Chapter 5: First Encounter on a Rainy Night "Be careful, I'll ask Brother Yuzhi to drive...
boom--
Today is a terrible day.
After taking the last sip of wine, Chi Liuai was frightened by the sudden thunder.
Today is Cheng Xuewei's engagement dinner. Her fiancé is a mixed-race man two years younger than Xuewei. He is said to be the mysterious illegitimate son of a noble in the German district.
But his identity was recognized by Mr. Meng, so even on a rainy day, this inconspicuous little dinner party attracted many celebrities.
Chi Liuai sat in an inconspicuous seat, but she was dressed in a flashy and bright outfit. Cheng Xuewei locked her eyes through the crowd.
Cheng Xuewei came over to greet them with her fiancé on her arm. Their collars still had lip prints from their intimate moments. "Poor darling, you should go upstairs and greet them openly, saying, 'Hey, Dad, your biological daughter is me.' That way they'll remember that you're the one who truly loves Mr. Meng."
Chi Liuai lowered his head in embarrassment, tapping his toes on the ground repeatedly: "Really? But I'm afraid Mr. Meng doesn't like me."
No way! Although Chi Liuai had no idea who Mr. Meng was, there shouldn't be anyone in the world who didn't like her!
Exiled abroad, she heard that her grandfather was seriously ill and had made a will: the daughter who married into the alliance would have a rich inheritance.
In the early years, Mr. Chi saved the life of the grandmother of the Meng family. In order to repay the kindness, he used this kindness to exchange for a marriage, in order to ensure the long-term prosperity of the Chi family.
She is the biological daughter of the Chi family, but her elder sister Chi Baoyuan is about to be engaged to the young master of the Meng family.
Three days ago, Chi Liuai, who learned the news, was enjoying his first cigarette as an adult at a private boat party with Cheng Xuewei.
Before the slender lady's cigarette was lit, Chi Liuai's face was already frowning, feeling aggrieved.
"How could you do this, sister?"
Cheng Xuewei: "Baby, why do you say that?"
"It was obviously me who liked Mr. Meng first."
Cheng Xuewei exclaimed, as if she had heard something funny, but the melodious music drowned her out. She lowered her brows and looked at this gentle and lovely girl. Although they had only known each other for a few days, her overly well-behaved personality made Cheng Xuewei unable to hide her affection. In this gathering of foreigners and foreigners, Chi Liuai was like a glazed porcelain vase.
The first time she appeared in the social circle of girls of the same age, she became a popular target of men's pursuit.
Everyone knew the lost little daughter of the Chi family, but few were willing to look her in the eye.
The Chi family has the highest hopes for their adopted daughter, Chi Baoyuan.
Even if their biological daughter were to return to their ancestral home, they would still be willing to give the best marriage to Chi Baoyuan and send their younger daughter, who was not presentable, abroad to pursue further studies.
Cheng Xuewei felt that her heart was in turmoil.
"Don't worry, baby! Leave everything to me!"
So, Chi Liuai hid it from everyone and appeared quietly at Cheng Xuewei's engagement party. She now had a more important task.
After receiving Cheng Xuewei's hint, Chi Liuai said to the man in front of him, "Mr. Daqi, can you help me pass a message to Mr. Meng? I want to meet him after the party."
Humph, Chi Liuai used his connections early on and found out that the Chi family arranged for Chi Baoyuan to meet Meng Yuzhi at the banquet tonight.
She did this secretly and few people in the Chi family knew about it.
Who is Meng Yuzhi? Few have ever seen his true face.
It is said that there are many candidates in the Meng family. Mr. Meng was young and fought with his uncle and nephew. He originally thought it was a moth to a flame, but he did not expect that he would be reborn after being put to death.
Some people say that he is the illegitimate son secretly raised in Hong Kong by Mr. Meng, while others say that he is his uncle’s biological son.
All the speculations ended when he personally joined forces with the Hong Kong police to send a series of Meng family members, including his uncle, to prison, allowing them to live out their lives peacefully.
Unkind and unjust, his methods are cruel and brutal.
The upper class people in the society of drinking and eating, however, flattered this unruly master with smiles on their faces, saying that he became famous at a young age and had a bright future.
Now, there are rumors that he will become the next person in power in the Meng family.
Let him become Chi Baoyuan's fiancé? Dream on!
"This..." Dutch was a little embarrassed. "As you know, Mr. Meng's whereabouts are mysterious. I'm not sure whether he will be present at the engagement party this time."
