“Xihuang, why? Am I not as good as your other women?” Tian Mu Xianghui pointed at Ou Xueman, her emotions agitated. “They’re only close to you for your money. Only I… only I…” she beat her own chest, “Only my status is compatible with yours. I’ve waited for you for over twenty years. Do you know that?”
From the moment you followed your mother into the Tian Mu family, you were waiting. But you’ve been with one woman after another, never looking at me.
Many restaurant patrons came out to watch, and the staff didn’t dare intervene, knowing the clientele were of high status.
Di Xihuang glanced coldly at her, his tall figure scanning the crowd for Owen and Huang Tianli. After a brief exchange with them, he hurried towards the person on his mind.
In the private room, she gently stirred her coffee, looking out the window at the first evening lights—sparse but beautiful in the setting sun.
“Xueman,” he sat down beside her, bringing the lingering scent from Tian Mu Xianghui.
She gave him a faint glance, shifting away. “Solved her so quickly? Truly worthy of a veteran of the dating scene,” she said coolly.
“Xueman, what just happened was…” Di Xihuang began to explain, but she interrupted him.
“Stop. That’s your romantic affair and has nothing to do with me. I don’t want to hear it,” she said decisively, with a hint of anger.
Huang Tianli entered, looking upset.
“Tianli, why are you alone? Where’s Owen?” Xueman asked, changing the subject.
“Thanks to a certain playboy, I had to send a woman back,” Huang Tianli said angrily, squeezing between them to separate them.
Di Xihuang shouted, “Huang Tianli!”
She ignored him, “How can some people be so unfaithful? Why hasn’t heaven punished him? Still allowing him to harm us women.”
Di Xihuang fell silent, looking past Huang Tianli at Ou Xueman, hoping for a response, but she continued to avoid him.
Huang Tianli leaned close to Ou Xueman, “Xueman, I’ve prepared a special ‘gift’ for this playboy tonight, kind of as revenge for you.”
“A special gift?” Ou Xueman noticed Huang Tianli’s sly smile, aware that someone was in for trouble.
“Yes, all things he likes. But put together, it’ll be quite exciting, hehe…”
“Happy birthday, Xihuang! Cheers.” Owen raised his glass to toast Di Xihuang.
Di Xihuang, with a hint of gratitude, simply replied, “Cheers.”
The two men, each unique yet equally outstanding, tilted their heads and drank the amber liquid in their glasses. The priceless aura around them made others feel inferior but also held irresistible charm.
Di Xihuang, in his all-black outfit, exuded a domineering and seductive presence. His star-like eyes, deep and bright, truly reflected the movements of those around him. His thin lips curled into a faint, enchanting smile.
Owen, aware of Di Xihuang’s character, noticed recent abnormalities and felt helpless. One was a brotherly friend, the other his own sister. No matter who he sided with, it wouldn’t be right. Their past from eight years ago created a gulf that complicated Di Xihuang’s love life. Out of compassion, he wanted to offer advice.
Leaning closer to Di Xihuang, Owen said, “She is not the kind of woman who can be with you. She will eventually wear a wedding dress for someone else and already has someone in her heart. Do you understand?”
Owen’s voice, though not loud, was audible to those present and made Ou Xueman, who had been pretending to focus on the delicacies, look up, understanding his words and intentions.
“Xueman, you’re really good at hiding things. Is it Chen Zhensheng? You two don’t seem to interact much, but I didn’t expect you to be secretly in love. When are you planning to get married?”
“Shall we hold a wedding together?” Huang Tianli said, genuinely believing that Ou Xueman was planning to marry and was happy she had moved past the past.
Ou Xueman laughed lightly, a hint of melancholy in her voice, and replied, “I’ll get married when you and Owen get married.”
This made Huang Tianli burst into laughter. Understanding her bad temper had offended many, she appreciated having Ou Xueman as a friend. Excitedly, she shook Owen, “Owen, let’s apply for our marriage and then pick a good day for a wedding with Xueman. It’ll be so lively!”
Helplessly shaking his head, Ou Xueman chuckled, “Tianli, how did you end up proposing to him? Shouldn’t Owen be the one proposing to you?”
“Oh, right,” Huang Tianli realized, then tugged at Owen’s sleeve, “Come on, propose to me quickly.”
Owen smiled helplessly, trying to comfort her.
While they laughed, one person remained silent, his brows furrowed. His eyes were cast down, hidden beneath his long eyelashes, pondering with a faint, melancholic sadness.
With his current identity as a well-known married man and philanderer, what right did he have to make her waste her time with him?
What reason would she have to believe he could give her a happy future? Until he found that person, he would give her no status, even though his marriage was already dead in all but name. These were all debts he owed to that person.
He knew this clearly, but the thought of her wearing a wedding dress for Chen Zhensheng still caused him hidden pain. He sighed, took his wine glass, and drank it in one gulp, hoping to burn away that pain.
“Alright, it’s time to give birthday gifts,” Huang Tianli announced.
Owen presented a red wooden lacquered box, clearly valuable. “I know you’ve been looking for this for a long time.”
Di Xihuang opened the box to reveal an exquisite ancient dagger. Its simple style and unique patterns on the blade indicated it was no ordinary weapon.
The gratitude between men needed no words. He lightly punched Owen’s chest, smiling once again.
Huang Tianli asked, “You men always like these knives and swords. This dagger is so strange, but so antique. What’s it called?”
Owen explained, “This is not a dagger; it’s a fish-intestine sword.”
Huang Tianli looked confused.
Ou Xueman was momentarily stunned. “The legendary sword that Zhuan Zhu used to assassinate King Liao?”
“Ah? Isn’t that just a story? Is this sword real?” Huang Tianli seemed unfamiliar with ancient Chinese history.
Owen could only helplessly shake his head, but his love for her was evident in his long, peach blossom eyes.
Huang Tianli glanced at her watch. “My gift will take a few more minutes to appear. Xueman, you go first.”
Ou Xueman shrugged, saying casually, “I’ve already given mine.” She raised an eyebrow toward the tie clip on Di Xihuang’s chest.
“Wow, what a beautiful and unique tie clip! Xueman has such great taste. I always give Owen watches or lighters, which are so unoriginal. By the way, where did you buy this? I want to buy one for Owen too,” Huang Tianli admired the tie clip.
Ou Xueman replied, “This tie clip is unique. There’s only one in the world because of the designer’s practice. Everything he designs is one of a kind.”
Huang Tianli looked disappointed. “Is that so?”
When Di Xihuang heard it was the only one in the world, his meaningful gaze lingered on her, but she kept avoiding his eyes.
At this moment, a soft knock came at the door. Huang Tianli volunteered to open it, peeking through the crack before turning back with a sly smile. “Okay, my gift is about to make an entrance.”
Ladies and gentlemen, please watch.
As she opened the door, the three of them were stunned: “Zeng Min?”
Wearing a pink princess dress with a small ribbon at her neck and a crystal tiara, Zeng Min’s shy, blushing face looked down nervously, clutching a matching handbag. This bashful version of Zeng Min puzzled Huang Tianli’s companions.
“Come on, don’t just stand in the doorway. Come in,” Huang Tianli encouraged, pulling Zeng Min towards Di Xihuang. “She’s all yours now. But you’d better seize the moment, or the opportunity will slip away.”
