Chapter 32

**Chapter 32**

Huh? Who the hell are you?

Fu Xie scrutinized the man. He looked a lot like Lin Yubin, which meant he probably looked like Fu Xie himself too.

Looking closer, it did seem that way.

Although quite a few plot points had been skipped, surely there wouldn’t be characters on the antagonist’s side that he didn’t even recognize?

In any case, as long as it didn’t interfere with his money-making plans, it was fine.

Fu Xie chose to wait and see what would unfold. He and Xi Wenlun were in their honeymoon phase, but he remained clear-headed—he wouldn’t fool himself into thinking he was actually important.

He felt the same about himself, and he believed Xi Wenlun felt the same too.

Live for the day—this was Fu Xie’s current mindset, treating his relationship with Xi Wenlun like being with a sugar daddy funding his lifestyle.

Besides the fact that Xi Wenlun had an exhausting amount of energy, leaving him constantly sore, everything else was great.

When the man called out, however, Xi Wenlun fell into an uncharacteristic silence.

The man was so emotional he nearly choked up. Covering half his face, he seemed unable to control his feelings. “Brother Wenlun, it’s been so many years… you…”

Just then, Zhuo Huilian swept over and enthusiastically took the man’s hand.

“Oh my, isn’t this Shaoting?” Zhuo Huilian put on her best familiar act. “I heard you went abroad to study and became a concert pianist. You’ve come back to China recently, haven’t you? Why didn’t you let us know beforehand?”

The man was still collecting himself, tears springing to his eyes, which left Zhuo Huilian momentarily stunned.

A portly middle-aged man behind him stepped forward with a tissue and explained, “Madam Xi, please forgive him. My son sometimes gets like this unexpectedly.”

“Mr. Ji, what are you saying? I thought maybe I startled our dear Shaoting with my enthusiasm. Auntie here owes you an apology,” Zhuo Huilian soothed.

“You and Wenlun grew up together—you just got carried away with emotion earlier, right? Come, rest over here. Later, the two of you can catch up properly in private.”

She emphasized the words “in private,” and those nearby keenly sensed she was throwing shade at someone.

All eyes turned to the lowest-status, most unwanted guest at the banquet—Fu Xie. The boy should know his place by now, shouldn’t he?

Red flags went up in Fu Xie’s mind. Studying abroad, piano, childhood sweetheart—those keywords practically screamed “the one who got away!”

Had he misremembered the identity of the antagonist’s white moonlight?

No—if that were the case, the antagonist wouldn’t have needed to seek out Lin Yubin for a private conversation.

Fu Xie was still staring at the man named Ji Shaoting when he suddenly looked away.

His bangs hid his face, obscuring his expression, revealing only his tightly pressed lips and trembling jaw.

Was he about to cry? Now that the real deal showed up, the knockoff was bound to be tossed aside.

The onlookers were quite satisfied with Fu Xie’s reaction. Earlier, he had somehow won Elder Patriarch Xi’s favor—probably just the old man humoring his grandson to avoid embarrassment.

It definitely wasn’t because they themselves had been snubbed and were now seething with jealousy toward Fu Xie!

Xi Wenlun didn’t say a word. He simply squeezed Fu Xie’s hand tighter, completely ignoring Ji Shaoting’s emotional display.

Knowing Xi Wenlun wouldn’t take the bait, Zhuo Huilian led Ji Shaoting and Mr. Ji to Elder Patriarch Xi, who had just returned from viewing the penjing.

Patriarch Xi was also aware of this person’s presence and had specifically summoned Xi Wenlun.

Wenlun tried to refuse, but couldn’t. Worried that Fu Xie might suffer another social anxiety flare-up, he leaned close and whispered, “I’ll be right back—just wait here a moment.”

Fu Xie seemed to nod.

Left suddenly alone without Wenlun by his side, he looked even more pitiful.

In truth, Fu Xie had been holding back laughter the entire time. He’d just realized that his new *white moonlight*—actually wore the same duck-branded outfit as Xi Jinggen.

Thinking about these two awkward rivals in matching outfits turned into an oddly awkward situation.

They could totally form the Ultimate Duck Duo.

Spotting the duck logo again, Fu Xie inexplicably found it hilarious. He nearly burst out laughing, barely managing to bite it back.

If he weren’t stuck in this mess, he’d be loving every second of the drama.

He drifted deeper into his thoughts, tuning out the guests’ whispers until a loud male voice jolted him out of his headspace.

Instinctively, he searched for Wenlun, only to realize he wasn’t around.

Standing there instead was Jinggen, giving him a predatory look.

“Hey, who’re you looking for?” Jinggen pointed toward the banquet center. “Is the person you want over there?”

That’s where Patriarch Xi, Ji Shaoting, and several members of the Xi family stood—including Wenlun.

Under the spotlight, they chatted happily. Ji Shaoting stood very close to Wenlun, both equally handsome. From afar, they looked like a match made in heaven.

Fu Xie gaped.

Jinggen frowned at his silence. “What, are you a mute or what?”

“Huh?” Fu Xie blinked, clearly clueless.

Jinggen rolled his eyes. “Seriously, what’s going on in that head of yours? I ask you something, and you don’t even answer. Can’t you understand English or something?”

Fu Xie turned to face him and noticed Jinggen hadn’t changed clothes. Catching sight of the duck logo again, he narrowed his eyes, biting back another grin.

Seeing his soft smile and curved brows, Jinggen’s lust spiked instantly. That beauty was too much to handle.

