Isn’t money good?

Chapter 42

The meal was enjoyed by all the guests and hosts. After eating, Ji Yunnian and Fu Baizhou went to the adjacent private room to discuss business, and a few minutes later, the agent also received a phone call and had to step out to handle some matter.

As soon as they left, Qiao Yu suddenly relaxed, immediately picking up the menu and calling over a waiter.

Yan Shiqiu asked in surprise, “You didn’t eat enough?”

Qiao Yu pouted, saying sullenly, “This restaurant’s spicy crawfish is really good. I wanted to order it earlier, but my agent said it wouldn’t look good to be gnawing on spicy crawfish in front of President Fu and Teacher Ji, so he vetoed it.”

“Now that they’ve gone to discuss business, I definitely have to order some to satisfy my craving.” He said, looking over energetically. “Do you want some?”

Spicy crawfish, huh.

It seemed like it had indeed been a long time since he’d had any.

As Yan Shiqiu thought about it, he found his appetite being whetted, so he nodded. “Yes.”

“Can you handle spicy food?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s start with two pounds of extra spicy.”

The waiter came in, and Qiao Yu happily placed his order, also requesting half a dozen ice-cold beers, completely letting loose.

Yan Shiqiu initially had no interest in ice-cold beer, but after the spicy crawfish was served and he ate a few, he immediately opened a can of ice beer as well, eating and drinking with Qiao Yu, having a great time.

This meeting between Ji Yunnian and Fu Baizhou was just to first determine whether they had any intention to cooperate; the specifics of how to cooperate would be discussed in detail later, so they soon returned to the private room.

When they came back, the spicy crawfish had just been served not long ago. Yan Shiqiu and Qiao Yu each had red lips, panting from the spiciness, still continuously gnawing on the crawfish.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Yan Shiqiu and Qiao Yu looked up. Qiao Yu was startled: “…Burp.”

Ji Yunnian: “…”

Fu Baizhou: “…”

Qiao Yu’s face turned red as he deeply lowered his head, though he didn’t forget to eat the crawfish meat he had just peeled.

The agent who had just returned: “…”

Yan Shiqiu broke the silence by speaking up with an invitation: “Come join us!”

Ji Yunnian laughed and cooperatively picked up the conversation: “That probably won’t be enough.”

Yan Shiqiu smiled charmingly: “Then let’s order more.”

Qiao Yu jumped up and ran out quickly: “I’ll go order.”

By the time he returned, everyone had sat back down. Yan Shiqiu and Ji Yunnian were bickering like elementary school students, Fu Baizhou was slowly sipping his wine from a glass, and Qiao Yu breathed a sigh of relief, finally getting past the embarrassment of his earlier burp.

He returned to his seat and was just about to thank Yan Shiqiu when Yan Shiqiu turned back and gave him a friendly smile first.

Qiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled back.

At ten o’clock, the group emerged from the restaurant.

Qiao Yu had gotten along very well with Yan Shiqiu tonight. After getting in the car, he specially rolled down the window to say to him: “I’ll chat with you again. Make sure to reply to my WeChat messages!”

Yan Shiqiu nodded: “Alright, goodbye.”

After seeing off Qiao Yu and his agent, he turned around and met Fu Baizhou’s gaze.

Yan Shiqiu: “?”

Fu Baizhou walked over slowly, stopping two steps away from him: “Let me reintroduce myself. Fu Baiqing is my younger brother.”

Yan Shiqiu was stunned, not expecting Fu Baizhou to specially introduce himself, even pointing out his identity as Fu Baiqing’s older brother.

“Is there something you need?” He asked politely.

Fu Baizhou was very direct: “I investigated you.”

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

“I won’t comment on what your past was like. I only care about my younger brother. He was spoiled by us growing up, and is childish, simple, innocent, and very kind. He likes making friends and treats his friends very well.”

His voice was deep, both a reminder and an instruction: “My younger brother sincerely considers you a friend. Please don’t deceive or take advantage of him.”

These words weren’t exactly pleasant to hear, as if they presupposed that he would harm Fu Baiqing. But Yan Shiqiu could understand. If anyone investigated “his” past and learned about the original owner’s actions and character, they couldn’t possibly be completely at ease in the short term.

