A Broken Mirror Never Mends - Chapter 23

In the afternoon, at Hongfang Law Firm.

Walking into the reception room accompanied by his lawyer, Shi Tian immediately saw a man with glasses sitting on the sofa who had a very artistic aura.

The man was about his age, wearing a casual suit with lace trim. His shoulder-length hair was tied back with a rubber band, and two strands of naturally curly hair hung over his forehead.

Seeing Shi Tian enter the room, the man looked up from his tablet, a smile spreading across his lips. “Mr. Shi is here.”

Accepting the business card handed to him, Shi Tian saw a line of small gold-stamped text on the black card: QI Unity Holdings Limited / Assistant Secretary – Dexter.

The two sat down. Shi Tian stared at the man across from him, who was drinking tea, and asked, “Are you one of Zhou Sifu’s people?”

The man put down his teacup, looking confused. “Who is Zhou Sifu?”

Shi Tian replied, “Milton Zhou.”

The man adjusted his glasses and shook his head firmly. “Don’t know him.”

Shi Tian narrowed his eyes. “…”

If he remembered correctly, on the day at the old house in Xiangye Alley, Zheng Ying had told him that Zhou Sifu was the youngest son of Qi Zheng, the founder of Qilian Electronics. He had been adopted by Lawyer Zhou at a very young age and left the main family, which was why he didn’t take his biological father’s surname.

Before coming to the law firm to meet the representative of the other company, Shi Tian had specifically searched online for information about this private family trust. They were indeed very low-profile; aside from business registration and industrial records, almost no other information could be found.

Both had the surname Qi… could it really be just a coincidence?

Slowly picking up the teapot to refill his cup, the man stood up and handed the documents on the table to Shi Tian. “This is likely Mr. Shi’s first time signing a guarantee agreement with a non-profit organization like ours, right? Our terms are quite different from the guarantee companies on the market. You should look over the requirements carefully.”

Shi Tian took the file and flipped through it quickly. He soon frowned and asked, “This agreement does not state a maximum guarantee limit.”

“Correct,” the man said. “If you turn to the last page, you will find a blank line. You can fill in any amount you want us to guarantee.”

“…Any amount?”

“Any amount,” the man nodded slightly, his slender finger pointing to the second-to-last line on the first page. “But we require you to provide a detailed plan. You must prove how you will use your guaranteed assets over the next three years to maximize profits once you win the case.”

Tapping his knuckles gently on the table, he said meaningfully, “This is a game between two willing parties, Mr. Shi.”

For a moment, Shi Tian couldn’t believe it. The other party had actually skipped the negotiation over the amount and moved straight to the next stage. However, after carefully reading several additional clauses in the agreement, he began to understand their intent.

As the saying goes, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. This agreement was the same. He could ask for a massive, greedy amount to reduce his current debt crisis as much as possible. However, if he were unable to repay that debt in the coming years, he would face something much worse than a simple lawsuit. To put it seriously, it could be considered commercial fraud.

If he only looked for a temporary guarantor to cover his first debt—the 80 million yuan—as he originally planned, the risk would be much lower. But at the same time, as bank interest continued to grow, he would struggle with cash flow in the future even if he won the case.

This agreement was a test of his confidence, seeing how sure he was about his future comeback.

After thinking for a moment, Shi Tian slowly looked up. “Can I ask you a question unrelated to the agreement?”

The man leaned back on the sofa and spread his hands. “Please, go ahead.”

Shi Tian’s gaze lingered on the man’s wrist for a second before he looked away and spoke calmly. “If I’m not mistaken, the watch on your wrist is a Rolex GMT-Master Ice, which has been discontinued. This is the first time I’ve seen a real one.”

“…”

The smile on the man’s face froze.

With an awkward laugh, he quickly pulled down his sleeve to hide his wrist. “…Mr. Shi means this? This is just a high-quality fake I got from a discount app. I wear it to look professional when meeting clients. Don’t mind me.”

Noticing that Shi Tian clearly didn’t believe him, the man quickly pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it over, looking sincere. “Actually, I’m trying to get people to help me get a 9.9 yuan unicycle for free on this app. I’m only a few cents away. Could you help me click the link?”

Meanwhile, in the top-floor office of the Danofe Group.

