That day, Rong Liu left early with Rong Sisi to say goodbye. Xiao Teng knew he most likely would not come again.

Xiao Teng’s mood was very bad that day. Although he said nothing, and was as expressionless as usual, those familiar with him could sense the change in atmospheric pressure, triggering warnings and safe avoidance.

Yet there were also those who were not so perceptive.

Like the one standing before him now.

Xiao Teng frowned at the youth before him. He did not know how Tan Mi had followed him here, nor why he had followed.

In the pavilion there were only the two of them, shaded by trees, fairly secluded.

“What do you want?”

Tan Mi did not answer, only looking him up and down first.

This gaze was quite unfriendly, carrying needles, both mocking and contemptuous, pricking at him bit by bit.

Yet Xiao Teng had faced this kind of gaze no less than nine thousand if not ten thousand times, so he felt nothing.

Xiao Teng reminded him: “You’re blocking my wind.”

The implication being, if there was nothing else, he was about to issue an order to leave.

Tan Mi spoke: “What kind of relationship did you have with my brother in law?”

“…”

Xiao Teng said: “What does that have to do with you?”

“If I had to guess, you probably had some connection before, but it’s already in the past, right?”

Xiao Teng did not speak, it was his turn to size up Tan Mi.

The youth’s appearance was quite outstanding. At this age he already had a height that could look him in the eye, or even slightly taller. His build was slender and straight, his face clear and handsome, long brows reaching into his temples, eyes like morning stars.

This was the kind of face that commanded a hundred responses, surrounded by stars and moon, that had never known setbacks.

Clearly in need of a lesson.

Tan Mi had his hands in his pockets, looking at him provocatively: “Since it’s in the past, you should understand very well.”

Xiao Teng looked at him: “Oh? Understand what?”

Tan Mi was somewhat impatient: “Understand that you need not have any wishful thinking.”

Xiao Teng said: “Oh, I thought the one with real wishful thinking here was someone else.”

Tan Mi’s face changed: “Who are you saying has wishful thinking?”

Xiao Teng only silently looked at him with his eyes.

Tan Mi said angrily: “My brother in law treats me very well. He treats me better than anyone else!”

Xiao Teng said casually: “If that were the case, he wouldn’t be your brother in law.”

“…”

Tan Mi’s face went red, then green. After a while he said: “He isn’t anymore!”

Xiao Teng said: “Oh…”

Seeing him not speak, Tan Mi mocked again: “Seriously, look at you like this, what charm could you possibly have, not even seeing how old you are, you must be forty, right?”

Xiao Teng said: “Mm, you are quite young.”

Tan Mi was stunned.

Xiao Teng said: “But besides being young, what else do you have?”

“…”

“I have many things you don’t have, kid.”

Tan Mi was struck as if hit, saying angrily: “What do you have? Money? Status? I have those too, do you think the Tan family is inferior to your Xiao family?”

Xiao Teng said: “If I’m not mistaken, you still have several older brothers, right? Not to mention it’s still ten or twenty years before your generation takes over, and even when that time comes it may not be your turn.”

Tan Mi was furious: “What do you mean not my turn? I’m the most outstanding one! The Tan family will be mine sooner or later! Rong Liu too, among those around him, no one is stronger than me!”

The youth’s face was completely red, slightly panting from raising his voice.

Xiao Teng did not interrupt him, waiting until he finished shouting, then smiled.

Tan Mi said angrily: “What are you laughing at.”

Xiao Teng said: “When you reach my age, you’ll also find people who bluff very amusing.”

Tan Mi was shaking with anger: “You you you…”

“Kid, let me put it this way. If I truly wanted to get something, you couldn’t compete with me.”

“…”

“When Rong Liu was at my Xiao family, how submissive and lowly he was, you’ve never seen it.”

“…”

“Some things that are beyond your reach, I could get with ease.”

“…”

“I just don’t want them.”

Tan Mi said angrily: “You’re talking nonsense! Don’t be so self righteous, what do you think you are? Rong Liu stopped caring about you long ago!”

Xiao Teng said: “If that’s the case, then why did you come find me?”

