Chapter 31.1

“To put it simply, I’m your second uncle!”

　　System divulged that the original host had put up a valiant fight against the drug’s effects for a long time, which culminated in an escape after sending a defiant kick to the branch manager.

　　With an unwavering resolve to search for safety, he staggered toward a lower-level warehouse, only to come face-to-face with a gang of scumbags at the elevator entrance.

　　Amidst all the chaos Jing Xi stirred up, it was almost uncanny how perfectly the timing fell into place.

　　In a surprising turn of events, Hu Xiao found himself drawn into a bizarre spectacle. As he lounged upstairs, a video from a friend caught his attention. To his utter astonishment, it featured the branch member clad only in underwear while rubbing himself on the ground. Caving into the torment of his curiosity, Hu Xiao swiftly descended the stairs to witness the unusual spectacle firsthand.

　　As such, all Jing Xi had to do right now was make a beeline for the elevator, and he would practically bump right into them!

　　With that in mind, Jing Xi sauntered toward the elevator.

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　　Gp bl aswdele vbl nsadla, bl pweeldzu qswde bkxplzq qynl vs qynl okvb y taswr sq qkhl vs pkm uswvbp.

　　Rd y przkv plnsde, vblka nyalqall nbyvvla nyxl vs yd ycawrv byzv. Ekel-lule pwarakpl rykdvle vblka qynlp yp vblu zsnjle lulp okvb bkx.

　　Fupvlx alrsavle, “Rv’p vblx! Mbl rlapsd zlyekdt vbl taswr kp dsdl svbla vbyd vbl rlapsd vbl saktkdyz bspv plnalvzu yesalp: Tw Dkys’p zkvvzl casvbla, Tw Ubl.”
　　Kkdt Dk eswcvle, “Lsdpldpl¹ Rd vbkp nsdvlmv, vbl nbyaynvla’p dyxl kp 狐澈 (bú nbè), obknb pswdep pkxkzya vs 胡扯 (bú nbě). Fkdnl Ubkdlpl kp y vsdyz zydtwytl, vblpl vos yal cypknyzzu bsxsrbsdlp.

狐澈 (bú nbè): Tlal, 狐 (bú) xlydp “qsm” yde 澈 (nbè) nyd xlyd “nzlya” sa “rwal” kd vbkp nsdvlmv.
胡扯 (bú nbě): Mbkp rbaypl tldlayzzu xlydp “vs vyzj dsdpldpl” sa “vs nbyv ykxzlppzu.”  ?”
　　Fupvlx nzyakqkle, “Rv’p Ubl, yp kd nzlya yde vaydiwkz.”
　　Kkdt Dk pnsqqle, “Xb, usw xlyd ‘dsdpldpl.’”
　　Fupvlx qlzz pkzldv, zlyhkdt Kkdt Dk kd nsdvlxrzyvkhl yxwplxldv.

　　Gp Kkdt Dk oayrrle wr bkp lhyzwyvksd, bl nswze dsv nsdvykd bkp ypvsdkpbxldv yde lmnzykxle, “Xb, kv’p alyzzu usw twup!”

　　Mbl pnwxcytp blpkvyvle, vyjld ycynj cu vbl vaydpqsaxyvksd vblu okvdlpple. Mbl aycckv bye pble bkp lmvay olktbv yde yesrvle yd ldvkalzu dlo ekprspkvksd. Qsdl oyp vbl pkzzkdlpp, alrzynle cu y dloqswde ayekydnl vbyv pllxle vs pbkdl qasx okvbkd.

　　Mbl zynjlup iwlpvksdle, “Pked’v usw clnsxl y xlanldyau?”
　　Kkdt Dk takddle, “Mbyv’p aktbv! Mbkp kp xu qkapv xkppksd, vss! Gde twlpp obyv? Yu cspp rlapsdyzzu alnawkvle xl qsa vbkp!”
　　Rdvaktwle, vbl zynjlup ralpple, “Ebs’p uswa cspp?”
　　Kkdt Dk alrzkle, “Rv’p y plnalv.”
　　Mbl zynjlup rascle qwavbla, “Ebu?”
　　Kkdt Dk lmrzykdle, “Elzz, usw pll. Rv’p yzz ryav sq xu fsc! R’x dsv yv zkclavu vs ekpnzspl bkp dyxl yp y nsdekvksd sq xu qallesx, cwv R nyd vlzz usw bl’p iwkvl y rasxkdldv qktwal.”

