Chapter 29
What is Yu Shao's identity?
Yu's business projects are worth at least a billion yuan each. Why would he need to personally manage a small homestay project?
What's more, he taught Li Chi'an how to run a bed and breakfast?!
Li Chi'an's guesthouses will definitely be small, stand-alone establishments.
Like I said, do we need him?
This is abnormal, definitely not normal.
Yuan Er seemed to be deep in thought, "That's an interesting connection... If my cooperation with Yu Shi succeeds, it might be able to bring them together..."
"Don't play matchmaker. Let's leave An'an and Yu Shi's relationship to fate." Gao Yinxi gently nudged him. "But the art and business circles are only so big, you'll find acquaintances everywhere you go."
“Li Chi’an counts as half.” Yuan Ergeng put away his phone and looked at Gao Yinxi seriously. “So, interpersonal relationships are essentially a value exchange. Healthy exchanges make relationships last, while one-sided demands will only break them. Xu Zhuwen doesn’t understand this, which is why she thinks you are ‘favoring one side over the other’.”
Gao Yinxi breathed a sigh of relief. "Hearing you say that makes me feel much better. Tomorrow I will tell Wenwen clearly that I can help her find a few loan channels, but direct loans are not an option."
“This is the calm and rational CEO I know.” Yuan Er smiled and kissed her forehead. “By the way, are you free Friday night? Yu Shi invited us to a private appreciation event, where he will supposedly showcase some nice collectibles.”
Gao Yinxi wrinkled her nose smugly, the heavy spoon she had just used to stir the cold soup long forgotten in the bowl.
She seemed to lighten up, moving closer to Yuan Ergeng, her eyes still bright and dazzling. "You know... about this matter, should we... um, give it a little push? Spread the word to An'an?"
Or maybe next time, I can mention her to you?
“If you really want to, you can take Li Chi’an with you.” Yuan Er chuckled, looking at the undisguised “matchmaker’s light” shining in her eyes, and shook his head helplessly and affectionately, “I wonder how far she and Young Master Yu have progressed in private.”
As for whether she is still married?
My husband is no different from being dead.
Yuan Ergeng mainly wanted to see what kind of chemical reaction would occur between Li Chi'an and Yu Shi.
A shrewd calculation flashed across his eyes.
Is Yu Shi interested in Li Chi'an? If this is true... then their ongoing "Cloud Village" project collaboration seems to have gained another subtle and interesting connection.
Li Chi'an is their mutual friend, and this relationship, in the business world, is sometimes warmer than cold contract terms.
"It's not even close to being settled yet, don't make a fuss." Gao Yinxi knew that Li Chi'an was a slow starter, so she was very nice, but she didn't think there would be any breakthrough progress between the two of them in the short term.
Her gaze shifted slightly, and she suddenly felt that Yuan Ergeng's suggestion had great potential.
Yuan Ergeng picked up his phone; the screen was still displaying the investment promotion plan for "Yunjianli".
He spoke as if it were unintentional, as if it were just a casual remark, "Speaking of which... I remember you mentioned before that Li Chi'an wanted to open a studio that combines floral design with interior decoration?"
"Hmm." Gao Yinxi felt that he must have something to say since he suddenly brought up this topic. "You mean...?"
“Didn’t you say Li Chi’an is only focused on making money right now? If she really wants to do something, she could open a studio specializing in interior design.” Yuan Ergeng stroked his chin. “If she does a good job, we can provide her with links and resources.”
Gao Yinxi nodded, a beautiful smile curving her lips.
Then, I picked up my phone, found Li Chi'an's WeChat, and sent her a few messages.
The screen's soft blue light illuminated her focused profile.
Outside the window, the city lights had long since merged into a dazzling galaxy, flowing silently.
Beneath the vast night sky carved out by skyscrapers, countless windows glow with light, some warm, some cold. Behind each light, perhaps lies a storm of life, a secret stirring of the heart, or a turning point quietly brewing.
Yuan Er touched the chicken soup. "The soup is all cold. I'll go heat it up again. You can have this bowl too."
He naturally took the now-cold soup in front of Gao Yinxi and downed it in one gulp.
"Is there any meat? I want to eat meat."
When you're in a good mood, your appetite improves.
Gao Yinxi's smiling gaze followed Yuan Ergeng's back, landing on his broad shoulders.
Under the lamplight, his tall figure cast a steady shadow at the kitchen doorway.
The blush of excitement that had risen on her face from the gossip gradually faded, transforming into a deeper, more grounded warmth that flowed silently into her eyes.
