In late autumn, the wind on the outskirts of the city was a bit cold. Xu Youqing pulled her coat tighter as a car pulled up before her.
She was just curious when the rear window rolled down, revealing that handsome yet imposing face.
"Mr. Jin?" Xu Youqing was surprised.
Jin Zongmin cast a glance at her. "Leaving without even saying hello?"
She opened her mouth to explain: "I saw that you and Mr. Zheng were busy, so I left a note."
On the one hand, Xu Youqing genuinely didn't want to disturb their conversation. On the other hand, Boss Zheng had been overly enthusiastic today—she was afraid that if she went back inside, he'd grab her and refuse to let her leave.
In the twilight, Xu Youqing stood politely at a distance by the car.
"Your boyfriend didn't come?" Jin Zongmin stared at her, his tone carrying a hint of meaning.
So he'd heard Xuanxuan's teasing remark during the meal.
"He… he's a bit busy."
During the meal, Xu Youqing had been afraid of being pressed for more details, so she'd simply stopped explaining about Han Zheng.
Jin Zongmin said nothing, but his gaze didn't move away. The wind swept up fallen leaves as Xu Youqing raised a hand to pull at her collar.
His eyes swept over the girl's fair neck, his gaze darkening. "Would you like a ride?"
Xu Youqing stared at the man before her. His eyes, the way they looked at people, seemed to have hooks—captivating yet dangerous. His gaze drifted over her lightly, making her instinctively want to avoid it.
"Thank you, Mr. Jin, but the bus is here," Xu Youqing said with a polite smile. "I'll just take the bus."
Not only aloof, but stubborn too. Jin Zongmin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Fine."
He'd never had much patience.
Xu Youqing gave a slight bow, didn't spare Jin Zongmin another glance, and turned to walk toward the bus stop.
In the rearview mirror, the girl's figure was slender yet upright.
"Drive." Jin Zongmin withdrew his gaze.
The driver glanced at the rearview mirror.
Jin Zongmin leaned back in the seat, eyes half-closed, his jawline taut. He reached up and tugged at his tie; above the collar of his shirt, his Adam's apple rose and fell slightly.
The driver thought to himself—this young lady was still green, unaware of who sat in this car. Countless people would kill for a chance to get in this car, unable even to touch the door handle. Let alone the fact that this man had, against all precedent, extended an invitation himself. The driver had been working for Jin Zongmin for nearly eight years, and this was the first time he'd seen anything like it.
…
A week later, her younger brother Xiao Ze underwent surgery.
Xiao Ze had a congenital heart defect that required multiple interventional procedures. The doctor said this surgery had also gone smoothly, and only then did Xu Youqing's family finally relax.
At the critical moment, Xu Youqing had taken out that fifty thousand yuan. Su Mingxia was shocked and moved—she and her husband had been planning to sell their house to scrape together the money. Xu Youqing had been a huge help, so she couldn't very well scold her anymore. She only repeatedly urged Xu Youqing to stay far away from those high-and-mighty types—once you offended them, they were capable of anything.
Xu Youqing had no idea who Mr. Jin really was. But if even someone of Boss Zheng's standing had to fawn over him like that, he surely wasn't just your ordinary rich or powerful man.
Naturally, they would never cross paths again.
With everything resolved, a weight lifted from Xu Youqing's heart. She threw herself fully into her studies, even giving up her part-time job. She wanted to give it her all to secure the archaeology project under Professor Zou.
In the library, she was flipping through materials when her phone suddenly vibrated.
Picking up her phone, she stood and walked toward the aisle.
"What's up, Dayu?"
Fang Dayu was Han Zheng's right-hand man at work, and also his closest brother.
"Brother Zheng's had too much to drink, nobody dares to touch him, you see…"
Whenever everyone couldn't handle Han Zheng, Fang Dayu would always come to Xu Youqing. She was the only one who dared, and the only one who could resolve it.
After their last unpleasant phone call, Xu Youqing and Han Zheng hadn't been in contact for a week. Before Xiao Ze's surgery, Han Zheng had made the first move to mend things, asking about the surgery costs. When he learned that Xu Youqing had already taken care of it, he felt a pang of loss, even a bit unsettled—it seemed Xu Youqing really didn't need him.
For Xu Youqing, Han Zheng had helped her aunt's family with so many things. There was no way she could just ignore him.
"Send me the address," Xu Youqing replied.
"Got it!"
However, the address Fang Dayu gave wasn't Han Zheng's usual bar.
When she arrived, Xu Youqing saw a dark metal door—simple yet refined.
"Sister-in-law, you're here!" Fang Dayu greeted her with a grin.
Xu Youqing's face flushed, and she shot him a look. "What are you calling me?"
Fang Dayu muttered under his breath, "Isn't it just a matter of time?"
