Harbor
When they arrived at the East Tower of Hong Kong Island, the car stopped next to the private elevator of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. After Bai Yi followed him into the elevator, she took off his suit jacket and handed it to him, and also carried her own bag for him.
Zhong Yunxi accepted it with a smile.
Bai Yi was still looking at him sideways. Zhong Yunxi knew she probably had something to say, so he hummed in response.
Her heels tapped on the ground, and Zhong Yunxi understood. She was wearing high heels and found standing tiring, so he offered her his other arm. She raised her hand to support herself, putting her weight on him.
"If you feel uncomfortable, don't wear it anymore," he advised almost instinctively and rationally.
Bai Yi was not satisfied with his answer and took her hand down.
Zhong Yunxi: ...
He's provoked him again. He didn't realize that this is a time when reasoning is not an option.
He pulled Bai Yi's hand back onto his arm and said, "Wear whatever you like. If you get tired of standing, I'll support you or carry you."
Bai Yi then looked at him and said, emphasizing, "You just said you would coax me."
Zhong Yunxi smiled helplessly: "I haven't formed the habit yet, and I don't have any experience. Sometimes I can't react in time. Give me some time, or if you want me to do something, just tell me, okay?"
Bai Yi shook his head at him: "No, then you'll develop the habit of only doing things when I tell you to. You're a mature man, you should know what to do."
Zhong Yunxi: ...
She's really good at causing trouble for people.
The elevator reached the top floor, the doors opened, and a park-like landscape came into view. Bai Yi had imagined that this was a garden that had been moved 500 meters in the air, but he was still surprised to actually stand here.
Vines climb all over the flower trellis, forming a dome-like canopy, with cool lights dotting the surface, like a sky full of stars or fireflies.
She saw a swing set up under a small pavilion, and the pavilion was filled with her favorite little swallows.
She sat on the swing, looked up at Zhong Yunxi and asked, "Will you agree to any request I make?"
From the beginning until now, Bai Yi has been willful time and time again, but she hasn't tested Zhong Yunxi's limits of tolerance for her. She's uneasy whether she goes through with the marriage or not.
Zhong Yunxi nodded and said "Mmm," then paused for a few seconds before adding, "I'm afraid you'll think I'm not sincere."
He was sincere, but devoid of emotion. Bai Yi's unease about the whirlwind marriage subsided slightly, but a strange sense of disappointment welled up within him.
Dinner was set at the end of a long, vine-covered corridor, in a glass conservatory filled with Kayla roses. At the height of the sunset, the delicate pink roses were bathed in a soft golden light.
Outside the greenhouse is a sign indicating that it is closed to visitors, but occasionally someone walks by and glimpses it from afar, and is amazed by the greenhouse's decorations.
The chef served the dishes one by one. Bai Yi took a deep breath, made a gesture of putting her hands together, and began to eat.
She was happy, and Zhong Yunxi seemed reluctant to look away, propping his chin up and watching her, barely touching the cutlery in his hands. But while she praised the roses, the greenhouse, the swing, and even complimented the chef's cooking while taking a sip of her drink, she didn't receive a single compliment from her.
A serving of braised snails only yields four slices of snail meat, which are then divided into two portions, resulting in just a small bite in each dish.
Seeing that she enjoyed the food, Zhong Yunxi removed the rosemary garnish from the snail meat in front of him and handed it to her.
"If you like it, I'll bring you here often in the future." Such a gesture of goodwill will surely elicit a compliment from him.
Bai Yi didn't hesitate to eat the second serving of grilled snail slices, but her response was a shake of her head: "I'm not coming anymore."
Zhong Yunxi was taken aback. Bai Yi looked at him with her eyes crinkling: "Boss Zhong, I feel guilty if I always make you accompany me. I've heard that you people in finance make money by the minute."
It's like he's deliberately being perfunctory. Just a few days ago he was being willful and said he liked blue diamonds, but today he's feeling guilty and has to eat a meal.
Zhong Yunxi smiled and didn't press the matter; after all, it wasn't the first time he'd been unable to figure out her thoughts.
After dinner, as night fell, looking down from the top floor of the East Tower, the lights of the entire Viet Harbour came on one after another, creating a sea of lights like a silver river.
She then ran to the pavilion to sit on the swing. Strings of lights surrounded her like a dense curtain, layered and bound into a heart shape. The waiter placed the trolley next to the pavilion and left.
Zhong Yunxi walked down the steps, returning with two boxes and a folder. He placed them on the small stone bench next to the swing.
He thought for a moment, then handed over his medical report. Bai Yi, standing on the swing, took it, opened it, looked at it for a few seconds, and chuckled.
Seeing that she didn't want to get up and her feet couldn't touch the ground while sitting on the swing, Zhong Yunxi loosened his grip on the ropes and, fearing she would lose her balance, supported her by her elbows.
