The car stopped near Chinatown.
Li Yang got out, agreed on a pickup time with the driver, and began strolling leisurely down the street by herself.
Chinatown was far livelier than she had imagined.
Traditional Chinese shophouses lined both sides of the street. Beneath them were all kinds of small stores selling medicinal herbs, pastries, souvenirs, and countless other items.
The air carried the aromas of bak kut teh and toasted bread, mixed with the humid warmth unique to Southeast Asia.
She stopped in front of a shop selling Nyonya kueh. Inside the glass display case sat rows of colorful pastries that instantly lifted her mood.
“Miss, have a taste. These were just made.”
The owner was a kind-looking auntie who handed her a small piece of pastry skewered on a toothpick.
Li Yang accepted it and took a bite.
The glutinous rice was soft and chewy, while the coconut milk was sweet and fragrant. It was a flavor she had never tasted before.
“Is it good?”
“It is.”
Li Yang’s eyes curved into a smile.
“Please pack a few pieces for me.”
Carrying her pastries, she continued walking.
As she passed a qipao boutique, a moon-white qipao caught her attention. Delicate pale-pink orchids were embroidered across the fabric. The design was simple yet elegant.
Li Yang stood outside the display window for a while.
In the end, she still did not go inside.
Suddenly, her phone chimed.
Taking it out, she saw a WeChat message.
From Xie Zongxu.
【Awake?】
Li Yang stared at the three words on the screen and froze briefly.
She had assumed that with how busy he was, he would not take the initiative to contact her.
She typed a reply.
【Awake. I’m out walking around.】
After sending the message, she continued down the street, not expecting a response anytime soon.
Yet after only a few steps, her phone chimed again.
【Where?】
【Chinatown.】
【Lots of people. Be careful.】
Looking at those brief four words, Li Yang could not help smiling.
Why did this man talk like some old-fashioned government official?
After thinking for a moment, she snapped a photo of the street and sent it to him, adding:
【Bought some Nyonya kueh. It’s pretty good.】
This time, there was silence for a while.
Then a single character arrived.
【Mm.】
Just “Mm”?
Li Yang curled her lips and put away her phone before continuing her stroll.
Forget it.
The fact that he had taken the initiative to message her was already surprising enough. What more could she expect?
Xie Zongxu put down his phone and let his gaze linger on the street photo for a few seconds.
The picture had been taken casually, even a little blurry.
She had probably raised her phone and snapped it while walking.
The weathered pillars of the shophouses could be seen along with a corner of a lantern stall, where bright red lanterns hung in rows.
Looking at the lanterns, he suddenly remembered that the Lunar New Year was approaching.
Singapore was always lively during the holiday season.
By this time, Chinatown should already be decorated with colorful lights, packed shoulder to shoulder with people.
She was wandering around alone, taking pictures here and there with her phone.
He wondered whether the crowds would jostle her.
Across the conference table, someone was presenting the proposal for next quarter’s plans. The PowerPoint slides continued turning one after another.
With his eyes lowered, Xie Zongxu lightly tapped the table with his fingertips.
“President Xie?”
He lifted his gaze.
His expression remained calm.
“Continue.”
The presenter resumed speaking.
Xie Corporation’s business empire stretched across the globe.
The foundations laid by generations of the Xie Family ran deep throughout Haicheng.
Those rising stars struggling through the commercial world all longed to find shelter beneath the shade of the Xie Family’s enormous tree.
Everyone in their circle knew that the current head of the Xie Family was Xie Zongxu.
Young.
Taciturn.
Yet so shrewd and ruthless that even seasoned veterans of the business world dared not underestimate him.
That afternoon, there was a strategic meeting that would determine the company’s annual direction.
After listening to the proposal, Xie Zongxu returned to his office early to review some documents.
As he removed his overcoat—
A dark red velvet booklet slipped from an inner pocket and landed lightly on the walnut-colored floor.
His movements paused slightly.
The marriage certificate had fallen open.
On the page lay the photograph of him and Li Yang.
The woman wore a simple blouse.
Her long hair rested softly behind her shoulders.
A faint smile curved her lips.
Her eyes were bright and clear.
Xie Zongxu admitted that Li Yang was indeed beautiful.
Beautiful to what extent?
