Chapter 120: You're Nothing but a Scoundrel

“Brother Xiao, we’re all in the same circle; isn’t this going a bit too far?” Liang Zichao couldn’t help but speak up, bypassing the conversation between Xia Yu and Xiao Jun.

After all, in his eyes, Xia Yu was only so bold because of his connection with Xiao Jun.

“Oh, I haven’t done anything at all,” Xiao Jun said innocently, staring at him. “Besides, I’m not in the same circle as you.”

“There’s a saying: cattle and sheep always flock together, but fierce beasts walk alone.”

“Only the weak cluster in small cliques. Do you think I’m petty enough for that?”

“You…”

Seeing Xiao Jun’s disdainful expression, Liang Zichao and the other privileged young masters seemed as if they had just been slapped, left speechless.

Many onlookers watched the scene unfold. Chen Fei wiped away tears—not because Xia Yu had called Summer “Dad” after losing, but because she bitterly regretted missing such a great opportunity.

That night, she had been so close to Xia Yu. Li Shen had originally intended to bring them together. Whether or not it would have worked out, if she had been a little kinder, at least they could have become friends.

Her heart ached with regret. Otherwise, she too might have been like Li Shen—lifted up by him, becoming someone admired and envied.

Yet, she had forever lost that chance.

Thinking of this, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

After taking down Zhang Jialong, Xia Yu felt much more at ease. He smiled gently at Chu Zitong before turning to Zhao Sijie.

He didn’t even bother looking at Wang Dong and his group but extended his hand toward Zhao Sijie. “Sijie, come on, let’s take some photos.”

Zhao Sijie snapped back to reality, a mix of surprise and embarrassment flickering across her face as she softly took his hand.

In full view of everyone, Xia Yu led Zhao Sijie onto the stage. Since there was a group photo about to be taken, and things had progressed this far, he decided to see it through.

“Oh my god, is that his girlfriend?”

“He actually has a girlfriend, and she’s so beautiful! That’s it, no chance now.”

“Such a pity.”

“But he must be a devoted man, perfectly matched with his girlfriend.”

“Yes, a handsome man and a beautiful woman—truly enviable.”

Many of the girls’ expressions dimmed, especially after witnessing Xia Yu’s swift takedown of Zhang Jialong—it was incredibly impressive.

A man with such style already had a girlfriend; where was justice in this world?

Liang Zichao’s face darkened profoundly. Next to him, Lin Yuxin’s mood was more complicated.

The man those other women spoke of was her ex-husband—the man she had cast aside.

Even though she was now wholeheartedly Mrs. Liang, seeing him holding Zhao Sijie’s hand under the admiring gazes of others—and especially the look of surprise and happiness in Zhao’s eyes—made her heart ache with discomfort.

If she hadn’t divorced him, would that woman have been her instead?

At the same time, another woman was feeling uneasy: her sister, Lin Yuqing.

But Yuqing’s discomfort stemmed from a deep bitterness.

Seeing him holding Zhao Sijie, standing intimately together on stage, posing with the top executives from the Jin Hai Yinghao Group, her eyes unknowingly welled up with tears.

How much she wished it was her hand he was holding.

At that moment, she truly felt regret. Why had she rejected him? She clearly had feelings for him, liked him, so why had she been with Li Hao?

Yu Qing’s heart was a tangle of emotions—torn between the man she loved and her good friend.

She knew all she could do now was regret and silently offer them her blessings.

Not daring to overstep, she recalled the words she had said to Xia Yu that night after drinking. She had felt miserable returning home, knowing those words might hurt Xia Yu and Zhao Sijie’s relationship—and that she shouldn’t have spoken that way.

After the group photo ended, Xia Yu gently said as they stepped down from the stage, “Sijie, I know you have many questions. Let me explain everything once we get back, alright?”

“You go ahead and wait for me. I need to discuss something with President Xiao.”

“Okay, you go first.”

Zhao Sijie nodded thoughtfully. She did have many questions but understood Xia Yu was busy.

Xia Yu nodded in reply, then walked backstage with Xiao Jun.

Just as they entered the passage, footsteps sounded behind them.

“Xia Yu, stop right there!”

They halted and turned to see Lin Yuqing jogging up, her face tinged with a hint of anger.

“Yuqing, what’s wrong?” Xia Yu smiled.

“Why are you smiling? How dare you!” Lin Yuqing glared at him fiercely. “You, Xia Yu, what exactly have you been hiding from me? Have you known my boss, President Xiao, all along?”

“So you’re the mysterious CEO our company’s been waiting for. You lied to me!”

Yuqing was indeed angry. The more she calmed down, the more she realized something was wrong—Xia Yu had been keeping secrets from her!

Xia Yu had anticipated her reaction would be either surprise or anger.

Clearly, it was the latter. He could only smile wryly. “Yuqing, I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I have my reasons. I promise I’ll explain everything clearly later, okay?”

“Then tell me this—was it you who helped me get into Yinghao back then?!” Lin Yuqing’s eyes were red as she demanded.

Xia Yu hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Yes, it was me.”

“I was the one who got the company to sign you on and nurture you. Even the time Tang Meng tried to sabotage you—I was the one who had them investigate and handle it fully.”

“So… it wasn’t Li Hao?”

“I told you before, none of this has anything to do with him. He doesn’t have that kind of power,” Xia Yu said helplessly.

“Xia Yu, you’re such a bastard!”

Lin Yuqing slapped him fiercely, then turned away crying and ran off.

“Zero,” Xiao Jun said with concern, “Yuqing… should we chase after her?”

“Let her cool down for a bit,” Xia Yu shook his head gently.

When they reached the room and closed the door, Xia Yu finally spoke honestly.

“Zero, what’s the plan now?” Xiao Jun asked in a low voice.

Xia Yu lit a cigarette. “We still shouldn’t reveal my identity. Let’s just put on a show for them.”

“Still suspecting something’s wrong over there?”

Blowing out smoke rings, they discussed in hushed tones for over ten minutes before Xia Yu emerged alone.

Just as he intended to find Zhao Sijie, his phone rang—it was Miya.

Xia Yu paused, then answered, “Hello, beautiful. What’s the instruction?”

“President Xia, you should be done with your work now, right?” Miya’s voice was sultry. “Weren’t you planning to invite someone out to dinner?”

“Since we’ve met, I wonder if Mr. Xia still has the mood?”

“I’ve already booked a room upstairs, prepared a candlelit dinner.”

“Oh, great. What’s the room number? I’ll head up right away.”

Xia Yu smirked as he hung up the phone. Was it finally time to make his move?

Good. That way, he wouldn’t have to seek her out again.

He didn’t want to keep doubting who she really was; soon, he would have his answer.

Composing himself, he quietly made his way to the staircase and ascended.