Lu Qingxu, clad in a bathrobe and slippers, a cigarette dangling from his lips, lounged on the sofa, watching television.
Upon hearing the door open, his gaze shifted. Zhan Beijue and Melody simultaneously looked at him, both sporting expressions of disbelief.
"Why haven't you left yet?"
"How are you here?"
The siblings spoke in unison.
Lu Qingxu was pleased with their reactions.
In his eyes, they were a couple engaged in a clandestine affair. Caught in the act, their embarrassment and shock were only natural.
He offered no explanation, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke, and continued watching the screen, waiting for Zhan Beijue to explain himself.
Seeing his demeanor, Melody, her face flushed with anger, stormed over.
She spoke to Lu Qingxu in English, her voice sharp.
"I'm talking to you! Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you still here?"
"Who let you dress like this? Messing with my things? Who let you smoke in my room?"
"You are truly annoying, get out!"
See how strongly she reacted when Zhan Beijue caught her here. A complete reversal from yesterday.
She clearly cared about Zhan Beijue, yet she was still involved with another man. And not only that, she was dismissive of him after their encounter.
He had always seen her as a goddess, only to find her so flawed.
With both his goddess and his friend's images shattered, and his own innocence lost for the first time, Lu Qingxu's mood was no better than theirs.
He glanced at the enraged Melody, then slowly took another drag of his cigarette.
"Didn't you ask me to come over?"
"After serving you all day yesterday, can't I catch my breath before leaving? It's just a pack of cigarettes, I'll pay you back. Why so fierce?"
Zhan Beijue, as if hearing the most unbelievable nonsense, strode over.
"What did you say? She asked you to come? You two yesterday…"
"Lu Qingxu, what exactly is going on?"
"Isn't it obvious? We slept together. Surprised? But that's the truth…"
Despite the seriousness of the situation, he wore a nonchalant expression!
He dared to be so brazen when he had crossed the line with his own sister?
Zhan Beijue suddenly flew into a rage, stepping forward, grabbing Lu Qingxu by the collar and yanking him up.
"It's obvious? And you have the audacity to tell me it's obvious? Didn't I make myself clear that day? Didn't I tell you what kind of person I was looking for?"
"Why would you do this? Who told you to act on your own initiative?"
Heh, it seemed their relationship was confirmed.
Melody was Zhan Beijue's person, and he had accidentally gotten involved with her. What a mess!
Lu Qingxu was also thoroughly annoyed, unsure how he would interact with Zhan Beijue in the future.
"It's already happened, what good will yelling at me do?"
"You were the one who sought me out, she was the one who asked me to come, I wasn't the one pushing myself on her! I didn't even benefit from it, so don't act like you're the victims here!"
"You!"
Zhan Beijue had never found Lu Qingxu so detestable.
This was his sister, his blood sister.
He didn't want her involved in their messy affairs, and he certainly wouldn't expose her identity within his circle.
If Lu Qingxu, without understanding the situation, barged in and ruined his plans…
"It was my mistake not to clarify things with you earlier. I won't hold what has already happened against you. But from now on, Lu Qingxu, she is not someone you can touch. Go back to Nancheng immediately."
"Delete all contact information between you two and keep this matter buried."
Zhan Beijue, accustomed to being pampered and giving orders since childhood, naturally felt everyone should obey him.
He didn't consider that everyone has feelings.
Lu Qingxu was a man, after all. Why should he be dictated to in every matter?
And keep it buried? Did he not even deserve an explanation?
"What is your relationship? Is it really just a normal partnership as you say?"
"You'd rather find any random man for her than let me touch her. What kind of mentality is that? Zhan Beijue, I don't understand."
"Is she yours? Because you've touched her, I can't? Just say it directly!"
Zhan Beijue couldn't believe that someone as intelligent as Lu Qingxu would be so foolish at such a critical moment.
He had stated publicly countless times that he only loved Jiang Nanfang and was not interested in other women.
How could he possibly think of them in that way?
"Stop acting foolish. She doesn't belong to our circle and shouldn't be entangled with us. Therefore, I'd rather find someone casual than you."
"Don't ask why. This mistake stops here. I'm very annoyed today and don't want to talk much. Leave quickly."
Lu Qingxu, however, did not see it that way.
The more Zhan Beijue remained silent and evasive, the more it seemed their relationship was extraordinary.
He felt betrayed.
Betrayed in both friendship and "love."
Not only had these two betrayed him, but they were also accusing him simultaneously, which was unbearable!
"Heh," he pushed Zhan Beijue's hand away, a bitter, mocking laugh escaping his lips.
"If it's what you say, just say it directly, why be so secretive with me? Don't worry, I won't tell Jiang Nanfang. And with so many women in the world, I, Lu Qingxu, am not desperate for her…"
Lu Qingxu knew exactly where Zhan Beijue's sore spot was, and his words struck right to his heart.
Zhan Beijue's eyes blazed with anger. "Lu Qingxu, I warn you, stop spouting nonsense."
"What? Want to fight me? Fine, all for some woman who can't see the light of day…"
Melody couldn't listen any longer. "Stop talking, our business has nothing to do with you! Please leave my room immediately!"
"Fine, I'll leave. Through this, I've finally seen clearly. Zhan Beijue, the phrase 'hypocritical' truly describes you perfectly."
Already feeling guilty for bringing his mother to Beicheng while keeping it from Jiang Nanfang, Zhan Beijue was now facing the prospect of devising treatment plans for them, which would likely cause further delays. He was utterly frustrated.
And at this critical moment, Lu Qingxu called him hypocritical…
"Get out now! Lu Qingxu, say one more word, and I can't guarantee I won't lay a hand on you!"
Being lectured by two people with guilty consciences, telling him to leave?
Heh, Lu Qingxu felt utterly humiliated and wished he could just fight it out to feel better!
"What do you mean you'll restrain yourself from hitting me? It's me who can't be bothered to fight you!"
"Don't think you're so great just because the Zhan family has a bit of money. Threatening me constantly, Zhan Beijue, I've had enough of you!"
Had enough?
After more than a decade of friendship, Lu Qingxu dared to call him hypocritical and say he'd had enough!
Zhan Beijue's brow furrowed, and he stared at him coldly.
"What did you say? Say it again if you dare."
He would say it again!
Lu Qingxu jutted out his neck. "I said, I've had enough of you. You want to fight? Come on, you think I'm afraid of you?"