ACBNHTS Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Golden Branch Awakens, Wen Heng Overturns

Pei Du chuckled softly, appearing lazy and carefree, but when he lowered his eyes to look at Sheng Yiguang, his gaze was focused and affectionate.

“Don’t just say it with words.”

To prove himself, Sheng Yiguang leaned in and kissed Pei Du.

Pei Du’s eyes darkened, and his voice became hoarse, “bb, what did I tell you before? How should you kiss your boyfriend?”

Sheng Yiguang was a little embarrassed, but he still leaned over and kissed him in the same way.

He was the one who initiated it, but Pei Du’s hand around his waist and the palm on the back of his head were like a soft lock, trapping him, not allowing him to be eaten clean, not allowing him to leave.

…

–

Inside the restaurant, Jin Zhi arrived late. Seeing Lu Zhengyang in the private room, his face immediately fell.

Lu Zhengyang chuckled, “What’s with that expression? If I knew I was coming, you wouldn’t have come?”

Jin Zhi didn’t give him a pleasant look. “It’s good that you know.”

The two went to the same kindergarten when they were little. Jin Zhi was fair and chubby as a child, lovable, but not very smart.

Lu Zhengyang, on the other hand, was full of mischief and loved to play with those who weren’t so bright.

The two fought from kindergarten to elementary school.

Later, Jin Zhi followed his family to Haicheng. The two met in the business world, and Lu Zhengyang still liked to play with Jin Zhi.

Whatever Jin Zhi did, he liked to get involved, just to have some fun.

Lu Zhengyang went to Wen Heng’s livestream because he knew Jin Zhi liked this streamer, so he went to watch the excitement, adding a little fun to his ordinary life.

This person was genuinely malicious, so Jin Zhi couldn’t stand him.

Shi Yi stepped forward to smooth things over, “Let’s put personal grudges aside for now. Today, we’re mainly here for the Pei family’s young master. The Pei family’s internal strife has been going on for four years, and there’s no end in sight. The stock price, on the other hand, has been falling.”

From four years ago until now, the market value of Pei’s main company, Chuanghe Wanxiang, has shrunk by nearly half. Recently, the stock price has been falling alarmingly.

Shi Yi: “Two days ago, when my dad was browsing videos, he saw that Pei Du had a mental illness and was so scared that he immediately sold half of his shares. Luckily, he sold quickly. Pei’s stock price is still falling. As for the remaining half, he asked me to come and inquire. Jin Shao, your family has a recent collaboration with his family, do you have any inside information?”

Jin Zhi: “No, my projects don’t intersect with the Pei family. My dad and Uncle Qian are the ones working on it.”

Lu Zhengyang spoke, “Didn’t you have contact with Pei Du’s boyfriend for a while? Didn’t you hear him mention Pei Du?”

Jin Zhi leaned back in his chair, his tone displeased, “No.”

Lu Zhengyang: “I just saw Sheng Yiguang.”

Jin Zhi raised his eyes.

Lu Zhengyang: “His mother asked him to have dinner here, and they seemed to have an unpleasant conversation. He left.”

Jin Zhi unconsciously fiddled with his phone.

Could it be that the woman he saw in Wen Heng’s livestream that day was really his mother?

What happened that made their conversation so unpleasant?

Lu Zhengyang scrutinized Jin Zhi’s expression and smiled slightly.

“I didn’t expect him to be so beautiful. No wonder you’re even neglecting little Wen.”

As soon as he said this, everyone at the table looked at Jin Zhi.

Everyone knew how obsessed Jin Zhi was with Wen Heng.

Now he’s changed his target?

Shi Yi followed up, “Do you have any photos? Let me see too.”

Jin Zhi’s face instantly flushed red, and he glared at Lu Zhengyang.

“Don’t talk nonsense here! I can hang out with whoever I want, it’s not your place to interfere! So what if I’m interested? Are you going to try and steal him again?”

Lu Zhengyang smiled playfully, “This one, I really don’t find attractive.”

He despised people who relied on their looks, were scheming, and tried to climb up without knowing the immensity of heaven and earth.

Jin Zhi heard the contempt in his words and frowned.

