Chapter Ten
Accompanied by the sound of the guqin, Su Xian picked up her knife and fork. Compared to the large, round white porcelain plate, the piece of foie gras lying on it was really small. Even such a small piece had to be cut into small pieces to eat. She really wanted to use her fork to poke the whole piece and put it directly into her mouth, but she couldn't.
With so many people watching at the table, and someone pointing their phone at her from the side, Su Xian elegantly cut the foie gras in two, picked up one piece, dipped it in sauce, and put it in her mouth to chew slowly.
After only two appetizers, Su Xian was already hoping the dinner would end quickly, her eyes constantly glancing to the side.
Lin Zhiyuan held a spoon in his right hand, slowly sipping his soup. He was undoubtedly at ease in such a setting, unlike her, who, despite years of immersion in the world of fame and fortune, still struggled to integrate.
Su Xian only took a few sips of the crab and mushroom soup before putting down her spoon. A woman across from her mentioned that her friend was a fashion blogger who had attended Fashion Week last month, so Su Xian started chatting with her about it.
As they chatted, the lady raised her champagne glass and clinked it against Su Xian's. Su Xian took a small sip of wine and was about to put the glass down when she noticed another glass approaching from her left.
Su Xian turned her head and saw Lin Zhiyuan smiling. Su Xian was stunned for only a moment before she quickly put on a standard smile and reached for her wine glass.
The glass clinked crisply. Lin Zhiyuan looked at her, took a sip of wine, nodded slightly, put down the glass, and turned to talk to the person next to him, as if everything just now was just a social obligation.
Su Xian became nervous. While eating, she tried to remain calm and listened to the people around her, occasionally chiming in. Even the smile on her face seemed unnatural. She wondered if others would notice her odd behavior.
Finally, when the last dessert was served, Su Xian felt that the banquet was finally coming to an end. She took a sip of water and wondered when she could prepare to leave.
"This dessert doesn't seem sweet at all; it's very refreshing," said the lady sitting opposite her and her companion.
"Oh, I thought it was because I usually like sweets that I didn't taste it. Turns out it really is sugar-free. It's written on the menu."
Su Xian glanced at the menu, from appetizers to seafood, and down to the bottom line which read: "Avocado Bird's Nest (Sugar-Free)".
Su Xian turned to look at the man beside her. Lin Zhiyuan was eating bird's nest with a small spoon, seemingly unaware of what was happening. But Su Xian felt that the corners of his mouth seemed to be slightly upturned.
Su Xian lowered her head, picked up a spoon, and took a bite of bird's nest. The bird's nest mixed with avocado puree had a refreshing taste and no sweetness. She couldn't help but take a couple more bites.
As Su Xian hesitated about whether to finish the not-so-sweet dessert, she felt something brush against her ankle from under the table. The tablecloth shouldn't be that long. Su Xian looked down and saw a creased white napkin lying at her feet.
Just as Su Xian was about to check if it was her napkin, she saw Lin Zhiyuan move his chair back slightly, bend down, and pick it up. Su Xian's feet, clad in slender high heels, tucked in a tiny bit, but anyone near her couldn't possibly miss it.
Lin Zhiyuan's fingers had already reached the napkin, but instead of grabbing it and getting up to sit down, he used this action as a cover to reach out and touch her left hand, which was hanging by the table.
Su Xian felt the hard object in her palm and almost instinctively grasped it. Its shape and texture resembled a folded strip of paper.
Su Xian's heart was pounding, while Lin Zhiyuan had already picked up his napkin and sat down again. He took a sip of water and then got up to leave.
Su Xian then noticed that her right hand, which was holding the spoon, was sweating. She put down the spoon and, using the act of drinking, glanced around. The others were still whispering among themselves and no one was paying attention to them.
She put down her wine glass, opened her handbag under the table, and quietly put the note inside. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. The sudden pressure on her shoulder startled her.
"Let's go, Xiaoxian, it's almost time," Sister Lin whispered in her ear.
Su Xian quickly composed herself, stood up, and smiled as she said goodbye to the ladies around her.
"Sister Lin, I need to go to the restroom first."
"Then I'll wait for you at the door."
Su Xian went into the restroom stall, locked the door, took out the note from her bag and unfolded it: "When you leave, walk in the direction of 'Li'." She folded the note and put it back in her bag, washed her hands, and left the restroom.
The banquet venue was some distance from the central area of "Zheng Garden". Only Su Xian and Bai Lin were on the stone path. Bai Lin was talking incessantly, talking about shooting a magazine first and then going to the "Lan Zhi" event tomorrow, and then talking about the upcoming release of her costume photos for "Xue Yuan".
Su Xian was still thinking about the rectangular piece of paper. The black characters on the white paper were bold and powerful, and the brushstrokes were visible in every stroke.
