The war was imminent.
Shen Qi: "Step aside, lest you get caught in the crossfire."
Lu Chengxuan: "Xiao Liu, don't worry. Big brother is here. You stand over there."
Lu Zhi: ...
"No, do you two really need to come to blows?" Lu Zhi stood between them, his head pounding, trying to mediate. The moment he saw Shen Qi's lips move, he glared and snapped, "Don't speak."
Shen Qi sighed and held up his hands in a gesture of surrender.
Lu Chengxuan's face grew even darker at this.
"Brother, let me explain." Lu Zhi felt a sense of panic, as if he'd been caught by his parents for secretly dating a boyfriend. He walked over, tugged on Lu Chengxuan's sleeve, and led him a short distance away. Facing away from Shen Qi, he said to Lu Chengxuan, "Brother, Shen Qi didn't force me. I'm dating him willingly."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chengxuan instinctively pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, how long have you known him? Do you even understand him? Do you know his character? And you just gave yourself up so foolishly?"
Lu Zhi cautiously observed his expression. "Brother, I've actually always liked guys. Do you hate that..."
"No." Lu Chengxuan interrupted, his tone serious and earnest. "It's not about gender. I just think Shen Qi isn't suitable for you. He's too calculating, his personality is eccentric, his whereabouts are unpredictable, and most importantly... his origins are a mystery."
Hearing this, Lu Zhi's heavy heart finally eased. He had been more worried about Lu Chengxuan not accepting his preference for men. "Brother, I know him. You don't need to worry."
Regarding Shen Qi's identity, no one knew better than he did.
Lu Chengxuan stared intently at Lu Zhi's face, his eyes sharp. After a long moment, he said earnestly, "Are you really doing this willingly?"
Lu Zhi touched his nose, his gaze darting away guiltily. "Yes, I'm willing."
Although, at first, there had been a slight hint of being thrust into the role, within a day or two he had already fallen for Shen Qi. It was Shen Qi's perfect combination of all his preferences – appearance, physique, and demeanor were all top-notch, save for that mischievous streak that loved to trick him.
Lu Chengxuan sighed, patted his head, and said, "Since that's the case, I won't try to dissuade you. But you must never let yourself be wronged. If you are, tell your brother."
"Oh, okay, brother." Lu Zhi's eyes sparkled. "He wouldn't dare."
Lu Chengxuan's expression finally softened considerably.
"Shen Qi, come here." Lu Zhi gave Shen Qi a meaningful look.
Shen Qi strolled over nonchalantly, raised an eyebrow at Lu Chengxuan, and greeted him, "Brother-in-law."
Lu Chengxuan's entire face darkened. He ignored Shen Qi and pulled Lu Zhi towards the dining area. "Xiao Liu, come have breakfast with me."
Lu Zhi found himself wanting to laugh and cry. He suddenly realized his brother was actually quite... well, childish.
Shen Qi's gaze deepened.
Lu Zhi turned to glance back and then broke into a brilliant smile, his dark eyes as bright as stars. He mouthed silently, "Aren't you coming too?"
Shen Qi's complexion visibly returned to normal. A smile touched his lips, and he followed.
Meanwhile, the security guards at the Chichu Hotel were still trembling in a corner. The distress call they had just dialed was promptly hung up. They instructed the cleaning and maintenance staff to replace the scorched floor tiles to avoid affecting the overall aesthetic.
The well-trained staff restored the grand lobby to its smooth and orderly state in less than ten minutes.
Inside the restaurant.
"Why is Brother Chu here too?" Lu Zhi spotted Chu Shiling from afar, dressed fashionably and surrounded by several attractive women, making it seem like a celebrity fan meet.
Chu Shiling smiled with debonair charm, his flirtatious eyes exuding a captivating allure. "Apologies, my friends are here. Perhaps another time."
Without waiting for the women to detain him, he strode purposefully towards Lu Zhi and greeted him with a smile, "Little Lu, it's been a while. Why is your attire still so simple and unadorned?"
Lu Zhi: ...Just say I'm unfashionable, why don't you?
Chu Shiling put an arm around his shoulders. "I have some free time these next couple of days. Shall I take you shopping? To get you dolled up?"
Lu Zhi: "I refuse. I'm fine like this."
Chu Shiling didn't press the matter, merely expressing a touch of regret. Suddenly, he felt a chilling gaze. Turning his head, he was startled by Shen Qi's eyes and instinctively retracted his arm, freeing Lu Zhi. He cautiously asked, "And this is..."
Chu Shiling had never met Shen Qi. The global strength ranking list only bore a name.
Lu Zhi quickly stepped back and stood beside Shen Qi, introducing him, "Brother Chu, this is my... boyfriend, Shen Qi."
Chu Shiling suddenly understood. "Oh, so this is your boyfriend... Wait, your boyfriend? Shen Qi? The Shen Qi I know?"
Lu Chengxuan nodded expressionlessly.
Shen Qi was quite pleased with Lu Zhi's introduction. He gracefully and gentlemanly extended his hand. "Hello, my name is Shen Qi."
Chu Shiling foolishly shook his hand and mumbled after a moment, "As expected of the President's younger brother. You've played your trump card right from the start."
Lu Chengxuan said impassively, "Let's go to the private room. Xiao Liu hasn't had breakfast yet."
With that, he pushed open the private room door and led the way.
After this brief interlude, it was already close to eleven in the morning, and breakfast had morphed into lunch.
With the waiters dismissed from the private room, the group sat down to order.
"Brother, are you going abroad with Brother Chu? What were you doing?" Lu Zhi habitually rinsed his bowl and chopsticks with hot water, but Shen Qi took over midway. Lu Zhi didn't stop him, letting him help.
Lu Chengxuan observed their interaction with a thoughtful expression but didn't directly answer Lu Zhi's question. "Just investigating some matters."
Chu Shiling chuckled, "Your boyfriend, Little Lu, is quite attentive, isn't he, President?"
Lu Chengxuan's eyes were frosty. "Do more with your hands and less with your mouth. Wash mine too."
Chu Shiling: ...
"Ahem..." Lu Zhi suppressed a smile and nudged Shen Qi's arm with his elbow, signaling him to take out the item.
Having witnessed Shen Qi use his spatial abilities, Chu Shiling asked curiously, "I heard Captain Shen's spatial transfer can take you to any corner of the world with just a thought. It's so convenient."
Shen Qi nodded. "More or less."
Lu Zhi had indeed asked Shen Qi about this. The range of spatial teleportation was actually limited, but this limit did not apply to Shen Qi himself.
"Brother, here you go." Lu Zhi handed Lu Chengxuan the divine marrow he had been longing for. "With this, won't Nuan Nuan sister wake up?"
The moment Lu Chengxuan opened the box, he saw the divine medicine, shaped like a summer cicada, transparent throughout, and lifelike. Because of its cicada-like appearance, it was called 'cicada marrow' by previous generations, and later, due to its efficacy, it was bestowed the name 'divine marrow'.
With a hundred emotions and countless feelings difficult to express in words, Lu Chengxuan put away the divine marrow. "Your sister-in-law will wake up soon. I promise."
The conflict between the male protagonist Qin Huai and Lu Chengxuan should now be concluded.
Having finally put his long-held worry to rest, Lu Zhi felt much more relaxed. "Brother, can this divine marrow really wake sister-in-law up?"