Picking Him Up
Xie Linxi only paused for a moment before continuing downstairs.
Zhang Chen had already arranged for a driver, who was waiting in the parking lot.
The little ball of light was cowering in fear. Xie Linxi pressed the elevator button and pulled the ball closer. “Xiao Ba, I’ve read our contract.”
As the CEO of a company worth hundreds of billions, Xie Linxi wasn’t the type to treat a contract like a “Terms of Service” agreement by scrolling to the bottom and clicking ‘agree’ without looking. He had scrutinized every single clause, including the rights and obligations of both parties and the specific requirements of the tasks.
008 was confused.
“Huh?”
Xie Linxi, “If I remember correctly, your task completion rate consists of two parts: Plot Integrity and Protagonist Happiness. Today, Gu Qingyan’s happiness level must exceed 5%, right?”
The light ball hovered quietly, tilting its “head” suspiciously.
“Correct?”
Xie Linxi, “Well, unfortunately, those two points are contradictory. If I followed the original plot, Gu Qingyan wouldn’t have a single shred of happiness tonight.”
Having been rivals for so many years, Xie Linxi understood Gu Qingyan. The man was arrogant to his bones and never knew how to bow his head. Drugging him and forcing him into bed would only fill him with an unbearable level of disgust. He’d likely vomit up his own bile. Happiness would be out of the question.
Moreover…
Setting aside what might happen between Gu Qingyan and Xie Zhetao, just seeing the two of them in the same room made Xie Linxi’s brow furrow instinctively.
One was his evenly matched rival, whom he respected; the other was a worthless, trashy brother he utterly despised.
Xie Linxi and Gu Qingyan were enemies, yes, but after years of back-and-forth in the business world, they shared a tacit understanding. They acknowledged each other’s worth. Putting Gu Qingyan and Xie Zhetao together was like pairing a fresh flower with a pile of dog shit.
The mere thought of his persistent rival being defiled by a piece of trash made Xie Linxi feel as if he were being defiled too. It was as nauseating as swallowing a fly.
The light ball, “…Ooh?”
008 was a newborn system. It was a pure child who had never been swindled. Xie Linxi was its first host; it believed whatever its host said.
Xie Linxi reached a calm conclusion, “So, when faced with a situation where you can’t have your cake and eat it too, my suggestion is to focus solely on Gu Qingyan’s happiness. As for the plot, we’ll do it selectively—just enough to pass.”
008 was dazed, completely outmatched by Xie Linxi’s logic.
“Uh, let me… let me think…”
It didn’t say yes, but it didn’t say no either. It allowed itself to be caught in the CEO’s hand and carried to the parking lot.
The car was waiting at the exit. Xie Linxi pulled open the back door and sat inside.
Driver, “Mr. Xie, are we going home?”
Xie Linxi settled 008 on the seat beside him and rubbed his temples. “Just find a nearby five-star hotel. I don’t feel very well.”
Jiang City was a massive city with a population of over ten million. The distance between the north and south districts was over fifty kilometers. Factoring in traffic and detours, it would take over two hours to get home. Xie Linxi was quite drunk today; he’d arrived with a seventy-percent buzz, crossed half the city to save someone, and topped it off with another glass. His head was spinning, so he really didn’t want to sit in a car for another two hours.
The driver was used to such situations. “Understood. Is the Jiang City Hotel okay?”
Xie Linxi nodded. The driver started the engine smoothly and drove out of the underground garage.
The gate lifted, and the car merged into the flow of traffic. Xie Linxi pressed his aching forehead, his eyes drifting out the window, wondering if he should take the opportunity to look over some reports.
But as his gaze wandered aimlessly over the crowds and cars, he suddenly froze.
In the shadow where the marble walls of the club met a standard residential area, someone was leaning against a wall for support while walking slowly.
The figure was tall and lean, but his pace was agonizingly slow, and his posture was abnormal. He seemed to be using his thighs to force his lower legs to move, limping heavily. Every two steps, he had to stop and rest, looking as if he might collapse at any moment. Once he steadied himself against the wall, he would force another step forward.
