A World Asunder - Chapter 11

Zhao Yexi was momentarily stumped.

Wait, he’s right. What does Lu Huangzhi wanting seven wives have to do with me?

Tao Qiaosheng was still squawking on the other end of the line. His current mood was akin to someone who had spent hours searching for a “not-safe-for-work” video, paid for a premium membership to speed up the download, finally opened the file with a racing heart—only to find out it was a cartoon.

That’s it? I took off my pants for this??

After a long silence from Zhao Yexi, Tao Qiaosheng asked, “You still there?”

“I’m here.” After a moment of calm analysis, Zhao Yexi found the justification for his rage. “Lu Huangzhi’s mindset is fundamentally wrong. It’s a serious issue with his values, okay? He opposes monogamy and supports polygamy; to put it bluntly, he’s chasing feudalism. That’s the kind of person I dislike most.”

The debate in question had been an “entertainment round” before a formal competition. He couldn’t remember the actual serious topic of the main event, but he remembered every single one of Lu Huangzhi’s points from the fun round.

“You have no idea how outrageous he was!” Zhao Yexi grew angrier as he spoke, punching the grapefruit on his desk. “He said things like, ‘Wei Xiaobao isn’t unfaithful, his heart is just shattered into seven sincere pieces,’ and ‘Yang Guo waited bitterly for sixteen years only to have his left hand for company, if you think his love is perfect, would you actually want to live his life?'”

“He’s not necessarily wrong,” Tao Qiaosheng said, caught between laughter and tears. “If I had to choose, I’d choose Wei Xiaobao too. Even though Yang Guo and the Little Dragon Maiden got their Happy Ending, the process was way too tragic.”

Zhao Yexi let out a cold laugh. “Fine. I wish you both seven wives in the future then. Enjoy your harem. I’m going to sleep.”

“Hey, why are you getting mad at me? Xi-zai? Zhao Yexi?”

Zhao Yexi decisively hung up. He tried to go back to sleep, but his drowsiness had completely vanished. It was all Lu Huangzhi’s fault—and the most infuriating part was that he couldn’t even win an argument against the guy.

After rolling around in bed for a while, he gave up. He grabbed the grapefruit, marched to the kitchen, and with a swift stroke of a knife, split it in half. Then, he ate it with vengeful satisfaction.

First Day at the Institute

Monday was Zhao Yexi’s official first day. He made a conscious effort to look mature, wearing a white shirt under a black trench coat and even styling his hair into a more “adult” look.

As his door opened, the door opposite opened at the same time. Lu Huangzhi looked like he hadn’t fully woken up, appearing lazy and casual as he greeted him: “Morning.”

Zhao Yexi gave a cold nod, shut his door, and walked off.

Lu Huangzhi: “…” Is he still mad about the laundry?

The apartment was full of institute staff, so the elevator was packed during the morning rush. Squeezed into a corner, Zhao Yexi watched as others cast admiring or surprised glances at Lu Huangzhi. Perhaps because he’d eaten too much grapefruit, his stomach felt a bit acidic.

Keep looking, he thought. No matter how handsome he is, he’s still a man who wants seven wives.

When they stepped out of the elevator, Lu Huangzhi called his name. Zhao Yexi pretended not to hear and sped up, but Lu Huangzhi easily caught up with his long stride.

“You run pretty fast.”

“If you don’t need your eyes, donate them to someone in need. Was I running? I was taking a leisurely stroll.”

Lu Huangzhi asked, “Is helping me wash one shirt in a machine really that much of an injustice?”

Zhao Yexi wanted to stay in “Cold Professional Mode,” but the question broke his resolve. “Did you tell Tao Qiaosheng about our debate last year?”

So that was it. Lu Huangzhi suppressed a smile. “No.”

Zhao Yexi didn’t believe him. “Then how does he know?”

“He asked, but I didn’t tell him.”

Zhao Yexi’s expression softened slightly. “That’s strange then.”

Lu Huangzhi was actually surprised. The Little Macho Man believed me just like that? He’s much easier to fool and coax than I imagined.

“But why do you care so much about an entertainment round?” Lu Huangzhi asked curiously. “I remember the topic was…”

Zhao Yexi interrupted him: “Because I’m a sore loser—and I hold grudges.”

Lu Huangzhi nodded. “I can tell.”

The Social Survey Department

They finished their paperwork at HR and headed to their department: the Social Survey Department. The HR lady had mentioned it was a new department. Aside from the two of them and Professors Guan and Liang, there were seven or eight other researchers, but most were currently out on field assignments.

The office had two independent rooms belonging to the professors. The workstations for everyone else were outside; the “Big Bosses” could see them through the glass, but they couldn’t see the Bosses.

When they arrived, the office was empty. The HR lady said, “Professor Guan and Professor Liang should be in a high-level meeting. Wait here, I’ll get back to work.”

