Chapter 2: The Pride of Heaven

Lu Bei was also drawn by the voices upstairs and started in surprise, “Third Brother?”

Seeing that Lin Xi remained unmoved, Qin Yu raised his voice. “Do you want me to come down?”

Under the gaze of the man upstairs, Lin Xi took a deep breath and walked toward the second floor.

The solid-wood staircase in the restaurant, perhaps worn by years of use, made a faint sound underfoot. She lowered her head and deliberately slowed her pace, trying to delay the inevitable just a little longer. But the stairs were not many; even at her slowest, she reached the top within two minutes.

As she stepped onto the last stair, a pair of black leather shoes appeared before her, above them impeccably tailored dark suit pants.

Having finally waited for her to arrive, Qin Yu shifted aside to let her pass. Lin Xi felt her heart sink, and, resigned to her fate, followed him.

The second floor was lined with private rooms, quieter than the main hall below.

Her gaze wandered and, by chance, she noticed a half-burned, broken cigarette on the windowsill opposite, scattered with a few flecks of ash—a silent reminder that Qin Yu had only just come out.

She had majored in electronic engineering in university, earned her doctorate, and already received an offer from a foreign company. She hadn’t planned to stay long on this trip home and had made inquiries before returning, learning that Qin Yu had been working at the southern branch lately. That was why she’d chosen this time to come back.

She had thought that running into him here was bad enough luck, but now she’d actually been caught by him.

Utterly unfortunate.

Sensing that the man in front of her was still watching her, Lin Xi decided not to avoid him anymore. She lifted her eyes with a cheerful smile. “What a coincidence today. The last time I saw you, Third Brother, must have been seven years ago.”

Third Brother... Qin Yu silently mulled over the title, feeling a little out of sorts. Though many in the capital called him that, she never had back then.

Back then, not long after her accident, she relied on a hearing aid and was temporarily mute. He had patiently taught her how to speak again; every time she looked up at him with wet, shining eyes and stammered out his name, “Qin Yu.” Not like she did now.

“How has Third Brother been lately?”

The man let out a low laugh through his nose, mimicking her languid tone, “How well could I be, with you gone?”

A few years apart, and he had become so sardonic. Especially when he said “Third Brother”—he deliberately emphasized it, as if grinding the words out between his teeth.

Lin Xi let out an awkward laugh, baffled by his odd mood.

In the next moment, Qin Yu’s gaze inadvertently fell upon the bracelet on her wrist, and his expression softened.

It was his.

So she was still wearing it—she had some conscience, after all...

“Did you come back last night?”

“Yes, that’s right.” As she nodded, a strand of hair slipped down beside her cheek.

Qin Yu reached out, with practiced ease, to tuck the stray lock behind her ear. “Why didn’t you tell me beforehand? I could have arranged a welcome for you.”

Such gentleness from him was rare; when he looked at her, his eyes burned, and his manner was intimate, almost like a lover’s.

For a fleeting moment, Lin Xi was dazed, as if she’d returned to seven years ago, her heart sinking slightly. But then she remembered him telling her mother he’d never like a girl who was both deaf and mute...

She had inherited her mother’s best features: a delicate face, fair skin that glowed under the overhead lights, highlighting her sculpted features and lending her a gentle softness.

When she looked up at him, her smiling eyes were as clear and bright as they were back then, curved slightly with a hint of laughter. Yet her words now carried a sting, stabbing straight into his heart:

“I was going to visit you tomorrow after my blind date today, but what are the odds, running into you right now?”

Her tone was playful, almost provoking, clearly bringing it up on purpose.

No sooner had she finished than Qin Yu’s expression darkened, his tone tinged with irritation. “That guy downstairs—is he your date?”

Before she could introduce him, Qin Yu curled his lip and cut in sharply, “You really have worse taste after all those years abroad.”

Lin Xi almost laughed out of exasperation.

He was right—her taste was terrible. Otherwise, how could she have fallen for him back then?

She clenched her hand in secret, deliberately contradicting him. “I don’t think so, Third Brother. He’s a good person—handsome, decent temperament, talented and accomplished. Actually suits me quite well.”

“Talented and accomplished,” Qin Yu repeated, a mocking smile on his lips. “That counts as talented and accomplished? When there are far better choices right beside you, and you choose him?”

Lin Xi was puzzled and almost asked without thinking, “Who is the better choice?”

Qin Yu replied, “Me.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words.

It was always like this—back then, this infuriating man liked to say ambiguous things that led her astray.

Afraid he’d notice her reaction, Lin Xi turned her gaze away, her tone stiff. “You’re more than just talented and accomplished, Third Brother. You’re the pride of heaven itself, a perfect match for that heiress from the Song family.”

Qin Yu looked at her deeply, and after a long pause, finally caught her meaning. “Why bring up someone else?”

“How is she someone else? Isn’t she your—” Just then, spotting his assistant approaching from the corner of her eye, Lin Xi swallowed her words and made her escape. “It’s getting late. I shouldn’t bother you any longer, Third Brother.”

Without a backward glance, she turned and let out a silent sigh of relief.

Just as she lifted her foot to descend, a hand suddenly tightened around her wrist, pulling her back with force.

Her stiff back collided with the man’s chest, so close she could still smell the lingering tobacco on him.

Qin Yu gave his assistant a couple of instructions, then, ignoring her struggles, dragged her downstairs.

“Hey! Th-Third Brother!” Lin Xi had no choice but to follow.

As they passed through the main hall, Lin Xi happened to see the group who had been discussing Qin Yu earlier settling their bill.

Across the distance, their eyes met—no words passed between them.

Their expressions were increasingly complex, shock written all over their faces.

Lin Xi lifted her hand to cover her face. This time, she didn’t need Qin Yu to pull her along; she quickened her own pace, even overtaking him.

At the restaurant entrance, Lu Bei was still waiting. “Lin—” He broke off when he saw the figure behind her, then greeted him ingratiatingly, “Third Brother.”

Hearing his voice, Qin Yu paused and gave Lu Bei a cold, disdainful glance, his eyes icy.

He’d never minded this title before; it was normal for acquaintances to call him that. But today, hearing both Lin Xi and Lu Bei use it together made it sound utterly discordant.

Qin Yu didn’t reply, leaving Lu Bei at a loss. Sensing the awkwardness, Lin Xi took the initiative. “Were you still waiting for me?”

“Yeah, I still wanted to drive you home. It’s late, and I’d worry about you going back alone.”

“Alright.” Lin Xi smiled at him. Compared to being dragged away by Qin Yu, she would much rather ride with Lu Bei. She reached out her other hand, as if grasping at a lifeline, trying to take Lu Bei’s arm. “Where’s your car parked? We—”

Lu Bei hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly. Just as he was about to take her hand, Qin Yu pulled Lin Xi back into his arms with force and said coldly, “Tonight’s date doesn’t count.”

With that, Qin Yu marched her toward the car parked by the curb.

Bundled into the back seat, Lin Xi’s head was still spinning. By the time she realized what had happened, the driver had already locked her door.

She turned to look out the other window just as Qin Yu slid in beside her.

Catching sight of the stunned Lu Bei outside, Lin Xi rolled down the window and waved. “Lu Bei, let’s meet another day.”

Lu Bei nodded at once. “Let me know when you get home!”

“Alright.”

Someone rolled the window up; Lin Xi didn’t care who. Turning back, she met Qin Yu’s piercing gaze. Instead of shrinking away, she tilted her head and shot him a provocative smile.

Qin Yu said nothing.