“He has a boyfriend, he doesn’t need you to find him attractive. Don’t act like you’re so great.”

“Oh, speaking of that, just seeing that Pei Du would keep someone like that around him shows that his taste is terrible. The Pei family is probably doomed.”

Jin Zhi suddenly stood up.

The chair legs scraped against the ground, creating a harsh, piercing sound.

“What do you know about him? Why are you talking nonsense here?”

Lu Zhengyang sneered, “Are you questioning my judgment? Okay, let’s bet.”

“Bet on what?”

“If I win, you’ll break off all contact with little Wen, how about it?”

Jin Zhi didn’t even think, “Okay.”

The table fell silent.

Wait?

What did Jin Zhi just agree to?

To break off all contact with little Wen?

And it’s for another man, that he’s willing to break off all contact with little Wen?

Jin Zhi also realized what he had agreed to in the heat of the moment, but the words had already been spoken, and he couldn’t take them back, so he could only bite the bullet and continue.

“If I win, I want the Pei shares you have.”

Lu Zhengyang frowned, “Isn’t that a bit too big of a bet?”

“Not much, 2%. I’ll buy it at the current stock price.”

Lu Zhengyang nodded, “Okay.”

As soon as the bet was made, someone immediately ran to Wen Heng’s livestream and told him what had happened.

Wen Heng’s face was unsightly.

How could Jin Zhi agree?

Wasn’t Jin Zhi very annoyed with Sheng Yiguang before, for his sake?

He had even been relieved to let Jin Zhi bother Sheng Yiguang, to make trouble for Sheng Yiguang, to prevent Sheng Yiguang from having peace.

But now…

Jin Zhi believes in Sheng Yiguang’s character, so he agreed?

What about him?

Isn’t Jin Zhi afraid that if he loses the bet, he’ll never see him again?

The system stabbed him: 【Your fish pond is about to capsize】

【Jin Zhi hasn’t watched your livestream for several days】

Wen Heng panicked.

He picked up his phone, wanting to question Jin Zhi, but he didn’t know how to start. He angrily put down his phone.

After the broadcast, he quickly put on a pitiful makeup look and ran to the hotel where Jin Zhi was staying, calling Jin Zhi downstairs.

“Jin-gege, I’m downstairs at your hotel, can you come down and see me?”

Jin Zhi suddenly sat up in surprise.

“What are you doing here?”

“I have something I want to ask you. Don’t you want to see me?”

Jin Zhi was silent for a few seconds. “Wait for me, I’ll come down.”

After hanging up the phone, Jin Zhi didn’t immediately move.

If it were the past, if Wen Heng came to find him late at night, he would definitely be flattered and rush downstairs.

But now, he felt nothing but shock.

He didn’t even change his clothes or fix his hair. He went downstairs in slippers.

Seeing Wen Heng in the hotel lobby, he didn’t rush forward, but slowly walked over.

“What’s wrong?”

“Jin-gege, why did you bet with Lu-gege? Aren’t you afraid that you’ll never see me again?”

Jin Zhi didn’t answer.

He had agreed in the heat of the moment.

Later, after thinking about it, he really wasn’t afraid.

Because he didn’t know when it started, but Wen Heng couldn’t give him the same feeling he had in the beginning.

Even without the bet with Lu Zhengyang, he estimated that he would slowly fade out of Wen Heng’s world.

Wen Heng looked at Jin Zhi with tears in his eyes.

“Do you like Sheng Yiguang?”

“I don’t like him, I just can’t stand Lu Zhengyang’s condescending attitude.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Jin Zhi paused, “But, little Wen, what are you doing? Are you trying to keep me, do you like me?”

Wen Heng was stunned.

He couldn’t answer yes to this question.

If he answered yes, the other fish in the pond would be hurt and would run away.

“Jin-gege, why are you suddenly asking this? I… Can you give me some time to think about it?”

Jin Zhi smiled sarcastically.

He didn’t know if he was laughing at Wen Heng or at himself.

“Are you really going to think about it, or are you just stalling for time?”

Wen Heng’s expression was unsightly.

Jin Zhi’s voice was cold, “What’s the difference between this and stringing me along?”