17: Chapter 17 Yes, I've Been Targeted by a Rich Woman

In a corner BBQ shop in Chengdu's Shuangliu District, a small wooden table, long covered in grease and smoke, looked grimy. Beside it sat a young man who seemed completely out of place in such an environment.

Why did he look so out of place? Because he was dressed exquisitely from head to toe, and it was obvious that his outfit cost a pretty penny.

"Little Li, order your food first! Some of the dishes need to be taken out to thaw!"

A hearty voice came from the entrance, jolting Li Yi out of his memories. With a smile on his face, he said to the shirtless man at the door wearing a floral apron:

"Uncle Zhang, the usual. Ten skewers each of pork belly, small intestines, pork skirt meat, and beef. Also, grill some eggplant, chives, and potatoes."

Uncle Zhang turned his head upon hearing this and laughed:

"Oh? You're not alone today?"

Li Yi fiddled with his phone and nodded:

"That's right, Su Ye is coming today too."

"Su Ye? Oh, I haven't seen him in years. Didn't they say he went back to his hometown? Is he here in Chengdu to hang out?"

Li Yi replied with a smile:

"No, he's back here for work."

Uncle Zhang paused his grilling upon hearing this, then said:

"Good, good. Coming back here means he can earn more money."

"Yeah."

Li Yi nodded slightly and didn't say anything else.

Don't let Li Yi's background fool you; he wasn't from a poor family—he was a bona fide rich second generation. However, being the baby of the family with three older sisters, he had been spoiled rotten since childhood. This had shaped his current personality and temper. He hadn't had many friends growing up, and no one at home could control him.

After starting college, he unexpectedly clicked with Su Ye. Back when Su Ye was with Han Qiyue, Li Yi had felt something was off. Li Yi knew his brother better than anyone—he knew whether or not he was a love-struck fool. Worried, Li Yi had rushed to Su Ye's hometown overnight. Sure enough, his brother had really been hooked like a fish.

Li Yi had tried everything, saying both nice and harsh things until his lips were chapped, but he couldn't make Su Ye wake up. Later, he had no choice but to target Han Qiyue. Who knew that Han Qiyue would turn around and send the chat logs to Su Ye? The two had a huge fight and parted on bad terms. If he hadn't run into Su Ye's cousin while delivering something to the TV station today, Li Yi still wouldn't know about Su Ye's situation.

Thinking of his only brother living in a dilapidated apartment, looking depressed and decadent all day long, Li Yi felt a bit heartbroken. Back in college, he had been quite the popular figure; how did he end up like this now?

Li Yi made up his mind that he absolutely could not let Su Ye feel anything negative later. Su Ye surely couldn't handle any more stress right now. Thinking of this, Li Yi quickly removed all the accessories he was wearing.

"Vroom! Vroom!"

The low rumble of a V8 engine annoyed Li Yi. He stood up and walked out of the shop to see a dark red Mercedes-Benz slowly pulling into a parking space. Li Yi pursed his lips, planning to walk over and say something snarky.

"Bam."

The car door opened slowly, and when he saw a familiar yet slightly unfamiliar face step out of the driver's seat, Li Yi couldn't help but open his mouth in shock.

"What's wrong, Sister-in-law? Don't you recognize me anymore?"

Hearing Su Ye's words, Li Yi reflexively retorted sarcastically:

"Oh, how would I dare to recognize you? You're driving a Mercedes-Benz now. Tsk, tsk, tsk, it wasn't cheap, right? You're really rich now."

Hearing Li Yi's words, Su Ye smiled. It was the same familiar feeling, the same old routine. He walked up and punched Li Yi in the chest. Don't let Li Yi's effeminate demeanor fool you; he had been learning Muay Thai since he was a kid, and his muscles were incredibly firm. Three or five ordinary people wouldn't be able to beat him, or else his big mouth would have been torn shut long ago.

"What are you doing? Hitting me as soon as you get here?"

Li Yi rubbed his chest in dissatisfaction, thinking to himself, has this Ye-zi eaten Popeye's spinach? He's so strong.

"Alright, let's go in. Stop acting like a door god at the entrance, right, Uncle Zhang?"

Uncle Zhang, who was grilling and watching the two interact, laughed heartily:

"It's fine. There are no customers yet anyway. It's nice having you two as doormen here."

"Hmph!"

Li Yi gave a delicate huff and walked toward the table, with Su Ye following behind.

After sitting down, Li Yi glanced at Su Ye sideways:

"Ye-zi, what's your situation right now? It's a bit different from what your cousin told me. You've been kept by a rich woman, haven't you?"

Su Ye had already figured it out when he arrived; apart from his cousin, there was no one else who had a connection to both him and Li Yi.

"That's right, I'm being kept. The rich woman said she still needs one more person. Sister-in-law, why don't you come with me? I think you've got some looks too."

Li Yi rolled his eyes at Su Ye:

"Some looks? I think you're blind. Do you understand the value of the 'Peng Yuyan of Chengdu'?"

Su Ye laughed and cupped his hands toward Li Yi, saying:

"Greetings, Peng Yuyan of Chengdu. I am the Zun Long of Sichuan Province."

Hearing Su Ye's words, Li Yi looked him up and down, then nodded with a serious expression:

"It actually does look a bit like him. It's just that your clothes are too ugly. Emmm, your hairstyle is ugly too."

Hearing Li Yi's words, Su Ye finally remembered what he felt he had forgotten today. He hadn't bought clothes! Since Li Yi's family sold high-end clothing, Su Ye didn't stand on ceremony:

"Then, can you accompany me to go shopping tomorrow? You know, if no one helps me style myself, I'm basically a disaster in black and white."

Li Yi glanced at Su Ye:

"I'll see how you behave later."

Seeing Li Yi's slightly coquettish look, Su Ye's heart skipped a beat. During the time he hadn't been in contact with Li Yi, had Li Yi turned into a Chengdu local specialty? Thinking of this, Su Ye tentatively probed:

"Well—well, Sister-in-law, I like women."

Hearing Su Ye's words, Li Yi was so angry that he slapped Su Ye on the shoulder:

"Get lost! I like women too. I meant that you should arrange the activities for later."

Hearing Li Yi's words, Su Ye winced and rubbed the spot where he had just been slapped. Sister-in-law's hand strength was as strong as ever. But as long as his orientation hadn't changed, they were still good brothers.

At this moment, Uncle Zhang brought over the BBQ and said:

"It's rare for both of you to be here today. This BBQ is on me."

Su Ye and Li Yi quickly shook their heads. Are you kidding? The reason the two of them liked eating at Uncle Zhang's place before was because Uncle Zhang's daughter was in poor health. Plus, Uncle Zhang's BBQ tasted great, and the prices were fair and affordable, so the two of them kept coming here to support Uncle Zhang's business.

Over time, they had developed a good relationship with Uncle Zhang. A few years ago, before Su Ye had left, sometimes when Uncle Zhang was too busy, the two of them would often fill in as waiters.

"Uncle Zhang, there's no need. Look, Su Ye is driving a Mercedes-Benz now; he's not short on this bit of money."

"Uncle Zhang, really, there's no need. Why would you treat us?"

Uncle Zhang didn't answer and just waved his hand. Just then, a couple arrived outside, so he hurried over to attend to them.

Just like that, Su Ye and Li Yi chatted about recent events, and before they knew it, it was almost midnight.

Su Ye raised an eyebrow at Li Yi, then pulled three hundred yuan from his pocket and placed it in the chopstick holder on the side.

"Sister-in-law, shall we go?"

Li Yi rolled his eyes at Su Ye and then picked up his Gucci bag:

"Let's go. You decide where we're going."