Chapter 16.16: Her first meeting with Gu Lai.
Upon seeing her for the first time, Jiang Yi recalled her first meeting with Gu Lai.
Jiang Yi certainly didn't think of it for no reason.
She inexplicably accepted her friend's invitation to a nightclub party. Upon arriving, she was surrounded by a sea of people, flickering lights, and a deafening mix of music and screams. She sat listlessly in a booth, slowly drinking her beverage, and in her half-drunk state, she began to think about the past.
Ten years ago, we first met in a similar setting, also a gathering of friends. Back then, the nightclub was more exciting, more popular, and more chaotic.
At the time, Jiang Yi was just a rising designer from a second-generation luxury goods industry family.
A group of young and reckless second-generation rich kids, with their messy partners, enjoy alcohol, adoration, screaming, and a decadent atmosphere created by spending money.
It was in this setting that Jiang Yi saw Gu Lai.
Honestly, Jiang Yi found it hard to say how charming Gu Lai's outfit was that night; in fact, she could say it wasn't as attractive as the model she brought. She hadn't even noticed it before.
Presumably, her female companion also felt that she posed no threat, which is why the model used her to amuse the bored Jiang Yi when Gu Lai and the fat aunt were at an impasse.
As the model pointed, she said sweetly in a low voice, "Sister, look."
When Jiang Yi looked over, his first thought was that this was probably some unknown idol or internet celebrity, wearing an ill-fitting dress and makeup that was completely out of place in a girl group style.
Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse; logically, she wouldn't have looked down on it, but her interest was quickly piqued.
The unknown young artist was confronting a burly old woman.
You wouldn't notice it if you weren't paying attention, because this wasn't a typical scene of forcing someone into prostitution. Everyone was laughing and chatting, and the young actress and the plump auntie weren't making much noise. The reason it's described as a standoff is simply because of their posture.
The young performer still had a smile on her face, but her gaze had turned cold, and she was subtly leaning back. The lights flickered and drifted, and Jiang Yi should have been unable to see clearly, but the young performer's posture made her stand out.
Although she was shorter than the fat aunt, she looked like she was half a head taller, probably because her well-proportioned and upright figure couldn't be hidden even by her terrible fashion sense.
Jiang Yi stared for a few seconds, then looked down at the model who was clinging to her like a snake and asked, "Do you know her?"
"She was a member of the group that debuted from that wildly popular talent show three years ago, 'Create Miracles, Idol! I'." The model suddenly sensed a hint of danger. She glanced hesitantly at the unremarkable-looking artist, tilted her head back, and said in a sticky voice, "She's too obscure. I can't remember her either."
Jiang Yi didn't pay attention to her blurring out her name. He just leaned back lazily in the booth and talked to his friends. Horse racing, yachts, movies, beautiful women, his eyes followed the artist until the restless crowd quickly swallowed her up.
The model gently kissed her fingertips and the back of her hand, trying to capture her attention and interest. A mixture of contempt and ambition welled up within her; when could she be introduced to the Jiang family's son again, the one who could inherit the family business and marry her…?
As the model kissed his wrist with the utmost sincerity, as if making a grand vow, Jiang Yi suddenly turned his hand, grabbed her slender neck, and pressed his index finger against her throat.
"That's fine," Jiang Yi said.
Jiang Yi stood up unsteadily, put on his coat, kicked aside his friend's haphazardly stretched-out legs, and walked outside.
Tian Miao, who was holding a little girl in her arms, looked up with her tipsy eyes at Jiang Yi's back thoughtfully, and kindly pulled back the model who was about to chase after him: "Don't be so clever."
The model's face paled, and she abruptly withdrew her hand, remaining frozen in the chair.
Jiang Yi walked slowly into the bathroom, following the direction he had just seen.
The artist was washing his hands expressionlessly in front of the mirror when Jiang Yi keenly noticed a trace of blood and glass shards left on the edge of the sink, which swirled into a vibrant splash just before being washed away.
Jiang Yi stood behind her with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow with interest, and looked up to meet the gaze of the artist in the mirror.
The artist has a pair of very beautiful eyes.
Jiang Yi is indeed an up-and-coming designer, but her reputation stems from her initial forays into commercial ventures. Unlike her peers, she rarely expresses any particular theme or seeks to emulate beauty; instead, she uses romantic language to praise soaring stock prices and her powerful grandmother.
At this moment, she actually felt a little compelled to praise those eyes.
How can we describe it?
The night is too deep, the gemstone too clear, and the ink too viscous.
Jiang Yi was wondering if she had ever heard of Debussy's "La Mer".
Those eyes are indescribable, a vast ocean in the night, a blend of hurricane and moonlight, storm and tranquility, where countless scenes flash by in an instant, leaving only the most essential emotions condensed in the gaze of the one being looked at.
She wanted it, and its owner.
"Excuse me," Jiang Yi said with a smile, asking matter-of-factly, "Are you an artist? I think I've seen you before."
The artist dried his hands with a tissue, turned around and looked at her cautiously: "Yes."
Jiang Yi said, "That auntie just now is the vice president of Sheng Teng Real Estate. It's probably not wise to offend her."
"Maybe, but there's more than one profession in the world. As for others, I know my limits," the performer said calmly. "Is there anything else?"
Jiang Yi rarely uses her beauty as a weapon, but she has always been very confident in herself.
She tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying a flirtatious laugh, like a sugar cube melting in black coffee, softening her overly sharp aggression and giving it a touch of allure under the warm yellow light.
"What if I said it wouldn't come to that? I wonder if you'd be angry if I said that now." Jiang Yi smiled and took a step closer. "One night is fine too, I have a report."
