Chapter 10 If Qi Yuan were a dog, only Chu Yi could tie him up.
Although it was the beginning of autumn, the weather was still very hot. Chu Yi got up and cleaned the house first. He stuffed all the four-piece sets and sofa covers in the washing machine. The sun was strong today, so he could dry them out in the sun.
Chu Yi had just finished cleaning the living room when he received a call from Qi Yuan. He spoke in a genuine Beijing accent, "What's up, buddy? Wanna go out and play?"
Chu Yi held the phone to his ear, the curtains he had just taken down in his hand. "I have to clean the house today. Let's do it another day."
"Hey there!" Qi Yuan sighed exaggeratedly on the other end of the phone, "When are you going to change your mysophobia? Hurry up! I'll give you ten minutes and I'll pick you up at your door on time."
Before Chu Yi could refuse, Qi Yuan had already hung up the phone. He shook his head helplessly and glanced at the clock on the wall - ten minutes. Given Qi Yuan's personality, he was afraid it would be five minutes.
Sure enough, just as he finished hanging the last curtain, the doorbell rang. Chu Yi wiped the water stains from his hands and went to open the door. Qi Yuan was already standing at the door, dressed in a fashionable, trendy outfit: a white graffiti short-sleeved shirt, paired with a pair of jeans with holes torn from thigh to calf. He also had black sunglasses on his face and was twirling his car keys in his hand.
"Right on time, huh?" Qi Yuan grinned, revealing his signature fangs. "Come on, let me take you to that new private restaurant. I heard their braised pork is incredible."
Chu Yi looked down at the clothes he was wearing. They were just casual clothes he had put on this morning. "I haven't changed yet."
"Why change? You look good like this." Qi Yuan pulled his arm and walked out without saying anything. "Besides, it's just a meal, not a blind date."
Chu Yi stumbled as he was dragged along, and sighed helplessly: "At least let me get my phone."
"Hurry up, hurry up, my car is parked downstairs." Qi Yuan leaned against the door frame and urged, "If you dawdle any longer, there will be no more space."
The two of them bickered all the way to the parking lot. Qi Yuan's car was a flashy red sports car, particularly eye-catching in the sun. As soon as Chu Yi got into the passenger seat, Qi Yuan stepped on the accelerator and rushed out.
"Drive slower." Chu Yi frowned. "I don't want to go to the emergency department on my day off."
Qi Yuan laughed heartily: "Don't worry, I'm a very good driver."
Qi Yuan's driving skills were indeed impressive. The red sports car nimbly traversed the afternoon city streets and soon turned into a quiet alley. At the end of the alley, an antique Chinese-style building stood quietly, with a wooden plaque reading "Jingyuan" hanging at the entrance.
"How is it?" Qi Yuan raised his eyebrows proudly, "Isn't this place quite hidden? Ordinary people can't find it."
Chu Yi looked around: "It certainly doesn't seem like a place you'd come to."
"Hey!" Qi Yuan grabbed his neck and said, "Who are you looking down on? I'm a man who hides his true potential!"
The two of them walked into the restaurant, laughing and joking, and were immediately greeted by a waiter. Qi Yuan was obviously a regular customer, and he led Chu Yi through the winding corridors with familiarity to a small private room overlooking the water.
"The braised pork here is our signature dish," Qi Yuan said, his eyes lighting up as he flipped through the menu. "And this crab meat and lion's head dish. The last time I came here, I almost swallowed my tongue."
Chu Yi looked at the exquisite dishes on the menu, which were quite expensive: "Have you made a fortune recently?"
"How could that be..." Qi Yuan came closer with a smile, "I just wanted to bring my good brother here to try something new. Besides, you've been busy at the hospital all day, and you finally have a day off, so shouldn't you treat yourself well?"
When the dishes came, Qi Yuan immediately picked up a lion's head for Chu Yi.
"How is it? Not bad, right?" Qi Yuan raised his chin proudly. "I booked a table a week in advance."
Chu Yi glanced at him and said, "Tell me, what's going on?"
Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment, then he put his arm around his shoulders with a smile: "Hey, do we need a reason to have a meal together?"
"You were so attentive last time..." Chu Yi paused and pushed him away expressionlessly, "or last time..."
Qi Yuan laughed dryly and touched his nose: "It's really nothing serious this time..."
After all the dishes were served, Qi Yuan cleared his throat, his eyes wandering: "Um...Ayi, are there any single...female doctors in your hospital?"
Chu Yi picked up a piece of braised pork and paused with his chopsticks when he heard the words: "Hmm?"
Qi Yuan was unusually embarrassed, tapping his fingers on the table. "It's just... my mom gave me an ultimatum: I must bring a girlfriend home next month, or she'll cut off my living expenses."
He sighed, "You know, I'm in the early stages of starting a business and I'm short of funds..."
Chu Yi took a sip of tea slowly and calmly. "So you want me to introduce you to a female doctor to take care of your family?"
"How can you say I'm just getting by!" Qi Yuan's eyes widened. "I really want to find a suitable one! Female doctors are so great. They have stable jobs and good personalities..."
Chu Yi put down his teacup and said with a half-smile: "You haven't even met her face, and you know she has a good personality?"
Qi Yuan rubbed the back of his head sheepishly: "Isn't this because I trust your judgment... Can you help me out and introduce someone to me?"
Chu Yi was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, "Didn't you have a girlfriend before? Did you break up?"
Qi Yuan's expression froze, and then he waved his hand: "Don't mention it, our personalities don't match."
"The last one also had a personality clash." Chu Yi said calmly, "What kind of person are you looking for?"
Qi Yuan's eyes lit up and he moved closer: "It's best if she's a little gentle, not too strong. As for looks... she'd just have to be similar to you."
Chu Yi almost choked on his tea: "What do you mean by almost the same as me?"
"It's just pleasing to the eye!" Qi Yuan said confidently, "You're fine like this, and a female version would be even better."
Chu Yi rubbed his brows helplessly: "There are single female doctors in the hospital, but I'm not sure they would like your type."
Qi Yuan immediately sat up straight and vowed: "I promise to take this seriously! I won't do anything rash!"
Chu Yi glanced at him and sighed: "I can ask for you, but whether it succeeds or not depends on you."
"Great!" Qi Yuan excitedly slammed the table, attracting the attention of the surrounding guests. He lowered his voice and said, "I knew you were the most considerate!"
Chu Yi had never been particular about food. He ate half of the braised lion's head that Qi Yuan had picked up and put down his chopsticks. "Tell me, what are you planning to invest in this time?"
When Qi Yuan heard Chu Yi asking about his business plan, his eyes immediately lit up, and he put down his chopsticks and started talking incessantly.
"I'm telling you, this is definitely a hot topic!" He pulled out his phone and swiped through it, pulling up a PowerPoint presentation. "Aren't young people all about health these days? I'm thinking of launching a high-end health tea brand, focusing on the 'staying up late and prolonging life' concept. I've even thought of the formula—ginseng, goji berries, donkey-hide gelatin, and a few high-tech ingredients. I'll sell it for 88 yuan a cup, specifically targeting office workers!"
Chu Yi frowned: "88 for a cup of milk tea?"
"It's not milk tea, it's a 'functional health drink'!" Qi Yuan corrected him. "I've even designed the packaging. It's minimalist and cool. The cup has a slogan printed on it: 'My boss scolds me, but I don't get angry. I'm the most expensive for health and longevity.' It's definitely a hit!"
Chu Yi drank his tea in silence, and after a while he spoke: "Are you sure this will work?"
"Why not!" Qi Yuan slapped his thigh. "Young people these days are staying up late and afraid of dying. My product perfectly solves that pain point! Upfront, I'll spend money to hire a few influencers to promote the product, and then find a few KOLs to write soft copy. I guarantee a payback in three months!"
Chu Yi looked at his excitement and sighed: "Have you calculated the cost?"
