RMM -Chapter 164 The Uninvited Guest – Part 1

Xi Yuechen stared at his phone, which was constantly flashing. The incoming call displayed Long Ge’s name.

“Hello, Long Ge.”

On the other end, Long Ge sounded in high spirits. “Brother Cheng, I’ve got some good news for you!”

Xi Yuechen’s eyes flickered, a trace of surprise in his voice, tinged with anticipation. “What good news?”

In a teasingly cheerful tone, Long Ge played it coy. “Take a guess. Anyway, it’s good news.”

Xi Yuechen fell silent for a moment, thinking it over. Then a thought struck him, and he slowly asked, “Could it be… Bai Ge is back?”

Hearing the hesitation in Xi Yuechen’s voice, Long Ge laughed heartily. “Yeah, that’s right! Your chance has come. Big Brother is coming back tomorrow.”

Xi Yuechen, already expecting this answer, was not overly surprised. His expression remained calm, yet his voice betrayed a joy that didn’t quite match his stoic features. “That’s great!”

“Yeah, get ready. Make sure nothing goes wrong tomorrow,” Long Ge reminded him, still mindful despite his happiness.

“Yes, yes. I will. You still don’t trust me?” Xi Yuechen chuckled lightly. “But, I do have to thank you.”

“Don’t be so formal. We’re brothers. No need to be so distant!”

Long Ge’s voice was bright and cheerful. Bai Xiong’s return pleased him greatly. He still held deep respect for the big brother who had helped him rise, but at this moment, his main concern was helping Xi Yuechen earn Bai Ge’s recognition.

After all, this concerned Xi Yuechen’s future. How could Long Ge not care? And he didn’t see it as betraying his big brother—Cheng Yue was talented. Bringing him into the Yanmen organization would benefit its development, right? Big Brother had always valued talent. Moreover, Cheng Yue was Yanmen’s breakthrough into the mainland market. Opportunities like this were rare.

So, Long Ge, quietly paving the way for Xi Yuechen, felt no guilt. He was acting for the greater good of Yanmen—and incidentally securing a little advantage for himself.

“All right, that’s it for now. Wait for my call tomorrow.”

The call ended abruptly—Long Ge was probably busy. Xi Yuechen didn’t feel the need to wonder what that could be; he knew Long Ge’s idea of being busy probably involved nothing more than indulging in pleasure and merriment.

Setting down the phone, Xi Yuechen’s gaze drifted out the window. He seemed a bit lost in thought, his expression carrying a hint of loneliness.

He was waiting for Bai Xiong’s return. Long Ge didn’t want him wandering about, so Xi Yuechen had stayed in L City all these days, keeping only phone contact with the Action Team. He hadn’t even gone to see them once.

Given the current situation, even if Long Ge hadn’t warned him, Xi Yuechen wouldn’t have risked going there. He was cautious by nature, and things had only just begun to fall into place. How could he take unnecessary risks now?

Because of this, Xi Yuechen had settled into the life of a homebody. Aside from Long Ge occasionally calling him out, he basically stayed at home every day.

Xi Yuechen was the type of person who could adapt to any environment. Living alone posed no problem at all. Yet he noticed a change in his mindset. Previously, even if he were alone for a long time, he would remain indifferent, handling things as they came. Now, however, a subtle, inexplicable feeling would occasionally rise in his heart—light, but pervasive.

In short, this delicate feeling often left Xi Yuechen lost in thought, a subtle melancholy filling him.

For someone usually as indifferent as Xi Yuechen, the only person capable of occupying his thoughts so persistently was Su Ruo, who was staying in Beijing for her pregnancy.

With a long sigh, he drew back his wandering thoughts, his gaze lowering in determination. He focused on planning for tomorrow, running through all possible scenarios in his mind, making every preparation for the best outcome.

He had a rough understanding of Bai Xiong’s personality. Not detailed, but enough to devise a series of plans targeting him, covering all contingencies.

Time passed unknowingly. When Xi Yuechen finally relaxed his furrowed brows and looked out the window again, dusk had fallen.

He was not surprised; though the planning had taken time, it was not wasted.

Rising, he stretched and slipped on a coat, heading out to find food.

Though he had been staying here for some time, Xi Yuechen had never once cooked in the kitchen, not even considering it.

Cooking for himself? That was not Xi Yuechen’s style—he had no leisure or inclination for it. In daily life, he had only ever cooked for Su Ruo. Other than that, the kitchen was merely part of the house layout, not a necessity.

Though L City was the capital of D Province, it lacked the hustle and bustle of bigger cities. In the evening, the streets were quiet, especially in deep winter. Pedestrians were few, bundled in heavy coats, walking quickly.

