I Really Am a Scumbag Bottom [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 9

The Golden Autumn Gala was the city’s most prestigious high-society gathering. Held annually at a fluctuating date—though always during the autumn season—the gala was a definitive symbol of status. Almost everyone who received an invitation attended. Li Yihan had only frequented the event during his first two years as head of the family; afterward, he lost interest in such ritualistic parties. He had relented this year solely to let Qi Yuan make his public debut.

This was Qi Yuan’s first appearance in high society, and Li Yihan took the matter seriously. He personally supervised everything, from etiquette to physical appearance.

Once dressed and styled, Qi Yuan stepped out of his room. Li Yihan had already been waiting for a while. Hearing footsteps, he looked up.

Shedding his usual loose, casual wear for a custom-tailored luxury suit, the fabric clung perfectly to Qi Yuan’s frame, showcasing a flawless silhouette. Li Yihan had always felt Qi Yuan was a bit short, but he wasn’t; his proportions were actually quite pleasing to the eye.

Likely still unaccustomed to such clothes, Qi Yuan walked with a stiff, restrained gait. His usually soft hair had been slicked back with gel, revealing a clean, smooth forehead. Li Yihan suddenly noticed that the boy’s eyes weren’t pitch black, but a soft amber-brown, like polished gemstones.

In the silence, Qi Yuan reached him and spoke: “Mr. Li, I’m ready. Let’s head out.”

It took Li Yihan a second to react before standing up. He took a step, then stopped. “Where is your tie?”

Qi Yuan pulled a neatly folded dark red tie from his pocket. “It’s a bit tight to wear it now. I’ll put it on when we’re closer.”

Li Yihan stared at the boy’s palm for two seconds but said nothing more.

The gala venue was in the city center, only about a twenty-minute drive away. When Assistant Zhao reminded them they were five minutes out, Chi Zhao pulled out the tie and began attempting to put it on with an air of mock competence.

Chi Zhao had never tied a tie in his life; he was essentially “driving a duck onto a perch.”

While he appeared calm, the System was on the verge of a breakdown.

【No, wrong way! The wide end in front, the narrow end behind you wrapped it backward! Flip it! Wait, are you making a knot? Undo it, quick! God, you’re a genius—you actually tied a pig-trotter knot with a silk tie.】

Chi Zhao: “…”

It’s not my fault, the tie started it! TAT

While Chi Zhao wrestled with the silk, everyone else in the car—save for the driver—watched him silently as he slowly strangled himself. When they were a minute away, Li Yihan let out a quiet sigh. He slid over to Chi Zhao’s side and took hold of the now hopelessly knotted tie. With a single glance, he knew how to unravel it.

He unhurriedly undid the knot and began tying it correctly. Chi Zhao remained perfectly still and obedient, not daring to move an inch. Li Yihan’s hands were positioned just beneath Chi Zhao’s chin; they were so close their breaths intermingled.

Assistant Zhao watched through the rearview mirror and felt something was off. It was just a tie—why was the boss moving so slowly and gently? And was he hallucinating, or was the boss smiling?

The smile was so faint it was nearly imperceptible, and it certainly wasn’t a mocking one. It looked a bit like Assistant Zhao racked his brain for half an eternity but couldn’t find the right word.

It was that maddening feeling where a word is on the tip of your tongue, yet remains unreachable no matter how hard you think, until you nearly give yourself an internal injury from the frustration.

Once the tie was set, Li Yihan smoothed Chi Zhao’s collar, ensuring every detail was meticulous before finally pulling back to a satisfied distance.

Chi Zhao looked up at the right moment, giving him a docile, grateful smile.

That smile felt like Fatty’s claws, giving Li Yihan’s heart a light, rhythmic scratch. It left him feeling itchy inside, a sudden urge to do something stirring within him.

Subconsciously, Li Yihan moved his hand up two inches, his fingers brushing against Chi Zhao’s chin.

Assistant Zhao, who was nearly at his breaking point, widened his eyes. He saw the boss’s smile deepen as long fingers stroked the soft skin of the boy’s jawline once, then twice. Qi Yuan looked startled. Seeing the boy’s dazed expression, the boss seemed to find it endearing and reached out to pat his head.

