Are you trying to starve me? Hurry up and bring me breakfast.

Everyone in the restaurant had frozen in place.

Xiao Qi opened the door to the private rooms one by one, searching each one. Fang Li had previously shown her a photo of Cruz.

In room 808, she suddenly saw a foreign man in his forties, dressed smartly in a suit and tie. It was unmistakably Cruz, the man from Fang Li's photo.

She immediately dashed out and supported Yichen, guiding him inside.

Yichen felt something was off. "Xiyang, where did you just go? And why did you blindfold me? Where are you taking me?"

So many questions.

"Stop asking. In a moment, when you see Cruz, think about how to handle him."

"You're taking me to—"

"How did you get in here?" Cruz demanded angrily in English.

Yichen quickly removed his blindfold and realized he was already inside the private room, face-to-face with Cruz.

He shot Xiao Qi a puzzled look.

Xiao Qi signaled to him with her eyes to focus on handling the foreigner.

"Sorry to disturb you," Yichen turned to Cruz with polite composure. "Mr. Cruz, I came today because—"

"You barged in like this," Cruz interrupted angrily, trying to expel them, "This is very rude. Please leave at once. Waiter!"

"Isn't it you who's being rude?" Xiao Qi replied in fluent English. "You previously agreed to meet with President Lin, yet you broke your promise for no reason. Now he comes sincerely to find you again, and you try to drive us away. Tell me, who's really being rude here?"

Cruz finally looked at the girl before him, finding her both charming and beautiful. His tone softened considerably. "And you are...?"

Xiao Qi played a bit of a rogue. "I'm someone you can't drive away."

Cruz chuckled. "Mr. Lin, is she your...?"

Hearing Xiao Qi's fluent English, Yichen's dark eyes lingered on her face, filled with deep confusion. He knew her level of English better than anyone. Could it be that in these five years, her English had improved so much?

"Mr. Lin?" Cruz prompted.

Yichen pulled himself together and answered with practiced ease, "She's my girl—"

"Female friend," Xiao Qi interjected swiftly.

Yichen pressed his lips together and shifted his gaze to Cruz. "Mr. Cruz, may we discuss the art exhibition?"

Cruz gestured for them to sit. Since Lin Yichen had come in person, he would show some respect. "Mr. Lin, I apologize for breaking our appointment previously, but this time I really can't take part in the exhibition. Your brother's mother personally asked me not to participate, and I must respect her wishes."

Yichen poured him a drink, his tone courteous and respectful. "I understand, and I respect your decision. But you and I are friends, so as the host I should at least give you a proper send-off."

Cruz looked a bit guilty. "President Lin, I was the one who broke my promise. I truly apologize."

"Let's not talk business today," Yichen handed him a glass. "Tonight, let's just toast to your journey."

"All right, then tonight we won't leave until we're drunk!"

Xiao Qi tugged at his sleeve. "You came here to discuss the exhibition. Why are you drinking now?"

Yichen shot her a glance, clearly displeased, and ignored her, drinking with Cruz instead.

"Hey!" Xiao Qi fretted as she watched him drink merrily. "Can you really hold your liquor? Don't get drunk."

"My capacity is unrivaled in the universe, fathomless," Yichen boasted, not even looking at her.

Hmph, bragger.

Xiao Qi eyed the table full of delicacies as the two men enjoyed their drinks.

She wanted to drink too. But one sip of alcohol and her electromagnetic field would go haywire again.

Better give up the idea and just eat.

After several rounds, Yichen spoke casually, "Mr. Cruz, your refusal to join the exhibition this time isn't just because of Yiyang's mother, is it?"

Cruz set down his glass, his words holding a hidden meaning. "President Lin, you are far-sighted, but some things can't be forced. I know this exhibition isn't really your brother's idea," he paused, "A true artist must be respected. If you treat artists as tools to be manipulated, it goes against the essence of art, and against my own principles."

"If I saw art as a tool," Yichen leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced with a smile, "then I must have my own motives. And if art is merely a means to an end, that end is money. Though art can be profitable, the Chinese art market carries enormous risks. Investing this way, you'll spend more than you earn."

Cruz was at a loss for words.

Yichen continued, "The internet is booming now, that's where the real money is. Yet I'm insistent on this exhibition. If it's not for money, then maybe for reputation. But for fame, I could just hold a charity event and my name would spread far and wide—there would be no need to go to all this trouble for my brother."

"No matter what you think, or whether you believe me, this exhibition, I just want to fulfill my brother's dream."

Beside him, Xiao Qi was stunned by his eloquence.

Wow, what a persuasive and charismatic way of speaking!

Cruz nodded, though his expression didn't betray his thoughts. "President Lin, you are right. But I have to return tomorrow, my schedule can't be changed. I'm sorry. If there's another chance to work together in the future, I'll consider it seriously."

Yichen smiled and poured another drink. "Very well, let's look forward to next time."

Xiao Qi could clearly sense Yichen's disappointment.

