Chapter 56: Xiao Fu’s Slander
Xiao Fu told himself that Chi Wang and Xie Siheng had known each other longer than he had known Chi Wang; forcing Chi Wang to stop associating with Xie would only make Chi Wang dislike him.
He could order around his subordinates, but he couldn’t command Chi Wang.
Even before they acknowledged their familial relationship, Chi Wang was already independent and unafraid of him; after acknowledging it, he wouldn’t completely obey him either.
Forcing him to choose sides and separate from Xie would only push Chi Wang further away.
Xiao Fu felt like a single father seeing his daughter hanging out with a rebellious youth, feeling both helpless and furious.
Although he wanted to teach Xie a lesson, he realized that this approach wouldn’t work. Now that he knew Chi Wang and Xie had a good relationship, using his previous tactics against Xie might backfire. Xie would likely tell Chi Wang, and Xie was just that kind of person who would complain.
This would only worsen his image in Chi Wang’s eyes.
He had to admit that the methods he used were not exactly honorable.
From collaborating with other companies to cut off Haisheng’s funding, causing significant losses to the company—this was before Xie had fully taken over Haisheng; now, setting traps had become exponentially more difficult.
To smaller acts like paying cleaners to cut Haisheng’s electricity, resulting in losses of over 800,000 yuan (~$110,000).
He even resorted to superstitious means, arranging for several employees with conflicting astrological signs to work at Haisheng, hoping it would have an adverse effect. While no results had been seen yet, Xiao Fu believed it might suddenly take effect.
Holding his phone, Xiao Fu maintained a smile—he had to smile. Could he use a harsh tone to question Chi Wang?
Chi Wang wasn’t at fault; the problem was with Xie. Why was Xie befriending Chi Wang out of the blue? Could he be gay? Though he’d never heard that before.
Xiao Fu had always paid close attention to Xie. Despite his close monitoring, he hadn’t heard of Xie dating anyone. Xie did seem close to that kid Zuo Qianxing, but Zuo had a girlfriend.
Regardless of whether Xie was gay or not, Xiao Fu decided to spread the rumor. He naturally began to slander Xie: “I heard that Xie Siheng is gay. A few months ago, my people even saw him checking into a hotel with a man. You can hang out with him, but don’t let him deceive you.”
Xiao Fu’s smile became more genuine, convinced that Chi Wang wouldn’t confront Xie about such private matters.
Chi Wang broke into a cold sweat, feeling extremely uneasy. His voice tightened as he asked, “Did your people see who he was with?”
Xiao Fu lied effortlessly, “Of course they did. I heard it was a pretty boy, someone like you. You understand? Society is chaotic; men can be dirty and messy too. Women aren’t enough for them, so these perverts go after men. What’s next, bestiality or objectophilia? It’s perverted and goes against nature. You should head home now, and to be safe, avoid contact with him. Of course, it’s just a suggestion; if you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
Chi Wang: “…”
He didn’t dare to say much.
He knew that Xiao Fu despised gay people. If he found out Chi Wang was carrying Xie’s child, who knows how furious he’d become.
Chi Wang hesitated but decided to keep it hidden. “I understand. I’ll think about it.”
Unsatisfied with Chi Wang’s response, Xiao Fu continued to slander, “Think carefully. I heard he dated several girlfriends in high school, and now he’s checking into hotels with men. Isn’t that swinging both ways?”
He wasn’t entirely fabricating. With Xie’s looks, he attracted a lot of attention, and there were many rumors during his middle and high school years. In college, due to the scarcity of girls in his department and his reclusive nature, he remained relatively clean.
As for the hotel incident, it probably didn’t succeed. Xiao Chengfeng had mentioned that Lu Xiao was timid and didn’t follow through—what a pity.
If Chi Wang later found out it wasn’t true, Xiao Fu could claim he only heard rumors. After all, he wasn’t a mind reader to know every detail.
Operating on this logic, he slandered Xie sincerely, making his lies seem utterly convincing without any hint of deceit.
Chi Wang was indeed misled. Since Xiao Fu knew about the hotel incident—though unaware it involved him—the high school stories were probably true as well.
Feeling concerned, Chi Wang’s tone grew heavier, “I understand. I’ll think it over carefully. Don’t worry.”
Hearing his tone, Xiao Fu knew Chi Wang had taken his words to heart and felt satisfied. After expressing some concern for Chi Wang, he ended the call.
Biting down on a cigarette, Xiao Fu’s anger dissipated completely. How could Xie compete with him? Chi Wang was his brother, after all.
Chi Wang hung up the phone, feeling unsettled but keeping his emotions in check as he walked back toward Xie.
At that moment, two girls with long hair were talking to Xie. Due to their shorter stature, Xie slightly lowered his head to speak with them.
Chi Wang paused briefly but then continued walking over without showing any sign of disturbance.
He overheard the girls saying, “…Please, just add us on social media.”
Sensing something, Xie lifted his gaze and met Chi Wang’s eyes. “Sorry,” he said coolly to the girls before striding past them to stand before Chi Wang, handing him the basket he was holding.
Accepting the basket, Chi Wang smiled at him, “You’re quite popular.”
