Harbor
After the meal, this group of people would usually move to the tea room to sit for a while longer, drinking tea, playing cards, and chatting.
Bai Yi stared blankly at the various tea canisters. Lu Xin finally sat down next to her and asked, "What are you looking at? Which one do you want to drink? I'll brew it for you."
She pointed to the warm water beside her: "Warm water is fine. I don't want to drink tea tonight. I was just wondering how long the aroma of this tea, extracted with hexane and edible bis-dealdehyde, would last."
Lu Xin laughed: "I was wondering why you looked more energetic than when we were eating. It's your professional habit kicking in. Didn't you take an elective course in incense making? The main problem with extracting natural tea fragrance is the color and the lasting aroma."
Bai Yi nodded: "Yes, I'd like to try. A suitable amount of decolorizing agent and fixative should solve the problem."
Zhong Yunxi sat on her other side, listening quietly as she spoke with Lu Xin.
The two of them did have something in common, and Zhong Yunxi couldn't get a word in edgewise.
She smiled and said to Lu Xin, "When I have some free time, I'll make you a bottle of perfume. I can borrow your research institute's lab for a bit."
Lu Xin was flattered: "Okay."
Zhong Yunxi interjected, "Everyone who listens will benefit; making an extra bottle won't be a problem."
Bai Yi turned her head to look at him and refused: "Too much trouble."
A woman's sixth sense has a strange sensitivity. She always felt that Zhong Yunxi liked to tease her like a cat. He could have just gone along with her, but this old man wouldn't. So she instinctively rebelled against him.
Lu Xin chuckled, looking down at Zhong Yunxi through the white light, and patted him lightly, saying, "You've finally met your match."
He never imagined in his life that one day Zhong Yunxi would be trying to take advantage of him, and he hadn't even managed to do so yet.
Zhong Yunxi's expression remained unchanged, only a smile played on his lips as he turned to look at Bai Yi, his voice low as a whisper: "It's alright, I'll find a way to get Lu Xin's."
Bai Yi: ...
If she still doesn't understand Zhong Yunxi's intentions, she's far too slow-witted.
It was impossible not to panic. She pursed her lips, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Zhong Yunxi knew that saying those words would definitely make her lose her composure, but he still calmly drank his tea.
Someone asked, "Has Yunxi returned to the capital recently?"
Lu Xin laughed: "He'd better dare to go back to Beijing, or Aunt Shi will drag him on a ten-day tour of the matchmaking corners in Chaoyang Park, Beihai Park, and the Summer Palace, right?"
A group of people always paid special attention to his marriage, saying, "You're really something, preferring to waste time with Aunt Shi rather than get married. Getting married is no big deal."
People's attitudes toward marriage are basically like this: before they've even tasted the grapes, they say the grapes are sour, but at a certain point, they start to disbelieve the superstition and want to try it. Once they actually get married, they go back to their original ways without saying a word, proving that the grapes are truly sour.
Overall, it feels like I've been dug a hole by my past self.
That's why they especially couldn't stand seeing Zhong Yunxi living so comfortably.
Zhong Yunxi spoke up: "I haven't met anyone suitable."
While we were playing cards, a friend chimed in, "I heard Wen Ying has returned to China."
Ning Ye glanced indifferently at Zhong Yunxi, unable to discern any expression on his face. He then looked at Bai Yi beside Zhong Yunxi, drew a card, and threw it out, his voice tinged with a smile: "Is that so? I don't know."
After the two voices of playing cards passed by at the card table, no one picked up the conversation again.
Perhaps because he found the tea to be quite good, Zhong Yunxi leaned over, took a cup, and placed it beside Bai Yi.
He struck up a conversation with someone: "Jingwen, in your bank, who's in charge of the restructuring project for Tiansheng?"
Tiansheng's creditors include not only Lead Capital, but also other financial institutions, including several banks.
Shen Jingwen works in the special asset management department of UBS in Guangdong and Hong Kong. Zhong Yunxi guessed that the UBS project regarding the restructuring of Tiansheng would fall to his department.
