Upon hearing this, Su Yan's face paled slightly. She frowned and remained silent, casually opening a box. Gu Lian also leaned over to look. "Wow, Su Yan, this young master Chen really cares about you! Blue Butterfly Jewelry!" She picked up a small clip inlaid with blue gemstones, shaped like a butterfly's wings. "My God, do you know how much this clip is worth?"
"How much?" Su Yan knew the brand Blue Butterfly, a brand that had recently gained fame and only targeted the high-end market.
Gu Lian held up three fingers, "You definitely can't buy it without this!"
"Three thousand?"
Gu Lian pretended to faint, "Su Yan, now I finally understand why Young Master Chen took a liking to you. What an innocent and refreshing girl! No wonder he changed his taste for you."
Su Yan was shocked, her fear intensifying, when her phone rang. She hesitated, looking at the number. Gu Lian nudged her, "Answer it! Silly girl!" Su Yan answered the phone, mumbled a few "uh-huhs," and hung up briefly, her expression remaining grim.
Gu Lian fiddled with the clothes in the bag. "Young Master Chen invited you out? You're so lucky, what are you hesitating for?"
“He asked me out to dinner.” Su Yan grabbed Gu Lian’s arm. “But, Gu Lian, I’m scared. I feel uneasy. I keep having dreams these past few days where my father is pointing his finger at me and yelling at me. Gu Lian, has the world really become this dark? Can’t rich people like them have true feelings?”
Gu Lian shook her head, "Silly child, don't talk nonsense, go quickly. Remember our play!"
Su Yan stood up, "Okay!" She grabbed her bag and ran, but was pulled back by Gu Lian in the blink of an eye. "You're just going to go out like this? Sister!" Gu Lian finally pulled Su Yan out of the bed and pulled out a dress. "Su Yan, if it weren't for our years of friendship, I really wouldn't care about you!" Gu Lian's words made Su Yan feel better. Gu Lian seemed to be a charming and alluring person, but she really took good care of her.
Chen Yuanxing parked the car a good distance from the school entrance. The silver-gray BMW didn't stand out in this area filled with luxury cars. But Su Yan was still nervous, sneaking into the car like a thief and urging him to drive off as soon as she was inside. Chen Yuanxing just smiled, his bright smile as natural and friendly as a friendly older brother next door. "What do you want to eat?"
Su Yan bit her lip and smiled shyly, "I... I don't know either." Chen Yuanxing turned to look at Su Yan, her face flushed with girlish shyness, and he seemed a little stunned.
Dingshan Restaurant. A bloody steak sat before Su Yan, who looked at the blood with some fear. "...Is this edible?" Chen Yuanxing skillfully picked up a knife and fork and slowly cut it. "Once you get used to it, you'll find that passionate blood is a wonderful thing." He placed the cut steak in front of Su Yan, then took another plate and cut it, his movements elegant. Su Yan looked at the man opposite her, dressed in a black suit and light pink shirt without a tie. He was gentle and composed, lacking the faint melancholy and languor she had felt upon their first meeting. His smile was sunny, yet seemed to conceal an unfathomable depth.
"What are you looking at?" Chen Yuanxing didn't look up, but the smile on his lips, when seen in Su Yan's clear eyes, held a hint of allure, causing Su Yan to lower her head involuntarily.
Chen Yuanxing didn't press further, simply raising his glass. "Cheers to dinner!" Su Yan hesitated for a moment, then picked up her glass. Each glass of slightly astringent red wine trickled down her spine—a pleasure, yet also a temptation.
Su Yan felt a little dizzy, and her eyes gradually became hazy. She was filled with trembling fear and quickly ate her steak as if trying to escape. The bloody steak was indeed passionate. When it met the lingering red wine in her chest, it stirred up a huge wave.
"Eat slowly, no one will take it from you. Be careful not to hurt your stomach." Chen Yuanxing carefully used a napkin to wipe the blood from Su Yan's mouth, his gentle eyes almost drowning in his tenderness.
The way back wasn't downhill, but winding uphill. Soft music played, the air was cold and still, and a thick, ambiguous atmosphere permeated the air. Su Yan's heart pounded so hard she broke the silence, "Where are we going?"
"There's a meadow on the mountain that's really great for stargazing," Chen Yuanxing replied softly, turning to look at Su Yan. "Don't you little girls all like this kind of romance?"
