Harbor
"Will you be staying at Qiwu Mountain Residence from now on?"
Zhong Yunxi picked her up and dropped her off at both the TCM Hospital staff quarters and Qiwu Mountain Residence, wanting to understand her attitude and habits towards the two residences.
She nodded: "Mm."
Zhong Yunxi noticed that she had casually mentioned earlier that she hadn't brought much with her to Qiwu Mountain Residence, and suggested, "Then how about I take you back to the staff quarters of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital to pack your things?"
Bai Yi nodded again and said "Mmm". She was too lazy to buy another set of all those odds and ends, so it was easier to pack them up and take them with her.
Upon arriving at the family compound, Zhong Yunxi asked, "Do you want me to come up with you?"
Bai Yi refused: "No."
She went upstairs to pack her things, while Zhong Yunxi waited in the car.
Zhong Yunxi suddenly asked Xue Meng, "Do you have any managers familiar with luxury women's clothing, shoes, and bags brands?"
He has his own preferred custom-made brands, but he also realizes that they probably aren't good at making clothes for women.
Xue Meng quickly replied, "Yes, I'll send a few to your phone now."
It's not that he hasn't given gifts to women before; Leading Capital has many female clients, and Xue Meng handled all of those arrangements. However, it wouldn't be appropriate to have Xue Meng handle the same thing for Bai Yi.
He randomly added someone as a friend, sent them a picture of the handbag Bai Yi had been carrying at the coffee shop the first time they met, and asked for recommendations on similar styles and accessories. He also asked for some matching outfits.
When Xue Meng sent his business card to his boss, he told them that it was his boss, a private manager for high-end luxury goods. They all knew how to serve such clients and responded immediately.
Zhong Yunxi could tell that Bai Yi preferred an overall simple and clean style, but with slightly intricate and unique details. He also mentioned this idea to the manager.
The moment he first saw her that day, her white dress and the green sandalwood sash around her waist, still made his eyes darken for a moment.
In less than ten minutes, the personal manager sent over a document recommending ten bags and ten ready-to-wear garments according to his request.
Zhong Yunxi selected three or four items from each category and sent them over for the other party to prepare. He will send someone to pick them up tomorrow at noon.
Not long after, the personal manager sent Xue Meng a rather substantial transfer: Thank you for the recommendation, Mr. Xue. You truly deserve to be my boss.
Xue Meng stared at the transfer, unsure whether to accept it or not. Earning kickbacks from the boss always made him uneasy. He replied to his personal manager: "As long as the boss is satisfied, that's good. Keep an eye on the memberships and points programs."
The personal manager, naturally curious, tentatively asked: "Was he dissatisfied with his previous personal manager? Mr. Xue, could you perhaps remind me of any red flags he might have? His spending level doesn't seem like he doesn't have a personal manager."
Xue Meng replied to her: I've never spent money on anything related to women before, this is just the beginning.
Private Manager: Got it.
When Bai Yi returned, Li Jing was also there. She briefly told Li Jing about the situation at home. Li Jing knew that she was afraid that Chen Zhaoyang and Zhou Qi would come to the family compound and implicate her.
Li Jing helped her pack, but Bai Yi comforted her, "Don't worry about me. It's you who's going to England soon, and you'll have to handle everything yourself. Do you have enough money?"
Li Jing nodded: "Uncle Bai and Mom gave us more than enough."
After seeing Bai Yi downstairs, Li Jing looked at the man who came to pick her up and bowed slightly, saying, "Thank you for your help."
Zhong Yunxi nodded in response, roughly guessing that it was Bai Yi's stepmother's daughter. He had previously looked up Bai Yeliang's information and knew his family structure.
As the car drove away from the family compound and back to Qiwu Mountain Residence, Bai Yi seemed sleepy, her eyes slightly closed as she leaned back in her chair. Zhong Yunxi glanced at her profile and then continued looking at the design renderings the studio had sent him.
Regarding the proposal scene he wanted, these personalized details originally required repeated adjustments between the two parties, but the client provided so much that the designer practically disregarded costs to produce the final result.
Jewelry cannot possibly be designed and made from scratch in just a few days; the studio can only display some existing pieces.