As he spoke, his eyes occasionally glanced outside the venue, a gesture that was seen by everyone at the banquet.
They all maintained a high level of alertness and paid close attention to any movement at the door.
"Even if you don't show up, you can at least convey my love to you!" Cheng Xuewei was a little dissatisfied. She kept seeing the man holding Chi Liuai in her arms. When she thought about how Chi Liuai had been begging to see his beloved one in a humble manner, but was still rejected, it was really too tragic.
Chi Liuai had a lucky yet sad life.
Cheng Xuewei recounted, "Our Liuai can only fall asleep looking at Mr. Meng's picture every night, otherwise she will suffer from insomnia. We have an old Chinese saying, 'Lovesickness becomes a disease,' which is hard to explain to you half-foreigners."
Chi Liuai coughed, feeling a little guilty.
This was one of the stories she made up to show how much she admired Mr. Meng.
She also looked outside unconsciously, and suddenly, there was a commotion. Chi Liuai couldn't help but sway on tiptoe, seeing people gathered around, holding her breath.
Da Qi compromised and promised to share Chi Liuai's worries. He then said to Cheng Xuewei, "It should be someone from the Meng family. Honey, I'll go over first."
Chi Liuai: "Meng family?"
There were too many people. Chi Liuai raised his chin, but still couldn't see anyone. He then acted aggrievedly and coquettishly to Cheng Xuewei: "Xuewei, it must be because you are so likable that everyone is willing to attend your engagement party."
"Baby, how could Mr. Meng not like you like this?"
A little kid who loves to act like a spoiled brat.
Cheng Xuewei tolerantly held Chi Liuai's hand, and the crowd naturally made way, but there was a clear dividing point. Dachi stood next to the man, shaking hands and greeting him.
Judging from everyone’s reactions, this person must be Mr. Meng.
"Not bad." This was Chi Liuai's evaluation. She was half hidden behind Cheng Xuewei, observing the man blatantly.
Young and handsome, but it really doesn't suit Chi Liuai's taste. After all, men are better when they are older.
The handsome face calmed Chi Liuai's heart a little. If he could get it, it would not be a loss.
Although she felt a little guilty about deciding to snatch her sister's marriage.
But if, Dad is willing to tell her in person: Liuai, you are Dad’s favorite child, a thousand times better than your sister, then of course the Meng family’s marriage will be left to you.
So why would she go and rob it? So it's all their fault.
As she thought about it, Chi Liuai lost her mind and began to imagine that her parents were willing to pamper her, hold her in high esteem, and worship her...
Suddenly, Chi Liuai's wrist tightened, she turned her head and found Chi Cheng appeared behind her.
Chi Cheng, her biological brother, the eldest son of the Chi family.
Chi Cheng frowned: "Liu Ai? Why are you here? Aren't you in the American area?"
Cheng Xuewei was called over by Daqi, and Chi Liuai decided to pretend not to know him and left.
"Don't try to pretend you don't know me." Chi Cheng pulled him to a corner. "Put away your evil thoughts. Are you asking about Sister Baoyuan's marriage? Can you afford to offend the Meng family?"
Upon hearing this, Chi Liuai felt dizzy. Someone must have betrayed her!
"Don't make malicious assumptions about me like that! I didn't do that!" Chi Liuai looked around to make sure no one heard him, then blushed and argued, "What are you talking about? I don't understand!"
Chi Cheng looked at his sister who had many thoughts but most of them were shown on her face.
He took a deep breath and said earnestly, "I'm begging you, please let Baoyuan go, stop making trouble, and study hard abroad, okay?"
It happens again! It happens again!
It's like this again——
Call Chi Baoyuan sister, call her Liuai.
Partiality! She had known from the beginning that Chi Cheng was partial to her. When he greeted her at home in the morning, the first person he called was Chi Baoyuan, and he never called her.
She had never heard Chi Cheng say to her: Good morning, sister!
At this moment, Chi Liuai lost even the last bit of guilt.
"Ms. Chi, Miss Cheng is calling you over." Just then, a waiter came. The two turned their heads and saw Cheng Xuewei and Dachi smiling at her, including Mr. Meng next to them.
For a moment, Chi Liuai's chest rose and fell slightly, and her head straightened up a lot. Seeing Chi Cheng's face change slightly, she said proudly: "There's really no other way, brother, I'll go first."
"You—forget it." Chi Cheng said, "Be smart tonight. Don't mess with people you shouldn't flirt with. Is that clear?"
