Beijing Cocktail Party and Undercurrents
[Beijing Clubhouse Night]
Outside the clubhouse, lights shone brightly, and cars streamed in. Tonight was the signing ceremony between the Mu and Jiang families, a gathering of celebrities. The red carpet stretched out, and media flashes went off incessantly. Hu Li wasn't originally qualified to step into such an event, but Zhang Qijie handed him an invitation, casually remarking, "Our partners sent a few tickets; I think you should attend an event like this."
She initially wanted to decline, but she read a seriousness in his eyes. So that night, she wore a deep red dress and walked into the club, arm in arm with Zhang Qijie. She styled her hair in a low bun, revealing her clean neckline and collarbone; her eye makeup was a very light smoky eye, with delicately upturned corners, her eyelashes casting a soft shadow under the lights; her lips were a restrained plum red, perfectly complementing her complexion. She wore only a pair of extremely thin gold stud earrings, and a nearly invisible chain adorned her collarbone; a slender wristwatch graced her wrist, and the satin of her dress shimmered with a cool light as she walked. Her fragrance was subtle, a clean and understated blend of white tea and cedarwood. As the entrance lights shone down, her silhouette seemed to come into focus; her long dress swayed gently with each step, her skin reflecting the light, her eyes bright and clear, possessing a radiance different from the glittering atmosphere of the club. She didn't belong there, yet that only made her stand out more. The surrounding conversation paused for a moment, then murmurs rose up: "Who is that?" "He has a really unique air about him..." "I heard he's a friend of Zhang Qijie." Eyes scrutinized, undercurrents surged, and some even whispered to themselves, "Tonight's show is going to be interesting."
Champagne mingled with laughter throughout the room. Zhang Qijie whispered in her ear, "Don't be nervous, just treat it like watching a show."
Hu Li raised an eyebrow and smiled: "A fox afraid of the arena? You underestimate me."
In the distance, Mu Tianlang was exchanging pleasantries with shareholders, but his gaze lingered on her out of the corner of his eye. His wolf-like gaze was calm and suppressed, concealing a flicker of stirred jealousy. He didn't approach, only watching from afar as she was surrounded by people, his fingertip tapping on his wine glass, his voice cold and hard. Someone leaned closer and whispered, "Has Young Master Mu taken a liking to her?" Before the whisper faded, his brow furrowed, and the oppressive aura instantly silenced the other person.
On the other side of the venue, Jiang Rouyin appeared in a silver-gray dress, her demeanor elegant, chatting and laughing with several elders. The Xu family's daughter was not far away, surrounded by several young men. Everyone's gaze was drawn to the interaction between these daughters of prominent families and the young master of the Mu family, a strong sense of observation evident. Jiang Rouyin walked over and exchanged a few pleasantries with Mu Tianlang, her smile polite: "Congratulations on the successful signing. You're the center of attention tonight." Mu Tianlang merely nodded indifferently, his expression cold and stern, saying nothing more. The Xu family's daughter deliberately approached, her tone gentle: "Tianlang, my father said that if you have time next week, he hopes to discuss the details of the cooperation with you further." He raised an eyebrow slightly, replying only with a simple, "We'll see when." Several shareholders exchanged glances nearby, whispers swirling among them.
At this moment, surrounded by friends from the design circle, Hu Li exchanged business cards with several men, discussing her experiences at the exhibition, her smiles radiating confidence. When she spoke of her upcoming exhibition in France, her tone was nonchalant, yet she drew frequent nods of praise from the men. Zhang Qijie occasionally interjected, helping her out of awkward situations or adding to her comments, creating a relaxed atmosphere. This scene, observed by Mu Tianlang on the sidelines, deepened his chill, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the wine glass in his hand. The surrounding scrutiny and whispers made him feel even more oppressed.
Just then, a gallery owner walked over, exchanged a few pleasantries with Hu Li, and asked with delight, "I heard you're going to France to participate in an exhibition?"
Hu Li smiled and nodded, giving a brief response. The other party then extended an invitation: "Our gallery will be holding a joint exhibition in November. If you're interested after you return to China, you might consider exhibiting together."
Her heart skipped a beat, and she agreed, but her tone was indifferent: "We'll talk in detail when I get back." Every detail of this conversation, and all the nuances of her words, reached Mu Tianlang's ears not far away, adding another layer of tension. Just then, her phone vibrated; it was a message from Mu Tianlang: [Naughty fox. Wait for me in room 880 upstairs after we're done.] She glanced down at it, her fingers pausing for half a second before she closed the screen, still calmly exchanging a few polite words with him.