“…”

Tan Mi was speechless for a moment, then turned and left in anger.

At his age, Xiao Teng had basically never argued with anyone. After all, his principle was that if violence could solve it, never use words, and if he could use force, never talk.

Rarely arguing once, he actually won a complete victory.

He had peeled away Tan Mi’s bluffing skin, but was he not also bluffing himself?

If Rong Liu were to hear him say that Rong Liu willingly submitted to him, he would probably laugh his teeth off.

When he himself spoke these false arrogant words, he felt stabbing pain in his heart, like repeatedly picking at his own scars.

He was not the winner, just bullying a spoiled brat.

In the following days, Rong Liu indeed did not come to find him again. This was the normal reaction, Xiao Teng thought.

But after all, the hotel villas where they were staying were nearby, and the children inevitably moved about, so it was impossible to completely avoid each other. He still sporadically heard Rong Liu’s name, even Rong Liu’s voice.

This made Xiao Teng very irritable. A dull knife cutting flesh was nothing more than this.

Actually there were some moments when he would think of yielding to his instincts, not caring about anything, accepting even the slightest gesture of goodwill from the young man. After all, it was just these few short days, carpe diem, even treating it as a beautiful dream would be fine.

But what difference was there between that and drinking poison to quench thirst?

He had never been that kind of carefree person. He was very sober and rational, so he would never indulge himself.

Only, some things, even knowing they were poisonous, were hard to stop thinking about.

He could only, in the dead of night, grit his teeth and think about them for a while.

Xiao Teng’s vacation aimed at relaxation was very unpleasant, and not relaxing at all. He had fallen into that uncontrollable bad mood again, and the whole Xiao family was enveloped in low pressure.

Except for Liu Ning who still enjoyed her pregnant woman privileges of eating and drinking openly, everyone else was somewhat constrained. Xiao Zi and Xiao Yin also dared not go find Rong Liu and his daughter to play.

Yet there were still exceptions.

Tan Mi perfectly demonstrated what it means that newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. After being defeated by Xiao Teng, he actually dared to continue visiting, and acted as if nothing had happened, smiling amiably.

This day was overcast, the sky mostly thick with clouds. After the harsh sunlight was blocked, the outdoors finally had a soothing freshness. Liu Ning had gone out with the children to see temples and play with monkeys. Xiao Teng himself was reading a philosophy book he had long been unable to finish, by the poolside lounge chair, striving for focus and calm.

Tan Mi was also sitting in a nearby chair, quite at ease, as if he had never clashed with Xiao Teng at all.

Xiao Teng did not deliberately drive him away. Just a kid, he did not bother with such children.

Then Tan Mi quite comfortably started drinking beer.

Xiao Teng could not help glancing at him. Tan Mi put on an innocent act: “I’m bored. You won’t talk to me.”

Xiao Teng frowned: “Then why don’t you go out with them?”

Knowing it was boring, why bother staying here.

Tan Mi said: “Already played it all, not interesting.”

Xiao Teng stopped paying attention to him.

Tan Mi looked at him, his eyes flickering.

“Uncle, I think you’re quite interesting now.”

Xiao Teng was somewhat surprised, not by what the youth said, but by his tone. No one had ever dared to speak to him in this kind of teasing tone.

Xiao Teng put down his book and frowned.

The youth said: “Hey, have you considered.”

“What?”

“Actually I’m younger than Rong Liu, and better looking than him. In every aspect I’m not inferior to him.”

“…”

Xiao Teng was practically speechless. He truly did not understand what these young people were thinking.

Seeing no response, Tan Mi suddenly leaned forward and grabbed his hand.

Xiao Teng looked at him: “What are you doing?”

The youth’s palm was burning hot, a kind of vigorous young heat.

Tan Mi smiled: “Why is your hand so cold.”

“????”

Tan Mi slightly narrowed his eyes: “Just right, I’ve drunk too much, now I’m very hot.”

“???”

The youth increased his grip: “What do you think, what should we do?”

Probably because of his young age, the youth had a kind of beauty between masculine and feminine. Not effeminate at all, but with a seductive air that most men lacked. Tan Mi’s best feature was probably not his face, but his eyes, with a soul capturing spirit in them.

