Chapter 073: Conversations Between Close Friends

Chapter 073: Girlfriends’ Talk

Chu Fei’s efficiency was remarkable.

To be precise, it was his child-bride-turned-elder-sister’s efficiency that was astonishing.

Before the workday was even over, Chu Fei snuck out of the office under the pretense of scouting for a new company location. Once certain no one was watching, he slipped into the underground parking lot and got into his child-bride elder sister’s luxurious car.

They drove straight to the presidential suite atop a six-star hotel in the city center.

Bai Yanchu had come to Kun City intending a long stay but had yet to find a suitable apartment, so she temporarily resided in the hotel.

She was alone, which didn’t surprise Chu Fei in the least. Despite her delicate and alluring appearance, his child-bride elder sister was even more formidable than he was. In all their childhood sparring, he’d never once managed to gain the upper hand. So Chu Fei had no concern at all for her personal safety.

As for life experience, Bai Yanchu had cared for Chu Fei single-mindedly since they were children. She was sharp and astute, and after years of honing herself in the outside world, she was more likely to trick others than be taken advantage of.

Simply put, his child-bride elder sister was formidable.

Chu Fei, naturally at ease with her, wasted no time. As soon as he entered the lavish living room, he handed her the documents and stated his request. Bai Yanchu, of course, would handle the arrangements.

She was even more direct and domineering—without even glancing at the papers, she tossed them aside and asked, “Is one building enough?”

Chu Fei almost slid right to the floor. Feilu was just a tiny company with only a handful of people; occupying a whole building—was she planning to host ghosts?

It took half an hour of explanation before Bai Yanchu understood what he actually wanted. In the end, she said she would simply give Feilu an entire floor. If one wasn’t enough, they could have two. Her boldness once again left Chu Fei stunned. He realized he truly couldn’t see through her anymore. No wonder, after years at Ji Wenxuan’s side, she now spoke of buildings and floors as if they were nothing. It left Chu Fei feeling out of his depth.

Fortunately, they soon dropped the business talk and began catching up.

There was no denying that Chu Fei felt most at ease before Bai Yanchu, perhaps more so than at any other time. He didn’t need to carry any emotional burden or worry about anything—he simply basked in her care and attention.

They dined together, shared stories of their time apart, and recounted various experiences. Chu Fei spoke little, mostly listening to Bai Yanchu describe her ventures—investments, acquisitions, and other business affairs. As she spoke, Chu Fei gradually realized how much she had changed. No longer was she the big sister who hovered protectively around him; she had become a true iron lady, decisive and merciless, as evidenced by the sharp edge in her casual remarks.

Was this still his child-bride elder sister?

“Chu Fei, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me so strangely? Have I become ugly?” Bai Yanchu abruptly stopped, blinking her bright, watery eyes in confusion.

“No, I’m just amazed at how much you’ve experienced these past few years,” Chu Fei replied with a smile.

“Is it so much? I don’t think so. As long as it helps you in the future, I’d go through anything,” Bai Yanchu replied, smiling sweetly and gently taking his right hand in hers.

“Heh…”

At that moment, Chu Fei suddenly felt moved. Perhaps Bai Yanchu really had changed—become colder, more unapproachable, a true iron lady—but before him, she was still the gentle, loving elder sister, his child-bride elder sister.

In that instant,

Looking at her charming, captivating face, Chu Fei was seized by a powerful impulse. He instinctively took her hands and pulled her into his arms…

“Young Master—”

Bai Yanchu froze, but soon her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She closed her eyes and tilted her head up…

Staring at her inviting, radiant face…

Chu Fei suddenly snapped back to reality. He abruptly pushed Bai Yanchu away and stood up…

“Young Master, what’s wrong?” Bai Yanchu also stood, disappointment plain on her face as she looked at Chu Fei in confusion. She had thought, for a moment, that Chu Fei would kiss her, even go further—she’d been waiting for this moment for so long—yet at the crucial instant, Chu Fei had withdrawn.

“Well, it’s getting late. I should go,” Chu Fei forced himself to sound calm. A moment ago, he had nearly lost control, nearly thrown caution to the wind with Bai Yanchu. He knew she would never refuse him, no matter what he asked—she would only obey.

But he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“What? Young Master, you’re not staying tonight?” Bai Yanchu asked, startled.

“No, I have things to take care of,” Chu Fei shook his head. If he stayed, he’d surely do something he shouldn’t. He could clearly sense that Bai Yanchu was different this time. Though she still seemed gentle and obedient, there was now an undercurrent of seduction and assertiveness… Facing such a child-bride elder sister, he could only retreat, not daring to get close. He wasn’t ready to take that step with her.

“Well, alright. Take care on your way.” Bai Yanchu didn’t insist, but gently approached to straighten his collar, softly reminding him, “I’ll look over those documents later and give you an answer tomorrow.”

“There’s no rush. Look them over when you have time.”

Finishing, Chu Fei found himself unable to meet Bai Yanchu’s gaze. He quickly turned and hurried out of the presidential suite—

Only when he’d walked a good distance did he finally exhale, warning himself never to be alone with Bai Yanchu again. This was testing the limits of his self-control…

—

Though he’d left in a hurry, by the time Chu Fei returned to his own apartment, it was already after ten-thirty at night.

Passing by Chen Xiaoman’s building, he hesitated but ultimately didn’t go up. Even if he was worried, it could wait until morning—what would it look like, barging into a girl’s home in the middle of the night?

