Blinded chapter 62
As it was the New Year’s banquet, after finishing the morning tea, according to the tradition, all the brothers had to offer New Year’s greetings to Chang Guanshan, who had prepared red envelopes for everyone, regardless of their seniority.
When Xie Li went to offer New Year’s greetings to Chang Guanshan and received his red envelope, he stayed by Chang Guanshan’s side to help distribute the red envelopes.
The younger brothers usually gathered in groups to offer New Year’s greetings. Chang Guanshan might not remember all their names, but he always wore a gentle smile on his face, presenting a red envelope to each person.
People like He Chuanyun, Ping Xiang, and Song Daozheng, who were in charge of matters, arrived later. After offering New Year’s greetings and receiving red envelopes, they sat down to chat with Chang Guanshan.
“Is Mr. Du’s business now temporarily under your management?” Chang Guanshan, with one leg crossed over the other, asked Song Daozheng in a gentle tone.
Song Daozheng replied, “Yes.”
Chang Guanshan continued, “You can hand over some of it to Xie Li and let him help you oversee it.”
As he said this, everyone turned their gaze to Xie Li, who was standing behind Chang Guanshan.
Xie Li remained silent, simply bowing respectfully.
Du Shenglian originally held a significant portion of Hongfang’s adult industry and also had a small entertainment company registered under Wu Can’s name, engaging in the escort business with young and attractive men and women.
At this moment, Ping Xiang stood up, patted Xie Li on the shoulder, and jokingly said, “Brother Xie, it seems like you have a promising future.”
Chang Guanshan added, “Xie Li is a capable person. Working as a bodyguard for Xiaojia has obscured his talents.” After saying that, he suddenly raised his voice and shouted, “Chang Xiaojia!”
Chang Xiaojia was still sitting at a round table in the back, eating rice noodle rolls. He had been eating for a long time, and Xie Li noticed that he had been dragging his food without eating much. However, he never put down his chopsticks.
Hearing Chang Guanshan calling him, Chang Xiaojia straightened his body and glanced in this direction. Slowly putting down his chopsticks, he stood up and walked over.
Chang Guanshan’s tone softened again, “Have you eaten enough?”
Chang Xiaojia replied, “Yes.”
Chang Guanshan waved his hand, “Come over.”
Chang Xiaojia was already standing in front of Chang Guanshan, not knowing how else to come over. He could only bend down a little more to get closer.
Chang Guanshan reached out and pulled a piece of napkin from the table, carefully wiping off the soy sauce at the corner of his mouth. While wiping, he said, “Why are you behaving like a child?”
He Chuanyun interjected, “Young Master Xiaojia is still quite young.”
Chang Guanshan handed the used napkin to Xie Li.
Turning around, Xie Li walked towards the trash can in the corner. His gaze swept over Chang Xiaojia’s face, noticing a faint redness around his mouth.
Chang Guanshan sighed and said, “He’s not that young; he’s in his early twenties. At his age, his brother had already started helping me manage the business.”
Chang Xiaojia lowered his gaze, letting his hands rest on his legs. His fair fingers curled slightly, and he remained silent.
Chang Guanshan asked him to sit beside him. “Keep the uncles company and chat.”
When Xie Li returned, Chang Guanshan said to him, “You sit too.”
Xie Li sat next to Chang Xiaojia, his gaze fixed on the soft profile of Chang Xiaojia’s face, falling into a brief daze.
In the afternoon, Chang Guanshan played mahjong with his wife Ye Xinzhi, and at the same table were Ye Shaoyin and Ping Xiang.
Constantly feeling cold, Chang Xiaojia’s complaints led Chang Guanshan to instruct Shi Hongqian to ask the restaurant staff to turn up the heating.
Ruan Qiuyuan also sat next to Ye Shaoyin.
Ye Shaoyin happened to be sitting opposite Chang Guanshan, and Chang Xiaojia’s gaze turned cold, drifting lightly to Ruan Qiuyuan’s face.
