“Sorry, Senior, I should go. Goodbye,” Zeng Min awkwardly bid farewell and hurried to catch up with the tall figure, “Xi Huang, wait for me, okay?”
Huang Tianli realized she’d said something inappropriate and quickly apologized to Ou Xueman, “Xue Man, this heartless bastard will eventually face karma.” She then put on sunglasses to hide her unusual expression and added flatly, “Whatever he does has nothing to do with me,” before walking away.
As she left, a pair of deep eyes followed her from a distance.
“Xi Huang, where are we going next?” asked a timid voice, revealing the speaker’s nervousness. She had always thought someone like him, a dream figure and already married, would never notice her. His sudden invitation filled her with surprise and expectation.
“Go back to school first. I’ll find you when I’m free,” he replied, his cold indifference contrasting her careful anticipation.
Grievances understood, dust settled, and everything passed with the person beneath the soil. She was alone, returning to SZ city without telling anyone, continuing her busy life.
Life was just like this; she never complained, quietly enjoying peace, though loneliness often accompanied the chill. She had long been accustomed to giving herself warmth.
The rich fragrance of coffee spread with the rising steam, morning sunlight caressing her face through the window. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment.
This moment of solitude was interrupted by a knock at the door. She furrowed her brow slightly, holding her coffee as she returned to her desk and responded flatly, “Come in.”
Chen Zhenxing entered, excitement on his face. “Xue Man, you must reward me generously this time. The trip to Hong Kong was fruitful. Our company and Japan’s Fujino Advertising are now the final contenders.”
Ou Xueman was stunned, having forgotten the company’s current situation amid recent events. She smiled apologetically, “Well, okay. If we win, I’ll give you a month-long vacation.” She still didn’t quite understand which project he was referring to.
“You said it, don’t go back on your word. Don’t call me back after a few days,” Chen Zhenxing warned, remembering how she’d previously urged him back quickly.
“Uh,” Ou Xueman said with a smile, “This time, I definitely won’t.” She promised emphatically.
“Let’s talk business,” Chen Zhenxing said, adopting a professional demeanor. “The Asia-Pacific Executive Director will host a briefing dinner in Hong Kong. I know you don’t like attending such events, but as our legal representative, you must show your face.”
Ou Xueman sat in the comfortable leather chair and replied, “Okay, I know. I can’t avoid it.”
— Dividing Line —
In the car, she opened the materials Chen Zhenxing had given her. Just as she was about to read them, her phone rang. It was Owen.
“Xue Man, do you know your company is bidding to be our group’s partner?” Owen asked anxiously.
Confused, Ou Xueman responded, “What are you talking about? Is that true? I had no idea.”
Owen continued, “I just started looking into this and saw your company’s bidding proposal. Wasn’t your deputy general manager Chen Zhenxing? He came to visit me about this. I had my assistant handle the details. You really don’t know about this?”
“Wait,” Ou Xueman quickly opened the materials. The words “Di’s” in the document struck her. So Chen Zhenxing was indeed competing for the Di’s project.
Looking at Chen Zhenxing driving in front of her, she unconsciously licked her lips and said, “I haven’t been paying attention to the company management recently. I just saw these bidding materials.”
Owen remained silent for a long time before softly asking, “What do you think? If you want it, I’ll help you. If…”
“No,” Ou Xueman quickly interrupted, her voice firm.
She looked apologetically at Chen Zhenxing’s back, silently saying sorry. She felt weak and lost thinking about future encounters with Di Xihuang. If possible, she wanted no more connections with him. So, she said softly, “No, I don’t want it.”
Is this the person she was waiting for? He was completely different from him. Her gaze towards Chen Zhenxing was gentle and warm, contrasting her previous indifference. What exactly was the relationship between them? He received treatment even Owen couldn’t achieve.
Thinking of this, Di Xihuang stood up in frustration and walked towards the restroom, startling Zeng Min, who had been intimidated by his low pressure.
At the window, Ou Xueman felt relieved after Di Xihuang left. From the moment he and Zeng Min entered the restaurant, she had seen him but didn’t want any connection, not even a casual nod. She pretended to be absorbed in the night scenery outside.
But after he sat down, she felt his sinister gaze locked on her, like a thorn in her back.
“Ships curve into the harbor, night deep with bright lights, Pearl of the Orient sleepless all night,” Chen Zhensheng recited emotionally. “Every time I see Victoria Harbor, I think of this song. It vividly depicts Hong Kong, this city that never sleeps.”
“Ah? Oh, yes,” Ou Xueman responded absent-mindedly.
“Xueman, what’s wrong? You seem distracted,” Chen Zhensheng asked.
“Nothing, just too immersed in appreciating the scenery,” she replied, avoiding his gaze by looking out the window.
“Xueman,” Huang Tianli and Owen had arrived.
Ou Xueman smiled faintly, “You’re here.” She introduced them to Chen Zhensheng, “This is Owen and Huang Tianli.”
“Junior, we meet again,” Owen said, shaking hands gracefully.
Chen Zhensheng shook Owen’s hand, surprised. After a moment, he asked, “Xueman, do you know Owen?”
Ou Xueman was taken aback, “Is it strange that I know him?”
Chen Zhensheng slapped his forehead, “When I talked about our university’s legendary figure, you looked lost.”
Ou Xueman pointed at Owen, “This legendary person is him?”
Owen smiled humbly, “Legendary? I’m just slightly more intelligent than others.”
Huang Tianli teased, “Yes, he’s only high in IQ, low in everything else.”
At this moment, Ou Xueman felt a chill. Owen stood up, apologizing, “My boss is over there, I’ll go say hello and be right back.”
Everyone looked in the direction Owen left. When Ou Xueman turned back, she met Di Xihuang’s gaze, feeling an electric shock through her heart. She tried to remain calm, giving a slight nod before chatting with Huang Tianli.
Huang Tianli laughed ambiguously, making Chen Zhensheng blush slightly. He leaned close to Ou Xueman and, ensuring everyone could hear, said, “Oh, how shy and pure! Finding such a pure man in this world is a miracle.” She then turned to Ceng Min, ignoring the suddenly cold and gloomy man beside her, “Unlike some playboy-type men, this is the kind of man you should find.”
Ou Xueman took a sip of her coffee, glancing at Owen’s wry smile, wondering about his relationship with Huang Tianli.
“President Ou,” Di Xihuang said, his voice low and displeased, “I heard your company is also participating in the bidding.” His intention to change the subject was clear.
Before Ou Xueman could answer, Chen Zhensheng spoke for her, “Yes, we hope President Di will take care of us.”
With a spokesperson, she relaxed and enjoyed the exquisite coffee.
“I’ve reviewed all the bidding proposals,” Owen interjected. “Their plan is quite well-designed.”
Di Xihuang had originally wanted to make her speak, but finding she had a spokesperson, he challenged, “Is that so? The Japanese Fujino Advertising seems even better. Their works have won the Moby Advertising Award, so they should be more outstanding in creative planning.”
