C15 Shen Shishuang

Qi Xiao pondered for a moment before making a decision. Having resolved to wade into these murky waters, he saw no issue with attending the treasure evaluation convention. However, he knew that if he was to take action, it wouldn't come without a cost.

With a relaxed tone, he inquired, "I'm not opposed to offering you protection this one time, but what terms can you propose?"

"Whether or not there's any confrontation, Mr. Qi will receive two million for his efforts. Should there be an incident, I'll add an additional three million," Xue Rensheng replied promptly, clearly having thought the matter through in advance.

Yet, Qi Xiao simply smiled and shook his head, "Let's not make this difficult for you. Here's my counteroffer: I'll take two million, but in return, you must let me examine that jade carving."

Xue Rensheng had braced himself for Qi Xiao to demand a king's ransom, confident in the Xue family's resources to cover the cost of a bodyguard. But Qi Xiao's response left him momentarily taken aback. Was he after the jade carving?

Xue Rensheng scrutinized Qi Xiao, who, after stating his terms, nonchalantly sipped his red wine, exuding an air of indifference.

"I should be accommodating Mr. Qi's requests to the best of my ability, yet this jade carving..." Xue Rensheng trailed off, intentionally wearing a look of distress while casting an apologetic glance at Qi Xiao.

"I've invested a significant amount of the company's assets and considerable effort to acquire this jade carving. My word alone doesn't carry much weight."

Qi Xiao, with a sip of wine and a knowing smile, waited for Xue Rensheng to continue. He was well aware that the seasoned businessman had more to offer.

As expected, Xue Rensheng feigned a heavy heart and proposed, "How about this: aside from the jade carving, whatever Mr. Qi requires, as long as it's within my power, I will ensure his needs are met."

Setting down his glass, Qi Xiao responded calmly, "That won't be necessary. Rest assured, I merely wish to look at the jade carving. I have no intention of depriving you of your treasures."

Barely containing his frustration, Xue Rensheng nearly rolled his eyes. Not covet what's dear to someone? Then might I have my jade pendant back, please?

Of course, Xue Rensheng would never voice such thoughts. Instead, he acquiesced:

"Alright, we'll proceed as Mr. Qi suggests!"

Once the business discussion concluded, the trio continued their meal. Qi Xiao seemed to relish his food, while poor Shen Shishuang barely dared to lift her chopsticks, only nibbling a bit for appearances' sake. She kept stealing glances at Qi Xiao, trying to decipher the nature of his connection to the imposing boss before her.

After the meal, Qi Xiao unexpectedly rose to his feet and addressed Shen Shishuang:

"This place's fare is pretty mediocre. I find myself craving the snacks from our school's front gate. Let's go check if it's still there!"

Shen Shishuang wore a look of bewilderment. Leave a lavish spread for a snack stand?

As Qi Xiao got up, Xue Rensheng quickly followed suit, bowing slightly as he spoke:

"I look forward to Mr. Qi's presence at tomorrow's treasure evaluation convention."

With a casual wave, Qi Xiao strode out.

Shen Shishuang, momentarily frozen, soon scurried after him.

The vast sky room was left with only Xue Rensheng, who mulled over Qi Xiao's actions and words long after he had departed.

Qi Xiao left the restaurant with confident steps, heading toward the middle school of his memories.

His spiritual cultivation meant he hardly felt hunger, even after skipping meals.

Shen Shishuang, on the other hand, had toiled all morning without lunch, and had barely eaten at the table.

Gasping for breath, she chased after Qi Xiao, finally catching up to him after a considerable effort.

"Hey! Qi Xiao!"

Hearing his name, Qi Xiao's lips curled into a smile as he looked back:

"What is it?"

Shen Shishuang was visibly exhausted, hands propped on her knees.

"What in the world is going on?!"

Qi Xiao stopped, seeing she was too tired to walk.

"It's nothing. Director Xue just needed a favor from me."

Shen Shishuang, skeptical, pressed:

"A favor? What kind of help could a wastrel like you possibly offer?"