Listening to the real-time recording from the phone, Alex’s eyelid twitched. “President Zhou… it seems your second brother has blown his cover.”

Zhou Sifu was looking over a new floor plan for air conditioner blades sent by the R&D department. Hearing his secretary’s words, he frowned slightly. “What happened?”

Alex paused the audio and spoke softly from the coffee table. “President Zhou, Chairman Qi met Mr. Shi today using the identity of his secretary, Dexter.”

“But it seems Chairman Qi forgot to take off that Rolex he bought for over seven million at the Christie’s auction last year. Mr. Shi recognized it on the spot.”

Zhou Sifu: “…”

A week after signing the guarantee agreement, Shi Tian received an official summons from the court.

The summons stated the time and location for the debt dispute trial. The plaintiff was Fengyu Lighting Group, the company he had founded, represented by the current Chairman, Ji Yuanlin. The defendant, of course, was himself.

With less than three days left until the court date, he met with his legal team every day. He spent his time organizing evidence while discussing and simulating what might happen in court. He was busy from morning till night.

Because he could only start the divorce process after the lawsuit ended, he was forced to write Ji Yuanlin’s name in the “spouse” section of every document during this period, despite his deep reluctance.

Since their parting at Moonlight Tower, he had not seen Ji Yuanlin again. However, while browsing the news online, he would occasionally see traces of his husband and his lover.

In early August, the Filoni Autumn Fashion Show opened in Paris. As the only Asian model invited to open the show, Cheng Xi was frequently on the trending searches, capturing the attention of fans and passersby.

During the show, every move Cheng Xi made was watched by entertainment reporters. Rumors began to spread that the boyfriend Cheng Xi had mentioned in interviews had accompanied him to Paris.

Soon, someone took a photo of Cheng Xi meeting a male companion at a local bar late at night.

Under the dim neon lights, Cheng Xi took off his mask, leaned in to kiss the man’s temple, and gently nibbled on the man’s earlobe in front of the camera. The man never turned around, but he kept his arm around Cheng Xi’s waist, dotingly allowing the behavior.

It was said that some fans wanted to take a photo, but Cheng Xi declined with a smile. He said his boyfriend was a private person and didn’t want to be bothered by the media.

Shi Tian could guess why Ji Yuanlin didn’t want to show his face.

Since the lawsuit was about to start, Ji Yuanlin certainly wanted to keep a low profile. Too much public attention would only make things more complicated. But Shi Tian didn’t quite understand why Cheng Xi was also being secretive. The last time this person was interviewed, he clearly wanted to announce to the whole world that Ji Yuanlin was his lover, yet this time he didn’t dare to speak up.

However, even without an official announcement, the matching couple’s rings on their hands, their intimate interactions, and the faint hickey on Cheng Xi’s shoulder during red carpet photos were enough for people who knew them to notice.

Shi Tian knew very well that Cheng Xi was posting these things on purpose for him to see. He was sending a message.

It was just like the day they left the hotel.

That day, Shi Tian was standing on the balcony at the end of the hallway talking to his lawyer. He saw Ji Yuanlin step out of the elevator and rush into the infirmary with a grim expression.

About fifteen minutes later, Ji Yuanlin walked out of the infirmary carrying Cheng Xi. Because Shi Tian was hidden behind a large artificial plant, Ji Yuanlin never noticed he was there.

The slender boy leaned into Ji Yuanlin’s arms, his eyelashes drooping, revealing fair skin covered in bruises on his neck.

Before turning the corner, Shi Tian saw Cheng Xi slowly open his eyes and look toward the end of the hallway where Shi Tian was standing.

Hissing slightly in pain in Ji Yuanlin’s arms, Cheng Xi’s voice was hoarse and tearful. “A-Lin, I didn’t agree. They forced me.”

“They used you to threaten me. They kicked me, hit me, and tied my hands and feet to the bed so I couldn’t leave—”

Ji Yuanlin stopped walking. His face was hidden in the shadows, and his expression was hard to see.

“I’m sorry, Xiao Xi,” he said. “I was late.”

Hearing his guilt-ridden apology, Cheng Xi rubbed his soft hair against Ji Yuanlin’s chest. His voice was thick, but he sounded like he was acting spoiled. “A-Lin, I’m so dirty now. Will you throw me away later?”

