Chapter 5 Eight Years Later

Eight years is enough time for a city to be transformed. In the CEO's office on the top floor of the Xie Group, the huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the bustling city of S. Sunlight streams through the spotless glass, outlining the cold, sculpted profile of the man behind the desk.

Xie Shiyan wore a perfectly tailored pure black haute couture suit with a matching shirt underneath. The collar was tied meticulously, and there was no tie, giving off an ascetic and aloof air.

He lowered his head slightly, intently reviewing the documents in his hands. His slender fingers gripped the expensive fountain pen, and his signature was steady and sharp.

Zhou Yanzhe sat on the sofa opposite him, waiting quietly. Zhou Yanzhe had long since shed his naivety, and his temperament was calm and reserved. However, there was always a hint of worry in the depths of his gaze when he looked at Xie Shiyan.

Eight years have passed. Ever since Xie Shiyan collapsed and vomited blood in front of Jiang Yining's tombstone and was rescued, he has completely changed. The boy who used to laugh, joke, and whose eyes were full of sunshine and gentleness has disappeared. In his place is the taciturn CEO Xie in front of us, who seems to have lost all emotional perception.

He was like a precise and tireless machine, running like a madman, propelling the Xie Group from its inception to the top of H City's listed companies and into the top five of the rich list.

Wealth and power were readily available, and his handsome appearance still attracted countless moths to a flame. A female secretary, oblivious to the danger, once tried to use underhanded means to get into his bed, only to have her arms and legs broken on the spot and thrown out of the Xie Group building like trash.

Since then, all of his assistants and secretaries have been replaced by men. As Xie's parents watched their son grow older, now over thirty, while his former friends Zhou Yanzhe and Lu Jingshen were already married with children who could run around all over the place, their anxiety grew day by day.

He arranged one blind date after another with women of similar social standing, but without exception, the women never even met him before he coldly rejected them with a "I'm too busy."

Whether it was from his parents or his close friends Zhou Yanzhe and Lu Jingshen, the only response he received was a long silence, or an even colder "It's my business, don't worry about it."

After finishing processing the documents, Xie Shiyan closed the folder with a soft sound. He looked up at Zhou Yanzhe, whose eyes were as deep as a cold pool, devoid of any emotion, only an unfathomable stillness and exhaustion.

"The project in the east of the city is progressing as planned." His voice was deep and steady, without a trace of emotion.

Zhou Yanzhe took the document and nodded, "Understood." He paused, looking at the lingering weariness between Xie Shiyan's brows, "Ayan, how about we get together at our usual place tonight? Xiao Xiao and the others are coming too, it's been a long time since we sat together." His tone was cautiously tentative.

Xie Shiyan's gaze fell out the window. After a few seconds, he barely moved the corner of his lips, as if in agreement: "Mm."

The VIP rooms on the top floor of the "Twilight" bar are isolated from the deafening noise downstairs. Soft lighting, soothing blues jazz music, and the air filled with the rich aroma of liquor and a hint of cigars.

Several familiar faces sat on the sofa. Xiao Xiao had shed her girlish exuberance and gained a gentle maternal glow. She was speaking softly to Lu Jingshen beside her, who had his arm around her shoulder, his smile warm.

Shen Nian'an remained as quiet as ever. Besides them, there were also new friends she had made over the years: the capable and elegant Jiang Yueyao, and... An Kexia, who was dressed up carefully, with bright makeup, but whose eyes were always fixed on the direction of the door.

It's no secret in their circle that An Kexia likes Xie Shiyan. For so many years, she's tried so hard to get closer, attempting to melt that icy exterior. Xiao Xiao and the others have seen it all and privately advised An Kexia: "Give up. His heart died along with Ningning long ago."

Ke Xia just shook her head, her eyes filled with a stubborn determination to never give up. Xie's mother had also privately spoken to Zhou Yanze and the others, sighing, "Ningning has been gone for eight years... He should let go. Someone has to accompany him on his journey from now on. Ke Xia... perhaps we could give it a try?"

The door to the private room was pushed open, and Xie Shiyan and Zhou Yanzhe walked in.

Xie Shiyan's appearance caused the relaxed atmosphere in the private room to freeze for a moment. He was still dressed in cold, austere black. His gaze didn't even linger on anyone's faces. He went straight to the single sofa in the corner, sat down, picked up a glass of whiskey that had just been poured on the table, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Amber liquid slid down her Adam's apple with a swift and decisive motion, and An Kexia's eyes lit up instantly, filled with undisguised admiration and anticipation.

She wore a well-tailored off-white dress that he (or she thought) would like today.

Zhou Yanzhe and Lu Jingshen exchanged a glance, while Xiao Xiao and Shen Nian'an frowned slightly. Zhou Yanzhe took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. He picked up his wine glass and sat down next to Xie Shiyan.

“Ayan,” Zhou Yanzhe’s voice was particularly clear against the backdrop of soothing music, “drink less, you’re on an empty stomach.”

Xie Shiyan seemed not to hear, poured himself another glass, and shook the ice cubes in the glass, making a crisp clinking sound.

Looking at his unyielding attitude, Zhou Yanzhe felt a surge of pent-up frustration that had been building up for years. He glanced at An Kexia, whose eyes were full of expectation, and then thought of Xie's mother's haggard and worried face.