22 – Chapter 22
She clearly looked well-nourished and content.
Although Xie Zhi had said he needed two days off, he only rested for half a day before throwing himself back into work.
Xiao Yang’s vacation plans were also ruined. Xie Zhi gave him a ride back to the company.
Xiao Yang’s face fell when he realized he had to work again, looking utterly dejected. But the moment he got in the car and caught a faint, fresh fragrance from the passenger seat, his eyes instantly lit up.
“Bro, did you just give someone a ride?” he probed.
“Yeah, a friend,” Xie Zhi replied.
“What friend? Can I meet them?”
“No.”
“Wow, it couldn’t be that woman, could it…” Xiao Yang covered his mouth, snickering. “Have you checked Weibo these past couple of days? Your CP fans are everywhere, screaming for you two to get married and have kids! You’re practically a top-tier celebrity, single-handedly turning this reality show into a national sensation!”
“Stop guessing nonsense.”
Xiao Yang wasn’t listening to Xie Zhi at all, lost in his own world as he rested his chin on his hand. “I think Sister Si Nian is really beautiful. She looks perfect standing next to you, and most importantly, she can cook! She takes care of you in every way… Isn’t having a girlfriend like that every man’s dream?”
“You want one that much?”
Xiao Yang nodded blankly. “Yeah, I do.”
The next second, he realized what he had said and quickly slapped his own mouth. “No, no! Sister Si Nian belongs to you, Bro. How could I dare to think about her!”
Xie Zhi didn’t say anything, and Xiao Yang sensed something unusual in his silence.
He hadn’t refuted his words! Wasn’t that an indirect acknowledgment of “Sister Si Nian belongs to you, Bro”?
Xiao Yang suddenly felt an urge to post on Weibo and tell the eagerly waiting CP fans: I’m shipping them too!
After a long silence, Xie Zhi suddenly asked, “What would you think if I branched out and started my own studio?”
“Huh?” Xiao Yang was stunned for a moment. “Bro, you want to start your own company and be the boss?”
“My contract with the company is about to expire anyway. I want to try making some changes.”
Xiao Yang’s flattery quickly followed: “Bro, whatever you want to do, go for it boldly! Just let me stick with you!”
“Mmm…”
Xiao Yang turned to look at Xie Zhi in the driver’s seat, feeling that he seemed different since returning from the show…
Often, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if lost in thought.
The next evening at 6 p.m., a small manor in the western suburbs of Rong City gradually came to life.
It was the 70th birthday banquet of the Si family patriarch. Though the scale was modest, the guests were all influential figures.
The Bai family, with their intricate connections to the Si family, was naturally invited. However, the entire family seemed rather sullen and quiet, which intimidated many who had hoped to toast them and build connections.
Feng Xuelin glanced at a few timid women sneaking glances at Bai Yanlin and sighed. “There are plenty of young ladies interested in you. You should pick one with good looks and a suitable background, settle down, and start a family. You’re 30 already—no longer young.”
“I’m in no hurry,” Bai Yanlin said, taking a sip of champagne, his expression as cold as his tone.”What do you mean? Are you really fond of that Lin Yulan?” Feng Xuelin’s aristocratic composure nearly slipped. “Mother has a good eye for people. That Lin Yulan is no good either. I’ve looked into her family background—she lost her father at a young age and has a seriously ill mother at home. I’ve seen plenty of women like her who want to climb the social ladder. Don’t be fooled by her surface!”
Bai Yanlin was growing impatient. “You don’t need to emphasize it so many times. Besides, she’s only twenty—how could she have the schemes you’re talking about? There’s no way I’d be deceived by her.”
“If I hadn’t stopped you earlier, you would’ve brought her to the banquet already, wouldn’t you?! Yanlin, it’s fine to have fun with shows and such, but on formal occasions like this…”
“I just happened to run into her and thought to bring her along. Don’t overthink it.”
Feng Xuelin was about to scold her son further when the banquet suddenly buzzed with excitement, as if someone important had arrived. As they looked toward the entrance, they saw Si Nian and Xie Zhi entering one after the other.
Though they weren’t walking side by side, the pink handkerchief in Xie Zhi’s black suit pocket perfectly matched the pink mermaid gown Si Nian wore.
Combined with their striking looks and enviable figures, many guests had their attention fixed on them.
“I know Si Nian is the daughter of the Si family, but which family is Xie Zhi from? How was he invited?”
“Oh, what do you know? Weren’t the two of them getting close on that show? It seems like it’s for real…”
“But I heard the Si family’s daughter is already married? What does this mean?”
“Married? I haven’t heard about that…”
Si Nian and Xie Zhi had held their wedding overseas, with only close relatives in attendance, making it essentially a secret marriage.
However, the Bai family naturally knew about it. Seeing the ambiguous pair now, Feng Xuelin’s mood worsened.
Originally, Bai Yanlin had been engaged to Si Nian. Had they married a year ago, they might even have had a child by now.
Who would have thought Si Nian would end up with Xie Zhi…
Looking at Xie Zhi’s face, which bore a striking resemblance to that woman, Feng Xuelin curled her lips in a scornful sneer. “Just as shameless as his mother, indeed.”
Bai Yanlin knew better than to cause a scene in such a setting and reminded his mother, “Don’t act impulsively.”
“How can I not be impulsive?” Feng Xuelin was fuming. “Look at how well they’re getting along now? I’m worried that if the Si family supports Xie Zhi to compete with you, it could threaten your position!”
Bai Yanlin glanced at Xie Zhi’s overly handsome face and scoffed coldly. “Him? He doesn’t have what it takes.”
“How can you say that? People like him are full of schemes—otherwise, how could he have taken Si Nian from you?”
Bai Yanlin didn’t like hearing that. “I was never interested in that woman to begin with.”
The mere thought of Lin Yulan, who had almost entered on her son’s arm earlier, filled Feng Xuelin with disgust. Now, as she looked at Si Nian, she found her increasingly agreeable.
“Look at Si Nian’s recent state—she’s much better than before, and her temperament seems to have changed quite a bit, even becoming quite likable… It’s clear she’s been well cared for by a man. If they have a child, it would be your father’s first grandchild. I’m truly worried your father might waver!””Alright, let’s not discuss these matters here.”
“Aren’t I just worried about you? Back when Si Nian pursued you so fiercely, I thought it was eighty percent certain to work out. Who would have thought… who would have thought…”
In the end, Feng Xuelin didn’t say anything more, having been pulled away by an acquainted society lady to chat.
Bai Yanlin stood in place, gazing at the smiling faces of a man and woman not far away, suddenly finding them extremely irritating to look at.