He stood properly, looking up to meet Fu Baizhou’s gaze, and said seriously: “Don’t worry. Fu Baiqing is my friend. I won’t do anything to hurt a friend.”

“Good. Also, please help me with something.” Fu Baizhou handed over a business card. “My private number is on there. If Baiqing encounters any trouble that Hengxing can’t solve for him, please let me know.”

Yan Shiqiu took the business card: “I will.”

“Thank you.”

After saying this, Fu Baizhou didn’t linger any longer and got in his car to leave.

Only after Fu Baizhou left did Ji Yunnian walk to Yan Shiqiu’s side. Noticing the business card in Yan Shiqiu’s hand, he asked: “Fu Baizhou’s private business card?”

Yan Shiqiu put away the business card: “Mm, he asked me to look after Fu Baiqing. If Fu Baiqing encounters any difficulties, I should call him.”

“Your relationship with Fu Baiqing seems quite good.” Ji Yunnian’s tone was a bit sour.

Yan Shiqiu didn’t catch it and nodded with a smile: “He’s the first friend I made. Although he can be quite annoying sometimes, playing with him is actually very fun.”

He had initially felt no sense of belonging in this world.

Later, when he met Fu Baiqing at the audition venue, Fu Baiqing began chatting with him from time to time, asking him to carry him in games, then proactively offering to lend him money to buy paintings, and even worrying that he might have dark thoughts after breaking up with Ye Peiyuan, pasting a bunch of jokes for him. This friendship gave him a sense of warmth in this strange world.

Ji Yunnian looked at Yan Shiqiu.

Behind him were countless brilliant neon lights and the splendor of the night. He stood there quietly, with a faint smile on his lips, looking extraordinarily ethereal and refined.

Ji Yunnian suddenly remembered from before, when he wasn’t yet familiar with Yan Shiqiu, seeing him several times huddled together with Fu Baiqing, laughing brilliantly and childishly.

That was something he had never seen in Yan Shiqiu before.

“That’s good.” The sourness in his heart dissipated like smoke, and he felt happy for Yan Shiqiu.

He hoped Yan Shiqiu would be happy every day, able to show a joyful and pure smile.

“Should I give you a ride back?” Ji Yunnian asked again.

Yan Shiqiu shook his head: “No need, Zhou Yu will be here soon.”

Ji Yunnian said nothing more.

“Aren’t you leaving?” Yan Shiqiu pointed to the car waiting for him not far away, puzzled.

Ji Yunnian said: “I had some alcohol earlier, just getting some fresh air.”

Liu Xi, standing nearby, looked at him after hearing this and shook her head with a laugh.

Five minutes later, Zhou Yu’s car stopped in front of them. Yan Shiqiu opened the car door, then turned back to say: “See you tomorrow.”

Ji Yunnian stood straight with his hands in his pockets, looking cool and handsome: “Mm.”

Back at the hotel, Yan Shiqiu said goodbye to Liu Xi at the room door and swiped his card to enter the room.

As soon as he closed the door, he was suddenly grabbed from behind. Yan Shiqiu was startled, but immediately calmed down the next second, quickly raising his elbow and delivering a fierce blow backward.

The person probably hadn’t expected this and took the hit solidly, groaning and loosening his grip.

Yan Shiqiu took the opportunity to escape from his embrace, lifted his foot and kicked hard toward the person’s stomach. The person hit the wall with a “bang.”

Estimating that he wouldn’t be able to get up for a while, Yan Shiqiu opened the door and called Liu Xi.

Half a minute later, Liu Xi came over with a rope in hand.

She tied the person to the chair securely.

Yan Shiqiu inserted the key card into the slot, and as the room lights came on, he saw the man’s face clearly. He was very young, no more than 25, wearing tight clothes and tight pants, with lip piercings and ear piercings… dressed very flamboyantly gay.

Having been caught, the man wasn’t afraid and kept staring at him intently.

Noticing the man’s obsessed and lewd gaze directed at him, Yan Shiqiu felt somewhat nauseous. He couldn’t stay any longer and said to Liu Xi: “I’ll leave this to you. I’ll step out first.”

Liu Xi asked: “Should we call the police?”

“Yes.”

