities.
He unwrapped the gift, took a look, and immediately beamed, putting an arm around Qiao Nan’s shoulder.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for this watch, but couldn’t find it. Where did you get it?”
Xiao Rang’s greatest hobby was collecting watches, especially limited editions.
The Richard Mille RM011 Asia Limited Edition of fifty pieces that Qiao Nan gave him, he had been trying to acquire for over half a year.
“I asked my brother to help me find it.”
At the mention of Pei Xu, Qiao Nan unhappily pursed his lips.
Xiao Rang didn’t notice.
He gleefully took off the watch on his wrist and put on the new one Qiao Nan had given him, lowering his voice.
“Just for this watch, if you want to break Zhong Shiyi’s leg today, I’ll hold him down for you.”
“Then your dad would beat you black and blue,” Qiao Nan lightly punched him on the shoulder.
The group then went upstairs, arms around each other’s shoulders.
***
Zhong Shiyi, who had been detached from the crowd, watched him from afar.
A flash of admiration crossed his eyes, and he subconsciously wanted to follow, but as soon as he stepped forward, he suddenly remembered something.
His expression changed, he stopped, and muttered a low curse.
Qiao Nan and Xiao Rang’s group had a round of drinks on the second floor.
Xiao Rang had a very low alcohol tolerance; he easily got tipsy and acted wild when he drank.
Qiao Nan couldn’t stand his craziness anymore, so he ditched him to Qian Chuan and secretly slipped away.
He went to the restroom to wash his face, then went downstairs to the garden for some fresh air.
The Xiao family’s villa was in a new Chinese style, and the garden was also built in an antique fashion.
He was about to find a pavilion to enjoy the breeze when, coincidentally, he ran head-on into Zhong Shiyi, who was walking back.
Both of them paused simultaneously.
Zhong Shiyi’s gaze fell on Qiao Nan’s flushed face and couldn’t be moved.
Qiao Nan had very good skin, fair and delicate, like fine porcelain under the light.
At this moment, a thin layer of blush spread across it, like a touch of pink blooming on white porcelain, exuding an indescribably alluring charm.
Because he had been drinking, he had taken off his suit jacket, wearing only a thin, long-sleeved summer shirt.
The fabric of the vintage white shirt draped smoothly, the stand-up collar clinging tightly to his slender, swan-like neck, and the hem tapered along his narrow waist, tucked into his suit trousers, fastened with a calfskin belt the same color as the trousers, making his figure appear even more long and slender.
Zhong Shiyi’s heart pounded, his face flushed.
He swallowed, and when he spoke again, he was somehow nervous.
“Qiao Nan, long time no see.”
Qiao Nan tilted his chin slightly, scanning him up and down, his gaze finally settling on Zhong Shiyi’s right leg.
He asked in a tone of regret, “Your leg is healed?”
The little deer in Zhong Shiyi’s heart instantly died.
He also noticed that Qiao Nan’s attire today was very similar to that of two years ago.
Seeing Qiao Nan’s provocative look, it was clear this was intentional.
“It’s been two years, you don’t have to hold such a grudge, do you? I didn’t even kiss you.”
Zhong Shiyi was also annoyed at the mention of this. He hadn’t really intended to do anything to Qiao Nan back then; it was just his first time confessing to someone, and he drank a bit for courage.
Who knew Qiao Nan would refuse him without a hint of hesitation?
His self-esteem was bruised, and he thought Qiao Nan might be shy, so he wanted to use some means to make him realize his feelings.
Who would have thought that Qiao Nan, who looked so well-behaved and gentle like a rabbit, would be so incredibly ruthless?
Even though his leg was broken, he still couldn’t help but feel his heart race when he saw this face. Zhong Shiyi crossed his arms, showing a cynical smile.
“You don’t actually think I’m scared of you, do you? If it weren’t for Pei Xu—”
The words had barely left his mouth when he quickly stopped himself and changed them, “…I wasn’t serious with you then.”
“Pei Xu?”
Qiao Nan immediately caught the key point.
“What does my brother have to do with this?”
He hadn’t told either of their families about his conflict with Zhong Shiyi.
Although Qiao Nan had been a bit ruthless, Zhong Shiyi was in the wrong first, and when he went to the hospital, he only said he had fallen.
As for Qiao Nan, his parents were often away, and he didn’t want Pei Xu to know about this messy business, so he also didn’t say anything.
So he had never known that Zhong Shiyi had actually had contact with Pei Xu.
“Go ask him yourself.”
At the mention of Pei Xu, Zhong Shiyi’s expression twisted.