　　Ls pvaydtla vs bkp qsszkpbdlpp, vbl zynjlup olal nsdhkdnle vbyv kdvlzzktldnl oyp dsv kd vbl nyaep qsa bkx. “U’xsd,” Xdl sq vbl zynjlup nbwnjzle, tlpvwakdt vs Tw Ubl, “usw’al dsv plakswpzu pwttlpvkdt vbyv usw nyd’v vlzz Jasvbla Ubl ycswv vbkp, yal usw? ”

　　Kkdt Dk’p lulp pryajzle okvb lmnkvlxldv yp bl vwadle vs Tw Ubl, y okel takd zktbvkdt wr bkp qynl. “Xq nswapl,” bl lmnzykxle, “kv’p…”

　　Hu Che’s lips curled into a sly half-smile, mirroring the confidence that spread among his lackeys. Just when they believed victory was within reach, Jing Xi pulled the rug from under them. His voice dripped with disbelief as he retorted, “No way! Have you all gone bonkers? What’s going on in those heads of yours?”

　　Upon hearing that, the lackeys were left bereft of speech.

　　In a flash, the lackeys’ expressions soured, mirroring their inner dissatisfaction. “Aren’t you afraid of upsetting Brother Che?”

　　In the past, every utterance of these words would see the rabbit’s resolve crumbling, leading him to surrender and compromise without fail. But lo and behold, the tables have now turned. A hushed pause fell upon Jing Xi as the question hung in the air. Just as the familiar victorious smirk was about to reappear, Jing Xi turned the tables with an innocent tilt of the head and a bewildered query. “Has Brother Che always been this unreasonable?”

　　Just as his final words fell, Hu Che and his lackeys found themselves struck dumb with disbelief.

　　In the wake of being disgraced incessantly, Hu Che could no longer contain himself. “You’ve changed quite a bit since we last crossed paths.”

　　Jing Xi nodded, “That’s right. I’ve met loads of people.”
　　With an animated flourish, he extended his hand and sketched an enormous circle in the air excitedly. “This journey has truly opened my eyes to a world teeming with captivating individuals, and let me tell you, they’re all more mesmerizing than you!”

　　 The sheer audacity of his words froze Hu Che and his lackeys in place, rendering them momentarily unable to articulate a response.

　　Jing Xi’s cutting words hit Hu Che like a sharp arrow, shattering his pride in his appearance. Reeling from the verbal blow, he struggled to salvage his wounded dignity.

　　Meanwhile, the lackeys’ anger boiled over as their words dripped with outrage. “How could you say that to him!”

　　“I’m just stating the truth.” Thanks to System, Jing Xi had long since gotten to somewhat understand Hu Che. Hence, he added, “On top of that, they not only have style that puts Hu Che to shame, but also tower over him in stature. With the way they showered me with their kindness, I’ve made my decision to move on and spare you all from any more of my persistence. Are you happy now, Hu Che?”

　　“…” The flabbergasted Hu Che scoffed inwardly, ‘Do I look thrilled to you?’

　　In the space of a few moments, Jing Xi’s expression brightened as a thought dawned upon him. As such, he could not help but remark, “Oh, right! I’ve learned a thing or two from a big shot, and I have to say, your name isn’t well chosen.”

　　As Jing Xi’s words sank in, Hu Che’s face contorted into a dark scowl. “How so?” 

　　“Listen to this for yourself! Hu Che² 狐澈 (hú chè) and hu che³ 胡扯 (hú chě) ,” Jing Xi pointed out, “They’re constantly addressing you as Brother Che all day long. If this keeps up, wouldn’t you say you’ll become a load of ‘nonsense’?”

　　“Hahahaha!”

　　As Hu Xiao stepped off the elevator, he was immediately captivated by a single sentence he overheard. Not only did it leave him utterly awestruck, but it also convinced him of the speaker’s extraordinary talent.

　　Sensing the restlessness in the agitated lackeys, he reminded, “Surely you haven’t forgotten where we are, have you, Hu Che?”

　　If a brawl were to break out during Patriarch Cai’s birthday celebration, it would undoubtedly be a grave sign of disrespect to the host.

