Chapter 38: A Perfect Match

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The car veered into a dangerous zigzag, and Xie Bo’s vehicle nearly collided with the one Li Du was speeding up behind them in.

“Damn!”

Li Du slammed on the brakes. The powerful inertia sent Lin Yiwei lurching violently forward.

The car stopped by the roadside, and Li Du gasped for breath.

“What were they doing?” Lin Yiwei asked, still shaken.

“Who knows?” Li Du frowned. “Master Bo usually drives very steadily.”

Fortunately, after the black supercar rounded a bend, it settled back into a smooth pace and did not repeat its earlier dangerous maneuver.

Li Du maintained a certain distance and followed behind them.

Xie Bo shook off Chu Ang’s hand and frowned. “Are you insane? You even tried to grab the steering wheel. Were you trying to die with me?”

There was unbearable pain in the depths of Chu Ang’s eyes. His eyes had reddened, and he glared fiercely at Xie Bo. “Stop talking nonsense! She wouldn’t do that! She absolutely wouldn’t!”

Xie Bo gave a derisive laugh, amusement glinting in his eyes. “So, in your view, the thought of her sleeping with another man is more painful than the thought of her dating another man. Chu Ang, do you like her innocence, or do you like chaste, virtuous women?”

Chu Ang flew into a rage. “Xie Bo, what right do you have to say that? A rich second-generation heir like you, who treats life as a game—what do you know about liking someone? You know nothing! You don’t understand what it feels like to see the most beautiful thing in the world and desperately want to cherish it!”

Xie Bo’s hands tightened almost imperceptibly around the steering wheel.

Only an idiot like Chu Ang would dare speak to him this way. If it had been anyone else, Xie Bo would have kicked him out of the car long ago. Even Li Du would not dare treat him like this.

Chu Ang would not fawn over him or flatter him. He had his own temper and his own principles when it came to making friends.

Xie Bo liked associating with people who had principles. What was the point of someone like Chi Xicheng, who always had a crowd of followers around him?

“I don’t understand, and I don’t need to.” His gaze remained calm as he looked ahead. “Everything I want is within easy reach. I wanted her, so she became my woman. She had no room to refuse. It’s as simple as that.”

“But she doesn’t love you,” Chu Ang said coldly. “You can never obtain another person’s true feelings, Xie Bo. The moment the halo of the Third Young Master of the Xie family fades, she’ll be like a bird set free, flying away from you.”

Those words were like a cold curse, taking root in Xie Bo’s heart.

………

Several eye-catching sports cars stopped outside the club.

As soon as she got out of the car, Lin Yiwei automatically moved to Chu Ang’s side and took his hand.

Chu Ang was flattered and at a loss. His hand trembled violently.

The girl’s hand was soft and yielding, a softness Chu Ang had never experienced before. His life had always been rough and solid.

He knew he ought to pull his hand away—at the very least, they should clarify their relationship first, rather than remain in this ambiguous state.

What did that make him?

Yet Chu Ang could not bring himself to let go. He allowed her to hold his hand, as if they were truly an inexperienced but sweet young couple.

His heart felt steeped in honey, unbearably sweet.

When they entered the private room, the two of them sat in a corner. They did not sing or eat anything, merely whispering softly to each other.

To outsiders, they really did look like they were dating.

Chu Ang opened the photo album in his QQ space and showed her pictures from their regular training sessions. After showing her his university years, he even brought up photos from his childhood.

Lin Yiwei seemed thoroughly interested. Not only did she listen attentively, she also asked question after question—

“Wow, Brother Ang, you were so fat when you were little?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re in such good shape now.”

“No girls liked me, so I made up my mind to lose weight in high school.”

“I admire anyone who manages to lose weight successfully. I could never do it. I love good food, especially seafood and anything expensive.”

“You like seafood? Next time I’ll take you somewhere good. You can eat plenty without spending too much.”

“Sure.”