The man sitting diagonally opposite him, who was looking down at his phone, looked up when he heard this and chuckled: "Me."
Bai Yi paid extra attention when he heard the words "Tiansheng Reorganization".
Zhong Yunxi laughed and said, "I guessed it was you. I'll make an appointment with you these next couple of days to discuss the personnel structure of Tiansheng."
The man nodded: "Okay. I'll check the schedule tomorrow and ask your assistant to schedule a time."
Bai Yi could tell that the two people who had just spoken to Tiansheng seemed to have a lot of influence over the reorganization of the company, and she also learned that Zhong Yunxi would be forced into marriage.
She glanced at Zhong Yunxi casually.
A few minutes later, she got up and left the room to get some fresh air. The mere mention of Tiansheng made her feel suffocated, almost reflexively.
Zhong Yunxi glanced at the door and then left the tea room.
As soon as the two stepped outside, someone inside started gossiping with Lu Xin, "Did you notice that Zhong Yunxi was acting a little strange today?"
A group of people stared at Lu Xin, and he found it hard to explain. He was also afraid that if he told anyone, people would spread rumors and distort his true identity. Given his junior sister's temperament, she would definitely break off their friendship if she found out. So he just gave a perfunctory answer: "When is he acting normally?"
After leaving the house, Bai Yi didn't go too far, but strolled along the path next to the teahouse toward the small lake.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she didn't turn around, but simply moved aside to let someone pass. After a while, she didn't see anyone walk by.
She turned slightly to the side and saw Zhong Yunxi standing behind her.
She didn't want to see this man; he was domineering and had a way of making people angry.
Zhong Yunxi knew that she was deep and meticulous, and he was not good at figuring out such complex thoughts.
Accustomed to being in a position of power, he immediately launched into a strong statement: "Bai Yi, if you're interested in a whirlwind marriage, I can. Think about it?"
Bai Yi: ...
Zhong Yunxi and his senior brother are childhood friends. The last time they had coffee together, it was kind of an unintentional blind date. His senior brother had mentioned to him his predicament of getting married.
Zhong Yunxi explained, "Although Lu Xin was joking, I still wanted to confirm it, so I thought it would be better to be frank with you."
Bai Yi has been deceiving Zhou Qi for so many years, never bowing his head or saying anything conciliatory. Even though he is in dire straits, he finds it hard to lower his head.
She tilted her head back, forcing a show of stubbornness: "Is this a proposal or a forced marriage?"
Zhong Yunxi was stunned for a moment.
He was talking about a whirlwind marriage, while she was asking whether to propose or force him into marriage.
He was solving the problem, while she was concerned with attitude and emotions.
No matter how much Zhong Yunxi didn't understand girls' thought processes, he knew what to choose when faced with a choice between two options. A captivating, cool allure spread across his eyes as he consciously succumbed: "Propose."
As she wished, Zhong Yunxi lowered his stance.
Bai Yi felt a sense of relief, slightly lowered her gaze, and uttered half a sentence: "Zhong Yunxi, you have no idea what I am..."
Zhong Yunxi knew.
"There aren't many things I can't solve," he said, catching her unease.
He deliberately mentioned Tiansheng twice in the tea room tonight, hoping she would realize that he had a place at the table in deciding Tiansheng's bankruptcy and restructuring.
He hoped she would be a little selfish and take advantage of him. That way, he would feel more at ease.
Lu Xin originally didn't want to introduce Bai Yi to him, thinking that his junior sister would suffer.
Marriage is not a one-off deal; for the sake of a long-term and stable partnership, he tries his best not to let her suffer losses.
Bai Yi remained silent for a moment, then spoke again: "No need to answer me in a hurry."
He didn't immediately reject him; he had already achieved his goal for the night. He hadn't expected to get the desired result right away. He had made too many deals and knew the principle that patience is key.
When Bai Yi returned to the tea room, she stared blankly at the tea table on the long table. Lu Xin thought she wanted some tea, so he took the pot of green tea that her eyes had been looking at and brewed her a cup. She didn't taste it.
