The Gold Card and the Unyielding Gaze

Jing Chen’s light tap on his head momentarily subdued Si Xi’s surging desire.

Alas, he had always been a reserved and modest person; yet, whenever he encountered Jing Chen, it felt as though he had consumed an aphrodisiac.

During his previous relationship with Shao Xun, who had vowed to remain chaste for his ‘white moonlight,’ such requests for intimacy were never brought up, and Si Xi himself had never contemplated booking a hotel room with him.

Previously, while chatting with a friend, the conversation organically turned to this topic. Upon learning they had been together for nearly a year without intimacy, his friend’s jaw nearly dropped in shock, asking how he had managed to restrain himself.

Si Xi, in turn, had been even more astonished. What exactly was there to restrain?

Only now did he realize that when faced with someone truly to his liking, holding back was genuinely impossible.

However, on the other hand, Jing Chen was, after all, the man he was keeping, specifically for certain needs. Moreover, he had even paid extra for this particular outing.

Given this, why should he exercise restraint?

“Brother, it’s only five o’clock. Isn’t it a bit early for us to go now?”

“After dinner, it should be about right.”

“I told you last time that my car has ample space; would you care to personally test its limits?”

“…”

Even the typically calm and composed Jing Chen nearly had his hand tremble, sending the car veering onto the curb.

Yet Si Xi, seemingly unaware of the need for restraint, reached out to place his hand on Jing Chen’s thigh, his index finger tracing circles there, his voice imbued with a suggestive ambiguity.

“I know of a secluded parking lot nearby…”

Jing Chen considered himself a relatively traditional and conservative man, whose criteria for a partner included maturity, independence, emotional decorum and restraint, and a strong focus on their career.

He had always believed that being ‘kept’ by a younger man was his absolute limit, yet he never imagined his boundaries could be pushed time and again, to the point of engaging in something as undignified as a tryst in a parking lot.

The ‘inspection’ lasted for quite some time; a brief separation truly rekindled their passion, like dry tinder meeting a fierce fire, and the air around them became thick with a humid stickiness.

An hour later, Si Xi descended from the back seat, his legs feeling like jelly.

He had to admit, the Panamera’s interior felt a tad cramped; his back was practically screaming in protest.

Watching Jing Chen emerge from the car, impeccably dressed and looking utterly relaxed, Si Xi found himself grinding his teeth in exasperation.

How was it that after a week apart, Jing Chen’s stamina seemed to have improved even further?

“What’s wrong?” Jing Chen inquired, sensing Si Xi’s resentful gaze.

Si Xi: “Nothing, really. It’s just that seeing you like this, a certain word comes to mind.”

Jing Chen disposed of the recent refuse into a nearby trash can, asking, “What word?”

“A beast in human clothing.”

Jing Chen: “…”

After such an exhaustive session, Si Xi’s boundless energy, more vigorous than a husky’s, was completely spent. He no longer harbored any lustful intentions towards Jing Chen, having practically slept the entire way to their destination.

Outside Tianhe Mansion, luxury cars already lined the streets.

As it was a concert, the evening’s attendees included not only prominent figures from the business world but also entertainment industry moguls like directors, producers, and a host of celebrities.

The concert tickets were categorized into various tiers. Si Xi had acquired his through an acquaintance, and having only requested them a few days prior, the timing had been too tight. To avoid inconveniencing anyone, he had simply asked for regular tickets.

Thus, despite their striking appearances, in this realm where profit reigned supreme, they garnered scant attention.

Upon entering the grand doors of Tianhe Mansion, one was greeted by a vast lobby, its domed ceiling adorned with dazzling, resplendent crystal chandeliers.

In the center of the lobby stood the symphony orchestra’s performance stage. Those with regular tickets could only watch the performance from the lobby, though they were also free to socialize, eat, and rest in the reception and lounge areas on the second and third floors.

VIP ticket holders, conversely, could enjoy the performance from private boxes on the third floor.

Additionally, a limited number of distinguished guest tickets granted access to the top-floor VIP lounge, where one could enjoy the performance while admiring the night view, treated to a top-tier banquet and privileges akin to an emperor’s.

Feeling ravenous, Si Xi declared, “Brother, let’s head to the second-floor restaurant for a bite first.”

They weren’t there to socialize, so the reception area was out of the question.

Furthermore, the gossip surrounding Si Xi’s broken engagement hadn’t yet subsided; his presence there would simply provide fodder for further conversation.

Jing Chen had even less need to socialize, so he simply said, “Let’s go.”

While waiting for the elevator, a young man approached, surrounded by a retinue of individuals.

The young man wore sunglasses, his chin slightly raised, his gaze unwavering. Surrounded as if by stars orbiting the moon, he clearly held a distinguished status, though it was unclear which prominent figure he might be.

Just then, the elevator arrived. As Si Xi and Jing Chen prepared to enter, a service attendant, who had pressed the call button, held out a hand to stop them.

“Please wait a moment, gentlemen; Young Master Huo the Third will go first.”

‘Young Master Huo the Third?’

Damn, so it was someone from the Huo family, the wealthiest family!

