Chapter 17

The temperature in the corridor was noticeably colder than inside the suite. Although Jiang Xiao couldn’t see, he still shivered from the chill. As if anticipating this, Wen Xu draped a jacket over his shoulders the next second.

The jacket was also Wen Xu’s, carrying a sweet, fruity fragrance. But Jiang Xiao detected another scent, something like… an aromatherapy candle.

The hotel corridor’s decor style was similar to the room’s interior—vintage, dark red tones. The end of the hallway featured an arch-shaped partition. Abstract oil paintings hung along the walls. A candle was lit every meter or so, the dim yellow candlelight illuminating only small patches. It was eerily quiet, only the sound of their footsteps echoing, adding a chilling, gloomy atmosphere akin to a horror movie.

Wen Xu noticed the crystal chandelier, frowned slightly, and asked the attendant, “Why aren’t the lights on?”

The attendant answered honestly, “Because it’s snowing in the mountains, there aren’t as many tourists lately. To save energy and reduce emissions, the boss cut power to all non-essential equipment. Candles are cheaper anyway.”

Save energy and reduce emissions?

Was that how the term was supposed to be used?

“Is your boss here?” Jiang Xiao really wanted to meet this unbelievably stingy boss who even skimped on electricity.

“I’m just an employee. I haven’t met the boss.” The attendant said, “Besides, the power lines were knocked down by the wind today. The backup power is unstable. Using the big lights again would drain the electricity, and who knows when the lines will be fixed.”

“Taking that into account, could the blackout have been an accident?” Jiang Xiao asked again.

“It can’t possibly be an accident now,” Wen Xu replied.

The group walked slowly through the dark corridor to the upper floor, stopping in front of room 415. Jiang Xiao stepped forward and was about to knock when the door was opened from the inside.

Jiang Mu seemed to have anticipated he would come up, waiting for who knew how long.

“Xiaoxiao, come in.”

Just as Wen Xu was about to help Jiang Xiao inside, Jiang Mu had already taken Jiang Xiao’s hand and led him in, subtly blocking Wen Xu, who was right behind them.

“Sorry, I want to talk to Jiang Xiao alone.”

These words carried an undeniable force.

Jiang Mu was indeed different from the other three. They were all still students who hadn’t left school, while Jiang Mu had long since ventured into society. His words and actions exuded an inimitable sense of maturity and steadiness, yet without causing any aversion.

He wore a black shirt and trousers, sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong forearms. However, unlike Wen Xu in a similar outfit—whose aura was refined and noble—Jiang Mu possessed a keener, more authoritative edge. His manner was composed. Having said his piece, he moved to close the door.

But Wen Xu wasn’t buying it. He raised a hand and held the door open. The smile disappeared from his lips as he ground out the words:

“No.”

Jiang Mu sized up Wen Xu but didn’t insist. He only said, “Xiaoxiao, do you want to let him in, or shall we talk alone?”

“Some things might not be convenient for outsiders to hear.”

Jiang Mu’s words were sharply edged, deeply meaningful.

They struck a nerve in Wen Xu and subtly threatened Jiang Xiao.

This “Big Brother” truly couldn’t be underestimated.

Jiang Xiao weighed his options for a few seconds. “I’ll be out soon. Don’t worry, he won’t do anything to me.”

The amber color in Wen Xu’s eyes slowly dimmed. He said in a low voice, “Call me if anything happens.”

Jiang Xiao nodded, then turned and walked into Jiang Mu’s room. Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped inside, he tripped over something. Completely caught off guard, just as he was about to stumble and fall, a pair of hands steadied him around the waist, pulling him back firmly.

“Sorry, I forgot you can’t see. Let me lead you, alright?”

Still shaken, Jiang Xiao simply stood his ground. His tone was stiff: “No need. Just say whatever you have to say right here.”

He clearly suspected that Jiang Mu had tripped him on purpose just now.

Jiang Xiao didn’t know what he had stepped on; it felt like a stack of papers. He heard the rustling sound of Jiang Mu gathering them up.

Jiang Mu sounded slightly helpless. “Do we have to speak to each other like this?”

“I don’t know what else there is to say. Why don’t we just talk about you lying to me? Is there anything you want to quibble about?” Jiang Xiao stood with his arms crossed, clearly not wanting to get too close to Jiang Mu.

A flash of hurt crossed Jiang Mu’s eyes, but he didn’t change his attitude because of Jiang Xiao’s words. His voice remained gentle.

“In that case, why don’t you and I each ask a question and answer each other’s? Wouldn’t that be fairer?”

Jiang Xiao was silent for a moment. “Fine.”

The System had already sent him Jiang Mu’s photo.

In the picture, Jiang Mu was the image of a CEO, dressed in a black suit with a tie. His hair was slicked back, revealing a smooth forehead and a stern face. He was looking down at his wristwatch, his features sharp and distinct.

And in his deep, dark pupils, there was similarly a trace of indistinct dark green.

