Chapter 47: Rescue

Back at the hotel, Pu Zhihe and Hang Liumei stayed in one room, while Xiaomai and his father stayed in another room.

Pu Zhihe took off Xiaomai's shirt, and thought it would be better to wash it before returning it to Xiaomai, so she put it back in the box.

Xiaomai took out Pu Zhihe's sketchbook, which only contained the painting they had collaborated on. He didn't want to return it to Pu Zhihe in front of his father and grandmother, so he put it back in the deepest part of his backpack.

Mai Sui was responsible for coordinating the auction, so they hadn't told her about their early arrival. There were two pre-auction exhibitions, and Hang Liumei planned to attend both to support Mai Sui's work. The next day, she and everyone else showed up at the venue on time.

"Mom? Xiaomai? When did you arrive? I had arranged for a driver to pick you up." Mai Sui, who was wearing a professional suit, was just talking about work with his colleagues. When he turned around and saw a few people, he came to greet them.

"You are busy and we don't want to cause you any trouble. Just take a look around." Hang Liumei held Mai Sui's arm affectionately.

Mai Sui took her arm and greeted others. She turned around before looking at her ex-husband, nodding her chin like an old friend, and said, "Here I come."

Dad Mai crossed his arms and nodded at her, saying, "Well, you did a good job here."

Mai Sui led the group inside, where a few large, gold-painted characters stood out: "Exhibition of Treasures from the Silk Road." "Mom, today's exhibition is all about ink paintings of snow-capped mountains and deserts. Take a look at them first. Tomorrow, we'll be copying murals on paper and showcasing exquisite rock paintings. Save your energy, you'll be my special guest then," Mai Sui said to Hang Liumei.

"You assigned another task to your mother--" Hang Liumei clapped her hands and said halfway, her smile froze. She saw that the handsome Shanghai boy Xiao Li was also here. Didn't Mai Sui say they broke up? What's going on? Did they get back together?

Her expression changed so quickly that it couldn't escape Mai Sui's eyes. Mai Sui explained to Hang Liumei, "Mom, he was sent by the agency to do an interview and report. We have a working relationship. We are all adults. There is no need to stop communicating after breaking up, right?"

Hang Liumei felt relieved: "Yes, yes, I trust you most in what you say and do. We independent women in the new era never look back." After she said that, she realized that she had also dragged her son into this.

Mai Sui settled everyone down and went to organize the opening ceremony. Xiao Mai and Pu Zhihe sat in the audience with Hang Liumei. Mai's father, feeling cramped and suffocating, stood in the corridor, staring intently at Mai Sui's busy back. The others, seeing his dark complexion and black clothes, thought he was a bodyguard brought by some great artist.

The Hong Kong opening ceremony was even more lavish than their previous biennial in Xi'an, with elegant attire and dazzling jewellery, like a scene from a Hong Kong drama. But it was nothing more than a bunch of people giving speeches and posing for photos, and finally, even Hang Liumei was invited onto the stage.

Mai's father, who had always been affectionate, became displeased when he saw Xiao Li moving from the side to the side of Mai Sui. His elderly mother, Hang Liumei, also noticed the man's little tricks, so when everyone was standing still, she sneaked in between Xiao Li and Mai Sui.

After the opening ceremony, only a few people remained in the venue, with the rest heading to the exhibition hall to view the works. Mai Sui was chatting with a few artists about business, while Xiao Li, carrying a recorder, was interviewing people everywhere, apparently purposely clinging to Mai Sui. Jiang Yunyi wanted to see what he was up to. Hang Liumei wanted to stay, but knew it wasn't the right time, so she left with Xiao Mai and Pu Zhihe.

Xiao Li put the recorder and computer into his bag, picked it up, and walked towards Dad Mai while tightening his tie. "I didn't expect Big Brother to be here too. Is this your first time in Hong Kong?"

Jiang Yunyi smiled faintly: "I came here with Mai Sui before."

