Xu Si paid no mind to the gazes of those around her and locked eyes with Pei Zhen, her heart skipping a beat.
The mont the man had taken the cigarette, she had faintly sensed that sothing was amiss. It was like a sudden bout of malaria—a trivial gesture from Pei Zhen could actually hold her emotions hostage. As fish swam through the crystal-clear pond, the transparent water itself seed to beco tainted. This was the first ti Xu Si had experienced such a feeling, yet she couldn’t afford to dwell on it.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she did her best to steady her nerves, clutching her black, flowing coat as she descended the stairs, crossed the gravel path, and entered the teahouse.
Amidst the silent stares, she pulled out the chair next to Pei Zhen, took out a cigarette, lazily placed it between her lips, and lit it. She didn’t put it in Pei Zhen’s hand; she just let it burn, inhaling the bitter, acrid scent of the tobacco.
She hadn’t smoked in a long ti. She’d tried it last night; it was bitter, astringent, and numbing to the tongue. She had no desire to try it again.
Pei Zhen’s gaze remained fixed on her. His smoke-grey eyes, like chunks of drifting ice, hinted at an almost imperceptible smile as he noticed the doubt in her eyes.
He handed the Scepter to Hei Shi behind him.
He extended his cool, clean fingers, grasped the teacup, and personally poured Xu Si a steaming cup of tea, his thin lips parting slightly.
"Hot."
A single word, as if it had boiled anew within the teacup.
Xu Si suppressed the fluttering in her heart, smiled as she picked up the teacup, and took a light sip. "It’s fine, not too hot."
Soone beside them tentatively asked, "Mr. Fei Yi, this lady is..."
Seeming to feel the question was sowhat presumptuous, he trailed off, already regretting it.
The information they had gathered wasn’t limited to this tycoon’s preferences; it also included his style of conduct. Although they didn’t know his exact status in the Underground City, judging by the cautious phrasing an acquaintance had used, they could tell he was an extrely dangerous person.
Pei Zhen slightly lifted his chin, seemingly unconcerned, and said in a calm voice, "Xu Si, the one in charge of Xu’s Real Estate."
The teahouse was sowhat chilly.
Xu Si resisted the urge to drape the coat over her legs. Her hand paused for a mont before she naturally picked up the coat, draped it over the adjacent chair, stood up, and introduced herself to everyone, "Hello everyone, I am Xu Si. It’s a pleasure to et you all."
Wisps of smoke drifted lazily upwards, and whenever the wind blew, they persistently swirled around her bright face.
"Ms. Xu, a pleasure. We’ve heard so much about you."
"Ms. Xu is very young..."
The middle-aged n reciprocated with their own introductions. They were all recently prominent figures from powerful families—certainly useful connections.
Xu Si didn’t maintain her lofty attitude, instead leaning forward to shake hands with each of them before casually placing the irkso cigarette on the ashtray.
However, the next second, when she reached to pick it up again, the cigarette in the ashtray had already been silently extinguished.
She paused, looked down, and noticed a trace of mint-flavored lipstick on the pad of his index finger—Pei Zhen’s. She couldn’t help but ask, "Did you put it out?"
"It’s better if you inhale less smoke," he said lightly, pouring fresh tea for Xu Si.
It was now noon.
After Xu Si’s arrival, the atmosphere began to normalize. No one dared to continue with the charade of presenting a beauty in her presence.
The young lady from Hong Kong Island was also sensible enough to stop exuding charm and playing the social butterfly, instead helping to maintain a relaxed atmosphere.
Yesterday’s "mind the impact" seed to carry over to today. Pei Zhen wasn’t very talkative, even appearing sowhat cold. Most of the ti, he watched Xu Si discuss business with the others.
However, amidst their lighthearted conversation, Xu Si would notice his fervent gaze, and her ear tips couldn’t help but turn red.
She rembered she had co to explain things to Pei Zhen. And then there was Anshi, who had inexplicably been missing all night.
She tilted her head towards Pei Zhen and asked pointedly, "Mr. Fei Yi, will you be free later? I have sothing to discuss with you."
Their gazes, smooth as silk, t and tangled in the air, lingering.
"Yes." Pei Zhen nodded nonchalantly, a faint smile on his lips as he glanced at everyone present. "Everyone, Ms. Xu and I have so matters to attend to, so please excuse us."
Once he finished speaking, Xu Si rose, ready to leave.
Suddenly, Pei Zhen reached out under the table and grasped her slender, delicate wrist, his grip just firm enough to detain her without being easily noticed by the others.
The nouveau riche were perceptive and rose almost simultaneously, offering to leave and give them space.
However, as they reached the door, one man hesitated. He glanced back, holding Miss Yinyin’s soft, pliant arm, an exceedingly unctuous smile on his face.
"Mr. Fei Yi, Miss Yinyin here is exceptional at the art of tea. Would you like her to stay and brew so evening tea for you?"
Pei Zhen abruptly lifted his gaze to him, his differently colored eyes filled with a chilling hostility, like a silent warning.
A waiter pulled open the teahouse door and promptly reminded them, "Everyone, please leave."
"Yes, yes." The middle-aged man nodded nervously, terrified by that stare, and hurried away without a backward glance.
Their steps were hurried as they left.
Believing that the day’s beauty ploy had failed, the initial thrill was gone. They were all dejected, shoulders slumped, with no mood to appreciate the courtyard’s beauty.
After escorting them to the hotel entrance, the attendant accompanying them suddenly smiled and said, "Gentlen, regarding the matter you sought today, our boss is aware. The Sanlian Chamber of Comrce can fulfill your request. The channels in Harbor North will be yours to manage. Congratulations."
A stunned silence hung in the air for a long mont.
So were incredulous, while others bead with joy.
The unctuous man from before, thinking the big boss had changed his mind, said cheerfully, "In that case, we’ll have Miss Yinyin stay. We hope she can serve Mr. Fei Yi well."
The attendant’s smile vanished. "Please refrain from bringing any won before our boss again. His wife has quite a temper."
"..."
Everyone was startled and sowhat perplexed.
Seeing that the attendant didn’t seem like an unapproachable person, soone hesitated for a good while before asking, "Then... what do we need to do next?"
The attendant said, "What you did today was excellent."
They opened their mouths, bewildered. "But we didn’t do anything. Why..."
The attendant, expressionless, gestured towards their cars. "Gentlen, no more chatter. Please leave imdiately."
...
Hei Shi had once asked Pei Zhen a similar question: why deliberately let word of his supposed preferences spread? Why allow that Hong Kong Girl near him when he clearly had no interest, enduring intense impatience as she hovered around?
Usually, Hei Shi wouldn’t dare ask such things.
But when the Boss was with his wife, he was always in an excellent mood.
So, Hei Shi had asked.
At that mont, Pei Zhen’s fingers, resting on the table, twitched slightly. A smile touched his lips, and his voice was ethereal and clear, captivating enough to bewitch the soul.
"I walked ninety-nine steps toward my beloved. When I reached the final step and saw her still unmoved, I couldn’t accept it. So, I had to take that last step toward her myself."
He was a master manipulator.
He knew exactly when to set the stage, what kind of scenario to craft to lure his prey into the trap.
He wanted Xu Si to fall for him willingly, not out of pity or so vague fondness.
Therefore, before she could speak, he laid another snare, waiting for his beloved to recognize the stirring in her own heart and willingly tumble from her lofty perch among the clouds.
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