Taboo Mage - Chapter 234 - Reunion with Chi Rui

Standing in the living room was none other than Chi Rui, whom I hadn’t seen for a month. Who knows where he had been during this time? He looked like he had lost a significant amount of weight, and even his skin had darkened quite a bit.

When I saw Chi Rui, I was momentarily stunned. Although I was used to his unpredictable comings and goings, his sudden appearance without any warning left me momentarily unable to react.

“Hey, are you frozen or what? Go get me a glass of water! I rushed all the way here and I’m dying of thirst,” Chi Rui said with a grin, tossing his backpack onto the couch before sinking into it completely.

It was only then, seeing his familiar mannerisms, that I finally snapped out of my daze and realized Chi Rui had truly returned.

I hurried to the kitchen to pour a glass of water. When I returned to the living room, Zhou Qifang was sitting in a chair opposite the couch, arms crossed, staring at Chi Rui with an expression of irritation.

“Sit up,” Zhou Qifang said, his face darkening.

He had always disliked people sprawling around like spineless creatures, lying down wherever they pleased.

But Chi Rui was exactly that kind of person. On the surface, he looked polished and professional, wearing a tailored suit and glasses that made him resemble a high-level executive in a fancy office building. Yet, only those of us who knew him well understood that deep down, Chi Rui was a quintessential Northeast China man-rugged and unrefined.

“Why should I? It’s not like I’m lying on your couch,” Chi Rui retorted, completely unfazed by Zhou Qifang’s dagger-like glare. He even had the audacity to roll over and make himself more comfortable.

Zhou Qifang narrowed his eyes. “I pay rent here, which means I have the right to use the couch.”

“Oh, rent, huh? Well, I pay rent too, so I have just as much right to use the couch. Besides, even if we’re roommates, we should still keep things clear. Does this couch have your name written on it? No, right? Why don’t you call it and see if it answers you? It won’t, right? So, what makes you think this couch is exclusively yours? You can’t be so domineering!”

My ears buzzed from listening to their bickering. The joy I had felt upon seeing Chi Rui again was completely obliterated within less than ten minutes.

Still, I couldn’t help but notice that Chi Rui must have spent the past month in some remote wilderness. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be this chatty the moment he saw us.

Sure enough, Zhou Qifang grew visibly impatient as Chi Rui rambled on. When Chi Rui finally paused, Zhou Qifang responded coldly, “Chi Rui, you’re the young master of the Chi Family. Why do you keep hanging around this pigsty?”

My hand trembled slightly as I held the water glass.

Pigsty? Who was he insulting?

While insulting others, he even managed to include himself in the mix. Was this really the famed Buddha amulet master of Bangkok, Taka? His insult game was seriously lacking.

Chi Rui snorted. “I like it here. What’s it to you? Besides, I’m just a third-generation rich kid. You, on the other hand, are a renowned master with fame and fortune. So why are you still clinging to this doghouse?”

Doghouse? I squinted at them. What were these two trying to do?

Hurting the enemy while injuring themselves? Their skills were seriously subpar. Clearly, growing up in wealthy families hadn’t taught them how to insult people effectively.

“Hey! Chi Rui-”

“Enough! Both of you, stop talking! Are you going to drink this water or not?”

I quickly interjected. If these two started arguing, there would be no end to it. I wasn’t about to let my ears develop calluses from their endless bickering.

I placed the water glass in front of Chi Rui, who finally sat up on the couch, grabbed the glass, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

Perhaps exhausted from arguing, Zhou Qifang didn’t bother responding to Chi Rui anymore. He turned and went into the storage room, only to emerge shortly after holding a round object.

“Here, keep this with you.”

Zhou Qifang handed the item to me with a blank expression. I took a closer look, then closed my eyes and placed my right hand on the small wooden amulet to sense it.

No warmth flowed into me.

I opened my eyes and looked at Zhou Qifang in confusion.

This thing didn’t seem to have any special properties. Was it just for decoration?

“I carved it myself. You were just saying earlier that nothing lasts forever, so I’m giving this to you now in case I leave in a hurry and forget to hand it over,” Zhou Qifang said, his expression slightly awkward.

I frowned. “But what exactly is this thing?”

“Hey! Just take it and wear it. If you don’t want it, give it back to me!” Zhou Qifang suddenly raised his voice.

Startled, I nearly dropped the wooden amulet. It slipped through my fingers and fell.

Chi Rui, who had been watching us closely, reacted quickly. He snatched the amulet mid-air, weighed it in his hand, and, under Zhou Qifang’s murderous glare, promptly hung it around his neck.

“Gu Qingshu doesn’t want it? No problem, I’ll take it!”

Chi Rui grinned shamelessly at me. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. What part of me looked like I didn’t want it?

To celebrate Chi Rui’s return, I booked a table at De Yi Zhuang for lunch. Lin Huan called to say he would be staying at Chan Guang Monastery to listen to Buddhist teachings and wouldn’t return until evening.

I pursed my lips, glancing at the living room where Chi Rui and Zhou Qifang were glaring at each other like roosters ready to fight. I suddenly regretted deciding to eat out.

If they started fighting outside, there was no way I could separate them.

Fortunately, Chi Rui’s personality was ultimately magnanimous. After learning about my concerns, he patted his chest and assured me he would give Zhou Qifang face in public.

This infuriated Zhou Qifang so much that he nearly punched Chi Rui in the face.

Our table was in a corner of the main hall. By the time we arrived, it was the peak lunch hour.

Chi Rui led the way, his tall and muscular frame instantly drawing the attention of countless women in the hall. Following behind him, I felt like a scrawny little chick in comparison.

I gritted my teeth and urged Chi Rui to hurry up. This kind of attention wasn’t something I could handle.

Since the dishes had been pre-ordered, the service was quick.

True to his word, Chi Rui didn’t argue with Zhou Qifang. Instead, they chatted idly about trivial topics. Finding their conversation dull, I turned my head to look around the room. Suddenly, my gaze was drawn to someone nearby.