Xiao Teng withdrew his hand, stood up, and picked him up horizontally.

Tan Mi had not expected this and was stunned.

The next second, Xiao Teng threw him into the swimming pool with a splash.

Xiao Teng said: “Then cool down.”

Then ignoring Tan Mi’s angry shouting behind him, he went straight back inside.

He truly did not understand these young people. Could they have some principles? If it’s not a match it’s not a match, if it’s dislike it’s dislike, this strange turn from provocation to flirtation, he had no blessing to enjoy.

That evening, Xiao Teng saw Rong Liu.

Rong Liu was standing at the villa entrance, with no intention of coming in. Because of the lighting, he looked like a lonely shadow.

Rong Liu said: “I came to apologize on Tan Mi’s behalf.”

“??”

“He said some rude things.”

Xiao Teng estimated that his own words had also reached Rong Liu’s ears.

Xiao Teng said: “It’s fine.”

Rong Liu suddenly said again: “Xiao Teng. You still haven’t changed at all.”

That dull pain from the heart, swallowing his bones, came again.

Xiao Teng said: “Yes.”

The youth was about to speak again when Xiao Teng said coldly: “So please go back.”

Another day passed quietly. After this day ended, they would bid farewell to this island and prepare to return home.

Xiao Teng, resting with eyes closed in his bedroom, was startled by the noise downstairs.

The vacation villa was split into two floors, quite spacious, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms large and small, plus living room, spa room, private kitchen, viewing balcony, truly not something you could walk through in three steps or two. He was assigned the panoramic bedroom at the far end, and hearing the noise, then walking downstairs, took quite some time.

He heard his eldest daughter Xiao Pu exploding: “Rong Liu, can you stop bothering my dad?”

“…”

“Our whole family came out on vacation to relax. Do you understand the word relax? With you harassing him every few days, do you think he can relax?”

He could not clearly hear Rong Liu’s response, but Xiao Pu had always been a bold and spicy character, her voice high and bright: “And you still have the nerve to ask, you still have the nerve to come.”

“…”

“Whether you’re single now or not, whatever you’re thinking, please stop bothering my dad. You can play the field and let go, that’s your business. My dad isn’t that carefree, please stop harming him. Don’t think just because he looks like a fortress of iron and bronze, you can keep stabbing knives at him. His heart is made of flesh too, you know? Do you know what he became back then?”

Xiao Teng rushed down, hearing this exact sentence, and felt the hairs on his back stand up. He immediately shouted sternly: “Xiao Pu!”

Xiao Pu closed her mouth at the sound.

“Talking nonsense. Go back.”

Xiao Pu, rarely, did not talk back to her father who had publicly scolded her, only glaring at Rong Liu before turning to leave.

Before Rong Liu could speak, Xiao Teng immediately apologized: “Poor discipline, sorry.”

Rong Liu looked at him, and after a while said: “Did you become some kind of person I don’t know, for my sake?”

“Children speak without measure, don’t take it seriously.”

The young man said softly: “Is that so.”

“Those are all past matters,” Xiao Teng made a gesture inviting the other to sit, “Tea?”

He actually brewed a cup of tea for Rong Liu in the living room.

This was the most generous and composed performance he could manage. His heart was churning with a hundred emotions, yet his fingers did not tremble.

Rong Liu looked at him, as if sighing.

“You are truly the most unshakable person I have ever met.”

“…”

“I envy you. Truly.”

“…”

The young man said sincerely: “I really wish I could have your composure, always unflustered no matter what.”

Xiao Teng said: “You flatter me.”

After a moment of quiet, Xiao Teng said again: “Actually I also admire you very much.”

Rong Liu burst out laughing: “Is it really okay for us to flatter each other like this.”

“You are truly carefree. There is nothing in this world you dare not do, and nothing you would fear. This is very good.”

He envied Rong Liu.

Rong Liu was the bravest person, fearless, daring to pursue, and even more daring to give up. The carefreeness of life, nothing more than this. Though he himself seemed to press forward relentlessly, he actually did not have such courage.