"That's a coincidence. I'm here with Sister Mai this time too." Xiao Li said this, and when she saw that Father Mai didn't react, she added, trying to hide the truth: "But don't think too much about it. We were put on the same flight because of work. I'm sure Sister Mai told you that we broke up, but we work together, so it's inevitable that we'll see each other every day."

Seeing him chattering so much, he just wanted to show off that he and Mai Sui were still in contact. Jiang Yunyi figured it out, but he was still not angry: "Well, yes, Mai Sui told me everything. I know you are here for work reasons. I understand her personality."

"We've been chatting for so long but there's still no contact information. How about we add one and I'll scan you?" Xiao Li said as he took out his cell phone.

Mai Dad casually glanced at his screen and saw a photo of Xiaoli and Mai Sui. The camera was very close, the two faces taking up 80% of the screen. But even more striking was that they were naked! Although the shot was only up to the shoulders, the image clearly showed the intended meaning. How could such a photo be displayed so openly?

This bastard obviously did it on purpose!

Xiao Li noticed that he had found her screen saver photo, and explained with a triumphant look, "I took this on my last business trip. Sorry, I didn't notice it was changed."

"It's okay." Dad Mai still didn't look angry. He slowly took out his phone, but before he could pull up his QR code, Xiao Li suddenly changed his mind: "Sorry, big brother, it seems that Sister Mai has finished her interview. I still need to confirm the interview list with her. I'll be over first."

He then walked towards Mai Sui, waving his phone. The screen lit up with Xiao Li's movements, sending a surge of rage through Mai's father's head. He hadn't lost his temper because he was determined to support Mai Sui's work this time. A public argument would be embarrassing not only for him but also for Mai Sui. So he gritted his teeth and suppressed his anger, his eyes wrinkled with anger, but he refused to lose his composure.

But now there is Mai Sui's business partner over there, what does that bastard mean by waving that screensaver over there! He can't stand it anymore!

Dad Mai strode up and grabbed Xiao Li with his arm. He was a head and a half taller than Xiao Li. Xiao Li shuddered in fear from the fierce palm. Before Xiao Li got close to Mai Sui, Dad Mai put his hands on his shoulders from behind, tied him up like a barrel with a steel ring, turned him 180 degrees, turned around and walked back, and dragged him behind a display board.

"What are you doing! We're in public!" Although Xiao Li spoke in a firm tone, panic was revealed in the ending tone.

Without saying a word, Dad Mai punched him in the face, twisting his mouth so that he couldn't speak.

"Ah!" Xiao Li knelt on the ground with his face covered in pain. Dad Mai grabbed his collar with one hand and used the other hand to whistle away.

"Jiang Yunyi, what are you doing! Put him down!" Mai Suigang felt something was wrong and sent the others away, just in time to see this scene.

Dad Mai didn't answer, but still obediently threw the man to the ground.

"Ouch!" Xiao Li landed on his butt, crushing the display board beneath him and shattering it into pieces. He wiped the blood from his nose and stood up. Suddenly, he became manly and said to Mai Sui in a low voice, "Sister Mai, go first! He's here to cause trouble. Don't let him ruin your place."

Mai Sui slapped his arm aside without even looking at him, still staring at Jiang Yunyi: "Tell me! I'm asking you, what happened just now!"

Xiao Li took advantage of the situation and hid behind her, letting her and Dad Mai confront each other. She took out her phone and asked, "How about I call the police right now? He started it first."

As soon as he turned on his phone, Mai Sui saw the photo on the screen and understood everything at once.

She calmed down and continued to say to Mai Dad: "You think you are venting your anger for me? You still don't have enough confidence in me. I tell you, if there is anything, I can handle it myself-"

Before she could finish her last sentence, she suddenly turned around and punched Xiao Li in the stomach. With a muffled "bang," Xiao Li fell to her knees again. Mai Sui retracted her fist, adjusted her hair, and was about to take a breath when the door was knocked open.

"Wheat Ear! Ear! What's going on?" Hang Liumei rushed in from outside with two young men.

They turned around and around and saw that no one was inside, but the three still didn't come out. They became suspicious. Hang Liumei peeked through the crack in the door and saw Mai Sui beating someone. She rushed in anxiously, and did not forget to tell Pu Zhihe and Xiaomai to lock the door.

