18
After Si Qiang left, Su Xibai walked into the living room and saw the usually arrogant and domineering man sitting there blankly, looking unusually lost.
A few months ago, Xu Qi tricked Su Xibai into believing that he and Xu Yi were brothers. Su Xibai decided to leave Xu Yi, but Xu Yi imprisoned him in a villa on the mountaintop. Shao Yang came to take him away, but was stopped by Xu Qi and accidentally revealed Xu Qi's feelings for his younger brother.
After their marriage and return to China, Xu Yi discovered that Qiangwei seemed to have known about Xu Qi's "love" for him all along. At the time, he was furious with Xu Qi and didn't want to think about that person, let alone the other person's feelings for him. However, after some time, Xu Yi's anger subsided somewhat. After all, for so many years, that person had always cherished and pampered him, even if the way they did it wasn't right. Recently, he remembered Shao Yang's words and felt something was amiss. Xu Qi had indeed always doted on him, but it was definitely not how a man would treat his lover—the reason being that Xu Yi himself loved Su Xibai and deeply understood the feeling of falling in love. Putting himself in Xu Qi's shoes, if Xu Qi truly loved him, his attitude would never have been like this.
Although everyone expresses love differently, how could Xu Yi, with his insightful mind, not understand Xu Qi's true feelings for him? Of course, when it comes to Su Xibai, all his schemes and tactics turn into mush, and his IQ drops to below average.
In fact, he had discovered Qiangwei's feelings for Xu Qi long ago. He didn't say much on the surface, but he always disapproved. He knew Xu Qi's personality all too well; he knew Xu Qi would never reciprocate Qiangwei's feelings. If things continued this way, Qiangwei would ultimately be the one who got hurt. He had long considered Qiangwei family and naturally didn't want to see her rush headlong into a relationship. Instead, he always hoped that Qiangwei could let go of Xu Qi and find someone truly suitable.
Over the years, Rose has been hurt repeatedly, yet she can't let go of Xu Qi no matter what. He sees it all, his heart aches, but he's helpless. This man is too stubborn.
After figuring out Xu Qi's situation, Xu Yi hesitated about whether to tell Qiangwei. He knew the chances of Xu Qi responding to Qiangwei were slim, but he couldn't bear to see her tormenting herself. However, before he could make up his mind, he suddenly received an invitation from the Fuqing Gang, the heir's name being "Si Qiang." He was shocked and felt an unprecedented anger. Qiangwei had once told him that her real name was Si Qiang. Xu Qi had never known this. In fact, Xu Yi and Qiangwei had always been extremely close; they shared too many secrets, closer than most brothers. The invitation sent without warning felt like betrayal to him; he couldn't accept it and, of course, had no intention of going to California.
Today, Rose came to his door in person, instantly igniting his suppressed anger. He punched her several times to vent his frustration. He knew Rose never liked trouble, but she was willing to take on such trouble for Xu Qi's engagement, so he understood her mind was made up. Therefore, he decided to tell her his judgment.
"Have you finally decided?" Su Xibai sat down next to him and asked seriously.
"Xiaobai..." Xu Yi reached out and hugged him, burying her face in his broad chest, and said in a muffled voice, "I don't know if what I'm doing is right or wrong..."
Su Xibai patted the back of his head, comforting him, "He's loved her for so many years too. Even if he didn't know this, he wouldn't give up. Telling him this might save him from some detours. This is between the two of them; this is all we can do. On the bright side, Qiangwei is now on the same level as your brother; maybe it really will help him..."
Xu Yi looked up: "I wouldn't dare be so optimistic. Love is something you can't force. I just hope they don't end up hurting each other."
"No matter what, I don't think you did anything wrong." Su Xibai kissed his smooth forehead, her tone firm.
"Xiaobai..." Xu Yi lowered her head and nuzzled him, "Thank you..."
Why was Xu Yi so certain that Xu Qi's feelings for him were not love?
Si Qiang walked slowly along the street, Xu Yi's words replaying in his mind. Could it be that the tenderness Xu Qi showed only when facing his younger brother, which he had witnessed countless times, wasn't actually because of love? But if it wasn't love, what older brother would spoil his younger brother to this extent? Xu Yi's tone was so certain that he was completely unsure whether to believe Xu Yi or his own eyes.