"Huh, I'm smart enough."
Chi Cheng pretended not to hear and saw Chi Liuai slowly walking towards the center of the social circle like a lady. Two years ago, she was still a wild child throwing tantrums at home.
Unconsciously, that strange feeling came into my heart.
Sure enough, after a year abroad, a person becomes very good at pretending.
"This lady cannot drink."
Chi Liuai smiled gently, and the man in front of her politely and gentlemanly helped her decline the drink offered by the man who was trying to chat her up. Although she could get herself drunk until she passed out with wine one night after school, here, she was just the second daughter of the Chi family who could not drink a drop of alcohol.
Thinking of Cheng Xuewei blinking and pretending to be mysterious, he told her that getting this person would make her wish come true. Chi Liuai was sure that this person was Mr. Meng, Meng Yuzhi.
After several conversations, he seemed to be a master of socializing. Chi Liuai was a little overwhelmed, but he could calmly smile and change the subject. Everyone's eyes seemed to be focused on Chi Liuai. Perhaps it was because the air conditioning in the room was too strong, but she felt a chill behind her.
Meng Ran lowered his eyes and looked at the fish that took the bait. It was very much to his liking.
If it weren't for the Meng and Chi families' wedding, he wouldn't have bothered to go to this small place for social events. Unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise. Daqi, who worked under his eldest brother, seemed to be very caring towards this woman. Before leaving, he asked him to take good care of her.
"Calling me Mr. Meng now is too unfamiliar."
Chi Liuai was stunned for a moment, and Meng Ran said inducingly: "I am only a few years older than you. According to the friendship between our two families, you can also call me brother."
The girl seemed flattered by the title. She pursed her lips, seeming to hesitate to speak.
Meng Ran laughed, raised his eyes, and met the sharp gaze from the top floor, his mouth stiffening. He found an excuse to leave, leaving Chi Liuai still in a daze. He asked her to wait there while he took care of business and would come back later.
Not long after Meng Ran left, a plain-looking young man stuffed a tightly wrapped object into Chi Liuai's hand, which seemed to contain a card.
"Mr. Meng, I specifically asked this of Miss Chi. Please accept it."
Chi Liuai didn't dismantle it, nor did he pay much attention to it.
She just held it tightly in her hand. Ever since she heard Meng Yuzhi ask her to call him brother, her mind was full of scenes of her showing off behind her sister.
Many people will surely envy her then. What did Meng Yuzhi give her? It must be a gift!
She decided on the spot that when she got home she would solemnly open the gift in front of her father, brothers and sisters to show her family that she was the most lovable child.
"Have you given it?" Meng Ran asked the assistant.
The assistant quickly walked behind Meng Ran and nodded.
For the girls Meng Ran liked, his assistant would personally hand them the room cards. Whether they came or not was entirely voluntary, and he never forced them.
"This guy is probably stupid. Please speak more clearly." Meng Ran sneered and suddenly stopped.
Even though they were separated by a long corridor, the man sitting on the sofa at the end still had an imposing aura. Meng Ran didn't know how long he had been there, or rather, since the beginning of the banquet. This man had been in the depths, like a lion waiting to be hunted, observing the fools downstairs who wanted to treat him as prey from beginning to end.
Half hidden in the shadows, Dachi stood obediently beside the sofa, his head bowed as he reported on his work. The man's hand, casually draped across the black sofa, was exposed in the cold light reflected by the flowing lamp. The joints were distinct, and cyan veins were embedded in the broad palm.
The palm ring that symbolizes authority is inlaid with ink-colored emeralds, which is dark, elegant and oppressive.
No need to show up, a ring is enough.
The young man who had been moving freely among the rich and powerful just an hour ago now stood in the corner stairwell in a well-behaved manner, lowered his head, and called out clearly, "Big Brother."
He couldn't even get close without Meng Yuzhi's permission.
The man didn't look at her with any compassion, just raised his hand slightly, and Meng Ran left.
"What did you just say?" Meng Yuzhi said in a flat tone.
Dutch heard no hint of disgust or resistance in the words, so he spoke boldly again: "Boss, it's Xuewei's friend. She has liked you for a long time and hopes to meet you. Of course, such a rude request can be rejected, but this girl is not easy."
"Dutch, you're not the type to meddle in other people's business."
"If Mr. Meng doesn't want to, I'll go and decline." Dutch paused, then followed his fiancée's instructions and continued, "Miss Chi seems to have a traditional Chinese ailment—suicidal thoughts. She wants to die when she can't see anyone. It's said she needs your photo every night to fall asleep. If you could say a few words to her, it might help."
