Chapter 28 Pumpkin Carriage (1) Take off the mask of the long day.

After spending two days on South Cowes Island, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world, Bai Ying was so happy that she didn't want to leave.

During the day, Qin Yonglian took her and Coffee to the island for a hiking adventure. The man had a kitten lying on his shoulder, holding the girl's hand, and carrying a backpack half a person's height on his back, looking like he was going to travel the world.

There are many volcanic relics, wind-eroded landscapes and sandbars on South Cowes Island.

They timed the tides precisely, traversing the entire island before high tide. As they walked over layers of sedimentary rock, Qin Yonglian adapted his approach to the local conditions, explaining the evolution of the Earth's crust and teaching her how to distinguish between Devonian and Quaternary fossils.

In the evening, the two of them took a stroll on the beach with Coffee, climbed up the lighthouse on the island to watch the sea and sky merge into one, and dusk fell all around.

Late at night, while exploring the stars in the universe with the telescopes on the balcony, Bai Ying saw the Andromeda and Orion Nebulae, as well as the globular clusters in Hercules.

When they don't want to do anything, they cuddle up to each other on the polar bear sofa, teach Andy and Wei Zai to say "嘤嘤", and count how many Phalaenopsis orchids have bloomed on the rainforest wall.

Happy times always pass by in a flash.

The girl couldn't adapt immediately after suddenly returning to the bustling international metropolis.

A corner of the steel forest flashed by outside the car window. It seemed that the sky was not so blue anymore, and was suddenly covered by smog. My mood also became heavy.

After listening to the white noise of the ocean for a few days, my soul was deeply purified and even my sleep became much more peaceful.

On Christmas Eve, she even fell asleep leaning on Qin Yonglian's shoulder. When she woke up in the big bed the next morning, Bai Ying was still confused for a long time. It turned out that Qin Yonglian had carried her back to the bedroom on the second floor.

Besides becoming a little encyclopedia expert, the most important thing I gained from this island vacation is probably having the best and most talented boyfriend in the world.

Bai Ying turned her head and her eyes immediately met with her boyfriend beside her. A smile graced her brows, and they both raised the corners of their mouths at the same time.

Qin Yonglian deliberately wore a pair of gold-rimmed plain glasses today, subtly hiding the emotions in his eyes behind the lenses.

Qin Yuan accidentally glanced at the rearview mirror and was caught off guard by a mouthful of dog food.

The power of love is indeed beyond human imagination, and he finally witnessed the miracle of the blooming of the mother-of-pearl flower.

In order to attend the year-end party, Qin Yonglian combed his hair into a British-style slicked-back style and wore a classic gray-grain Merino wool suit. His hanger-like figure added a lot of points to the retro tailoring design.

The man raised his wrist, revealing the exquisite watch under his cuff. The midnight blue embossed dial and the satin-frosted bezel in the same color made him look very imposing.

This outfit was personally chosen by his girlfriend. Looking at his reflection in the car window, Qin Yonglian straightened his back secretly, feeling unprecedented satisfaction.

According to the plan, I will first send Bai Ying back to the Mid-Levels villa, and wait for him to finish the company's year-end banquet and party. The two of us will make an appointment to go to the Mong Kok Flower Market together.

The future is promising. Qin Yonglian feels like a bird returning to its nest, and he can't wait to rush back with the setting sun.

With only the two of them left in the car, Qin Yuan briefly told Qin Yonglian about the itinerary for the year-end banquet and annual summary party:

At 4 pm, guests signed in and entered the venue.

At 5:00 PM, Tan Ansen delivered his year-end speech and presented red envelopes to employees who had outstanding performance over the past year. A buffet was served after the awards ceremony.

Next comes the After Party, where popular stars are invited to sing and dance to entertain the crowd. The party lasts until the early hours of the next morning, and most of the people who stay are young people.

"I just need to accompany them to take pictures and then I can retire." Qin Yonglian raised his finger and tapped lightly on the center console.

Thinking about my first date with Bai Ying, I felt that this long meeting was not so boring anymore.

Qin Yuan didn't say anything. The highlight of this year was actually Qin Yonglian. By then, those who wanted to get in touch with him would definitely have lined up to the top of Victoria Peak.

Want to get away easily? I'm afraid it's difficult.

