FSGOR Ch27part2

If he had to feel miserable, he certainly wouldn’t let Jiang Tian off easy. Before bed, he sent him a message.

L: Sweetheart.

L: Don’t you dare flake on me tomorrow.

L: Good night.

In his 500-square-meter luxury apartment, the CEO sent the message, put on an eye mask and earplugs, and drifted off to sleep peacefully.

Meanwhile, in the far more modest Xingfu Port neighborhood, Jiang Tian—who had seen those messages right before bed—lay in bed, wide awake until 3 a.m.

The next day.

Jiang Tian arrived at school with faint dark circles under his eyes, noticeably quieter than usual.

Classmates assumed he was still upset over Luo Qiao’s injury. Even those who wanted to ask about homework didn’t dare approach him easily.

School had never felt so long. Normally, he didn’t even stay for night classes. But today, afternoon dismissal hadn’t even come, and he already felt suffocated.

He could’ve just told a teacher he wouldn’t attend night class. That wasn’t the issue.

The problem was—he wanted to run away.

Even though he knew full well there was no way out this time.

Buzz.

Jiang Tian pulled his phone from his uniform pocket. To his surprise, his sister had messaged him first.

Jiang Jing: Little Brother

Jiang Jing: Can you skip night class today?

Jiang Jing: Yang Tong wants to meet with me.

Jiang Tian’s mind went blank. “……”

He stood up too quickly and banged his elbow on the desk. Rubbing the sore spot, he hurried to the corridor to call.

“Jie,” he said as soon as the call connected, his voice a little tight, “Why is he suddenly contacting you?”

On the other side, Jiang Jing was equally stressed. She had no idea her younger brother had other plans tonight. The sudden invitation from her scumbag ex caught her completely off guard.

“I really don’t know what he’s trying to pull.”

She sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. “He said he has evidence he can’t share over the phone and wants to talk in person. I’m still debating whether to go.”

Jiang Tian frowned tightly. For a moment, he suspected they might have recorded some kind of video together—but he was too embarrassed to ask outright.

Fortunately, Jiang Jing understood his silence and quickly clarified, “No, there’s nothing like that. Don’t worry.”

“But I suspect he’s faking something,” she added. “That’s why I want you to come with me. I’m worried it’s a trap.”

Jiang Tian nodded. “Got it, Jie.”

He asked for the time and location—turns out it was at a cozy restaurant near the bar district, scheduled for dinner.

Since he had to head there anyway, Jiang Tian didn’t hesitate. Speaking with a mature calm, he said, “Jie, wait for me at home after school. I’ll bring a recorder and go with you.”

Her little brother was proving impressively reliable. Nothing in his tone suggested anything unusual, which reassured Jiang Jing. She told him not to rush—he had more than enough time after school.

After hanging up, Jiang Tian glanced at the time and started mentally preparing. But focusing on studies was now impossible.

He timed it perfectly—leaving class five minutes early.

The walk home from the back gate of school normally took ten minutes, but today, every step felt like an eternity.

Wearing his school uniform, he thought he’d change clothes first. But after meeting up with his sister, he didn’t fuss much.

Jiang Jing was fully dressed and ready—heels, makeup, and all. Even if she was about to meet her scumbag ex, her aura was strong and unshakable.

Jiang Tian, in contrast, had only switched into a black tee and jeans, white sneakers on his feet. Grabbing his phone and a mini recorder, he hurried down the stairs with his sister.

On the way—

Old Town traffic was a nightmare during rush hour. Jiang Jing, driving her fully paid-off Toyota, didn’t even turn on music. The air in the car felt heavy.

She didn’t speak, and Jiang Tian could only stare at his phone, connecting the recorder to back up the audio—only to suddenly receive a new message.

L: Sweetheart.

L: Don’t stand me up.

Jiang Tian inhaled sharply, subtly turning his phone screen away from his sister. The last thing he needed was her noticing he had a second “doom appointment” tonight.

Luckily, Jiang Jing was too stressed to notice. Between driving and worrying about her ex, she didn’t catch the message.

As for how Jiang Tian should reply…

He had no idea.

