Black-bellied vs. Black-bellied: Ultimate ShowdownCh27 - An Exchange of Benefits

Chapter 027: An Exchange of Benefits

After Qi Yu returned to his room, he remembered Fu Yansheng’s suggestion at the bar last night. He contacted Cheng Lijun, and bluntly told her that he would be hiring another assistant. He asked her to help draw up a recruitment post. She was to submit it to him for review, after which she was to post it to Mei Wei’s official website and major recruitment websites. paD70i

Cheng Lijun was stunned. “What would you have the assistant do? Actually, if you have any requirements, you can just tell me and I will…”

“Miss Cheng, do you not understand what I’m saying?” Qi Yu interrupted her again, and asked in a calm but ruthless tone, “Is there any reason that I need to report everything I do to you?”

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“I’m sorry,” Cheng Lijun reacted. “Please tell me your requirements for the assistant you want to hire.”

Qi Yu: “Between 20 and 30 years old, male, a master’s degree or above, with a major in economics, management or accounting is preferred, with or without work experience. His salary will be discussed during the interview.” HLIxsZ

Cheng Lijun gave a sound of affirmation and he hung up the phone.

Qi Yu originally thought that the other party would do it obediently. He didn’t expect that after he had just taken a bath, he would receive a call from Chief Qin.

“Xiao Qi, I am your Uncle Qin,” the man’s voice was mellow and kind, with a natural sense of closeness, “Are you at the hotel now?”

“En. Hello, Uncle Qin.” Over the phone, Qi Yu still abided by the basic etiquette of the juniors towards elders.

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Qin Hanyao was all smiles as he exchanged pleasantries with him before going to the main topic, “I just heard from Xiao Cheng that you want to hire a different assistant. What’s the matter? Did she not do her job well and upset you?”

Qi Yu’s lips said “no” but he raised objections in his heart.

Qin Hanyao, still on the other end of the phone, said, “It doesn’t matter. Just tell me directly what she didn’t do well and I’ll make the decision for you.”

Qi Yu laughed and explained, “Uncle Qin, I’m a guy, bringing with me a female secretary, it’s eventually going to get a little inconvenient.” 48hdID

“Ah, so this is the reason,” Qin Hanyao said clearly, “I didn’t consider that. Then I’ll have your secretary changed to a man.”

“No need for that, Uncle Qin,” Qi Yu immediately refused, “I still plan to hire an assistant myself.”

Qin Hanyao patiently said, “Did you not come this time to understand Mei Wei’s operating conditions? And you’re only staying for a couple of months. New recruits won’t know much about our company, and he might not be able to accomplish things as smoothly.”

“It’s okay. I’m not looking for someone who can do everything. I’m just looking an assistant to support me, help me deal with simple trivial matters. This way, I can also exercise my own ability to recognize talents.” Qi Yu remembered what Fu Yansheng told him and added, “Besides, for company matters, isn’t there still Miss Cheng? If there’s something I don’t understand, I can just ask her.” ExLpyh

Hearing that Qi Yu wasn’t completely rejecting Cheng Lijun, Qin Hanyao immediately eased his approach. “Looks like this child has his own ideas. Hehe, alright. Then I’ll let Lijun do as you’ve ordered.”

Putting away the phone, Qi Yu, wearing a bathrobe, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

The mirror-smooth glass reflected the young man’s long figure and incomparably handsome face. But there was no smile on that face, only a gloomy unwilliness to admit defeat.

*** jlUCdt

The following night, Qi Yu took Meng Wenhui and the two bodyguards to attend Si Hang’s dinner.

Meng Wenhui had already given them their respective identities. One was the son of an overseas retailer bigshot, and the other was a childhood friend Meng Wenhui’s he met while learning boxing.

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Qi Yu laughed upon hearing this. “If Qi Dage finds out you lent out his identity to a bodyguard, he’ll probably come chasing after you to settle account at next year’s Spring Festival celebration.”

The identity Meng Wenhui gave the first person to use was from the Qi family. Uncle Qi Shifeng had a son who was much older than them. Whenever they meet, the both call him Qi Dage. ciDBJ7

Meng Wenhui let out a “hehe”. “Qi Dage never goes back to China. As long as you don’t say and I don’t say, who’s gonna know?”

Qi Yu smiled and snorted.

Meng Wenhui asked him who they were going to see today.

