PTBLSI chapter 13

 

Fu Yanchuan received a call from the police station while he was in the car. He had gone to a neighboring district for a cooperation meeting today, deliberately missing the formal meeting with the He family that Fu Zhenrong had arranged. On the way back, Fu Zhenrong’s assistant called him three times to ask when he would arrive.

“I’m on the road. If you don’t believe me, come confirm it yourself.”

The assistant on the other end was so frightened that his voice trembled. He was just passing messages between the two parties and didn’t dare urge Fu Yanchuan too much. Before he could think of an excuse, Fu Yanchuan hung up.

At that moment, he received a call from the police station. They said that Qi Xi had gotten drunk, hit someone, and was now at the station. They asked if he could come over.

“Qi Xi, drunk? Hit someone?”

Fu Yanchuan thought of Qi Xi. It would be good enough if Qi Xi didn’t get tricked by others—how could he hit someone?

He agreed to go to the police station, planning to hire a lawyer to handle it. However, after calling the lawyer, he told the driver, “Go to the police station in the university district.”

The police station was a bit far away. It had jurisdiction over the commercial area near Qi Xi’s school. By the time Fu Yanchuan arrived, it was close to nine o’clock. The driver parked the car on the street, and Fu Yanchuan went in alone.

At that moment, Qi Xi was under the police station’s jurisdiction. After smashing Mr. Bai, Zhou Yuxuan was so frightened that he immediately called for help and reported the incident to the police.

Mr. Bai was sent to the hospital, while Qi Xi was taken to the police station. When he was told to contact his family, he immediately gave Fu Yanchuan’s number without thinking. Since he was drunk and unable to explain the situation clearly, the police let him sober up first.

More than 2 hours passed, and his face was still very red, like an overripe peach. He sat bolt upright in the chair, stiff as the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Next to him was another drunk man waiting to sober up. He looked to be about the same age. Since he had tried to attack the police officer who brought him in, he was handcuffed to the chair. Still unconvinced, he constantly punched and kicked the air while shouting wildly.

“Do you know who I am? I’m telling you, I’m the King of Glory![mfn]King of Glory (王者荣耀, Honor of Kings) is an extremely popular MOBA mobile game in China.[/mfn] Even Tathagata, with his bald head, would be so scared he couldn’t stand when he saw me. Believe it or not, I’ll unleash my ultimate move and destroy this broken temple of yours!”

Qi Xi’s head was dizzy and aching. Being disturbed like this made him even more irritated. Finally, unable to endure it anymore, he turned to look at the person next to him and told him seriously, “Tathagata[mfn]Tathāgata is one of the ten traditional titles of the Buddha in Buddhism. It is a self-referential title the Buddha uses when speaking about himself in scriptures.[/mfn] can’t stand up because he’s always sitting down.”

“What! Are you looking for death too?”

The man roared at him. Qi Xi asked seriously, “Do you believe in light?”

“What!” The man became instantly furious. “We Super Saiyans[mfn]“Super Saiyan” comes from Dragon Ball and normally represents ultimate power, glowing light, heroic ideals, and dramatic justice.[/mfn] don’t believe in light; we only believe in money!”

“If you don’t believe in light, then shut up! Only people who believe in light are allowed to speak here!”

“Bah! Believing in light is outdated. Now it’s the era of topping up money! Do you know who I am? I’m the King of Glory!”

A police officer brought Fu Yanchuan over. Meanwhile, Qi Xi was still arguing with someone else. His throat was hoarse, but he refused to admit defeat. Taking advantage of not being handcuffed, he stood up, sniffed dramatically, and said angrily, “You’re out of energy. Come on, let’s have the final battle!”

“Just what I want!”

The police officer on duty had been standing guard for two hours. Seeing the two of them posturing, he thought they were finally about to fight and hurried forward to stop them—only to be beaten to it.

Fu Yanchuan took two long strides toward Qi Xi, wrapped an arm around his waist, and moved him away from the other person. He turned his head and shot the other man a look. The other man, however, just struck a pose with his arms crossed. Qi Xi did the same and shouted, “Biu—”

“Qi Xi.”

Subconsciously, Fu Yanchuan tightened his grip on Qi Xi’s waist. Only then did Qi Xi finally notice him. He looked up at him for a long while, then, full of grievance, threw himself into Fu Yanchuan’s arms. “Brother Yan,” he said. “You finally came to pick me up. There are so many monsters here! They took my phone and made me drink. If I didn’t drink, they would extinguish my light.”