She leaned gently against the soft back of the sofa, completely relaxing.
"Yes, I packed a lot."
Soon, the sound of the microwave turning came from the kitchen, its hum mingling with the distant city outside the window, like a soothing nocturne.
Yuan Ergeng quickly took out the heated soup from the microwave, and a large chicken leg occupied most of the white ceramic bowl.
He turned around, bowl in hand, his gaze falling on Gao Yinxi's face. She was looking at him, a quiet yet bright smile curving her lips, the light falling into her eyes, making them clear as if filled with scattered stars.
...
The night in Xianghai City is glamorous and dense.
Especially the Yu family's private club, "Cloud Pavilion," located at the highest point in the city. Tonight, it is brightly lit, and a private art appreciation event is being held.
Gao Yinxi stood at the entrance of the club, her black dress accentuating her perfect figure. She was holding her boyfriend Yuan Ergeng's arm, but her gaze kept sweeping around the entrance.
“It’s windy here, why don’t we go inside and wait?” Yuan Er said in a lower voice, gently squeezing his girlfriend’s hand. “The tasting event hasn’t started yet, Li Chi’an won’t be late.”
"I told her to send someone to pick her up, but she insisted on not doing so." Gao Yinxi was a little nervous, after all, Chi'an was coming alone tonight.
“You’re just too protective of her.” Yuan Ergeng looked at Gao Yinxi, who was frowning slightly, and found it somewhat amusing. “The people here aren’t some kind of monster that can eat her up.”
“It’s so late, and she’s all alone… You know how famous she is right now.” Gao Yinxi raised her eyebrows slightly, exuding charm. “What if she got ambushed on her way here and couldn’t make it?”
Yuan Er chuckled, "It's not as exaggerated as you make it out to be. 'Yundian Pavilion' often hosts celebrities and big shots, and it has always been good at protecting privacy."
As they were talking, a black sedan slowly pulled up in front of the clubhouse.
The car door opened, and a foot in a white high heel stepped out first.
Gao Yinxi's eyes lit up, "They're here!"
When Li Chi'an stepped out of the car, the surroundings seemed to fall silent for a moment.
She wore a modernized Chinese-style dress, her figure slender, in a moon-white gown. The diagonal placket and knotted buttons meandered to her neck, like ink paintings of mountains and rivers shrouded in mist spreading across the plain satin, making her skin appear as white as jade.
She didn't join the glittering, social circle; she simply gazed quietly at the deep, inky sea outside the window. Her profile resembled a classical lady forgotten by time, shrouded in a gentle, classical charm that was utterly captivating.
Gao Yinxi rarely saw Li Chi'an dressed so exquisitely. When she saw her step out of the car, she couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, not to mention the people around who were seeing Li Chi'an for the first time.
After recovering from the initial shock of her friend's beauty, Gao Yinxi quickly walked over and took her slightly cool hand. "Oh my god, Chi'an, you look so beautiful tonight! It suits you so well."
Li Chianxi quickly stepped forward and gave her friend a hug, "Thank you, darling, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight too."
Her gaze swept over the shimmering diamond necklace around Gao Yinxi's neck.
Gao Yinxi feigned anger and lightly patted the back of her hand, "If you like it, you can borrow it next time."
"No, I wouldn't dare accept something Ergeng gave you."
Yuan Ergeng strolled over slowly behind Gao Yinxi. He was wearing a high-end custom-made suit and looked much more upright than usual. He walked over with a big smile and said, "Chi'an, you've taken a rejuvenating pill and been reborn. You look so beautiful that I almost didn't recognize you."
He hadn't seen Li Chi'an for a long time, and now that he suddenly saw her, he suddenly understood why his girlfriend was so certain that Young Master Yu was interested in her.
Li Chi'an smiled slightly, the beauty mark drawn at the corner of his eye looking particularly charming under the light, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Gao Yinxi felt that Li Chi'an looked so beautiful tonight, and she was giving her special face. A smug look appeared between her delicate eyebrows and eyes. "Divorce is a novel with a satisfying ending, and you've made it a reality."
The three of them, chatting and laughing, walked inside under the guidance of the waiter.
Yuan Ergeng and Gao Yinxi also politely nodded to the people they knew around them.
Li Chi'an's social environment was much simpler; he didn't need to waste his energy on others. His gaze was quickly drawn to the artworks faintly visible within the clubhouse. "I heard there are quite a few valuable pieces in this collection?"
“That’s right.” Gao Yinxi took her arm. “The Yu family has gone all out this time, even bringing out that long-lost ‘Autumn Mountain’ painting. Come on, I’ll introduce you to some people.”