Lu Xin glanced at Zhong Yunxi, picked up her phone and sent him a text message questioning him: What did you just say to your junior sister?
Zhong Yunxi: I suggested she have a whirlwind marriage with me.
Lu Xin: ...Can't you be a decent human being?
Lu Xin felt that his relentless pursuit would scare his junior sister.
Zhong Yunxi didn't reply to him.
After the party ended, several cars drove out of Jian Song Garden one after another. Zhong Yunxi stood aside and waited for her and Lu Xin to finish talking before saying, "I'll take you home."
She remained silent the entire way, glancing out the car window. Shortly after getting in, the rear overhead light went out naturally, and the outside light flickered and dappled in a chaotic manner.
The phone rang, and she almost immediately hung up after glancing at it. However, the other party stubbornly called back. She hung up three times and then blocked the number. Zhong Yunxi saw on the screen that the caller ID showed Zhou Qi.
Bai Yi suddenly turned her head: "I want to drink milk tea."
"Okay, which store do you like? I'll take you there now."
She raised her hand to support her cheek: "Fenglan Lane, Song's Tea House."
Zhong Yunxi sent Xue Meng to Fenglan Lane.
It was a casual night market, a pedestrian street, where cars couldn't go in. Xue Meng parked his car on the side of the road and said, "Boss, there are still a few hundred meters to walk."
Zhong Yunxi hummed in agreement and asked Bai Yi, "What flavor do you want to drink?"
Bai Yi opened the car door and got out: "I'll go by myself."
Zhong Yunxi also got out of the car, indicating to Xue Meng that he didn't need to come over.
Xue Meng watched the two figures gradually walk away on the pedestrian street, holding his breath all the way, almost suffocating himself. No wonder he had been guessing his boss's thoughts wrong every time these past few days.
Bai Yi weaved through the crowd, almost running, when Zhong Yunxi reached out and pulled her back: "Are you closing up shop? Why are you running so fast?"
She slowed her pace, but did not pull her wrist out of his palm.
Song Ji Dim Sum offers fewer dishes in the evening. She ordered a cup of Hong Kong-style milk tea and asked Zhong Yunxi, "Want some?"
Zhong Yunxi looked at the densely packed menu and nodded: "Same as yours."
She took the milk tea from the shop assistant, handed him a cup, and sat on a high stool by the French windows, resting her chin on her hand and biting on a straw.
Zhong Yunxi stood next to her, looking down at the milk tea in his hand, and slowly brought it to his lips.
He was tall and had long legs, with cold eyes and brows. Standing in the small shop, he had an exceptionally strong presence. Before they had even sat down for three minutes, Bai Yi probably felt too many eyes on them and felt uncomfortable. She got up and pushed his arm to walk out.
"Isn't it good?" Bai Yi asked, seeing that he had only taken two sips and was still holding the bottle.
Zhong Yunxi found it difficult to comment. He had never tried this kind of drink before and only drank iced Americano coffee. He honestly replied, "It's a bit sweet."
Bai Yi said, "None of yours have any added sugar, just the little bit of sugar in the evaporated milk."
Zhong Yunxi took another sip: "Last time at the East Tower on Hong Kong Island, I said I'd treat you to coffee sometime, but I didn't expect you to treat me to milk tea first."
His words gave Bai Yi the illusion that he had given him some kind of signal.
She just suddenly had a craving for milk tea. It wasn't a response to his marriage proposal.
Bai Yi, fearing he might misunderstand, continued the conversation from their earlier meeting at Jian Song Garden: "Zhong Yunxi, what if I don't agree to your proposal?"
Zhong Yunxi's eyes showed no change as he calmly looked at Bai Yi: "Since it's a hypothetical situation, not a complete rejection, can I understand that I just haven't met your expectations yet? You can state your expectations directly."
Bai Yi: ...
After Zhong Yunxi proposed a whirlwind marriage to her today, his purpose for the next three days was not to get her to agree, but to prevent her from completely refusing.
This is a basic strategy for negotiating matters. Things that can be settled immediately are often influenced by emotions, making it easier to back out. A stable outcome always has a clearly visible process or cause driving it.