………

The two of them continued whispering, occasionally letting out quiet laughs. No matter how many people surrounded them or how loud and chaotic the room was, it seemed that their world contained only one another.

Lin Yiwei’s gaze inadvertently swept toward Xie Bo.

He sat at the edge of the sofa, his long legs with nowhere to go kicking idly at a padded stool.

He had been watching her the entire time.

His amber-like eyes were deep and unfathomable. A lazy air clung to his whole body, like that of a detached, mocking spectator enjoying the excellent performance she was putting on with all her might.

Lin Yiwei was indeed making her performance very obvious.

She had to maintain an intimate relationship with Chu Ang—not to take revenge on Xie Bo, but to dispel the suspicions in Chi Xiyu’s heart.

As expected, Chi Xiyu observed them discreetly. Seeing them act so intimately, like a young couple in the throes of passion, she began to wonder whether she had simply been overthinking things.

Although Xie Bo could see that Lin Yiwei was deliberately pretending to be close to Chu Ang, he still felt his blood slowly draining away, leaving him weak and powerless.

Chi Xiyu came over with a glass and wanted to drink with them. Lin Yiwei leaned toward Chu Ang and said coyly, “I can’t hold my liquor. Help me drink it.”

“Sure.”

Chu Ang’s head was already swimming. He picked up the glass and emptied it in one go.

Chi Xiyu smiled. “Chu Ang, you have to treat Yiwei well. She’s my best friend.”

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Whether from slight intoxication or shyness, Chu Ang’s cheeks flushed. He nodded forcefully.

If he had the chance, he certainly would.

Watching them, Chi Xiyu felt much more at ease, as if a weight had been lifted.

After a while, Li Du came over and looked through Xie Bo’s cigarette case. “Finished?”

“Mm.”

Chi Xiyu quickly said, “Xie Bo, I’ll go buy you some.”

“Thank you.”

Lin Yiwei cast him a cool glance. He tossed away the empty cigarette case with his long, slender fingers, lifting his chin slightly, his expression filled with entitlement.

She thought Xie Bo could be unbelievably irritating sometimes. Who could possibly tolerate him? Only Chi Xiyu seemed able to.

And Li Du and Xie Bo’s tacit cooperation was clearly deliberate—they were trying to send Chi Xiyu away. Who knew what scheme they were plotting now?

“I’ll go with you.” Lin Yiwei hurriedly stood and accompanied Chi Xiyu outside.

“You’re the best!”

The cold wind whistled through the streets. There was a convenience store not far away.

Chi Xiyu knew his cigarettes inside out. She gave the shopkeeper the name of a foreign brand. Instead of taking a pack from the shelves, the owner rummaged through a cabinet and brought it out.

Chi Xiyu seemed very familiar with the process. With great seriousness, she explained to Lin Yiwei, “A lot of foreign brands aren’t openly displayed for sale in stores, but they do have them. You have to ask before they’ll bring them out.”

Apparently, this was not the first time she had done something like this.

Lin Yiwei truly could not understand why a wealthy heiress from a privileged family would know these things so well.

If she were Chi Xiyu, she would be a proud princess. Only someone out of their mind would humble herself so completely to pursue a man.

She would not take any man seriously. If she truly liked someone, she would make him her lover. As for whether to promise him a future, Lin Yiwei would consider it carefully, selecting only the most outstanding boy.

In any case, no one could make her lower her head and beg.

There she went again, dreaming of being a princess. She was not a princess—not even qualified to be Cinderella.

She lowered her head and looked at the antique brass-yellow cross hanging against her chest, made of some material she could not identify.

She had worn such a delicate ornament since childhood. It must have been left to her by her parents. But where were they? Why had they abandoned her?

The two of them walked along the cold winter street. Chi Xiyu did not seem ready to return immediately. With the slightly drunken haze of intoxication in her voice, she said to Lin Yiwei, “He doesn’t have feelings for me. I know that very clearly. He doesn’t take me seriously at all. Look at what happened just now—he forgot about me.”