Rong Liu said “Huh?” and fell silent. After a moment he said: “No, I’m not as brave as you say.”

“…”

“In front of what I fear, I am actually very cowardly.”

“…”

Rong Liu looked at him: “For example, you.”

“…”

“Xiao Teng, you are truly a very heartless person. You only like good things, only like useful people. Of course, merchants value profit, using interests to determine choices, this is not strange.”

“…”

“Only, if one day, I become useless?”

“…”

“Actually that day won’t be very far,” Rong Liu smiled, “My body, truly can’t be said for certain. If unlucky, a single cold could take my life. I don’t know when it will suddenly collapse, it’s practically like a time bomb. Do you know what that would become?”

“…”

“From the very beginning, the reason you were willing to let me stay by your side was only because I had value to you. I know this, and I worked very hard to make myself more valuable. I don’t mind being used by you, truly.”

“…”

“But Xiao Teng, I cannot be useful forever,” Rong Liu paused, “Just like the Rong family may not avoid decline either.”

“…”

“During that time when my father’s side had problems, such turbulence, wolves surrounding on all sides, I was truly walking on thin ice.”

“…”

“Of course, that period passed safely, I’m very grateful,” Rong Liu said, “Only, who knows what will happen next time? Xiao Teng, you only want to let the strong stay by your side, but there are no eternal strong ones in this world. Right? Not to mention someone like me who can’t even talk about being healthy?”

“…”

“If I become a useless person, and the Rong family is in its twilight, you would kick me out, right?”

“…”

“Think about people like Liu Gang and Luo Chen, whom you discarded like worn out shoes. Liu Gang served the Xiao family for how many years, what virtue and ability do I have to be more meritorious than him? Would my end be better than his?” Rong Liu smiled, “I think, when the day comes that I’m swept out by you, I would be more unhinged than Luo Chen. I might not just splash tea at you.”

“…”

“Actually what I said at the beginning wasn’t accurate either. I’m not afraid of your heartlessness. I’m afraid of myself,” Rong Liu said, “I’m afraid that when the time comes, I truly won’t be able to bear it, that I’ll go mad.”

“…”

“I can’t face the day of being abandoned by you.”

“…”

“So I ran away first.”

Rong Liu smiled: “So I’m just a coward. I’m not brave at all.”

Rong Liu did not finish that cup of tea, and left.

Xiao Teng sat there woodenly. He could not refute Rong Liu’s accusations. As Rong Liu said, he was indeed that kind of profit first, unscrupulous person. He had never been a good person. Yet some things were not entirely as Rong Liu said.

Xiao Teng dialed that phone number.

He did not like to defend himself, because he did not care about outsiders’ opinions. Only some words he felt needed to be said to Rong Liu.

He had not dialed this number in over three years. Miraculously he still remembered it, and it connected.

The other party softly said “Hello.”

Xiao Teng said: “I’m very sorry.”

Rong Liu seemed to sigh and said: “You’re so silly. What are you apologizing for. Everyone has their own principles of being a person. You are you, you don’t need to apologize for this at all.”

Xiao Teng was silent for a while, then said: “I just thought, perhaps because I’m too heartless, you don’t like that. You appreciate those who are more kind and good, like Tan Yao.”

These words had turned over and over in his heart for three years, like needles and thorns, stinging him day and night.

Now saying them out was like pulling out a barb, painful yet also a great relief.

Rong Liu said “Huh?” on the other end of the phone.

Then he heard Rong Liu burst out laughing: “You’re overthinking, I’m not selecting a moral model!”

“…”

“You’re so silly, I knew what kind of person you were from the very beginning. If gentleness and kindness were my standard, why would I have pestered you?”

“…”

“You may not be a good person, but you are a very charming person,” the young man said softly, “To me, you always have been.”

The young man’s voice was not loud, yet Xiao Teng’s chest felt as if struck by a heavy blow, instantly forgetting to breathe.

After a moment of silence, the young man said again: “Actually thank you for calling.”

“…”

“Because some words, face to face with you, I might never be able to say them.”

