Chapter 36: Who Are You Buying Clothes For?

Jiang Shi’s expression didn’t change. Facing Xie Hong’s scrutiny, he just calmly looked back at him. “Are you done?”

Xie Hong tightened his grip on the glass in his hand. “Song Shi!”

Jiang Shi finished the pastry in his hand and clapped his hands together. “If you’re done, then get lost. Also, my name is Jiang Shi.”

The scene of the fallen fake young master that he had imagined did not appear. Compared to before, Jiang Shi had even become more flamboyant and unrestrained.

How did he dare? And how could he?

“Without the Song family’s protection, what do you think you are? Jiang Shi, it must have been tough going from the bustling Jiangcheng to a place like Lincheng, right? Did you suffer there, so you specially rushed back to latch onto Zhang Chi’s thigh?”

Faced with Xie Hong’s frustration and anger, Jiang Shi just lazily stretched out his legs. “It’s alright. I eat well, drink well, I’m not short on money, and I’m not short on love. If you were hoping to see me make a fool of myself, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”

It wasn’t like Xie Hong didn’t know his brands. With a casual sweep of his eyes, he could tell the brand and price of the clothes Jiang Shi was wearing.

The clothes were over four hundred, the shoes over three hundred.

It might not seem like that much money, but money was worth a lot more now. This was around the price range of what they usually wore.

Xie Hong almost crushed the wine glass in his hand. He stared at Jiang Shi, his eyes full of resentment and unwillingness. “How long do you think you can be so smug? You can still maintain your style for a few days after leaving the Song family, but can you still do it in five years? Ten years? Don’t forget, you’re not the Song family’s young master anymore, just a mud-legged peasant. What kind of waves can you possibly make in the future?”

Before Jiang Shi could say anything, Song Jian’an, who was sitting next to him, closed his vocabulary book and looked at Xie Hong with a frown. “Firstly, people develop. The present does not equal the future. Secondly, family background is only an external factor in a person’s development; success depends on personal ability. Thirdly, measuring a person by money and birth is nothing short of foolish. Lastly, your wording and behavior are extremely offensive and do not conform to normal social etiquette. You should apologize to Jiang Shi.”

Xie Hong was furious. “Who the hell are you? Who are you to interrupt when I’m talking to Jiang Shi?”

Song Jian’an had a serious face. “I will repeat your words to my father verbatim. Also, Jiang Shi does not wish to speak with you.”

“Song Jian’an!” Xie Hong shouted his name, almost grinding his teeth to dust. “Very well. Have you forgotten who stole more than ten years of your superior life? You’re taking his side now, but when you were in Lincheng, unable to eat your fill or wear warm clothes, was he thinking of you?”

“Firstly, it was not Jiang Shi who stole my life. He was just a baby more than ten years ago and did not possess the ability to commit a crime. Secondly, the poor have their own hardships, and the rich have their own hardships. The two cannot be compared. When he was being bullied by you all here, you don’t expect me to think of him, but expect him to think of me? That’s not fair. Thirdly, I lived very well in Lincheng. My mother loves me very much. I was never unable to eat my fill or wear warm clothes. Lastly, your logic is confused, your words are contradictory, and your etiquette is worrisome. If you have nothing better to do, you should read more books.”

Xie Hong’s face turned livid with anger. He pointed a trembling finger at Song Jian’an, unable to utter a single word for a long time. Finally, he could only leave in a huff.

Jiang Shi, who had witnessed the whole thing, couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “It seems you’re more suited to be here than I am.”

There was probably no one else who could make this group of arrogant second-generation rich kids eat humble pie like that.

Song Jian’an sat down, his expression as calm as ever. “A group of foolish people with foolish heads on their shoulders. For classmate Jiang Shi to have stayed with them for so long and still maintain his original intentions, it must have been really hard on you.”

Jiang Shi thought, I’m not that noble either.

He said, “Compared to you, I’m actually much more cowardly. At least, the me from before wouldn’t have dared to fight back like you.”

“That’s not cowardice.” Song Jian’an held his vocabulary book, organizing his words before speaking. “You just loved them more than I did. You were afraid of causing them trouble, so you chose to endure most of the time. But they took that endurance for granted.”

“People are independent individuals, with thoughts and souls. Nothing is ever naturally ‘supposed to be.’ It’s a pity they don’t understand.”

In that moment, Jiang Shi seemed to see the light of philosophy on his face.

The next second, Song Jian’an added, “Let’s not talk for now. I haven’t finished memorizing my vocabulary.”

He held up his vocabulary book and extended a sincere invitation to Jiang Shi. “Banquets are so boring. Classmate Jiang Shi, would you like to memorize vocabulary with me?”

Jiang Shi politely declined.

He scanned the crowd and finally found Huo Ji.

Huo Ji was standing by the wall, talking to someone. The wine-red color of his hair had faded a bit, and black strands were growing from the roots, gradually transitioning to red. It didn’t look bad. His complexion was even paler than the last time Jiang Shi saw him. He was wearing a black shirt, and he was so thin that the clothes looked empty on him.

The moment Jiang Shi looked over, Huo Ji looked back. He didn’t move, just stood there quietly. Under the lights, the corners of his lips slowly curled up.

Jiang Shi got up from the sofa.

He walked over to Huo Ji and, under the varied gazes of the people around, lifted his chin at him. “Let’s talk.”

Huo Ji’s eyes curved into a smile.

