Chapter 37: Absolutely Shameless

After matters were settled, Li Yi and Yue’er prepared to return home, leaving the private room together with Manager Xu. Unexpectedly, they crossed paths with Cheng Chumo and Luo Tong, who were also exiting at that moment.

Both men's cheeks were flushed with the deep red of wine, their eyes clouded with drunkenness. In an instant, the gazes of the four met.

“Li Bo’an, take my fist!” Cheng Chumo suddenly roared, his eyes wide, swinging his fist as he charged at Li Yi.

The abruptness of the scene was bewildering, leaving Li Yi utterly confused and blinking in surprise. Yet, Cheng Chumo was only half drunk, and the force behind his punch was weak.

Li Yi did not shrink back; instead, he stepped forward, caught the staggering Cheng Chumo, and asked in bewilderment, “Brother Chumo, why do you want to hit me?”

Luo Tong, standing by, twitched at the corner of his mouth. He had never seen anyone so shameless. Li Yi had clearly tricked Cheng Chumo into taking a beating, and now he dared to ask why Cheng Chumo wanted to hit him? Shameless to the extreme... But this was not the sort of disgraceful matter one could easily speak of, so Luo Tong remained silent.

Cheng Chumo, still half drunk and squinting, drew close to Li Yi’s face, staring for a long moment before exclaiming in exasperation, “Li Bo’an, you have the nerve to ask why I want to hit you?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Li Yi replied, blinking in confusion. “Have I ever offended you, brother?”

Cheng Chumo’s flushed face twitched in speechless frustration. He wanted to curse aloud, but there were too many people around, and if they learned of his embarrassment, it would be unbearable. Besides, it was not something he could easily admit.

“Hmph, Li Bo’an, stop pretending to be clueless!” Cheng Chumo could only snort angrily, breathing wine fumes in Li Yi’s direction, causing Li Yi to cover his mouth and wave away the stench.

“Cough, cough… Brother Chumo,” Li Yi coughed, shaking his head with a bitter smile, “Even so, surely you don’t have to attack me with your breath? If there’s something to say, let’s talk properly, shall we?”

Cheng Chumo rolled his eyes, wanting to explode, but unable to find a reason. He considered spitting at Li Yi, but thought better of it, knowing it would be undignified.

Cheng Chumo finally turned his head away in frustration, refusing to look at Li Yi any longer.

Luo Tong was utterly dumbfounded. ‘Is this for real? Brother Chumo, you’re holding your temper this way?’ ‘This isn’t like you at all…’ Luo Tong wondered silently.

Manager Xu, sensing the strange tension between them, sensibly bowed and excused himself, not wishing to be entangled in further trouble.

Only the four remained at the door.

“Brother Chumo, shall we speak inside?” Li Yi asked, supporting Cheng Chumo and gesturing with a raised eyebrow.

“Fine!” Cheng Chumo nodded, biting out each word, “Inside! We! Talk!”

The four entered the private room again.

Li Yi turned to shut the door, and Cheng Chumo, scowling, attempted to land a heavy punch on Li Yi’s back. But Li Yi, as if he had eyes behind him, sidestepped at the last moment. Cheng Chumo punched straight into the solid doorpost, producing a resounding thud.

Pain shot through him, his knuckles aching as he clutched his right hand to his chest, bent over, glaring at Li Yi with anger and grievance.

“Damn it…”

Li Yi, seeing Cheng Chumo’s expression, asked curiously, “Brother Chumo, what’s wrong?”

Cheng Chumo’s mouth twitched, grinding his teeth in silence.

Luo Tong and Yue’er, having seen everything clearly, found it amusing but refrained from laughing out of consideration for Cheng Chumo’s dignity. Yue’er, ever perceptive, whispered the details to Li Yi.

Li Yi, baffled, looked at Cheng Chumo, unable to find words.

Cheng Chumo’s face turned ever more awkward and flushed.

“Cough, cough... Brother Luo, Brother Chumo, please sit.”

Li Yi sat down first, gesturing for the others to do the same. Once they were seated, he asked seriously, “Brother Chumo, may I ask why you seem to bear such animosity toward me?”

“I truly don’t recall ever offending you, brother,” Li Yi said earnestly, thinking back carefully. He had not seen Cheng Chumo in days and had never quarreled with him before. However he pondered, he could not recall any offense.

Cheng Chumo, hearing this, refused to let it go.

“Li Bo’an, you dare say that!” He could no longer care about saving face; his pride was already shattered. He decided to let it all out. “Tell me, did you beat up that good-for-nothing Changsun Chong?”

“Yes, I did. What of it?” Li Yi replied calmly.

“Do you know that because you beat Changsun Chong, I was beaten for no reason?!” Cheng Chumo raged, his anger rising the more he thought about it.

“Uh…” Li Yi was stunned. “Brother Chumo, why is that?”

“You…” Cheng Chumo, seeing Li Yi still feigning ignorance, gnashed his teeth in frustration, his anger nearly choking him. He swept his sleeves and refused to engage further.

Li Yi was left utterly baffled.

Luo Tong, seeing this, gave a wry smile and interjected, “Brother Bo’an, it’s not entirely your fault, but you can’t deny your part in it.”

Li Yi stared blankly at Luo Tong, confused.

Luo Tong saw that Li Yi was not pretending and explained the matter in detail.

After listening, Li Yi looked at Cheng Chumo and could not help laughing, saying, “Brother Chumo, I never expected you would be so unlucky!”

“Hmph, Li Bo’an, you scoundrel, stop mocking me!” Cheng Chumo pouted and rolled his eyes. “After all, you weren’t the one who got beaten!”

Li Yi truly did not know whether to say anything in response.