Saibo City, a 8D suspended zone hailed as the light of human technology. Though it spanned only 5,000 mu—about the size of a university campus—it was still breathtaking.
The air was filled with connecting walkways between skyscrapers and crisscrossing cable car tracks, all in the neon style people imagined. It was even more dazzling at night.
Twelve years ago, this had been Danshi’s largest Slum District—filthy, rotten, reeking with nauseating odors. Lowly chickens and ducks mingled everywhere with criminals.
Lai Li had been one of them.
It wasn’t until the Dai Group poured in massive funds, demolished the crumbling old residential buildings riddled with cracks, worked with the government to arrest batches of criminals, and resettled large numbers of unemployed vagrants and those in illegal trades that the fate of this land truly changed.
The hardships involved couldn’t be summed up in a sentence or two. Just the initial demolition and eviction of “residents” had taken a full three years. During that time, Jiang Qiujun, the project lead, endured a total of twenty-three attacks, big and small.
Then came another five long years before Saibo City was finally completed. Less than half a year after opening, it went viral worldwide. Countless tourists flocked there, generating unimaginable profits for the Dai Group.
“Mr. Dai, Mr. Lai, this way please.” A staff member led the two to the VIP elevator entrance.
Dai Linxuan turned his head. “Want to wander around after the banquet?”
Lai Li’s gaze dropped slightly. “No.”
Dai Linxuan nodded. “If you get tired of it, have Uncle Zeng take you back.”
The elevator offered a 270-degree panoramic view, taking in the entire central area of Saibo City at a glance. First-timers often felt like they’d traveled to the future.
But Lai Li remained unmoved, simply staring at the neon lights reflected on the elevator glass.
People revisiting old haunts often sighed “things stay, but people change.” For him, it was the exact opposite.
“How many times have you been here?” he suddenly asked.
“I lost count.” Dai Linxuan said, “I come a few times a year.”
After all, Saibo City was the Dai Group’s flagship project. Many Dai Family banquets were held here, making it unavoidable.
Lai Li was different. This was his first time back on this land since leaving twelve years ago.
The surrounding scenery felt utterly foreign, yet his memories here were as clear as yesterday.
Before his eyes stretched the bizarre, dazzling Saibo City, with walkways crisscrossing the sky outside the sightseeing glass, packed with people. But in Lai Li’s ears rang only frenzied cheers and applause, layer upon layer. The air seemed to grow humid and sticky, filled with the stench of urine, sweat, and cheap booze assaulting his nose.
The mirror-like surface seemed to reflect a blurry, scrawny figure tilting its head, mouth opening and closing: “You’re back… Little Cricket.”
“Lai Li?”
Another voice sounded in his ear at the same time, as if instantly covering it with an invisible membrane that blocked out the past clamor and disgust.
He ground his fingertip and turned to Dai Linxuan. “What did you say?”
“Remember to check the auction catalog.” Dai Linxuan now seemed like an ordinary big brother. “I haven’t given you a back-to-school gift yet. Pick anything you like today.”
He seemed to have forgotten their car conversation, forgotten Lai Li’s unresolved accusations.
Earlier, Lai Li had clearly seen a flicker of twisted pain on Dai Linxuan’s face. But the moment they stepped out, those real emotions vanished along with his sickly pallor. He was back to the poised, gentle young master of the Dai Family in the public’s eyes—as if his body and heart had never cracked.
“Bro.”
“Yeah.”
“After the auction, let’s talk.” Lai Li wasn’t asking. “Openly and honestly. No beating around the bush. Lay everything out.”
“Like what?”
“Like what else happened at home besides what you told me. Like why you…” Lai Li glanced at the surveillance camera; like me died on his lips. “Like what you plan to do from now on.”
Dai Linxuan stared ahead as the scenery outside the glass plummeted. After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Sure.”
Once we talk, there’s no going back, you irredeemable little punk.
The banquet hall was on the top floor of the building. The auction hadn’t started yet, so guests mingled freely—dancing, drinking, or gathering by the floor-to-ceiling windows to overlook Future City and chat with companions.
Even before entering, the elegant, soothing piano music drifted out. Dai Linxuan straightened Lai Li’s collar. “If it’s not boring, stick with me. If it is, wander around. Your friends are here too.”
“Mm.”
Lai Li was long used to it. No matter the event, someone of Dai Linxuan’s status was always the center of attention.
Sure enough, the moment Dai Linxuan stepped into the banquet hall, he drew all kinds of gazes. People constantly approached him. Guests here all had some status in Danshi; everyone wanted to get on familiar terms with the Dai Group’s prospective heir.
