CH 3

TL: Hua

Xia Shu’an really didn’t know what got into Shen Boyan’s mind. The other party really accompanied him to wash his hands in silence. He stood there with such a big body, and the picture became inexplicably harmonious.

Xia Shu’an raised his head and looked at the man in the mirror wearing a civilized mask like a gentleman with mixed feelings. If he could also pretend to be so human in his previous life, wouldn’t he hate him a little less?

He was thinking about something in his heart, and his mind unconsciously wandered off. When he was wiping his hands, his eyes happened to meet the man’s gaze projected in the mirror. He was very familiar with that gaze, and subconsciously he was about to lower his head, but the next moment he remembered that he was now free and should be afraid of nothing, so he raised his head and stared back fiercely.

Shen Boyan showed a surprised look.

Xia Shu’an’s lips were still light in color. Under the gentle and soft light, his straight nose and pursed lips seemed to be coated with a layer of glaze, which made him look extraordinarily lovely but unapproachable.

Shen Boyan stared at his cold white face and spoke slowly: “Mr. Xia, take care of your health. Everything can be restored, except the human body.”

Xia Shu’an took a breath, turned around, and said hypocritically:

“Mr. Shen, although work is important, you should also pay attention to rest. If you are under too much mental pressure, don’t hide your illness from the doctor.”

——Don’t turn yourself into a psychopath.

A chuckle escaped from the man’s throat, and he said frivolously:

“Then, Mr. Xia, see you later.”

Xia Shu’an can be sure that his “goodbye” has ulterior motives.

He felt a headache when he remembered the five years they tortured each other in his last life. He didn’t feel good, and neither could Shen Boyan. At that time, he also wondered why Shen Boyan was so obsessed with him. Was he paranoid or sadistic (masochistic)?

Thinking about it now, it’s because he likes him.

…

F*ck! That’s even more confusing to think about.

No matter whether before or after rebirth, Shen Boyan always gave him a headache.

…

After coming back from the bathroom, Xia Shu’an never ran into Shen Boyan again. He and Chu Wenzhi stayed for a while and then went back.

Chu Wenzhi sent Xia Shu’an home.

Downstairs in the community, an osmanthus tree is hidden behind the street lamp. The branches are hanging down slightly, and the emerald green leaves are dotted with golden petals.

There was a pleasant smell in the air. Chu Wenzhi looked at Xia Shu’an and said again, “I’m serious; just call me if you need anything.”

Xia Shuan’s eyes shimmered with light: “I will, thank you, Wen Zhi.”

“I’m going up.”

“Well, let’s make an appointment another day.”

…

The days after that did not change much from the previous life. Father Xia was very excited when he came back that day. He grabbed Xia Shu’an’s hand and said repeatedly:

“Your Uncle Gao is back. He has been my old friend for many years. We have a deep friendship. He will definitely help us!”

Xia Shu’an’s expression was complicated. He hesitated to speak and finally said nothing. Instead of letting him have hope and making the wrong friend, it’s better to let him see reality clearly.

It was a sunny day when Father Xia went to look for his old friend. The sky was clear and cloudless. The green trees on both sides of the road were swaying in the breeze, and they were full of energy. It was exactly the same as the scene in Xia Shu’an’s memory.

Because of his hope, Father Xia looked very happy, and his face became much more vigorous.

The car slowly drove into the gate of the community. Because Father Xia had been here many times before and the security office had his record, he filled out the form and went in. Only when he got close to the villa did he hear the cheerful laughter of many people, the aroma of wine, and the smell of food seasoning wafting in from the wind.

Father Xia has been running around to borrow money these days. After seeing many people’s faces, he felt a bit unhappy on many occasions. But for the sake of the family, he still got out and walked in.

“Dad.” Xia Shu’an suddenly called him.

“What?”

Xia Shu’an took a few steps forward, stretched out his hands to straighten the collar of his suit, folded it flat, and said with a smile, “Nothing. My dad is so handsome.”

Father Xia couldn’t help laughing: “You child.”

After being interrupted like this, Father Xia’s nervous heart relaxed again. This is his old friend’s home, so he won’t treat him badly.

The door of the villa was open, and one could already hear the movements inside. As soon as Xia Shu’an and Father Xia stepped into the door of the villa, everyone in the room, which was still lively at first, fell silent, with different eyes cast on them at the same time.

Father Xia ignored everyone’s gaze, stepped forward, and said, “Old Gao, you’re too inconsiderate. You didn’t even tell me when you came back.”

The middle-aged man who was called had a bit of embarrassment on his face. He forced a smile and said, “Didn’t I just get back?”

“Why did you come here?”

Father Xia smiled heartily and said, “Of course I’m here to see my old friend!”

“Ah, ha-ha, that’s right.”

Looking at the reluctant smile on the man’s face, Xia Shu’an’s eyes showed ridicule.

You just came back and didn’t have time to notify your old friend, but you had time to throw a party. It’s silly to think about it. His father’s old friend, who went on a “vacation,” happened to leave when his father’s incident happened and came back when the company’s bankruptcy was a foregone conclusion. In his last life, he and his dad were too foolish to still have hope.

“Hey, Yurong, come on, quickly bring Brother Xia in.”

The woman who was chatting with some ladies on the side said unhappily, “Oh, I’m busy entertaining guests, Aunt Fen; please bring them inside.”

The woman named Aunt Fen, who was holding a tray in her hands, was a bit hesitant. She didn’t know whether she should continue to serve the guests or listen to the madam and lead them in.

Although Father Xia trusted his friend, he had been in business for many years after all, so how could he not see the evasiveness between the two of them? And what is it to have a servant entertain him? He only deserves to be brought to the back of the house by a servant to talk?