Yan Shiqiu quickly left the room and took the elevator to the top floor.

The top floor had a sky garden with various flowers filling the air with fragrance. He walked to the rest chair in the middle and sat down, gripping his trembling hands tightly, taking a deep breath, still shaken.

In his previous life, he had also encountered obsessive fans, but at most they would follow his car and track his schedule, book the same flights and stay at the same hotels as him.

This was his first time encountering something like this.

It was disgusting.

On the other side, Ji Yunnian had just reached his front door and was halfway through changing his shoes when he received a call from Liu Xi.

Liu Xi didn’t waste words, directly giving him the hotel address, then said: “Come over immediately. Yan Shiqiu had a sasaeng fan break into his room.”

Ji Yunnian’s expression changed: “Is he with you right now?”

“No, he seemed disgusted and went out.”

“Did you call the police?” Ji Yunnian put his shoes back on.

“Yes.”

Ji Yunnian opened the door and quickly walked to the garage. In the garage, he ran into Ji Yuncheng, who had just returned home. Seeing his hurried appearance, Ji Yuncheng grabbed him: “Where are you going?”

Ji Yunnian took time to answer: “Out for a bit.”

Remembering something, he added: “Bro, have Uncle Lin prepare a guest room.”

Ji Yuncheng was puzzled: “Is someone coming to stay?”

Ji Yunnian was anxious to get to the hotel and had no time to explain, so he just said: “I’ll tell you when I get back. Just pass the message to Uncle Lin for me.”

With that, he had already shaken off Ji Yuncheng’s hand and gotten in the car.

The car quickly drove away.

Ji Yuncheng: “…”

In the car, Ji Yunnian put on his Bluetooth earpiece and asked Liu Xi while driving: “Did you notify Fang Yuhua?”

“Yes, he’s also on his way.”

“Good, I’m heading over now. I should be there in about half an hour.”

Ji Yunnian hung up on Liu Xi and dialed Fang Yuhua. As soon as Fang Yuhua answered, he identified himself and went straight to the point.

“This incident will very likely make it online. Have your team cooperate with me to suppress the news and prevent it from being exposed.”

After hearing this, Fang Yuhua was very surprised: “You want to help?”

Ji Yunnian: “Yes, Tao Qian will tell you what to do later.”

After hanging up on Fang Yuhua, Ji Yunnian made a second call to Tao Qian, quickly instructing him before having him contact Fang Yuhua.

Yan Shiqiu had some fresh air and calmed down, then called Fang Yuhua.

“I’m fine, just got hugged for a moment.”

“I hit back, but probably didn’t injure him seriously. It was self-defense.”

“By the way.” Yan Shiqiu lowered his eyes and pressed his lips together, “the hotel has quite a few guests staying here. When the police arrive, there will definitely be people coming to gawk, and this will probably end up online. Suppress the public opinion on your end and don’t let it escalate.

Once it escalates, marketing accounts and media will definitely make a big deal out of my sexual orientation, and netizens will make all sorts of wild speculations. I don’t want that.”

Fang Yuhua reassured him: “Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged for people on my end.”

Yan Shiqiu said softly: “Good.”

After a pause, he asked again: “Where are you now?”

Fang Yuhua said: “Almost there, ten more minutes. Zhou Yu has already arrived and is communicating with the hotel management and police.”

Yan Shiqiu hugged his knees: “Mm.”

Ji Yunnian was worried and took shortcuts, arriving at the hotel as quickly as possible.

When he arrived, the police had been there for a while. One officer was escorting the sasaeng fan out, while another was confirming some details with the hotel management.

He found Liu Xi and asked: “Where’s Yan Shiqiu?”

“In the elevator, coming down soon.” Liu Xi said.

Ji Yunnian looked again at the man in handcuffs, his expression darkening considerably, his eyes filled with hostility.

He walked over expressionlessly, stared at the man with a cold expression, and asked: “Who sent you?”

The man opened his mouth: “No one…”

Ji Yunnian interrupted him and asked again word by word, his voice calm but inexplicably frightening.

The man broke out in a cold sweat, stammering his confession: “I don’t know. I just received a letter with Yan Shiqiu’s room key card inside. I thought I’d try my luck, so I… I came.“