Chapter 187: Brothers? Are They Really That Important?

Ji Ya wore a smile on her lips as she took the stick handed over by Su Xiaolin, holding it in her palm and tapping it lightly.

The words "You brat, prepare to get beaten up" seemed practically written across her face.

Lin Yu felt as though his heartbeat had momentarily stopped.

The atmosphere felt somewhat off.

My dear brothers, shall I take my leave first?

No need to see me off, just remember to burn some joss paper for me next year.

However, his sharp little brain spun rapidly, and he soon hit upon a very serious problem.

He hadn't even started drinking yet! How could he possibly be beaten up?

Even if it were a matter of imprisonment or execution, catching someone in the act was the only logical way, right?

Wasn't he just heading downstairs for a stroll to build up his physique? What was wrong with that? Did that warrant a beating?

Before he could voice his sophistry, he saw two other people getting out of the car.

They looked very familiar.

Mm.

After a quick glance of mutual confirmation, yes—they were the managers of Wang Fei and Si Shaozhe!

He was totally doomed.

A chill ran through his heart, and he prepared to turn tail and run.

As he turned around, he bumped right into his two brothers and saw three bodyguards in suits and sunglasses standing behind them, looking fierce with their arms crossed and electric batons tucked at their waists.

Judging by that aura alone, one didn't need to guess much to know that if any of the three dared to take a single step, they would end up with blooming rear ends.

All three of them instantly lost their composure.

Was this really necessary? They were just catching them, weren't they? Was it truly necessary to call in three hulking brutes?!

When the four of them appeared here simultaneously, the three of them could practically drop to their knees right then and there!

There was no need, truly no need to spend money on hiring bodyguards!

"Uh... what's the verdict?"

Si Shaozhe's body shuddered; he couldn't control the urge to drop straight to his knees.

Wang Fei glared at him.

No need to rush into kneeling!! Stand up!!

A man has gold beneath his knees, can you show some backbone?

Though that was what he thought, deep down he felt just as clueless.

Run?

His legs felt weak, and his throat grew dry.

Running away meant an extra five hours of vocal training!

After a moment of thought, Wang Fei and Si Shaozhe both turned their gazes toward Lin Yu.

"Military strategist, what's the play now?"

"Wait for death or die immediately?"

Lin Yu: ...

Huh? I have no idea! Besides, even if I get dragged back, I only have black silk stockings waiting to serve me.

As for getting beaten up, that's something you guys have to endure; I'm not afraid at all!

The two of them were still hoping to find some form of salvation from Lin Yu.

Unfortunately, Lin Yu merely spread his hands in a helpless gesture, as if to say, *What can I do? I'm quite desperate myself.*

Si Shaozhe and Wang Fei instantly felt a deep sense of despair.

We're dead, we're totally dead!

Sure enough!

A-Jie walked over with a dark expression on her face. Without a word, she grabbed Si Shaozhe by the ear and dragged him straight toward the hotel...

Si Shaozhe cried out at the top of his lungs.

"A-Jie, don't!!"

"Save me! Good brother!!"

Wang Fei and Lin Yu averted their eyes at the exact same time.

Good brothers when it's time to drink, but when trouble strikes and disaster looms, everyone flies solo!

Wang Fei in particular couldn't even protect himself, so how could he possibly have the time to save you?!

Brother Jun looked at Wang Fei with a smile. Though he didn't say a word, Wang Fei had already guessed that he wouldn't be able to escape those five hours of vocal training.

At this very moment, his inner monologue was: *My corpse feels a bit chilly, I'd like to find a nice spot to lie down...*

Ji Ya kept her hands behind her back as she looked at Lin Yu, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

But that was the calm before the storm!

"Young man, judging by your shady, sneaking-around appearance, were you thinking of sneaking out for a drink?"

"How truly disappointing. And here I made a special trip just to come and celebrate your promotion."

A deep look of disappointment washed over Ji Ya's face.

She let out a long sigh, looking genuinely helpless.

Moreover, judging by her tone, it certainly sounded like she intended to dish out some punishment.

The two managers, who had been dragging their respective artists away, stopped in their tracks and turned around to watch the gossip unfold.