Before Xu Youqing could scold him, Fang Dayu quickly changed the subject. "So? This place isn't bad, right?"
"What is this place?" Xu Youqing looked around.
"It's Brother Zheng's new spot."
Xu Youqing scanned the area. Unlike the previous bar in a bustling neighborhood, this place was incredibly secluded. If someone hadn't led her here, she wouldn't have guessed it was a business.
"Why pick such an out-of-the-way location? Is there even any foot traffic here?"
Fang Dayu looked mysterious. "That's the point—it needs to be low-key. Unless someone recommends it, regular folks can't get in."
Xu Youqing followed Fang Dayu inside. Behind the unassuming door was a hidden world of splendor. Bronze steel and crystal chandeliers cast interweaving light and shadow, with amber rays falling across curved glass-brick walls—a quiet, understated luxury.
Xu Youqing took it all in. Seeing how lavish a venue Han Zheng had set up, she couldn't help but worry whether his finances could sustain it.
A man in uniform approached Fang Dayu. "Manager, the Guan Yun Hall said to hold that bottle—it won't be opened today."
Fang Dayu frowned. "What happened?"
"They said the person they were waiting for isn't coming."
"Alright, alright, go on and get back to work." Fang Dayu waved him off with a sigh. The fat fish that was about to bite had slipped away.
Seeing Fang Dayu's dejected look, Xu Youqing tried to comfort him. "Other customers will just buy a few more bottles."
Fang Dayu held up two fingers. "That bottle costs over two million."
Xu Youqing's eyes widened. That wine… was it made of gold?
Fang Dayu glanced toward the two o'clock direction. "That person's something else—made a bunch of big shots wait half the day, then just said they weren't coming and didn't show."
"Who is it?" Xu Youqing also looked toward the two o'clock direction.
Fang Dayu made a "shh" gesture. "Not allowed to say."
But he couldn't help leaning in and whispering, "Surname Jin."
"Jin?" Xu Youqing's eyes flickered as a person came to mind.
Since Xu Youqing wasn't an outsider, Fang Dayu simply reminded her, "The Jin family you always see on the evening news."
Now Xu Youqing understood. No wonder Boss Zheng was so eager to please him. Suddenly, the memory of that man's hook-like gaze flashed through her mind.
She pressed her lips together, quickly clearing the image from her thoughts, and steered the conversation elsewhere. "Where's Han Zheng?"
"In the room up ahead."
Fang Dayu continued, "Brother Zheng seems to be in a bad mood lately. He drank with some clients today and didn't turn anyone down—drank himself right into a stupor."
"Brother Zheng is resting in here. I said I'd take him home to sleep it off, but he wouldn't let me." Fang Dayu said, pushing the door open.
The air went still for a few seconds.
By the sofa, a woman in a black long dress with a gracefully curved figure was leaning slightly forward, one hand on Han Zheng's shoulder and the other holding a tissue, gently dabbing at his face.
Fang Dayu glanced at Xu Youqing and quickly spoke up: "Sister Meidi… you're here?"
The woman turned around, her gaze landing on Xu Youqing.
The young girl stood at the doorway in a cream-colored knit cardigan. Her features were delicate, her eyes clear and pure—like milk just warmed in the morning, the kind that makes you want a taste.
Xu Youqing looked up at the woman in return. Her face was even more striking than her figure—beautiful like a lush red rose in full bloom.
Fan Meidi crossed her arms. "Zheng's drunk. I came to check on him."
Fang Dayu introduced her to Xu Youqing: "This is Sister Meidi, Brother Zheng's business partner."
"Hello, Sister Meidi." Xu Youqing greeted her politely.
Fan Meidi stared at Xu Youqing. A pretty, innocent girl student like this—how could a man not be drawn to her? She paused, then tilted her head toward Fang Dayu. "Take Zheng home to rest." With that, she turned and stepped out.
Xu Youqing looked back, watching Fan Meidi's retreating figure, a feeling she couldn't quite name stirring inside her.
The two of them stepped forward to help Han Zheng up, but he shook them off impatiently with a wave of his hand.
"Han Zheng." Xu Youqing spoke up.
Like a dog responding to a specific command, Han Zheng immediately complied the moment he heard Xu Youqing's voice.
Fang Dayu and Xu Youqing together took Han Zheng back to his place.
When Xu Youqing came out with a glass of honey water, she noticed a few books sitting on the living room table.
Han Zheng had never been one for reading—back in school, he'd doze off the moment he touched a book. Curious, Xu Youqing picked up the two volumes: Archaeology of China and Restoring Cultural Relics at the Palace Museum.
Han Zheng had sobered up and was just walking out.
Xu Youqing held up the books, a little surprised. "You're reading… these?"
