Сhарtеr 8: Lоng Time No Sее, Li Beiхiao
“Мm.” Li Веiхiао lowеrеd his hеаd to loоk at his fingers, the tips оf whiсh still cаrriеd hеr lingеring sсent аnd tоuсh.
Li Beiхiаo wаs stirred. With just a simplе aсtion from Su Nuannuаn, he hаd alrеаdy reаcted.
“Prеsidеnt Li, whаt аre yоu dоing hеrе?”
Long time nо seе, Li Beiхiao.
Su Nuаnnuan sized uр Li Beixiао. In hеr pаst lifе, how had she nеver nоtiсed that Li Вeixiаo wаs sо hаndsomе? He wаs top-tiеr! Еnоugh to leave Qi Mubai in the dust by sеvеral streets.
Hе must bе at least 1.85 mеtеrs tall, if not 1.87. And that body proportion—perfect. This was a man who had made it onto the Forbes list. How had she missed him in her previous life?
“Meeting with friends, just passing by.”
Li Beixiao’s voice was hoarse. What was wrong with her? Was she catching a cold? It seemed like he had been drinking. Drinking while sick—how willful.
“Meeting here?” Su Nuannuan glanced around. She didn’t understand Li Beixiao’s world.
“No, at Royal New Garden.” The corner of Li Beixiao’s mouth lifted slightly. Still so silly, so absent-minded.
Su Nuannuan was taken aback. She had forgotten that Royal New Garden was right across from Sheng Hao Hotel. The friends he mentioned were probably Bo Yunshen and the others.
Royal New Garden was He Xuan’s territory. In her past life, she hadn’t had much interaction with his brothers, mainly because her appearances were always rather special and delicate.
“Oh, President Li, aren’t you going to invite me to sit for a while?”
The pastries at Royal New Garden were famously delicious. Although she didn’t particularly like the place, she couldn’t resist the tasty food!
Li Beixiao was stunned. Why was she saying this? Usually, she would avoid him whenever she saw him. Why today, not only did she not run away, but she also…
After a long while without a response from Li Beixiao, Su Nuannuan finally realized that it might not be appropriate for her to join his brothers’ gathering.
“Ahem, just joking. If it’s inconvenient, forget it.” Su Nuannuan rubbed her nose.
“It’s not inconvenient at all. Let’s go.”
Li Beixiao slipped one hand into his pocket and walked a few steps. Seeing that Su Nuannuan hadn’t followed, he felt a pang of disappointment. He had thought as much—why would she come? It was just his own wishful thinking.
Su Nuannuan stared at Li Beixiao’s back, momentarily mesmerized. The black suit looked both noble and restrained on him, and those long, slender legs! It was practically criminal.
It took a while before Su Nuannuan snapped out of it and hurried after him. Damn! That was almost embarrassing—she had been staring at a man’s back, completely entranced.
“President Li, wait for me with those long legs of yours!” Su Nuannuan jogged to catch up.
Li Beixiao stiffened all over. She had really followed. Why? Hadn’t she already left? Why was she coming after him now?
Su Nuannuan rarely visited Royal New Garden because it was He Xuan’s territory, and Li Beixiao often appeared there. Back then, it was here that she had slipped and crashed right between his legs.
After that incident, she had never returned—it was just too embarrassing.
Li Beixiao watched the young girl closely following behind him, his palms trembling and sweating.
The brothers, who had been about to call it a night, were astonished to see Li Beixiao return. Had he been so affected that he was planning to drown his sorrows in alcohol?
When they saw the girl behind him, they were even more shocked. He Xuan’s expression completely lost control. Third Brother is amazing! He actually brought her back.
“Third Brother, what’s this about?” Gu Jinghuai looked at Li Beixiao in surprise. Could it be that Third Brother had taken his words to heart and was finally making a move?”Sit.” Li Beixiao suppressed the heart threatening to leap from his chest, inviting the girl to sit.
“Thank you, President Li.” Su Nuannuan sat down beside Li Beixiao.
Bo Yunshen and the others exchanged glances, sizing them up and down, trying to discern something from Li Beixiao.
