Chapter 45 - 2#
Jing Shun raised his juice. “I can’t drink alcohol yet, so I’ll toast Sister Yin with juice instead. Thank you for giving me the chance to be on the variety show.”
“Easy.”
Yu Yinhe clinked glasses with him, hiding a blessing. “When you’re fully recovered, make it up with real liquor.”
Jing Shun smiled and agreed. “Sure.”
…
Jing Shun stayed at the celebration banquet until almost nine, then excused himself early after signaling to the others.
He had come to the banquet with Yu Xiuzhu, but on the way back, Chi Gui had sent a car to pick him up.
The driver waiting in the parking lot was a familiar face—Old Zhang.
He helped Jing Shun into the car and greeted him cheerfully, “Mr. Jing, long time no see.”
In the few days since Jing Shun had returned from Macau, this was indeed the first time he’d seen Old Zhang, so he smiled back. “Old Zhang, why are you the one picking me up?”
The North Mansion had two dedicated drivers.
Most of the time, Old Zhang drove alongside Chi Gui.
Old Zhang only started the engine after confirming Jing Shun was seated comfortably, simply saying, “Mr. Chi has Old Qin with him; he’s still busy.”
He didn’t dare say much in front of Jing Shun—
Last time, Old Qin had misjudged Jing Shun’s state and failed to keep up, allowing him to take a taxi alone to find Jing Guanhai.
Chi Gui felt Old Qin hadn’t handled things properly, so he swapped their shifts, leaving Old Zhang to be responsible for picking up and dropping off Jing Shun from now on.
Half an hour later, the car arrived smoothly at the main gate of the Chi residence.
The gate, which usually opened automatically, stayed shut, blocking their car at the entrance.
Old Zhang honked twice, surprised. “What’s going on? Can’t it recognize the license plate?”
Jing Shun, who had been drowsy, snapped awake.
He looked out the window and saw a figure emerge from the security booth outside the gate, walking straight toward them and knocking on the rear window.
“…”
“…”
Jing Shun rolled down the window, staring at the completely unfamiliar middle-aged man in front of him.
“Mr. Jing Shun?” The middle-aged man calmly confirmed Jing Shun’s identity and introduced himself, “I am the steward by the old master’s side, Chen Wanshui.”
Jing Shun’s gaze flickered. “Steward Chen, what business do you have?”
Chen Wanshui nodded at him with a semblance of respect, but with an air of cold superiority. “The old master invites you to the West Building for tea and a chat.”
“…”
The old master? Chi Gui’s father, Chi Renpin?
Sending his personal steward to wait here late at night, saying he wants to invite me for tea? It probably has ulterior motives.
Old Zhang sensed something was wrong and spoke up. “Steward Chen, Mr. Jing is—Director Chi’s… friend. Shouldn’t we consult Director Chi first?”
“Who gave you the right to speak?”
Chen Wanshui shot back curtly, glancing sideways at Old Zhang. “Since when does a family chauffeur dare to meddle in how the old master does things?”
“…”
Old Zhang was silenced, at a loss.
Jing Shun spoke slowly, “Steward Chen, why bother making things difficult for Old Zhang? You both get paid from the Chi household—who has the upper hand over whom?”
Old Zhang cheered internally.
Exactly! They were both just salary earners—who was he putting on airs for?
If anything, the one in charge now was Chi Gui, and he, Old Zhang, was hired by Chi Gui!
Chen Wanshui hadn’t expected Jing Shun to speak up for the driver, and he was displeased.
Just as he was about to retort with a stern face, he heard the man before him adopt a docile tone. “The old master is an elder. Since he invites me, I naturally should go.”
Jing Shun knew he couldn’t avoid this deliberately orchestrated invitation, so he opened the door. “Please lead the way, Steward Chen.”
Old Zhang was worried. “Mr. Jing?”
He had to inform Mr. Chi about this immediately!
Jing Shun said, “It’s fine. Drive the car back to the North Mansion first. I’ll return on my own later.”
Chen Wanshui saw that he still needed assistive tools to get out of the car and gave a hollow smile. “This way, please.”
…
The West Building was directly behind the main old residence, the largest among the garden villas. Chi Renpin had lived there for years without moving.
Jing Shun was led by Steward Chen into the main hall. As soon as he entered, he was stunned by the extravagance inside.
It was that ostentatious display of new money, lacking any of the depth a true aristocratic family should have.
“…”
Jing Shun silently mocked.
It seemed Chi Renpin’s taste wasn’t great either—far inferior to Chi Gui’s.
Chen Wanshui actually brought him into the tea room on the right side of the first floor and said respectfully, “Old master, the person has been brought.”