“…”

“I said before, I’m a coward. When facing a success that can never be achieved, I can only choose to escape failure,” perhaps because it was raining outside, the young man’s voice on the phone sounded somewhat scratchy, “Do you know, when I got married, I hoped I could let you go, could start over. I couldn’t let myself fly into the flame like a moth.”

“…”

“These years have passed, I thought everything should be over,” the young man said, “But that day, when I saw you again, I knew, all of that was self deception.”

“…”

“I have no way to change myself.”

“…”

“I can still only fly into the flame like a moth.”

After a brief quiet moment, Xiao Teng finally spoke: “What you said is right, I am a merchant who values profit, I hate useless people.”

The young man seemed to give a bitter laugh on the other end.

Xiao Teng continued: “Before Wang Jing, there was originally another old butler.”

“…”

“Because his health was poor, he retired early. I bought him a house for his retirement, paid his salary monthly, until he passed away.”

“…”

“In the future, for Wang Jing, it will be the same.”

“…”

“What I mean is, it’s not all as you think.”

“…”

“If the Rong family declines, if you have nowhere to go, you can come to me.”

Outside the rain grew heavier, pouring down with rustling sounds, yet he could still hear the young man’s slightly heavy breathing on the phone.

Xiao Teng said again: “If you fall ill, just retire here with me.”

This was the most beautiful sweet talk he could speak.

He did not wait for a response. After silence, the young man hung up.

Xiao Teng held the silent phone, looking at the rain curtain on the balcony, somewhat dazed for a moment.

After a while, he suddenly heard someone shouting hoarsely from outside: “Xiao Teng! Xiao Teng! Xiao Teng!”

Xiao Teng hurriedly pushed open the door. From the balcony, he saw the youth standing below.

The rain was heavy as a waterfall, the youth already soaked through. Seeing him come out, the youth looked up, gazing at him in the rain, gasping heavily, showing him a blurry smile.

Xiao Teng immediately went downstairs. Downstairs in the living room, Xiao Pu was doing yoga with Liu Ning. Hearing someone shouting wildly, disturbed from their peace, she was already quite furious. When she identified it as Rong Liu, Xiao Pu was even more annoyed: “Is this person crazy.”

Xiao Teng said: “Let him in.”

Rong Liu entered wetly, went upstairs. Xiao Teng found him a towel to dry his hair.

The youth roughly wiped his face and head, his appearance still looking wretched.

Xiao Teng asked: “What is it?” Worth running out without even an umbrella.

The youth smiled: “I just wanted to ask you…”

“Mm?”

“Will you really let me retire here?”

“…”

The youth smiled again: “I’m afraid, if I ask later, you might change your mind again.”

Xiao Teng said: “Am I that kind of person?”

The youth laughed, his voice gradually lowering, but did not raise his head…

Xiao Teng asked: “What’s wrong?”

He reached out wanting to lift the youth’s face, but the other grabbed his hands. After a while, the youth tremblingly pressed his palms against his own eyes.

He could feel the heat and wetness between his fingers.

Xiao Teng suddenly felt his heart tighten.

He slightly increased pressure, lifting the youth’s face, gazing at those red eyes.

This was the first time he had seen the youth’s vulnerable side.

For a time he had thought that only powerful things could move him, yet at this moment, he realized with a heart in turmoil that this was not so.

For a moment, Xiao Teng very much wanted to say some warm and gentle words, at the very least ordinary comfort, yet he was completely unskilled at this. After panicking for a while, he could only say: “Don’t worry.”

Rong Liu seemed to want to smile at him, but probably feeling too wretched, ultimately buried his face on his shoulder like escaping.

Just as he was about to say something more, there was suddenly another commotion outside.

Xiao Teng heard Tan Mi’s voice coming from downstairs: “Can’t help it, Sisi wants to find her dad.”

Rong Sisi was crying loudly for some unknown reason, several people coaxing and persuading, while scolding Tan Mi, chaos everywhere.

“Daddy, daddy!”

Tan Mi also shouted at the top of his lungs: “Brother in law! Xiao Teng!”

“…”

Xiao Teng thought, at this rate, would his own family population become too large.