Bai Yi handed him the medical report and smiled, "So Boss Zhong proposed today."
Zhong Yunxi put the folder back before opening the box, then knelt on one knee: "Miss Bai Yi, will you marry me?"
The diamonds were more dazzling than any light. He knelt before her as if he had scooped up a cluster of stars.
At this moment, she wished the lights could be dimmed so that she wouldn't have to worry about her excitement showing too much on her face or in her eyes.
She didn't answer, but took the box and put it aside. She opened her arms, and Zhong Yunxi knew her intention. He smiled, got up, and hugged her.
Bai Yi pressed her cheek against his neck, almost overwhelmed by the surge of hormones, and felt a little reluctant to make things difficult for him.
She tilted her head up in his arms, stood on tiptoe, and nipped Zhong Yunxi's chin: "Boss Zhong, I have other requests, do you want to hear them?"
Tonight, she suddenly started calling him "Boss Zhong" repeatedly, her intention to appear weak was obvious. She spoke the softest words while launching the most ruthless attack. And Zhong Yunxi was completely helpless.
"Can I not listen?" He looked down at her, as if he knew she was about to say something that would put him in a difficult position.
Bai Yi bit his chin again, blinked, and stared at him. Her eyes were full of innocence, and the scattered light she had personally arranged around them gathered in her eyes. Zhong Yunxi's heart almost went numb. He took a breath and said helplessly, "Speak."
"Two years of engagement, but the marriage was kept secret."
Bai Yi saw Zhong Yunxi's pupils shrink almost the instant he narrowed his eyes.
She stared at him for over ten seconds, her expression showing no fear, but her heart was pounding. She pursed her lips, turned away from his embrace, and returned to the swing.
I want to take off my shoes and stand on it.
Zhong Yunxi saw that she had one foot on the swing and was about to take off her other shoe, so he quickly stepped over, supported her arm, and helped her stand up.
She stood barefoot on the swing, gripping the ropes, bending slightly, her cheek almost touching his nose, a few strands of hair falling on his shoulder: "You can turn around and go back now, or carry me down."
What she meant was, if you don't agree, then leave; hugging her would be agreeing to her condition.
“I’m standing tall, so I can see you off.” She straightened up again, her feet restlessly tiptoeing on the swing.
Zhong Yunxi: ...
It's hard to say whether it's a wish for a safe farewell or a sign of reluctance to part with him; let him guess for himself.
That's really good at cheating.
It seems he has finally met his match.
She didn't seem to even glance at those eight-figure jewelry pieces.
"You want me to leave that badly?" He reached out and hugged her waist, then turned and sat on the swing, letting her sit on his lap.
When he lifted her down, Bai Yi naturally draped her arm over his shoulder and was slightly taken aback.
Zhong Yunxi held her hand; her palm was slightly sweaty but cold, clearly from fear. He couldn't help but laugh: "I've never seen someone so afraid when threatening others."
Bai Yi: ...
"It's not a threat, it's a negotiation."
Don't label her as unreasonable or argumentative.
She knew Zhong Yunxi was staring at her profile, but she didn't dare to look at him much.
Zhong Yunxi chuckled: "Really want to negotiate? I've never lost at the negotiating table."
Bai Yi then turned her face to him: "You've already agreed."
"Yes, I won't go back on my word, but I have some additional requirements." The man's eyes were deep and calm.
Bai Yi: ...
Before she could even try to back out, Zhong Yunxi lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Kiss me."
It wasn't anything that troubled her; compared to the unreasonable terms she proposed, Zhong Yunxi seemed to be merely trying to save face.
Bai Yi didn't hesitate for more than a few seconds before leaning in and pressing her lips close to his.
Upon receiving her response, Zhong Yunxi lowered his head and pressed down, his tongue quickly prying open her lips and teeth, filling her mouth.
Bai Yi experienced his domineering presence up close for the first time, almost suffocating and dizzy. She raised her hand to push him away, but Zhong Yunxi pressed her wrist down and interlocked their fingers.
"Two years it is then. I'll try my best to get the contract renewal." Zhong Yunxi picked up her shoes and helped her up.
Bai Yi was being carried horizontally by him, watching him return to the hotel with practiced ease, and she couldn't help but feel flustered.
He came in, put her on the sofa, and poured her a glass of warm water: "You've only had fruit tea for the whole meal, are you thirsty?"
She took it, and yes, a little.
Zhong Yunxi went to the dressing room, took a blanket, draped it over his arm, bent down, still holding her high heels, and picked her up, saying, "I'll take you home."
Bai Yi wrapped her arms around his neck and said with a laugh, "I can walk by myself."
Zhong Yunxi glanced down at her face, his hands tightening around her neck, while he pretended to be innocent.