Hearing the all-too-familiar label, Qi Xiao felt a nostalgic twinge and, with a chuckle, replied:

"Director Xue himself calls me Mr. Qi, and here you are calling me a prodigal son?"

Shen Shishuang rolled her eyes in response.

"Don't act like I'm clueless about you, always scheming and scamming. Come clean, are you pulling one over on Director Xue?"

"Take a guess?" Qi Xiao met Shen Shishuang's gaze, noticing a flicker of concern in her eyes.

"Oh, cut it out! Do you have any idea how influential Director Xue is? That restaurant we just left is one of many he owns in the city!"

Shen Shishuang's tone was dramatically emphatic as she spoke of Xue Rensheng's clout, but Qi Xiao couldn't help but chuckle. The naive girl had no idea of the true extent of the Xue family's financial empire.

"If you've really deceived him, you'd better run for it. He's not someone you can afford to cross!"

"Do you really see me as that incompetent?" Qi Xiao asked.

"What else?" Shen Shishuang retorted with conviction.

Qi Xiao just smiled and replied, "So, I do have a place in your heart?"

Realizing the implication, Shen Shishuang's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Pfft! I should've known better. How could you ever settle down? You're still the same old spendthrift!"

Qi Xiao laughed heartily, clearly amused. Feeling upbeat, he reassured her, "Relax, Xue Rensheng is just a small fry to me. He's the least of my concerns."

Shen Shishuang rolled her eyes yet again, her skepticism undiminished.

"Keep on boasting, then!"

Seeing that his honesty only fueled her disbelief, Qi Xiao simply grinned, refrained from further explanation, and took hold of her hand.

"Come on, let's go grab some street food!"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Shen Shishuang protested as Qi Xiao suddenly gripped her hand. She instinctively tried to withdraw it but found herself being led forward instead.

Strangely enough, although she had felt completely drained and famished just moments ago, Qi Xiao's touch seemed to invigorate her. Unbeknownst to her, he had discreetly channeled a bit of his Genuine Qi into her.

They had planned to walk, but the middle school was a bit too far, so they ended up hailing a cab. In no time at all, they arrived at their old middle school, only to find, much to their disappointment, that the familiar snack stalls were no longer there.

"What a shame."

It wasn't until Shen Shishuang stepped out of the car that she withdrew her hand, her cheeks aflame like a sunset.

"There's this little place over there I used to frequent. Let's grab a bite there!"

She gestured toward a noodle shop near the school.

Qi Xiao observed Shen Shishuang's rosy cheeks with a hint of amusement but refrained from making any quips, heading straight for the noodle shop instead.

Shen Shishuang hurried after him, flustered.

Once seated in the noodle shop, Shen Shishuang managed to compose herself.

"Thanks for everything today."

Qi Xiao offered a smile, replying:

"Don't mention it. Chen Jing is such a nuisance. How did you end up working for her? I recall you two weren't exactly close in high school."

Shen Shishuang's face fell slightly as she began:

"My father..."

She trailed off, but Qi Xiao had pieced together enough from his past life's investigations to get the gist.

Her father, plagued by alcohol and gambling, had racked up considerable debt. To pay it off, she had left school to work, exhausting all avenues for help before landing a waitress job at Chen Jing's establishment.

"Don't worry about it. Now that Chen Jing's been let go, she can't threaten you anymore."

Instead of relief, Shen Shishuang's response was tinged with concern:

"Her departure won't make things any easier for me."

"What do you mean?"

Qi Xiao inquired.

"Chen Jing landed the lobby manager position because her boyfriend is a high-ranking executive at A Group. With her fired because of me, my own job is on the line."

Shen Shishuang's worry resurfaced as she pondered her next move to tackle the looming debts, and the thought of her father...

"Well, that makes sense. I doubt Chen Jing would've made manager on her own merits."

Qi Xiao recognized Shen Shishuang's distress, but he was already formulating a different strategy—some problems couldn't be solved with money alone.

After their meal and exchanging contact details, Qi Xiao escorted Shen Shishuang home before returning to his own place to resume his cultivation practices.