The White Moonlight Is Back

Chapter 5: Facing His Own Hypocrisy and Darkness

Jiang Qianyu called Xu Yanbai the day after discovering the photograph, which was extremely identical to Lin Qingmiao's. When he responded, Xu Yanbai felt uneasy, worried that his covert hunt for Lin Qingmiao had been revealed. However, it was not the case.

Jiang Qianyu invited him to play golf at a course on the outskirts of An City that he had reserved just for their use. Xu Yanbai swung his club with a seemingly professional stance before picking up a pair of binoculars to verify; the ball had not even gotten near to the hole, landing well short.

Xu Yanbai, quickly losing interest, looked at Jiang Qianyu, who was sitting under a sun umbrella, and remarked, "Why invite me to golf when there's nothing else going on here? Wouldn't it be better to play basketball? With only two people in such a large space, it feels quite dull."

Jiang Qianyu replied, "Do you hold golf in such low regard? In ancient times, only nobles could participate in this sport.

Xu Yanbai took off his sunglasses and sat down on a beach chair next to Jiang Qianyu, grabbing a nearby glass of juice to sip. He commented, "As someone from low beginnings, I suppose mastering noble endeavors isn't for me. "Unlike you, eh?"

The glint in Xu Yanbai's eyes clearly indicated his purpose to tease.

Jiang Qianyu remained calm and responded with a single word, "Sassy."

"Alright, what did you want to discuss by bringing me out here?"

"Not much, just wanted to relax a bit."

"You expect me to believe that?" Under Xu Yanbai's scrutinizing stare, Jiang Qianyu swiftly conceded. "Fine, there is something I need to talk about."

"What is it?"

"Yuzhen owns this corporation, correct? They're arranging a celebration feast soon, and she would like you to attend. Knowing how close we are, she asked me to make an inquiry on her behalf.

"Yuzhen?" Xu Yanbai's eyes narrowed slightly as he sat in the recliner, his head supported up with one hand. In a purposefully serious tone, he inquired, "Just to clarify, you expressly brought me out for golf? Wouldn't a simple phone call have sufficed? Why is she so eager about her affairs? Jiang Qianyu, we're all pals here—tell me honestly, how do you feel about that woman?"

"What might I be feeling? She's Qingmiao's relative, or at most, a friend.

"Oh?" Xu Yanbai sat awake, grabbing for some juice but changing his mind owing to its aroma. Instead, he grabbed a bottle of mineral water and drank several sips. Leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, he turned sideways to look at Jiang Qianyu. "How come it doesn't seem that way to me?"

"Believe what you will."

Xu Yanbai sniffed dismissively. "I don't bother with such matters."

"So, are you coming or not?"

"No interest."

"Brother Xu, feeling pretty aloof today, huh?"

"You just met your Brother Xu now?"

Jiang Qianyu went silent.

After leaving the golf course, Xu Yanbai and Jiang Qianyu said their goodbyes before departing in separate automobiles. As Xu Yanbai entered his vehicle, his aide handed him a packet of documents relating to the Lin Qingmiao probe. Looking forward, he observed Jiang Qianyu's car driving in front.

Xu Yanbai and Jiang Qianyu had been close friends since school, although Xu Yanbai frequently felt like an unsatisfactory friend. For example, he never told Jiang Qianyu about his love for Lin Qingmiao or how he was discreetly searching for her.