Chapter 18: He Was Angry

In the luxurious private room, a group of young men and women lounged on the sofa, chatting and playing cards. The large round table in the center was already crowded with appetizers. At the heart of the table stood a bouquet of Juliet roses, accented by a few sprigs of crystal orchids, filling the room with a refreshing, enchanting fragrance.

Waiters came and went, and through the windows, one could see the most beautiful sunset over the sea in River City. Golden sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass, scattering flecks of gold across the white fox fur carpet.

“Brother Che!”

While everyone else was still caught up in lively conversation, He Jiangyu called out first, prompting everyone to rise and look toward the door.

Li Jingche entered, led by the manager, dressed in a menswear ensemble just released at the 2025 spring-summer runway. A low-key black double-crepe shirt paired elegantly with jacquard silk trousers, his feet clad in patent leather moccasins that shimmered gold in the sunset, like waves gilded by the evening light. With every step, the shoes caught the light, exuding an effortless air of nobility.

The moment he appeared, everyone was entranced.

He Jiangyu had never understood runway fashion before—those clothes never seemed made for real people. Now he understood: they truly weren’t meant for mortals, but for gods of beauty.

Those wide-legged trousers, which he’d once thought would make any human look like they had elephant legs, now convinced him of one thing after seeing Li Jingche:

His Brother Che was simply not human.

“Brother Che, come, take the seat of honor!”

He Jiangyu ushered Li Jingche to the head of the table, pulling out his chair for him. Only after he was seated did the others find their own places.

Hao Qing, the host for the evening, sat to Li Jingche’s right, while He Jiangyu sat to his left, constantly piling food into Li Jingche’s bowl.

“Brother Che, we’ve been waiting for you. Hao Qing and her sister ordered everything according to your tastes. Give it a try.”

“Brother Che,” Hao Qing said, taking a black velvet jewelry box from her purse, “I bought this at the Dubai International Jewelry Exhibition. I thought this diamond ring would suit you perfectly—see if it fits.”

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a breeze.

She opened the box, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly, its flawless cut making the clear stone blaze with fire.

Li Jingche hadn’t intended to accept it, but the breathtaking craftsmanship swayed him—just days ago, he’d confiscated a gold ring from Jian Qing.

Watching the two fall into silence, with Li Jingche making no move to take the gift, He Jiangyu stepped in with a laugh to ease the awkwardness:

“Hao Qing, Brother Che doesn’t really need this. If you don’t mind, maybe you could give it to me instead…”

“How much did you pay for the diamond?” Li Jingche asked suddenly.

Hao Qing blinked, not quite understanding the question. “It wasn’t much, just a few million for a little trinket. It just looked so perfect for you, I wanted to give it as a gift.”

She watched Li Jingche’s expression as she spoke. He didn’t equivocate.

“Thank you. I truly do love the cut of this stone. I left in such a rush this time, I didn’t have a chance to prepare a gift for you. Take this restaurant as a token of our exchange. The diamond is mine now.”

He Jiangyu’s cheerful face froze instantly.

A million-yuan diamond exchanged for a restaurant with annual revenues in the tens of millions? He’d been hoping to invest alongside Li Jingche and make a little pocket money, but now it was simply given away?

“It’s nothing, Brother Che, it’s just a trinket, really…”

“Our families have been close for generations. Before I left home, Shuang’er asked me to bring her a present as well. So this gift is not just from me but also from her.”

Hao Qing was overwhelmed by the gesture, nodding several times before she fully understood.

“Thank you, Brother Che, and Sister Shuang.”

As the brief episode ended, hushed whispers broke out around the table.

The Li family’s generosity was truly extraordinary—giving away assets worth tens of millions as if they were nothing. He Jiangyu had thought himself the closest, but now realized the Hao family stood ahead of him, which left him feeling rather slighted.

He continued to serve Li Jingche, but the man seemed distracted, barely eating. By nine o’clock, Li Jingche rose, phone in hand.

“I have something to take care of. You all eat, I’ll be back shortly.”

He left the room in haste. He Jiangyu, noticing the two drinks Li Jingche had sipped and sensing something was troubling him, quietly followed.

As soon as they left, the private room erupted in discussion.

“Hao Qing, Brother Li treats you so well! A diamond for a restaurant, that’s worth it!”

“Your families have been close since childhood, haven’t you been betrothed since you were kids?”

“Should we start calling you ‘sister-in-law’ from now on?”

Laughter filled the room as they raised glasses to Hao Qing. She, however, slowly set down her chopsticks, dabbed her lips, and spoke gravely.

“In your eyes, is it impossible for men and women to be just friends?”

“Hao Qing, you’re mistaken,” drawled a young man with a side part, smiling slyly. “If a man only wants to be friends with you, it just means you’re not beautiful enough. You used to model—there’s no way Brother Li isn’t attracted to you.”

The compliment pleased her, and color rose in her cheeks as she lowered her head and sighed.

“Brother Li will make his own choices. Would you dare say these things in front of Brother Che and Jiangyu?”

At the mention of those two, the room immediately grew more restrained.

“Don’t spread rumors outside. You all know what a scandal can do to a stock price.”

Meanwhile, in the lounge next to the private room, He Jiangyu had slipped in after Li Jingche and closed the door. He saw Li Jingche raise a finger to his lips—a silent command for quiet. He Jiangyu nodded in understanding and waited quietly off to the side.

Li Jingche dialed Jian Qing’s number, but no one answered. He tried again, and again there was no response.

Clearing his throat, Li Jingche grew visibly colder. He Jiangyu rubbed his arms, suddenly feeling the temperature in the room drop.

On the third attempt, Li Jingche stared at the screen for a long time. Still, the call went unanswered. When the line disconnected, he abruptly stood up from the sofa.

He Jiangyu rose as well, moving to comfort him.

“Bro, maybe she’s busy. Maybe it’s not convenient. Give her a little time—she might call back soon.”

“Busy? Not convenient?”

Li Jingche’s tone was mocking, and then a faint smile curled at his lips.

He Jiangyu grinned anxiously. “Yeah, it’s that time of night—prime time for going out.”

But as soon as he said it, he saw Li Jingche’s face turn to stone.

The smile froze. Li Jingche’s voice was slow, low, and cold, each word heavy as if thrown like a stone.

“Tonight, she went to see her ex—the one everyone says is like Lin Daiyu. Nine o’clock, and she’s ‘busy’? Tell me, Jiangyu—what do you think she’s doing?”

He Jiangyu fell silent.

“Nightlife, is it?”