Times of Our Lives - Chapter 45

Ji Qinyang wasn’t actually drunk. He had developed a craving for alcohol when writing songs, and in recent years, his tolerance had unknowingly increased. When Xie Meng came to pick him up, he was completely sober, watching as Xie Meng wiped his hands clean, paid for the drinks, and then hugged him.

For some reason, Ji Qinyang’s eyes felt hot.

Xie Meng bent down slightly to carry him on his back. Despite his slender shoulders, they were filled with resilience. The weather was stifling, and the open collar of Xie Meng’s shirt revealed his pale, sweat-dampened neck.

Ji Qinyang rested his cheek on Xie Meng’s shoulder and called his name, “Xie Meng.”

“Hmm?” Xie Meng, thinking he was drunk, responded without turning back.

Ji Qinyang softly said, “I lost my headphones.”

Xie Meng replied, “We can buy new ones.”

Ji Qinyang continued, “I lost a lot of money.”

Xie Meng said, “It’s okay, we can earn more money.”

After a moment of silence, Ji Qinyang, with a hoarse voice, said, “I have nothing left now.”

Xie Meng didn’t answer immediately. He carried Ji Qinyang for a long time before slowly saying, “You still have me.”

“Don’t say you have nothing left,” Xie Meng repeated calmly, looking at the shadows of himself and Ji Qinyang overlapping on the ground. “You still have me.”

By the time they got home, Ji Qinyang had fallen asleep. Xie Meng gently put him on the bed and fetched a warm towel to wipe his face.

The shoulder of his shirt was soaked, but Xie Meng didn’t mind. He closed the door to Ji Qinyang’s room and went to the living room to call Binggan.

“I have a pass for Senmao,” Binggan seemed to be on the road. “We can ambush them in the garage.”

Xie Meng smiled, “Thank you.”

Binggan said, “No trouble at all. Are you sure Qian Mo said the stuff is in the car?”

Xie Meng replied, “That’s what Binggan said. Whether it is or not, let’s block them first.”

Binggan chuckled, “You’re quite bold, aren’t you? You have a lot of guts.”

Xie Meng put on a black jacket and grabbed a metal shovel used earlier for clearing snow. “You’ll see when the time comes.”

Binggan was startled when he saw the shovel. Xie Meng didn’t say much. He placed one foot on the shovel, using his arms to snap and pull, detaching the wooden handle from the shovel.

Binggan was speechless.

Xie Meng handed the handle to Binggan calmly. “Take this for self-defense.”

Binggan was shocked, “Why give it to me? Shouldn’t you be the one hitting people with it?”

“I don’t need it,” Xie Meng said with a hint of annoyance. “We can’t let anyone die; it would be a mess to deal with.”

Binggan’s expression turned to one of disbelief.

Thanks to the pass, they smoothly entered the underground garage. After waiting a short while, Mo Gengyu appeared, twirling his car keys, followed by five bodyguards.

Binggan, holding the stick tightly, whispered nervously in Xie Meng’s ear, “Should we come up with a strategy… like me sneaking behind them… Hey, what are you doing?!”

Mo Gengyu was taken aback when he saw Xie Meng. He was shielded by his bodyguards, and after scanning Xie Meng from head to toe, he sneered, “Who are you looking for?”

Xie Meng assessed the positions of the bodyguards, then replied, “I’m Ji Qinyang’s friend.”

“Oh—” Mo Gengyu drew out the syllable deliberately, “So you’re Ji Qinyang’s lover.” He rubbed his ear impatiently, “What do you want with me?”

Binggan, hiding nearby, held his breath and started recording on his phone.

Xie Meng remained calm, “I’m here to get his headphones.”

Mo Gengyu said, “Didn’t I say they were thrown in the yard? Didn’t he find them? Maybe you should look too?”

Without responding, Xie Meng stepped forward, only to be blocked by two bodyguards.

“I want to check your car,” Xie Meng pointed behind Mo Gengyu, “Please move aside.”

“Hey, you’re something else,” Mo Gengyu sneered mockingly. “Ji Qinyang is already a troublemaker, and you’re even worse? Stubborn, huh? Need me to teach you a lesson?”

As soon as he finished speaking, one of the bodyguards shoved Xie Meng, making him crash heavily into the wall.

Xie Meng frowned, stood against the wall for a moment, then twisted his neck.

Mo Gengyu watched as Xie Meng slowly took off his jacket, giving him a look as if to say, “Are you crazy?” “What? You still want to fight?”

Ignoring him, Xie Meng rolled up his sleeves.

Mo Gengyu gritted his teeth and said, “Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Even if you have Ji Qinyang’s skills, don’t think you can…”

No one saw Xie Meng’s kick. The nearest bodyguard was directly kicked horizontally and sent flying. Mo Gengyu’s mouth hung open. Xie Meng flexed his ankle and suddenly said to the side, “Xiong Baobao.”

Xiong Baobao, holding up his phone to record, jumped out waving the stick, “Hey!”

Mo Gengyu: “…”

Xie Meng grabbed a bodyguard by the collar and tossed him at Mo Gengyu’s feet. Mo Gengyu stumbled a few steps and fell flat on his back.

Xie Meng walked to Mo Gengyu, stepped over him without looking down, and climbed into the car. After a while, he found Ji Qinyang’s headphones in the back seat.

Xiong Baobao was still pointing the stick at Mo Gengyu, “Don’t move! I’ve got it all on camera! Move and I’ll hit you!”

Mo Gengyu didn’t dare move until Xie Meng returned and motioned for Xiong Baobao to lower the stick.

“Aren’t you going to hit him?” Xiong Baobao asked in surprise.

Xie Meng glanced coldly at Mo Gengyu on the ground, “Scaring him is enough. Touching him would dirty my hands.”

“Oh.” Xiong Baobao agreed obediently. Before leaving, he threatened Mo Gengyu with his phone, “Don’t think about revenge. I’ve got your dirt. If you try anything, I’ll post it on Weibo.”

Xiong Baobao extended a hand and solemnly said, “I’m a big V! I have 50,000 followers! I can make you trend in minutes!”

Mo Gengyu: “…”

Binggan anxiously paced back and forth at the underground parking lot exit. He sighed in relief when he saw Xie Meng and Xiong Baobao coming out together and hurried over to meet them.

“Brother Xie Meng.” Binggan stammered, “Did you get the headphones?”

Xie Meng nodded, “Yes, got them.” He glanced up and saw Qian Mo standing under a distant streetlight, looking awkward and hesitant, stopping midway as if unsure whether to approach.

Xie Meng looked at him impassively.

Binggan glanced back and timidly explained, “Qian Mo… he just had a moment of confusion. He really wants to be famous, don’t hold it against him…”

Xie Meng suddenly smiled, “You’re overthinking.”

Binggan: “?”

Xie Meng raised his voice just enough for Qian Mo to hear clearly, “We don’t have the energy to keep worrying about someone irrelevant.”

“Qian Mo.” Xie Meng stared coldly at his pale face, enunciating clearly, “I hope your future is as you wish, smooth and successful.”