Chapter 31: The Flight Attendant

Chapter 31: The Flight Attendant

Perhaps Yang Qi’s prayers had been answered; his biggest concern did not come to pass. Aside from muttering a few incoherent words, Tang Xinjie did not vomit in the car.

Carefully helping Tang Xinjie onto the bed, Yang Qi wrung out a hot towel to place on her forehead and prepared a glass of warm water, setting it by the bedside.

"Whew..." Exhaling a long breath, Yang Qi looked at Tang Xinjie, who was slumped on the bed, and offered a bitter smile. Tang Xinjie was undeniably beautiful, but Yang Qi could find no appreciation for a drunkard reeking of alcohol.

Shaking his head, Yang Qi went to the living room, sat cross-legged on the floor, and began his meditation.

The next day, just as the sky began to brighten, Yang Qi heard movement from the bedroom. He immediately ended his practice and headed inside.

"It’s you?" Tang Xinjie stared at Yang Qi, momentarily stunned, before asking, "Did you bring me back last night?"

"You remember what happened last night, don't you?" Yang Qi nodded and asked.

At the mention of this, Tang Xinjie’s expression darkened. Although she had been drunk and under the influence of sedatives, she still recalled the events—especially Chen Xiaoyan’s betrayal, which stung her heart. They had been best friends for four years; she never expected her to collude with Hou Lei to drug her.

"Thank you for last night. If it weren't for you, I..." Recalling the two men who had tried to take her away, Tang Xinjie’s face turned pale. She didn't know where they intended to take her, but she knew the consequences would have been devastating.

"We know each other, so naturally, I couldn't just stand by and watch you be taken. But you should be more careful in the future; you won't always have someone passing by at the right time," Yang Qi said after a moment of reflection.

"I know. It won't happen again," Tang Xinjie nodded. Having seen Chen Xiaoyan's true colors, she would no longer trust others easily, let alone go out alone.

"Where is the restroom?" Tang Xinjie whispered.

Yang Qi pointed toward the direction of the bathroom. Tang Xinjie hurried inside. A moment later, the sound of running water echoed. After waiting for six or seven minutes, she emerged. Her previously exhausted face now held a hint of vitality, clearly refreshed by a splash of cold water.

"What are your plans for the future?" Yang Qi asked.

"I plan to move out of the dormitory. I'm in my fourth year anyway, and there aren't many classes left at school, so I might as well use this time to start an internship," Tang Xinjie replied after a moment of thought.

Knowing that Chen Xiaoyan was the one who drugged her, she couldn't bear to live there anymore. Who knew when Chen Xiaoyan might try it again? As for reporting it to the police, there was no evidence, so nothing could be done against Chen Xiaoyan, let alone the influential Hou Lei behind her.

After chatting a little longer, Tang Xinjie bid him farewell and left.

***

"Is this your car?" In front of the villa, Tang Xinjie looked at the vehicle nearby and asked. She vaguely remembered Yang Qi driving when he brought her back.

"It seems your ex-girlfriend needs a pair of glasses; this car isn't cheap," Tang Xinjie said with a smile after seeing Yang Qi nod.

"It’s just a Volkswagen," Yang Qi replied dismissively.

Tang Xinjie merely gave him a profound look without pointing out the truth. The difference between a Volkswagen Phaeton and an ordinary Volkswagen was, quite literally, worlds apart.

After seeing Tang Xinjie off, Yang Qi tidied up the house and was about to leave after washing up when he saw Zhao Yixin dragging her suitcase inside.

"Such a strong smell of alcohol. Have you been drinking?" Zhao Yixin asked, frowning as she caught the scent.

"Drinking doesn't seem to be against the house rules, does it?" Yang Qi asked with a chuckle.

"Hmph," Zhao Yixin hummed, "You’d better not be bringing people over to drink while I’m away."

"Of course not," Yang Qi replied, curling his lip.

"That's more like it," Zhao Yixin nodded, then continued, "Hey, big spender, is that Phaeton out front yours?"

Yang Qi froze, speechless. Wasn't the Volkswagen Phaeton supposed to be low-key? How did both women recognize it?

"A big spender is indeed different. I’ve decided—I’m eating at your expense today! You’re treating me, and you’re going to take me for a drive," Zhao Yixin, who had looked exhausted moments ago, suddenly perked up upon seeing him nod.

"Fine, let's call it a housewarming meal," Yang Qi agreed without refusal.

"You're a big spender; why would you care about such small change?" Zhao Yixin said with a look of disdain. "Do you know that my 'commuter vehicles' are worth at least hundreds of millions, sometimes over a billion?"

"Are you a flight attendant?" Yang Qi asked suddenly.

"You guessed that?" The smug look on Zhao Yixin’s face stiffened. Usually, no one could guess her profession immediately. She was surprised that Yang Qi had nailed it on the first try.

"What’s so strange about that? You said you’re away for ten days a month, and combined with your talk of 'commuter vehicles,' what else could you be but a flight attendant?" Yang Qi smiled. In truth, he had already guessed it earlier because he recognized the suitcase she used was specific to China Eastern Airlines.

"Hmph, so you guessed it. Big deal," Zhao Yixin huffed. "I’m starving. Let’s go eat."

Yang Qi gave a bitter smile, knowing there was no reasoning with this woman.

***

"It’s even a new car! You big spenders really are different," Zhao Yixin exclaimed as soon as she got in. This was a car worth over a million; she had only ever seen executives and high-profile VIPs drive them at the airport. She hadn't expected to have the chance to ride in one today.

"I’m not a big spender," Yang Qi shook his head. He was just a poor kid; if not for inheriting the legacy of the Great Emperor Hao Yang, he would still be an ordinary person struggling with a breakup and searching for work.

"Tch, fine, don't tell me then," Zhao Yixin said nonchalantly.

"I’m just an ordinary person with a few special skills," Yang Qi said slowly.

"Special skills?"

"I know a bit of kung fu."

"Kung fu? And I suppose you know the Palm of Buddha?" Zhao Yixin scoffed.

Ignoring her sarcasm, Yang Qi continued, "I’m also decent at stone gambling."

"Stone gambling? I know that—it's jadeite raw stones, right?" Zhao Yixin asked immediately.

"Yes," Yang Qi nodded. "I earned some money from that, and now that I’m working at the Shen’s Jewelry Company, I bought a car."

"I thought you were a rich second-generation heir, but it turns out you’re the one who built the wealth," Zhao Yixin’s eyes lit up. Starting from scratch, especially at such a young age, was enough to command respect.

"If I were a rich second-generation heir, would I be wearing clothes from a street market?" Yang Qi rolled his eyes.

"I just thought you were being low-key," Zhao Yixin said awkwardly.

Low-key?

That was just being broke!

Yang Qi was speechless. He used to want to be high-profile, but the problem was he hadn't had the money to back it up.