(8 Fresh Coins) Chapter 14 (Part 2) Rare Treasures
His lips were cracked and peeling, a heartbreakingly pale white, and his voice was hoarse and strained, weak and feeble. Yet, the few syllables emanating from this suffering man's lips were imbued with the man's boundless affection.
More than a month has passed since Xu Qi left California. During this month, he has been running around, trying his best to arrange his "aftermath." In fact, shortly after the turmoil a year ago, Yao Yinxiang suddenly fell ill, and with multiple complications, he has been bedridden ever since. As for his restless older sister, Si Qiang originally planned to place her under house arrest, but she offered to stay by their father's side. When Si Qiang heard Jiang Fan relay Yao Jinghan's wishes, she couldn't help but smile knowingly. Whether she was looking for an opportunity to escape or genuinely worried about their father, this sister's intentions were far from simple. However, this might not be a bad thing. Sure enough, a year later, Yao Jinghan became his ally in breaking away from the Fuqing gang—although she is currently unaware of this.
He persuaded Yao Yinxiang to change the heir of the Fuqing Gang to Yao Jinghan. As for Si Qiang, he would soon have to disappear from people's sight. Last night's stroll on the street corner was just a final farewell ceremony—although the scene was much more lavish than he had expected.
That highly skilled assassin is indeed a formidable opponent. How many years has it been since he last sparred with him? Since they met at the age of 15, they've had their share of rivalry and mutual respect, but they've only truly fought twice. The first two times they each won and lost, and last night, in their third encounter, he won by a hair's breadth. Si Qiang knows this man will never accept defeat. Although he believes he'll see him again soon, he doesn't want to waste his time on him until then. So, there's only one path left.
He went to a place so dangerous that he wouldn't easily venture there. Although that place was equally dangerous for him,... seizing opportunities within danger was precisely his forte.
Thinking of the man she was about to see as a "crisis," Si Qiang's warm smile gradually cooled. Be grateful to me, Sicily. I will make your poison sweeter, more intoxicating.
*
Xu Qi stood in front of the wok, lost in thought, oblivious to the billowing smoke. Suddenly, accompanied by a slight gust of wind, a cool breeze brushed past his ear. He turned around in confusion and found that Xu Yi was already standing behind him, his hand on the range hood switch.
"What are you thinking about? Aren't you afraid of choking to death?" Xu Yi frowned and pointed to the wisps of cooking oil as he turned around.
Xu Qi seemed not to have heard him, and just stared at his left hand.
Noticing his brother's gaze, Xu Yi raised an eyebrow but didn't ask. He knew what his brother was looking at. On the ring finger of his left hand was a ring—of course, it was the wedding ring he wore with Su Xibai.
Wei Lan had told him that his brother had been carrying a ring with him for a year, often taking it out and staring at it absentmindedly. They guessed it was for a man who had captured his brother's heart. However, given his brother's personality, the chances of him giving the ring away were incredibly slim. And the man whose heart was completely devoted to his brother never appeared before him again after leaving. Seeing these two awkward individuals causing such a commotion, Xu Yi admitted he was powerless to change things and could only hope they could break the deadlock themselves.
Now that Xu Qi has finally taken this crucial step, he is genuinely happy for them. So, the ring has already been given away? Xu Yi continues to observe Xu Qi's expression discreetly, guessing what he's doing.
He certainly wouldn't have imagined that the ring had indeed been "given away," but in a truly shameful way. Xu Qi stared at his brother's ring, recalling the one he had taken out to deceive Merlin into thinking it was an engagement ring—the rose pattern engraved on the inner band was irrefutable proof that he had been infatuated with that man.
It certainly wasn't an engagement ring with any woman; it was just that Si Qiang appeared later, and the ensuing chaos left him no time to think about it. Only after he hastily fled from Si Qiang did he remember the ring. He searched his entire body but couldn't find it, so he must have left it with Si Qiang… or perhaps at the hotel where he was staying? Having been rendered unconscious by a man and forgotten something so important, he really didn't want to recall how humiliating he was, and naturally, he didn't have the courage to ask Si Qiang again.
"It's going to burn." Xu Yi's amused voice rang out beside him. Xu Qi snapped back to reality and quickly pressed the switch.
The thought of that man made him lose all reason; it was truly maddening. His ears burned, and a flush spread from his cheeks to his neck. Xu Qi resisted the urge to turn away. His younger brother's beautiful face held a sly smile; he clearly knew what Xu Qi was thinking. Xu Qi gritted his teeth and finally couldn't help but speak up: "Go get the bowl."
“Yes—dear brother.” Xu Yi smiled, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowing as he drawled in response. Before Xu Qi’s face turned even redder, he finally took pity on him and turned to get the bowls and plates.
Pfft, it's true what they say, one thing can subdue another. Whenever roses are involved, my brother loses all his composure. This is something worth making good use of… Poor Xu Qi would never guess what wicked ideas his adorable younger brother is currently plotting.
Author's Note:
As you can probably see, please forgive my terrible writing style!
There wasn't much romance in the last two chapters, did everyone find it a bit boring?
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