As for Chen Xiaoman’s apartment, the ownership had already been transferred to her that morning, thanks to a lawyer arranged by Liu Huamei. Chen Xiaoman didn’t even know she now had a property in her name.

Not only that—after hearing Chu Fei’s suggestion, Liu Huamei also thought this old neighborhood had great development potential and had begun quietly buying up properties, laying the groundwork for future projects.

Soon,

Chu Fei arrived at his place. He’d just taken out his keys when he paused, hearing the voices of two women inside—and they were talking about him.

“That Chu Fei is such a jerk. Out every night, fooling around with women. I can’t believe he’s become like this. It’s infuriating, disgusting…”

It was Xi Menlu’s voice, every word dripping with venom. Chu Fei shivered at the door—just how much did this woman hate him, to speak of him like this behind his back?

Then came the other woman’s voice.

“You must be mistaken. I think Chu Fei’s not as bad as you say,” the woman said. Her voice wasn’t as sultry as Xi Menlu’s, slightly husky but very familiar. Chu Fei quickly recognized it as Xu Shiqi, the class monitor.

This realization made Chu Fei’s heart skip a beat—why was Xu Shiqi here? Was she here to settle scores with him?

Thinking of their wild night together at the hotel, Chu Fei felt uneasy.

But Xu Shiqi’s tone seemed to be in his defense, not one of confrontation.

Chu Fei immediately decided not to enter yet. He wanted to hear what these two women were saying about him behind his back.

Inside,

“How could I be mistaken? Xu Shiqi, since I moved in here, that jerk hasn’t spent a single night at home. He’s always out fooling around with women. And he has the nerve to say he’s afraid of corrupting me, as if it’s my fault! If he’s going to misbehave, fine, but blaming it on me? He’s shameless!” Xi Menlu sounded even more aggrieved and resentful.

“You can’t blame Chu Fei for everything. You’re always dressed so provocatively—any man would be tempted. Yet you won’t let him touch you. Who else should he blame?” Xu Shiqi teased.

“Xu Shiqi, whose side are you on?” Xi Menlu gritted her teeth.

“Don’t worry about sides. I’m just saying, if you actually offered yourself up, I doubt he’d be out all night. If you were the one taking the initiative, he’d have no reason to fool around elsewhere,” Xu Shiqi said with a sly grin, eyeing Xi Menlu’s alluring figure.

“Nonsense, Xu Shiqi! I don’t throw myself at people. I’m not that easy. Even if… Ugh, you’re distracting me. I’m trying to talk about how Chu Fei never comes home. Help me think of a way to get him to stay,” Xi Menlu shook her head vigorously.

“If you won’t let him touch you, and still want him to come home, you’re being unreasonable. Anyone in his shoes would stay away. Can look but not touch? That’s just torture,” Xu Shiqi rolled her eyes.

“Xu Shiqi, I see right through you—you still have feelings for Chu Fei. You’re about to get married. Aren’t you afraid your fiancé will dump you if he hears this?” Xi Menlu retorted.

“So what if he does? I don’t even like him. If not for my parents, I’d never have agreed to this engagement,” Xu Shiqi replied indifferently.

“No way! Are you planning to call off the wedding?” Xi Menlu sounded shocked.

Xu Shiqi fell silent.

Xi Menlu pressed on, “Tell me the truth, Xu Shiqi. Now that you’ve seen Chu Fei again, are you planning to elope with him?”

“I’d like to, but he has to be willing to elope with me first,” Xu Shiqi replied.

“Are you crazy? You’d give up Dongyu’s crown prince for that rascal Chu Fei? Have you lost your mind?” Xi Menlu exclaimed.

“Oh, don’t lecture me. Aren’t you the one who moved in here all too eagerly?” Xu Shiqi shot back.

“It’s just… this place is closer to the office,” Xi Menlu muttered, but with little conviction.

“Yeah, right. Swear you don’t have any feelings for him,” Xu Shiqi challenged.

“Fine, I admit I was a bit interested in him at first. I was just so excited to see him again. But now I’m over it. He’s too disappointing; I can’t believe I was so crazy about him in high school,” Xi Menlu said, sounding genuinely regretful.

“People change, and so do we. With everything Chu Fei’s been through, it’s normal he’s changed too,” Xu Shiqi sighed, her voice tinged with sadness.

“I don’t mind him changing, but now he’s just a scoundrel. You have no idea, Xu Shiqi—this morning, he barged in on me and saw everything. He didn’t even try to look away, just stared like a hungry wolf, practically drooling. It infuriated me!” Xi Menlu grew more agitated as she spoke, ending with a string of curses.

“At least you were only seen. I was… completely devoured,” Xu Shiqi mumbled under her breath.

“What did you say?” Xi Menlu didn’t catch it.

“Nothing. I said being seen won’t kill you. You shouldn’t have been wandering around naked—it’s your own fault,” Xu Shiqi quickly changed her tune.

“Xu Shiqi, you…”

Xi Menlu was livid. She’d hoped her best friend would commiserate with her, let her vent her grievances—but instead, she only felt more frustrated. Just as she was about to speak, the living room door suddenly opened, and a mocking voice rang out.

“Exactly, if you’re running around naked in the living room, how can you blame me?”

“Ah—!”

“Ah—!”

“What the—!”

Two shrieks and a curse rang out simultaneously.

Chu Fei, who had just stepped into the living room, stared wide-eyed, nearly getting a nosebleed…

What kind of situation was this?

Chu Fei groaned inwardly.

He could feel his blood boiling all over…