Chapter 20 He Finally Managed to Make Chi Luoxi a Bit Luxurious

Chapter 20 He Finally Managed to Raise Chi Luoxi to Be a Bit More Spoiled

Chi Luoxi sulked for quite a while because of those threatening and malicious messages from He You.

He hugged the radish pillow and sat cross-legged on the soft off-white carpet in the living room. He didn't take in a single thing on the TV, alternately squeezing the pillow into a ball, hugging it tightly, then releasing it.

When He Angxiao finished work in the study and came out, he saw this and found it rather odd.

In front of him, Chi Luoxi was mostly naive and slow-witted.

When happy, he would look at him with bright eyes. When wronged, he would lower his brows and gaze at him with damp, fawn-like eyes. When scared, he would curl into his arms, his fingers clutching his clothes tightly.

But a sight like this—puffed up like a pufferfish, with his displeasure clearly written all over his face—was truly rare.

Back when he first met Chi Luoxi at Chunhui, he looked like a meek pushover.

Later, after He Angxiao brought him back, although he occasionally had little outbursts, they mostly passed quickly.

He Angxiao walked over to him, reached out, and pinched his slightly puffed cheek with firm but gentle pressure: "What's the matter? Who upset you?"

Chi Luoxi originally wanted to ask He Angxiao to teach that scumbag a lesson, but the words caught in his throat. He thought, what if He Angxiao really thinks he’s a country bumpkin? Besides, He Angxiao had previously told him not to contact anyone from Chunhui.

Although He You reached out first this time, in the end, it was still because he had ties to Chunhui before.

Chi Luoxi decided to handle it himself, to find a time to return that piece-of-junk phone to He You and make a clean break.

As for the threat, he could just grab He You's phone and delete the photo.

Chi Luoxi sidestepped He Angxiao's question and asked instead, "Honey, tell me, how can there be people in this world so wicked? They clearly lied and did wrong, yet think they've done nothing wrong, and then turn around and blame and threaten others."

He Angxiao was taken aback by this moral questioning.

He Angxiao was silent for a few seconds.

Was this world really as simple as Chi Luoxi imagined?

"...In this world, things are often not just black and white. Sometimes, the initial intentions might not be pure, even involving deception, but the final result may be acceptable to some people."

Chi Luoxi clearly couldn't comprehend such convoluted logic.

After hearing He Angxiao's words, his brows furrowed even deeper: "White is white, black is black."

When you cut open a radish, the core is white, and sometimes the skin has a bit of green, but never black.

Wrong is wrong, why should it be called right? Isn't that deceiving yourself?

Lying is bad, and threatening is even worse.

He Angxiao was rendered speechless by this interrogation; arguing about these things with this little dummy was simply asking for trouble.

Chi Luoxi had his own set of straight-line rules in his head: black and white, clear likes and dislikes, simple and crude, and extremely solid. These often shattered He Angxiao's meticulously constructed adult world principles into pieces.

He Angxiao: "You're right about everything."

Chi Luoxi decided to deal with He You as soon as possible. He picked up his phone, making sure He Angxiao wasn't looking, and sent He You a message, setting a time and place to return the phone.

The location was set outside a small restaurant not far from Chunhui.

He You seemed to weigh the pros and cons on his end. Probably thinking that he couldn't squeeze any more benefit out of Chi Luoxi, and afraid that if he pushed too hard, Chi Luoxi would whisper in He Angxiao's ear and make things difficult for him, he eventually agreed to meet.

On the appointed afternoon, Chi Luoxi made an excuse about wanting to go out for a stroll and buy some newly released radish merchandise.

He Angxiao told him to come home early and be safe.

When Chi Luoxi arrived, He You was already waiting for him.

The two of them met as if for some kind of transaction.

He You looked no different from before, wearing a gaudy, tight-fitting T-shirt with his hair slicked back and shiny. When he saw Chi Luoxi approach, he gave him a once-over, especially lingering on Chi Luoxi's obviously expensive clothes, and curled his lips into an enigmatic smirk.

Chi Luoxi directly handed over the paper bag containing the old phone.

He You took the bag, pulled out the phone, and inspected it from all angles. He pursed his lips, his tone dripping with sourness: "Oh, you only think to return it after it's been used like this? Master He is that stingy? How much money does he give you a month, anyway?"

Chi Luoxi certainly wasn't going to tell him everything now.