*** ***

The annual meeting is held every year in a hotel under the Qin Group. This year it is held on the 68th floor of the headquarters building.

The banquet hall is set up as an open social space with a modern and simple design, which is grand and solemn.

From the display screen in the VIP room backstage, you can see the crowds of people on the scene. All the invited guests are senior backbones, partners and important customers of the Qin Group.

The guests dressed up and socialized during the warm-up session.

Qin Yonglian raised his hand to push up his glasses and scanned the entire audience.

The flowers set up at the venue include Maria pink roses, red sleeve blue hydrangeas, champagne sunflowers, lisianthus, fairy daisies...

I couldn't help but curl the corners of my mouth, thinking that if Bai Ying were here, I wonder how many kinds of flowers she would be able to recognize.

From a distance, a group of people in suits and ties were surrounding two people. From the exaggerated scene, it was clear that they were Tan Ansen and Deng Yuqian.

The moving lights on the ceiling lit up at the right time, matching the owner's route, and landed right at the feet of the two people.

Supported by the crowd, the couple walked in and stood in the most conspicuous C position, always maintaining a polite yet friendly smile on their faces.

Qin Ansen slowly moved his gaze, sweeping across the crowd, and finally fell on Qin Yonglian who was waiting among the staff.

The mixed-race man stood in the crowd, his calm and dignified aura caught his attention at first sight.

The leader of the group silently mouthed his son's name: [Leon.]

Dozens of pairs of eyes instantly fell on Qin Yonglian.

The man nodded slightly, walked forward steadily, and moved among the crowd with ease. After greeting everyone, he came and stood next to Qin Ansen.

"You see, it's actually not that complicated." Qin Ansen looked at everyone and spoke to his son in a low voice.

"You know why I don't want to show up. It has nothing to do with complexity." Qin Yonglian had a smile on his lips, neither humble nor arrogant.

To outsiders, this pair of good-looking father and son standing on the stage with harmonious relationship looked extremely dazzling.

Deng Yuqian, with the proud attitude of a hostess, held Qin Ansen's arm with one hand and carried a platinum diamond crocodile bag in the other.

Smiling affectionately, "Leon, come here."

"Madam, that's not necessary." A barely discernible trace of disgust flashed across Qin Yonglian's eyes, and his voice was light, without revealing any emotion.

Qin Ansen's secretary in the audience gave a suggestive gesture, and Qin Yonglian understood that this was to provide photo materials to the reporters.

Unexpectedly, the first photo of their "family of three" appeared only in the 21st year after he came to the Qin family.

"Didn't I take a photo with you for the official website last time? It seems we need to discuss the number of times we can cooperate in the future."

After a burst of dense shutter sounds, Qin Yonglian decided not to tolerate his father anymore.

"The young ladies from the He, Su and Li families are here. They are about the same age as you. You and Yongyi should go and receive them." Tan Ansen said.

"Okay." Qin Yongyi came out at some point and had obviously been waiting for a long time.

The two brothers looked at each other, then quickly looked away, with the corners of their mouths raised in a meaningful arc.

Qin Yonglian calculated the time in his mind and sent a message to Qin Yuan, preparing to leave.

A beautiful woman in a haute couture evening gown blocked his way, revealing her delicately made-up features. "Hey! Leon!"

"Jia Jia, long time no see." Qin Yonglian nodded to her politely.

Su Jiajia is Su Jiahao's older sister. She has been working in the entertainment industry for many years and has already become a top-tier actress. Her latest film has won her Best Actress awards at various film festivals.

The Su family was considered a powerful and aristocratic family in Hong Kong. His great-great-grandfather had served as Governor-General of Suihe and a Second-Rank Minister, equivalent to a modern-day provincial Party Secretary. After the Sino-British War in the early 19th century, the family entered the business world and donated several ships and countless fortunes to support national causes.

At this year-end banquet, Miss Su is the only one who can uphold the reputation of the Su family.

Su Jiajia smiled as if she was in the spring breeze and greeted everyone around her one by one.

"Little Prince, if you don't mind, would you like to have a drink with me?" Su Jiajia joked.

Qin Yonglian remained silent, his lips pursed into a straight line, a gesture of agreement. He left Qin Yongyi behind, and walked out with the beautiful woman, one in front and one behind.