Xie Linxi, “Slow down. Pull over to the curb.”
The driver obeyed. Xie Linxi narrowed his eyes and recognized the person on the sidewalk.
It was Gu Qingyan.
Xie Linxi thought: Why is he still here?
In the shadows where no one was watching, the man finally allowed himself to show his vulnerability. His normally straight spine was slightly bent; he was hunched over, clutching the wall as he struggled forward.
Ah, right. His leg was injured. He couldn’t walk fast, and he couldn’t go far.
Xiao Ba floated over, following Xie Linxi’s gaze. “Ooh, it must be the alcohol and the sprain. That’s in the script.”
In the original novel, during the struggle between Xie Zhetao and Gu Qingyan, there was a scene where a sprain occurred to limit Gu’s movements and make the “harmony” of the night more “logical.” Xiao Ba hadn’t expected the man to drag that injured leg all the way out here.
Xiao Ba flipped through the book. “Ooh, later on, Xie Zhetao was supposed to help him with an ice pack to show his ‘tender side.’ It was a key moment for their emotional progress.”
Xie Linxi, “…”
He thought: How are we supposed to follow that? Am I supposed to kidnap Xie Zhetao and bring him here to apply an ice pack?
Zhang Chen had just called the police; Xie Zhetao was likely currently giving a statement at the station.
In the gap while he was talking to Xiao Ba, Gu Qingyan had managed a few more steps. Xie Linxi looked in the direction he was heading and saw a bus stop a few hundred meters away.
Xie Linxi withdrew his gaze and checked his watch.
9:51 PM.
If he remembered correctly, the last bus from that stop was at 10:00 PM.
At the speed Gu Qingyan was moving, the bus would likely come and go before he even reached the edge of the platform.
Xie Linxi sighed internally. Whatever. I need to grind his happiness points anyway. If they drop now, I’ll just have to work harder to raise them tomorrow. I’ll give him a hand.
He ordered, “Stop the car.”
Xiao Ba had been dazed by Xie Linxi’s previous logic and was hovering listlessly to the side. When Xie Linxi opened the door, Xiao Ba quickly floated up and pressed against the window.
It watched its host slam the door and stride toward Gu Qingyan.
Xiao Ba, “…Huh?”
Xie Linxi reached Gu Qingyan’s side and frowned. “You—”
He paused, unsure of how to address him.
President Gu? Obviously not; Gu Qingyan wasn’t the head of Splendid Corporation yet. Gu Qingyan? No, Gu Qingyan hadn’t introduced himself at the club; Xie Linxi wasn’t supposed to know his name. Hey, you? Too rude. Gu Qingyan was petty and held grudges like nobody’s business. Who knew if he’d write it down in a little notebook and start another feud with Radiance Entertainment later?
But before Xie Linxi could figure out a title, Gu Qingyan—startled by the sudden approach—tried to straighten his back and fix his posture. He used one hand to try to cover the torn shirt around his waist. But his footing was weak, so he couldn’t hold his ground. His steps faltered, and his body tilted to the side. Xie Linxi instinctively reached out, and Gu Qingyan, using him like a handrail, grabbed his arm and fell headlong into his chest.
Supporting the majority of his rival’s weight like a wooden post, Xie Linxi was beyond speechless. Hey, wait…
He thought: President Gu, you’re the one who crashed into me. This has nothing to do with me. When you’re settling scores later, you’d better not count this one.
However, Xie Linxi soon realized his worries were misplaced.
Gu Qingyan was clearly drifting out of consciousness.
His face was flushed, and his eyes were veiled in a misty haze. His dark pupils were lost behind the blur. At this point, he probably couldn’t tell who was holding him, let alone North from South.
Xie Linxi, “Drunk?”
It made sense. Gu Qingyan had been forced to drink half a bottle of 120-proof liquor. He should be drunk.
Xie Linxi thought: No wonder he was in such a hurry to leave. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he’d lose his composure in public.
In the novel, to achieve the “harmony” of the night, Gu Qingyan had also been drunk and delirious. But even though the plot had been derailed, he had still ended up in this state.