“The daughter of Su Rongfeng,” Li Beixiao said indifferently.
“No wonder she looks so familiar! Hello, Miss Su, I’m Gu Jinghuai. This is actually the first time Third Brother has brought a girl along.”
Gu Jinghuai appeared gentle and refined, with the most amiable temperament among the brothers, but this opening line was a bit awkward.
“Ahem, hello, I’m Su Nuannuan.”
Su Nuannuan glanced around the private room, taking in the people inside. Quite the gathering.
“Miss Su, no need to be shy. If you want to eat anything, you can tell Third Brother.”
Gu Jinghuai’s words hit the mark for Su Nuannuan. She slightly lifted her chin and looked at Li Beixiao beside her.
“What would you like to eat?”
Li Beixiao looked at Su Nuannuan, who was staring at him, and asked with feigned composure.
“Miss Su, the desserts here are something you girls would probably enjoy. Fourth Brother, hurry up and go.” Gu Jinghuai nudged He Xuan’s foot.
He Xuan reluctantly stood up. Su Nuannuan watched their interaction and smiled slightly. Why hadn’t she noticed before how interesting they were?
“Thank you for that day.”
Su Nuannuan didn’t know if he would admit it, but she wanted to tell him there was no need to hide—she already knew.
Li Beixiao looked at her in confusion. Which day was she referring to?
“I know it was you that day. I just don’t understand why you left?” Su Nuannuan probed, looking at Li Beixiao.
“Passing by, lent a hand, had urgent matters.” Wow, truly Li Beixiao.
“So, Miss Su, there’s no need to go to such lengths to thank me.” Li Beixiao was in a very bad mood.
The others in the private room exchanged glances. Whenever Third Brother encountered Su Nuannuan, nothing good ever came of it. It seemed no one would be leaving tonight—drinks were definitely on the agenda.
Su Nuannuan’s expression turned odd. Could Li Beixiao think she had deliberately come looking for him today? This man changed his expression so quickly.
“I was being presumptuous. President Li is extremely busy, so I won’t disturb your gathering with your brothers.”
The opportunity was practically handed to him, yet he refused to take it. Could she have misunderstood something?
But in her previous life, when he called her “Nuannuan,” it was filled with deep affection. Yet now, it seemed she had angered him.
“Hey, Miss Su, no rush. You just got here, and we don’t have much going on. The desserts are here. I heard from Third Brother that you love desserts the most.” Gu Jinghuai stopped Su Nuannuan, who was about to leave.
Gu Jinghuai glanced at Li Beixiao. After finally getting her here, he was pushing her away.
“I say, Fourth Brother, you took too long. Miss Su, give it a try.” Gu Jinghuai handed a small cake to her.
Damn, wasn’t this cheating? Using food to tempt her like this. She had been eating medicinal meals every day lately and hadn’t had anything like this in a long time.
If she accepted it, she’d owe him a favor. If she didn’t, she was craving it! It was all Qi Mubai’s fault—that scumbag, he deserved to die.
“Thank you, Young Master Gu. You’re a good person.” Accepting favors came with obligations, so she handed out a “good person” card.
Gu Jinghuai rubbed his nose and glared at Li Beixiao. He had managed to keep her here, but if Li Beixiao drove her away again, he wouldn’t bother anymore.
Li Beixiao ignored Gu Jinghuai. Who asked him to meddle? Gu Jinghuai sighed. He shouldn’t have come out today.”Hah, pretending. Third Brother, you need to keep your eyes open. Women are the best at lying.” Lu Chen took a bitter sip of wine and said sarcastically.
As soon as these words fell, Su Nuannuan didn’t know whether to swallow the cake in her mouth or spit it in his face. Who had she provoked?
“Old Fifth, what are you saying? You’ve really had too much to drink. Miss Su, please don’t mind him. Lu Chen is drunk.” Gu Jinghuai kicked Lu Chen. Was this kid trying to get himself killed? Wasn’t he afraid of angering Third Brother?
“He’s not wrong. Not only are beautiful women good at lying, but handsome men are too. Hah…” Su Nuannuan let out a mocking laugh.