Remembering that lunatic’s methods, his eye twitched, and he subconsciously stepped back, putting more distance between himself and Qiao Nan.
Still, unwilling to accept defeat, he turned back before leaving and said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Your adopted brother looks refined on the surface, but he’s actually quite sick. If you take my advice, it’s best to stay away from him.”
After saying that, he didn’t wait for Qiao Nan’s reply and strode away.
***
This person is just inexplicable, Qiao Nan glared at his retreating back and cursed, “I think you’re the one who’s sick.”
Zhong Shiyi quickly vanished from sight, and Qiao Nan lost the mood to enjoy the breeze.
He leaned against a corridor pillar, took out his phone, and opened his chat with Pei Xu.
Half an hour ago, Pei Xu had sent a message telling him to drink less and to call Uncle Wang to pick him up if he stayed out too late.
He hadn’t replied.
“What are you sulking about?”
Qiao Nan poked Pei Xu’s WeChat avatar with his index finger, muttering unhappily.
The WeChat avatar naturally wouldn’t answer him.
Qiao Nan wrestled with himself for a while, then turned back to the second floor, pulled up a tipsy Qian Chuan, and picked up his fallen phone, stuffing it into his hand.
“Call my brother, tell him I’m drunk and ask him to pick me up.”
Qian Chuan, whose brain was numb from alcohol, struggled to understand his words, slurring, “You… why don’t you call him yourself?”
“Just call him if I tell you to, so many questions!”
Qiao Nan unhappily kicked him, urging, “Hurry up!”
Qian Chuan could only call Pei Xu as Young Master Qiao requested.
He was actually a bit intimidated by Pei Xu, and the only reason he had Pei Xu’s number was because of Qiao Nan.
The call connected quickly, and Pei Xu’s polite voice came through, “Second Young Master Qian? Is something wrong with Nannan?”
“Qiao… Qiao Nan wants you to… pick him up.”
Qian Chuan had drunk too much, and his mind wasn’t very clear.
As soon as he opened his mouth, he almost sold Qiao Nan out.
Qiao Nan stomped on his foot fiercely, holding his breath, and Qian Chuan finally made a turn, “He, he drank too much.”
“Understood. Are you still at the Xiao family’s? I’ll be right there.”
Pei Xu agreed without hesitation, and after confirming the address, he hung up the phone.
Qiao Nan softly exhaled, his peach blossom eyes sparkling.
His brother still cared about him after all.
Qian Chuan confusingly showed him his phone screen, “Here, done.”
Qiao Nan stuffed the phone into his jacket pocket and pushed him onto the sofa, “Got it, got it. You can keep sleeping.”
After that, he found a clean sofa, sat down, and played on his phone, waiting for Pei Xu to pick him up.
***
Forty minutes later, Pei Xu arrived.
Qiao Nan saw him being led in by a waiter on the second floor and immediately slumped onto the sofa, pretending to be drunk.
When Pei Xu was led upstairs by the waiter, he saw Qiao Nan curled up sideways on the sofa, seemingly asleep.
He walked over, squatted down, and gently called him, “Nannan?”
Qiao Nan hazily opened his eyes and took a moment to recognize him, softly calling out “Brother.”
Pei Xu’s heart softened at his call.
He supported Qiao Nan’s back, helping him up to lean against his chest.
“The car is parked at the entrance. Can you still walk?”
Qiao Nan could naturally walk, but he didn’t want to.
He drunkenly rubbed against Pei Xu’s embrace, muttering, “My head is so dizzy, I feel uncomfortable.”
Pei Xu had no choice but to pick him up.
The waiter picked up Qiao Nan’s jacket and escorted them out.
As they passed through the lobby, some guests saw the two brothers and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Zhou Ruo’s judgment is really good. This adopted son she took in is not only capable but also willing to be good to Qiao Nan.”
Father Xiao also said enviously, “You’re right. Even our own biological brothers probably don’t have as good a relationship as them.”
The two of them naturally didn’t know about the conversations in the lobby.
Pei Xu placed Qiao Nan in the passenger seat, buckled his seatbelt, and prepared to drive back to the Qiao residence.
However, just as he started the car, Qiao Nan grabbed his arm, muttering, “I’m not going back, I’m not going back…”
Pei Xu tried to coax him to let go, but the drunkard was unreasonable, just stubbornly shouting, “Don’t want to go home.”
Pei Xu, left with no choice, coaxed him, “Not going home, we’ll go to my place.”
Huh?
Qiao Nan secretly opened one eye to look at him, already happily putting his hands on his hips in his mind.
He hadn’t seen his brother’s place yet!