Chapter 14#

The day Zhao Rong’s fever completely subsided, the sun happened to be shining brightly.

Lu Xingping had a piano exhibition.

To express his gratitude, Zhao Rong prepared a gift. He put on a suit properly, tidied himself up meticulously, sprayed a little perfume, and appeared at the exhibition site with the invitation Lu Xingping gave him.

In this circle, everyone knew each other more or less.

Zhao Rong used to appear beside Qiao Nanqi, mostly as a foil, or a plaything that Qiao Nanqi brought along on a whim. Those eyes fell on him, always carrying a bit of lightness and contempt.

Today he came alone.

He was born with a good appearance, a pair of peach blossom eyes naturally affectionate. With a slight smile, coupled with a well-fitting light gray suit, he looked tall and straight, elegant and distinctive.

As soon as he entered the venue, he attracted the attention of many people.

“Who is that? Which family’s young master? How come I haven’t seen him before?”

“Looks a bit familiar… isn’t that the one beside Qiao Nanqi?”

“You mean that Zhao Rong who was recognized back to the Chen family? Tsk, didn’t you hear? Qiao Nanqi hasn’t brought him along recently. He probably got tired of playing and kicked him. What is he doing here alone today?”

“But he looks quite handsome like this. I heard he plays very openly in private?”

“Want to go try?”

Zhao Rong turned a deaf ear to these discussions, held a glass of champagne, and walked through the crowd with a smile, walking straight to Lu Xingping.

Lu Xingping was talking to people. Seeing him coming, he raised his glass to him from a distance.

“Senior.” Zhao Rong handed the gift to the waiter beside him, “Congratulations on the smooth exhibition.”

Lu Xingping was wearing a white suit today, looking gentle and elegant, indeed worthy of the title of white moonlight. He looked at Zhao Rong with a smile: “Thank you. Your complexion looks good, fully recovered?”

“Thanks to Senior’s doctor.”

“Polite.” Lu Xingping clinked glasses with him, “Since you’re here, enjoy the music. There are a few masters playing today.”

Zhao Rong nodded and chatted with Lu Xingping for a few more words. Seeing more and more people coming to talk to Lu Xingping, he tactfully stepped aside.

He found a corner to sit down, quietly listening to the piano music on the stage.

He didn’t really understand these elegant arts, but listening to the soothing music in such an occasion could indeed calm people down.

He was thinking about when to mention the marriage contract to Lu Xingping.

According to the development of the plot, the Chen family was about to fall. Chen Zehe came to find him, meaning he was already at the end of his rope. Soon, the news of the Chen family’s bankruptcy would spread.

At that time, his identity as the “Third Young Master of the Chen family” would become a joke.

But he had the marriage contract with Lu Xingping.

This marriage contract was his last straw and also his stepping stone to turn over.

As long as Lu Xingping was willing to fulfill the engagement, he could get half of the Chen family’s assets. With this money, he could take Zhao Ming away from here, find a place with a good environment to settle down, and live the second half of his life comfortably.

Just as he was absorbed in thought, a familiar voice suddenly came from beside him.

“You really are here.”

Zhao Rong looked up and saw Qiao Nanqi standing not far away, looking at him with a complicated expression.

Qiao Nanqi was also wearing a suit today, black, making him look even more cold and severe. He had a glass of wine in his hand, but he didn’t seem to have drunk much.

Zhao Rong was stunned for a moment, then stood up and smiled politely: “Mr. Qiao.”

This address made Qiao Nanqi frown slightly.

“Why didn’t you go home?” Qiao Nanqi asked.

His tone was not questioning, but rather… a bit indescribable suppressing.

Zhao Rong smiled and said: “Mr. Qiao is joking. That’s your home, not mine. We have broken up, haven’t we?”

“Broken up?” Qiao Nanqi chewed on these two words, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, “Zhao Rong, do you know what you are talking about?”

“I know very well.” Zhao Rong looked directly into his eyes, neither humble nor arrogant, “Mr. Qiao, the game is over. You have got what you want, and I should also retire.”

“Game?” Qiao Nanqi took a step forward, his aura pressing.

“Isn’t it?” Zhao Rong took a step back, maintaining distance, “Our marriage agreement, wasn’t it a game of exchange of interests from the beginning? Now that the game is cleared, shouldn’t we disband?”

Qiao Nanqi stared at him, as if trying to see a trace of lying on his face.

But Zhao Rong’s expression was calm, his eyes clear, without any dodging.

He was serious.

This cognition made Qiao Nanqi feel an inexplicable irritability in his heart.

He always thought Zhao Rong couldn’t leave him.

He thought Zhao Rong’s leaving home this time was just playing hard to get, just a little temper. As long as he coaxed a little, or gave some benefits, Zhao Rong would come back obediently like before.

But now, Zhao Rong stood in front of him, saying “game over” to him so calmly.

“You found a next home so quickly?” Qiao Nanqi sneered, his gaze sweeping over Lu Xingping in the distance, “Lu Xingping? You think he will take a fancy to you?”

“That’s my business.” Zhao Rong was not angered, still smiling, “Whether Senior Lu takes a fancy to me or not has nothing to do with Mr. Qiao.”

