Chapter 136 - A Thousand Times Better

During that brief yet long second, Enzo Li witnessed Matthew Xi's languid front as he raised his brow and tilted his head to the side. 

[Don't say anything. She doesn't know.] 

Those two short sentences, these words repeated inside his mind. What did Matthew Xi mean by that? 

Slowly, Enzo Li turned his head to Zoey's smiling visage. "What? Say hi, at least?" Through a whisper, Zoey raised her brows as she widened her eyes. 

A thousand times better... she was indeed right. Not just by looks, but everything about that man sitting on the couch was a million times better than Enzo Li.

Enzo Li came there to show-off, and prove he was better in every way. However, who would have thought that his second cousin was the person that awaited him?

"Bro—" Hopelessly, Enzo Li slowly returned his pathetic eyes back towards Matthew Xi. 

The moment he did that, Matthew Xi was already standing in front of him, which halted his words. "My surname is Xi, Xi Matthew... but not THE Matthew Xi that owns XI Corporation. Pleasure to meet you." Extending out his hand, Matthew Xi introduced himself. 

"Uh..." Rendered speechless by this shocking introduction, not because of the name but because of this unusual gesture and politeness, Enzo Li blinked his eyes to see if the person in front of him was truly his second cousin. 

"Hihihi..." Zoey snickered on the side, taking Enzo Li's reaction as dumbfoundment by how accurately she'd described her darling. 

Little did she know, it was not entirely her accuracy but rather her capabilities to bewitch this man. Of all people, Zoey somehow lured Matthew Xi in her traps, which Enzo Li was certain his second cousin wouldn't bite with his personality. 

Staring at him, Matthew Xi glanced at his laid out hand as if telling him not to make him wait longer. "Ah! Li, Enzo Li." Understanding that slight gesture, Enzo Li snapped as he hastily grabbed Matthew Xi's hand and shook it. 

As Enzo Li shook hands with him with both his hands sandwiching Matthew Xi's, it was as if Enzo Li was begging him for mercy. He couldn't even conceal his fear as his back, forehead and hand produced sweat.

'Not that Matthew Xi... She doesn't know...' Enzo Li muttered inwardly as he put the two together. 

It wasn't that hard to put the pieces together, honestly. However, what made it hard for Enzo Li to believe this conclusion was because this person was Matthew Xi!

Why would he hide the fact that he's the owner of the Xi Corporation? Shouldn't he at least make some effort to use a different alias? Why use the same name?!

To make things worse... Enzo Li glanced at Zoey's still smiling face. She made things worse. Of all people, why would she have to seduce his second cousin?

*****

After that brief yet seeming to be an eternity-long introduction, Zoey and Matthew Xi accommodated Enzo Li in the living area. Enzo Li alternated his gaze from Zoey to Matthew Xi. 

Both were wearing simple casual clothing; Matthew Xi in his sweater and comfy pants while Zoey in her matching pajamas. If he didn't know better, he would think both of them were husband and wife just chilling at home. 

"I told you, he's good isn't he?" Despite their distance, Zoey tried to whisper her words which all of them could clearly hear. 

"Right..." A helpless scoff slipped from Enzo Li's lips as he watched his manners. 

He might act a little carefree around Matthew Xi. However, that didn't mean Enzo Li couldn't read his surroundings and this was not the best time to goof around. 

"Well, since you're here, do me a favor!" Zoey clapped her hands, catching their attention as she rose from her seat. 

"N... what?" Just before he could reject, Enzo Li glanced at Matthew Xi before he changed his instant rejection to something that showed interest. 

"Talk to my brother. Get as much details from him as possible."

"Details? About...?"

"Duh? About last night's event. I can't tell you everything or you might blackmail me!" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey shook her head as if it was obvious that she couldn't just simply spread the rumor around that her best friend and brother banged each other, right?

"I'll think about it. Anyway, I just remembered that I have some party to attend tonight." Not dwelling on it that much, Enzo Li bid his farewell as he couldn't handle staying inside this room. 

After all, Matthew Xi's aura was nagging him to leave. Without words, without a change of expression in his face, Enzo Li didn't know how, but he could feel it. 

He could feel the dark, gigantic hands that were waiting behind to drag him to the darkness. God... he just needed to distract himself. 

"Wait—! But your tea..."

"Next time." Shaking his head, Enzo Li interrupted Zoey's ridiculous ideas. On normal days, he would probably enjoy whatever plans she has. 

But with Matthew Xi around, Enzo Li knew it would be impossible for him not to think about it. 

"I'll send him off." Glancing at the confused Zoey, Matthew Xi proposed. 

"But he just arrived... " Frowning, Zoey cast Matthew Xi a sad look as she glanced at Enzo Li who was staring back at her in disdain.

'Please… stop with the act, Z.' Seeing her act sweet and innocent, Enzo Li's face distorted as he glared at Zoey from head to toe.

"He said he'll be attending an important party." Repeating the obvious lie from Enzo Li, Matthew Xi reminded her. That also confirmed Enzo Li's guess that his second cousin didn't want him around tonight.

"Yes! Mr. Xi is right! Haha! Don't worry, I'll talk to Zion and see if I can squeeze out some information from him." Forcing an awkward grin on his face, Enzo Li nodded his head profusely.

"Uhm, Okay....?" Slightly suspicious by his sudden idea, Zoey shrugged it off and didn't dwell on it that much.