Su Yan was taken aback, but Chen Yuanxing chuckled in a low voice, "I was just kidding. I just wanted to get some fresh air. It's too hot and stuffy in the summer."
"You drank too much just now," Su Yan said with a frown of concern. "And you were driving? That's so dangerous."
"It's okay, I'm a very good driver. Besides, I really want to take you there to see the stars." His sincere and deep emotions were evident in his words, and for a moment Su Yan felt a sense of disorientation, as if he were talking to someone else.
Unfortunately, the sky was pitch black tonight, without a single star. The starless mountaintop, the cool breeze, the crisp air—all these things stirred up Chen Yuanxing's emotions. The effects of the alcohol surged with the wind, and he collapsed weakly onto the grass. Gazing at the dark sky, he couldn't help but laugh. And so, he truly laughed—a wild, unrestrained, and unrestrained laugh.
Su Yan looked at the maniacal laughter plastered on his handsome face, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her heart clenched, and she couldn't help but reach out and gently hug his waist. Was he suffering greatly?
Chen Yuanxing finally stopped laughing, sat up, looked at Su Yan carefully, and suddenly asked, "What are your requirements?"
Su Yan was taken aback by his sudden cold words and quickly shook her head, "No...no!"
Chen Yuanxing sneered, extending his slender fingers to slowly move down Su Yan's eyebrows to her eyes, cheeks, and lips. "From today onwards, I will give you whatever you want. Fame, money, possessions—just ask, and I'll give it to you. But I have only one request."
"What are your requirements?" Su Yan asked involuntarily, following his lead.
"You belong entirely to me. You're not allowed to think about anyone else—no man, no woman, no classmate, no friend! Your eyes and heart must only have me. Only me! Can you do that?"
"...Are you the only one?"
"Yes! Have you thought it through? I'll give you one minute. If you don't answer after one minute, I'll take it as a yes."
"I..." Su Yan felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Was this the good luck Gu Lian was talking about? Wasn't this what she had been pursuing all her life? By following this man, she would have everything her parents hoped for: fame, money, and everything else.
"One minute is up." Chen Yuanqi got up, pulled Su Yan, and walked quickly towards the car.
Su Yan was actually scared. "Where are you taking me?"
"Since you've agreed, you have to give me a guarantee. Everything starts tonight."
On the way down the mountain, Chen Yuanxing drove incredibly fast, shifting gears like a madman, speeding recklessly down the slope. Looking at the cold, stern man beside her, Su Yan's fear intensified. Everything started tonight? What did that mean? Su Yan's mind was in complete turmoil.
One of them was in a frenzy, the other in chaos, and no one noticed a deep purple Lamborghini passing by.
Su Yan was startled awake by the incessant ringing of her cell phone. Looking around, she found herself sitting on an enormous bed, surrounded by a dark blue carpet, a comfortable bed, low-hanging French windows, and even two potted plants against the wall. A hotel?
"Shower first or later?" Chen Yuanxing was already breathing into Su Yan's ear without her noticing. Su Yan's heart skipped a beat. "Your phone's ringing." Her voice was shrill, startling her. Chen Yuanxing grabbed the phone and tossed it aside, the pieces crashing against the wall and then shattering on the floor. "If you don't say, I'll assume you like to do it first and then shower." A tightness gripped her waist, and Chen Yuanxing's hazy, alluring eyes were right in front of her. His fresh, lemony scent filled Su Yan's heart, tickling every nerve in her body. A slight buzz from the alcohol washed over her, a mixture of confusion, heart palpitations, fear, and anticipation.
Her face was burning hot, her heart was pounding, and her lips were trembling. Su Yan gripped the sheets tightly, slowly raised her head, and closed her eyes. She could feel the warmth of the other person's lips getting closer and closer, and the temperature of his body rising higher and higher.
"Qiqi!"
Standing anxiously on the mountaintop, Xiao Qiqi shivered. The person leaning against the Lamborghini, however, was extremely patient, watching her repeatedly press the phone and redial until the phone rang again with "The number you dialed is temporarily unavailable..." Only then did he slowly approach, gently taking Xiao Qiqi's cold hand. "It's autumn, it's cold." He took off his coat and draped it over Xiao Qiqi's shoulders. "There's a way, don't worry."