Jing Shun looked up, meeting the figure seated in the solid wood red chair.
Chi Renpin was nearly seventy but still hale. Now, he stared sharply at Jing Shun, who was at the doorway.
Under his gaze, Jing Shun followed Chen Wanshui’s form of address. “Greetings, Old Master.”
Chi Renpin didn’t respond, letting him wait for a while before saying, “Come in.”
Jing Shun moved his wheelchair steadily until it stopped in front of the tea table.
Chen Wanshui stepped forward but only refilled Chi Renpin’s cup.
Jing Shun looked at the empty space before him and kept his expression calm.
Chi Renpin asked, “I heard that Chi Gui has been keeping you by his side for a while? What’s your relationship?”
Jing Shun roughly guessed the old man’s purpose in summoning him and countered, “What relationship does the old master hope we have? Friends, or lovers?”
“How dare you!”
Chi Renpin slammed his teacup onto the table.
Tea splashed out, wetting his fingers.
Chen Wanshui handed him a wet wipe. “Old master, calm down.”
Then he took out a rather plain-looking porcelain bowl, poured tea for Jing Shun as well, and said, “Mr. Jing, watch your words.”
Chi Renpin stared at Jing Shun’s youthful face, fuming inside.
A while ago, he had already heard that Chi Gui had a lover by his side.
He hadn’t taken it seriously and hadn’t bothered to investigate—after all, who hadn’t had a few romantic flings in their youth? A novelty, nothing more.
Sooner or later, Chi Gui would settle down and marry, have children.
But only yesterday, Chi Renpin heard from his eldest daughter—
Chi Gui had taken his so-called little lover and sent the chairman of the Zhang Corporation to jail?
Even if the media omitted details and kept silent, it was common knowledge in Macau’s high society; a little inquiry would reveal everything!
Besides, letting other wealthy families know—
That the current head of the Chi family in Haishi was a homosexual who liked men? That would be a joke!
Chi Renpin had already investigated Jing Shun’s background thoroughly. He cut straight to the point. “Alright, I know exactly the type of young people like you.”
“You’ve set your sights on the Chi family’s wealth, and now that you’re crippled, you think you can leech off the Chi family forever.”
“I don’t care what your motives are, but the Chi family is no place for you. You must move out within three days.”
“…”
Hearing this forced demand, Jing Shun suddenly laughed.
Chi Renpin frowned, and Chen Wanshui, standing beside him, cut in. “Jing Shun, what are you laughing at?”
He didn’t even use “Mr.” anymore—the pretense was gone.
Jing Shun looked Chi Renpin straight in the eye and said in the gentlest tone the most sarcastic words. “Old master, even TV dramas don’t use this kind of plot anymore.”
“You!”
“You want me to leave the Chi family? Just because you say so? Have I agreed? Has Chi Gui agreed?”
Chi Renpin hadn’t expected such a reaction from Jing Shun; his heart trembled with anger. “I’m Chi Gui’s father! Am I not entitled to make decisions for him?”
Jing Shun continued, “If you could make decisions for him, the power of the household wouldn’t be in his hands. It’s late at night, yet you insist on having me brought here for tea—I suppose you’re doing this behind Chi Gui’s back, aren’t you?”
“…”
Chi Renpin was speechless.
“So I guessed right?”
Having lived in the Chi residence for so long, Jing Shun had never heard Chi Gui mention Chi Renpin. Coupled with the “awkwardness” of the other’s background, he could deduce that the father-son relationship was poor.
Since it was poor, he didn’t need to save face for Chi Renpin for Chi Gui’s sake.
“Old master, I have my own proper job. I have no intention of being a parasite living off the Chi family. As for whether I leave or not, and when, that’s between Chi Gui and me—no need for you to trouble yourself over it.”
“Drinking tea late at night makes it hard to sleep. I appreciate the old master’s kindness.” Jing Shun extended his hand, fingers together, and lightly tapped the table twice, demonstrating proper etiquette. “I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, he smoothly turned his wheelchair and prepared to leave.
“Stop!”
Having lost face, Chi Renpin shouted.
He signaled Chen Wanshui with his eyes. The steward understood and quickly walked to the tea room door, shutting it.
Chen Wanshui looked down at Jing Shun. “In front of the old master, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty.”
Seeing this, Jing Shun’s eyes turned cold.
Chi Renpin stared at his silent back and threatened, “Jing Shun, do you believe that I can have someone forcibly send you out of Haishi tonight? That you’ll never see Chi Gui again?”
“…”
Jing Shun turned around without a word, meeting Chi Renpin’s ignorant and detestable face, his sarcasm fully loaded—
“I said, we live in a society governed by law. Even those high-society TV dramas don’t use your tricks anymore.”