[Late Night in a Club Suite]
The party ended, and the noise subsided. The elevator doors opened at the end of the corridor, and Zhang Qijie escorted Hu Li to the suite upstairs. He stepped aside to let her stand against the wall, his tone gentle yet with a hint of caution: "You were dazzling tonight, remember not to overexert yourself. You prepared very well for the exhibition in France, but remember to get some rest too."
Hu Li smiled and nodded, his voice calm: "I know what I'm doing. Don't treat me like a student."
Zhang Qijie paused, smiled, as if about to say something, but stopped, only saying, "Keep going." After saying that, he stepped aside to let people through the door, just about to take his leave.
Just as Hu Li was about to turn and go inside, the door was suddenly pushed open. Mu Tianlang stood inside, his gaze as cold as a knife. Their eyes met, and the air instantly froze. Zhang Qijie paused, met his gaze for a moment, nodded slightly, and said in a still polite tone, "I'll be going now." Then he turned and left.
The door closed behind him, and silence descended. The noise of the corridor was shut out, leaving only the oppressive atmosphere inside the room.
"You think it's fun?" he whispered, his voice almost out of control.
Hu Li looked up, his eyes sparkling: "It's not that it's really fun, it's just that we happened to have tickets."
"And him." He stared at her, his tone cold and hard.
She raised an eyebrow and replied with a faint smile, "Even without him, I could still get in."
Mu Tianlang was silent for a moment, then pulled her close, pressing her against the door. His lips approached, but he didn't kiss her immediately, only whispering in her ear, "I held back all night."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she still managed a smile: "Who told you to be a wolf, born to endure?"
His eyes darkened, his breath hot, and he whispered, trying to suppress his laughter: "Try laughing again?"
Hu Li's eyes crinkled at the corners, her fingertips pressed against his chest, her tone provocative: "Laugh, go ahead, what, are you forbidding foxes from laughing?"
Before she could finish speaking, he couldn't hold back any longer and kissed her fiercely. His touch was urgent and domineering, as if he wanted to devour her whole. His fingertips tightened around her waist, their breaths and heartbeats colliding rapidly in the confined space. She responded with a struggle, but it was more like a flame being ignited. He traced the delicate veins along her neck, gently biting above her collarbone, like a wolf seizing its prey; she groaned, but didn't back down, biting back at the muscle of his shoulder, leaving a shallow mark, like a reply. Her breath was ragged, yet she still smiled through her teeth, whispering, "Wolf, you've lost."
His voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible: "No, I win this round."
That night, they truly crossed the line, their blood boiling. Sweetness and pain intertwined, repression and explosion burned out in the suite. The wolf and the fox finally left the deepest mark on each other, neither able to extricate themselves.
[The next morning in the club suite]
Morning light streamed through the French windows, the room still carrying the scent of last night. Hu Li leaned against the pillows, his fingers twirling the corner of the blanket, and whispered, "Will you regret it?"
Mu Tianlang sat on the edge of the bed, leaned down and tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ear, his eyes deep: "I'm afraid you'll regret it."
She laughed, her eyes shining like moonlight: "If the fox really regretted it, she wouldn't have flirted with the wolf last night."
He reached out and pinched her chin, his voice low and husky: "Do you know that once you flirt with me, I have no way out?"
She suddenly reached out and pulled him down, their foreheads touching: "Then let's not back down together."
She subconsciously raised her hand to touch her collarbone, her fingertips brushing against a faint ring of teeth marks, like moonlight falling on skin. Mu Tianlang's gaze darkened, and he reached out to gently pull up the collar of his bathrobe, whispering, "Don't let anyone see."
Hu Li raised an eyebrow, his eyes crinkling at the corners: "That's my mark, and it's yours too."
He chuckled, pulled her into his arms, and paused there for a moment with his fingertip, as if leaving an invisible mark, before letting go.
The morning air carried a sweet scent, their breaths mingled, and their smiles met in each other's eyes. But Hu Li quickly remembered that she still had a whole day of artwork to review, and the weight of reality weighed on her heart. She patted his chest and half-jokingly said, "You have to go to the company, and I have to work too. Staying in bed too long isn't a proper relationship." He kissed the corner of her lips before getting up and leaving.
[Beijing Mu's Headquarters - Daytime]
Several financial statements were slammed onto the table, and shareholders raised a chorus of questions. Rumors of a broken cash flow in the real estate project spread through the market, causing Mu's stock price to plummet. The meeting room was bustling with noise, but Mu Tianlang sat at the head of the table, his expression cold and hard.