Her voice was still gentle, yet reassuring, carrying a sense of certainty and sincerity. Xiao Qiqi held her phone, not looking at the person behind her, but gazing at the dark night sky. "Drinking, racing, the madness in a man's genes."
"That's right, crazy! No matter how gentle, calm, or confident a man is, he will always lose control sometimes. Qiqi, all these years, haven't you ever thought that I might have a crazy moment?"
Xiao Qiqi turned around. Tonight, aside from their first meeting, this was the first time she had truly looked at this refined and clean-cut man. He was gentle and refined, with a touch of melancholy and a smile that seemed to come with every season. "Xia Xuan, do you have moments of madness too?"
Xia Xuan's smile deepened. "Yes." She looked down at Xiao Qiqi intently. "Once in Huangshan, and another time you don't know about."
Xiao Qiqi gasped, "Why did you bring me here?"
"I just think the scenery here is nice. Do you remember that year when we were on the top of Tiandu Peak, looking up at the sky and down at the misty cliffs? I will never forget that feeling of despair and surging emotions."
“But I forgot. Mr. Xia, it’s getting late, I have to go back.” Xiao Qiqi pulled off his top-quality suit jacket and handed it to Xia Xuan with a perfectly curved smile and polite gesture.
Xia Xuan smiled and said, "Qi Qi, you're scared."
Xiao Qiqi straightened her back and quickly understood Xia Xuan's meaning. She smiled politely and said, "Mr. Xia, I think you've misunderstood. Addressing you as 'Mr' is the least you can do to show respect."
Xia Xuan's deep smile lost its melancholy, replaced by a hint of amusement. "Xiao Qiqi, I regret it."
"...What do you regret?"
"I regret so many things. I regret going to A University, I regret swimming at night in the lake, I regret waiting, I regret indulging your willfulness, I regret trusting you too much, I regret going to Huangshan with you, I regret believing your lies, I regret my carelessness and recklessness... I promise to break up with you!" Xia Xuan still smiled elegantly, "Is that enough?"
Xiao Qiqi's heart was like a lake rippling with emotion. She clenched her fists. "...Xia Xuan! So many years have passed, why bother? Is this some kind of fun?" Xiao Qiqi sneered. "Do you think I'm still twenty? Or one of those women that you people can just dismiss at will? Or someone you can buy with a check? Xia Xuan, that's enough!"
Xia Xuan wasn't angry, Xia Xuan never was. She smiled faintly, her dark eyes behind her glasses sinking into the night, only shimmering with a faint light. "It's getting cold, I'll take you home. We can talk again next time in a warm place."
Xiao Qiqi was furious. "Xia Xuan, didn't you hear what I said? There won't be a next time. We're over. You're not the poor boy Xia Xuan you used to be, and I'm not the willful and arrogant Xiao Qiqi I used to be. You have your life, career, and love, and I have my own new life. The youthful arrogance and excitement are long gone. Don't you know that?"
“I know. That’s why I didn’t think about dwelling on the past. I just wanted us to have a good start.” Xia Xuan gently took Xiao Qiqi’s hand. “Okay, let’s go back.”
“…Get out!” Xiao Qiqi finally revealed her true nature.
Xia Xuan finally showed an expression beyond gentleness, his wide grin revealing his smugness. "Qiqi, stop pretending! That kind of fake-smiling, career-driven woman isn't for you. So, from the first moment I saw you again, I decided to restore your carefree, cheerful nature." Xia Xuan took Xiao Qiqi's hand and placed it on his chest. "I thought this place wouldn't hurt anymore, but it's always been empty and desolate. I think this is God's punishment for me, so I wandered around like a lost soul, meeting all sorts of women to fill the void. I used to think that my fleeting romances with you were just youthful impulsiveness and confusion, something I'd forget in a few years. But when I saw Li Yue, mentioned you, and couldn't help but secretly wait outside your company to catch a glimpse of you, I knew I was wrong, everything was wrong. Escape, excuses, confusion—everything became clear the moment I saw you again. So, I won't give up again. We've been separated for six years, so let's start over. I will make you find those past six years again, I promise!"
Xiao Qiqi was unable to move, but her heartbeat was still strong, her words were still tender, and her face was still the same, but more mature, steady, and beautiful. She kept telling herself that everything was over, everything had changed, but why did her heart still ache?