Knowing full well that letting her down would make her unhappy, but unable to expose her, Zhong Yunxi knew about her proud and aloof nature, so he could only smooth things over for her, "Do you want me to beg you again?"
Bai Yi smiled even more brightly: "Boss Zhong, as a reward, you get to choose a time to get your marriage certificate."
Zhong Yunxi held his breath, and as the elevator doors opened in front of him, he almost forgot to step inside.
When the elevator reached the parking lot, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "Next Saturday, Qixi Festival."
Upon hearing that it was Saturday, Bai Yi thought, "The Civil Affairs Bureau isn't open on Saturdays, is it?"
"With the low marriage rate now, they'll work overtime on holidays like this."
After getting in the car, she asked again, "Did you check beforehand?"
"Hmm." They're already offering eight-figure jewelry in exchange for her two-year wedding date, so there's no point in hiding their intention to plan their marriage registration date.
Zhong Yunxi reached out, and Xue Meng quickly handed him the jewelry box from the passenger seat, while also lowering the partition. He was afraid that if he overheard his boss's private conversation like this, he'd be fired tomorrow for stepping into the office with his left foot first.
Zhong Yunxi took the diamond ring and put it on her middle finger. "A secret marriage is fine, but since you want to ward off unwanted suitors, you should at least wear the ring."
Bai Yi still felt a little guilty that he had mentioned his intention to get married so casually.
And she hadn't even thought about buying him a ring. Bai Yi decided to use her charm to get by for now. She rummaged through the jewelry box with her fingers and picked out a pair of earrings. The blue diamonds sparkled brilliantly under the car's overhead lights. She took out a makeup mirror from her bag and gave it to Zhong Yunxi: "I want to wear this. Can you get me the mirror?"
Zhong Yunxi took the earring directly from her hand: "I'll put it on you."
Bai Yi then held up the mirror herself, and through the mirror, she watched him carefully remove her earrings and put the studs on her.
The thin earring post and the tiny ear piercing made Zhong Yunxi a little stunned. He asked, "Won't it hurt if you're not dressed properly?"
Bai Yi blinked: "I'll bear with it and let you practice."
Zhong Yunxi lowered his head and kissed her ear before carefully putting the earring in her ear. He was very careful with the first one, but his fingertips were still trembling a little. He was much more skilled with the second one.
After she put it on, Zhong Yunxi looked at her earrings and asked, "How is it?"
"Beautiful." Bai Yi held up the mirror to admire the two blue diamonds.
Zhong Yunxi waited a few seconds, then asked, "How do I look dressed?"
Bai Yi smiled and rested her forehead on his shoulder, raising her hand and giving him a thumbs up: "You've humbled yourself, Mr. Zhong. Your technique is first-rate."
"Then, can I take over this job in the future?"
Bai Yi: ...
Is he implying that they should live together?
The car drove into Qiwu Mountain Residence and stopped at the entrance.
Before getting out of the car, Bai Yi gave him a light kiss: "I need to think about it. I'll tell you next Saturday."
The lanterns on the lampposts in the courtyard cast a warm yellow light, like silk, which gently spread across every inch of the space in the cool autumn night.
Zhong Yunxi pulled her back and placed the handbag containing the jewelry box into her hands: "What time do you start work tomorrow? I'll have the driver pick you up in advance."
She put her hands behind her back and said, "No, if you give me this set of blue diamonds, it could buy my house. I'd have to spend money to buy a safe to store it, which is such a hassle."
"Why buy a safe? It's not like you just like blue diamonds. If you like them, you can wear them; if you don't want to wear them, you can just put them on the jewelry display shelf to admire them."
Bai Yi realized that the two had a big difference in their views on money, which was hard to explain. There were dozens of pieces of jewelry in the three-tiered jewelry cabinet next to her dressing table, which totaled less than two million. If she put his set in there now, she would have a mental breakdown.
"No. What if it gets bumped, scratched, or lost? We won't be able to afford to pay for it during a divorce."
Zhong Yunxi: ...
"Do you have to say this today? Find another reason to reject me. I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said." His tone had turned several degrees colder, but the look in his eyes when he met hers couldn't hide his disappointment.
Bai Yi didn't refuse again and took the bag.
She was capricious and unreasonable, failing to test her limits of tolerance for the marriage, but she did test Zhong Yunxi's.
Although Zhong Yunxi reluctantly accepted the two-year marriage period and the secret marriage, he didn't want to hear her constantly reminding him of it.
Bai Yi's action of taking over made him feel at ease. He used his free hand to hug her and asked again, "What time do you start work tomorrow?"
"8:30."
"I've come to pick you up."
Since he wanted to provide her with a driver, Bai Yi didn't refuse anymore and nodded in agreement.
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