The car was parked at Qiwu Mountain Residence. Bai Yi was still asleep, and Zhong Yunxi was also motionless, continuing to look at the design plans.
She woke up more than ten minutes later, stared blankly for a few seconds, realized she was in the car, turned her head and saw Zhong Yunxi, her eyes were dazed, and she licked her lips.
Zhong Yunxi took a soft breath, lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze, unscrewed the soda water in his hand, and handed it to her: "Have some water?"
She took it, drank a few sips, glanced at the time, and said, "I'm going back now. Thank you for today."
She was grumpy when she woke up, and suddenly became polite and distant. Zhong Yunxi smiled slightly and picked up the tote bag she had packed in the family compound: "Shall I carry it back for you?"
She took it: "No need, I can do it myself."
It seemed they felt the two weren't close enough for him to come in. She didn't know how to introduce him to her family.
Zhong Yunxi nodded: "Okay. Go to bed early tonight, don't stay up late, and don't mess up your sleep schedule and diet."
Bai Yi: ...
It's because we knew she took a long nap today and her dinner time was off, so we assumed she stayed up late.
"It's only for these few days. I'm going to start working at Runhe Pharmaceuticals next week."
Zhong Yunxi asked a few more questions: "Is there a driver to pick you up?"
She shook her head: "I can drive myself."
“I’ll arrange a driver to pick you up. Runhe Pharmacy isn’t in the CBD; it’s an old office building with poorly planned underground parking, making parking a real hassle.”
He thought of everything for her.
Bai Yi looked at him, seemingly guilty, and said, "You're not my boyfriend yet."
Zhong Yunxi brushed aside a stray strand of her hair that had been messed up while she was sleeping in the car, and said calmly, "Well, it's okay. He'll be your husband soon, with even more privileges than a boyfriend."
Unable to argue with him, she turned away and said, "Don't flatter yourself, I haven't even said yes to you yet."
Zhong Yunxi didn't have time to say anything more to her before getting into his car and leaving after watching her enter the door.
The next day, Friday, early in the morning, another large bouquet of Kayla roses was delivered to Qiwu Mountain Residence, along with a handwritten card: "In the stillness of the night, I send my longing." —Zhong Yunxi
Bai Yi didn't go downstairs for dinner until nine o'clock. When she saw the flowers and the envelope, she didn't rush to open them. After finishing her meal, she personally trimmed the roses and arranged them in a vase, then took the envelope to her bedroom.
In the afternoon, Bai Yi went to the Yuegang Medicinal Plant Research Institute to find Lu Xin. She didn't know how Runhe Pharmaceutical's laboratory was. If it wasn't convenient to use, she might have to borrow it from the research institute for some complicated experiments.
When she returned, her father was already home. Li Wan showed her a pile of gift boxes on the sofa: "Xiao Yi, someone delivered them this afternoon. Since you weren't home, I signed for them on your behalf. Take a look."
She glanced at the gift box, guessing it was probably from Zhong Yunxi, but didn't know what he would give. Too lazy to carry it upstairs, she opened it in the living room; it was a common gift between couples: clothes and a bag.
She took it out, looked at it, and put it back in the box: "Wang Ma, please take it to my room."
Bai Yeliang often buys things for his daughter, and Li Wan helps her pick out the styles. She recognizes some of the brands and can guess the approximate price range of these items, but she still can't help but ask, "Xiaoyi, did your boyfriend give you these?"
She sat on the single sofa and casually replied, "He's not really my boyfriend. He might be a new shareholder of Tiansheng."
Bai Yeliang was taken aback: "How did you know?"
Bai Yi casually said, "I overheard it at the dinner party. Dad, I told you, you'll be fine at Tiansheng."
Bai Yeliang hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Bai Yi swiped her phone to send a message to Zhong Yunxi: I received the clothes and bag.
Zhong Yunxi seemed to be waiting for her message, and replied quickly: I don't know which brand you like, I just picked out a few items based on the style you'd probably like. Do you like them?
Bai Yi was surprised that he picked out two Erdem items, which was indeed a brand she liked. She replied: Not bad.
Zhong Yunxi: That's good.
Bai Yeliang advised her, "Xiaoyi, now that you've already rejected Zhou Qi, don't make yourself suffer because of your father."