“Ditch my kid brother,” Jinggen said, stroking his chin while letting his gaze trail up and down Fu Xie’s body. “He only took you in because you look like Ji Shaoting. Eventually, he’ll get bored and dump you. Why not come with me instead? I’ll treat you better than he ever could.”

At the word “treat,” Fu Xie immediately stepped back.

Thanks, but no thanks! He didn’t need any more *treating*!

And was this dude brain-dead? One minute he wanted to beat him up, now he was trying to sugar-daddy him?

Misreading Fu Xie’s retreat as fear, Jinggen’s cruel streak kicked in. He advanced step by step. “Little Beauty, don’t be scared. I’m quite the gentleman when it comes to pretty things like you…”

Fu Xie edged away slowly, trying to keep distance, until he was pinned in the corner with nowhere left to go.

Just as he was racking his brain for an escape, someone suddenly cut in.

“Ahem. Jinggen, do you think your grandfather doesn’t exist?” It was a tall man, decked out in flashy clothes, wearing a silver chain around his neck.

His voice was loud enough to draw eyes from across the room.

Zhuo Huilian shot a sidelong glance at her son and motioned for Xi Jinggen to come over.

Xi Jinggen locked eyes with his mother for a moment, instantly realizing the opportunity had slipped through his fingers. He snarled at the man beside him, “Ji Ruisi! You’ve got some nerve!”

Then he chickened out and bolted back to Zhuo Huilian’s side.

Fu Xie let out a breath of relief, thinking everyone here was weird, and he just wanted to hide in the villa.

Wait—no! He almost forgot why he’d come all this way—he was supposed to be gathering intel!

“Are you alright?” Ji Ruisi scratched his head. “Did that guy give you any trouble?”

Fu Xie shook his head, then suddenly realized this was a stranger. He clammed up immediately, ducking his head to avoid eye contact.

Ji Ruisi took the shake as confirmation and said with a grin, “Hey, as long as you’re okay. If anything happened, Wen Lun would’ve had my head.”

Hearing the casual nickname for Xi Wenlun, Fu Xie couldn’t help but sneak another glance at him.

Ji Ruisi took his glance as encouragement and, trying not to let things get awkward, scrambled for small talk.

Fu Xie was bewildered by the sudden onslaught but was too nervous to speak, so he just nodded along.

Encouraged by the nodding, Ji Ruisi launched into a monologue.

Fu Xie mindlessly nodded while trying to figure out how to proceed with his plan.

The rest of the Xi family probably wouldn’t spill any useful dirt, but this guy stood out—he kept talking even when Fu Xie stayed quiet.

Plus, the way he called Xi Wenlun by name felt familiar. Maybe he could be the source of the scoop Fu Xie needed!

At that thought, Fu Xie straightened slightly. He took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and finally spoke to Ji Ruisi: “Can I ask you something?”

Unlike the bold voice he imagined, what came out was barely more than a mouse’s squeak.

But Ji Ruisi’s ears perked up, catching it clearly.

His eyes lit with excitement. “Of course! You’re finally talking to me. Just like Wen Lun said—you’re a total wallflower, huh?”

Fu Xie hadn’t expected Xi Wenlun to talk about him behind his back and turned beet red with embarrassment. He quickly asked, “What else did he say?”

“Let me think… He also said—”

Fu Xie got sucked into Ji Ruisi’s chatter without meaning to, only remembering after a while that he meant to ask about Xi Wenlun’s past.

Suddenly, a loud commotion broke out among the guests near the Xi family patriarch.

They both turned to look and saw that within the circle of Xi relatives, Ji Shaoting was bawling his eyes out in front of Xi Wenlun.

Overcome with emotion, Ji Shaoting blurted out for all to hear, “Wenlun, I truly love you!”

Ji Shaoting’s public confession caught everyone off guard.

Chairman Ji patted his son comfortingly and added, “That’s right. When our Shaoting was studying abroad, so many people chased after him, but he only ever had eyes for Wenlun.”

“Old Master Xi,” he continued, “for the sake of our families’ long-standing friendship, please give my son a chance. Let them spend more time together—maybe even live together for a trial period.”

Fu Xie felt like he’d been hit by a truck. If Xi Wenlun actually agreed, what would he do?

He couldn’t even influence a single person involved in this matter.

He suddenly felt a turmoil in his heart, and the scene before him inexplicably blurred.

Strange, how come the thought of not being able to make money only occurred to him last.

Mr. Ji made his request with humility, not even seeking a marriage alliance for his son.

His humble approach prompted the guests to speak up for him, all persuading on his behalf.

"Yes, the two young people are just getting to know each other—it's not like they're pressuring Wen Lun."

"I think their family backgrounds and appearances are well-matched,"

"Shao Ting is genuinely devoted—that's rare. Wen Lun might as well say yes."

Those speaking were all esteemed elders; even Patriarch Xi’s old friends voiced approval.

Wen Lun gave a cool glance around and simply said, "No, I refuse."

His blunt refusal shocked everyone, especially since the two of them had been chatting quite well just moments ago.

Wen Lun paid no heed to the varied emotions of those around him and walked directly to Fu Xie.

Fu Xie watched, dazed, as he came closer.

Time seemed to both drag and fly.

Fu Xie could hear nothing but the frantic pounding of his own heart.

Wen Lun gently took Fu Xie’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"There's only one partner I recognize—Mr. Fu Xie."