This foreigner was really hard to deal with.

If only her powers could change someone's mind.

Then she could help him.

But she didn't have that kind of magic. Sigh!

It seemed tonight's efforts were all for nothing.

An hour later, Yichen helped the drunken Cruz into his car. After seeing him off, Yichen suddenly swayed to one side.

Xiao Qi caught him quickly.

"Lin Yichen?"

He didn't even stir.

Seriously, was he drunk?

So much for his boast about unbeatable capacity. He'd really been bragging.

She hailed a cab, helped him in, and muttered, "Can't hold your liquor but still brag about it."

The drunken man slurred, "I'm not bragging, I'm the strongest drinker... immortal," he said, waving a big hand and chuckling foolishly.

Well, who would've thought he'd be so... adorable when drunk.

When the bodyguards saw Xiao Qi carrying the drunken boss out, they hurried over to help.

"No need, I'll take him in myself. It's late, you all go rest," she said.

The bodyguards stared, dumbfounded, as the petite girl effortlessly carried the tall man.

This girl was strong—maybe stronger than they were.

"Xiyang..." Yichen murmured as Xiao Qi helped him take off his shoes.

She pursed her lips.

Such a deeply affectionate man!

She crouched down to admire his sleeping face.

"Lin Yichen, if you ever find out I'm not Ye Xiyang, will you chop me into pieces?"

"Ah, who knows where the real Ye Xiyang is now? You're so handsome and love her so much, yet she doesn't want you. What a waste..."

#

The sky outside gradually lightened. Dawn slipped through the curtains in pale streaks.

On the large bed, the man stirred and slowly opened his dark eyes.

He sat up abruptly and looked down at his clothes.

He was now in pajamas.

He remembered leaving the restaurant, then the alcohol hit him.

Xiyang must have brought him back.

So she...

Suddenly, he heard water running in the bathroom.

He smiled.

He threw off the covers and walked to the bathroom door, raising a hand to knock.

But he thought, Xiyang must have stayed up all night looking after him. She probably wanted a shower to refresh herself.

He put his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall, lips still curled up.

When the water stopped, he spoke. "Xiyang, I was drunk last night. Did I... say anything to you?"

Truthfully, he wanted to ask if he'd done anything to her.

After all, he loved her so much. People say drunken words are true words, and drunken courage is real courage.

If he really had done something to her, he'd actually be happy.

Then he'd have a reason to marry her right away.

But—

"Brother, what did you just say?"

Yichen turned, his smile vanishing instantly. "What are you doing here?"

Yiyang dried his face with a towel. "Last night you threw up all over yourself in the middle of the night. Xiyang couldn't handle it alone, so she came to get me," he said, giving Yichen an odd look. "Brother, how did you get drunk? I thought you could really hold your liquor, and you've never drunk yourself sick before."

Because of a certain someone's "female friend" remark last night, he'd been a bit sulky and had a few extra drinks.

Yichen's face was blank. "Where's Xiyang?"

"Oh, she said you'd probably be hungry when you woke up, so she went out early to buy breakfast."

Shouldn't he have a hangover instead of just being hungry?

Still, the thought that she was buying him breakfast made him look a little better.

After washing up, Yichen heard Xiyang's cheerful voice and strode out of the room.

"You're awake?" Xiao Qi waved the breakfast in her hand. "I got you both Western and Chinese breakfast, you can pick whatever you like."

Yichen's smile hadn't quite appeared when someone else joined in.

"Xiyang is so considerate," Yiyang came out, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Is there any for me?"

"Of course," Xiao Qi laid out the breakfast. "I love buying breakfast for handsome guys. Yiyang, which one do you want?"

Yiyang stroked his chin. "I'm easy."

"Then let your brother pick first," she said, glancing over to find Yichen standing there, face cold and dark.

Xiao Qi was puzzled. "What's wrong? Why does your face look so dark? Is it from drinking too much?"

Beside her, Yiyang snickered.

Xiyang really was clueless.

Lin Yichen grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her into a chair. "Eat your breakfast."

Xiao Qi rolled her eyes and grabbed a piece of toast.

"What about mine?"

She pointed. "Isn't it right there beside you? Take whatever you want."

"You give it to me."

Seriously, do you not have hands?

Xiao Qi felt she hadn't really slept all night because of him. She'd gone out early to buy him breakfast, and now she still had to serve him.

Was he just used to being waited on by her?

"Ye Xiyang," the big boss commanded coldly, "Are you trying to starve me? Hurry up and give me breakfast."

Xiao Qi really wanted to shove the food in his face.

"What, President Lin, do you want me to feed you too?"

He immediately replied, "Yes!"

Yiyang, still snickering on the side, sighed inwardly.

Only Xiyang could bring out this childish side of his brother.

In the end, Xiao Qi unceremoniously opened both the Western and Chinese breakfasts and set them in front of him.

Eat or don't—up to you.

Then she had a thought.