She smiled faintly: "Dad, if I were the kind of person who could endure being wronged, I would have agreed to Zhou Qi's offer long ago."
Even if she has to suffer, she will choose someone with extremely high hard criteria, one in a million. Zhou Qi is not good enough for her to even glance at.
Bai Yeliang sighed inwardly, only saying, "That's good."
So young, yet involved in the bankruptcy reorganization of a company as large as Tiansheng, Bai Yeliang could hardly guess what level the other party was, leaving his worries nowhere to go.
Ultimately, Chung Yun-hsi chose the Ritz-Carlton Hotel's Sky Garden on the top floor of the East Tower of Hong Kong Island as the venue for his proposal.
The ring is a simple diamond ring, suitable for everyday wear. I also have a complete set of bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, and studs, a set of blue diamonds I acquired from a jewelry collector.
The proposal alone cost eight figures in jewelry. Zhong Yunxi wondered if he had acted impulsively.
Bai Yi made unreasonable demands in front of him, and he agreed without even blinking.
If it was an impulsive act, then he should have calmed down by now.
However, he never hesitated, whether it was when paying an eight-figure bill or turning down important clients and meetings to discuss proposal details with a designer.
Because Bai Yi mentioned on Friday that he would be going to Runhe Pharmaceuticals next week, he set the proposal time for Sunday night.
Bai Yi knew about the rooftop garden on the East Tower of Hong Kong Island because her senior had invited her to dinner earlier, and afterwards suggested they go for a stroll. She had just returned from Xiangcheng and wasn't interested in indoor plants, so she declined in order to have coffee.
On Sunday morning, when Zhong Yunxi asked her out for dinner, he suggested going to the rooftop garden of the East Tower on Hong Kong Island. She casually agreed without giving it much thought.
The Sky Garden, a collaboration between Hong Kong Island East Tower and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is a semi-open-air botanical garden. While not large, it boasts a rare variety of species and an aesthetically pleasing design. The daily maintenance cost for just one glass conservatory adorned with cut flowers alone exceeds ten thousand dollars.
Unless you're a VIP at the Ritz-Carlton, a ticket to take the observation elevator up costs several thousand dollars, and it's not only limited but also requires reservations. The bundled meals and drinks are even more outrageously priced, selling only scarcity and emotional value.
This place naturally became a popular spot for marriage proposals among the wealthy and famous.
When Zhong Yunxi picked up Bai Yi at Qiwu Mountain Residence in the afternoon, he brought jewelry, red wine, and, as Bai Yi had specifically mentioned, a medical examination report. In the car, clutching the report, his smile deepened, yet he seemed helpless. Who proposes with a medical examination report in hand?
He parked the car at the door, handed everything to Xue Meng to put away, and then called Bai Yi.
She received a call while her hairstylist was curling her hair. She was having trouble choosing an outfit, so she casually asked Zhong Yunxi, "Which looks better, the white princess dress or the light green evening gown?"
She remembered the two items Zhong Yunxi mentioned; they were gifts from him.
"Green, I guess." He took a liking to it at first glance and even paid special attention to the brand. It was an Erdem Spring/Summer runway piece. He didn't know much about women's clothing brands, but he just felt that the dress suited her.
The design features a spring-green hue, with sheer fabric embellishing the silk, silver leaf patterns embroidered with a special technique, and a design that falls below the knee but not to the ankle, with thin straps and an open back. It's light, fresh, and yet exudes a touch of luxury, a sophisticated forest-inspired style.
She hummed in agreement. "Wait for me for twenty minutes, I'm curling my hair."
"Okay, no rush." Zhong Yunxi got out of the car with his coat in hand and stood at the door to wait.
As evening approached, the western sun was partially obscured by clouds, as if edged with gold. The light then spread out in a shimmering golden hue, enveloping the townhouses in front of us, making them look as clean and bright as a princess's castle in a fairy tale.
When the hairstylist curled her hair, she put on light makeup and lipstick.
Before leaving, she hesitated for a few seconds, but still put on a pair of diamond-encrusted high heels. She felt that she was quite a bit shorter than Zhong Yunxi; her head only reached his chin, and with the high heels, she would probably only reach the tip of his nose.
