Encounter
Fu Peijia tiptoed out of the bustling hall.
She held her breath, then took a deep breath; the fresh scent of dew filled her nostrils. She immediately felt a sense of relief wash over her.
She pouted her rosy little lips slightly. It was all her father’s fault—he always insisted on bringing her to these utterly boring banquets. Everyone acted as if they were wearing masks, engaging in insincere small talk.
Playfully, she slipped off her shoes and, still in her stockings, stepped directly onto the jade-green lawn. The fine blades of grass gently massaged the soles of her aching feet, creating a tingling, ticklish sensation that made her want to let out a sigh of delight!
The garden was completely empty, so she didn’t bother with her father’s lessons on proper lady-like behavior. Taking small steps, she ran back and forth across the lawn. After a while, she finally felt much better. She found an iron bench and sat down.
But as soon as she sat down, she felt bored again. At that very moment, she would have much rather been curled up under the covers, hugging her Hello Kitty, than sitting here staring into space. Going to the ballroom was even more dreadful—those self-proclaimed ladies of high society were either competing over whose diamonds were larger in carats or whose evening gowns were more expensive. One moment they’d be getting along wonderfully; the next, as soon as one left, the rest would be frantically badmouthing that person, spreading rumors as widely as possible, as if they were afraid no one would know about it.
Fu Peijia gave a wry smile and looked down, plucking a blade of grass.
Lately, her father had been actively taking her to all sorts of banquets—it seemed his true intentions lay elsewhere. He was constantly introducing her to the second generation of business tycoons—She hadn’t even graduated from college yet, and her father already seemed to fear she’d never get married!
She let out a soft sigh, knowing this was simply her fate—something she couldn’t resist. Fu Enterprises was one of the country’s leading conglomerates, and since her parents had only her as their child, her father had devoted all his energy to her and his business ever since her mother’s passing. As a young woman, she’d gritted her teeth and majored in business, but the very thought of taking over such a massive enterprise still filled her with dread. How could her father not understand her? That was why he wanted to find a capable son-in-law she approved of early on to help him run the company. If he didn’t have a certain level of financial standing and background, her father would certainly refuse him. Who knew if he was even here just for the money?
“Miss, I don’t know who’s offended you, but please don’t take it out on these poor little blades of grass,” a teasing voice rang out, interrupting her thoughts.
Fu Peijia snapped back to attention and realized she’d unconsciously pulled up a small clump of grass. She couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. As she looked up, her gaze fell into a pair of deep, enigmatic eyes. A man in a crisp suit was leaning casually against a tree trunk across from her, smiling at her and revealing a set of perfect teeth.
Fu Peijia felt uneasy under his gaze. Surely he hadn’t seen her running around here just a moment ago? She slowly and gracefully slipped her shoes back on before rising to her feet. In public, she was the dignified eldest daughter of the Fu family; she absolutely could not afford to be rude to anyone.
She gave him a slight nod as a greeting, then turned and walked back into the grand hall. Since there was no longer any private space, she might as well go keep her father company.
Qiao Jiaxuan didn’t call out to her either. He stood there, staring blankly as her graceful figure gradually faded into the distance.
The clamor in the grand hall continued as before. No sooner had Fu Peijia entered than her father caught her red-handed: “Xiao Jia, where have you wandered off to again? Come, let me introduce you to someone. This person is no ordinary individual—at such a young age, he built his fortune from scratch using the latest internet technologies. Now he’s investing in multiple sectors; he’s a business prodigy. And—” Fu Xiong paused, then leaned in close to his daughter’s ear: “And, you know, he’s a rare heartthrob!”
Fu Peijia stuck out her tongue at her father, laughing at his childish behavior.
Fu Xiong pinched his daughter’s smooth, jade-like cheek: “What can I say? My daughter is so beautiful! If she were to date someone unattractive, I’d be the first to object!”
Fu Peijia glared at him, both annoyed and amused. If she were “beautiful”, then surely the vast majority of women here would be stunningly gorgeous. She knew herself well enough—she could only be considered fairly pretty.
Just then, one of Fu Xiong’s friends arrived with another man in tow: “Here, Brother Fu, let me introduce you to a promising young friend— —Qiao Jiaxuan. The company he founded, PP.OM, is now world-renowned. He’s also achieved impressive results in real estate and telecommunications.”
Fu Xiong replied politely, “I’ve long admired Mr. Qiao’s reputation. I didn’t expect him to be so young. Brother Wang, it seems old-timers like us can finally retire!” He said this with a playful tone.
Qiao Jiaxuan shook Fu Xiong’s hand and said, “Chairman Fu, you really have a great sense of humor. Everyone knows that you’ve been dominating the business world for decades without ever facing a rival. I still have so much to learn from you, Chairman Fu!”
Fu Xiong’s favorable impression of him deepened slightly. Good—young and spirited, yet not arrogant!
Fu Peijia, however, looked up at the sound of a familiar voice and was surprised to discover that this man was the same person she’d just seen in the garden. With a chiseled face and deep, piercing eyes, he stood before her, polite yet reserved—a far cry from the relaxed and at-ease demeanor he’d displayed in the garden.
“Mr. Qiao, this is my daughter, Peijia!”
“Miss Fu, hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
“Hello, Mr. Qiao!” Fu Peijia felt her hand firmly enveloped by a deep, powerful palm; the warm sensation caused her heart to race involuntarily. She knew he was looking at her, his gaze both incredulous and scrutinizing.
To hide her fluster, Fu Peijia subtly withdrew her hand and turned to her father’s friend, saying, “Uncle Wang, it’s been a long time. You look more and more youthful!”
Wang Zhen Tian laughed heartily, delighted: “My friend Fu, if only I had a daughter like Peijia!”
Fu Xiong joined in with a hearty laugh, gazing at his precious daughter with a look of doting affection.
Just as they were joking around, more business tycoons came over to exchange pleasantries. Cultivating connections and building relationships was always beneficial and never harmful.
Peijia wandered around and around until she found herself in a corner, having turned down several bizarre attempts at small talk—it was utterly boring.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you find it boring being all alone?” Qiao Jiaxuan’s voice suddenly rang out from behind her.
Peijia spun around abruptly and saw him holding two glasses of red wine, offering one to her.
“Uh—I don’t drink!” Peijia blushed and smiled as she declined.
Qiao Jiaxuan raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat skeptical.
“My father says I’m not allowed to touch such strong liquor until I graduate from college” No sooner had she said it than Peijia regretted it and wanted to bite her tongue—why had she explained so much?
Qiao Jiaxuan smiled knowingly. “Then hold this for me while I go get some juice.” He returned a moment later and handed her the juice he was holding.
“Thanks! Why aren’t you over there chatting with them?”
“Hehe! What do you think?” Qiao Jiaxuan winked at her.
Peijia looked at him, puzzled.
“I find it boring. I don’t like socializing. But this is one of the top events of the year—I can run into a lot of people and meet new ones. You know, in business, connections are everything. So I have no other choice!” He shrugged as he spoke.
So he felt just as bored as she did.
Peijia smiled at him. “I think it’s a bore too”
“I think school functions are way more fun than this. Everyone’s young, and there are no inhibitions. Too bad I said goodbye to those days quite a while ago”
“I agree!”
“People at school are more innocent-minded. It’s nothing like here—” Qiao Jiaxuan turned his head and scanned the room.
Peijia stuck out her tongue and smiled knowingly.
The two chatted off and on about some funny stories from school and actually hit it off quite well.