Jiang Xiao mentally compared Jiang Mu’s photo with Bo Xiting’s and was surprised to find that these two people truly shared a slight resemblance.

Not just in their aura and eyes, but also in their superior, handsome facial contours.

But because of the differences in their age, status, and style of dress, few people would likely ever notice this point.

“Xiaoxiao, how did you find me?” Jiang Mu asked. “I don’t think I revealed any flaws.”

Jiang Xiao answered, “That was easy to deduce, because every room has a unique item that can convey information.”

Jiang Mu’s voice sounded very puzzled. “What item?”

“The chiming clock,” Jiang Xiao said. “These kinds of clocks are rare in hotels elsewhere. I deliberately called you when the time was almost exactly on the hour. Just as I expected, I heard the chiming sound from your room through the phone.”

“Unless you were staying in another hotel with a chiming clock, but that probability is too small, isn’t it?”

Jiang Mu thought for a moment, his gaze moving to the clock nearby. “So that’s why you called me just then… Xiaoxiao is so clever.”

“…”

Jiang Xiao had originally thought this bit of reasoning would at least make Jiang Mu stop underestimating him. He hadn’t expected to be placated with a tone used for coaxing a child. Dammit, was he fishing for empty praise?

Jiang Xiao said coldly, “Now it’s your turn to answer.”

“My reason is simple,” Jiang Mu said. “Mother wouldn’t let me see you, but I wanted to celebrate your birthday. So I could only lie about being on a business trip.”

“Then why did you lie to me too?” Jiang Xiao didn’t believe Jiang Mu’s reason at all and pressed on. “And what other purpose did you have for coming to the hotel hours early?”

“Everything I said is true.” Jiang Mu said nonchalantly, “I already answered one question. If you want me to answer another, you have to answer my question first.”

Jiang Xiao suppressed his frustration. “Ask.”

“You’ve always loved lively scenes. Your birthday banquets always involve inviting hundreds of people. This time, you only invited a few, and all of them have deep connections with you…” Jiang Mu narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Jiang Xiao. “Xiaoxiao, what are you trying to do again?”

Jiang Xiao said, “I just wanted fewer people this time. Is that a problem?”

“Of course not.” Jiang Mu’s voice carried a smile. “But there’s no lying in this game, or it’s not fair. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Jiang Mu was slightly different from the person Jiang Xiao had seen in the photo.

The Jiang Mu in the photo was cold, ruthless, a decisive judge in the corporate battlefield, looking difficult to approach.

The Jiang Mu in reality was gentle, and not like a CEO at all—more like a kindergarten principal, always calling him by his pet name, as if everything Jiang Xiao did was permissible.

Jiang Xiao had already confirmed that the person he was facing was no friend. He was a ruthless character with a dagger hidden behind a smile. Who knew what tricks he had in store for him later.

“Then let me change the question,” Jiang Mu switched the topic. “We’ve been apart so long. Has Xiaoxiao ever thought about me?”

“What?” Jiang Xiao frowned slightly, clearly not understanding why Jiang Mu suddenly brought this up.

“After we broke up, I always regretted it. Why didn’t I explain more to you back then? I didn’t approach you because my mother was marrying your father. I swear, I was completely unaware of those matters.” Jiang Mu said softly, “I don’t know if it’s too late to tell you this now.”

“Do you still love me, Xiaoxiao?”

“Of course not.” Jiang Xiao immediately replied. He was about to say he’d stopped loving him long ago, and had even dated a bunch of other boyfriends after him—how satisfying that would be—but he held back after a moment’s thought.

He couldn’t trust Jiang Mu’s words; they were all sugar-coated bullets! Jiang Xiao had already witnessed Jiang Mu’s verbal skills and didn’t dare let his guard down.

“I see.”

The emotion in Jiang Mu’s eyes grew increasingly obscure, the deep green darkening to an extreme. He raised his hand, wanting to touch the side of Jiang Xiao’s face, but Jiang Xiao seemed to sense something and stepped back again—

This tiny movement seemed to provoke Jiang Mu. Jiang Xiao didn’t know how icy Jiang Mu’s expression had become now, exactly like the one in the photo. He only felt Jiang Mu step forward, trapping him between his arms.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come find me for a long time, Jiang Xiao.”

But you never came.

So I could only use this method to make you deliver yourself to me.

Jiang Mu lowered his head and kissed Jiang Xiao’s lips.

Startled, Jiang Xiao immediately tried to dodge, but Jiang Mu was prepared. He first tilted Jiang Xiao’s chin up and kissed him again, refusing to be denied. In the midst of his violent struggle, Jiang Xiao knocked over the things Jiang Mu had just organized beside the cabinet.

Crash. Photographs flew everywhere.

Countless photos scattered down, like a heavy, swirling snowstorm, enveloping the two of them. The photos showed different settings: classrooms, the school, the dormitory, the commercial street…

And if one looked more closely, they would discover that the main subject of every single photo was the same person—

Jiang Xiao.