The three entered the club, where the light from the crystal chandelier spilled onto the gleaming marble floor.
Amidst the elegant attire and swaying hair, the elites of Xianghai City's high society gathered in twos and threes, conversing in hushed tones and occasionally letting out restrained laughter.
Gao Yinxi's eyes searched through the crowd and quickly locked onto a few people she thought she could introduce to Li Chi'an. Li Chi'an just didn't like socializing, but that didn't mean she was bad at it.
Thanks to her past experience working in the world of fame and fortune, even though she has been staying at home for several years, she still manages to deal with these people quite well.
Yuan Ergeng, who had been socializing separately from them, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and put his arm around Gao Yinxi's waist, saying, "Look, Yu Shi is over there."
At the same time, his subtly observant gaze fell on Li Chi'an.
Li Chian and Gao Yinxi looked in the direction he pointed.
Yu Shi stood in front of an oil painting, wearing a well-tailored dark blue suit with subtle patterns. His profile was sharply defined, with a high nose bridge and a sharp look in his eyes.
He was intently admiring the painting, his slender fingers gently supporting his chin, his posture elegant and unpretentious.
"Wow, Yu Shao is as handsome as ever," Gao Yinxi couldn't help but praise.
Yuan Er had long been aware of his wife's attraction to good looks, so he didn't bother to be jealous at this moment. He simply smiled and said, "Let's go over and say hello."
As the three approached, Yu Shi seemed to sense something and turned around. His gaze first politely swept over Gao Yinxi and Yuan Ergeng, then paused noticeably when he saw Li Chi'an, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.
"Miss Li, Mr. Gao, Mr. Yuan, you've arrived." Yu Shi's voice was deep and pleasant.
"Young Master Yu is looking at paintings," Yuan Ergeng said with a smile. "I hope I haven't disturbed your enjoyment?"
I've seen this painting many times.
Seeing Yu Shi's relaxed demeanor, as if browsing through his collection as if it were his own garden, Li Chi'an gained a new understanding of Yu Shi's artistic achievements.
After chatting for a few more minutes, the tasting event officially began.
The soft lights focused on the priceless collectibles: richly colored oil paintings, lustrous and translucent ancient jade, perfectly cut gemstones... The air was filled with the subtle interplay of money and art.
Gao Yinxi focused intently on the paintings, as her purpose for coming today was clear: to photograph some suitable paintings from the Six Senses collection to display at the hotel and enhance its artistic taste.
Li Chi'an walked quietly among them, his gaze lingering intently on the ancient artifacts that bore witness to the passage of time.
She stood in front of a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) for a long time.
The body of the instrument is a deep chestnut color, with a warm and smooth lacquer finish. The cracks are as natural and rustic as ice cracks, exuding the breath of time.
Her slender fingers, through the glass display case, lightly and almost imperceptibly traced the strings, her gaze focused and distant, as if she could see through the glass and her fingertips had already touched the cool silk strings.
"Do you like this instrument?" Yu Shi's voice sounded beside him, deep and gentle.
Li Chi'an's voice was filled with undisguised excitement, "This zither... if I'm not mistaken, it should be 'Songfeng,' and only three of them exist in the world."
Yu Shi's eyes flashed with admiration. "Miss Li has a good eye. This is one of the treasures in our Yu family collection, which we have specially brought out to display today."
Gao Yinxi interjected at the right moment, "Chi'an's piano skills are extraordinary; her master was a hidden monk."
Yu Shi was clearly surprised. "A sweeping monk? What do you mean?"
Li Chi'an looked at Gao Yinxi with a mix of helplessness and amusement, and then told Yu Shi in detail about how he learned to play the guqin. "There used to be a grandma downstairs in my house who loved playing the guqin. She played it almost every day. I would do my homework while listening to her playing. Sometimes when she stopped playing, I would lose interest in doing my homework and call downstairs for her to play. Grandma saw that I liked it and said that if I was willing to help her clean her little garden once a week, she would teach me to play the guqin. So I learned from her."
"How old were you then?" Yu Shi hadn't expected Li Chi'an's experience learning the zither to be so interesting.
"Seven or eight years old, I guess." Seven or eight years old is actually a bit young for learning the guqin, but Li Chi'an was quiet and well-behaved from a young age. Seeing how seriously she studied, her grandmother taught her hand by hand for many years.
For some reason, after hearing Li Chi'an's story of learning the zither, even though her teacher didn't sound like a famous one, I couldn't help but want to find out more. "Would I have the honor of hearing Miss Li play a piece?"
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