That night, when she had mistakenly entered his room and thrown herself into his arms, that nameless fire had surged upward from his lower abdomen…
At that moment, Zhao Yan knocked and entered with materials for the meeting.
Without changing his expression, Xie Zongxu bent down, picked up the marriage certificate, and casually placed it into a locked drawer on his left.
Then he calmly instructed:
“Go help me choose a ring.”
Zhao Yan froze for a moment.
Then he quickly understood what his boss meant and nodded.
“I’ll take care of it immediately.”
Naturally, the ring was for the newly married Mrs. Xie.
The brand and design would have to be the very best.
Zhao Yan understood that perfectly.
After a brief pause, however, he hesitated and asked:
“President Xie, what is Madam’s ring size?”
Immediately, Xie Zongxu remembered how Li Yang had looked while sleeping the previous night.
One of her hands had rested unconsciously by the edge of the bed.
Her fingers had been slender and elegant.
Her knuckles were distinct without appearing prominent.
Her nails had been neatly trimmed.
There had been no polish on them, only a healthy natural sheen.
Even her fingertips had seemed soft, as though she had never done any rough work.
“Size eleven.” Xie Zongxu answered.
Acknowledging the instruction, Zhao Yan left the office.
Just as his hand touched the doorknob and he was about to close the door behind him, the man inside suddenly stopped him.
“Wait. You don’t need to go anymore.”
…
Li Yang wandered around Chinatown for a while longer.
She bought a few trinkets and ate a bowl of laksa, so spicy that she kept inhaling sharply while continuing to spoon it into her mouth.
By the time she returned to the residence, it was nearly six o’clock.
Aunt Zhou was busy in the kitchen.
Seeing her return, she smiled and asked:
“Did Madam enjoy herself? Dinner will be ready soon. Sir just called and said he has a social engagement tonight and won’t be coming back for dinner. He asked you to eat first.”
Li Yang nodded.
Surprisingly, she did not feel disappointed.
Instead, she felt relieved.
She went upstairs, took a shower, changed into comfortable loungewear, and came downstairs for dinner.
Aunt Zhou’s cooking was excellent.
Several of the dishes were prepared in the style of Haicheng cuisine, and Li Yang ate quite a lot.
After dinner, she curled up on the living room sofa with her phone, browsing travel guides.
Xie Zongxu would definitely be busy with work again tomorrow.
She needed to find something to do for herself.
What was there to do in Singapore?
Opening RedNote, she searched for “Must-Visit Places in Singapore.”
The results were all the usual recommendations: Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa, and similar attractions.
She searched again for “Hidden Gems in Singapore.”
The same places appeared.
Scrolling downward, she suddenly noticed a post.
The title read:
【A Nightlife Guide Only Locals Know About — A Must-See for Bar Lovers!】
The cover image showed a dimly lit bar counter.
A pink cocktail sat inside a glass, creating a wonderfully atmospheric scene.
Li Yang tapped into the post.
Several bars were listed inside.
There were quiet little bars hidden on the second floors of Chinatown buildings, lively riverside bars along Clarke Quay, and even a famous rooftop bar that supposedly offered a panoramic view of Singapore’s night skyline.
She opened the photos one by one.
The more she looked, the more tempted she became.
Staring at the image of the pink cocktail, a sudden impulse arose within her.
Xie Zongxu was not coming back tonight anyway.
And she would be alone regardless.
Biting her lower lip, she sat upright on the sofa, hurried upstairs, and opened the door to the walk-in closet.
That afternoon while shopping on Orchard Road, she had bought a dress.
She did not even know why she had purchased it.
She had merely passed by the storefront and seen a mannequin wearing a black spaghetti-strap dress in the display window.
For some reason, she had been unable to walk away.
The dress was beautiful.
And very revealing.
Two thin shoulder straps.
A plunging neckline.
An almost entirely exposed back.
And a skirt that barely covered the tops of her thighs.
She had never worn anything like it before.
The sales assistant had constantly praised her figure, insisting she would look stunning in it.
She had no idea what had come over her.
As if possessed, she had swiped her card and bought it.
The moment she brought it home, she regretted it.
Who was she supposed to wear something like this for?
Standing before the closet mirror, Li Yang held the dress in her hands and looked at her reflection.
Wear it?
Or not?
She gritted her teeth.
Wear it.
Xie Zongxu was not here anyway.
And nobody knew her here.