Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xi stayed at the foster parents' house until the sixth day of the new year before leaving. They each became busy with their own affairs afterward.

Hao Jixin couldn’t stay away abroad and returned before the eighth day, rushing over with gifts for the New Year’s visit.

But as soon as Hao Jixin stepped in, something felt off.

Eventually, while holding a cup of water and drinking tea, Hao Jixin finally felt something was off. He twisted his head to look at a red envelope stuck on the wall: "?? What’s going on here?"

He wandered over to the wall, looking left and right, convinced the red envelope was deliberately pasted there. It wasn’t there during his last visit, so why the sudden appearance? Looking closely, it was a thick stack; could there really be money inside?

Hao Jixin couldn't resist the urge to reach out and touch it.

Jing Xi, coming out of the kitchen, saw this scene and in an instant, leaped in front of Hao Jixin, pressing his palm against the red envelope with a dark expression: "What are you doing?" If not for the fact that there were few guests at home and Hao Jixin was the first visitor for the New Year, Jing Xi would have wanted to throw him out.

Hao Jixin, startled by the sudden obstruction, turned his head and saw Jing Xi, gaping in surprise: "How did you get here so fast?" Wasn’t he just making breakfast in the kitchen?

Jing Xi looked at him disapprovingly: "You’re only allowed to look, not touch, got it?"

Hao Jixin rubbed his nose: "Won't touch, won't touch. Just curious, you know? There isn’t really money in there, is there?"

Jing Xi glanced at him, then suddenly straightened up, leisurely adjusting his apron, and clearing his throat, he replied off-topic: "You already know that’s from Qingfeng to me?"

Hao Jixin: "?"

Jing Xi continued, almost rubbing it in Hao Jixin’s face: "Ah, you know, I’m already this old, and Qingfeng insists on giving me New Year's money. Where do you see younger people giving money to older ones? But Qingfeng feels sorry for me because I don't have parents. He said this is just the first gesture, and he will care for me even more in the future. I told him not to do this, but he insisted, and there’s no stopping him..."

Hao Jixin: "..."

It took him a while to stiffly turn his neck, incredulously looking at Jing Xi who finally stopped: "That’s not necessary, who hasn’t received New Year's money before!" Was it necessary to show off like this?

Jing Xi lifted his eyelids: "Really? Have you ever received New Year's money from Qingfeng?"

Hao Jixin, stumped: "…No."

Jing Xi didn’t say anything more, just smiled at him and then continued back to the kitchen.

Hao Jixin: Did he just mock me? It’s just a red envelope for New Year’s money, right? I, indeed, haven’t received one.

When Xie Qingfeng returned, he found Hao Jixin listlessly sitting there, his eyes lifeless, staring at the ground as if all vitality had been drained from him.

"What's wrong with you?" Xie Qingfeng hung his coat on the rack by the door. Hao Jixin had been so cheerful when he sent the voice message earlier, but now he seemed totally deflated.

Recently having some free time, Xie Qingfeng visited a driving school nearby that was open during the New Year holidays. Neither he nor Jing Xi had a driver's license, and they couldn’t always rely on Hao Jixin for driving, so they decided to learn together for convenience.

Jing Xi, knowing Hao Jixin was coming, returned early to prepare breakfast.

Hao Jixin looked up at Xie Qingfeng, on the verge of tears: "Master, I’ve been bullied by President Jing!"

Jing Xi, carrying a tray of food, clicked his tongue upon hearing this: "Tattletale."

Hao Jixin, irritated, almost lunged at him: Where’s your shame? Who was the one showing off in front of me?

Jing Xi smiled at him: Are you eager to start your training now?

He had planned to let him enjoy the New Year, starting the rigorous training after the fifteenth, but if Hao Jixin didn’t want to take it easy, he would oblige.

Hao Jixin quickly behaved: "No, of course not. How could President Jing, a paragon of virtue, ever bully me?"

Satisfied, Jing Xi turned to Xie Qingfeng, his voice much softer, his smile genuinely warm: "Hungry? Come and eat."

Hao Jixin, moved by the sumptuous spread of soup noodles, pan-fried dumplings, hand-torn chicken, and deep-fried crispy meat: "I know I came early, but this is such a grand spread. I wouldn’t have minded just some soy milk."

He hadn't expected the acting emperor to be so contrary, preparing such a feast knowing he was coming.

Jing Xi glanced at him: "You’re overthinking it." He had been getting up before dawn to practice driving, caring for his national advisor, not for Hao Jixin, who just happened to benefit.

Hao Jixin: … Fine, it seems he was mistaken.

Hao Jixin is not one to sit idle. He came this time to assist Jing Xi with the new branch office. Being from a business family himself, he is quite familiar with these matters.

Xie Qingfeng had thoughtfully planned this. Since Hao Jixin would be following him, and as he had classes to attend while Hao Jixin was generally free, it made sense to offer him two salaries.

Jing Xi had no objections. Even though he often bickered with Hao Jixin, he already considered him as almost part of his inner circle.

Hao Jixin, aware of Xie Qingfeng’s dedication, assured him: "Don’t worry, you won’t work for nothing; the company will give you 5% of the shares."

While not a large percentage, it was still significant.

Hao Jixin was moved to tears: "Brother Jing, from now on, you’re my brother! My own brother!" He hadn't even started working yet and was already being offered shares. He knew following the master would pay off!