　　Spurred by Hu Xiao’s reminder, a sense of calm began to wash over Hu Che’s mind. In an instant, he turned a displeased look on Hu Xiao and jeered, “Come on now, you’re a married man. So, why are you prancing around on your own when you should be sticking to your beloved ‘husband’?”

　　Hu Xiao shot back, “Who are you to pry into our affairs? Look, there you go again. This name is certainly not good.”

　　His rebuttal hit Hu Che and his lackeys like a tidal wave, leaving them at a loss for words.

　　At this juncture, Hu Che seethed with barely contained rage. With steely resolve, he resisted the urge to spar words with the exasperating pair. Instead, he cast an icy glare at the rabbit and strode off with a grim expression.

　　Before long, it was just Jing Xi and the main bottom left standing in the corridor.

　　Hu Xiao’s curious eyes swept over the rabbit. “I know you. You used to be so fixated on my sibling, but have you finally seen the light?”
　　Jing Xi shared, “Well, people change and grow, don’t they?”
　　Hu Xiao’s eyes sparkled with approval. “Brilliant. I must say, I’m quite fond of this new you.”
　　Jing Xi blinked and pondered, “Just how much do you like me?”

　　“Where do I even begin?” Hu Xiao’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he met Jing Xi’s dark gaze and playfully grabbed his hand. “Today, I was at my lowest point and even considering the unthinkable. But you’ve somehow swooped in and turned it all around. So, I shall offer myself to you in return for saving my life!”

　　‘Oh, so that’s his style.’ Jing Xi mused, ‘I guess we should be able to get along splendidly in the future.’ Yet, the words that left his mouth were, “That won’t do.”

　　Hu Xiao blurted out, “Why not? Didn’t you hear them joking about my marriage?”
　　Jing Xi inquired, “That’s not what I meant. Anyway, has your family ever sponsored Amoris Welfare Home?”
　　Caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation, Hu Xiao admitted, “Yes, they have.”
　　Jing Xi revealed, “You see, I’m actually from that very welfare home. Although you might not have sponsored me directly during my time there, your family’s support has touched my heart. So, I did a little digging into my family records.”

　　“…” Hu Xiao wondered, “Aren’t you an orphan? Where did your family records come from?”

　　“I went through great trouble to find it.” Jing Xi blathered, “Can you believe it? Your great-great-great-great-great-grandmother’s cousin’s husband is related to my great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother’s sister-in-law’s sister. The descendants of these families eventually became sisters-in-law, and then…”

　　Jing Xi meticulously traced the family tree through generations, sending Hu Xiao’s thoughts in a disarray. Only then did he clasp Hu Xiao’s hand with a firm grip and informed, “To put it simply, I’m your second uncle! So, how can we be together?”

　　The shock of his words froze Hu Xiao in place, rendering him momentarily unable to respond.

　　Jing Xi locked eyes with him, a wordless dare exchanged in that intense moment. It was adamant that the future film emperor had finally met his match in Jing Xi. A mischievous smile tugged at his lips as he playfully pinched the rabbit’s cheeks, eager to sweep him into a world of fun and excitement!

　　With that, Jing Xi achieved his goal. Sensing Hu Xiao’s eagerness to catch all the excitement in the banquet hall, Jing Xi revealed that it had already concluded, all the while knowing the intricacies of what actually transpired.

　　From the instant those words slipped into Hu Xiao’s ears, curiosity ignited within him like wildfire. Yet, duty beckoned him to the banquet hall where a friend awaited with a pressing matter. After the meeting, they would seek out a picturesque spot to indulge in some juicy gossip.

　　As such, Jing Xi had no choice but to trail after him, returning to the banquet hall. Along the way, he reached out to Artificial Stupidity. “Is Duan Chi still there?”
　　System reported, “Yes, he has not moved an inch.”
　　Upon hearing that utterance, there was a brief hesitation in Jing Xi’s gait. “Are you absolutely certain he’s still wearing his bracelet?”
　　System’s resolute answer reverberated in his mind. “Yes, I am!”

　　Having learned from a previous mishap, it proudly declared, “I deliberately planted a temperature sensor on him, which has been continuously generating data. Next, I tapped into the surveillance system in the banquet hall and found Duan Chi in a relaxed posture by the window with his assistant. I also managed to intercept his phone to eavesdrop on their discussion briefly. The assistant was delivering updates on an ongoing acquisition case. As you can see, my recent actions have been…”