Qi Yu said, “He’s the child of the other major shareholder of our Si Yuan Group. His name is Si Hang. There’s also probably going to be a bunch of his friends there.” Lp5oBR

When Meng Wenhui heard that there were also going to be a lot of other people, his face revealed eager excitement once again, as though Qi Yu wasn’t taking him to eat, drink and have fun, but to take part in a gang fight.

Clubhouse No. 88, Huaijin Road, Haicheng.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

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The black and gold marble floor reflects the crystal light hanging from the ceiling, making people feel like they were amidst a dazzling starry sky.

The inside was divided into an entertainment hall and private boxes. Meng Wenhui saw the dazzling game facilities and card tables in the hall through the glass. He was dazzled into being somewhat stunned.

“Wow, are the domestic entertainment venues hidden so deep? No wonder I couldn’t find them myself!”

Actually, it was also Qi Yu’s first time coming to this kind of place. He used to only deal with people like Xu Jing, people who as Si Hang said, were as clean as a piece of white paper. Vd1WUv

However, after seeing Si Hang’s behavior in West City last summer vacation, he was already mentally prepared for what kind of place Si Hang would choose to throw him a welcome dinner in. And so, he was able to face all this without batting an eyelid.

Si Hang had booked a private room. Qi Yu reported his name at the reception desk. After getting confirmation, the attendant politely and considerately guided them there.

In front of double doors carved with silver peonies, the attendant said, “It’s right through here.”

When Qi Yu appeared, Si Hang and his friends immediately kicked up a fuss. 98TdJa

“Ohhhhh! We’ve got a handsome brother here–!”

“Wow, Si Hang, these brothers of yours are lookin’ good!”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

……

The apathetic compliments mixed with the shouts of the boys and the pleasantly surprised gasps of the girls flooded towards Qi Yu. For a moment, Qi Yu felt like Xuanzang, surrounded by demons and monsters; any second now, he was going to be dragged down into the dark vortex. Bz9SCy

But at this moment, the group of demons inside the room saw Meng Wenhui who had been following closely behind Qi Yu…along with the two burly bodyguards. Instantly, their unbridled arrogance diminished by a considerable fraction.

“Hehe, welcome, welcome!” It was Si Hang who remained calm in the face of these events. Taking the lead, he got up and walked towards Qi Yu. The two hugged, and then Si Hang curiously asked the identities of the three behind him.

Qi Yu introduced him one by one according to Meng Wenhui’s arrangements.

Si Hang looked somewhat doubtfully at the two bodyguards. “These are all brothers you…grew up with sharing the same pair of trousers?” rPuRds

“Yes,” Qi Yu nodded. He patted Meng Wenhui on the shoulder and said, “Wenhui has been learning from a Chinese Yong Chun master since he was a child. He’s highly skilled in martial arts. We are all friends who grew up together.”

Meng Wenhui stretched out his heavily tattooed arm and smiled at Si Hang, saying, “Hello, hello. If we get the chance, we should exchange pointers.”

Si Hang: “……???”

After introducing both sides, Si Hang invited Meng Wenhui and the others to take a seat. Soon a lovely girl came to accompany them to drink and play cards. Meng Wenhui was very happy. Fa95TS

Qi Yu was today’s guest of honor. So naturally, he was pulled by Si Hang to sit in the middle. Next to him were Si Hang’s closest friends.

Among them, he had seen Zhu Lin and Qin Han. Xu Yizhou was also there, but he was sitting far away, as if waiting there to be sent out on an errand by Si Hang at any time. Seeing Qi Yu watching him, he smiled and waved at Qi Yu.

“I heard that you’ll be staying in Haicheng for two months this time?” Si Hang asked.

Qi Yu gave a “en” and took the drink from Si Hang, having a round with everyone. GL hUz

“That’s great, we can get together a lot more for the next couple of months!” Si Hang said enthusiastically.

“I’m afraid I don’t have much time,” Qi Yu pretended to find it embarrassing, “My dad arranged a lot of work for me during this trip back here.”

Si Hang pursed his lips, “Why is Uncle Qi being so strict with you?”

“But,” Qi Yu said, “My brother, Meng Wenhui, he doesn’t have anything planned. If it’s not too much trouble for you, could you take him out to have fun during our stay here?” CqbGdd

Seeing that Qi Yu had a favor to ask of him, Si Hang said, bold and uninhibited, “Alright, your brother is my brother. Just say the word.”

