Mr. Bo, Madam Is Pregnant!
Chapter 278: Quite Fond

Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Quite Fond

"Xiao Xi is upstairs?"

When Zhao Tong heard that voice, he turned and saw Jiang Li standing outside the first-floor lobby. He hadn’t come into the lobby to enjoy the air conditioning and sit on the sofa; instead, he was waiting outside, and it was probably because... Zhao Tong saw the pile of cigarette butts at his feet, which should be the answer to why Jiang Li didn’t enter the lobby.

Ying Xi’s apartment complex was a high-end establishment with strict management, where smoking was prohibited in all public areas.

Although Zhao Tong didn’t know the specifics of what had happened, he was clear that Ying Xi was feeling so down and dejected because of Jiang Li.

So, when he heard Jiang Li’s voice, Zhao Tong actually felt a bit fiery.

But upon turning and seeing Jiang Li’s appearance, he felt like his anger might be unnecessary.

This is just the way people are, feeling sympathy for the weaker party; seeing the state Ying Xi was in, Zhao Tong naturally felt sorry for his old friend.

But seeing Jiang Li looking like neither human nor ghost, Zhao Tong couldn’t bring himself to criticize him.

He just didn’t know what exactly had happened between the two.

With a furrow of his brows, Zhao Tong nodded heavily, "Yeah."

"Whew..." Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good."

Seeing him as if finally reassured, Zhao Tong couldn’t help but frown.

"Xiao Xi is alright? I saw you just ordered him some food? It’s all barbecue and alcohol; isn’t he eating properly?" Jiang Li asked, his tone laden with a request, "How about I buy him some nutritious and light food, and just say it’s from you, okay?"

"That’s... fine." Zhao Tong didn’t refuse, but he couldn’t help himself, "But you..."

"Hm? What?" A gust of wind suddenly blew from outside the lobby, bringing with it a cloud of dust that irritated Jiang Li’s eyes. He raised his hand to rub them, and his eyes reddened a bit, looking like a change in weather was coming.

Afraid that he might not hear Zhao Tong clearly because he hadn’t been resting properly, which caused some tinnitus, Jiang Li leaned in closer, "What did you say?"

Zhao Tong took a good while to mull it over, on the verge of speaking out but hesitating, yet finally he couldn’t hold back and asked, "Did you and Ying Xi break up?"

"Cough cough cough cough!" Jiang Li choked on his breath, suddenly coughing violently. His pale face—due to lack of rest—now flushed red from coughing. Finally catching his breath, he asked, "What did you say? Break up? Xiao... Xiao Xi, he... did he tell you that?"

"He hasn’t said anything to me. But looking at the both of you, to be honest, in your current state? Not to mention Ying Xi’s state? You both seem like you’ve gone through a breakup. Can’t blame me for thinking too much, right? So, is it?" Zhao Tong scratched his head.

In his youth, Zhao Tong had a stubborn streak, but deep down he was straightforward, which is why he got along with Lie Ying’s people. Among men, they prefer to be frank with each other.

Jiang Li, lost in thought, shook his head, "No, that’s not it. But... how come we give off that impression to you?"

Scratching his head with even more confusion, Zhao Tong said, "It’s just... mainly because Ying Xi told me that you..."

"Like men." Jiang Li filled in when Zhao Tong didn’t continue.

He had never really intended to hide that part of himself, so it wasn’t exactly a secret.

Zhao Tong nodded, "And then, you’ve been so good to Ying Xi for so many years, and he... I feel like... he..."

It became even harder for Zhao Tong to continue; not knowing exactly how to phrase it, he stammered for a moment and then said, "I think he treats you quite differently; it doesn’t seem like you’re just ordinary friends. Maybe I’m mistaken?"

Jiang Li didn’t say anything—so it was no wonder his dad had said that; his dad also thought he and Ying Xi had something going on.

Zhao Tong let out a light sigh, "I think... Ah Xi is quite fond of you."

Jiang Li offered Zhao Tong a cigarette, and the latter took it, twirling it between his fingers but not lighting it, mainly because Zhao Tong found it hard to have a bad attitude towards Jiang Li. Over the years, as Ying Xi’s good friend, he actually received quite a bit of care from Jiang Li.

The same went for Lie Ying’s people, although at least they were part of Jiang Li’s company. But Zhao Tong had benefited so much just because he was Ying Xi’s friend.

Now, Zhao Tong couldn’t bring himself to be harsh on Jiang Li.

Zhao Tong: "It’s like this..."

Jiang Li: "Mhm, go on."

"It’s just, Ying Xi plans to terminate his contract with Lie Ying. He’s found a lawyer, someone my brother recommended. The lawyer is quite well-known in the industry and should be able to keep his losses to a minimum. But I think... no matter what’s happened between you two, you used to be so close, and also, Ah Xi’s dedication to Lie Ying over the years is clear for all to see. If possible, I think it’s better to resolve this through a conversation rather than in court, don’t you think?"

Zhao Tong’s words left Jiang Li silent, his gaze downcast for a good while, not speaking.

Moments later, he licked his cracked lips, evidently finding it hard to speak, "He wants... to terminate his contract with Lie Ying?"

"Mhm."

"His... entire career has been with Lie Ying." The words grew more difficult for Jiang Li.

He had seen firsthand how Ying Xi had been with Lie Ying since he was a teenager, how he had fought for the team, and even after injuries, he stayed loyal. If Jiang Li guessed correctly, Ying Xi had planned to retire with Lie Ying.

To remain faithful, finishing with a sense of completion.

And now, he was looking to terminate his contract.

"Yeah, so can you consider his career with Lie Ying and avoid the embarrassment of going to court?" Zhao Tong asked.

Jiang Li struggled to offer a small smile and then nodded lightly, "I understand. Don’t worry."

"That’s good to hear." Zhao Tong breathed a sigh of relief, "But, you two have been so close, I really never imagined there would be a day when you’d abruptly part ways, never to deal with each other again."

Jiang Li’s breathing paused, "It’s my fault."

Zhao Tong was silent; at this stage, dwelling on who was at fault wouldn’t make much difference.

A little while later, the barbecue and beer Zhao Tong ordered arrived.

Zhao Tong stopped the delivery guy, taking the set of barbecue and beer, and said to Jiang Li, "These aren’t too healthy, let’s just eat and drink them, and let Ying Xi have the light nutritious meal you ordered."

Jiang Li smiled without refusal, joining Zhao Tong to sit by the fountain in front of the building.

He opened a bottle of beer and passed it to Zhao Tong before cracking one open for himself to drink.

Zhao Tong couldn’t bring himself to be angry, and after a sip of cold beer, he comfortably sighed.

"Ah Xi is really in a bad state right now. He’s locked himself in this apartment, just upstairs in this one." Zhao Tong pointed his hand toward the tall building, "Inside, there’s nothing, just basic furnishings, white ceiling, gray walls, marble floor; he threw down a latex mattress and called it living."

Jiang Li frowned.