Ruan Qiuyuan initially paid no attention and didn’t look at Chang Xiaojia. However, after being stared at for a while, even though the hall was heated, an eerie chill seemed to pervade, prompting her to look at Chang Xiaojia and move her chair behind Ye Shaoyin.
Ye Shaoyin noticed and, while shuffling the cards, said to Chang Xiaojia, “Why are you staring at my woman? Interested? If you are, take her home and try.”
Chang Xiaojia’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, “Sure.”
Then, Ye Shaoyin said to Ruan Qiuyuan, “Come here.”
Ruan Qiuyuan approached Ye Shaoyin, whispering softly, “Mr. Ye.”
Ye Shaoyin didn’t speak, just turned his head to look at Ruan Qiuyuan, as if waiting for her to decide.
However, Ye Xinzhi couldn’t bear it anymore. Frowning tightly, she said to Chang Xiaojia, “Xiaojia, don’t mess around with your uncle. What’s the use of bringing a prostitute home?”
Chang Xiaojia remained silent.
Ye Xinzhi once again said to Ye Shaoyin, “Take care of yourself! Even if you’re playing around, you should have some boundaries!” She neither looked at nor spoke to Ruan Qiuyuan, evidently not regarding her with any importance.
Ye Shaoyin, not wanting to anger his sister, explained, “I was just joking with Xiaojia. How can I let such a woman get close to him? Xiaojia should find a refined lady in the future.” After saying that, he turned to Ruan Qiuyuan and said, “Get lost, don’t stay here bothering my sister.”
Upon hearing this, Ruan Qiuyuan stood up and left the grand banquet hall.
Xie Li chatted with Song Daozheng for a while and then made an excuse to go to the restroom and left.
When he exited the banquet hall, he felt someone following him. Without looking back, he continued walking forward. As he passed a corridor, he saw Ruan Qiuyuan sitting on a recliner on the restaurant terrace, so he walked towards her.
Ruan Qiuyuan looked up at him. He shook his head, made a simple warning gesture, and then asked her, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Ruan Qiuyuan replied.
Xie Li asked, “Did he hit you?”
Ruan Qiuyuan shook her head.
Xie Li leaned closer to her, lifted her hair from her cheek, and said, “If he dares to hit you, I will make him pay.”
Ruan Qiuyuan looked at Xie Li, and her lips moved slightly.
Xie Li leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Stay in touch.”
Ruan Qiuyuan nodded very lightly.
After that, Xie Li stood up and left. When he left the terrace, he heard footsteps receding into the distance. In the instant he stepped into the corridor, he heard someone continuously apologizing to another person. Looking up, he saw a young man bowing and apologizing to Chang Xiaojia.
Chang Xiaojia raised an arm, holding an empty bowl, his gaze gloomy, and his clothes in front wet.
Seeing Chang Xiaojia lifting the bowl, ready to smash it onto the young man’s head, Xie Li hurriedly shouted, “Xiaojia!”
He quickly walked over, snatched the bowl from Chang Xiaojia’s hand, and embraced his waist with one hand, saying to the young man, “You can go now.”
The young man quickly expressed his thanks, “Thank you, Brother Li.” Then, nervously looking at Chang Xiaojia, he headed towards the banquet hall.
Chang Xiaojia struggled forcefully, pushing Xie Li away and hitting the wall with his back.
Holding the empty bowl, Xie Li smelled a faint milky fragrance, probably the sweet soup that Chang Guanshan asked the kitchen to make for him.
“Where do you want to go?” Xie Li asked.
Chang Xiaojia didn’t answer. He stared at the ground, lips tightly pressed together, breathing rapidly in intervals, his chest heaving intensely, clearly furious.
Worried that he might explode, Xie Li quickly said, “Alright, I won’t ask. How about I take you to change into a different set of clothes?”
“I want to go home,” Chang Xiaojia said.
Xie Li asked, “Where is Shi Hongqian? I can ask him to take you home.”
Chang Xiaojia glanced in the direction of the banquet hall, then glared at Xie Li with resentment.
Xie Li said, “Or how about I take you home.”
Chang Xiaojia didn’t say anything, and Xie Li took it as his agreement.