"But I want to be with you." She took the opportunity to hug him tightly, inhaling his scent. "I don't want to be apart from you—"
Fangzi hesitated, wanting to pull Xiang Lan's arm away, but Xiang Lan said coquettishly, "You're leaving anyway, what's wrong with letting me hug you for a bit? To comfort me—"
"Don't do this!"
Xiang Lan leaned her head on his shoulder, watching the blush spread from his face to his neck. She glanced at him and whispered in his ear, "Fang Zidu, you clearly like me."
Fang Zidu took a deep breath, pulled out a USB drive from his pocket, and said, "Xiang Lan, I'm just here to return this to you."
She looked at the USB drive, then at him, and couldn't accept it.
This time, Fang Zidu grabbed her hand and forcefully shoved the USB drive into her hand, saying, "Goodbye—"
After that, he got up and walked away without looking back.
Xiang Lan sat on the floor for five minutes, lost in thought. She picked up her sketchbook and looked at the portrait she had carefully drawn. Suddenly, she tore off the page, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it in the corner.
As soon as she returned to the dormitory building, she saw her brother standing at the door like a ghost. She went over and gave him a lecture.
"Xiang Lan, what about your sense of time? You said you'd be here in ten minutes, and it's been a full twenty minutes now. What have you been doing?" Xiang Yuan saw that she looked listless and knew that something must have happened. He said, "I'm in a hurry. Let's go quickly. I've reserved a table at Taoyuan."
"It's Peach Blossom Spring again!" Xiang Lan, with her arms strapped to her backpack, followed behind him. "Can't we get something different?"
Taoyuan is a relatively good restaurant on campus, and various banquets and receptions are usually held here.
"As long as it tastes good, that's all that matters! Don't be picky—"
"oh!"
Xiang Yuan found it strange. Usually, if his younger sister didn't like something, even if he had already decided on it, he could change it to something else. He was unusually easy to talk to now, which meant he must have been quite upset.
"My uncle just called me," he said tentatively.
Feeling guilty, Xiang Lan feigned ignorance and asked, "What did I say?"
"About your graduation!" Xiang Yuan shook his head. "He said your major wasn't very good, and if he just lets you graduate like this, he'd be letting down all the effort he put into raising you. So he's determined to polish you carefully. Even if you can't become a gem, at least don't let you become a stone, otherwise you'll embarrass him. He told me to be prepared; there's a high chance you'll have to delay your graduation—"
"It's all your fault!" Xiang Lan complained.
"Ha, you have excuses now that your grades are bad?"
"My uncle said my fundamentals are fine, it's just that I lack life experience, which is why I can't produce good work. Mom and Dad and you have kept me too sheltered, too protected, so I can't experience the joys and sorrows of life—" Xiang Lan quickly shifted the blame, "He wants me to live independently, to find something to love, maybe then I'll succeed. Brother, did you hear that? It's all because you guys are so annoying—"
“That’s not what he told me.”
Xiang Lan looked at him and said, "Your uncle said you complained to him that your family is too strict with you. You're all grown up and you've never been in a relationship. You feel very empty."
"Tch—" She rolled her eyes at the sky, knowing full well that he was a scoundrel. She couldn't afford to let him find any loopholes, or he would cause trouble.
When the two arrived at the restaurant's private room, Xiang Lan dropped her backpack and said to the waiter, "Serve the food!"
"Wait a minute!" Xiang Yuan stopped him. "There's still one person who hasn't arrived."
"Who is it? You didn't call your business partners over, did you?" Xiang Lan was a little unhappy. She never liked attending business banquets hosted by adults. Not only could she not enjoy the meal, but she also had to listen to strangers flattering and bluffing each other. It was no fun.
"No. You'll find out soon enough—"
Xiang Lan fiddled with her chopsticks, feeling a bit bored. She took out her phone, hesitating whether to text Fang Zidu, but the thought of him made her feel suffocated.
After waiting for a while, the door to the private room was pushed open. She looked up and met Li Xingda's questioning gaze, which surprised her.
"President Xiang—" Li Xingda seemed even more surprised. After greeting Xiang Yuan, he whispered, "Xiang Lan?"
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he stared intently at Xiang Lan.
She sat in her seat for a while, then said, "Li Xingda?"
Xiang Lan turned to look at Yuan, wondering why he had invited this person over for dinner.