Qi Yu was slightly taken aback by the other’s natural attitude.

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——Did Si Hang like him asking him for help?

Qi Yu couldn’t help having Fu Yansheng’s principle of making friends flash through his mind. T jB7h

While making idle chit-chat with Si Hang, he calmly reflected on it.

He remembered that in West City last year, Si Hang had suggested that Xiao Ye take him to play games, which upset Qin Han, because Si Hang would not let Xiao Ye accompany Qin Han to play before. He remembered how before Si Hang went off to bed, he hadn’t forgotten to let Xu Yizhou arrange some entertainment for him. He even asked Xu Yizhou to settle the bill for his room. He remembered that in the bar that day, Si Hang asked his girlfriend Bei Bei to serve him…

Although some of the other party’s actions were outrageous and beyond what Qi Yu could accept, after careful consideration, Si Hang’s various behaviors all seemed to be…to please him?

Qi Yu had only paid attention to his own feelings before, and he felt that everything that Si Hang did made him uncomfortable. This was the first time he went out to calmly consider the logic behind the other’s behavior. OTpKbu

Could it be that in his heart, Si Hang still admired him for being a scholar-tyrant and was proud to have a friend like him?

“Si Hang, is there any hot food? I haven’t eaten dinner yet.” Qi Yu tried again.

“Yes!” Sihang hurriedly picked up the iPad next to him and smiled, “They’ve got everything here. What do you want to eat? I’ll order for you!”

Qi Yu smiled. “Then I’ll have a bowl of seafood porridge.” YQC9BE

“Is just seafood porridge enough? How about some crayfish? The Thirteen Spice here is also a must!”

“No need. It’s too troublesome to eat that.”

“You can ask the waiters here to peel it for you!”

“Then can you order some for me?” U9qyEc

“Okay!”

Watching Si Hang busying about for him, Qi Yu suddenly smiled.

Once the concept changed, Qi Yu found that getting along with Si Hang was no longer so unbearable.

He still didn’t like this person, but Si Hang was no longer without a single redeeming point to him — on the contrary, if he could grasp Si Hang’s temper and understand the other party’s needs, he could use him by satisfying those needs. KoZ20C

As Complex Number said, for people of their social class, friendships were essentially an exchange of interests.

Since it was an exchange of interests, it didn’t matter whether you were happy or not.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

The food that Si Hang ordered for him soon arrived. Shrimp dumplings, shumai, Golden Pork Belly, were piled up on over half of the table in front of Qi Yu.

Qi Yu ate a little bit, and then exchanged toasts with them. mxXYzS

The small stage a little ways off was where people took turns to sing. A beautiful girl went up and sang a Japanese song. After singing, she called out in Qi Yu’s direction, “Let’s welcome Qi Yu back to China!”

Everyone applauded and cheered upon hearing this. They made such a fuss that Qi Yu vaguely felt like he was the center of this world, and everyone was orbiting around him.

After the girl came down the stage, she sat down next to Si Hang and asked softly, “Si Hang, did I sing well?”

“What are you asking me for? You should ask Qi Yu,” Si Hang turned to look at Qi Yu. He asked with a smile on his face, “Do you think she sang well?” 42HcxZ

“Not bad.” Qi Yu smiled and glanced at the girl. Seeing that this was no longer the Bei Bei from last year, he couldn’t help asking Si Hang, “You changed girlfriends?”

Si Hang saw Qi Yu direct a rare smile at the girl, he couldn’t help but say, “If you’d like…”

“No need,” Qi Yu refused with a smile, “You can keep her for yourself.”

Si Hang: “……” GRed9w

The voices in the box all mixed together. Qi Yu took a cup and approached Si Hang, stuck close to him and said, “Thank you for your hospitality today.”

“What are you thanking me for!” A hint of embarrassment flashed across Si Hang’s face.

Qi Yu stretched out his arm and put it around his shoulders, feigning closeness. He said, “When I have some free time later on, I’ll come look for you to have some fun. You can then tell me all about the amusing things in your circle. That way I won’t be completely clueless when you guys talk and your friends won’t laugh at me.”

