Note: Read the notes at the bottom for clarification. No copy/paste and all that other shenanigans either. Vote/likes are highly appreciated. (◎ヮ◎)
THANK YOU for reading and possibly enjoying the start of a journey with my <3 boys:
Qi Xiu Yuan & Xiao Li
《不法之徒》
The taxi hasn't even come to a full stop yet when Qi Xiu Yuan threw a large bill on the passenger seat and darted out.
The front entrance of Jin Ting was decorated with an elaborate lighting that was indeed a sight to be mesmerized by. Qi Xiu Yuan took in a deep breath and tried his best to compose himself before he walked through the door.
"Hello sir, please show your membership card," said the beautiful attendant with a very pleasant and alluring voice.
"I want to open a new membership card," replied Qi Xiu Yuan.
"We welcome you to join us. The annual fee is 800,000*1 yuan, the membership fee that needs to be paid in advance is 80,000 yuan. You can come this way to swipe your card."
The attendant leisurely walked toward the front counter. Qi Xiu Yuan slowly followed after her and tried to look for an opportunity to slip in, however, he saw a familiar figure.
What was his name? He thought to himself as he tried his hardest to remember.
"Lin Zi!"
The husky fellow turned his head around and walked toward the seemingly familiar youth.
"I thought I remembered wrong, but it's really you," said Qi Xiu Yuan rather friendly with a smile.
Lin Zi was slightly at a loss for words.
"It's very good that you're here," Qi Xiu Yuan energetically patted his shoulder, "I forgot my membership card and was worrying about how I was going to get in!"
Lin Zi was still at a loss.
"How about this," Qi Xiu Yuan simply fastened his hand on Lin Zi's shoulder, "Bring me in with you."
There was a rustling sound all of a sudden as he hand was flung off. Qi Xiu Yuan rubbed away at the pain on his shoulder.
He looked at the hustle fellow gloomy complexion staring back at him.
"I remember who you are now. You're here looking for Li ge again?"
"Looking for Xiao Li?" This time, it was Qi Xiu Yuan's turn to be at a loss.
Lin Zi gave a signal and immediately two people came over and held Qi Xiu Yuan back, then then dragged him out of Jin Ting.
With a sinister look on his face, Lin Zi followed out after them and intentionally said with fierceness in his voice: "You only teach in a school, where would you have the money to come to a high-ranking clubhouse like this? You're definitely trying to look for trouble on Li ge's territory! I'm warning you, you bastard, Li ge and Xiao Yang already cut off their ties with one another. If you want something, go and look for Xiao Yang yourself! If I see you again, the moment I see you, I beat you up! Let's go!"
The two men that held onto Qi Xiu Yuan then pushed him to the ground and followed Lin Zi back into Jin Ting.
"Xiao Li's territory......"
Qi Xiu Yuan muttered repeatedly to himself with a complicated expression as he picked himself off the ground. He quickly fished his phone out from his pocket and browsed through his contacts for Xiao Li's number. Although he thought that he would not contact him again, he somehow couldn't find the courage to deleted the number.
If I call, would he pick up? Would he help me? That day I saw him he had on that cold and detached expression. If he ignores me, what should I do? If......if the one that wants to hurt Jiang Xiao Zhu is him......
With anticipation, Qi Xiu Yuan dialed the number for a while and thought about how Jiang Xiao Zhu was at the moment. Finally, he pressed down on the call button. Unexpectedly, his fingers couldn't help but to tremble.
The call went through.
"Hello." Xiao Li's voice was calm yet powerful as it travelled into his ears.
"Xiao Li, it's Qi Xiu Yuan."
"Wait a moment."
The call ended.
Qi Xiu Yuan became a bit dispirited at this outcome. He didn't dare look at his phone again as his head hung low. For some unspeakable reason, his heart was throbbing as an undercurrent of overwhelming emotion huddled closely inside.
"Qi Laoshi."
Surprisingly, Xiao Li's voice entered his ears again. Shocked, Qi Xiu Yuan couldn't help but to lift his head up.
Xiao Li was wearing a casual western-style suit. As he walked out of Jin Ting's grand entrance toward Qi Xiu Yuan, he said, "Qi Loashi, I'm really sorry. Lin Zi just talked to me a moment ago. He's really impulsive when handling things, please do not mind him."
"No, it's fine," said Qi Xiu Yuan as he stared attentively at Xiao Li.
Xiao Li felt a bit uncomfortable as those intense eyes stared at him, "You're looking for me? Do you need something? Did Xiao Yang ---"
"No." Qi Xiu Yuan secretly laughed at himself.
Sure enough, it's because of Xiao Yang.
"I need your help with something else."
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Translator's Note:
*1 800,000 yuan = about $120,000 / 80,000 = about $12,000 [what a freaking expensive membership price T.T I can't even afford $10 a month at the gym membership]
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The original novel is written by 白山黑水
（Baishan Heishui）White Mountain, Black Water
I do not own any of its content
I am merely an amateur translator/editor