"Whose accounts don't match?" he asked, his voice icy.
The finance manager replied in a low voice, "There are two outsourcing payments whose whereabouts are unknown, and we are investigating them."
His brow furrowed, and he immediately ordered, "Freeze the relevant accounts immediately and hand them over to the legal department. I need to see the complete flow of funds by tonight."
A chilling, predatory atmosphere filled the conference room, and everyone fell silent. Some felt a chill run down their spines, secretly alarmed—this young master's methods were even more ruthless than the rumors suggested.
He worked through the night, personally calling partners to dispel the rumors one by one. By the early hours of the morning, the situation had been abruptly reversed. Mu's father, observing from the shadows, finally delivered a message—the tea party for the marriage alliance with the Jiang family was canceled.
[Afternoon at an old teahouse in Beijing]
The tea's aroma was delicate, yet the atmosphere was chilly. The shadows cast by the sandalwood window etched cold, hard squares on the floor. Father Mu held his teacup, his gaze fixed on the surface of the soup, his voice unhurried: "To protect her, you must be prepared to give up what you have to offer in return."
Mu Tianlang's gaze darkened, his fingers tightened, and his knuckles tapped the edge of the coffee table with a low, steady sound: "I'll take responsibility for the company. She has nothing to do with capital."
Mr. Mu raised his eyes, his tone still indifferent: "In this game, nothing is unrelated to capital. You should know very well that once emotions are used as leverage, it becomes a weakness."
Mu Tianlang said coldly, "The flaw isn't her, it's the greed in people's hearts."
Mr. Mu paused slightly, placed the teacup back on the tray, and the porcelain clinked softly. "I'm not against it, but you have to learn to make choices. If you want her, be prepared to lose the bargaining chip that would bring you stability. The board won't change its mind just because you say 'I'll take the blame.'"
The air grew increasingly tense. Mu Tianlang raised his eyes, his voice low: "I won't trade her for anything. Whoever touches her, I'll strike first."
After a moment of silence, Mu's father's tone grew even colder: "What you're doing will only put her in more danger. There are many people watching us outside. They don't care who she is; they only care whether you care."
The mention of Hu Li instantly intensified the tension in the conversation. Mu Tianlang's knuckles tightened, almost digging into the edge of the wooden frame: "Her name doesn't need to be included in any list."
Father Mu raised his hand to stop him from speaking further, his tone still steady: "I'm only stating the facts. Cut off what needs to be cut off cleanly; hide what needs to be hidden. If you want to protect her, then don't put her in the spotlight."
"Hiding her isn't protection," Mu Tianlang stood up, his back straight. "Protection means making sure no one can touch her."
Father and son stared at each other, the tension in the silence almost crushing the air. Finally, the father looked away and said calmly, "Remember, every choice you make has a cost."
Mu Tianlang slowly loosened his clenched fist and said coldly, "I'll pay."
[Twilight at a Cafe in Kyoto]
Hu Li sat by the window, the design drawings Zhang Qijie had brought laid out on the table. The two talked about design and choices. Zhang Qijie said gently, "You have a free spirit, but collaboration will allow you to move forward faster."
Hu Li smiled, his expression bright: "I already have people standing shoulder to shoulder with me. Cooperation is possible, but my choice will not waver."
Looking out at the crowds, Zhang Qijie lowered his voice slightly: "I'm not speaking for anyone, I just want to remind you—the elite are not ballrooms, they're gambling dens. What you see are the lights and the wine glasses, but behind the scenes are the abacuses. Favors are leveraged there, smiles are put on a price, and 'favors' are sometimes bets."
Hu Li held the rim of his glass, raising an eyebrow: "I know the water isn't shallow."
"It's deeper than you think." Zhang Qijie folded up a draft, his tone still gentle. "He can protect you, but the line between protection and control is thin; others will be watching your every move. Photos can be edited, conversations can be rewritten. Some will offer you a drink, some will set traps. I remind you to keep three things in mind: the topic, the occasion, and the distance. Think carefully about what to say, where to say it, and with whom to maintain appropriate boundaries."
She nodded, her eyes clear and alert. "I'll remember. Is there a second one?"
"Don't rush to be a hero." He paused for a moment. "If you encounter an emergency, talk to someone you trust first. Don't try to handle it alone. Leave yourself an escape route so you can leave quietly and gracefully at any time. Be lenient with others and don't let it become a means of taking advantage of them."
Hu Li paused for a moment, his smile fading, before speaking calmly: "I will protect myself, and I will protect us. I am in a relationship with him; this is not a passing fancy. I will give him freedom, and he will learn to respect mine. I will cooperate if necessary; I will also refuse if necessary."