Thinking of Guan Chengji and Liang Qinghuan in a meeting together made Zhao Yexi feel breathless. He picked an empty desk to set his things down. “I hope they don’t start a fight.”

Lu Huangzhi sat at the desk opposite him. “Let’s hope your dad breaks it up.”

Zhao Yexi blinked. “My dad?”

“Isn’t your dad the Director?” Lu Huangzhi said. “Isn’t the Director ‘high-level’?”

“Darn, I totally forgot about that!”

Lu Huangzhi found it hilarious. “You haven’t even seen him yet? He should be living in our building.”

“Hard to say. I suspect he’s moved into his office permanently.”

“What? What? Your dad is Director Zhao?!”

“Yeah, my dad is—” Zhao Yexi froze. He heard an unfamiliar voice, but there were clearly only two of them in the room.

“Did you hear that?” Zhao Yexi asked Lu Huangzhi.

“I heard it,” Lu Huangzhi replied.

“Who?” Zhao Yexi looked around frantically. “Who’s talking?”

“Me!” A man popped his head up from behind Lu Huangzhi, wearing a friendly smile. “My surname is Bu, name’s Bu Chunzhai. I’m representing our absent colleagues to welcome the new ones!” After speaking, he started clapping enthusiastically.

Zhao Yexi instinctively clapped along. Lu Huangzhi asked, “Excuse me, when exactly were you here?”

“I’ve been here since you walked in. You guys just didn’t notice me,” Bu Chunzhai waved it off. “It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

Zhao Yexi looked at Lu Huangzhi and felt relieved to see he looked just as confused. Bu Chunzhai was of average build and very average looks; there was nothing particularly remarkable about him. Because his presence was so weak, they hadn’t even noticed him sitting there.

After introductions, Bu Chunzhai said, “I knew the new recruits were students of Professors Guan and Liang, but I didn’t realize one was the Director’s son.”

“Only me, not him,” Zhao Yexi said. He wanted to be low-key, but reality wasn’t cooperating.

“I’m glad you’re here. All the other colleagues are out, and I’ve been facing both Professor Guan and Professor Liang alone. I’m almost—” Mid-sentence, his face changed. He zipped back to his seat so fast Zhao Yexi saw an afterimage.

Lu Huangzhi: ?

Zhao Yexi was about to ask what happened when he felt a chill down his spine. “It’s the Master… my Master is here!”

The doors slid open. Guan Chengji and Liang Qinghuan walked in one after the other. Liang Qinghuan’s lips were pressed thin, his anger clearly at a boiling point. Guan Chengji followed behind him, his face as unreadable as ever.

“Professor,” Zhao Yexi and Lu Huangzhi said simultaneously.

Liang Qinghuan saw his student and forced a small smile. “Huangzhi, you’re here.”

Guan Chengji gave Zhao Yexi a nod and said lowly to Liang Qinghuan, “Let’s talk in my office.”

“What else is there to talk about?” Liang Qinghuan said coldly. “You have your views, I have mine. We don’t need to force our opinions on others. There’s nothing to discuss.”

Guan Chengji fell silent. Zhao Yexi stared at his shoes, not daring to breathe. He stole a glance at Lu Huangzhi, who was openly watching the two professors argue without the slightest bit of awkwardness.

Finally, Guan Chengji said, “The students are here. I don’t want to argue with you.”

Liang Qinghuan paused, seemingly calming down.

“Don’t mind us,” Lu Huangzhi chimed in. “Professors, please carry on.”

Facing the students, Liang Qinghuan tried to speak gently. “There’s nothing to carry on with. Xiao Bu, are you here?”

Bu Chunzhai popped his head up again. “Here, Professor Liang.”

“Take Huangzhi and Yexi to the conference room. Explain the current situation to them clearly.”

As soon as they entered the conference room, Zhao Yexi and Bu Chunzhai let out a synchronized sigh of relief.

Lu Huangzhi couldn’t understand. “What are you afraid of?”

Zhao Yexi was even more baffled. “What’s with that ‘enjoying the show’ look on your face?”

“They argue all the time. I’m used to it.”

“Then you are the one who isn’t normal,” Zhao Yexi said seriously.

Bu Chunzhai, squeezed between them but feeling invisible, cleared his throat. “Quiet, quiet. Meeting is in session.”

Zhao Yexi made a “please” gesture.

“Do you guys think,” Bu Chunzhai started, “that one’s second gender counts as personal privacy?”

Zhao Yexi asked, “What do you mean?”

Lu Huangzhi spoke up calmly: “So, Professor Liang thinks the second gender is a matter of personal privacy and shouldn’t be made public, while Professor Guan disagrees, believing it’s just like the standard male/female gender and should be public record?”

Zhao Yexi: “???”

Bu Chunzhai was flabbergasted. “How did you know?!”

“Just a guess.”

Bu Chunzhai stood up, backed away two steps, and cupped his hands toward Lu Huangzhi. “Boss, please accept my respect.”

Zhao Yexi: “…Darn it.”