Bai Yi pursed her lips, feeling like she was invisible in front of Zhong Yunxi. She didn't like how at ease he was, and she didn't like not seeing any emotional fluctuation in him.
It seems like she has the choice, but in reality, Zhong Yunxi is still in control.
He gave her the feeling of being so domineering, oppressive, and infuriating. He wasn't romantic or gentle at all; it didn't feel like love at all.
A marriage that doesn't begin with love must be suffocating and filled with resentment.
Bai Yi's tone was unfriendly, as if she were picking a fight: "How can you be so annoying? The milk tea cost fifteen yuan, give it back to me."
She had been in a bad mood all day, and Zhong Yunxi seemed to be forcing her to make a choice and a decision.
Zhong Yunxi didn't know what he had done to upset her again, so he could only sincerely apologize: "I'm sorry, you pointed out something I didn't do well, I can change it."
He's finally met someone he'd like to marry in a flash. He's also afraid of being left behind.
Bai Yi's tone was stern, almost a warning: "You are not allowed to presume to guess what I'm thinking, and you even deliberately ask questions to make it seem like you know everything. My senior brother is seven years older than me, but he always gives in to me."
Zhong Yunxi nodded: "I understand."
"What do you know?"
Zhong Yunxi smiled and said, "I understand your temper; you're a bit arrogant."
Bai Yi: ...
She turned and left, cursing him all the way: old man, bastard, scoundrel.
On the way back, Bai Yi was clearly angry. Zhong Yunxi didn't know how to coax her, so he could only ask, "Do you still want the money for the milk tea?"
"Yes. There's interest now, thirty."
Zhong Yunxi sent her a red envelope and added a message: "I'm sorry."
Bai Yi accepted the red envelope and then deleted him.
Zhong Yunxi: ...
As soon as the car stopped at the entrance of the residential area, Bai Yi reached for the door, but Zhong Yunxi stopped her, saying, "Don't rush."
After Xue Meng got out of the car, she opened the car door for Zhong Yunxi, who then released her wrist, saying, "Goodnight."
Bai Yi didn't say thank you and left without looking back, clearly still very angry.
After Xue Meng got into the car, he heard the boss chuckle and sigh.
Zhong Yunxi glanced at his watch and ordered, "Go to the East Tower on Hong Kong Island."
Xue Meng replied, "Okay."
The East Tower on Hong Kong Island is over 500 meters tall, with a total of 160 floors. The top 15 floors house the prestigious Ritz-Carlton hotel. Chung Yun-hsi has a long-term rental apartment there. When he's busy with work and doesn't want to go back to his apartment or villa, he'll stay there instead.
The area around the Yue Kong Chinese Hospital is not too far from the East Tower of Hong Kong Island. When there is no traffic, the drive takes less than twenty minutes.
The car was parked in the underground parking garage of the East Tower of Hong Kong Island, at the hotel's private elevator entrance. Xue Meng glanced at his boss in the back seat, who was staring blankly at his phone.
Zhong Yunxi sent two friend requests but received no response. He then sent Lu Xin a message: "I don't know what I said wrong, but Bai Yi deleted me. Ask her when she's free, and I'll book a restaurant to apologize to her."
Lu Xin quickly replied: You're this [thumbs up]
After a few minutes of silence, he locked the screen and instructed Xue Meng: "I have a few things to do tomorrow. First, go to Tiansheng's audit team and have them investigate any irregular business funds related to Chen Zhaoyang. Compile a useful report. Also, regarding the business dealings between Tiansheng and Qingyang, pick out a few problematic bidding transactions and compile a report. Then, schedule an appointment with Zhou Kemin, the vice chairman of Tiansheng, preferably tomorrow afternoon. I'll meet with him alone. I've also arranged to talk to Mr. Shen, the head of UBS's Special Asset Management Department. If his assistant asks you to schedule a time, do it the day after tomorrow."
Xue Meng replied, "Okay, boss."
Zhong Yunxi then got out of the car and stepped into the private elevator of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
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