Zhang Qijie met her gaze, his expression complex yet sincere: "Okay. I'm just worried you'll get hurt by those rules."
She flashed that foxy smile again: "Foxes have fangs, and I'll fight back if I'm in danger. Thank you for reminding me."
Zhang Qijie remained silent for a long while, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, yet also a touch of respect. He thought to himself: perhaps one day, he could become the silhouette in her painting. But at this moment, he knew he could only step back.
[Afternoon at a shopping mall in Kyoto | Turning to a coffee shop]
Hu Li pushed her shopping basket through the household goods section, picking up a water filter cartridge, cotton wipes, and storage bags, before stopping at the checkout to compare prices. A soft call came from around the corner: "Miss Hu?" She looked up and met Jiang Rouyin's gaze. The woman wore a plain-colored dress, exuding a serene air, and carried several small household items.
The two exchanged a polite smile. Jiang Rouyin spoke first: "What a coincidence. I was upstairs taking care of some things and just came down to buy some daily necessities. Would you like to sit for a while? There's a new coffee shop downstairs; their afternoon tea is quite good."
Hu Li glanced at the receipt in his hand and nodded, "Okay."
They moved to a café and chose a corner seat. The noise of the crowd was separated by glass and greenery, and wisps of steam rose from the hot tea on the table. They didn't argue, but spoke frankly. Jiang Rouyin said calmly, "I admire you. Too many people in wealthy families only see profit, but you are different."
Hu Li's eyes were clear: "Thank you for being so frank. I just want to walk my own path."
Jiang Rouyin slowed her voice, as if gently placing her words on a table: "Some people in my family have suggested that they try to match me up with Mu Tianlang. This wasn't my idea, and I know he doesn't have that intention. Besides—we each have someone we want to protect."
She looked up at Hu Li, her gaze devoid of hostility, only sincere: "I'm not saying this to make a statement or a declaration. It's just that women should speak frankly with each other, so that others won't make up stories."
Hu Li nodded, his tone equally calm: "I understand. Thank you for telling me."
They smiled at each other, the aroma of tea wafting through the fine white steam. Hu Li took the last sip of tea, picked up her phone, and typed a message for Mu Tianlang: "Come home early tonight." After a moment's thought, she pressed send. She put her phone away, nodded goodbye to Jiang Rouyin, picked up her shopping bags, and left. The noise of the crowd returned, but her heart felt much calmer.
[Late at night, the Beijing CEO's office]
As night deepened, Hu Li pushed open the door and entered, carrying a steaming hot late-night snack. The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by the strong aroma of coffee and the rustling of papers; the entire office was still brightly lit by a blinding white light. Her heart tightened. She put down the snack, walked over, and reached out to place her hand on his tense shoulder.
"Trying to hold on again?" she asked in a low voice.
Mu Tianlang looked up, his eyes still bloodshot, but she relaxed slightly at his arrival. He took her hand, their fingers intertwining, and said in a low voice, "If you had been any later, I might have lost control."
Hu Li felt a pang of sadness, but chuckled softly, leaning down to gently rub her cheek against his: "That's why I came. The wolf needs to be soothed."
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he pulled her into his arms, his forehead resting against her collarbone. His voice was muffled and husky: "People outside are watching me, and the situation I'm in is too chaotic. But the moment I see you, I want to remove all the blades from my hands."
Her heart skipped a beat. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his back, gently patting him to comfort him: "Put it off, I'll catch you."
In the silence, only their breathing could be heard. After a long while, he finally raised his head, suppressing his emotions, his tone returning to its cold hardness yet tinged with longing: "Take a bite, and stay with me."
She smiled and nodded, scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to his lips, gently urging, "Don't push yourself too hard, even wolves need to replenish their energy." He looked at her, finally lowered his head and drank it, his gaze never leaving her face. In that instant, the oppressive loneliness was washed away by her tenderness, as if he had found his only support.
She watched him take a few bites, then casually dimmed the desk lamp, the soft light softening his sharp expression. Hu Li rested her chin on her hand, gazing at him with a half-serious, half-joking tone: "Mr. President, you also need to be taken care of."
Mu Tianlang's eyes darkened, but he didn't refute her. He simply reached out and pulled her onto his lap, whispering, "If you're going to take care of me, you're not allowed to run away."
She smiled and nodded, her forehead resting against his chin, her voice low: "Yes, we're not going anywhere."
The two embraced in the quiet night. Outside, the lights were still bustling, but inside, only their peace and their heartbeats remained.
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