Saying too much might just make it worse. He had no idea what kind of situation awaited him later. He couldn’t just casually acknowledge being called “sweetheart,” so he left it on read.

He stared out the windshield. Drip. Rain began to fall across the glass.

Meanwhile—

Chu Xuyu didn’t push for a reply. He could tell Jiang Tian wouldn’t dare bail again.

He had already arrived at the underground parking lot of K.R. Bar Street. The car stereo was playing softly. He had finished a simple dinner and was now just… waiting in the garage for his little sweetheart.

He felt ridiculous.

He used to think it was absurd—this idea that when someone desperately wanted to see another person, they’d drop everything, wait around for hours, throw away all their plans.

Splat.

Rain hit the garage roof above.

Chu Xuyu slouched in the driver’s seat, elbow resting on the window, listening to music like he was sealed off from the world.

Cars came and went, slick with rainwater. He didn’t budge.

No one knew how much time passed—until a small Toyota SUV, a model popular with women, pulled into the lot. It passed several full spaces and made its way toward him.

Chu Xuyu’s eyes narrowed.

He recognized that car—it had parked in the company lot before.

Even though it was still technically daylight outside, the garage lighting was dim. Chu Xuyu had to squint to see clearly.

Inside the Toyota sat a familiar former secretary… and a very distinct younger brother.

“……”

They’re here already?

Chu Xuyu snubbed out his cigarette, his eyes sharp and unreadable. Why the hell did that brat bring his sister?

Just as he reached for his phone, he saw Jiang Jing get out of the driver’s seat, slamming the door behind her. Jiang Tian followed close behind—tall, clean-cut, moving quickly to catch up.

They looked like a revenge duo about to face down a mortal enemy.

“……?”

Chu Xuyu’s fingers paused on his phone. His gaze was cold, amused, and probing.

Then the phone vibrated again.

Jiang Tian, walking behind his sister, glanced down at the message.

L: Where are you?

He didn’t overthink. He already knew this man was impossible to shake off. He typed a quick reply and stuffed the phone into his pocket.

KIRA: Busy right now.

KIRA: But I’ll be there.

The siblings crossed through the garage passageway and paused in front of the elevator.

That was when Jiang Tian patted his pocket—and realized the recorder was missing.

“I’ll go get it from the car.”

Jiang Jing, looking at her phone while messaging her ex, handed him the keys. “I’ll wait here.”

Jiang Tian nodded. “Give me two minutes.”

The recorder was high-end—something he’d won in a competition. He figured having it would be safer.

He ran back toward parking zone C. As he neared the Toyota, he clicked the key fob.

BEEP—

A harsh honk rang out behind him.

Jiang Tian jumped. His brows knit instantly—was this her scumbag ex catching them?

But when he turned around—

There it was.

The same all-black luxury SUV from the hospital.

Parked across the garage passage, dark tinted windows made it impossible to see the driver.

“……”

Jiang Tian froze.

He knew—he was fully exposed in that man’s line of sight.

Buzz.

Another message came in.

Jiang Tian swallowed hard, lowered his eyes, and saw—

L: Come here.

 

L: Get in the passenger seat.

His hand trembled. That gaze scorched him even through tinted glass.

He stood frozen for five whole seconds, before finally grabbing the recorder, tucking it into his jeans pocket—

Then, obediently, turned and walked toward the black SUV.

Every step felt like torture.

When he finally reached the door, his brain had already gone blank. He took a deep breath, knowing the man inside was watching his every move.

He reached for the handle.

Sshhhk—

Rain muffled everything as he opened the door. His own heartbeat thundered in his ears.

And their eyes met.

This was their first true, formal encounter—and it was happening hours ahead of schedule.

Chu Xuyu sat inside, gaze sharp and unreadable. There was a distinct predatory satisfaction in his expression, as if the hunt had just ended.

His head was slightly tilted, lips unreadable, eyes fixed on the boy standing in the rain.

“……”

Jiang Tian stood frozen. All he could see was that face—handsome, stern, suffocatingly imposing. His ears buzzed from the noise. It felt like the world had fallen silent under the weight of rain.

Then—

Chu Xuyu dropped his right hand onto the passenger seat, voice low and raspy:

“Other than me—”

“You had plans to meet someone else?”