After standing still for a moment, Ji Yuanlin slowly lowered his head and kissed away the tears falling down the boy’s face.

“…No.”

Ji Yuanlin’s pupils narrowed. He gently patted the boy’s back and spoke with a strained voice. “It’s okay, Xiao Xi. I’m here. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

It was at that moment that Shi Tian finally realized that from the moment he “saved” Cheng Xi, he had fallen into this person’s trap.

The message Cheng Xi wanted to tell him was simple.

So, what if he had been played with and ruined by so many people?

The drama of a hero saving a fallen person never goes out of style.

In the end, Ji Yuanlin still chose him.

8:00 PM, L.A. International Airport.

A deep black sedan drove off the overpass, passed through security, and headed straight toward Private Apron No. 03 in the northeast of the airport.

Several luxury cars were already parked there. Seeing the black sedan approach, a bodyguard waiting at the apron opened a car door and invited the passengers to get out.

A woman in her thirties stepped out of a bright yellow Ferrari. She was wearing a dark gray professional suit with a cashmere shawl over her shoulders, leaning against the car door waiting patiently.

The black sedan stopped steadily. Zhou Sifu got out and walked toward the woman.

Seeing the cold expression on Zhou Sifu’s face and his clear lack of interest in small talk, Qi Shanghui put her hands on the car door and raised an eyebrow. “A year hasn’t changed you. That sour face is the same as always.”

Zhou Sifu took off his gloves and handed them to the bodyguard behind him. “What time is their flight?”

Seeing that Zhou Sifu wouldn’t even call her “Sister,” Qi Shanghui didn’t push it. She simply nodded toward the apron. “Father is bringing Uncle Bai. They should land in about fifteen minutes.”

Hearing this, Zhou Sifu frowned and checked his watch. “I have things to do. I’m heading back to China tomorrow morning.”

“You mean that lawsuit tomorrow?” Qi Shanghui folded her arms. “Didn’t you let your second brother go back to handle it? It’s just a debt acquisition for a small bankrupt company. Is it worth a personal trip?”

Zhou Sifu said coldly, “Qi Shanghui, you’re meddling too much.”

Twenty minutes later, a private jet with flashing red lights descended from the night sky. After taxiing down the runway, it slowly came to a stop in front of everyone.

The other younger members of the Qi family got out of their cars and stood in a line outside the apron.

Except for Zhou Sifu.

While the other family members rushed forward to welcome the elder, he remained leaning against his car door, unmoving.

The cabin door opened. A middle-aged man in a traditional Tang suit stepped out first to clear the way for Qi Zheng. Zhou Sifu recognized him; he was his father’s confidant, surnamed Bai. Everyone in their generation called him Uncle Bai.

With Uncle Bai’s help, Qi Zheng soon stepped out of the cabin. The head of the Qi family was over seventy years old. Although he had some trouble walking, his face was kind and his spirit was high. His white hair didn’t hide his former power.

No one present expected that after Qi Zheng walked down the stairs, he wouldn’t stop in front of the plane but instead walked straight toward Zhou Sifu, away from the crowd.

“Xiao Fu,” Qi Zheng smiled kindly as he reached him, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening. “What’s this? Has a year away made you a stranger to your family?”

Zhou Sifu nodded slightly to the old man, a bare minimum greeting. “President Qi, Uncle Bai. Long-time no see.”

Qi Zheng didn’t seem angry at being addressed so formally. He just turned to Uncle Bai and shook his head with a smile. “Look at that. So much time has passed, and this boy is still holding a grudge against us.”

Zhou Sifu’s eyes darkened, but his expression didn’t change. A moment later, he took a step forward and gently placed his hand over Qi Zheng’s hand on the cane.

“It’s been eight years. I’ve mostly forgotten what happened back then.” A small, sharp smile appeared in Zhou Sifu’s eyes. “As for a grudge, I wouldn’t call it that.”

Slowly leaning down, he spoke softly into the old man’s ear. “I just think about killing you every moment, every day, every night. I want to chop up your body and feed it to dogs. I want you to be cut into a thousand pieces with no grave to lie in, and for your soul to never find peace.”

“Father.”

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