158: Who taught you?

Chu Yilan woke up with a sudden feeling of panic.

He immediately sat upright, assessing his surroundings.

It was his office, alright.

Chu Yilan couldn't help but frown, unsure of the source of his irritation. He opened his phone, which showed a message sent by Shen Lian five minutes ago.

There were photos of Braised Chicken with Rice, the set layout, and a close-up selfie.

The heaviness in Chu Yilan's heart instantly dissipated.

His fingertip gently traced Shen Lian's face on the screen.

Hu Kailan occasionally urged Shen Lian to do promotional work. Shen Lian was handsome and willful, usually taking photos after a shower in a well-lit spot, creating a nine-panel grid. His expressions were either generous or flamboyant, but the captivating hook in his eyes was never shown to outsiders.

But when facing Chu Yilan, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say his eyes were intensely seductive.

Chu Yilan didn't care about the brief panic, as worrying wouldn't solve the problem. His way of regaining security was simple: repeatedly strengthening the protective defenses around the person he cherished. Sun Binghe being there was a huge guarantee.

Chu Yilan replied half-jokingly: [Did the Braised Chicken with Rice soothe your pain?]

Shen Lian replied quickly: [No, I'm afraid I'll never forget it.]

Chu Yilan couldn't help but chuckle softly. Even now, what he was thinking was, "It's unnecessary."

A few days later, Chu Yilan was invited to a business reception, and coincidentally, Ming Lin was also present due to the daughter of Kangsheng Pharmaceutical.

Feng Yueshan and Zhou Yuanlin arrived first. As Chu Yilan approached, he heard Feng Yueshan grit his teeth: “I'm going to beat him to death!”

Chu Yilan was curious: “Beat who to death?”

Feng Yueshan and Zhou Yuanlin snapped their heads around when they heard him.

At that moment, Chu Yilan felt like some kind of air purifier.

A strange feeling crept into his heart. Chu Yilan frowned: “What are you doing?”

Feng Yueshan: “Washing my eyes!”

“Holy crap, what's wrong with your cousin?” Zhou Yuanlin looked exasperated.

Ming Lin hadn't noticed Chu Yilan's arrival. He was basking in the complimentary and envious praise of those around him, raising his wine glass to toast in return. His black suit, the familiar brand of tie and cufflinks, his hand casually tucked in his pocket, and even the way his brows were lowered—all made those who knew Chu Yilan feel a chill down their spines.

Master Chu observed the entire scene this time.

“…”

Chu Yilan was emotionally detached from his relatives. Aside from business tactics, ordinary happiness was a luxury to him. Therefore, before he fell for Shen Lian, as many people feared him as mocked him for being a solitary man. Chu Yilan didn't say it, but his attitude towards Shen Lian proved that he cared about these things. Thus, Chu Yilan didn't understand why someone would imitate his cold, purely aesthetic exterior.

“Master Chu.”

“CEO Chu is here!”

The people surrounding Ming Lin scattered instantly. They were giving face to the Kangsheng boss, but they didn't truly value Ming Lin. Compared to the leader of Qudu, Ming Lin was still far behind.

Ming Lin looked displeased. Meeting Chu Yilan's gaze, he initially felt confident because his father had told him he was no worse than Chu Yilan.

But Ming Lin would never know what Chu Yilan had been through.

Those dark, deep eyes were carved from the exact same mold as the person Ming Lin respected and feared the most. That kind of inescapable genetic inheritance was precisely what Ming Lin most desperately desired but could not obtain.

This confrontation was like sharp blades attacking each other.

Ming Lin was quickly cut.

The moment Chu Yilan slightly frowned, he involuntarily shifted his gaze away.

“Defective product.” Feng Yueshan's tone was deep: “Did he teach himself? Or did someone teach him?”

Yes, Chu Yilan was also thinking: Who taught him?

“So you two are brothers again?” Chu Yilan turned his head, his eyes smiling, scanning Feng Yueshan and Zhou Yuanlin back and forth.

After all, CEO Zhou had been cursing in the group chat two days ago, saying he would twist off Feng Yueshan's head, that their brotherhood was over for this lifetime, and that only one of them would survive their next meeting.

“Right here.” Feng Yueshan pointed to his side waist: “When we met yesterday, he gave me a flying kick that sent me to the hospital.”

Chu Yilan: “…”

This time, Feng Yueshan wasn't exaggerating. Zhou Yuanlin found it hard to contain his hostility whenever he remembered being on Sun Binghe's death list.

Although Feng Yueshan was drunk at the time, why betray him and not someone else?

So, that kick wasn't held back; it genuinely injured Feng Yueshan.

Young Master Feng couldn't move his waist and cried out miserably, “Aiya, aiya, aiya.” After the Western doctor finished the examination, he suggested seeing a traditional Chinese doctor, so last night, he went for acupuncture and massage for two hours.

Zhou Yuanlin accompanied him and also received a blood-circulating back massage. Amidst their alternating cries of agony, the two re-established their brotherhood. Feng Yueshan guaranteed on his life that he would defend Zhou Yuanlin to the death whenever Sun Binghe was present.

Anyway, he had plenty of low-limit report cards, which he would plaster all over Assistant Sun's face!

Ming Lin's imitation was passable when the original was absent, but once the original was present, it became extremely awkward.

Especially Chu Yilan's indifferent and severe demeanor—it was something ordinary people couldn't possess without extensive tempering. Since everyone present was discerning, after a few minutes, Ming Lin felt like a clown.

He felt cold all over, partly from anger and partly from awkwardness. Yet, even so, Ming Lin couldn't break through that line of defense, not even to step forward honorably and speak a single word to Chu Yilan in his own capacity.

Ming Lin's soul was being kneaded and twisted, yet he himself found it hard to notice.

Chu Yilan remained outwardly calm, but internally, a surge of emotion was rising.

He had almost forgotten that there was once a person who tirelessly sought out substitutes and created replicas, as if tormenting the original person wasn't enough; he needed a constant outlet for his rage.

As soon as this thought surfaced, Chu Yilan felt hot blood explode in his chest, rushing rapidly through his limbs and body. That dark, sickening emotion from the past resurfaced so quickly that only two words remained in his mind: revenge.

Chu Yilan shivered slightly.

It was caused by excitement.

Reality and his inner world began to strongly separate. The surrounding scene seemed to tremble and sway under this influence. To prevent losing control, Chu Yilan quickly gulped down a mouthful of strong liquor.

“Holy cow, are you drinking that like water?” Feng Yueshan exclaimed.

Chu Yilan put down his glass and strode toward Ming Lin.

Ming Lin was startled by Chu Yilan's imposing presence, but he forced himself to remain calm. “Cousin, you…”

“Shh.” Chu Yilan spread his five fingers, pressing them onto Ming Lin's face like a spider web. Because of the force used, and because Ming Lin dared not resist, he leaned backward, eventually resting his elbows on a table, holding a strange pose while being scrutinized by Chu Yilan.

Chu Yilan stared directly into Ming Lin's eyes, his gaze sharp as a wind blade, seemingly capable of slicing away every hidden crease and corner to find something familiar.

Are you not dead?

Chu Yilan thought.

Ming Lin's soul was screaming. Only in a direct confrontation could he recognize reality.

“Chu, Chu Yilan, don't bully people…”

“Are you a dog?” Chu Yilan interrupted coldly. “Do you think wagging your tail will get you a bone? Change your tie and cufflinks. You are not worthy to be my defective product.”

Ming Lin's pupils contracted, followed by a surge of deep humiliation.