Han Zheng came over, tossed the books aside carelessly, and rubbed the back of his head with a hint of awkwardness. "Just browsing."
"Oh," Xu Youqing nodded, remembering what her aunt had asked her to pass along. "Auntie wants you to come over for dinner on Saturday."
Pingcheng was about a four-hour drive from Jingxi—not too far.
Hearing this, Han Zheng's mood lifted instantly. He smiled at Xu Youqing. "Then I'll pick you up on Saturday?"
"Okay." Xu Youqing nodded, handing him the honey water.
…
Dusk slowly seeped into the spacious study.
Jin Zongmin held a cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the documents spread before him. His brows were slightly furrowed, his knuckles tapping absently against the sandalwood desk.
"Sir, your tea."
He responded with a vague grunt, his eyes never leaving the papers. The servant withdrew quietly. Jin Zongmin reached for the teacup, and as his fingertips touched the warm porcelain, he turned his head to glance at it.
Thin white porcelain with a lustrous sheen. He suddenly thought of those strikingly clear eyes—like two pools of autumn water.
After a moment's thought, he dialed his secretary.
"The porcelain bowl from Boss Zheng—where is it?"
The secretary on the other end paused briefly before replying, "It's stored at the collection gallery."
Jin Zongmin's expression remained impassive as he tapped his ash into the crystal ashtray. "Everything taken care of?"
"It's done. The money was wired into Miss Xu's account the next day." The secretary paused briefly, then asked cautiously, "Is there anything you need? Should I contact Miss Xu?"
Jin Zongmin gazed at the wisps of steam rising from his teacup. "No need."
After hanging up, Jin Zongmin leaned back into his chair, took a drag of his cigarette, and stared at the teacup.
The phone on the desk vibrated. Jin Zongmin glanced at it, then swiped to answer.
"Zongmin, come to the West Suburb Villa this weekend. The fish in the lake are nice and fat—just waiting for you to cast the first line!"
Jin Zongmin stubbed out his cigarette. "Can't make it. I'm going to Pingcheng this weekend."
The Jin family made the trip back to Pingcheng every year for ancestral rites. The family's foundation, after all, had been laid brick by brick by Jin Zongmin's grandfather. The old man had led a life of distinguished achievements, with students and old associates scattered far and wide. By all rights, his gravesite should have been a place of solemn grandeur.
But before he passed, the old man had insisted on being buried beside Jin Zongmin's grandmother. She had passed away a few years earlier, resting in a cemetery in their hometown of Pingcheng.
…
In the afternoon, after a meal at her aunt's place, Han Zheng accompanied Xu Youqing to the cemetery. Her aunt always said that what mattered was keeping them in one's heart, and that one should visit graves sparingly. Xu Youqing didn't pay such concerns any mind—she always went to her parents' graves to talk with them.
The sky was heavy with gloom, and the mountain wind carried a damp, earthy chill.
As they descended the mountain, two uniformed staff members blocked Xu Youqing and Han Zheng's path.
"Temporary control ahead. Please take a detour." The tone was cold and businesslike, leaving no room for negotiation.
Han Zheng frowned beside her. "Why a detour? We take this road every year. You—"
Before he could finish, Xu Youqing gently tugged at his arm.
Her gaze swept over the insignia on the staff members' uniforms, then to the faintly visible figures standing at rigid attention in more concealed positions further off. This kind of arrangement meant someone important was likely nearby.
No need to invite trouble for herself.
"It's fine, we'll take the other path." Xu Youqing's voice carried a soothing note.
The two walked to the right for a while, Han Zheng still simmering with indignation. "Whoever it is, they've gone and sealed off the whole road. Quite the show of authority."
Xu Youqing knew Han Zheng was upset, so she smiled at him. "It's fine. Think of it as a stroll."
He looked down at her and pulled her coat tighter. "I'm worried you'll catch cold."
By the roadside, a car window was half-lowered. Jin Zongmin, dressed all in black, his cold, handsome features half-hidden behind the window. He lifted his eyes casually, gazing outward.
His gaze, without warning, locked onto a figure in a plain dress with a faint smile.
It was Xu Youqing.
She was tilting her head up, speaking to the man beside her, dimples lightly creasing at the corners of her lips, her eyes seeming to hold light—a liveliness he hadn't seen that day.
That light stung him, stirring an itch.
An itch laced with a desire to destroy. As if something he had marked, a treasure not yet clearly claimed, had suddenly been touched by another.
The heavy weariness in Jin Zongmin's eyes was instantly replaced by a restless, impatient look.
Xu Youqing and the man got into the car ahead.
The fingers resting on Jin Zongmin's knee curled slightly, carrying a hint of agitation.
He lifted his eyelids lightly. "Ram into that black Audi."