"Of course!" Qi Yuan vowed, "An initial investment of two million will double the money in half a year!"
Chu Yi stared at him for a few seconds and said calmly, "I'll invest one million."
Qi Yuan was holding a teacup, and upon hearing this, his hand trembled, spilling half of the tea. "W-what?"
"I'll invest one million," Chu Yi said calmly, wiping the table with a tissue. "But there are conditions—I want to see a detailed business plan, and the financials must be transparent."
Qi Yuan was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly jumped up from his chair, walked around the table and rushed over: "Oh! Brother Yi! You are exactly the one I want! I love you so much!"
Chu Yi quickly raised his hand and pressed it against his forehead: "Get out of the way."
Qi Yuan was blocked half a meter away, but he still reached out to touch his shoulder: "Really! You are simply my angel investor! My mentor! My-"
"If you keep talking nonsense, I will withdraw my investment." Chu Yi said coldly.
Qi Yuan immediately sat back in his original position and made a gesture of closing his mouth, but his eyes were still sparkling.
He was silent for less than three seconds before he couldn't help but ask, "Um...when will the money arrive?"
Chu Yi glanced at him and said, "Wait until you send me a serious business plan. I'll have someone evaluate it before we talk."
"No problem!" Qi Yuan promised, patting his chest. "I'll change it tonight!"
Chu Yi shook his head helplessly. Qi Yuan had so many wild ideas since he was a child, but Chu Yi always expressed his support for every "Arabian Nights" idea.
Because Qi Yuan has been his best friend since childhood.
The greatest benefit the Cheng family gave him was that even if Chu Yi didn't become a doctor, he would have more money than he could spend in his lifetime.
Therefore, most of the time, Chuyi is in a state of "no desire and no demand".
When it comes to his friends’ “dreams”, Chu Yi has always provided simple and crude financial support.
———
After dinner, Qi Yuan collapsed on the sofa in Chu Yi's house, lazily browsing his mobile phone, with no intention of leaving at all.
"Are you sure you don't want to go back?" Chu Yi tidied up the books on the table and glanced at him.
Qi Yuan turned over and buried his face in the pillow: "No reply."
Chu Yi wiped his hands and walked to the sofa: "If you're not going back, help me move these out." He pointed to the green plants on the balcony.
Qi Yuan wailed: "No way, I just had a full meal!"
"Then go home by yourself." Chu Yi was unmoved.
"Okay, okay, can't I move?" Qi Yuan got up reluctantly and walked to the balcony in his slippers.
The two of them moved the pots of green plants on the balcony to the outermost layer to bask in the sun.
Qi Yuan complained as he moved: "Why do you keep so many flowers and plants? They are troublesome and take up space."
"Be quiet." Chu Yi said without even looking up. "Put that pot of succulents in there gently, the leaves will fall off easily."
Qi Yuan curled his lips, but still slowed down his movements.
Chu Yi mercilessly ordered Young Master Qi to give the house a thorough cleaning. If Qi's mother saw that her son was so obedient, her jaw would definitely drop to the ground.
In the words of Qi Yuan’s elder sister Qi Ran: If Qi Yuan were a dog, only Chu Yi could tie him up.
————
It was almost eight o'clock when they finished their work. Chu Yi poked his head out of the kitchen and asked, "How about noodles tonight?"
"Whatever you want, anything is fine." Qi Yuan was lying on the sofa playing with his phone when his eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait!"
As soon as Chu Yi took out the noodles, Qi Yuan snatched them away and threw them back into the refrigerator.
"What are you doing?" Chu Yi frowned.
Qi Yuan shook his phone. "A friend just called and said they've opened a new bar, and the special guest is that super-hot DJ! Come on, let's go see the world!"
Chu Yi was helpless: "I won't go to that kind of place."
"Hey, relax once in a while!" Qi Yuan dragged him to the bedroom without saying anything. "Come on, change your clothes first. How can you go out in your home clothes?"