Chi Luoxi: "I've returned the phone to you. You forced it on me in the first place, and now I'm giving it back. I don't owe you anything."

"You clearly lied to me, even lied that you knew Brother Chunsheng. I'll let that slide, but I don't want to see you again from now on."

He You originally thought that Chi Luoxi was still that pitiable little pushover from Chunhui, easy to bully. Even if he had climbed the social ladder, a little scare would still be enough to squeeze some benefits out of him.

He didn't expect that after not seeing him for a while, the kid seemed to have become a different person.

Although he still looked that beautiful and naive, there was something new in his eyes—a kind of confidence born from being carefully nurtured and protected.

Moreover, his words were watertight, directly pointing out the past deception, making it clear he wouldn't acknowledge any so-called favor or obligation.

He You cursed inwardly, it seemed he really couldn't squeeze any money out of him. He was just shooting his mouth off anyway, hoping to get some advantage. If he actually offended He Angxiao, he wouldn't dare, even if he had ten times the guts.

He had heard about that night when He Angxiao spent a fortune at Chunhui for Chi Luoxi, and later sent people to audit the accounts and clean up the contracts.

He Angxiao was clearly trying to back up this little one.

He weighed the broken phone in his hand, then grudgingly put away his greedy expression, waved his hand, and softened his tone: "Alright, alright, I'm scared of you. I'll take the phone. Really, an ungrateful brat—without me, could you have shot up to the top overnight? Let's just forget the past. From now on, we go our separate ways, and don't bother each other."

Chi Luoxi knew that what He You feared was He Angxiao.

He wondered how he could become as strong as He Angxiao.

At least strong enough that no one would dare to bully him casually. Chi Luoxi had guts, so what he lacked was money and status?

Back at Chunhui, everyone thought Chi Luoxi was an idiot, a dense blockhead, good for nothing except having a pretty face.

After the Wang Ye incident, the people at Chunhui looked at him not only with disdain but also with added fear, thinking he was a lunatic who wasn't afraid to die, and they didn't dare to provoke him easily.

Who would have thought that this country boy, written off by everyone as hopeless, would suddenly climb the social ladder, hitched to He Angxiao's coattails, and transform from a sparrow into a phoenix.

Now, those people at Chunhui, especially Manager Yang, were kicking themselves. Behind his back, they must be cursing him and envying him bitterly.

They thought Chi Luoxi's dumb, hick appearance was all an act, that he was actually scheming underneath, had been eyeing He Angxiao from the start, and made his moves step by step.

Manager Yang also blamed He You for bringing back such a troublesome person—not only failing to squeeze out benefits but also getting them into trouble. Now even the club had been reported by Chi Luoxi.

They had really misjudged him before.

Chi Luoxi was more than happy to have He You stop contacting him.

He You held the old phone, his words a threat laced with curses: "Chi Luoxi, but don't get too cocky. Guys like them, rich and powerful, they've seen all kinds of pretty people. That little bit of novelty? It'll pass like a gust of wind, gone in a second. I'm telling you, know when to stop and take what you've got. Don't really fight Chunhui to the end. Leave yourself an out, so you can face each other later. When He Angxiao gets sick of you and kicks you to the curb, then..."

He paused deliberately: "You'll have no one to cry to, and you won't even know what hit you. Don't think just because you've latched onto a high branch you're really a phoenix. A chicken is still a chicken; it can't fly high."

Chi Luoxi didn't like hearing this. He hated the way He You talked down to him.

"You're all just bullying me because I'm from the mountains, I don't understand anything, easy to trick and intimidate, huh?"

"I'm taking Chunhui all the way. Lawyer Hao said the law gives everyone the right. Anyone can defend their rights, no matter where they're from, rich or poor."

He You mocked his innocence and overconfidence: "Rights? Ha, Chi Luoxi, wake up. Who gave you the nerve to talk about rights? It's He Angxiao. He Angxiao's money, He Angxiao's power. Without He Angxiao, would you have dared to say those words before? Would you have dared to sue? You were scared shitless of that damn contract, pushed around by Manager Yang, and bullied by that piece of trash Wang Ye without saying a word. Your rights are nothing but handouts from He Angxiao, from beginning to end!"

"When he's happy, he gives you a little; when he's not, he takes it back. Get it? You little fool."

Chi Luoxi was taken aback, wanted to argue, but realized He You had a point.

Before meeting He Angxiao, at Chunhui, he lived in fear, walking on eggshells, afraid he couldn't pay off his debts, afraid of being kicked out and ending up on the streets.