Xiao Qiqi felt as if each step she took was landing on her heart; her heart ached, she couldn't breathe, and tears fell onto the steps. She didn't dare look back, fleeing into the stairwell, running into the elevator, and then tightly closing the door.
She had imagined the reunion a thousand times, thinking she would cry, feel pain, and be afraid, but the reality wasn't so difficult. As Xiao Qiqi walked out of the company building, politely and gently explaining to a client on her phone, she squinted through the revolving glass doors and saw that elegant, otherworldly man. Outside the glass, he remained as quiet and leisurely as the faintly fragrant forget-me-nots in the fields; the world just a few steps away was only his world. Xiao Qiqi put down the phone, forgetting what she was going to say. After a few seconds of stunned silence, the smile on her lips didn't disappear. Without hesitation, she slowly stepped out of the revolving doors and stood still.
Their eyes met, and that was all. She had always thought she had a thousand words to say, but in the end, all she could offer was a calm, serene smile. Six years—a long time, a very long time. She had assumed Xia Xuan would also have countless things to say, but in the end, it all boiled down to a simple, "How are you?"
They ate politely, like friends from yesterday, but a thousand emotions were suppressed in silence. He was more mature and more elegant, yet still reserved, a faint melancholy still lingering, still gentle, but Xiao Qiqi could no longer find the feelings and words she once had to enjoy it all. They barely spoke. Xia Xuan watched Xiao Qiqi with a faint smile, serving her food and pouring her wine, everything so natural and considerate. Xiao Qiqi kept a forced smile, polite and quiet, completely different from six years ago.
Everything is understood without words.
Even this unexpected date at the mountaintop still caused me heartache.
Xia Xuan leaned against the car door, watching Xiao Qiqi's figure disappear. The gentle smile on her lips slowly vanished, replaced by a chilling indifference. After a long while, a mocking smile appeared on her face. "Qiqi, this time I definitely won't be the one who gets hurt."
XII. Cocktail Party (Part 1)
"Mr. Xia, Huayuan Real Estate is having a cocktail party tonight. Here's the invitation. Would you like to attend?" Senior Assistant Bruce asked in fluent Chinese.
Xia Xuan took the invitation and stood up from the large armchair. "Go, why wouldn't I go?"
"Huayuan attaches great importance to this banquet, which is actually to promote their newly developed Yanshan Renjia."
Xia Xuan played with the invitation, smiling gently: "Yanshan Renjia spent a lot of money developing and packaging it, so of course we have to support them. By the way, didn't we buy that piece of land next to Huayuan Jingrun?"
"Yes! The chairman bought it last year, intending to secure a place in the X City real estate industry. Now, it has been handed over to President Xia for full management."
“They’re all short-sighted! Why are they buying real estate and developing properties at this time? The US subprime crisis is already out of control, and its severe impact will explode globally by the end of the year at the latest. Beijing will be unable to avoid it!” Xia Xuan walked to the window and looked down at the city with its towering buildings. “Huayuan has always wanted that piece of land. Let’s take this opportunity to let them have it! Also, do our best to facilitate Huayuan’s acquisition of China Construction Housing.”
"What does President Xia mean?"
"Let them eat as much as they want while they're still smug. China Construction Housing's burden is heavy enough. When the credit crisis erupts, Huayuan will inevitably be mired in a heavy burden, and then..."
“Huayuan’s predicament is our opportunity. If Xia Feng wants to enter the real estate industry in BeiX City, since he can’t bypass Huayuan, he has no choice but to swallow it up!” Bruce, as Xia Xuan’s senior assistant, immediately understood and nodded. “I will arrange it right away and try to deliver it to them discreetly.”
Xia Xuan nodded, lost in thought. Bruce didn't disturb him any further, quietly slipped out, and gently closed the door.
Xia Xuan stood there for an unknown amount of time before turning around and making a phone call, "Qi Qi, are you free tonight?"
Xiao Qiqi's voice was a little urgent, "I have a cocktail party tonight, I'm busy. I'm in a meeting right now, I'll get back to you in a bit."
Xia Xuan hesitated for a moment, then pressed the intercom. "Secretary Wu, go buy an evening dress, something simple and elegant."
In the 28-story Huayuan building, Chen Yuanxing stormed into the chairman's office, frowning as he entered and demanding, "Uncle, what exactly do you mean?"
