Chapter 17 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You

Chapter 17: Cousin's Ruthless Claim

Xi Jingqi walked into his office. The man with the scar on his face was standing off to one side of the room, the scar stretching from the corner of his eye down to his cheek like a centipede. His name was Zuo Gang, a burly man standing nearly two meters tall—it was no wonder Lou Han was scared of him.

At that moment, his expression was stony, his eyes filled with a cold, dangerous light.

Xi Jingqi walked over to the desk. The scarred man, Zuo Gang, immediately placed the documents in his hand on the table.

Xi Jingqi held a lighter, flicking it open and shut idly without a word.

Xi Jingqi remained silent, and Zuo Gang felt the pressure keenly, so he brought up another matter he had handled that morning.

"Boss, I crippled that bastard's hand today. Judging by his final expression, he probably holds a grudge. Should I—" Zuo Gang made a gesture of wiping him out for good.

Xi Jingqi neither agreed nor disagreed.

"Before, I crippled the hand of one of the men he sent out, but the guy just doesn't learn his lesson. He wants the Lou family's assets but can't be bothered to ask your permission."

Xi Jingqi's expression remained calm and unreadable as he brought up another matter: "He wants to kill the old master directly, and he wants to kill me directly too."

Zuo Gang let out a contemptuous snort upon hearing this. "Kill you? He's got some nerve. Who did he send this time? The boys haven't spotted any activity."

Xi Jingqi said casually, "Lou Han."

"..." Zuo Gang was momentarily speechless. Seeing that Xi Jingqi didn't seem angry and had been quite happy spending time with Young Master Han today, he said, "Young Master Han?"

He gave an awkward laugh. "Young Master Han might be young and inexperienced, deceived by that piece of trash Lou Yihua."

Today was the first time Lou Han had seen Zuo Gang, but it wasn't Zuo Gang's first time seeing him. The boss had been searching the world for someone for a year now, and Zuo Gang knew about it.

From the beginning, they had a portrait of that person and had been searching for a match globally, but they couldn't find anyone.

Strangely enough, they searched for a long time without any leads, and later, that person appeared among the Lou family.

At the time, the person was studying in Country H. After finding him, all kinds of intel on him were gathered by their team and delivered to Xi Jingqi.

Xi Jingqi was taken with this person, so they also developed infinite tolerance and curiosity toward him.

Seeing him today, he was indeed exceptionally handsome, with a clean, clear aura about him, good-looking, and without the delicate, feminine weakness Zuo Gang had imagined. That typical campus heartthrob vibe was undeniable.

Especially, there was a unique feeling about him.

His eyes were particularly clear, devoid of worldly turbidity, so anyone who looked at him would feel drawn to him. Yet, there was an undeniable "sense of distance" about him—not the icy, chilling type like the boss, but an intangible aloofness.

Originally just a person frozen in a photograph, now truly obtained by their boss, the real person seemed to have come alive from the picture.

But Lou Han's intentions were worth pondering. Zuo Gang thought deeply, "Boss, should we educate the Young Master? After all, since he's staying by your side, he should understand what can and cannot be done."

Zuo Gang originally meant "educate" in the sense of guidance, but he was so accustomed to handling interrogations and punishments for Xi Jingqi that it sounded different.

Xi Jingqi raised his eyes and glanced at him.

Zuo Gang immediately shut his mouth under that gaze, though he didn't understand why.

Solving problems for the boss was their instinct as subordinates.

Zuo Gang, being a blunt instrument, didn't understand that affairs of the heart were off-limits. He suggested again, "Boss, what does Young Master Han like? Does he like... money? Otherwise, he wouldn't have been deceived by that scum Lou Yihua. Just give him more money."

At that, Xi Jingqi's tall frame went still for a second.

He remarked offhandedly, "Lou Han isn't interested in just a little money."

His suggestion was refuted again, but Zuo Gang still didn't understand the boss's meaning. However, he finally dropped the topic.

Lou Han truly didn't like just a little money. If he did, he wouldn't have refused the rare treasures Xi Jingqi had given him. Today, he didn't even ask about them and instead played happily with Lulu.

And Xi Jingqi had temporarily changed his strategy, focusing on just being with Lou Han.

But if Lou Han was cooperating with Lou Zimin because he wanted "a lot of money," and his true desire was greater profits, not caring about small gains, Xi Jingqi would rather spend that money to buy Lou Han's loyalty.

"Hey, where's that kid Xiao Jie? Why didn't I see him come back with you?"

"He's at the Lou family's place. Tending to roses for Lou Han," Xi Jingqi said leisurely.

His attitude was very natural, as if he were talking about an ordinary matter. Zuo Gang thought he had misheard.

"Oh, so Young Master Han likes artistic things. That's quite special."

Thinking that the boss would one day pamper a boy to this extent, and that Xiao Jie, who usually looked down on everyone, had been sent to plant flowers as a result, Zuo Gang wanted to laugh. It served him right.

"During this period, I need you all to take care of this business for me," Xi Jingqi said, picking up the documents in front of him and glancing through them casually.

Xi Jingqi had stopped handling all matters himself. He intended to stay put here, and of course, it was for one person.

Xi Jingqi's subordinates each had their own duties, and many things no longer required his personal involvement. Zuo Gang didn't question it.

Xi Jingqi added another instruction, "You don't have to come here next time."

Zuo Gang naturally had to obey the boss's orders, but he was somewhat confused. What had he done wrong that he couldn't even come to see the boss anymore?

His mind flashed back to today when he opened the car door for the boss at the entrance and seemed to have spooked the kid. Having found the answer, Zuo Gang fell silent.

Thinking of Xiao Jie, who was currently planting flowers, Zuo Gang felt he was still lucky.

