Chapter 80: Seeing Ji Qiubai Again
The car arrived at the exterior of a manor.
A group of people parked the car and accompanied Fang Yu to the front gate.
As Fang Yu just stepped through the gate, a thirty-year-old man in a Zhongshan suit briskly walked out, said nothing, and directly hugged Fang Yu.
"Brother! We meet again!" The man in the Zhongshan suit spoke in a deep voice, slightly excited, and then scrutinized Fang Yu, "Eight years, I thought I would never see you again. Ever since you left without saying goodbye, I've been thinking about you."
The young men behind him, upon seeing the man in the Zhongshan suit, simultaneously bowed respectfully and said, "Boss Ji."
This man hugging Fang Yu, dressed sharply, with a gentlemanly demeanor, mature and steady, was Ji Qiubai, a major figure in Jiangzhou and also Fang Yu's good brother from the past.
Eight years.
The intense enthusiasm Ji Qiubai showed left the young men in the courtyard shocked. Ji Qiubai, who held the power of life and death over others, was so close to an ordinary-looking young man.
Ji Qiubai was mature, among the brothers, including Fang Yu, he was always clever and flexible. Through their efforts, the brothers carved out their own domain in Jiangzhou.
"Brother, it's good that you're back. Finally, our brothers are together again," Ji Qiubai said excitedly.
Fang Yu, who had been silent all along, asked in return, "Are we really all here?"
Ji Qiubai's expression faltered slightly and he sighed, "Brother, I will avenge Ye Fei."
Fang Yu raised his eyes, looked into Ji Qiubai's eyes, and remembered another brother who died on a dark night by the river, stripped of clothes, his body bloated and pale from being in the water, causing a pang of pain in Fang Yu's heart.
Ji Qiubai sighed softly, gently patted Fang Yu's shoulder, and said nothing.
"What are you all standing around for? Come and meet my brother," Ji Qiubai suddenly turned around, angrily called out to the group of underlings outside the villa.
The underlings were startled, quickly lined up, and bent over saying, "Brother Yu!"
The grand welcome made Fang Yu, an ordinary individual, feel uneasy; he merely nodded symbolically.
Looking at the luxury cars, the villa, and the respectful underlings, Fang Yu already knew they were completely people of two different worlds.
"It's been many years, you've become wealthier than before," Fang Yu said sincerely.
"You're joking, brother," Ji Qiubai smiled lightly, "Come, I have specially prepared a good meal and fine wine."
He then led Fang Yu into the villa.
The luxurious architecture, extravagant art pieces, and valuable antiques – entering the villa, Fang Yu felt as if he had stepped into the world of the wealthy.
Following Ji Qiubai into the hall, he personally pulled out a chair for Fang Yu.
"We brothers haven't seen each other for eight years, we must drink to our hearts' content this time," he said, opening a bottle of wine and filling the glasses.
Facing a table full of delicacies, Fang Yu sat down.
Holding his wine glass, Fang Yu didn't clink glasses with Ji Qiubai but instead flicked his wrist, spilling the wine.
"What are you doing?" Ji Qiubai asked in surprise.
Fang Yu put down the empty wine glass, unhurriedly lit a cigarette, blew out a smoke ring, and asked, "It's just the two of us here, didn't you say our brothers were all here?"
Ji Qiubai was slightly stunned and said, "Yan Hu has gone out for business; he will be back later."
"I wasn't talking about him." Fang Yu said. He of course knew Yan Hu had always had a good relationship with Ji Qiubai.
Yan Hu was simple-minded, focused only on getting the job done. During the old days of fighting together, he never asked for anything in return. Fang Yu knew Ji Qiubai would never harm Yan Hu.
"Are you talking about Zeng Qiji?" Ji Qiubai asked.
Fang Yu nodded, raising his voice, "Does Zeng Qiji count as our brother!"
"Of course he does!" Ji Qiubai also responded loudly, his voice resounding powerfully.
"Since that's the case, then why is he working odd jobs at the horse track?" Fang Yu was furious.
The atmosphere paused, turning eerie.
Fang Yu's expression turned cold as he said, "What promise did the five of us brothers make? To share weal and woe and face hardships together. Now, you live in a luxurious villa, drive expensive cars, and have countless subordinates following your orders. And what about little Zeng?"
Ji Qiubai's face changed slightly as he looked at the emotional Fang Yu and abruptly said, "Ye Fei's death is not just your pain. Don't I also feel it? Every Qingming Festival, besides me and Yan Hu, who goes to visit the grave? You keep saying you care for your brothers, yet you've never once visited the gravesite. You're unworthy of being called a brother!"
"Zeng was skilled in equestrian, and these years at the horse track, he's been like a fish in water, flourishing well. Only you — you left without saying goodbye. What right do you have to reproach me?" Ji Qiubai was obviously angry too.
"A fine 'flourishing'!" Fang Yu said coldly, "Your idea of flourishing is letting him be beaten and scolded?"
Hearing this, Ji Qiubai's face suddenly turned colder and flashed a hint of harshness as he said, "Are you serious?"
Fang Yu did not respond, continuing to coldly stare at the table full of food without touching anything.
At that moment—
Bang!
Ji Qiubai slammed the table hard and coldly shouted towards the door, "Someone come in!"
A young man dressed in a black suit respectfully walked in, bowing as he said, "Boss."
"Call Yan Hao in charge of the horse track!"
"Yes!" The young man in the black suit turned and left.
Seeing that Fang Yu's emotions had calmed a bit, Ji Qiubai grimly poured a drink and downed it dryly, saying, "If what you say is true, I, Ji Qiubai, will personally apologize to you! It's not easy for us brothers. Now that you've come back. Finally, we brothers can conquer the world together!"
Fang Yu then said, "Zeng works under you; as long as he doesn't suffer, nothing else matters to me, and I'm quite satisfied with my job now."
Ji Qiubai surprisedly said, "What job in Jiangzhou could be more appealing than joining me in conquering the world?"
"I've never had grand ambitions, and I just want to work peacefully and live out my life. As for conquering the world, I've outgrown that age," Fang Yu replied lightly.
"Living out your life? That doesn't sound like you. We brothers made a promise to share weal and woes. Now that you're back, I can share everything I own, half-and-half!" Ji Qiubai said earnestly.
"Brother Ji, you jest. When I fought alongside you back in the day, it was nothing like your current glory. These riches and positions are what you deserve; I wouldn't be so shameless as to reap what I did not sow," Fang Yu said with a bitter smile.
"Among brothers, what does wealth count for!" Ji Qiubai said righteously.
Fang Yu shook his head again, "Enough said. If you really consider me a brother, let me do what I wish."
"Fang Yu, with your abilities, it isn't hard to make a name for yourself in Jiangzhou. Are you truly content to live mediocrely? If you return, I'd even step down as the boss for you to take over!" Ji Qiubai said.
"Brother Ji, don't bring this up again. After all these years as brothers, don't you know my character?"
Hearing this, Ji Qiubai sighed.
"Alright. You haven't changed in this regard."
Fang Yu nodded.
At this moment, the young man in the black suit returned to the dining table and bending over said, "Boss Ji, I have brought Miracle here, Brother Hao said he will arrive shortly by car."
Slap!
Ji Qiubai suddenly raised his hand and harshly slapped the young man in the black suit, his eyes cold as he said, "You fool, do you think you have the right to call him Miracle?"
"Ah... Bo... Boss..."
"Call him Brother Zeng!"
"Bro... Brother Zeng…" The young man covered his face, stars flashing before his eyes, trembling with fear.
Outside, the small-framed Zeng Qiji slowly walked in.