Lai Li even spotted He Shuxin’s older brother, He Xunzhang. He Shuxin had been hospitalized for over twenty days and should have been discharged by now, but he wasn’t here today.
It made sense, though. After what happened, the He Family would surely keep He Shuxin from crossing paths with him again… to avoid another public beating and another month in the hospital.
As the He Family’s young master, He Xunzhang drew attention too. He deftly handled the crowd before heading toward Lai Li, grabbing two glasses of champagne from a passing server’s tray along the way. “Little Chestnut, long time no see.”
Lai Li ignored the offered glass. “Are we close?”
He Xunzhang chuckled. “Get together a few more times, and we will be. You’re Linxuan’s little brother, so you’re my little brother too…”
“That sounds like you want to be my big sister-in-law.” Lai Li, used to being shameless, said whatever came to mind. “Too bad my bro doesn’t like guys.”
He Xunzhang sighed helplessly. “Little Chestnut, you really know how to joke.”
Lai Li said nothing, just stared at him.
These heirs were born smooth talkers, but using it on Lai Li was like punching cotton stuffed with razor blades.
“Last time, Shuxin was in the wrong. As his big brother, let me apologize on his behalf.” He Xunzhang cut to the chase and offered the champagne again. “Don’t take it to heart, Little Chestnut.”
Lai Li sidestepped toward He Xunzhang’s side, placed a hand on his shoulder in mock intimacy, and squeezed. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep him in mind for life… until he dies.”
In his peripheral vision, Dai Linxuan dismissed the people around him and turned toward them. Lai Li timely stepped back, lowering his gaze. “Bro.”
“…” He Xunzhang’s shoulder hurt.
Dai Linxuan positioned himself slightly ahead of Lai Li, intercepting the champagne in He Xunzhang’s hand. “Little Chestnut’s injured. He can’t drink. I’ll take it for him.”
He Xunzhang seemed to notice the bandage on Lai Li’s neck for the first time. “My oversight. Of course, you drink it…”
Lai Li snatched the glass, flipped his wrist, and dumped the champagne into a passing server’s tray. He smiled faintly. “My bro’s stomach isn’t feeling well. Afraid he can’t enjoy it.”
He Xunzhang’s expression didn’t change as he asked with concern, “Then he really shouldn’t. Has Linxuan taken his stomach meds?”
Dai Linxuan nodded. “How’s your brother?”
“He’s recovering well. Got another scolding from Mom and Dad when he got home. He knows he was wrong.” He Xunzhang sounded sincere. “I hope Little Chestnut can let bygones be bygones. After all these years of friendship, it’d be a shame to end it here.”
“Yeah, best if he can slack off with me forever, so he doesn’t fight you for the family assets.” Lai Li’s lips curved in careless amusement; he had no idea what “feigned civility” meant. “What to do? I’m suddenly feeling a bit sorry for him. Not every brother is a good brother.”
As he said the last sentence, Dai Linxuan glanced over, paused for a second, then lightly patted the back of Lai Li’s head—not hard enough to ruffle a single hair.
“What nonsense are you spouting every day?” Dai Linxuan mildly rebuked. “Little Chestnut’s still young and immature. Don’t mind him, Young Master He.”
He Xunzhang: “…”
Yeah, at nearly 1.9 meters, still young.
“Linxuan, Xunzhang.” A man and woman approached from the side. “Little Chestnut’s here too.”
He Xunzhang smiled. “Wenhai.”
Huo Wenhai clinked glasses with him and introduced the woman beside him. “My sister, Huo Shuang. She just got back from abroad, like your big bro.”
This was clearly directed at Lai Li; he was the only one present who didn’t know Huo Shuang. Though Huo Fei’s little sister status came up occasionally from his drinking buddy.
The Huo Family had three kids on the surface: twin eldest siblings Huo Shuang and Huo Wenhai, and the youngest, Huo Fei.
According to Huo Fei, twelve years ago, Huo Shuang had hit a rebellious phase and insisted on going abroad to study music, throwing tantrums until she got her way. She hadn’t returned since.
The current Huo Shuang showed no trace of rebellion. In a beige long dress, elegant and poised, she said “long time no see” before her gaze settled on Lai Li.
Dai Linxuan introduced, “My brother, Lai Li.”
“I’ve heard Little Fei mention him.” Huo Shuang smiled. “His good friend.”
Lai Li nodded slightly in greeting.
Huo Wenhai suddenly asked, “Is the music good?”