When Xi Jingqi saw Lou Han again, the young man was still at the piano, his gaze extremely focused, as if unaware of the changes around him.

Xi Jingqi walked over and stood a few steps away, looking down at him, observing his expression.

The pianist had already moved off to the side. A new chef arrived and approached Xi Jingqi.

He respectfully handed over the menu and whispered, "Sir, this is the dinner menu I've customized for tonight according to the young master's tastes, and it's nutritionally balanced. Please see if any dish is unsuitable."

"Tonight, I've specially selected multiple dishes. In the future, I'll gradually create different menus to fully understand the young master's preferences."

Xi Jingqi glanced at the dishes and crossed one out. "He doesn't like this one."

These few short sentences revealed an already familiar intimacy.

After finalizing the dinner, Xi Jingqi walked behind Lou Han and placed his hands on his shoulders. He leaned down casually and kissed Lou Han. By now, such actions had become completely natural to him. The touch of lips was not merely physical contact but a connection of souls in the kiss.

"Time to eat."

During the meal, Lou Han watched Xi Jingqi's expression, but Xi Jingqi's face revealed nothing—casual, aloof, and indifferent. It was impossible to tell whether he knew about the situation in the Lou family. Lou Han found it difficult to say anything in front of Xi Jingqi.

Lou Han ate the dishes and found them particularly suited to his taste.

But because his mind was preoccupied, Lou Han barely touched his food.

"We should go check on the situation at the Lou family, right?"

Lou Han had thought it was essential for him to quickly return to check on the Lou family’s situation. While things were fine with Xiao Jing, any problems arising in the Lou family would still tangibly affect his life in this world.

However, he had spent a very pleasant day with Xiao Jing today, and having to part ways again really made him feel reluctant.

Lou Han’s handsome face was quite capable of keeping a poker face, though his slender, pale fingers curled slightly. He looked at Xi Jingqi, light dancing in his eyes, his youthful face clear and bright.

He set down his things.

Having decided to leave, he looked at Xi Jingqi, his voice taking on a clingy tone: “Biaoge, I’ve finished my meal. I’d like to head back tonight. Could you notify the servants to arrange a car for me? I’ll wait at the entrance.”

Lou Han spoke to Xi Jingqi amiably, consciously oozing tenderness and attachment.

After saying this, he turned and made for the door. But when he tried to open it, he froze, jiggling the doorknob with force.

Yet the doorknob didn’t budge.

At this moment, he still hadn’t quite processed it, or perhaps he had, but Lou Han couldn't believe what was happening.

Lou Han turned back to look at Xi Jingqi.

Xi Jingqi was simply wearing a T-shirt, his sleeves revealing pale, cool arms with taut muscles and visible veins. Even dressed like this and sitting at the dining table, he still looked every bit the young master.

The corners of his mouth curved into a slight arc, his tone even more intimate than Lou Han’s, as relaxed and casual as if chatting with him earlier.

He just said, “Have a bit more to eat first.”

Lou Han figured there was indeed no hurry, so he returned to continue his meal.

This time, Lou Han ate a bit more. He sampled all the dishes that caught his eye, eating until he was quite full.

Xi Jingqi narrowed his eyes slightly as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving Lou Han.

His left hand lightly tapped the edge of the table, while his right picked up a wine glass and took a sip.

After his second attempt at finishing the meal, Lou Han felt like enough time had passed. He looked at Xiao Jing:

“I’m done eating now.”

Xi Jingqi shot a glance at Lou Han, stood up, and reached out to wipe the corner of Lou Han’s mouth. His face was unreadable at this moment. He told him:

“It’s quite late now. The staff are all off duty, so you won't be going back.”

Lou Han: “…” Lou Han’s lips parted soundlessly.

Perhaps because the atmosphere now was no different from before, without any warning signs.

Lou Han still held onto hope.

Lou Han made another attempt: “Something happened in the Lou family. I want to go back.”

He put it simply, attempting to downplay the current situation.

Watching Lou Han eat seriously, like an adorable hamster, letting him enjoy the food he liked was something very valuable to Xi Jingqi.

Xi Jingqi stepped closer again, placing another kiss on his forehead and ruffling his hair. He turned to instruct the others, “Take the young master to the room I prepared for him.”

Xiao Jing said that from now on, he was to move in with him.

Lou Han had nodded in agreement, but he thought he'd only agreed to live together.

Every detail of today had lulled him into a sense of security.

Until now, Lou Han finally had to admit.

—It seemed he had been imprisoned by Xiao Jing.

Xi Jingqi’s attitude was casual and understated, but his actions were blatant, without the slightest concealment.

Even Lou Han’s phone had been taken away.

After Xi Jingqi left, Lou Han was taken to the room.

In that brief moment, Lou Han planned to scale the wall and make a run for it.

The system mapped out the entire Xi family estate in his mind.

Originally, the system didn’t have this, but Lou Han had a general memory, and the system carefully calculated the entire map of the Xi family based on big data algorithms.

Lou Han still didn’t want Xiao Jing to know about his departure; it would be best if he could smoothly return tomorrow morning.

With everything prepared, Lou Han opened the window, intending to follow the pipes down to the ground floor. There was a shelter on the first floor; from there, he would climb over the wall out of the estate.

He planned to return unnoticed tomorrow morning.

But as soon as Lou Han opened the window, he fell silent.

Downstairs was a heavy patrol presence.

A group of people dressed in black, with stern expressions, marched back and forth in crisp, alert formation.

Their flashlight beams crisscrossed the grounds, almost one every five meters.

—Blatant, without any concealment.

Lou Han fell silent. The system was speechless.

Finally, the system said, “Lou Han, your wife is really fierce.”

Author’s Note:

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