“Who would dare laugh at you while I’m around?” Si Hang snorted, and suddenly began to express his true feelings, “You’re such an outstanding student. I was afraid that you’d look down on me and wouldn’t want to hang out…” jkAHlO

Qi Yu, the corners of his lips hooking upwards, said, “How could that be?”

The phone buzzed in his pocket. Qi Yu took a look and saw that Complex Number had sent him a message.

F1S: “Xu Yizhou said he saw you. Where are you?”

Just as he was about to reply, there suddenly came a noise at the door. Someone shouted, “Si Hang, Weiye is here!” 2M4Xdr

Si Hang immediately got up to greet him. Qi Yu didn’t know who they were talking about. He narrowed his eyes and remained seated on the sofa, observing the newcomer.

The one who came was a young man about their age. Tall and big, with long, narrow eyes below thick eyebrows, his expression was full of insufferable arrogance.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Si Hang went over to him and exchanged a high-five. He opened his mouth to complain, “We agreed you were coming here at seven. What’s wrong with you?”

Listening to his familiar tone, it seemed that the relationship between the two was exceptionally good. ZirSWl

“Hehe, there was something at home just now, so I ran a little late.” The young man said and walked over with his long strides. When he saw Qi Yu sitting on the sofa, his eyes lit up, “Aiyo, Si Hang, where did you find this pretty little star?”

Everyone: “…”

The young man didn’t seem to realize that he had said something wrong. He stared at Qi Yu and said, “Does he belong to someone already?”

As soon as he spoke, Qi Yu’s two bodyguards stood up, staring at this loose-tongued young man with an ominous glint in their eyes. Rokeua

Si Hang only then reacted. He cursed out a “f*ck” and said, “Tang Weiye, can’t you watch your mouth! What little star!? This is Qi Yu, that friend that I told you about!”

Everyone heard Si Hang’s scolding and laughed loudly.

The tense atmosphere eased, and Si Hang quickly gave Qi Yu an introduction, “This is my one of my brothers, Tang Weiye. Don’t listen to his nonsense.” He yelled at Tang Weiye again, “You haven’t even apologized to Qi Yu yet!”

Hearing what Si Hang said, Tang Weiye didn’t reveal any disappointment or shame on his face, rather he was even more excited. Al4M61

“Sorry, sorry. My bad…” He walked over and took the glass of drink that Zhu Lin poured for him. His eyes though were staring fixedly at Qi Yu, betraying his evident interest. “I have eyes but could not see. Haha, let me down this drink!”

Qi Yu looked at this man with a smile that was yet not a smile, neither startled nor upset.

Seeing that he had finished off his drink, Qi Yu, like how a person of great moral stature does not remember the offenses committed by one of low moral stature, replied with an “en”.

———— ycVulE

【Little Theater】

Si Hang: These are your brothers you grew up sharing the same pair of trousers with?

7 fish (smiling): That’s right.

Si Hang: F*ck if I believe you! No way is a man that big fitting in your trousers! QAQ c31Y7j

————

Tang Wei Ye: Does he have a master already?

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The two bodyguards stood up.

Tang Wei Ye: F*ck, he’s even got two! i3dxaf

Translator's Note


Qin Hanyao, the chief of Mei Wei’s Haicheng Branch

Translator's Note


Big Brother; so in this case, it’s Big Brother Qi

Translator's Note


The other friend of Qi Yuancheng in America

Translator's Note


The monk in Journey to the West.

Translator's Note


These are the two who went to the US with Si Hang

Translator's Note


Si Hang’s secretary who’s actually an undercover agent

Translator's Note


The captain and star player of Si Hang’s e-sports team

Translator's Note


As in celebrity

Translator's Note


Technically, the word used here 有主了, could also mean having a significant other. However, given the setting, the speaker’s bearing, I chose the less respectful way of translating it.

Translator's Note


Just so it’s clear, he doesn’t mean biologically. Si Hang only has one biological brother, Si Ze

Translator's Note


He means as a sort of punishment

Translator's Note


Meaning magnanimously but also a bit condescendingly

Translator's Note


This was the more literal translation of ‘Does he belong to someone already?’

Leave a Comment

9 comments

  1. I think you may have inadvertently put a part of the main story into the Chief Qin screen tip? Thanks so much for translating this story btw! I love how different the brothers are despite being twins.

  2. Lololol with how much he refers back to fu’s teaching, better change the title to “mentored by my black bellied husband”