His courage really seemed to have grown bit by bit ever since he got together with He Angxiao.

Because he knew he had someone behind him who'd look out for him and have his back. Even though He Angxiao often yelled at him, that's why Chi Luoxi dared to say no to He You, dared to push for the lawsuit, dared to face someone who used to terrify him.

"So what?" Chi Luoxi blinked. "So what if my rights come from He Angxiao? What's it to you? Why didn't He Angxiao give you rights too? You're so ugly, He Angxiao hates ugly people the most. He says ugly people are always stirring up trouble."

He You's face contorted.

Birds of a feather flock together, huh?

He You thought viciously to himself, how long had Chi Luoxi been with He Angxiao? Now his tongue was just as sharp, hitting where it hurt.

He knew if he stayed, it'd just be asking for humiliation.

He You shot Chi Luoxi a vicious glare: "No flower blooms forever, no person lasts forever. We'll see, Chi Luoxi. I'll be waiting to watch you cry!"

With that, he grabbed the paper bag and left, his back showing his shame and anger.

Chi Luoxi thought, he's a radish —

not some flower.

Chi Luoxi pulled out his phone to send a message to He Angxiao, telling him he was ready to go back.

His screen lit up, and a message from He Angxiao appeared, sent a few minutes ago: "Still not back? Where did you go?"

Chi Luoxi: "Honey, I'm heading back right now."

A few seconds after he sent it, He Angxiao replied with a voice message.

Chi Luoxi tapped it, holding the phone to his ear.

He Angxiao: "Outside? Where exactly? Send me a location. Don't bother Su Yi with dinner; we'll eat out. I'll come get you."

Chi Luoxi: "Honey, you don't have to pick me up. I'll come to your office. I know the way."

He Angxiao quickly replied with just "Mm," as if agreeing.

Chi Luoxi put away his phone, got his bearings, and started walking toward the CBD area where He Angxiao's company was.

He could catch a bus.

As he reached an intersection waiting for the light, a sleek black car with understated class silently pulled up to the curb beside him.

The driver's window rolled down slowly.

Chi Luoxi instinctively turned his head to look.

Behind the window was a man's face—Han Wenbin.

He wore rimless glasses, with refined, clean-cut features.

Han Wenbin's gaze landed on Chi Luoxi: "What a coincidence. Waiting for someone? Need a ride? Hard to get a cab at this intersection."

Chi Luoxi hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here, and for the other to offer him a ride. He quickly shook his head, politely declining: "Thank you, Mr. Han, but no need. I'll walk to the bus stop; it's not far."

Han Wenbin's smile remained unchanged, considerate: "It's not far on foot, but it's hot today. Come on up."

His words were considerate, his manner easygoing, and Chi Luoxi couldn't come up with a strong reason to say no.

He hesitated, then said "Thank you, Mr. Han," and opened the passenger door, got in, and gave an address.

The air conditioning inside was strong, mingling with a pleasant, unfamiliar woody scent.

Han Wenbin waited for Chi Luoxi to fasten his seatbelt before starting the car again, smoothly merging into traffic.

"I heard later that you're no longer at Chunhui," Han Wenbin said as he drove, in a casual conversational tone, eyes fixed ahead. "You're getting along pretty well with Mr. He, aren't you? He treats you well, right?"

Chi Luoxi nodded.

Han Wenbin: "Is Mr. He strict with you usually? Like, does he restrict who you can be friends with?"

Chi Luoxi thought of He Angxiao's weird rules—no too much ice cream, no too much TV, no calling anyone from Chunhui, no more than five whines a day, and today, just because he went to return a phone, He Angxiao said he couldn't go out alone without permission from now on.

Chi Luoxi wasn't sly. He was wary of bad people, but this guy seemed nice and was an acquaintance.

He answered honestly: "Yeah, he's got tons of rules."

Han Wenbin's smile seemed to deepen as he spoke, a flicker in his eyes behind the lenses: "Xiao Chi, don't mind me saying this. I think this kind of setup between you and Mr. He can wear a person out. One side too controlling, the other totally dependent—you lose yourself and your freedom. Once the novelty fades, fights start."

He glanced at Chi Luoxi's profile, his tone more earnest: "I can tell you're different from those Chunhui people. You've got something honest and pure. Why not try a more equal, healthy way of being together? At least keep a little independence and the right to have friends. It'll be better for both of you."