The celebrity stared at her for a long time, then leaned in and kissed her.
“My name is Gu Lai,” she said during a break. “For now, any number of nights is fine.”
Later, Gu Lai told her that it was love at first sight and asked her, "What about you?"
What did she say in response?
Did she answer?
Tian Miao patted her from the side and shouted something at her.
Jiang Yi looked up, annoyed and confused. Tian Miao leaned down and shouted at her, "What are you thinking about! Are you thinking about Sister Gu?!"
Jiang Yi didn't answer, poured himself a drink with one hand, tilted his head back and drank another glass.
"Damn it!" Tian Miao snatched it away. "You came here to drink tonight? I'm speechless. Did Fenglu go bankrupt, or did President Jiang say he was going to donate his shares?"
Jiang Yi's gaze swept calmly over the little lover she was holding: "You do your thing, why worry about so much? Can't you afford to treat her?"
Tian Miao was unaware of her divorce and bluntly said, "I'm telling Sister Gu about this! I'm telling you, even if you invite someone out for a get-together, you can't send them to the hospital, can you? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"
Jiang Yi paused for a moment, then suddenly stood up: "I'm going to the restroom."
Tian Miao didn't have time to stop him: "Hey, you—"
There are still a lot of people.
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, but Jiang Yi felt that her memories were not only not returning, but were actually fading away. She was even a little confused as to how she could have fallen into a romantic dream while feeling dizzy and nauseous after drinking.
All she wants to do right now is throw up.
Jiang Yi leaned against the familiar Dali table and began to vomit, as if he had drunk fake alcohol. His stomach churned violently, and his head ached so badly that he felt like he was dying.
She couldn't vomit anything, only the overflowing alcohol, burning with stomach acid, which felt like it was going to burn her throat. For a moment, she really wanted to smash this damn place; it was disgusting, the fragrance was disgusting, and the noisy crowd outside was disgusting.
Jiang Yi violently turned on the tap and splashed water on her face, trying to feel better with the coolness, but it didn't work. She was still dazed, as if she were caught in an automatic washing machine, the whole world spinning around and around, making her lose track of time and place.
She kept vomiting and gagging. With each breath, her internal organs felt like they were being pulled and stretched outwards. Finally, even her waist started to protest. Every cell in her body was screaming at her, "Rest, Jiang Yi, just give up."
Forget it.
Perhaps this is the consequence of her being unable to control herself and putting pressure on Gu Lai.
In a blurry, even absurd, comparison, Jiang Yi realized she'd never felt this sore even when she'd been playing the most intense and ruthless games with Gu Lai. This thought left her speechless.
She is truly beyond redemption, both in the past, present, and future.
Jiang Yi regained consciousness because of Tian Miao's "glance".
These two words acted like a safety phrase, instantly restoring her to her senses.
That's how amazing it is.
"What did you say?" Jiang Yi asked, staring at Tian Miao.
She didn't notice, or at least didn't immediately realize, what her posture was like.
Tian Miao had never seen her best friend so disheveled.
She looked as if she had been pulled from the water while she was on the verge of death.
“I was just about to call Gu Lai, but you told me to shut up.” Tian Miao looked at her and said, “What happened between you two? Did you get divorced?”
Jiang Yi sometimes resented the sensitivity of those around him.
"Whatever you say," Jiang Yi said politely. "Can you shut up now? I'm really drunk, aren't I? Shouldn't we check if there's some damn law that forbids me from vomiting after drinking?"
Tian Miao was both angry and amused: "Your lips aren't just coated with honey, they're splashed with your new perfume. Gu Lai must have been driven away by your words!"
Jiang Yi's listening comprehension was perfect: "I'm very good with words, but it has nothing to do with you, and you don't know anything about it."
Tian Miao's mind nearly veered into the Mariana Trench, and for a moment she wanted to slap herself for thinking too fast.
She was truly speechless at this moment regarding Jiang Yi.
Tian Miao dragged Jiang Yi into the private room. Jiang Yi acted like he didn't care, and once inside, he just lazily leaned back on the sofa, staring blankly into space.
After Tian Miao dealt with his friends and closed the door, he turned to her and asked, "Why did you get a divorce? Did she cheat on you?"
Jiang Yi said expressionlessly, "Even if your lover finds a seventy-year-old man, she won't cheat on you."
Tian Miao chuckled, then smacked her lips for a moment before asking Jiang Yi, "Do you know why I was able to laugh just now?"
Jiang Yi closed his eyes, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
“Because I don’t care. I just wish her a bright future.” Tian Miao sat down on the coffee table opposite her and said, “You care so much. I really don’t understand why you would divorce someone if you care so much. Your reaction is quite dramatic.”
"At first, I thought she was unworthy of me, but so much time has passed, I'm embarrassed to say it now. What did you do to make her file for divorce? Did you cheat on me?"
After a long silence, Jiang Yi said, "I guess I forced her to bring it up."
Tian Miao suddenly stood up, paused for a few seconds, and then sat down again.
He must be drunk to say that.
Tian Miao confidently took out her phone and asked someone for hangover medicine, while responding to the seemingly drunk man: "Hmm, coercion? Impressive, I didn't realize Jiang San."
Jiang Yi kept his eyes closed and chuckled, "I was just forcing her to reveal the truth."
He doesn't seem drunk.
...This problem seems even bigger.
Tian Miao frowned and slowly shook her head: "This isn't like you. When did you become the one passively waiting for others to make decisions?"
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Drinking and smoking are both bad habits [rose emoji]. Moreover, drinking when you're sad doesn't help at all; it just makes you feel as bad as if you were drinking fake alcohol.
Thank you for the nutrient solution! [heart emoji]
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