It had yet to acquire the crowded chaos of a major city. Life moved at a slower pace, and people were not entirely consumed by ambition. Ordinary life retained its warmth—the sounds and smells of cooking, the essence of daily existence.

Xi Yuechen’s feet crunched over fallen leaves, scattered by the cold wind, in a rhythmic cadence.

As for tomorrow, whether he was confident or naturally unflappable, Xi Yuechen showed no trace of anxiety, no emotional fluctuation at all.

The next day, Xi Yuechen rose early as usual: washing up, heading downstairs, morning exercises, breakfast—all in orderly fashion.

By the time Bai Xiong arrived in L City, it was around 3 PM. As he neared, his entourage contacted Long Ge’s group, who remained in L City, telling them to wait at the usual place.

This was routine; every time it was like this. Even though Bai Xiong seldom traveled in recent years, the tradition had not changed.

The “usual place” referred to the hotel where they frequently gathered. Each time they met there, never changing location, hence the term.

Upon receiving the call, Long Ge’s eyes lit up. He immediately called Xi Yuechen, telling him to hurry over and join, making sure he wasn’t late.

Although Long Ge arranged everything with precision, he still felt a twinge of unease. Since Yanmen’s operations had normalized, everyone’s life had improved, and their temperaments shifted somewhat. Big Brother’s demeanor had changed too, but differently from theirs. He now resembled a deep well: calm on the surface, but containing unknown depths, making him unpredictable.

Someone who had once tasted blood on the blade—though he had now sheathed his claws—could he truly be harmless? Even if he smiled daily, he was still a smiling tiger.

Long Ge felt some uncertainty about acting on his own initiative. Big Brother had previously appreciated Cheng Yue. Would he really get angry just because Long Ge brought him to a gathering?

Whatever—if he got angry, so be it. It wouldn’t punish Long Ge. You never know success without trying.

Thinking this, his mind relaxed. Lighting a cigarette, he squinted and exhaled smoke, daydreaming of a brighter future.

Xi Yuechen hung up and stepped out of the house. He had long been ready; now it was simply time to go.

From descending the stairs to starting the car, Xi Yuechen remained calm, moving efficiently. But unlike usual, a faint, almost imperceptible curve of mockery appeared on his lips, his eyes cold and detached.

Long Ge was impressed with Xi Yuechen’s speed and, instead of driving his own car, slid into the passenger seat of Xi Yuechen’s car, directing him where to go.

Xi Yuechen’s eyes flashed with displeasure as Long Ge sat down. His expression darkened.

Long Ge turned and saw it, startled. After all this time, he had never seen Xi Yuechen display such an expression. His face… so cold?

Before Long Ge could react further, Xi Yuechen returned to his usual calm, having noticed Long Ge’s reaction. He suppressed his inner feelings, exhaled a long sigh without panic.

Long Ge regained his composure, curiosity piqued by the sigh. “Brother Cheng, what’s wrong? Something troubling you?”

Xi Yuechen started the car, letting out a wry, helpless smile. “Long Ge, life is full of frustrations. It never gives you peace.”

Long Ge frowned. “What happened? Mind telling me?”

Not surprising—Xi Yuechen rarely showed negativity in front of him. He was always courteous, confident, and composed.

Xi Yuechen’s eyes briefly flickered with impatience but he forced himself to respond.

“Today, my subordinates in S City called. Apparently, someone could no longer restrain themselves and repeatedly targeted my company. They’re coming at us hard. It seems my rivals, noticing I wasn’t around, thought they could swallow my company. Hmph—something I’ve worked so hard to build isn’t theirs to take so easily.”

Long Ge, understanding the gist, frowned in disapproval. “Outrageous! Attacking just because you’re away—how despicable!”

Whether true or not, Long Ge was angry, feeling he was defending Xi Yuechen. But who cared?

“Business is like that. One careless moment and you could be obliterated. They seem well-informed, knowing I wouldn’t return quickly,” Xi Yuechen said, a cold smile on his face, his expression overlapping with the one earlier, making it seem justified.

Long Ge grew concerned. “How’s the company? Is everything okay?”

He genuinely worried; Cheng Yue’s company in S City was the foundation for his dealings with Yanmen. Losing it would jeopardize future operations.

Seeing Long Ge’s worry, Xi Yuechen smiled calmly. “Don’t worry. If I couldn’t handle this, how could I cooperate with Yanmen? I knew this could happen and already had plans. Hearing the news suddenly just makes me angry at their audacity.”

Long Ge relaxed and laughed. “Good, good! Brother Cheng, you really are extraordinary. Since you’re prepared, don’t let this distract you. Focus on the task at hand.”

“Yes, I will,” Xi Yuechen replied with a modest smile.