The living room was getting more and more crowded. Laughter occasionally erupted from the bustling crowd. Compared to the living room, the back garden was much quieter.

There was no moon today, and no stars. A streetlamp stood by the pavilion, its orange glow haloing into a full moon.

Jiang Shi had his hands in his pockets, leaning against the pavilion’s railing. Opposite him, Huo Ji lit a cigarette.

“Was the thing with Cheng Ye your doing?”

Huo Ji’s action of turning his head paused, then he opened his mouth to bite down on the cigarette butt. “I thought he had more backbone. I didn’t expect him to go crying to you after all.”

Jiang Shi’s brows furrowed. “So it really was you who had his competition qualification revoked?”

“Competition qualification?” Huo Ji laughed. “Is that all he told you? You know, for me, these things are just a matter of saying a word. Didn’t he want to stand up for you? I’d like to see what ability he has to stand up for you.”

“Huo Ji!” Jiang Shi took a step forward and grabbed his collar. “I’m warning you not to go too far. This is between us. Why are you messing with him?”

Huo Ji didn’t move, just let him pull. He smiled, his charming peach blossom eyes looking down at Jiang Shi. “So you know it’s between us, huh? What’s a country boy who popped out of nowhere doing sticking his nose in it?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Jiang Shi, I won’t do anything to you, but that doesn’t mean I have a good temper.”

“Just because he knows a bit of brute force, he really thinks he’s a hero? I’d like to see now, when he doesn’t have a single cent, how he’s going to be this hero.”

Jiang Shi’s fingertips turned a little white. After a few seconds, he let go and took a step back. “This has nothing to do with him. Put away your dirty tricks.”

Huo Ji straightened the wrinkles on his clothes. “Is this your attitude when you’re begging me?”

“I’m not begging you,” Jiang Shi said, looking at him. “I’m informing you.”

“Informing me?” Huo Ji laughed.

The light shone on Jiang Shi’s face, and the light in his eyes was icy. “What do you think would happen if your parents found out you’re gay? On the surface, you’re the Huo family’s only son, but who knows how many illegitimate children your father has sired behind your mother’s back. If you really think you can rest easy, then you can go ahead and keep messing with him. But I don’t know what kind of news your parents might receive the next second.”

Only then did Huo Ji’s expression slowly change. “Are you threatening me?”

Jiang Shi lifted his chin. “Yes, I am threatening you.”

“Jiang Shi!” Huo Ji said his name, his tone filled with disbelief. “You’re threatening me for someone like him?”

He reached out and grabbed Jiang Shi’s shoulders, his gaze fixed on him. “What’s so good about him that’s worth you defending him like this?”

Jiang Shi shook off his hand, extremely annoyed by Huo Ji’s habit of getting physical at the drop of a hat. “He’s good in every way. A thousand times, a hundred times better than you. At least he doesn’t lie to me, and he doesn’t make me do things I don’t like.”

“Good!” Huo Ji started to laugh, his lips looking exceptionally red in the night. “Very good.”

Seeing him looking like he was about to go crazy at any moment, Jiang Shi’s brow twitched. He clenched his fists and took a step back imperceptibly, but the expression on his face remained cold. “Huo Ji, if I find out you’ve done anything to Cheng Ye again, don’t think you’ll be able to sit securely as the Huo family’s crown prince either.”

Huo Ji’s laughter stopped. The color on his face grew even paler. Suddenly, he started to cough, each cough heavier than the last, until he was bent over.

“What’s so good about him… what’s so good…”

Jiang Shi also didn’t know what was so good about Cheng Ye, but he was the first person to tell him that all he needed was to be happy.

He didn’t speak, just stood there in a standoff with Huo Ji.

Finally, as if exhausted, Huo Ji leaned on the railing and sat down. He tilted his head up, looked at Jiang Shi standing opposite him, and said, word by word, “You’d better pray he never appears in front of me again in this lifetime.”

Zhang Chi partied until very late before going to bed. But when he woke up the next day, Jiang Shi was already gone.

The family driver said Jiang Shi had gone to the mall. Zhang Chi crawled out of bed, washed his face, and went to find Jiang Shi.

When he arrived, Jiang Shi was standing in front of a stall selling clothes, holding up a T-shirt and asking the owner, “How much is this?”

Before the owner could speak, Zhang Chi went over and grabbed Jiang Shi. “Why did you come here to buy clothes?”

Jiang Shi was almost pulled off his feet. Looking at Zhang Chi’s bedhead, he couldn’t help but ruffle it. “What’s wrong with here?”

Only then did Zhang Chi find a moment to fix his hair. “The clothes here have no style, no class. I’ll take you upstairs to buy some. It’s more expensive there.”

Afraid that Jiang Shi didn’t have money, he added, “I’ll buy it for you.”

Jiang Shi pulled his hand away and picked up the basic T-shirt again. “No need. The clothes upstairs are expensive and not durable. They’re not suitable for him.”

Him?

Zhang Chi caught the key word. “Who is ‘he’? You’re buying clothes for him? You’ve never even bought me clothes!”

Jiang Shi’s voice was lazy. “It’s not like you’re short on the couple of pieces of clothing I might buy you.”

That was true, but Zhang Chi still felt wronged. “Who are you buying clothes for?”

The hand Jiang Shi had raised slowly lowered. His fingertips rubbed a small wrinkle into the fabric. His eyelashes trembled, his gaze lifting and then falling again.

“Cheng Ye.”