He Xunzhang realized. “So the one at the piano earlier was you, Shuangshuang? No wonder she looked familiar!”
Lai Li’s eyes flickered. A socialite heiress absent for over a decade, performing at someone else’s event… her target was clearly his brother.
Huo Shuang smiled lightly. “It’s normal not to recognize me after more than a decade.”
Lai Li’s gaze swept over Huo Shuang’s face. He felt nothing particular. He patted Dai Linxuan’s arm and said softly, “Bro, I’m stepping out for some air.”
Dai Linxuan reached up and pinched the back of his neck. “Your neck’s still injured. Don’t drink.”
Lai Li acknowledged vaguely, unclear if he’d listened.
He Xunzhang watched Lai Li leave. “Linxuan, your brother’s getting more personality by the day.”
Dai Linxuan’s gaze swept toward Lai Li’s direction, where several familiar figures lingered. After a moment, he withdrew his eyes and smiled mildly. “He’s my only brother. Please bear with him, Young Master He.”
He Xunzhang shook his head with a sigh. “You, man!”
“Little Chestnut’s great. If my brother were half as well-behaved, I’d burn incense in thanks.” Huo Wenhai shifted topics. “We’re all together for once. Let’s find a spot to catch up.”
“Sure.”
They agreed and headed to the sofa area by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“You have no idea how outrageous my brother is.” Huo Wenhai ordered drinks and poured as he spoke. “The night before last, who knows how many times his little lover showed up at my door. Usually at least a guy or girl, but this time—guess what? He hooked up with a shemale!”
He Xunzhang said tactfully, “Your brother’s tastes are pretty broad.”
“That’s what I said.” Huo Wenhai sighed helplessly. “Every time he pulls up his pants and denies it, I have to clean up as the big brother. My wallet’s about to flatline.”
“Like a father to the eldest son. Gotta put in the effort.” He Xunzhang took a sip, implying something. “My brother’s even worse—always provoking people you can’t buy off with money… Mom and Dad are about to be pissed to death.”
Dai Linxuan waved over a passing server for a glass of pear juice the same color as champagne before responding. “Yeah, need more discipline. Waiting till something happens is too late.”
He Xunzhang’s smile faded slightly. Dai Linxuan had really skipped the drink per Lai Li’s words—unclear if his stomach truly hurt or if he was subtly backing Lai Li.
“So Little Chestnut’s the most worry-free.” Huo Wenhai grinned. “He’s clean-living, just like Linxuan. Never messes around.”
Huo Shuang said softly, “A brother raised by Linxuan can’t turn out bad.”
Huo Wenhai teased, “Though Little Fei’s ways aren’t ideal, Linxuan’s the extreme opposite—no dating in thirty years, no partners, living like a monk every day. Where’s the fun in life?”
“How do you know he hasn’t?” He Xunzhang joked. “Maybe Linxuan’s got a secret lover tucked away.”
Dai Linxuan smiled without replying.
“You’re not being fair speculating like that.” Huo Shuang clinked her champagne against Dai Linxuan’s. “Linxuan’s clearly busy with work—no time for that.”
Dai Linxuan sipped his pear juice. “Yeah, busy.”
Huo Wenhai leaned in with a knowing grin. “All these years without dating… you’re not still a… y’know?”
Dai Linxuan didn’t get annoyed. “You sure you want to discuss this in front of your sister?”
“What’s the big deal? I’m an adult too.” Huo Shuang said gracefully. “But my brother’s unreliable. Ignore him if you don’t want to chat.”
Dai Linxuan chuckled. “No.”
“What no…? Huh!?” Huo Wenhai suddenly caught on and let out an exclamation of surprise. “Really no, or fake no? Don’t lie to us just to save face.”
Dai Linxuan curved his lips slightly. “See? I told you, but you won’t believe me anyway.”
Huo Shuang could tell he wasn’t joking, so she showed a touch of curiosity. “So you’ve been in a relationship behind everyone’s backs?”
Dai Linxuan rested his hand on the armrest and swirled his glass. “It doesn’t count as dating.”
What an ambiguous answer.
He Xunzhang pondered for a moment before asking in a low voice, “Then it was a one-night stand?”
Dai Linxuan neither confirmed nor denied it. He slowly drained the pear juice in his cup, his deep, brooding eyes reflected at the bottom.
“Aiyo, fuck,” Huo Wenhai blurted out. “You didn’t, did you?”
Dai Linxuan half-lowered his eyelids and chuckled softly. “I didn’t treat it as a one-night stand.”