Chi Xiyu would never say such things to Xu Qianxi, nor to any of the girls in her circle.

In front of them, she had to remain proud and happy, so she could receive more envy and fill the emptiness of her vanity.

But in front of Lin Yiwei, she revealed her most vulnerable side.

Lin Yiwei wore an expression that was perfectly, carefully feigned. She looked at Chi Xiyu with concern.

She thought she had already made her way into Chi Xiyu’s heart.

“Xixi, living like this must be exhausting. It’s heartbreaking to watch.”

“How could I not know that he doesn’t like me? Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep things ambiguous with so many girls. He doesn’t like them either. He only likes himself.”

Chi Xiyu hugged herself and crouched down on the ground, looking aggrieved. “But what can I do? I just like him. I can’t explain the way my heart moves for him, or how much I like him.”

“I understand.” Lin Yiwei crouched beside her and gently patted her shoulder. “I know how you feel. Girls are always especially vulnerable.”

She comforted Chi Xiyu with words she did not believe herself.

The more she did so, the more Chi Xiyu indulged in self-pity. “Because I like him, I even wish he would bully me. But he won’t. He treats me with less warmth than a glass of plain water.”

“Everyone thinks Xie Bo treats you very well and is very gentle with you.”

“Yes, he treats me well—politely and courteously. His gentleness is distant. Do you understand what that feels like?” Chi Xiyu gripped her hand. “I don’t even feel that he desires me. None of his smiles in front of me come from the heart. He wears a mask, and I can’t see what’s inside.”

“Even so, he’ll spend his whole life with you.”

“Perhaps that’s my only consolation.” Chi Xiyu wiped the moisture from the corner of her eye. “I’ll eventually have him. Even if everything is false, the business partnership between the Chi and Xie families, their shared interests and interdependence—that part is real.”

Lin Yiwei lowered her eyes, suppressing the pity in them as well.

Yes, their families were bound together, sharing a common fate. If Chi Xiyu was her enemy, then—

Xie Bo would be one too.

“You go back first. I want to stay outside alone for a while.” Chi Xiyu needed to compose herself and wait for the redness around her eyes to fade. “I’ll come back later.”

“I’ll stay with you.”

“I want to be alone. Go back quickly, or Chu Ang will blame me for keeping you away so long.” Chi Xiyu seemed much more relaxed and even joked with her.

Lin Yiwei obediently walked back to the club. Just as she passed the corner of the corridor, someone seized her wrist.

The next second, she was pulled uncontrollably into a dark, empty private room.

Although it was so dark that she could not see her own hand before her face, she could feel the man’s scorching breath against her cheek. His familiar scent surrounded her.

“Xie Bo! What are you doing?”

Lin Yiwei tried to struggle, but he held her firmly, giving her no chance to break free.

Xie Bo slammed her against the wall. The bones beneath her shoulder blades struck it painfully.

“Bastard!”

She flailed her arms at him. Several slaps landed squarely against his face, the sharp sounds ringing in the darkness, until the man caught her wrists and pinned them above her head.

“New dress?” Xie Bo’s fingertip hooked the thin strap resting on her shoulder. “You bought a new dress to go on a date with him?”

“That has nothing to do with you, Xie Bo!”

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Feeling his fingers tighten, Lin Yiwei said harshly, “Touch my new dress again and see what happens!”

“Threatening me?”

The moment she finished speaking, the thin strap on her left shoulder was violently torn. He bit down on her shoulder, leaving a distinct mark.

Lin Yiwei let out a muffled groan and slapped him. “That dress was expensive!”

He did not seem to feel the pain. He was already used to being struck by her.

“I’ll buy you another one.”

“I don’t need it! Get lost!” Still burning with resentful fury, Lin Yiwei turned to leave.

Xie Bo grabbed her dress. If she struggled any harder, she would be left practically naked.

