Blinded chapter 41
Xie Li mentioned that Chang Xiaojia’s health had almost recovered, and it wasn’t suitable for him to lie around at home every day. He suggested that he should go out for a walk. So, the next afternoon, they went to the bar together.
Chang Xiaojia kept a close eye on several bars, not allowing anyone to engage in illegal activities inside without his permission. However, he wasn’t particularly concerned about the bars’ operation and profits. It seemed like he intentionally made trouble for the people under his father, explaining why Du Shenglian disliked him so much.
By shutting down some illegal activities, several bars visibly declined. Only Fengling Bar maintained its previous lively atmosphere. It became a tourist attraction in the harbor city. Visitors from all over couldn’t resist taking photos when they came.
In the evening, Chang Xiaojia took the opportunity to have Shi Hongqian gather several newly hired bar managers for a meeting at the Fengling Bar, reporting the bar’s operational situation over the past month.
Xie Li stayed inside for a while, then left alone. Standing in the corridor, he glanced at the photo Chang Xin had sent him. The photo depicted a slightly chubby, ordinary middle-aged man.
It was almost eight o’clock.
He walked to the bar counter, sat down, and ordered a beer. In about ten minutes, two young girls approached him for a chat. Typically, he would smile, engage in a few conversations, and politely decline.
When eight o’clock arrived, he stood up with his beer, heading towards Room 8 without knocking on the door. He had decided that if the man he was supposed to meet wasn’t inside, he would use it as an excuse to leave.
Room 8 was a large private room. When Xie Li pushed the door, he saw at least seven or eight men inside, along with many young women drinking. Sitting in the middle was the middle-aged man from the photo Chang Xin had sent him.
As he pushed the door, someone asked, “Who are you looking for?”
Xie Li’s gaze quickly swept over everyone’s faces. He recognized that the man speaking had a Chongfeng City accent, but none of them were people he had encountered before. So, he focused on the man in the center, approached with his beer, and said, “Are you Mr. He? Young Master Xin asked me to bring you a drink.”
The middle-aged man surnamed He stood up, examining Xie Li, “Chang Xin sent you?”
Xie Li smiled and walked over, raising his beer towards the man. After a moment’s hesitation, the middle-aged man also picked up his own glass from the table and clinked it with Xie Li’s before taking a sip.
“He sends his regards,” Xie Li said, extending his hand for a handshake. He also passed the small plastic bag of pills to He, adding, “Enjoy your time, everyone.”
With that, he left the room.
Chang Xin’s request was definitely not that simple, and Xie Li understood that. He came out of the private room, knowing that the meeting on Chang Xiaojia’s side hadn’t ended yet. So, he returned to the bar counter, holding a beer.
Not long after he sat down, a young girl in a short skirt approached him, striking up a conversation and asking him to buy her a drink.
Glancing at the inside of the bar, Xie Li told the girl, “Someone is keeping a close eye on me, and I dare not invite you for a drink, afraid of causing trouble for you.”
The girl asked curiously, “Who is it? Did you break the law or get into trouble?”
Leaning in closer to her ear, Xie Li whispered, “My wife.”
The girl chuckled, playfully hitting him. Instead of leaving, she said, “Knowing that your wife is keeping a close eye on you, my sister said she misses you but is afraid to come and see you. So, she asked me to pass on a message.”
Xie Li looked at her, “What did your sister say?”
The girl replied, “My sister said she doesn’t want you to divorce your wife. It’s her birthday on the 15th, and she wants to see you. She has already booked a hotel room. She hopes you can make it.” After saying this, she handed a slip of paper to Xie Li.
Taking the paper, Xie Li looked at it. It contained the hotel’s address and room number. He raised his hand and rubbed his face, feeling genuinely troubled. It wasn’t an act; he was sincerely distressed.
Lowering her voice, the girl said with genuine emotion, “Sister Ruan is serious about you. It’s not easy for her to stay by Du Shenglian’s side. If you like her, find a way to take her away.”
Xie Li lowered his gaze, saying, “I understand. You can go now.”
The girl stood up and left.
Turning around, Xie Li saw that Chang Xiaojia was already standing at the exit of the corridor, looking towards him. He had probably seen and heard their conversation earlier.
Chang Xiaojia walked towards Xie Li.
Xie Li crumpled the slip of paper in his hand, pretended to yawn, covered his mouth, and casually tossed the crumpled paper into his mouth. Then, he lifted his beer glass, took a sip, and swallowed the paper directly.
Chang Xiaojia’s expression was cold as he asked, “Who was that?”
Xie Li said, “Someone trying to strike up a conversation, asking me to buy her a drink. I declined.”
Chang Xiaojia turned to look at the girl walking away.
Xie Li chuckled, “I’ve been sitting here for a while, and three girls came to chat with me. If you want, you can take me back and tie me up.”
In the evening, Chang Xiaojia squatted barefoot on the bed, handcuffing one of Xie Li’s hands to the bedpost. Unable to maintain a comfortable position, Xie Li had to lie down, extending one hand towards the ceiling.
Crouching in front of him, Chang Xiaojia spoke with a cold tone, “I’ll keep you like this, strip you, feed you every day, and won’t let you go anywhere.”
Xie Li, maintaining composure, asked him, “Then how do I go to the bathroom?”
Chang Xiaojia said, “I can help you.”
Xie Li looked at him, “Xiaojia, if you stay at home every day and don’t go out, you don’t need me as your bodyguard. I don’t know if you remember, but I mentioned that I want to find something to do in the harbor city, earn money. I don’t want to be with you all my life, waiting for your father and brother to throw you a bone and maybe give me a little share when they feed you.”
Chang Xiaojia’s face looked unpleasant.
“Xiaojia,” Xie Li called his name in a gentle tone, “do you have any plans for yourself?”
Chang Xiaojia asked, “What do you mean?”
Xie Li said, “You probably don’t just plan to get a few bars from your father. With so many businesses in Hongfang, most are controlled by your brother. Don’t you want to take them back?”
Chang Xiaojia looked at him coldly, “Do you want the businesses of our Chang family?”
Xie Li extended his hand towards him, gesturing for him to come closer.
Chang Xiaojia stared at him for a long time before slowly approaching, leaning against him and lying down.
Xie Li used his free hand to embrace him. He said, “I don’t just want to; I want to take you away.”
Chang Xiaojia asked, “Where will you take me?”
Xie Li replied, “Anywhere is fine, as long as we can escape the control of your father and brother.”
Chang Xiaojia fell silent.
Xie Li gently stroked his hair, thinking that what he said wasn’t entirely false. When they eradicate Hongfang and expose all the shady deals, and Chang Xiaojia had nowhere to go, he would take him with him, as long as he was willing.
Chang Xiaojia spoke slowly, “My father has never trusted me.”
Xie Li reassured him, saying, “It’s okay. Give me a chance, and I’ll earn it all back for you. But you must do as I say, okay?”
Chang Xiaojia remained silent.
But it was okay; Xie Li knew that his silence generally meant agreement. He always only had two options: “no” or “silence.”
Xie Li kissed him, rolled over, and with his wrist pulled by the handcuffs, produced a metallic sound.
Even though having one hand immobilized made his movements difficult, Xie Li persisted in kissing Chang Xiaojia, slowly undressing him with one hand.
He told himself that one day he would be able to take Chang Xiaojia away. He had to repeat this thought and believe it continuously to keep going.