Xie replied in a flat tone, “I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Chi Wang: “…”
Why did that sound a bit resentful?
Scratching his head, Chi Wang said, “I chatted with my brother a bit longer than expected. Sorry about that.”
Xie casually asked, “What did you talk about?”
Chi Wang calmly answered, “What else? We talked about you, of course.”
“…” Xie said in a low voice, “No matter what he says, don’t believe him.”
Just then, the two girls approached them again, shifting their attention. “Hi there, could we add you on social media?”
Chi Wang blinked, “Weren’t you just asking him?”
One girl shrugged, “He wouldn’t add us, so we’re changing our target.”
Chi Wang scratched his head, “You switch targets that easily?”
The girls laughed, “Because you’re both handsome! Fortune favors the bold. Adding one of you is a win. If not, we’ll just admire from afar. It’s nice to see handsome guys in everyday life!”
Xie reached out and took Chi Wang’s hand, his voice deep as he said to them, “Sorry, I’m with him. It’s not convenient.”
The two girls’ eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, sorry to bother you!”
They quickly bowed and left hand in hand.
Chi Wang: “…”
He gave Xie a sidelong glance. Xie naturally released his hand and said, “Let’s go play.”
Without commenting further, Chi Wang led Xie to a row of claw machines. After inserting tokens, he began manipulating the joystick. “Catching plush toys is actually simple. You just need to know how to swing the claw. Watch: when the claw swings to its highest point on the left, press the button to grab the toy. The leftward momentum will swing the toy out.”
As he explained, a plush toy dropped from the claw, landing swiftly.
A little girl nearby exclaimed, “Wow!” She approached them, saying, “Big brother, you’re amazing!”
Chi Wang smiled, bending down to pick up the toy and handing it to her. “You’re good at compliments. Here, you can have this.”
The little girl accepted it with delight, thanking him generously, “Thank you, big brother!”
Chi Wang asked, “Is there another toy you’d like? I can help you get it.”
“Really?” the little girl asked excitedly.
“Of course,” Chi Wang replied.
She pointed to a plush toy in a nearby machine, “I want that one.”
Handing her game tokens to Chi Wang, she said, “Please, big brother!”
Chi Wang confidently said, “Leave it to me.”
Using the tokens, he operated the claw machine and quickly retrieved the toy she wanted.
“Big brother, you’re amazing! I spent thirty tokens and couldn’t get it, but you got it in one try. You’re so cool!” The little girl’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
Chi Wang laughed, “It’s nothing. If there’s anything else you want, I can help you get it!”
Standing nearby, Xie thought to himself, “So Chi Wang likes being praised?”
Of course, that wasn’t the case. Chi Wang was just the type to get along with everyone, even children who enjoyed playing with him.
Before long, a group of children had gathered around, all calling him “big brother” in their clear voices. Chi Wang happily became their helper, catching multiple toys for each of them.
He also told Xie to feel free to explore on his own and not to worry about him.
Xie didn’t wander off; he stood nearby, watching them with a soft gaze.
Children were so appreciative, each one sweeter than the last. Chi Wang’s face was lit up with joy.
After the plush toys, he took the children to play coin-pusher games. These machines were often rigged to make winning difficult, but Chi Wang managed to get coins to spill out, attracting the attention of arcade staff.
He shared the coins with the children, eliciting cheers.
In these moments, Chi Wang displayed a youthful exuberance befitting his age. Even though he was older than the children around him, it didn’t stop him from becoming their leader, surrounded like a shining star.
Xie’s gaze never left Chi Wang, capturing every one of his smiles.
After bidding farewell to the children, Chi Wang returned to Xie’s side, smoothly apologizing, “Sorry for taking so long.”
Xie replied, “It’s fine. The whole point was for you to have fun.”
The indoor heating was quite strong, and Chi Wang had broken into a slight sweat, his damp hair sticking to his forehead.
Xie took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, but Chi Wang quickly said, “I’ll do it myself.”
Pausing, Xie handed him the handkerchief.
Chi Wang wiped the sweat from his face and neck. The handkerchief quickly became damp. After finishing, he casually put it into his own pocket and said to Xie, “I’ll wash it and return it to you.”
Xie nodded, “Alright.”
Noticing Chi Wang occasionally placing his hands on his lower back, Xie asked, “Should we head back?”
Chi Wang hesitated for a moment. “Yeah, let’s go back.”
Standing for so long had made him a bit tired.
After spending the afternoon playing, Chi Wang felt refreshed.
It seemed that occasional relaxation was quite effective.
As they walked, Chi Wang thought about what Xiao Fu had said earlier, feeling somewhat uneasy. Not one to let things fester, he suddenly said, “By the way, I went to the hospital to get post-exposure medication back then. I wonder if it will affect the baby.”
Xie paused, his tone deepening. “At that time, the impact should’ve been minimal. Implantation might not have occurred yet, and all the prenatal checkups have been good.”
After a brief pause, he added, “It was my first time.”
There was no need to take the medication at all.
Did he really seem like someone who was promiscuous?
Feeling relieved, Chi Wang feigned surprise, “Really? You don’t look like it.”
Xie: “…”
He asked, “Why don’t I look like it?”
Chi Wang replied, “You just don’t.”
Xie: “…”