“What do you like about him?” he breathed against her ear, his breath hot and damp. “His body, or his looks?”

“I like everything about him, Xie Bo.”

She spoke through clenched teeth. “You know I’ve always had no resistance to men with good physiques.”

Xie Bo bit her and kissed her as if they were waging a battle, smoke and fire, gunshots and devastation, entangled with and fighting against each other. When Lin Yiwei bit him, he retaliated with even greater force, as though he meant to swallow them both whole.

Lin Yiwei’s knees weakened, and she could barely remain standing.

“Xie—Xie Bo! Let go.”

“I can’t.” The corner of his mouth lifted, his voice languid. “So very taut.”

“Bastard!”

She wanted to hit him, but her arms had already lost their strength.

“Break up with him.” His emotions were rising too. He pressed close to her ear. “Lin Yiwei, listen to me.”

“You’re unbelievable. You were the one who said we should break up, and now that we have, you won’t let me associate with other men. What kind of logic is that?”

“Break up with him, then be with me.” Xie Bo brazenly contradicted himself.

“Give me a reason.” Her voice was stubborn.

“What reason do you want?”

“Chu Ang can help me. Can you?”

“I can too.” Xie Bo held her by the waist and turned her back toward him. “I can help you in every way.”

Lin Yiwei lifted her chin slightly and closed her eyes, accepting all of him amid her confusion and unease.

“The breakup settlement has already been paid, Xie Bo. Can’t you show some integrity? If we break up again, I’ll demand more.”

“I’ll give you as much as you want.” His breathing grew rough, and he was nearly out of control.

She looked back at him. She wanted to push him away, but she had no strength left. “Chi Xiyu is coming back! We can’t!”

“Then we’ll make it quick.” He slipped off the other shoulder strap, leaving her most beautiful sights entirely exposed before his eyes.

“Bastard!”

He reached out and switched on the light beside the wall. In an instant, the room flooded with brightness. Lin Yiwei’s eyes could not adjust, and she instinctively closed them.

Xie Bo pinched her chin, took out his phone, and photographed the two of them with their faces pressed close together.

In the picture, he stood behind her. Their cheeks were both flushed, their eyes hazy with intoxication.

Caught off guard, Lin Yiwei turned to snatch his phone. Xie Bo stepped back and looked at the two people in the photograph, then laughed.

“We look good together.”

“You’re insane. Are you planning to use that to threaten me?”

“Would I need to resort to something so despicable?”

Xie Bo simply liked the picture very much. He stared at it without blinking, amusement in his eyes.

“He said I’d never win your heart. But I think you quite like me. Your body’s reaction wouldn’t lie, would it?”

Lin Yiwei recalled the perilous moment on the road when Xie Bo’s car had nearly lost control.

She did not know what the two men had discussed in the car, but it was obvious that Xie Bo had revealed their relationship to Chu Ang.

“You’re always so full of yourself.”

Lin Yiwei forced him out, straightened her dress, and turned to leave.

Xie Bo caught her. She turned and slapped him again, the crisp sound clear and ringing—more painful than the blows she had dealt him in the darkness.

Xie Bo turned his face slightly but did not release her, his grip tightening around her hand.

“Only you would dare treat me like this…”

He cradled the back of her head and kissed her, hungering for everything she had.

“You know that every minute and every second during this time, you were all I could think about. And you? It took you barely two days to get involved with my friend.”

“If you need someone to solve your problems, there are plenty of other women willing to have you. There’s even one outside.”

“Lin Yiwei, how many times do I have to say it before you understand? I only want you.”

“Don’t make yourself sound so devoted, Xie Bo. We’re evenly matched. We’re both miserable creatures who surrender to desire…”

“So we’re well suited.” Xie Bo pressed her against the wall and kissed her neck until her thoughts dissolved.

“Xie Bo, you promised to help me. You can’t go back on your word.”

“How do you want me to help?”

Lin Yiwei clung to him without support, tilting her head back.

“You’ll find out.”

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