Chapter 75: Winning a Beauty’s Smile

His gaze inadvertently landed on the jewelry box placed on the table. Bai Xu raised an eyebrow, reached out, and picked it up, opening the lid. Inside lay a diamond necklace, gleaming ever more brightly under the chandelier overhead.

No one would give Qin Yu such a gift, unless he bought it himself.

Interest flickered in Bai Xu's eyes. He closed the box, but didn't return it to its place. Instead, he asked Qin Yu with evident amusement, "Third Brother, who did you buy this for? Trying to win over some young lady?"

Bai Xu knew the answer perfectly well, but he deliberately avoided mentioning Lin Xi's name. "Could it be for Song Ning?"

Experience proved that Bai Xu never suffered his beatings without reason. He always pressed the wrong buttons, said the most irritating things, and every time Qin Yu hit him, it was truly deserved. If Grandpa Bai didn't do his utmost to protect him, Qin Yu likely would have broken his legs long ago.

"Just kidding." Seeing Qin Yu's cold stare, Bai Xu grinned sheepishly and put the box back.

Did he think that was the end of it? Impossible.

His hand had barely touched the table when he added lightly, "But Third Brother, you really don't understand Xi Xi. She doesn't like this sort of thing. Even if you give it to her, she'll return it."

Usually, such words would have little effect on Qin Yu. But now, Lin Xi had indeed returned the gift, and hearing Bai Xu’s remark made it sting all the more.

Bai Xu knew Qin Yu would be annoyed, but figured at most he'd get a few words of rebuke. He never expected Qin Yu to suddenly lash out.

A fist struck hard across his cheekbone, and with a loud clatter, the glasses resting on his nose crashed to the floor.

A curse nearly escaped Bai Xu's lips, but reason prevailed, and he managed to hold back. Otherwise, tonight would not end with just a punch.

The living room fell utterly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. All the servants bowed their heads, eyes lowered, not daring to breathe.

Bai Xu touched his cheekbone, wincing as pain made him grimace.

"Can we make a deal, Third Brother? Next time, don't hit my face. Now what? When Xi Xi asks about it this weekend, what am I supposed to say?"

Qin Yu stood across from him, looking down with an imposing air. "You can be reckless yourself. But if you dare drag her into your nonsense this weekend, don't blame me for not sparing your dignity."

Bai Xu was taken aback.

He looked up, and Qin Yu, one hand in his pocket, walked straight toward the elevator without giving him a glance.

Tsk, truly his own brother.

He'd said nothing, done nothing, yet his brother had already guessed what he was up to.

What now?

Give up? Of course not.

He'd already promised to take Lin Xi to see a good show—how could he abandon that halfway? Besides, after so many years, when had he ever taken his brother's warnings seriously?

The worst that could happen was another beating when he got back.

A fair trade: a good show for a beauty’s smile.

Worth it.

Once Qin Yu went upstairs, the servants finally dared to move, quickly bringing Bai Xu an ice pack.

"Please, apply this."

Such scenes were routine for them; none were witnessing Bai Xu's beatings for the first time.

Normally, Bai Xu would shrug it off, but thinking of his weekend plans, he didn't want to show up with a bruised face.

He took the ice pack and pressed it hard against his face, expressionless as if he felt no pain.

"Is it swollen already?" he asked.

The servant nodded cautiously.

"Tsk." He suspected his brother had done it on purpose.

Of all places to hit, he chose the face.

His eyes drifted to a bank card on the table, and Bai Xu’s mind turned. "Did anyone come by before me today?"

The servant hesitated, saying nothing.

Bai Xu pressed, "It was Lin Xi, wasn't it?"

The servant’s reaction said it all. Bai Xu was a bit surprised. "No wonder he suddenly called me over, and I got beaten for no reason. Turns out he was frustrated after being snubbed by Lin Xi."

"Please keep your voice down," the servant begged, making a gesture to hush him.

Bai Xu lounged lazily on the sofa, his tone provoking, "Looks like I guessed right. The gift was returned."

"No wonder he hit me—it struck a nerve."

The servant fell silent.

Over the years, they’d witnessed Bai Xu’s many beatings, but he never seemed to learn his lesson.

His mouth truly was dangerous; whenever Bai Xu spoke, they were always on edge. Nine times out of ten, he managed to tread right into Mr. Qin’s forbidden territory.

"I've traveled all this way just to let him vent?" Bai Xu finally understood.

The servant’s mouth twitched hard. How was this venting for Mr. Qin? Did Bai Xu really not realize why he got beaten? If only he spoke properly, would he be getting hit for no reason?

They had served Mr. Qin for years, yet only when facing Bai Xu did he ever lose his composure.

Only Bai Xu had the privilege of being personally dealt with by Mr. Qin.

Qin Yu’s people kept their lips tightly sealed; Bai Xu knew he wouldn't get anything from them. Not wasting time, he finished icing his face, dabbed on some medicine, grabbed his car keys, and left Boyu Bay.

On the way, he called Lin Xi.

"You got beaten?" Lin Xi was stunned by his words. "Why would Third Brother hit you out of the blue? What trouble did you cause this time?"

There was no helping it—Bai Xu’s history was so notorious, it was hard not to suspect he brought it on himself.

"This time, I was actually innocent."

Bai Xu lowered a section of the car window, one hand on the steering wheel, the other rubbing his bruised face. He deliberately made a sound, inhaling sharply.

As expected, Lin Xi paused her towel-drying at the sound. "What happened? When I left, Third Brother was fine."

"You saw him tonight?"

"Mm, we had dinner together. He seemed in a good mood then."

"Are you sure? When I arrived, his mood was anything but good. Are you certain you didn’t provoke him?"

She hesitated for several seconds. "He asked about our weekend plans, and I didn’t tell him the truth."

Bai Xu raised an eyebrow.

"Tsk tsk tsk, so it’s your fault I got caught up in this."

"My fault?" Lin Xi accused, "Isn’t it you who dragged me to this party? If it’s too much, let’s not go. I still have a cold, and you’re injured."

She wanted to use the chance to back out, but Bai Xu would never let her slip away.

"If we don’t go, then I took this punch for nothing. What, you’d let me hit you back?"

Lin Xi was speechless.

Only Bai Xu could say such outrageous things.

"Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I’ll pick you up this weekend—see you then."

(End of this chapter)