Although Chi Xingyu had been somewhat sharp-tongued before, he had never resorted to violence, not even during that Truth or Dare game when Zhong Yi kissed him. How could he possibly attack the model for no reason?
— Can violence be washed away? I have to say, the capital operations behind Chi Xingyu are truly impressive.
— Anyway, I’m not picking sides; I’ll just wait for the final police report.
Aside from the public relations efforts to muddle the waters, Zhou Zhe announced the suspension of all collaborations with the Chi family. This move was just a small part of the vast Chi family enterprise and wouldn’t have a catastrophic effect, but it sent out many signals.
Jiang Ciyuan could have partnered with the Chi family to expand their market share, but now, not only was he refusing to collaborate, he might even end up smashing the original pie.
No one wanted to establish such a formidable opponent.
The seasoned businessman, Chi’s father, contacted Jiang Ciyuan immediately, opening with, “Xiao Jiang, it’s been a long time since we met. I didn’t expect such a surprise from you at this late hour. At my age, I’m afraid I can’t bear it.”
He began by trying to leverage his experience, but Jiang Ciyuan never fell for such tricks. “You’re just being polite. Cancelling the collaboration is just a little countermeasure from me.”
Chi’s father paused, “You’re referring to that variety show incident, right? I didn’t expect such trivial issues would reach you. My intention was just to make my son behave; the program won’t be affected at all.”
His implication was clear. This matter was a family affair; as an outsider, even Jiang Ciyuan couldn’t overstep.
Jiang Ciyuan replied, “He’s your son, but he’s also an individual with independent thoughts. Your strong-handed control over him will only push him further away.”
“That doesn’t sound like something you would say,”
Chi’s father chuckled. The Jiang family’s situation was already an open secret in the circle. If Jiang Ciyuan were the kind-hearted person he seemed, he wouldn’t have reached his current position.
“Xiao Jiang, you’re not a foolish person. On both public and personal grounds, you shouldn’t be doing this; it’s not beneficial for you at all.”
Jiang Ciyuan exhausted his patience and didn’t want to go in circles anymore. His voice turned slightly cold as he said, “Are you saying you would rather cancel all collaborations than change your decision?”
Chi’s father replied, “I will carefully consider your suggestion. It’s getting late; I’ll give you my answer about the collaboration tomorrow.”
Jiang Ciyuan hung up the phone, thinking the old fox didn’t want to offend him but also didn’t want to lose face in front of his son.
Having stood outside for too long, Jiang Ciyuan’s hands were icy. As he returned to his room, he felt a welcome warmth and a faint scent.
Almost the moment he pushed the door open, Tong Sui opened her eyes.
“Did the interview get delayed for so long?”
Tong Sui sat up from the covers, leaning against the headboard to look at him. The loose collar of her pajamas revealed a large expanse of fair skin and a beautiful collarbone.
Jiang Ciyuan replied, “I was dealing with some matters downstairs; it took a little longer.”
He went into the bathroom to wash up, and when he came out, Tong Sui was still awake. Usually, after a busy day, she would have already fallen into a deep sleep by now.
Jiang Ciyuan said, “You don’t need to worry about Chi Xingyu; he’ll be back soon.”
“Really?”
Tong Sui’s voice was filled with evident happiness, which felt slightly piercing to Jiang Ciyuan’s ears.
“Really.”
The Chi family would not really fall out with him. Even though they hadn’t given a clear answer yet, it was just a matter of delaying time.
After drying his hair, Jiang Ciyuan sat by his bed.
Tong Sui’s hand lay outside the covers, and Jiang Ciyuan could vaguely see a mark on her otherwise flawless wrist.
A very ambiguous mark.
He leaned down to hold Tong Sui’s wrist, which startled her and made her instinctively want to hide her hand.
“Don’t move.”
Jiang Ciyuan’s words made Tong Sui give up resisting. Under the gaze of his eyes, dark as a tranquil pool, her cheeks inexplicably warmed.
She couldn’t understand why Jiang Ciyuan was looking so closely.
Jiang Ciyuan stared for a long time, and the part of her skin he held turned cold under his fingertips, feeling lonely and desolate like the endless, silent night.
Suddenly, he lowered his head and pressed his lips lightly against the mark.
For an instant, it felt like an electric shock; Tong Sui wanted to withdraw her hand but was held firmly by Jiang Ciyuan, unable to move.
That skin, which had cooled down long ago, was once again ignited with heat, but now the one causing it was the seemingly aloof and indifferent Jiang Ciyuan.
“Jiang Ciyuan, let go.”
Tong Sui saw he remained unmoved, so she had no choice but to push his head with her other hand. The strands of hair she touched still held the warmth of being just blown dry, as if even his hair was meticulously tended like some noble pet, smooth as satin, completely different from Chi Xingyu.
Suddenly, she felt a discomfort arise from the same wrist, more like sucking than biting, as if it reignited the faded mark.
Only then did Jiang Ciyuan release her hand, raising his head to reveal lips that shimmered with a particularly bright wetness under the night.
The complex emotions in his eyes were enough to scare Tong Sui.
She suddenly felt that this side of Jiang Ciyuan was somewhat unfamiliar.
Like he had shed the armor of his daytime suit, revealing a dark and chaotic inner side.
She couldn’t help but shrink her neck.
This tiny action seemed to touch a nerve in Jiang Ciyuan. Suddenly, he felt a force come from his shoulder, pushing him down onto the bed.
Tong Sui’s eyes widened in shock, “Jiang Ciyuan!”
The mattress beneath them sank slightly under the combined weight of the two adult men, leaving Tong Sui almost trapped between Jiang Ciyuan and the bed.
A wave of fear washed over her.
Tong Sui whispered, “Calm down; we’re still recording the program.”