Chapter 27 Encounter
The interior of the Cloud Top Club was as complex as a maze. Jiang Yining had only intended to stroll around the neighborhood, but unknowingly wandered into an unfamiliar area. The gleaming corridors stretched in all directions, decorated with abstract artworks, so quiet that only the echo of her own footsteps could be heard. She tried to recall the way she came, but the more she wandered, the more disoriented she became.
"Miss, do you need any help?" A waiter in uniform with a polite smile appeared at the right time.
"No need, no need, I can manage on my own." Jiang Yining quickly waved her hand, trying to save face by refusing. She refused to believe that she couldn't even find her own way.
But reality quickly dealt her a blow. When she saw the clearly marked room number "Qin XX" on the sign, her heart sank – it seemed she had gone completely the wrong way.
To make matters worse, she hadn't brought her bag with her when she came out, and naturally, she left her phone in the private room. How incredibly stupid of her! Jiang Yining slapped her forehead in frustration, on the verge of tears.
Just then, a burst of laughter and chatter came from around the corner ahead. Three young men dressed in designer clothes and reeking of alcohol sauntered out, arms around each other's shoulders, clearly having just finished a party.
The blond-haired youth immediately spotted Jiang Yining, who stood alone under the lights, looking exceptionally radiant and beautiful. Her well-tailored red dress accentuated her snow-white skin and exquisite features, instantly igniting a malicious glint in the blond youth's eyes in the slightly chilly corridor.
"Hey, where did this little fairy come from? Lost?" The blond guy whistled and swaggered over with his companions, his greasy eyes brazenly scanning Jiang Yining. "Are you lonely all by yourself? Let's find some fun for you, brothers?"
The strong smell of alcohol and nauseatingly frivolous words hit her. Jiang Yining tensed up instantly, instinctively stepping back until her back hit the cold wall. She forced a calm voice and said, "Please move aside, my friend is waiting for me up ahead."
"Friends? Where are they?" Another man in a floral shirt grinned and reached out to brush a strand of hair from Jiang Yining's shoulder. "Don't be afraid, let's get to know each other, let's be friends..."
"Get out of my way!" Jiang Yining abruptly shoved away the outstretched hand. Fear unleashed astonishing strength as she forcefully pushed aside the blond-haired man blocking her path, heading towards the door of a private room—Qinhuai Pavilion—that emitted light and faint sounds of people.
She stumbled and rushed over, not even having time to see if the door was closed properly, and pushed open the heavy, carved wooden door with all her might.
Private room at Qinhuai Pavilion.
The atmosphere here is completely different from that of a family gathering at Ruixueju. The huge private room is divided into two areas by an invisible atmosphere.
The atmosphere in the main seating area was solemn and formal. Xie Shiyan sat at the head of the table, wearing a perfectly tailored Italian bespoke dark gray suit over a crisp black shirt. He wasn't wearing a tie, and the top button of his shirt was casually undone, exuding a restrained sharpness and a cool, commanding presence.
He held an unlit cigar between his long, slender fingers, his deep, calm eyes, as still as a cold pool, as he listened to a portly Mr. Wang across from him passionately explaining the plans for a real estate project.
"Mr. Xie, look, this location is absolutely prime real estate. Backed by the new financial district, facing a wetland park, and directly above a subway station, its future appreciation potential is limitless. Wangda Real Estate is confident in making it a new landmark in S City, as long as the Xie family's funds are in place..."
Zhou Yanzhe and Lu Jingshen sat on either side, their expressions focused, occasionally exchanging opinions in hushed tones. Documents and a tablet computer were scattered on the table. This was a business negotiation concerning an investment of hundreds of millions.
The rest area by the window on the other side was relatively relaxed. Xiao Xiao, with her slightly pregnant belly, sat with Shen Nian'an, An Kexia, and several wives brought by their business partners.
The conversation revolved around parenting, luxury goods, and charity auctions. Ankexia, holding a glass of champagne, listened absentmindedly, her gaze constantly drifting towards the aloof figure at the head of the table, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of her glass.
Xiao Xiao was quietly sharing her worries about choosing a kindergarten for her eldest child with Shen Nian'an. Just then, General Manager Wang was discussing key data regarding the project's expected return on investment.
The door to the private room was violently slammed open with a loud bang.
All eyes instantly focused on the doorway, where a girl in a dazzling red dress, pale-faced and looking like a frightened fawn, stumbled in.
Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, her chest heaving from the intense running and fear, and her clear, bright eyes, with their slightly downturned corners, were filled with panic and helplessness, like glass covered with moisture.
Xie Shiyan looked up at the sound, and the fingers holding the cigar suddenly froze, the fingertips instantly losing all color. His deep eyes narrowed to their limit, and the figure was reflected in his pupils.
That face... that face he had sketched in countless midnight dreams, and that had been torn apart by despair in his waking moments, how could it be?
The fountain pen in Zhou Yanzhe's hand fell with a "thud" onto the expensive document, leaving a stain of ink.
Lu Jingshen's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, oblivious to the few drops of scalding tea splashing onto his hand.
Upon seeing the familiar face, Xiao Xiao abruptly covered her mouth, letting out a short gasp. Her eyes widened in shock, and her body trembled slightly.
The silver fork in Shen Nian'an's hand fell onto the bone china plate with a crisp, jarring sound.
Seeing everyone's reaction, An Kexia felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She almost dropped the champagne glass in her hand, and her face turned ashen. It really was her; the face she saw during the car accident yesterday was not an illusion.
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