Oh ho.

Could it be that the scoundrel Lin was finally going to face divine retribution?!

Though the four of them never spoke of it explicitly, they all knew the score clearly in their hearts!

Lin Yu frequently emerged from Ji Ya's hotel room in the dead of night.

And he didn't even bother to avoid suspicion.

Anyone with even a shred of discernment could tell that the relationship between these two was far from simple!

Noticing that the managers had turned into gossip spectators, Wang Fei and Si Shaozhe felt reassured enough to pull out their phones.

How could they not record this plotline of the year to laugh about for the next twelve months?

Lin Yu scratched his head awkwardly, momentarily at a loss for how to respond to Ji Ya's question.

Sigh...

What on earth should he do?

He had gone and disappointed the beautiful CEO.

Should he have her wear black silk stockings or white silk stockings for his massage tonight to smooth things over?

Banishing the pool of mischievous thoughts from his mind, Lin Yu smiled warmly and prepared to sweet-talk her.

"Boss, you must be starving after just getting off the plane. Shall I take you somewhere good to eat?"

Ji Ya didn't answer his question; instead, she turned around.

Just as the peanut gallery watching the show assumed Lin Yu was thoroughly finished—that anyone bold enough to provoke the beautiful CEO today

would dare to revolt tomorrow and stage an uprising the day after to usurp the CEO's position—

under such circumstances, surely Ji Ya would fire him on the spot.

To their utter astonishment,

Ji Ya turned back to the car, pulled out a massive bag of potato chips and snacks, impaled the bag onto the stick, and handed it to Lin Yu.

"I saw these on the way here, so I bought them for you on a whim. Figuring you love these, I bought one of every kind."

"To celebrate your promotion—having a little something to eat and drink is fine."

"It's a bit heavy, carry it properly."

Haha, I knew my dear, darling beautiful CEO loved me the most!

Wang Fei and Si Shaozhe exchanged glances.

With tiny eyes, they wore massive expressions of confusion.

Wait...

This development was a script they had never anticipated in their wildest dreams!!

What happened to the retribution? What happened to the beating?!

Come on, Ji Ya...

Is that really how you're supposed to use a stick?!

You were supposed to smack Lin Yu over the head with it, or use it across his back, giving him a rolling-pin massage package deal!!

"My two brothers, hold on to a shred of hope! The boss has personally designated me for a night of fine dining and drinks, so I won't be entertaining you two anymore~"

The two of you enjoy yourselves, go easy on the drinks~"

Si Shaozhe and Wang Fei wore identical blank, questioning stares.

Wait...

So this brat just abandoned his friends for a pretty face?

The two of them hadn't even figured out where they were going yet! They were still hoping to find a way to bluff their way out of it!!

Yet you, of all people, not only ran off by yourself, but you also spilled the entire plan?!

If someone were to report you right now, wouldn't you practically be the ultimate traitor among bros?

Words of curses and complaints rose to their lips, but the two of them were dragged away before they could utter them.

Lin Yu lowered his head to admire the snacks Ji Ya had bought for him, his eyes widening in pure delight. There wasn't a single misstep here!

She bought all his absolute favorites! Delicious! Devour them wildly! Eat them every meal! They would last him several meals!

"Eat them sparingly, and mind your figure management."

Noticing what was running through his mind, Ji Ya offered a gentle reminder.

Suddenly remembering something, she pulled out two cans of fat-boy happy water from the car as if performing a magic trick.

And handed them to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu popped open one automatically and handed her a can.

"Want some?"

Lin Yu was so moved he was practically on the verge of tears.

Although Su Xiaolin usually didn't meddle in his private life or care about his physique,

as an entertainer, the necessary body management still had to be maintained.

He never expected that this time, the beautiful CEO would directly offer up the holy grail of happy water!

Wasn't this infinitely better than alcohol?!

The tenderness of a beautiful CEO was enough to leave anyone intoxicated after just a single sip!!

With curves like that and a face as gorgeous as a flower, who could possibly withstand this?!

In the presence of such overwhelming beauty, brotherhood means nothing!