Yet even like this, the man was still clutching Xie Linxi’s arm, trying to find the strength to stand. He pushed himself out of Xie Linxi’s arms and leaned back against the wall. As if finally breathing a sigh of relief, he actually whispered, “Sorry… thank you…”
Xie Linxi thought: That’s a rarity.
In his previous life, when he’d tried to sign Gu Qingyan with a multi-million dollar contract and a paved road to stardom, the man hadn’t even bothered to say thank you before signing with another company. Xie Linxi had assumed he was born without the word in his vocabulary.
He stood there as Gu Qingyan acted as if he didn’t even know there was a person beside him. He didn’t ask for help. Instead, he simply leaned against the wall and started walking again, dragging his injured leg. His eyes were fixed forward, as if that red and yellow bus stop had become his sole purpose in life, a goal he would reach even if it killed him.
Xie Linxi sighed. Damn it. Even when he’s half-conscious, he’s still this stubborn?
He felt somewhat speechless as he followed beside Gu Qingyan, watching him shuffle forward like a turtle. Occasionally, Xie Linxi would have to stand still and play the part of a utility pole for Gu Qingyan to lean on to steady himself. Gu Qingyan, however, seemed completely oblivious to the fact that there was a living person next to him, let alone thinking to ask for help; he simply treated President Xie as a utility pole that happened to be perfectly positioned for his every stumble.
After this cycle had repeated three times, Xie Linxi’s patience finally ran dry.
He blocked Gu Qingyan’s path with one hand. “Do you still recognize me?”
Gu Qingyan didn’t speak. He seemed a bit confused as to why the utility pole was suddenly obstructing his way. He just stared toward the distant bus shelter and tried to lift Xie Linxi’s hand out of the way.
Xie Linxi checked his watch: 10:01 PM.
Even if Gu Qingyan managed to reach the bus stop, there wouldn’t be a bus to take him home until the next morning.
Watching Gu Qingyan—who was stubbornly persistent, back held ramrod straight, and still trying to lift his hand—Xie Linxi was so frustrated he almost laughed.
Fine, very good. As expected of President Gu. You can’t remember bus schedules or recognize people, but you still remember your posture and how to hide the bruises on your lower back.
Xie Linxi estimated that since he was this drunk, Gu Qingyan would definitely have a blackout by morning and wouldn’t be able to hold a grudge or settle scores. He reached out and lightly patted him. “Gu Qingyan, are you really that wasted? Can you still tell who I am?”
Gu Qingyan simply looked at him.
Xie Linx, “Let’s try a different question. Where do you live? I’ll take you back.”
Gu Qingyan continued to stare at him, looking as though he couldn’t comprehend the question at all.
Xie Linxi took a deep breath.
The man probably didn’t realize how pathetic he looked right now—his shirt was torn, his hair was soaked with cold sweat and matted with styling gel, and even his eyes were clouded with a layer of watery mist.
If anyone in his future life were to catch a glimpse of Gu Qingyan like this, Gu Qingyan would absolutely skin them alive.
Xie Linxi sighed and gave him a steadying arm. “Gu Qingyan, I’m worried you’ll pass out on the street. I’m taking you to a hotel and getting you a private room. You leave when you wake up tomorrow, and you are not allowed to settle scores with me later, do you hear me?”
Gu Qingyan was clearly in no state to answer.
Xie Linxi wrapped an arm around his waist to lead him toward the car, but the man was dead-set on heading in the direction of the wall and the bus stop. He was terrifyingly stubborn. Xie Linxi tugged twice but couldn’t move him an inch.
What a hassle, Xie Linxi thought.
Since President Gu was completely hammered and couldn’t do anything to him anyway, Xie Linxi applied a bit more force. He wrapped an arm under Gu’s knees, scooped his injured leg up, and half-carried, half-shoved Gu Qingyan into the car.
He got in from the other side, pulled the seatbelt across to strap Gu Qingyan in, and signaled the driver.
“Same hotel as before. Go.”
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