“Zhao Rong!” Qiao Nanqi raised his voice slightly, attracting the attention of people around.

He realized his loss of composure, took a deep breath, and lowered his voice: “Don’t make trouble. Come back with me.”

“Mr. Qiao, please respect yourself.” Zhao Rong put away his smile, his expression becoming cold, “We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

After speaking, he ignored Qiao Nanqi, turned and walked towards the other side of the crowd.

Qiao Nanqi looked at his departing back, the hand holding the wine glass tightening continuously, his knuckles turning white.

He didn’t chase after him.

In such an occasion, his pride didn’t allow him to pull and tug with a “plaything”.

But the fire in his heart was burning more and more vigorously.

Good, very good.

Zhao Rong, you have guts.

Zhao Rong walked out of the exhibition hall and let out a long sigh of relief.

Confronting Qiao Nanqi consumed more of his energy than he imagined.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was actually drumming. After all, facing the male lead who had suppressed him for so many years, that kind of instinctive fear was hard to eliminate for a while.

But he did it.

He clearly rejected Qiao Nanqi and drew a clear line.

This was the first step to his new life.

He took out his phone and wanted to call a car to go back to the hotel.

Just then, a black car stopped in front of him. The window rolled down, revealing Lu Xingping’s gentle face.

“Going back? I’ll give you a ride.”

Zhao Rong was stunned: “Senior, aren’t you socializing inside?”

“It’s almost done. Those people are boring, might as well send you.” Lu Xingping smiled, “Get in.”

Zhao Rong hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and got in.

“Where do you live?”

“XX Hotel.”

Lu Xingping raised his eyebrows slightly: “Living in a hotel? Didn’t go back to the Chen family?”

“It’s inconvenient there.” Zhao Rong said vaguely.

Lu Xingping didn’t ask further, started the car, and drove smoothly on the road.

The car was very quiet, with soothing music playing.

“Just now… I saw you and Qiao Nanqi talking.” Lu Xingping suddenly spoke.

Zhao Rong’s heart tightened: “Did you see?”

“Mm. It seemed… not very pleasant?”

“It’s nothing, just made some things clear.” Zhao Rong looked out the window at the receding street lights, his tone calm, “I broke up with him.”

“Oh?” Lu Xingping didn’t seem surprised, just glanced at him, “Decided?”

“Mm.”

“What are your plans for the future?”

Zhao Rong turned his head and looked at Lu Xingping’s side profile.

Under the dim light inside the car, Lu Xingping’s facial lines appeared particularly soft.

He gritted his teeth and decided to test the waters.

“Senior, do you remember… our marriage contract?”

Lu Xingping held the steering wheel with a pause in his hand, then smiled: “Remember. Grandma Chen set it.”

“Then Senior… what do you think about this marriage contract?”

Lu Xingping didn’t answer immediately. He drove the car to the roadside and stopped, then turned to look at Zhao Rong.

His eyes were deep, as if he could see through people’s hearts.

“Zhao Rong, why do you suddenly mention this?”

“I…” Zhao Rong clenched his fists, “I need this marriage contract.”

“For the Chen family’s assets?” Lu Xingping hit the nail on the head.

Zhao Rong didn’t deny it: “Yes.”

“You are honest.” Lu Xingping chuckled, “But why should I help you? You know, I don’t lack that money.”

“I know Senior doesn’t lack money.” Zhao Rong looked at him, his eyes burning, “But I know Senior needs a shield.”

Lu Xingping’s eyes narrowed slightly: “What do you mean?”

“Senior has someone you like in your heart, right?” Zhao Rong bet on the plot in the original work, “But for some reason, you can’t be together. The family has been urging marriage… If Senior marries me, you can deal with the family and also cut off other people’s thoughts. Isn’t it killing two birds with one stone?”

Lu Xingping looked at him quietly for a long time, the smile on his face gradually disappearing.

“Who did you listen to?”

“Guess.” Zhao Rong said calmly, “Senior has been single for so many years, with such good conditions, but never had a scandalous girlfriend. There must be a reason.”

Lu Xingping was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed again.

“Zhao Rong, you have become smart.”

He started the car again: “I will consider it.”

Zhao Rong breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

As long as he didn’t refuse on the spot, there was hope.

“Thank you, Senior.”

Lu Xingping sent Zhao Rong to the hotel entrance.

“Go up and rest early.”

“Senior be careful on the road.”

Zhao Rong got out of the car and waved to Lu Xingping.

Watching Lu Xingping’s car leave, Zhao Rong turned and walked into the hotel.

He knew that his plan had taken a crucial step.

Next, just wait for Lu Xingping’s reply.

Qiao Nanqi stood on the balcony of the exhibition hall, watching Lu Xingping’s car take Zhao Rong away, the expression in his eyes obscure.

He took out his phone and dialed a number.

“Check for me where Zhao Rong is living now.”

“Also, check what he has been doing recently and who he has met.”

“I want all the details.”

After hanging up the phone, Qiao Nanqi looked at the night view of the city, a sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Want to escape?

No way.