Chapter 19: Six Feet Two, with Abs—What a Shame to Have No Girlfriend

"So, will you help me get even, Fifth Brother?"

Nan Xing walked with him to a Lamborghini, opened the passenger door, and settled into the seat with the familiarity of a regular.

"I will, of course I will. Tell me, Little Seven, what will it take to make you feel better?"

The man wore gold-rimmed glasses, and his shirt hung loosely on his frame. As he spoke, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and his clean, sharp jawline gave him an air of cool, aristocratic detachment.

Nan Xing rested her chin on one hand, tilting her head to watch his long, slender fingers expertly maneuver the steering wheel. With a graceful turn, the car merged seamlessly into the traffic.

"How do you intend to help, Fifth Brother? Surely you aren’t planning to use your fame to stir up a frenzy online and have your legion of fans swarm the gates of the Nan residence, waiting to ambush them?"

"If that would make you happy, it wouldn’t be impossible."

The man kept his eyes on the road, his tone laced with a hint of indulgence.

"Ugh, let's not. I don't want you getting 'canceled' by the internet."

Nan Xing crossed her legs and leaned over to dig a pack of gum out of the storage compartment, carefully checking the expiration date. "Just stick to being your gourmet country-life blogger. The internet is a cruel place; one wrong word and they’ll strip you to the bone. I don’t want to drag you into this mess."

"What’s this? Don't you trust your brother?" The man’s lips curled into a faint smirk as he glanced at her for a fleeting second. "You can't call me 'brother' for nothing. Anything that concerns Little Seven is my business."

Nan Xing unwrapped the gum and popped a piece into her mouth; it was fresh and sweet. "Since you’re so concerned about me, how about doing me a small favor?"

"So, that’s where you were leading me," Gu Ruhuai said, casting a charming, wicked glance her way. "Go on, what is it?"

"Next time you head back to Beixin, could you bring back some cashmere from the Spring Sheep ranch?"

Gu Ruhuai: ??

"I have a friend whose birthday is coming up, and I want to make them a piece of clothing as a gift."

"You mean to make it by hand?"

Gu Ruhuai tapped his right index finger against the steering wheel a few times, a look of genuine surprise crossing his features as he looked at Nan Xing.

In his memory, this pampered little sister of theirs wasn't one to give her heart away easily. She appeared aloof, and in reality, she was even more guarded. Only those who treated her with absolute sincerity could earn a place in her heart.

"Fine. Consider it done."

Gu Ruhuai didn't press further. Half an hour later, the Lamborghini pulled into the most prosperous district of Beixin City.

Meanwhile, at the Li Group headquarters, Li Beitian finished his work at three in the afternoon.

The executives had dispersed, and the vast conference room fell into a heavy silence. Li Beitian rested his arms on the desk, his thumb pressing against his aching temple.

Qi Zheng stepped forward, tidying up the meeting documents. "Fourth Master, Miss Nan has already left."

Li Beitian’s hand froze against his temple, his voice deep and unreadable. "How long ago?"

"She left just before twelve. It’s been three hours."

"Hmm."

Li Beitian instinctively glanced at his watch. The hour hand pointed to three, and only then did he realize how long the meeting had dragged on. For him, such things were routine, but for Nan Xing…

At this thought, he pulled out his phone, which he had left on silent. There were several voice messages from her.

"Fourth Uncle, why aren't you back yet?"

"Fourth Uncle, you've been in that meeting for a long time. Don't forget your back injury; remember to change your dressing."

"Fourth Uncle, I'm getting a bit hungry."

"I'm heading out now, Fourth Uncle. I have plans with a friend."

Li Beitian first converted the messages to text, then played the voice clips. The young girl’s voice was sweet and soft, like a budding flower, making his heart ache with a strange tenderness.

After a moment of thought, he replied: *Just finished. Where are you?*

No response.

Li Beitian: *Didn't you say you were going to take my measurements? Where did you go?*

Still no reply.

The curve of Li Beitian’s lips vanished. From that moment on, he sent no further messages. By nature, he was a solitary and cold-hearted man; speaking even these few words to someone was an unprecedented exception. He would not let anyone become his rule.

Li Beitian grabbed the coat from the back of his chair, left the conference room, and returned to his private office.

As soon as he pushed the door open, a faint scent of a young girl drifted into his nostrils. It was fresh, citrusy, and slightly tart—like the smell of a freshly peeled orange. It was refreshing and made him want to linger.

His gaze was drawn to something on his desk.

He walked over with long strides and picked up the paper crane. The afternoon sun poured in, casting golden light across the room and gilding the small, delicate crane. It looked as if it were gently stretching its wings, carrying infinite hopes as it prepared to fly away.

Li Beitian’s eyes darkened. He held the crane, folded from colorful candy wrappers, in his palm, examined it for several seconds, and finally tucked it into his suit pocket.

As he walked out of the office, his phone rang.

Li Beitian swiped to answer, and a flamboyant voice echoed from the other end. "Busy, old Li? I’m one second away from Beixin. Want to go out for a drink?"

Li Beitian replied coldly, "No time."

"Oh? You sound so listless. Did some girl knock you down a peg, and you couldn't show off your prowess?"

Li Beitian’s jaw tightened. "No one will mistake you for a mute if you don't talk."

The man on the other end took a deep drag of his cigarette, unfazed by Li Beitian’s chilly tone. "It’s no big deal. Isn't falling in love all about the heartache and the sorrow? What’s the tragedy? Look back, and it’s all just water under the bridge."

"Old Li, remember this: there are millions of beauties out there. If one doesn't work out, just swap her. Change them fast enough, and you’ll never know sadness, only love."

Li Beitian: "..."

"Though, I suppose you’re six-foot-three with abs—it’s a shame you don’t have a girlfriend."

"Where are you?" Li Beitian’s dark, night-like eyes narrowed; he didn't want to hear any more of this sermon.

A lewd laugh came from the other side. "Coming, brother! Through wind or rain, *Meise* awaits you."

...

*Meise* was the largest private club in Beixin City.

The entrance was lined with limited-edition luxury cars. Gu Ruhuai tossed his keys to the valet and led Nan Xing into the bar.

Amidst the swirling lights, beautiful men and women swayed on the central dance floor. Mixed with the booming music, the raw desires in the air felt palpable, heavy with the scent of alcohol and hormones.

Sticking to social graces, Nan Xing wanted to find a quiet booth, but Gu Ruhuai led her straight to a corner seat. The spot was inconspicuous, yet offered a perfect view of the entire room.

Nan Xing didn't say a word, following him obediently and sitting in the booth next to him.

Gu Ruhuai snapped his fingers, and a young bartender arrived immediately. "Good evening, sir, miss. What would you like to order?"

"A Manhattan for me, and an orange juice for her."

Nan Xing: ??

After the order was placed, Gu Ruhuai set a stack of receipts on the tray.

Once the bartender left, Nan Xing puffed out her cheeks, staring blankly. "Fifth Brother, you brought me to a bar, so why won't you let me drink?"