"What happened? Why is there a bruise on your face?" Hang Liumei said as she went to help Xiao Li. Dad Mai and Mai Sui didn't expect a group of people to show up. They looked at each other and said, "Mom, listen to me--"

Pu Zhihe picked up the phone from the ground, saw the photo on the screen, and handed it to Hang Liumei with a gloomy face. Xiaomai came over and wanted to see it too. A mature and sensitive person like him would worry about his parents' feelings when seeing such a photo. Pu Zhihe didn't want him to feel sad or worried, so she immediately took the phone away: "Don't look at it, it's more important to get down to business first."

Xiaomai was confused: "What's the matter?"

"Beat him up first," Pu Zhihe said, taking advantage of Xiao Li's surprise and kicking him. Hang Liumei saw her move and also picked up her bag and hit him on the head. Xiao Li couldn't beat those two, so how could he beat them? He was angry, ashamed, and hurt. He squatted on the ground and waved his fists before standing up. Pu Zhihe and Hang Liumei almost got hit by two punches.

"Mom! Mom!" Mai Sui and his father grabbed Pu Zhihe and Hang Liumei and said, "Stop fighting! I'll handle this."

Mai Sui dragged Xiao Li aside, threw her on a stool, and stood before him, her face livid, not knowing what to say. Hang Liumei was furious, her face flushed red, and she hadn't recovered yet. Pu Zhihe helped her smooth her chest and calm her down. Dad Mai stood by and comforted her, "Mom, take care of yourself and don't get too angry. Take the two kids out later, eat something and go for a walk. Mai Sui and I can handle it."

Hang Liumei sighed: "Okay, you guys talk slowly."

Only Xiaomai didn't know what was going on. He didn't want to leave yet, but Hang Liumei pulled him away. After the three of them left, Mai Sui stood in front of Xiaoli and whispered to Mai's father with his back to him. Mai's father pricked up his ears but still couldn't hear a word. At the end of the conversation, Xiaoli's face was full of disbelief, then changed to a fierce expression, pointing his index finger at Mai Sui's nose. But in the end, he didn't do anything, but glared at Mai's father and walked out.

Only Mai Ba and Mai Sui were left in the room. Mai Sui sat quietly in the VIP chair, her fingers crossed on her chest, waiting for him.

So Dad Mai walked over and sat down next to her.

Mai Sui didn't look away, but handed over a tissue: "There's his blood on your hands, wipe it off."

Dad Mai took it silently, and Mai Sui continued, "How come you fell for his provocation? That photo wasn't nude. It was taken when we were working at the beach. We had a pool party, and I was wearing a tube-top maxi dress underneath. He deliberately cropped the group photo like that. It seems like he almost killed two birds with one stone today, irritating you and discrediting me in front of the clients. If you hadn't taken him away, he might have created some misunderstandings."

"Well," Dad Mai thought for a moment and smiled, "If it were before, you wouldn't have explained so much."

"What's the meaning?"

"Now you care about what I think." After saying this, Dad Mai lowered his head and smiled again.

Mai Sui held his forehead, sat up straight, and continued, "Anyway, you should explain it to Mom later."

"Okay, I'll take care of Mom, but can you handle that kid?"

"What's so difficult? He's currently packing up at the hotel and leaving Hong Kong. Don't you believe me?"

"Believe me, why not believe me? But if there is anything, you must tell me." Dad Mai said and looked at Mai Sui.

Mai Sui felt uneasy when he looked at her. Just as she was about to say goodbye, her father took out a watch from his pocket and put it on her wrist: "This is what I picked for you. Look, it suits you very well. If you don't mind, wear it."

Mai Sui raised her wrist and spun it around to admire it, then teased him, "How can you give someone a gift without even a box?"

"I'm not afraid you won't accept it or return it. Since you like it, the packaging and receipt will be detained at customs anyway, and you'll throw them away sooner or later."

"You know a lot now."

"Mom taught me."