Qi Yuan turned Chu Yi's wardrobe upside down, and every time he took out an item, Qi Yuan's brows furrowed deeper.
"No, what kind of clothes are these?" Qi Yuan picked up a gray T-shirt. "Black, white, and gray. All black, white, and gray! Not even one with a pattern!"
Chu Yi leaned against the door frame: "I think it's fine."
"What's so good about that!" Qi Yuan closed the wardrobe door. "Let's go buy new clothes with me!"
"I don't--"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Qi Yuan had already pushed him out the door. "Just consider this a celebration of you becoming my angel investor!"
Two hours later, Chu Yi stood in front of the mirror and tugged at his clothes uncomfortably.
Qi Yuan picked out a loose beige sweater for him, paired with a white shirt and light-colored straight jeans. He looked clean and gentle.
"Well, I have good taste, don't I?" Qi Yuan patted his shoulder proudly, "They're much better than those old cadres' clothes!"
Chu Yi looked at himself in the mirror. He was indeed much more energetic than usual, but he still felt a little awkward: "This...isn't it too young?"
"You're only 27!" Qi Yuan rolled his eyes. "If you didn't know me, you'd think I was 72! Let's go! If we don't go now, we'll miss the show!"
The lights in the bar were dim and the music was deafening. Chu Yi followed Qi Yuan, his brows furrowed.
"Relax!" Qi Yuan leaned over and yelled in his ear, "You look like you're here to inspect our work!"
"You go and have your fun, I'll sit here for a while."
After sending Qi Yuan away, Chu Yi sat alone in a secluded booth. He took off his knitted jacket, leaving only a white shirt. His cuffs were casually rolled up at his wrists, and he held a glass of low-alcohol fruit wine in his hand.
I don't know when the style of the song on the stage switched from rock to lyrical love songs, and Chu Yi finally felt that his ears were at peace.
While Chu Yi was busy rejecting the third person who was trying to talk to him, a man wearing a black hat and sunglasses appeared on the stage. A large black sweatshirt hood covered the rest of his head tightly.
Everyone in the bar was in a state of extreme excitement, and no one paid attention to the "masked man" that appeared in the corner of the stage.
Only Chu Yi, who was sitting alone in the corner, noticed this change.
A staff member came on stage to adjust the microphone for the "masked man". When the lights turned on, Chu Yi discovered that there was actually a piano on the stage.
When the "masked man" casually pressed the first note, Chu Yi's fingers suddenly tightened, and the water droplets condensed on the wall of the glass slid down his knuckles.
The blurry figure on the stage sat in front of the piano, just at the edge of the spotlight, and the whole person was hidden in the darkness.
But Chu Yi felt that the sound was so clear that it seemed to have penetrated his eardrums directly.
"On the seventh moonless night...
You finally saw through my poor disguise..."
It's "Seventh Night".
There are no official recordings of the unreleased songs that Zhou Ai sang at underground music festivals before her debut. Only a few blurry live videos are circulated among fans.
Chu Yi had listened to those videos with poor sound quality repeatedly during sleepless nights, and was familiar with every transition.
The noisy voices in the bar miraculously quieted down.
Chu Yi felt his temples throbbing, his gaze fixed on the figure on the stage.
When singing the chorus, the man suddenly raised his hand and took off his mask, and Chu Yi's breathing stopped.
Not Zhou Ai.
A completely unfamiliar young face, but the voice was imitated perfectly.
Chu Yi's tense shoulders slowly relaxed, whether out of disappointment or relief. He looked down at the swirling liquid in the cup and suddenly felt a little ridiculous.
How could Zhou Ai possibly be in a place like this? She should be backstage at a concert with tens of thousands of people in attendance, or in a high-end recording studio, not...
"Hey! What are you daydreaming about?" Qi Yuan had returned at some point and plopped down next to him, reeking of alcohol and cigarettes. "Did you see that? That resident singer just now, his imitation of Zhou Ai was absolutely amazing! I almost thought the real person was here!"
Chu Yi calmly moved aside and said, "Yeah, they do look alike."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