Chen Yijian sat on the sofa drinking coffee. Her temples were already gray, and she was almost sixty years old but very well-maintained. She was somewhat aloof when alone, but when she saw Chen Yuanxing, a smile slowly appeared on her face. "Yuanxing, you're so old now, yet you still chatter like a child. What kind of behavior is this?"
Chen Yuanxing sat down and tossed a document onto the table. "I think we can't buy any more land for development now, and we can't discuss the acquisition by China Construction Housing any further."
"Alright, you've developed some insight after managing the household for two years." Chen Yijian nodded with satisfaction. "Then tell me why we can't buy land for development?"
"The US subprime mortgage crisis will soon sweep the globe, Uncle. You can't possibly not know what this means, can you? China Construction Housing is nominally debt-paying, but in reality, all of its projects are stalled. If we acquire it now, it will be a terrible burden once the crisis breaks out."
"Oh, I thought you had some brilliant insights, is that all?" Chen Yijian shook his head dismissively. "Still immature! The American credit crisis was terrible, but don't forget China's national conditions: a large population and a limited housing stock. Even if there's an impact, it won't be too much. You can rest assured about that; China's real estate market will absolutely not collapse in the next thirty years!"
Chen Yuanxing shook his head again, "Uncle, you underestimate the current status of China's economy in the world. We are no longer the dominant force we were ten years ago. If we are not careful, Huayuan could get into trouble. Although you are right that China has its own national conditions and our economic foundation is stable, we cannot be complacent about someone taking advantage of this opportunity to harm Huayuan. You know that for the past two years, someone has been secretly buying Huayuan's shares."
“Young man, you should be energetic and driven! Why are you so indecisive? You’re not like a son of the Chen family at all.” Chen Yijian, who was always confident and proud, didn’t care about Chen Yuanxing’s words at all. He stood up and said, “Don’t worry, I know everything! I have other things to do. I’ve already told Dong Aiguo to start working on this plan and the China Construction Housing project, so you don’t need to worry about it. I probably won’t be able to attend the party tonight, so you can host it yourself.”
Chen Yuanxing watched Chen Yijian confidently leave the office, flipping through the documents, and snorted coldly to himself, "The company is yours, do whatever you want with it. Anyway, if it's ruined, I don't have to clean up the mess!" At this moment, Chen Yuanxing forgot that Huayuan was the empire built by his grandfather. If something really happened, he would never be able to escape responsibility.
Xiao Qiqi had just stepped out of the conference room when the receptionist called on the internal line, saying a package had arrived. Xiao Qiqi tossed the attendee list for the evening's cocktail party, which she had just received from President Wei, onto Xiao Ning's desk. "Make sure you've memorized all of it before tonight, then come with me to the party." Xiao Ning flipped through the list exaggeratedly, "Sister Xiao, do you think I'm Superman? There's so much!"
Xiao Qiqi was very satisfied with Xiao Ning's recent performance and walked over with a smile, "Stop talking nonsense! Weren't you known for being able to read ten lines at a glance back in the day?"
After signing for the package at the front desk, I found it to be a beautifully packaged gift box. Ms. Cao, the receptionist, smiled and had a dimple. "Mr. Xiao, you didn't leave an address. Is it a gift from your boyfriend?" No wonder Ms. Cao said that; this package did indeed seem less like a simple business correspondence.
Xiao Qiqi smiled. "It's nothing, just something a friend brought." She took the box into her office, casually opened it, and found a light blue, low-cut silk evening gown. Xiao Qiqi picked up a pale blue note from the bottom of the box. The note read, "For You I Soar," written in an elegant and unrestrained style, its free and easy strokes leaving a lasting impression. There was no name or address. Holding the note, Xiao Qiqi, despite a thousand thoughts swirling within her, ultimately let it all culminate in a sigh.
"Sister Xiao, I've memorized it!" Xiao Ning poked her head in. "Hey, where did this dress come from? Sister Xiao, are you some kind of thousand-armed Guanyin? You brought the dress so quickly!"
Xiao Qiqi tossed the note into the bottom drawer. "Do you have clothes for that kind of occasion?"
Xiao Ning chuckled a little embarrassedly, "I have a suit, but I've worn it for several years. I thought I'd just make do with it."