The Xiang family owns several hotels and shopping malls, and they have a regular sponsorship program for the student union at school, funding an annual summer field research activity. Back then, to win over Xiang Yuan, Li Xingda, along with several key members of the student union, spent several months working on it before finally securing the position. She was always lazy and didn't like to meddle in other people's business; she never mentioned her relationship with Xiang Yuan, quietly remaining an onlooker, and no one knew her identity.
Xiang Yuan gestured for Li Xingda to sit next to her and casually asked, "So, you two know each other?"
Li Xingda said, "Xiang Lan is our classmate from the same year, and also a member of the publicity department—"
Xiang Lan wrinkled her nose. "Yes, he's a leader in our student council!"
"A staff member? Lanlan, you're a staff member? I've never heard you say that before!"
Xiang Lan nodded, "That's right! Get things done, get things done, just do things that don't involve anything else—"
Li Xingda stared at Xiang Lan, seemingly disagreeing with her words.
She belatedly realized that her words sounded a bit like a complaint, and quickly said, "Boss, I wasn't complaining about you specifically, I was just saying. I mainly joined the student council because Yifan dragged me there—"
Xiang Yuan laughed and said, "Xingda, would you like some wine?"
"If Mr. Xiang needs it." Li Xingda was very polite, but his words carried a hint of awkwardness.
"Never mind then, I have to drive later." He called the waiter to serve the food. "I invited you here today mainly for dinner, and also to introduce you two. Xiang Lan is my sister, you might have to deal with her in the future."
Xiang Lan looked at her brother suspiciously. He was clearly the kind of person who wouldn't come to the temple without a reason. Calling Li Xingda out for dinner alone meant something bad was definitely going on.
"No. Our boss has already been accepted to a top American university, so we probably won't have many chances to see each other anymore!"
"That's amazing! Congratulations!" Xiang Yuan praised.
Li Xingda could tell that this was just a polite compliment, and said indifferently, "You're just going away to study, you'll come back later."
The dishes were served one after another, mostly Xiang Lan's favorites, but her heart ached terribly. Her mind kept replaying Fang Zi's cold eyes when he told her he wouldn't stay. She ate listlessly, completely oblivious to what the two men were saying. Occasionally, Xiang Yuan's words caught her attention, and she stared at him blankly, asking, "What did you say?"
Seeing her reaction, Xiang Yuan frowned and simply spoke only with Li Xingda to discuss the subsequent sponsorship matters. They finalized the cooperation for the next two years and scheduled a time for him to bring the next chairman and the external relations manager to the company to negotiate the specific terms.
During the meal, Li Xingda excused himself to go to the restroom.
"Lanlan, why do you look so listless? It's very impolite of me to introduce you to a friend."
Xiang Lan sighed deeply, "I'm heartbroken."
Xiang Yuan was immediately relieved. He had been very worried when Liu Nanyang called to tell him that Xiang Lan might be pursuing a guy living in the faculty dormitory. He naturally didn't trust men he hadn't met, and he was also afraid that the guy living in the faculty dormitory was a bookworm who wouldn't be able to tolerate Xiang Lan's temper. Of course, what bothered him even more was that his sister was the apple of her family's eye; how could she just run off chasing after a guy? So, he searched his mind several times and pulled Li Xingda into his thoughts. He said, "Lanlan, this young man is quite good! You're both in the student council, so you have a good advantage. Why didn't you get him first?"
Xiang Lan glanced at her brother expressionlessly. "I have my own requirements too."
"What are your requirements? I think this young man is very steady and generous, and he speaks well too. You're a bit impulsive, and he's a perfect match for you!"
"Heh, even at a time like this, you can't resist belittling me? Are you my brother? I was wondering why you suddenly wanted to have dinner with me, and even brought Li Xingda along. Did your uncle tell you some nonsense?"
Xiang Yuan touched his nose. "No, it's not that. You're older now, it's time to start dating. I've been thinking about it, and Li Xingda, who's about your age, is just right—"
She couldn't eat anymore and threw down her chopsticks.
"Don't get angry!" Xiang Yuan coaxed. "What I mean is, you're an adult now, it's normal to date, but you have to find someone your age and looks, someone reliable. At the very least, someone like Li Xingda, right?"
Chapter 9
"Brother, what do you mean?" Xiang Lan said, dissatisfied. "Whether I should date or not, and what kind of partner I should find, is all up to you to decide?"
"No!" Xiang Yuan would definitely not admit it, and patiently said, "It's better for everyone to know each other's background!"