When Zhong Yunxi saw her walk up to him, he picked up his suit jacket, put it around her shoulder, and then said, "Get in the car."
Bai Yi: ...
She pulled off his clothes and shoved them at him: "Don't wear them. They won't look good together."
Zhong Yunxi sighed and laughed, "The air conditioning in the car is strong, and my back will be cold wearing this dress. I didn't keep a blanket in the car, which was my oversight. I'll keep one next time."
"Then I'll go back and get a coat." She simply refused to comply with his wishes.
Before she could turn around, Zhong Yunxi reached out and pulled her back to him, his palm pressed against her skin on her back, pressing down on the thin straps that ran from her waist to her shoulders. His voice softened considerably: "Wear mine."
Bai Yiwei tilted her head back and stared at him: "You beg me."
Let him practice how to propose first, and she can also get a feel for it.
Zhong Yunxi sighed with a smile again: "Don't make things so difficult for me."
Bai Yi removed his hand from her lower back: "Can't you even handle this little thing? Then what's the point of proposing?"
The setting sun shone brightly, casting its light on her profile and shoulders, adding to her air of pride. Zhong Yunxi reached out and grabbed her wrist again, leaning closer: "Please, wear mine, okay?"
How can she be so good at causing trouble for people?
Bai Yi could tell he was quite helpless, but there was nothing she could do; she just liked it when others went along with her. She smiled slightly and replied, "Oh."
Zhong Yunxi didn't move for a while, Bai Yi's wrist was still in his palm. She moved slightly: "Wear it."
He draped his coat back over her shoulders and asked almost casually, "Do you always do this?"
Bai Yi glared at him: "What do you mean?"
Zhong Yunxi: ...
He seems to have said something wrong.
Bai Yi's tone instantly turned sour: "Yeah, it's always been like this, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are even more outrageous and unreasonable things to come. You'd better be prepared."
Zhong Yunxi opened the car door for her, and as she got in, he helped her lift her skirt: "You don't need to be mentally prepared, I can accept it."
After he got into the car, Bai Yi asked him, "Zhong Yunxi, do you find me annoying? Will you get angry?"
She seemed to have never seen him angry, but he was definitely not a good-tempered person.
Xue Meng, who was driving in front, couldn't help but steal a glance at the rearview mirror and saw his boss smiling: "No, I won't be angry with you."
It was a bit chilly in the car, and Bai Yi pulled his suit jacket tighter around himself: "But you'll make me angry."
Zhong Yunxi: ...
Who's angering whom?
He just smiled and retorted, "Not trying to comfort you is considered being angry with you?"
She answered confidently, "Yes."
Having grown accustomed to her harmless tantrums, Zhong Yunxi promised as always, "I'll try my best to appease you more in the future."
Bai Yi still found fault: "Are you unwilling?"
"Yes." He answered the question quickly.
"That's so perfunctory."
Zhong Yunxi: ...
I don't know what she would want in order to be satisfied.
Bai Yi continued to argue with him: "Moreover, it's not about whether I'm willing or not, or even if I try my best, it's about what I should do, just like you should go to work every day. I'm seven years younger than you."
She's talking so much today; Zhong Yunxi is having a hard time keeping up.
He tapped the back of the passenger seat, and Xue Meng quickly lowered the partition.
He stared at her intently for a few seconds, then leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, his tongue gently licking her lips as he whispered, "Can you tell me these things in private?"
He didn't want anyone in the car to hear her whining and complaining about him.
Bai Yi tensed up almost unconsciously for a moment, then froze for a long while.
Zhong Yunxi's actions were sometimes unexpectedly intimate, yet fleeting and indistinct. He hadn't even given her a truly sincere proposal yet, but he had already hugged and kissed her.
For normal couples, these physical contacts should be very familiar before a proposal, but for them, it seems that it only becomes natural after the proposal.
Zhong Yunxi sensed her momentary unease, sat back up, and whispered a reminder: "Touch up your lipstick."
The taste of her lipstick lingered on his tongue.
Bai Yi was interrupted by him, and her attention was diverted. She forgot where she had been throwing her tantrum. When Zhong Yunxi mentioned lipstick, she glared at him and took out a makeup mirror and lipstick from her bag to touch up her makeup.
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