Although Lin Zhiyuan's mother is from Hong Kong, he must have grown up abroad. Surprisingly, he writes Chinese characters quite well, which suggests he must have practiced for a long time.
"From what Sister Wang said just now, Hyram is looking for a brand ambassador. Since you don't have any jewelry endorsements, you could give it a try."
Su Xian casually hummed in agreement, then climbed a few steps in the light of the floor lamps, reaching the corridor and gazing at the private rooms scattered around it. Lights illuminated the carved wooden plaques beside the room doors, revealing the names: "Ai," "Shao," "Mang," and "Zhi."
Every short distance, a palace lantern hung from the ceiling of the corridor, but it was not enough to illuminate the path. Bai Lin held her hand and followed beside her.
"You know what, the environment of this 'Zheng Garden' is really nice. It's rare to be able to hear frogs croaking in the city."
"I heard that Mr. Heath was only notified a couple of days ago that he would be attending. They even changed two dishes and the dessert just for him. Sister Wang said that the staff below are going crazy."
Su Xian paused slightly. Could it be that Lin Zhiyuan's appearance tonight was really because of her? And were all these changes also because of her?
Su Xian remained silent, walking and searching, until finally she saw "Li" opposite "Rong" at the corner.
"What's wrong?" Bai Lin noticed her suddenly stop and followed her gaze. "What's over there?"
"Sister Lin, I, um..." Su Xian didn't know how to say it for a moment, "A friend was waiting for me at the banquet just now, so I went to find him."
"Then I'll go with you and wait for you for a while."
"No need, let the driver take you home first," Su Xuan said hurriedly.
Bai Lin remained silent for a while, the dim light of the palace lantern falling on her somewhat worried face.
Su Xian figured out what she probably guessed, so she explained, "It's okay, Sister Lin, I know what I'm doing. I'll explain the rest to you another day."
Su Xian held Bai Lin's hand, and after saying the last sentence, she was a little hesitant. In fact, she herself did not know how to explain her relationship with Lin Zhiyuan.
Bai Lin was still a little hesitant. "Then I'll walk a little further with you. It's dark here, and it's inconvenient for you to wear high heels."
Su Xian pointed in the direction of "Li", "It's right there, it's all flat road, I can get there by myself."
"Fine, then I'll watch you go before I leave, okay?" Bai Lin reluctantly conceded.
Su Xian nodded and walked towards the corner of the corridor, her steps quickening unconsciously, hoping he wouldn't have to wait too long.
Along the path connecting the corridor and the private rooms, there was a row of bamboo fences slightly taller than her. Under the "Litchi" sign, that tall figure stood with his back to her.
Su Xian turned around and waved to Bai Lin, who was still standing in the courtyard watching her. When she turned her head again, the person in front of her had already turned around and was holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
Su Xian's heart pounded. Lin Zhiyuan walked towards her and handed her a white rose.
"Thank you." Her face was burning, but thankfully it was nighttime and no one would see her blushing.
"My car is parked up ahead; I'll take you home."
Lin Zhiyuan's voice was deep and soft, like velvet, reminding Su Xian of that night on the yacht.
"Mmm." She followed behind him in her high heels.
"This is a private lane; there won't be any other cars or other people here."
"Um."
Watch your step.
There was only one step. After Lin Zhiyuan waited for her to come down, he walked side by side with her.
"Your agent treats you very well."
"Um."
The night breeze in the port city already carried the heat of early summer. The slender branches of the bamboo fence grew in all directions, becoming even more disordered when blown by the wind, making a soft rustling sound. The light shining on Lin Zhiyuan also became mottled.
Where do you live?
"Hmm?" Su Xuan snapped out of her thoughts. "Leeds Garden."
The black Phantom stopped at the end of the road. Lin Zhiyuan opened the car door for her and waited for her to get in before getting in from the other side.
"To Leeds Garden." After Lin Zhiyuan finished instructing the driver, he raised the soundproof barrier. In the quiet space, Su Xian could even hear her own breathing.
"Did you like tonight's dishes?"
"Um."
"Is all you can say today 'hmm'?" Lin Zhiyuan chuckled.
Su Xian clenched the wrapping paper of the bouquet in her hand. She remembered that Sister Lin had said that tonight's menu had been changed at the last minute, and there was also a sugar-free dessert at the end, as if it was specially prepared for her.
"Um..."
Why did he say "hmm" again? Su Xian couldn't help but laugh. Lin Zhiyuan next to her also chuckled softly. She felt flustered by his gaze and quickly turned her head to look at the front seats.
"The steak was cooked well, and I also really liked the dessert."
"I'm glad you like it."
The Phantom drove smoothly on the highway, with streetlights occasionally shining through the windows and into the car.
The person holding the bouquet had their head slightly lowered and a shy smile on their face, while the other person sat comfortably with their arm resting on the center console, their eyes filled with a gentle smile as they looked at the person next to them.
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