“It’s fine now.”

Fu Yanchuan’s hand, suspended stiffly in midair, finally landed on Qi Xi’s back. Qi Xi immediately straightened up, pointed at the person he had been arguing with, and said proudly, “My brother Yan is here. You’re done for.”

Then he patted Fu Yanchuan and urged, “Brother Yan, hurry and use the Specium Ray[mfn]“Specium Ray” is the iconic finishing move of Ultraman.[/mfn] to destroy him!”

Fu Yanchuan didn’t know what that was and did not want to know. He held Qi Xi by the waist and silently led him out. The other man shouted arrogantly behind them, “Hahaha, you’re still scared of me! The era of light is over! Now it’s the era of topping up money!”

When Qi Xi heard it, he wanted to go back and continue, but Fu Yanchuan pressed his head down. “Don’t make trouble.”

Qi Xi instantly became obedient. He rubbed against Fu Yanchuan’s shoulder like a little dog and called out softly, “Brother.”

Fu Yanchuan froze for a moment, then acted as if he hadn’t heard, going with the police officer to the mediation room.

The police officers were used to drunk people making a scene and saying nonsense. But, after listening to Qi Xi argue for 2 hours and seeing him suddenly become so quiet, they were still a bit surprised.

Mr. Bai came to the police station after having his wounds treated at the hospital. Zhou Yuxuan came with him, along with Mr. Bai’s friends.

At the hospital, Mr. Bai had explained everything to the police. He admitted that he had told Zhou Yuxuan to trick Qi Xi into going to the bar and that he had teased Qi Xi first. He said he would not hold Qi Xi responsible for injuring him. The video that had originally been recorded amid the cheering became evidence.

The only remaining issue was Qi Xi’s attitude.

Qi Xi walked into the mediation room. When he saw Mr. Bai, he hid behind Fu Yanchuan. Then, he poked his head out, mustered his courage, and said, “Brother Yan, it’s that monster. Quickly fire the Specium Ray!”

Fu Yanchuan glanced at Mr. Bai. Only when he saw the gauze on his head did he truly believe that Qi Xi had dared to hit someone. His impression of Qi Xi changed slightly. He turned to look at Qi Xi, who was still hiding behind him but fiercely glaring at Mr. Bai.

Mr. Bai could be considered a businessman of some sorts. After sizing up Fu Yanchuan for a moment, he stiffened instantly, stood up, and said in terror, “You—you are that… Fu… Fu Yanchuan?”

Fu Yanchuan wasn’t a public figure and didn’t like appearing in public. Still, photos from various meetings and events always leaked out. So it wasn’t strange that people who paid attention to these things would recognize him.

The police officer asked, “Do you know each other?”

“No, no, we don’t.” Mr. Bai quickly denied it. “It’s just that I know him. He’s the president of Rongchuan Group—who doesn’t know him?”

The police officer didn’t know Fu Yanchuan, but the Rongchuan Group was famous enough that the officer was still surprised. This was the first time in his life that he had handled a case involving a billionaire.

Mr. Bai was already willing to admit his mistake, and after meeting with Fu Yanchuan, he was even more open to it. The mediation process went very smoothly. Mr. Bai didn’t have the right to pursue Qi Xi for hitting him with a wine bottle, but Fu Yanchuan wanted to hold him responsible for trying to lure Qi Xi and commit an assault.

However, the assault hadn’t actually happened. Mr. Bai insisted that he only admired Qi Xi’s paintings and wanted to get to know him. He even produced online messages showing how he had tried to “hit on” Qi Xi and been ignored.

Ultimately, Mr. Bai was sentenced to 3 days of administrative detention and a fine. Considering that Zhou Yuxuan was still a student, it was his first offense, and no substantial harm had been caused, he was only required to write a letter of apology to Qi Xi.

Qi Xi spent the entire time studying Fu Yanchuan’s sleeve and didn’t hear anything that anyone in the room said. When Zhou Yuxuan apologized, Qi Xi gave him a cold glance and asked Fu Yanchuan, “When can we go home?”

Fu Yanchuan replied, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Yuxuan’s apology was left hanging. The police officer escorted them out and told Qi Xi in the lobby, “Next time, don’t trust others so easily and don’t go to places like that, okay?”

After being awake for so long, Qi Xi’s drunkenness had cleared a little, but not much. He nodded at the police officer and asked, “Do you believe in light?”