To be addressed as Young Master Huo the Third, he was likely the direct nephew of the Huo family’s enigmatic patriarch.

No wonder his entourage was so grand.

It was Si Xi’s first time seeing a real-life member of the Huo family, and he couldn’t resist stealing a few more glances.

The richest man! Was that Young Master Huo the Third walking towards him?

No, it was Renminbi!

Young Master Huo the Third appeared arrogant and overbearing. Just as Si Xi was about to pull Jing Chen aside to avoid his imposing presence, he heard Jing Chen ask, in a remarkably unperturbed tone, ‘Why should we yield?’

Whether by coincidence or not, the moment Jing Chen spoke, Young Master Huo the Third, who had been strutting with his head held high, missed a step and nearly performed a spectacular face-plant right there on the spot.

He incredulously ripped off his sunglasses, glaring at the two of them. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Jing Chen casually raise a hand and make a zipping motion across his lips, forcing him to forcefully swallow his words.

He nearly choked to death.

Si Xi hadn’t expected Jing Chen, usually so mature and steady, to be so unyielding all of a sudden.

Nevertheless, he felt compelled to support his ‘little lover,’ who was unaccustomed to such high-end venues and unaware of the need to defer to the powerful. Thus, he too questioned the attendant, ‘Exactly, we were here first, why should we yield?’

The attendant nearly rolled his eyes, mentally chiding, ‘Who do you two think you are, compared to who *he* is?’

However, before he could utter a word, the esteemed Young Master Huo the Third had already swiftly approached, hastily saying, ‘No need to yield, no need to yield.’

Just moments ago, he had been a proud peacock; now, he suddenly resembled a tamed domestic chicken, smiling with an approachable demeanor as he said, ‘You two were here first; please, go ahead.’

Jing Chen accepted without the slightest hesitation, taking Si Xi’s hand and stepping into the elevator.

Upon seeing their intertwined hands, Young Master Huo the Third wore a look of utter bewilderment once more, even raising a hand to rub his eyes.

In truth, the elevator had ample space, enough to accommodate Young Master Huo the Third and his entourage, yet he stubbornly dared not take a single step inside.

As the elevator doors closed, one of Young Master Huo the Third’s entourage cautiously asked, ‘Young Master Huo the Third, do you know those two gentlemen?’

Young Master Huo the Third immediately denied it: ‘No, I don’t know them! How could I possibly know them!’

He wouldn’t dare know them!

Inside the elevator, Si Xi pouted slightly, saying, ‘I suspect that Young Master Huo the Third just now took a fancy to your good looks.’

“…???”

Jing Chen was thankful he wasn’t walking at that moment, or he might have performed the same flat-ground fall as the previous man.

He cleared his throat lightly, asking, ‘How so?’

Si Xi huffed, ‘He was so arrogant initially, but the moment he saw your face, he started pretending to be docile, modest, and polite. What else could it be but being captivated by your looks?’

Jing Chen couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s alright, I’m quite dedicated. I only need one employer.”

Si Xi let out a soft hmph, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile harder to suppress than an AK.

Heh heh.

Heh heh heh.

By the time they finished dinner and returned, the performance was almost ready to begin, and guests were gradually taking their seats.

Si Xi and Jing Chen’s seats were near the front. Just as they located their places, Jing Chen’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and said, ‘You go ahead and sit; I’ll take this call.’

“Alright, go ahead.”

Jing Chen stepped outside to answer the call. Si Xi, settling into his seat, had barely touched down when the middle-aged man beside him, who had been scrutinizing him since he arrived, tentatively spoke: ‘Young Master Xi?’

Si Xi: “?”

Si Xi turned his head. Upon seeing his face, the middle-aged man’s expression softened into a smile. ‘It truly is you, Young Master Xi! A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure.’

“You are…”

“I am Yu Wanjia, the head of Wanjia Entertainment. Here is my business card.”

Yu Wanjia presented his business card with both hands. Si Xi took it, and the moment it touched his palm, something felt amiss.

He looked closer, and wow, the card was, in fact, pure gold, weighing nearly ten grams.

At the current market price for gold, that was several thousand yuan.

It was… quite absurd.

No matter how wealthy one was, it was impossible to casually hand out solid gold business cards. Si Xi fiddled with the card in his hand, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. ‘So, it’s President Yu.’

“That’s me, hehe. I never expected to run into you here. Why aren’t you seated in the VIP section?”

Si Xi: “Because I have a regular ticket.”

“…”

Yu Wanjia choked slightly, then quickly chuckled. “A regular ticket is good, a regular ticket is good! Very approachable, haha. Oh, by the way, isn’t Young Master Shao the Second with you?”

Si Xi raised an eyebrow. He knew it; he was just a university student, so why would anyone fawn over him like this if not for Shao Xun?

However, this man, who ran an entertainment company, apparently hadn’t heard about his broken engagement with Shao Xun.

With such poor discernment, he really shouldn’t be in the entertainment industry; he should just find a factory job.

Before Si Xi could respond, a lady seated in the row in front of them let out a soft giggle.

She turned around, chuckling, “This gentleman doesn’t know, does he? He was broken off with Young Master Shao the Second last week.”