Chi Zhao: “…” Does he think I’m a pet?

Assistant Zhao: “…” I remember the word now! It’s “doting”!

System: “…” What is happening? Weren’t we supposed to conquer Li Yihan in two years? It’s only been two months—why do I feel like the permafrost is already melting?

Chi Zhao was oblivious to the shift in Li Yihan’s attitude. He simply thought Li Yihan’s favor toward him had increased slightly. He didn’t realize the favor had “soured” into something else. He had a more important mission today, and his focus was no longer on Li Yihan.

The moment they entered the gala, he began scanning for Chang Qing.

As he searched, he chanted internally: Lover, oh lover, where art thou?

【I can hear everything you think. Can you please stop chanting that?】

Chi Zhao pursed his lips. He was just working hard; if the System wasn’t going to help, the least it could do was stop nitpicking.

After Li Yihan led him inside, people quickly approached to strike up a conversation. As soon as one left, another stepped in. Those present were all social experts; there was no unseemly crowding. They all kept an eye on Li Yihan, waiting for the perfect moment to “incidentally” pass by and strike up a chat.

Almost everyone asked who Qi Yuan was. Li Yihan used the opportunity to introduce him. After introducing him to five key figures, he told Qi Yuan to grab some food from the buffet and wander around. Five people were enough; within ten minutes of them returning to the crowd, the entire room would know that Li Yihan’s heir was named Qi Yuan, an orphan raised by the family from a young age.

Since Qi Yuan wasn’t a real heir, he didn’t need to listen to the hollow flattery of these socialites. Li Yihan didn’t want him to be bored, so he let him loose—a move that suited Chi Zhao perfectly. He had been worrying about how to slip away and find Chang Qing.

However, he was a bit hungry. He decided to grab a bite before hunting down his target.

Most people at galas were there to network or boast about the past year’s achievements. They’d have a few drinks at most; almost no one spent the evening eating. But today was an exception.

Because Chi Zhao had arrived.

When Chang Qing finally approached, Chi Zhao was busy demolishing a slice of cake, one tiny forkful at a time. Chang Qing took two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter’s tray and slowly walked over. Seeing how much the boy was enjoying his food, he almost felt bad for interrupting.

After a long silence, he spoke. “Qi Yuan, is it?”

Chi Zhao had already received the System’s alert. He finished the last bite of cake, pulled a silk handkerchief Uncle Zhang had prepared for him from his pocket, wiped his mouth, and then tilted his head to look at Chang Qing. “Mhm.

And you are?”

Chang Qing gave a refined smile and stated his name, waiting for Qi Yuan to show a look of realization or shock.

But Chi Zhao simply looked at him for three seconds without any reaction at all.

Chang Qing: “…”

Seeing Chang Qing’s smile begin to falter, Chi Zhao gave a perfunctory nod. “Oh, you.”

Chang Qing: “…”

He was the most formidable dark horse in the business world of the past two years. Everyone in the industry knew him. What on earth did “Oh, you” mean?

After a moment, Chi Zhao’s conscience kicked in, and he tried to compensate. “Mr. Chang, I didn’t realize you were so young.”

Chang Qing nearly coughed up blood at the response. However, he was no ordinary man; he managed to keep his face unmoved. He gave a gentle smile. “You are quite young yourself. In the future, you will surely be another ‘young and promising’ Head of the Li Clan.”

The words were a probe. Chi Zhao heard it but had no intention of playing along. Firstly, he didn’t have a head for corporate intrigue; he knew he couldn’t out-maneuver Chang Qing. Secondly, his mission wasn’t to clash with Chang Qing in the boardroom, but to tangle with him in the bedroom.

Chi Zhao looked at him quietly, then reached out and took the glass of wine Chang Qing had been holding in his left hand. Their fingers brushed lightly. Chang Qing lowered his eyes to look at the point of contact. Chi Zhao let out a soft chuckle.

“No one wants to be the second ‘someone else.’ I only want to be the first ‘myself.’ Mr. Chang and I, we ought to be the same kind of people.”