C10 You Know Each Other

Xiao Chen narrowed his dark eyes, though they were clear and alert. Seeing the woman in his arms, he suddenly pushed her away with disgust, his brow furrowed in irritation. His friends were still partying, making a ruckus, and for a moment, no one noticed Xiao Chen. He grabbed the jacket draped over the sofa, lit a cigarette, and stepped outside for some fresh air.

Meanwhile, on Chu Xiaoli's side, Xiao Jie was feeling queasy from the drink. She quickly helped him out, her eyes red like a rabbit's. "It's all my fault... Xiao Jie, are you feeling unwell anywhere else? You have to tell me if you are."

Xiao Jie shook his head with a smile. "No, I'm fine."

What could telling her do anyway? Chu Xiaoli would only end up crying helplessly.

"I'll take you to the hospital right now. You'll be okay soon."

But no matter how much Chu Xiaoli tried to pull him along, Xiao Jie suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed in the distance.

"What's wrong?" Chu Xiaoli asked, still worried about Xiao Jie's condition.

Xiao Jie replied calmly, "I just saw someone I know."

Chu Xiaoli looked up in confusion, following his gaze. She saw the tall figure of a man in the distance. That silhouette—

Her face turned pale, her mind going blank in an instant. How had she not realized sooner? Xiao Jie and Xiao Chen shared the same last name.

"Do you know that man well?" Chu Xiaoli asked stiffly, realizing Xiao Jie was leading her toward Xiao Chen.

Xiao Jie continued walking, explaining, "He's my half-brother, Xiao Chen. We just happened to run into each other today, so I should say hello."

Chu Xiaoli's face was ashen as she suddenly grabbed Xiao Jie, meeting his puzzled gaze. She felt a wave of shame wash over her. Forcing a smile, she said, "Xiao Jie, aren't you feeling unwell? Maybe we shouldn't go over there. Let's head to the hospital first. You can see Xiao Chen anytime, but your health is important."

Xiao Jie smiled slightly, his long fingers gently ruffling her hair. "It's okay, I'm not that fragile."

Seeing she couldn't stop him, Chu Xiaoli clenched her small hands at her sides, lowering her gaze as she reluctantly approached Xiao Chen.

"Xiao Chen, what brings you here?" Xiao Jie asked with a half-smile, his eyes lingering on the cigarette between Xiao Chen's fingers. "As the rightful heir of the Xiao family, a life of indulgence doesn't seem to suit you."

"Thanks for your concern," Xiao Chen chuckled, his gaze wandering casually before it landed on the woman beside Xiao Jie. His expression suddenly hardened, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "And who might this be?"

His voice was low, with a hint of gritted teeth.

Xiao Jie glanced at Chu Xiaoli with a gentle look. "My girlfriend, Chu Xiaoli."

Chu Xiaoli's face turned pale, her hands clenching tightly at her sides, her heart pounding as if it might leap out of her chest.

After a moment, she gathered her composure, lifting her gaze to meet his with a smile. "You're Jie's brother? I'm sorry I didn't bring a gift for our first meeting."

As she spoke, she naturally linked her arm with Xiao Jie's, seemingly to show affection, but in reality, she was trying to wipe away the sweat from her palm.

The storm in Xiao Chen's eyes gradually calmed, as if Chu Xiaoli had imagined it. He smiled with a calm elegance, a hint of amusement in his voice. "The gift I have in mind... might be beyond Miss Chu's means."

Xiao Chen didn't mention that night!

Chu Xiaoli breathed a sigh of relief, her demeanor more relaxed, treating him like a stranger. Her clear, striking eyes showed no trace of turmoil, mirroring the man before her. "You're joking."

Of course, to Xiaoli, they were strangers from the start.

Xiao Jie’s brow furrowed gradually. His instincts told him something was off between Xiaoli and Xiao Chen, but no explanation made sense, as there was no way they could have met before.

Maybe he was just being overly sensitive.

"Have you been staying out all these days, not going home?"

Home? Xiao Chen smirked sarcastically. That cold place, where relatives only showed up to scheme for the family’s assets—what was there to go back to?

With a lazy flick of his slender fingers, he twirled the cigarette in his hand without taking a puff. Xiao Chen replied nonchalantly, "I'll head back when I have time. The company’s been busy these days..."

Xiao Jie didn’t respond. He worked at the company too, so how could he not know if it was so busy that there was no time to go home? Besides, Xiao Chen had time to come to the nightclub but not to go home? The thought was just ironic.