As Si Qiang passed "MoonLight," he, who had originally planned to leave, suddenly stopped. He checked the time; it was 7 PM. Xu Yi had just asked him to stay, but he had refused—the two were so affectionate; he couldn't possibly disturb them. If he rushed to the airport now and then returned to California, he probably wouldn't arrive until very late. So, he decided to stay here for the night. Perhaps it would be a long time before he returned to this city.
He thought for a moment, then took a few more steps, went into the gay bar next door, ordered a martini, and sat down.
Lance quickly mixed him a drink and asked with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've seen you. Have you been very busy lately, sir?"
Si Qiang raised an eyebrow: "You know me?"
Lance made an exaggerated expression: "My God, how could anyone in this bar not recognize you? Look around, how many handsome guys are staring at you?"
Upon hearing this, Si Qiang turned and glanced around. Sure enough, a few people couldn't avoid his gaze and met his eyes. Of course, there were also a few who kept staring at him. He turned back to Lance and smiled, "I thought they had given up long ago."
Lance was momentarily stunned, and sighed inwardly: "As expected, handsome men are a source of trouble. No wonder my cousin is so infatuated with him and chases after him everywhere."
Then he saw a tall figure walking quickly toward him, and couldn't help but shrug. His cousin was really terrifying; he caught up with them so quickly.
“Calvin! Aren’t you going back to California today?” Antonio walked quickly to Si Qiang and sat down.
Si Qiang looked up and immediately felt a headache coming on: "Who told you I was here?" He decided that he would definitely find this damned informant when he got back!
Antonio smiled and shrugged: "Uncle Yao told me."
Si Qiang was speechless and frustrated. He couldn't very well go to Yao Yinxiang and ask him not to tell Antonio his whereabouts, could he? He waved his hand: "Then what are you doing here?" This guy's persistence was simply outrageous. If he could, he really wanted to throw him into the Pacific Ocean!
Antonio, still smiling, said, "I've come to see my cousin."
Lance rolled his eyes. There's a limit to nonsense! He's been in New York for three years, how come his cousin hasn't come to see him even once?
Si Qiang was taken aback: "Cousin? Who?" He had a bad feeling.
“That’s him.” Antonio pointed at Lance, his smile almost smug.
Si Qiang paused, her gaze sweeping between the two of them: "You two really don't look alike."
Lance curled his lip in disdain: "Like him? Then I'm doomed."
Antonio glared at him: "You little brat, do you want to die?" He stood up, taking advantage of his height and long legs, and was about to strangle him.
Lance stepped to the side, gave him a thumbs-down gesture, and said, "You think you can use this trick for the rest of your life? Sorry, I'm not the same person I used to be."
Si Qiang couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the two lively brothers. Although Antonio was annoying, she had to admit that he was still a good friend.
Antonio noticed his smile, immediately stopped what he was doing, and stared at him intently: "Calvin, you smiled..." He hadn't seen Si Qiang give him that captivating smile in a long time.
"Qi, trust me, you need to relax." Shawn dragged Xu Qi through the doorway, but before he could say anything more, Xu Qi stopped and stared intently at the bar.
Following Xu Qi's gaze, Shawn smiled slightly. He noticed that Antonio was also looking in his direction, and then strode over.
“Hello, Mr. Adam. It’s an honor to see you again.” Antonio extended his right hand and spoke politely.
Xu Qi didn't even glance at Antonio; his entire attention was focused on Si Qiang sitting at the bar. What he couldn't stand was that Si Qiang looked at him briefly, then turned away to continue drinking, showing no intention of making any contact with him.
Shawn tugged at his sleeve: "Ah Qi..."
Xu Qi suddenly snapped out of his daze, his face turning ashen, but he still reached out and shook Antonio's outstretched right hand: "Mr. Antonio, hello. May I ask what brings you to New York?"
Antonio smiled. "I think you should know that." He tilted his head and glanced at the bar.
Xu Qi almost blurted out, "What is Qiangwei doing in New York?" But he managed to control himself and said as calmly as possible, "Thank you for your hard work."
Antonio waved his hand: "It's my pleasure. Well then, I must go back now. Goodbye, Mr. Adam."
Xu Qi walked to a corner and sat down with a sullen face. Shawn ordered him a drink and then drank with him. For a full hour, Xu Qi's gaze was fixed on the two people at the bar, watching their occasional intimate gestures, his anger burning ever brighter.
Shawn cautiously began, "Qi, I know you've been in a bad mood lately..." As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Si Qiang at the bar. Just as he was about to speak again, Xu Qi suddenly stood up, startling him.
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