Young Master Huo the Third, who had stealthily crept in and ‘P.Y.’d’ a seat not far behind Si Xi to eavesdrop, clutched his chest.

‘Just broken off with’… wasn’t that a bit too scandalous?

Yu Wanjia looked astonished. “Is that true?”

“How could it be false? Otherwise, do you think he, as Young Master Shao the Second’s fiancé, would condescend to sit in our regular ticket section?”

From the moment Si Xi decided to break off his engagement with Shao Xun, he had prepared himself to become a topic of gossip and ridicule.

Being ridiculed was hardly life-threatening, especially since he had received ten million yuan!

So, at this moment, he felt no embarrassment; in fact, he retorted, “That’s not right. Even when I was Young Master Shao the Second’s fiancé, I sat in the regular ticket section too.”

At his words, Young Master Huo the Third couldn’t help but let out a snicker.

Si Xi thought to himself, ‘Why do these people all snicker like they’re popping balloons?’

Yu Wanjia, however, couldn’t laugh. Si Xi’s words were a direct confirmation that he had indeed broken off the engagement with Young Master Shao the Second.

Recalling his earlier fawning, his expression soured slightly.

“Young Master Xi,” Yu Wanjia said unceremoniously, “when I gave you my card just now, I accidentally picked the wrong one. This is my actual card. Please return the one you have to me.”

With that, he extended a paper business card.

Si Xi didn’t take his card, but he did hand back the gold one, adding ‘considerately,’ “Next time, be sure to check carefully before you hand them out, President Yu.”

Yu Wanjia’s face grew even uglier.

After taking back his gold card, he disdainfully wiped it twice on his sleeve, then snorted, “How unlucky.”

Si Xi: “…”

It was so infuriating, it made him want to laugh.

Just then, Jing Chen returned from his call. Seeing Si Xi’s indignant expression, he asked, “What happened?”

Si Xi didn’t want to burden him with negative emotions. He took a deep breath to compose himself, then flashed a smile. “It’s nothing, Brother.”

Jing Chen’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Young Master Huo the Third, who was trying hard to pretend he didn’t exist.

Two minutes later, Jing Chen’s phone vibrated. A message arrived from a contact named ‘Huo Siyuan.’ Jing Chen quickly scanned the message but said nothing.

But five minutes later, just as the performance was about to begin, the mysterious owner behind Tianhe Mansion suddenly walked in.

This owner, known as Fourth Master Ye, was recognized by almost everyone. He ignored the circle of flattering individuals, surveyed the surroundings, and then quickly walked towards a specific direction.

Si Xi was currently trying to figure out how to lift the armrest positioned between him and Jing Chen so they could cuddle closer.

However, the switch, likely corroded by time, snapped off with a ‘snap’ when he applied a little force.

“…”

Si Xi was dumbfounded. Holy crap!

“Young Master Xi.”

Holding the broken switch, Si Xi looked up, bewildered. When he saw who had called him, a guilty expression immediately appeared on his face.

He had only broken a switch; surely the owner behind Tianhe Mansion didn’t need to personally come for compensation.

Si Xi offered a dry laugh. “Uh, that, I didn’t mean to. I’ll pay for it.”

“A minor matter, a minor matter. There’s no need for you to pay.”

Fourth Master Ye’s smile was even brighter than Si Xi’s. “I wasn’t aware of Young Master Xi’s visit, and I apologize for not greeting you sooner. I’ve arranged a special VIP seat for you and have come to invite you to move to the top floor.”

Si Xi: “…”

Si Xi was utterly speechless.

“I’ve already broken off my engagement with the Shao family; you don’t have to be so polite.”

Fourth Master Ye’s smile remained unchanged. “I came specifically to invite you, and it has nothing to do with the Shao family or any other family. You yourself are a prominent family; there’s no need to consider anyone else’s reputation.”

Si Xi: “………..”

Such an obscure language; why couldn’t he understand it?

Si Xi didn’t know what trick he was pulling and refused. “No need, this spot is perfectly fine. Thank you very much.”

Fourth Master Ye didn’t press the issue, saying with a pleasant demeanor, “Then, if you have any requests, feel free to ask any of the attendants here to find me. I’ll be here all night.”

“Okay.”

Only then did Fourth Master Ye turn to leave. The gazes of those around Si Xi had completely changed.

Especially Yu Wanjia, who was so regretful he nearly beat his chest and stomped his feet.

What kind of person was Fourth Master Ye? Even if the head of the Shao family were here, he might not adopt such a humble and respectful attitude.

It made it hard to imagine what powerful backer Si Xi had acquired after his broken engagement.

Si Xi was even more bewildered than they were. He looked at Jing Chen, who had remained silent throughout.

This guy was truly composed, not even batting an eyelid.

But it was also possible that he didn’t recognize Fourth Master Ye, and thus didn’t understand the significance of that scene.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?” Jing Chen turned his head. “What’s wrong?”

“I have a bold theory.”

“What theory?”

“I suspect I’m the wealthiest man’s illegitimate child, otherwise, where would I get such influence?”

Jing Chen: “…………”

It’s a good theory, but perhaps don’t theorize next time.