“I believe in the light of justice!” the officer replied. Qi Xi immediately let go of Fu Yanchuan and shook hands with the officer.

Fu Yanchuan grabbed him back in one motion, tugging him by the collar and pulling him back. Still refusing to give up, Qi Xi stretched his hand toward the officer and shouted, “We’re comrades who believe in light!”

Even the officer’s professional training couldn’t withstand the moment, and he laughed.

However, the comrade of light turned around and hugged Fu Yanchuan, acting shamelessly. “Brother Yan, I can’t walk anymore. I’m tired. How much farther do we have to go?”

The car was only a bit over twenty meters away by the roadside, but Qi Xi was determined not to walk. He wrapped his legs around Fu Yanchuan’s and said unreasonably, “Do you know? Alcohol tastes awful, and it gives you a headache. My head hurts so much right now. My legs won’t listen to me anymore. Brother Yan, can you carry me?”

Fu Yanchuan stood in the police station lobby like a pillar with someone clinging to him. After standing stiffly for several seconds, he finally said, “Get on.”

This time, Qi Xi was extremely obedient. Moving like a nimble monkey, he climbed onto Fu Yanchuan’s back as if climbing a tree.

As the police officer watched Fu Yanchuan carry Qi Xi into the night, he thought that when Fu Yanchuan spoke in the mediation room, it was as if he came with a pressure reducer—his presence was so strong that people didn’t dare breathe loudly. Now, though, he actually looked no different from an ordinary person doting on his younger brother.

But didn’t the two of them seem to have no household registration ties?

Qi Xi lay on Fu Yanchuan’s back and rubbed his face against the back of his neck. The hand around his neck touched Fu Yanchuan’s face. He suddenly laughed. “Brother Yan, your stubble has grown out!”

Fu Yanchuan didn’t respond. When they reached the car, the driver hurried over to open the door. Fu Yanchuan helped Qi Xi into the car, then touched his own chin. It was prickly.

After getting in the car, Qi Xi leaned toward him restlessly. However, the backseat had two separate seats with an armrest in between today. Qi Xi couldn’t reach him, so he tried to climb over the armrest.

The car had already started moving. Fu Yanchuan pushed Qi Xi’s shoulder back. “Sit properly.”

Qi Xi’s face fell, as if Fu Yanchuan had done something unforgivable. He looked at Fu Yanchuan as if he were about to cry and said, “You’re rejecting me again, you untrustworthy man. We clearly signed a contract—you have to make me happy, got it?”

After a long silence, Fu Yanchuan replied, “…That’s dangerous.”

Alcohol further muddled Qi Xi’s already slow brain. He stared at Fu Yanchuan, thinking hard, until inspiration finally struck. He stretched his hand out to Fu Yanchuan and said seriously, “Then hold my hand. That way, you won’t have to be afraid of danger.”

Fu Yanchuan looked at the hand that Qi Xi had stretched over the armrest. Maybe because he had been drinking, Qi Xi’s fingers were rosy against his fair skin, like some kind of fruit candy.

He fell silent again for a long moment, then asked, “If I do this, will you sit properly and not move around?”

“Mm.”

Qi Xi answered very firmly. Fu Yanchuan hesitated, then lightly placed his hand against Qi Xi’s. He had never held hands with anyone before. In his memory, not even his parents had held his hand. When his palm met Qi Xi’s, a strange tingling sensation spread through his limbs.

The next moment, Qi Xi interlocked his fingers with Fu Yanchuan’s. He gave Fu Yanchuan a “hee-hee” smile, toppled over, and rested his face on the back of Fu Yanchuan’s hand.

Fu Yanchuan instinctively wanted to pull his hand back, but Qi Xi rested on it and didn’t move, like his obedient orange cat. He softly called out, “Qi Xi.”

Qi Xi replied drowsily, “Don’t be scared. If we’re holding hands, we don’t have to be afraid. There are two of us—monsters can’t beat us.”

Fu Yanchuan let Qi Xi rest on his hand. Worried that it wasn’t safe, he leaned over, fastened his seatbelt, and told the driver to slow down.

Qi Xi suddenly muttered something that Fu Yanchuan couldn’t hear clearly. Fu Yanchuan bent down and asked, “What do you want?”

Qi Xi’s sleepy voice carried a hint of coquettishness. His lips brushed the back of Fu Yanchuan’s hand as he murmured, “Brother Yan, you smell so good.”

 

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