Chi Luoxi was clueless.

Relationship model? Independence? Equal and healthy?

Chi Luoxi: "Oh, Mr. Han, so you mean Mr. He will get bored of me?"

He remembered He You and Bai Man saying the same thing.

Now even Mr. Han was saying it. Chi Luoxi sighed: "Well, can't help it. I think he's already getting tired of me."

He Angxiao was always snapping at him.

Everyone around him said so, so Chi Luoxi started thinking He Angxiao might already regret keeping him.

But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't control what He Angxiao wanted.

It seemed He Angxiao only wanted to give him money, making Chi Luoxi feel like he had nothing else to bring to the table.

Sometimes

This forced Chi Luoxi to rack his brains every day to think of something to ask for.

Oh right, he hadn't asked for anything today. Chi Luoxi remembered seeing a pretty good juicer yesterday, so why not ask for a juicer today?

Han Wenbin heard his dejected reply and raised an eyebrow. Looking at Chi Luoxi's beautiful and innocent face, his tone unchanged, still gentle and leading: "Oh, really? Is President He already getting impatient with you?"

Chi Luoxi nodded.

Han Wenbin smiled, a smile with something more behind it, and murmured: "Perhaps it's because President He hasn't felt your sincerity? If it's just money changing hands with no real emotional connection, it will naturally become boring after a while. Sincerity—sometimes that's more important than anything, and it's what really keeps someone around."

Sincerity?

What He Angxiao drilled into him every day was that interests come first in any relationship—each takes what they need, and don't get any funny ideas.

Sincerity or not, He Angxiao hated hearing about that kind of stuff.

Chi Luoxi didn't want to keep talking about stuff he couldn't wrap his head around.

Luckily, the car soon pulled into the CBD and stopped right in front of He Angxiao's towering office building.

Han Wenbin parked the car, unlocked the doors, and turned to Chi Luoxi with a perfect, gentle smile: "If you ever have any worries or just need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me anytime. Don't keep everything bottled up alone."

Chi Luoxi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly, said "Thanks, Mr. Han," then unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed the door open, and got out.

He turned back and gave a polite wave to Han Wenbin, who was still sitting in the car.

Chi Luoxi thought, "Mr. Han is such a cultured guy. He really talks in circles."

At least with He Angxiao, he could understand what the hell he was saying.

Han Wenbin smiled back at him and then rolled up the window.

The black car glided silently into traffic and soon vanished from sight.

Chi Luoxi took out his phone, ready to text He Angxiao to tell him that he had arrived at his company building.

But the moment he lit up the screen, before he could even unlock it, he felt an intense, icy stare land on him.

Chi Luoxi looked up instinctively toward the stare.

He Angxiao was standing less than ten steps away, right by the fancy revolving door of the building.

One hand in his suit pocket, the other holding a phone to his ear—he was calling Chi Luoxi.

How come He Angxiao came down so early? Usually it'd take Chi Luoxi a while to get here by bus.

So he wasn't waiting for him, then.

But He Angxiao's dark, unreadable eyes locked onto Chi Luoxi as he strode over in a few steps.

There was no expression on his face, but the oppressive aura around him was more unsettling than any angry outburst.

"Who just dropped you off?" He Angxiao demanded.

Chi Luoxi: "...Mr. Han. I was on the roadside and he happened to pass by and gave me a ride..."

Since when did Han Wenbin become so generous?

He Angxiao: "What did he talk to you about?"

Chi Luoxi thought about it and said, "Uh… something about equality, health, space, sincerity…"

When He Angxiao heard that, he flew into a rage. That bastard Han Wenbin! How dare he try to corrupt Chi Luoxi behind his back? stuffing his head with such bullshit.

He'd worked so hard to make Chi Luoxi a little more spoiled and extravagant.

He Angxiao cupped Chi Luoxi's face in both hands: "Forget everything Han Wenbin told you today. You have to buy five things today, each one at least ten thousand, or you're dead meat, Chi Luoxi."

Chi Luoxi: "…………"

Oh right, how much was that juicer? Like 256.8 or something.

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Author's note: Our President He is dead set on throwing his money away. He goes all out to train his wife into a real gold digger.

A rival in love appears.

Little Luobei: "...This is too hard for me."

Sorry, today is a bit late because I was busy during the day. Tomorrow should still be the same time. If it's not updated at 18:00 next time, it will be around 8 PM or later. I will definitely update daily, but the time may vary!