They communicated in German, an ancient and heavy language.
Daqi's words rolled out like a robotic male voice, which was extremely funny. Meng Yuzhi did not get angry and calmly pointed out the foreign man's error in expression.
"It's lovesickness."
Compared to this, Meng Yuzhi looked expressionlessly at the bold and presumptuous girl downstairs who admired him.
Her face, overflowing with the allure of an oriental woman, resembles a drop of wet white porcelain paint amidst the oil painting of her dreamy, fragrant hair. Her beauty is fluid, not dazzling, yet, amidst all the other beauties, it captivates and draws attention.
It seemed that many people went to chat with her, but then left with their heads down, apparently failing.
Boom!
The rain got heavier, and the melodious music changed into a unique dance music, which was the dance music that Xuewei and Dutch performed when they fell in love at first sight.
Chi Liuai can't dance, and it's not her fault.
She was adopted into the Chi family. Apart from spending money and enjoying herself, which showed the talent of a rich man's daughter, she did not study the etiquette of a lady.
At the banquet, someone came up to invite us.
Chi Liuai was afraid of appearing timid, so she shook her head and refused, saying she was drunk. But this excuse was too forced, and one or two friends in the circle were present. They knew Chi Liuai's alcohol tolerance and stood there waiting for her to agree.
"But Brother Yuzhi asked me to wait for him here." Chi Liuai declined politely.
After rejecting one, another comes.
Chi Liuai stared at the bald man with a beer belly who was a little taller than him, and said more exaggeratedly: "Brother Yuzhi doesn't want me to dance with others, he will be angry."
Seeing the originally strong and obscene man running away, she did not forget to apologize politely.
Chi Liuai felt arrogant and proud, and laughed secretly.
But he met a chilling gaze.
Like a rusty iron knife, it examines itself bit by bit and cuts itself again and again.
So strange...
This person is so annoying.
Then, she used Meng Yuzhi's name to "bully" others and rejected many ungrateful men.
The man walked in.
Chi Liuai's eyes paused and could no longer be looked away.
The dance floor was filled with passionate music, and the high-ranking nobles and children of wealthy families displayed their upbringing in the center with elegant and proper etiquette. Their steps forward and backward were a measure of interests behind the undercurrent. Even Chi Liuai, who had just entered the wealthy family, knew that one had to flatter the powerful and step on the weak. There had to be someone at the top and someone at the bottom.
The man who came walking leisurely seemed to be a favored child of heaven standing in the clouds. He was wearing a black suit and had a tall stature. As he walked down the stairs, Chi Liuai saw him slowly turning his finger bones, and undulating blue veins bursting out of his cold white skin. Every inch of his body was wrapped in the well-tailored suit, and his muscles were bulging out, especially his strong and powerful arms.
Chi Liuai swallowed her saliva. Because of her clothes, she couldn't see the man's ascetic figure hidden under his shirt, and she couldn't imagine what it felt like to bury herself in a man's chest.
She only knew that the broad palm could be opened and lifted.
Will he reduce the force of his palm?
A few days ago, she heard Cheng Xuewei say that a suit is the most erotic clothing for men.
She didn't agree because in her mind, the best dowry for a man is money.
At this moment, she felt a little regretful. Why couldn't she be patient and hooked up with other men first?
This is what suits my stomach!
What a pity, let’s talk about it later.
Chi Liuai lowered his head in pain.
It was hard for Meng Yuzhi not to pay attention to Chi Liuai. She was the only one in the whole audience who looked at him blatantly with eyes that seemed to want to hang everyone on him.
He didn't want to move away even for a moment, thinking about what Dutch said.
Did she also look at her own photo like this at night? Did she like it so much?
When they passed by each other, Chi Liuai looked up. The man seemed to slow down his pace. His cold eyes seemed to scrape her to death. She was frightened.
Could it be that this man wanted to invite her to dance too? Could it be that he had a crush on her? Chi Liuai's face flushed with confusion as her mind raced with thoughts. She didn't bother trying to figure out why this man always looked at her with such strange eyes. Her heart was still racing, and this stuffy feeling was terrible.
So she used her own tricks, which were even more nasty.
Her cheeks puffed up with anger, and she said in a domineering tone, "What are you looking at? Be careful or I'll have Brother Yuzhi kick you out!"
The three words "Yu", "Zhi" and "Ge" were pronounced with great emphasis.
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