"Is dating like you doing business, requiring a risk assessment first?" she said indignantly. "When you and your sister-in-law got married, did you have someone evaluate it? Why do you have so many opinions when it comes to me?"
Xiang Yuan cleared his throat. "You're young and inexperienced, I'm afraid you'll get taken advantage of. Find someone with good character first, date them, if it goes well, continue; if not, break up. That way, you'll know what men are really like, right?"
Xiang Lan looked at her older brother with disdain, "You're such a jerk!"
"Li Xingda is quite good; he's perfect for practicing with, since I'm going abroad anyway—"
She couldn't stand it anymore. Without giving her unreliable brother any face, she grabbed her schoolbag and ran away.
Pushing open the door, Li Xingda and Wang Runqiu stood outside. Li Xingda's usually aloof face showed embarrassment, while Wang Runqiu's delicate face showed resentment.
Judging from their expressions, they had heard everything the Xiang siblings said.
The situation was so awkward that she didn't know what to say.
Wang Runqiu said softly, "Xiang Lan, how could you bully someone like this?"
Xiang Lan felt wronged; it was all Xiang Yuan's fault, what did it have to do with her?
Her brother's words were unpleasant to hear, but Wang Runqiu wasn't much better. She immediately started accusing him and picking on the weakest link, targeting her instead of her brother!
"Xiang Yuan!" Xiang Lan stood coldly beside Li Xingda and shouted loudly.
Hearing the commotion outside, Xiang Yuan hurried out. He was surprised to see the two of them, and after understanding what had happened, he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I spoke carelessly."
Li Xingda's eyes lingered on the two siblings. Xiang Yuan looked guilty, while Xiang Lan was ashamed and indignant. She said, "It's okay."
"Xingda, how can it be nothing? They can't do this—"
"Runqiu, why don't you go outside and pay the bill first, okay?" Li Xingda said patiently. "I'll talk to President Xiang privately."
"How can I let you students spend money? I already paid when I ordered the food," Xiang Yuan said hurriedly. "Lanlan, go and talk to that female classmate. That's not what I meant."
Xiang Lan glared at him. What did he mean by "not that"? It was clearly true! "You have such a foul mouth! You make it sound like I'm unwanted, like I'd just grab anyone off the street and offer myself to you. You've gone too far, and you've even made me get yelled at—"
Wang Runqiu glared at Xiang Lan resentfully and walked away.
Xiang Lan rushed out of the restaurant and turned onto the path in Qionglin Garden, but Wang Runqiu chased after her from behind and blocked her way.
"What are you going to do?" Xiang Lan raised her head, showing her unwillingness to admit defeat.
“You know Xingda is about to go abroad, you shouldn’t bother him.”
"Wang Runqiu, what Li Xingda does is none of my business. I'm a victim too, okay?"
"Your family's behavior is truly shameful."
"My brother said something inappropriate, he apologized, and the person involved accepted it. What more do you want?" Xiang Lan knew that Wang Runqiu had always had a crush on Li Xingda, and it was very obvious. Basically, everyone in the association knew about it. Everyone usually took good care of her and tried their best to create opportunities for her and Li Xingda, but unfortunately, he was too aloof. Wang Runqiu had been pursuing him silently for almost four years, but judging from the current situation, it hadn't been successful.
“Please stay away from him from now on, don’t influence him, and don’t covet him,” Wang Runqiu said seriously. “You are not good enough for him at all.”
"Li Xingda and I have never had any relationship whatsoever," Xiang Lan emphasized again, not wanting to say anything derogatory.
"If you can't win him over, you bring your family into it, using money and power to bully him. That's immoral—"
"Stop imagining things, okay?" Xiang Lan really wanted to roll her eyes. "Even if I wanted to use money to bribe someone, this isn't the time to do it. If I really wanted to pursue him, I didn't care where he was going; I could just buy a plane ticket and follow him. It's just across the Pacific Ocean, why do you need to worry about it?"
Wang Runqiu looked utterly devastated, "He doesn't even like you, you shameless thing—"
"Your vocabulary is so limited. Besides 'shameless,' can't you come up with a new word?" Xiang Lan had never learned to be modest since she was a child. In her whole family, she would only occasionally give way to her sister-in-law. She wouldn't even consider it with anyone else. Annoyed by her scolding, she retorted, "Besides, how do you know he doesn't like me? Maybe he has a crush on me, a crush that's driving him crazy!"
"You—" Wang Runqiu was speechless. "You're dreaming!"