Qin Yongyi snorted and whispered, "I didn't expect that the movie queen would also want to take shortcuts?"

Hearing this, Deng Yuqian looked at the eldest son of the second wife and forced a smile. "Want to enter the upper class? Perhaps you should ask the actors about this question. After all, they are in the same industry as the movie queen and have rich experience."

Qin Yongyi's face turned pale, and he realized that the other party was hinting at his mother's background in the Li Yue Opera Troupe.

"I've seen a lot of those guys in the entertainment industry who are just hoping to become a phoenix."

Deng Yuqian said slowly, "The nobleness in one's bones can never be imitated in a lifetime. Yongyi, people should know themselves."

Although the woman was over sixty years old, her hands were as slender and white as those of a catkin. Her fingernails were painted in a festive red for the New Year, and the eye-catching 24-carat octagonal-cut wedding ring on her ring finger declared her status.

The way it raises its neck and glares at people is like a noble black swan, as if it wants to turn the person in front of it into dust.

Qin Yongyi gritted his teeth, the smile on his face froze into a piece, "Thank you for your guidance, Auntie. I will pay more attention in the future."

Deng Yuqian's eyes flashed with coldness, and she whispered in Tan Ansen's ear, "Anson, I will never allow anyone from the entertainment industry to set foot in the Tan family again."

*** ***

The high-altitude outdoor open-air balcony is decorated with neon lights, and the entire city can be seen through the glass windows.

Su Jiajia was dressed elegantly, leaning against the bar and ordering a glass of Dry Martell.

"The after party hasn't started yet. Are you sure you want to drink on an empty stomach again?" Qin Yonglian shook his head secretly. "It's better to drink a bowl of steaming hot tofu pudding."

"Hmm?" Su Jiajia raised the end of her voice, catching the rare noun, and looked at him with interest.

The man had an upright posture and an extraordinary bearing. Looking closely at his angular face, his emerald-like eyes were vague and indifferent.

This person clearly doesn't fit in anywhere here.

"Leon, we used to play together as three people," Su Jiajia recalled the past, her words and eyebrows full of hints, "Oh no, it was four people. Later, only Jiahao was left to play with you."

Qin Yonglian raised his eyebrows, understanding what she meant.

"Yonglian, you're so smart, you know why Daddy didn't allow Jiahao to show up today."

Su Jiajia is used to wiping off her lipstick before eating, but this time she left a half circle of maple leaf orange on the rim of the cup.

"You know him, he's a lazy guy. When he was in school, he could get 60 points on the exam, but he would never get 61 points."

Su Jiajia deliberately emphasized the word "careless".

Su·Careless·Jiahao suddenly felt like sneezing, rubbed his nose hard, and continued to show Bai Ying the photos saved in his mobile phone.

"Look, this was taken before Leon left for his first World Memory Palace Competition. I was the one who encouraged him to go."

Bai Ying opened her eyes wide and looked carefully at the young boy in the photo. What remained unchanged was his rebellious expression, as if he didn't care about the world.

In fact, the young Qin Yonglian did make a big splash on the field.

Qin Yuan was not available, so Su Jiahao volunteered to pick up Bai Ying and meet up with Qin Yonglian after the meeting, since he was going there anyway.

In fact, reporter Su also had a selfish motive. He wanted to secretly interview his old friend's boyfriend to find out how he won the heart of the beautiful woman.

"Little sister, I told you that Leon may appear mean and abstinent, but in reality... he is pure, innocent and loves freedom."

When Bai Ying heard Su Jiahao mention Tan Yonglian, her eyes lit up and she instantly became full of energy: "She is quite innocent!"

"My sister had a crush on him for a long time, but he never even glanced at her. Jiajia lost 20 pounds in one summer because of this, and she broke up without even having a relationship. I was so angry that I threatened Leon that I would not pursue the matter as long as he won first place in the Memory Palace Competition."

After Su Jiahao finished speaking, he blinked in hindsight, "Huh?! So, was I a little... naive back then?"

Bai Ying looked at him twice and nodded slowly.

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The author has something to say: I was rushing to update in the early hours of last night, and I caught some bugs today.

I have to see a doctor this week to fix a bug before moving at the end of the month. The update at 12 noon will be unstable. Although the update is late, it will definitely arrive.

Please continue to support Xiao Tan and Ying Ying's sweet love. Bow!