Chapter 36: Gu Shiyan Takes Luo Xing to Meet Qi Zhi

"I heard he dated someone in the North City, then broke up, and now there’s already someone new?" Ji Rutang and Lu Xingjian leaned back against the leather seats, their eyes fixed on Luo Xing as she was helped off the horse by Gu Shiyan. Their faces brimmed with curiosity.

Luo Xing patted herself down. "That really wasn’t any fun."

Gu Shiyan chuckled, "You were just scared, weren’t you? Afraid of heights, right?"

"How could I be? I just don’t like it, that’s all."

"Then why come here? To play tennis?" Gu Shiyan glanced back and noticed two pairs of eyes on him. He picked up his phone and, as expected, saw messages from them.

Ji Rutang: [New friend? Bringing them along to play?]

Lu Xingjian: [You just broke up—already moving on? Not bad.]

Gu Shiyan didn’t reply. He turned to Luo Xing. "Want to check out the bar here?"

Luo Xing gave him a wary look. "Sorry, I don’t drink with strangers around."

Gu Shiyan smirked. "Oh, I’m a stranger now?"

He walked ahead. "I heard from the manager that some big celebrity named Qi Zhi is here today. Apparently, a wealthy lady booked out the bar for his birthday party."

Luo Xing caught up, excitement in her voice. "You mean Qi Zhi!"

"Why not see for yourself? The bar’s been booked out." The manager had told Gu Shiyan about the private booking as soon as he arrived with Luo Xing, since he usually spent his time in the bar.

"It’s booked? So we can’t get in? That’s a shame." Luo Xing trailed next to Gu Shiyan, typing a message to Yuncai, complaining about how she and Qi Zhi had only just missed each other.

Unwittingly, she followed Gu Shiyan to the stands.

She looked up and saw two young men who screamed wealth and flamboyance. One wore a flashy pink blazer, platinum blond curls gleaming under the sun like a sunflower—impossible to miss. In this heat, he insisted on wearing a suit outside.

"Hello," Ji Rutang greeted Luo Xing, oblivious to how his self-perceived trendy outfit struck her as garish and attention-seeking.

"Hello," Luo Xing replied politely, not recognizing him, and fell silent.

Since Yuncai found out she might be in the same place as Qi Zhi, she had been bombarding Luo Xing with stickers, giving her no chance to reply.

Lu Xingjian and Ji Rutang both watched Luo Xing intently.

Gu Shiyan stepped forward, shielding her. "What are you two doing here?"

"To see you, of course." Ji Rutang slung an arm around his neck. "Yan Yan, did you miss me?"

Luo Xing, watching from the side: "..."

"The bar’s been booked by my sister," Lu Xingjian said, raising an eyebrow at Gu Shiyan. "Surprised you’d come here to hang out somewhere besides the bar."

"So your sister is the rich lady?" Luo Xing couldn’t help but ask.

So the wealthy woman Gu Shiyan mentioned booking the bar for Qi Zhi’s birthday was actually this guy’s sister.

Gu Shiyan shot Luo Xing a sidelong glance, then grinned at Lu Xingjian. "The birthday star in the bar is this one’s beloved part-time boss."

Ji Rutang stared wide-eyed at Luo Xing, coughing. "Young lady, you play the game well, don’t you?"

Luo Xing smacked Gu Shiyan on the arm. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Am I wrong? Qi Zhi..." Gu Shiyan started to say more.

Luo Xing pulled out a black card. "You’re paying your own bill today, got it?"

Gu Shiyan fell silent.

Lu Xingjian and Ji Rutang both broke into laughter. It was rare to see someone who could put Gu Shiyan in his place.

Yet Lu Xingjian's attention lingered on the card in Luo Xing’s hand. He exchanged a glance with Ji Rutang.

That was Old Master Gu’s card.

How unexpected.

"Are you going in?" Lu Xingjian asked Gu Shiyan.

Luo Xing, standing by, looked hopeful—Yuncai had asked her to get Qi Zhi’s autograph. If she managed it, Yuncai would be over the moon.

"What would I do there..." Gu Shiyan drawled, glancing at Luo Xing.

"Why not go?" Luo Xing looked at him, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Think about it, you’ll get to see a superstar in person—he’s really popular."

Gu Shiyan smiled faintly. "I’m not his fan."

"Fine, if we’re not seeing Qi Zhi, there’s nothing else fun here. I’m going back," Luo Xing said, turning to leave without hesitation.

Gu Shiyan caught her by the sleeve. "I’m just worried you’ll feel bad when you see him."

Luo Xing looked puzzled. "Why would I feel bad? I’d be too happy for that."

Lu Xingjian beside them lowered his head, rubbing his nose.

"Alright, let’s go then," Gu Shiyan agreed, preparing to change out of his riding gear.

Luo Xing followed him inside to the changing room.

When Gu Shiyan emerged, the two outside burst out laughing. Ji Rutang reached for the sticker-covered water bottle in his hand. "Yan, are you a good little boy now?"

Lu Xingjian frowned. "You’re such a show-off. And you even picked a pink one?"

Gu Shiyan raised his hand, keeping the bottle out of reach, leaving them only a cold look.

By the time Luo Xing came out, the three had composed themselves, and she had forgotten her bottle was still with Gu Shiyan. Head down, she messaged Yuncai, telling her she was about to see Qi Zhi.

Suddenly, she bumped into a broad back and stopped. "Why did you stop all of a sudden?"

"In a moment..." Gu Shiyan began, lips parted.

"What?"

"Watch where you’re going," he said quietly.

A strange frustration welled up in Gu Shiyan’s chest.

He’d known for a while that Lu Xingjian’s sister had booked TH’s bar for Qi Zhi’s birthday. In their circle, the implication was obvious. Everyone knew but kept it to themselves, never showing it outwardly.

He’d more or less spelled it out for Luo Xing just now. Yet she hadn’t grasped the real meaning of his words. She probably still thought it was just a wealthy fan booking the bar for Qi Zhi’s birthday.

He’d wanted her to see the truth. But the thought that she might really feel bad once she did... that unsettled him.

His thigh bumped the water bottle, making it swing back and forth, and a sudden irritation gnawed at him.

Why should he care if she felt bad or not? After all, she was the one insisting on seeing him.

The bar was nearly empty, even desolate.

As soon as Luo Xing entered, she spotted Qi Zhi on stage playing the violin gently.

A beaming smile lit up her face—her first time seeing Qi Zhi play the violin, and in person!

She wanted to record a video for Yuncai, but worried she shouldn’t share it.

But then...

Luo Xing noticed a woman seated on a luxurious sofa beneath the stage, dressed in a V-neck white shirt, a low-key black mermaid skirt that reached her knees, and vintage red stilettos. She sat alone, a cigar between her fingers, her expression cool and superior, surrounded by a group of people chatting idly.

The atmosphere felt strange.

Luo Xing looked back at Qi Zhi, who played quietly on the stage, eyes closed.

But the initial excitement faded.

She felt as though Qi Zhi was just performing.

If the birthday star played a song, that would be understandable. But here, he wasn’t the focus—he was background music. None of those socializing even glanced his way.

"When did you get back?" Lu Yuanyi’s gaze landed on Gu Shiyan, then at those around him.

Someone on the sofa next to her immediately stood up. "Here, Young Master Gu, take my seat."

Gu Shiyan went over, someone handed him a cigarette and lit it for him. He held it between his fingers. "Just got back."

Luo Xing still stood watching Qi Zhi on stage.

Lu Yuanyi glanced at the bottle in Gu Shiyan’s hand. "Is that your girlfriend?"