Jing Xi’s lips twitched, finally saying disdainfully: "Have you no shame? You’re older than me!"

Being older by a few months or even a year or two still counts. How could he so shamelessly accept?

Hao Jixin chuckled: "Age is not a problem, it shows my respect for you!"

After finalizing the arrangement, Hao Jixin started working closely with Jing Xi. Although Zhu, the owner, had promised to handle everything, he was in City B and couldn’t manage all the details.

Jing Xi couldn’t really leave everything unattended. Since he decided to start this company, he was determined to do it well.

Before the school term started, Xie Qingfeng also helped out, but once his classes began, he left the two to manage on their own.

Two months later, when things settled into a routine and they both got their driver's licenses, Jing Xi began to keep regular office hours, buying a car to pick up and drop off Xie Qingfeng.

The company required frequent collaborations and sometimes late-night business dinners.

With experience, Jing Xi learned to expel the alcohol using his internal energy, mastering the technique so he never got drunk.

On a Friday, just as Xie Qingfeng's class was about to end, he received a message from Jing Xi.

[Jing: I have a business dinner tonight. Should Hao Jixin pick you up? [Missing You Another Day.jpg]]

Xie Qingfeng looked at the animated figure rolling on the screen, his lips curling into a smile, and replied: [No need, I'm going out tonight with someone, let Hao Jixin accompany you to the dinner.]

Jing Xi quickly responded: [Who are you going with?]

Xie Qingfeng chuckled: [A classmate.]

Jing Xi, feeling a sense of crisis: [Which classmate? Liu Wenzheng? Niu Zhicheng?]

Xie Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, impressed that Jing Xi remembered his classmates so clearly. These two were supposed to be his roommates before he decided not to stay in the dorms. However, Xie Qingfeng maintained a good relationship with them, and Jing Xi had noted each one.

Xie Qingfeng replied: [Liu Wenzheng and the others.]

Jing Xi finally felt at ease: [Come back home early. [Heart]]

Seeing the throbbing red heart on the screen, a smile appeared in Xie Qingfeng's eyes. He replied with an okay and then put away his phone.

Liu Wenzheng and the others saw him approaching and teased: "Xie classmate, don’t tell me you’re involved with someone? Is it someone we know?"

Xie Qingfeng just smiled, neither confirming nor denying, but their assumption of a 'yes' had them laughing even more. They didn't pry further: "You must bring them over to meet us someday."

Xie Qingfeng: "Sure, when there's a chance." He just hoped they wouldn’t get scared then.

Liu Wenzheng and his three roommates had been meeting monthly for get-togethers since Yin Jinhui joined their dorm.

Although Xie Qingfeng wasn’t in their dorm anymore, they still invited him to their gatherings. He hadn’t attended since the last one was cut short due to Jing Xi's drunken incident.

Agreeing this time, he wanted to make up for the last interrupted gathering and also planned to use this outing to buy a gift.

As the group of four set out, Xie Qingfeng noticed Yin Jinhui sneaking glances at him. When Yin Jinhui looked over again, Xie Qingfeng met his gaze.

Startled, Yin Jinhui stammered, then softly asked: “Do you have something you want to ask us?” From what he knew of 'Master Xie', he wouldn't agree to hang out without a reason. He didn’t seem to fit in with their crowd.

Xie Qingfeng arched an eyebrow, noticing how much the other had discerned in a few months. Indeed, some training was needed.

Embarrassed, Yin Jinhui scratched his head: “I was blind before, almost got killed because of Xie Weihuan, and even troubled my parents. Working hard and earning money lately has made me realize their struggles. I’ve changed for the better.”

Yin Jinhui reflected on how he had empathized with the hardships of others, recognizing the effort his parents put into raising him. Instead of showing gratitude, he had caused trouble and almost brought disaster upon his family, all for someone who merely used and even sought to harm him for their own survival.

If not for Master Xie, his fate might have been dire...

After this realization, he started to work hard to earn a living and became more attuned to others' emotions, which is why he kept glancing at Xie Qingfeng in the car.

Xie Qingfeng nodded in response: "Mr. Yin would be pleased to hear this." He didn't hide his intentions. "I do have something to ask. What do you usually choose as a gift?"

Xie Qingfeng had given Jing Xi many gifts before, but this time it was different. Although not formally acknowledged, their relationship had grown closer, and the significance of his gift needed to reflect that.

Besides, this would be the first birthday gift he would give Jing Xi since they arrived in this time, demanding careful consideration.

Ordinary gifts might suffice for friends, but now, something more was needed.

Yin Jinhui, well-versed in gift-giving, was about to list suggestions but then lowered his voice to ask, "Who is this gift for?"

After all, the gift would vary depending on the recipient.

Xie Qingfeng almost said 'boyfriend' but changed it to: "Someone I like."

Yin Jinhui's eyes widened in shock: No way, Liu Wenzheng was right! But which girl could have captured the heart of someone like him?

Others might not know, but he was well aware of Xie Qingfeng's capabilities. Whoever it was, they were no ordinary person.

Meanwhile, Jing Xi and Hao Jixin were at a private club with a group of businessmen, seated in a VIP room.

As Jing Xi walked forward, he couldn't help but sneeze.