Father Xia’s face immediately turned cold. “What do you mean by this, Gao Xiang? We brothers can’t even have a talk anymore?”

Gao Xiang’s forehead was dripping with sweat. “No, can’t you see I have guests here?”

“Am I not considered a guest?”

“…” Gao Xiang stopped talking, but his expression already said it all.

The people around laughed softly, as if mocking Father Xia for thinking too highly of himself. Xia Shu’an’s eyes moved slightly, but he didn’t speak; he just looked at them expressionlessly.

His face is really good-looking, fair, clear, and a little pale due to years of qi deficiency, making it appear particularly noble. His slanted eyelashes cast a shallow shadow beneath the cold sockets of his eyes. He looked at the crowd calmly and coldly. The contempt in his eyes made several of them bow their heads in guilt.

Xia Shu’an coldly withdrew his gaze and stepped forward. “Uncle Gao, my father has been friends with you for many years. He has also supported you a lot during these years. Now that my family is in trouble, do you plan to ignore it?”

Father Xia probably still indulged in fantasy and had some hope left for his old friend, so he said, “Brother, I just need you for a few minutes; is it convenient?”

Gao Xiang: “I, hey…”

“—You still can’t tell? They don’t want to entertain you, the God of Plague.”

Father Xia’s expression changed when he heard this voice.

The person who spoke was Father Xia’s previous competitor in business, and this time their company went bankrupt, so he would inevitably add insult to injury. The two of them can be said to be arch enemies. Seeing the person coming, Father Xia suddenly turned his head to look at Gao Xiang, who dared not make a sound.

“Gao Xiang, what do you mean?!”

“Aiya!” It was Mrs. Gao who finally stepped forward, her words hardly concealing her sarcasm, saying, “Our old Gao used to be friends with you, but now that you’re all like this, don’t you know the situation?”

“Our temple is small, so we can’t climb up to you, the great Buddha. Just spare us and go out by yourself.” After she finished speaking, she looked like she was about to shoo them away.

Father Xia was once a tycoon in the business circle. Even if he was down and out, he had never received such harsh words. He was so angry that his hands trembled for a moment, and he pointed at the two with trembling fingers. Xia Shu’an’s eyes narrowed slightly, recalling that his father also suffered heartache here in his previous life and pent up depression. He didn’t have a good opinion of them at all, so he raised his head and said the same words as in his previous life:

“My Xia family is a great Buddha? Why didn’t you say that in the past?”

“If it weren’t for my father, do you think your Gao family would be in this position today? If it wasn’t for my father lending you money fifteen years ago, your family would have gone bankrupt. There are so many projects you invested in, and which one didn’t come from my father pulling investments for you and accompanying you to have dinner with top-ranking personnel… When my Xia family is down and out, you’re more than ready to split with us, aren’t you?”

Gao Xiang, who was pointed at and scolded by a younger generation, didn’t have a good face and said with a disdainful expression, “That’s all in the past. I’m very grateful to your dad. Back then, your dad lent me 10 million yuan. Do you want me to pay it back now?”

Father Xia cursed in anger, “Gao Xiang, you vile person. It’s a shame that I considered you a friend!”

“Dad, don’t be angry.”

How can the 10 million yuan 15 years ago be compared with the 10 million yuan now? But Xia Shuan knew he was just this kind of person. The purpose of this trip was to let his father see Gao Xiang clearly, so as not to be deceived again in the future. The goal was achieved, and he supported his father and said:

“Since that’s the case, the relationship between my Xia family and your Gao family will be severed. From now on, you and my family will have nothing to do with each other. Oh, yes—”

He turned around and said coldly:

“Don’t forget to pay us back the ten million owed and fifteen years of interest. Just count the interest according to the bank’s time deposit. Your Gao family is flourishing, so be sure to pay back the money by tomorrow.”

After finishing speaking, the two walked out of the villa without looking back.

These days, the Xia family doesn’t even own a scooter. They called for a taxi when coming here. Fortunately, Xia Shu’an told him to wait before leaving. The two were walking towards the car when suddenly someone chased them from behind.

“Uncle Xia, Brother Shu An…”

They are the two children of the Gao family.

In the past, the Xia family had a good relationship with the Gao family, and Xia Shu’an often came to visit them. Both children were younger than Xia Shu’an, and the older sister was only two years younger than him. In order to get along with his family, she attended Xia Shu’an’s school from childhood to adulthood. After so many years of friendship, how can the relationship not be deep?

Father Xia had already gotten into the car, and Xia Shuan stopped a few steps behind.

His eyelids drooped slightly, and he looked at the two people in the sunlight.

Xia Shu’an was born with a pair of peach blossom eyes, which were partially smiley and gentle. However, in such warm autumn light, the two children only felt a chill rushing from their backs to the sky.

“Brother Shu’an…”

Xia Shu’an looked on calmly and said, not too gently, “It’s not your fault, and it has nothing to do with you.”

“Brother Shu’an, we…”

“Okay, you guys go back. In the future… don’t contact me anymore.”

This matter has nothing to do with them, but it’s time for their friendship to end.

Xia Shu’an finished talking to the two children and was about to turn around when suddenly, his gaze flickered and he looked sharply toward the upper floors of the Gao family villa.

Shen Boyan was standing on the balcony on the second floor of the villa. It’s unknown how long he had been watching. He was quietly watching him be humiliated by the Gao family.

Seeing him looking over, Shen Boyan raised the cup in his hand and smiled at him.

Xia Shu’an’s face turned cold as he cursed in her heart: Damn, this lunatic!