Accompanying Senior Brother Bai on this business trip, she hadn’t been of any help and instead caused him to spend so much extra money. Her heart was filled with remorse.
“Senior Brother, I’m really sorry. It’s all because of me that… that things turned out like this,” she said with her head lowered, looking embarrassed.
Since things had already reached this point, complaining would be useless. He had already lost his composure enough in front of his junior sister today and must not lose control of his emotions again.
Bai Shuxi took a deep breath and after a moment forced out his usual smile: “It’s fine, junior sister. This isn’t your fault. Fortunately, he gave up in the end. I just don’t know when I offended your boyfriend.”
He shook his head with a bitter smile, his face full of helplessness, presenting the image of someone who remains magnanimous even when wronged.
“……” She couldn’t explain the reason to Bai Shuxi, only silently thinking that she would have to help her senior brother someday, since this had started because of her.
Bai Shuxi reached out and gently patted her back: “Alright, no need to overthink it. How about I treat you to a meal?”
“No, let me treat you instead,” she said before he could refuse, adding: “Please don’t decline, senior brother, otherwise I won’t feel at ease.”
“Alright, then I’ll trouble you to spend your money, junior sister.” He smiled gently and didn’t refuse further. Bai Shuxi had always known how to handle situations appropriately.
Jiang Shu breathed a sigh of relief, her feelings of guilt lessening somewhat.
The two went to a famous Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong City.
It was exactly lunch hour, and the restaurant was quite crowded with all the private rooms already occupied.
“It’s fine, we can eat in the main dining area. We can enjoy the view too. What matters most is that the food is good,” Bai Shuxi said understandingly from beside her.
Jiang Shu didn’t mind where they ate, but she was concerned that Senior Brother Bai, coming from a privileged background, might be uncomfortable.
Now it seemed that Senior Brother Bai truly didn’t put on any young master airs and was genuinely a good person.
While waiting for their food, they chatted about some amusing stories from their alma mater. Though they were conversing, most of the time it was Bai Shuxi speaking softly with Jiang Shu occasionally chiming in.
Both had outstanding appearances – one elegant and gentle, the other cool and beautiful – and they were chatting so animatedly that to others, they looked perfectly matched.
“Cheng brother, you’re spacing out again. Am I really that uninteresting?” Beina’er said in a complaining tone while holding the arm of the noble and tall man.
She wore a burgundy mini dress that, paired with her golden hair, clearly showcased her hot figure.
Cheng Xiyu remained expressionless and didn’t speak.
Having known him for a long time, Beina’er was already accustomed to his lukewarm attitude.
Not bothered, she continued on her own: “I reserved a private room in advance. I heard this is a specialty restaurant in Hong Kong City. Cheng brother, let’s go over quickly~”
“Let’s eat here,” Cheng Xiyu said to her without any expression.
“…Okay~” With so many people around in the main dining area, how was she supposed to build rapport with Cheng brother?
But she couldn’t make him angry, otherwise the lunch opportunity her brother had helped secure for her would be ruined…
Sensing a familiar gaze sweep over her, Jiang Shu looked up curiously and inadvertently met the eyes.
Since they were sitting facing each other, Jiang Shu immediately spotted Cheng Xiyu three tables away, along with the girl across from him.
It was that foreign girl they had encountered in the elevator last time.Though they were seated quite far apart, Jiang Shu could feel the other person’s gaze occasionally falling on her, growing colder and more tangible with each passing moment.
She felt as if sitting on pins and needles, unable to savor the delicate flavors of the distinctive Cantonese dishes.
“Senior Brother Bai, I’m going to the restroom,” she said apologetically.
“Alright.”
Only after leaving Cheng Xiyu’s line of sight did she realize the dish she had eaten earlier was quite spicy, with a lingering heat.
Placing her hands under the sensor-activated faucet, cool water streamed out. She cupped her hands together to catch some water, bringing it to her lips to soothe the burning sensation.
I should head back quickly. I can’t keep Senior Brother waiting, and I can’t hide forever.
Sighing softly, Jiang Shu turned to leave but suddenly bumped her forehead against a firm chest.
He had been standing there for who knows how long, unmoved by the collision as if he had anticipated it.
“Running off like this?” he said with forced patience.
Jiang Shu looked up at him, her forehead reddened from the impact, her peach blossom eyes glistening with unshed tears, looking utterly pitiful.
“I wasn’t running. The food was spicy,” she mumbled, her voice muffled.
Ignoring her show of vulnerability, Cheng Xiyu maintained his cold expression, gripping her chin firmly as his tone grew even frostier. “You know what I’m talking about. Why did you sneak off here without a word?!”
“I came for work…” Her skin felt cool to the touch, and her usually clear, detached voice carried a barely perceptible hint of coquettishness.
Cheng Xiyu fell silent for a long moment, realizing he might have overreacted.
“Next time, let me know beforehand. Or at least tell Wang Ye.”
It was just a business trip – having dinner with a male colleague was perfectly normal. His unusual irritation felt out of character.
“Okay, I will,” she replied meekly.
“…A’Cheng, is the girl you came with your friend?” Jiang Shu leaned closer into his embrace and asked softly.
“Feeling jealous?” Cheng Xiyu’s mood lightened slightly, a teasing note entering his voice.
Her jealous expression was inexplicably adorable. He could almost visualize her little fox tail drooping dejectedly.
When she didn’t respond, Cheng Xiyu assumed she felt too embarrassed to continue.
Returning to their table, Jiang Shu remained distracted until Bai Shuxi’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“Junior sister, junior sister! What’s wrong? Did you lose your soul in the restroom?” he joked.
“Ah? No, I was just thinking about the auction,” she fabricated an excuse.
In truth, her mind kept replaying Cheng Xiyu’s words whispered in her ear: “Come to my room tonight? We’re staying at the same hotel. No one else, just you…” He had emphasized those last three words.
Across the room, Cheng Xiyu was no longer looking at her, focused on his meal instead. The girl sitting opposite him chattered incessantly, and while Cheng Xiyu didn’t respond much, he showed no signs of impatience.
She must hold some special significance to him.
But… that has nothing to do with me…
Meanwhile, Bai Shuxi across from her was preoccupied with matters concerning Blue Luster, unaware of her distraction.
Having spent a fortune acquiring it, he needed to devise a strategy to maximize Blue Luster’s value.
Most attendees at the auction were industry insiders, many waiting to see him fail. He had to find a way to use Blue Luster to elevate Baili’s status even further.
While she was peacefully enjoying her meal, unaware that a puzzled gaze had fallen upon her,
When she clearly saw her face, Beina’er’s hand gripping the cutlery tightened, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.
So that was it! No wonder Brother Cheng’s mood improved after returning from the restroom earlier— he must have been bewitched by that Vixen from the elevator they’d encountered last time!
With looks like that, she was clearly a seductress through and through. How shameless to flirt with one man while dining with another!
Brother Cheng must have been deceived by her appearance!
Hmph, she’d deal with any woman like this who dared show up.