4. Snow in a silver bowl
I am a man too.
With just four words, Shang Xinuan's previously furrowed brow instantly relaxed.
The palm above her head was warm, carrying the power to wipe away all the soreness, and also stirring up a blush of embarrassment on her cheeks.
She glanced up at Li Xiran, their eyes meeting as he nodded and stared at her.
Li Xiran's eyes are the most beautiful, not the blue eyes unique to British people.
Rather, it was a deep lake, like a still lake, with wisps of turquoise. A gentle breeze stirred the calm lake within the young woman's heart, creating ripples that shimmered with the light of spring.
In that instant, she seemed to glimpse love through Li Xiran's gentle gaze.
It is a love different from that of elders; it is the love between a man and a woman.
It is not like the surging sea, but like the babbling of a stream.
But in an instant, it seemed like her imagination, and all she could hear was, "Nuan Nuan is the one who gave the Li family a glimmer of hope. Mere gifts and companionship are nothing."
“Even if Nuannuan wanted the moon, I would find a way to deliver it to Huashan Road the next day.”
His expression was indulgent, and his tone was gentle.
Not only was this favoritism shown, but it was also attributed to that glimmer of hope in the next second.
The setting sun cast its rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the corridor, enveloping her heartbeat in shadow.
It was as if it was warning her that the colorful girlish filter was like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, or the foam that the mermaid turned into.
She was a very important person to Li Xiran, but not a very important lover.
No one else is like him, able to bring heaven and hell with a single sentence.
In Chen Shaoyi's understanding, that sentence clearly meant that Shang Xi was warmer than Li Xiran, and not just because of Shang Zun, the granddaughter of her mentor.
Rather, it was the goddess who appeared when he was at his wit's end, and she was his most important companion.
Chen Shaoyi's lips trembled slightly as she awkwardly stroked Bai Quesi's arm. "That's just how Xiran is. Whoever treats him well, he'll give them his whole heart."
Bai Quesi's eyes always held a faint smile, as if she didn't understand the turbulent situation between the mother and son.
His gaze couldn't help but fall on Shang Xinuan's face, and even his tone was full of envy, "I've long heard that Miss Shang is the happiest girl in Shanghai. Seeing her today, it's definitely true."
Because she casually remarked that magnolias were beautiful, Shang Zun moved all the varieties suitable for growing in Shanghai into the Shang Mansion.
He can force his grandson to study finance, which he doesn't like, but indulge his granddaughter to choose any prestigious university at home or abroad. If she likes literature, he invites the country's literary giants to his home for a week-long tea party.
Li Xiran, known for his combination of firmness and gentleness, and his ability to influence others like a spring breeze and rain.
Just because someone joked that Shang Xinuan was going to marry a playboy, she lost 80% of that person's business orders the next day, and the company has been in a continuous financial deficit ever since.
She knew that the phrase "sending stars and the moon" wasn't just something she said to coax Shang Xinuan.
Shang Xinuan didn't understand the hidden meaning in Chen Shaoyi's words, nor did she understand Bai Quesi's envy.
She barely managed to carry the shattered shell of her girlish dreams as she chose her furniture. Even her beloved Omakase tasted incredibly sour and spicy for the first time, thanks to the wasabi vinegar she used to dip her sashimi.
Back home, she collapsed onto the bed, casually tossing the jade gift box, worth 100 million, onto the carpet.
She stared listlessly at the ceiling.
Even the soft light felt blinding, and my eyes gradually became red and blurry.
It was the sudden ringing of the telephone that temporarily calmed her chaotic mind.
"Sister! I'm graduating and going back to China in just half a month!" Qiao Xi's excited voice came through the receiver. After a moment of silence, she asked, "What's wrong?"
She composed herself and told Qiao Xi what had happened that afternoon.
"Bai Quesi?" Upon hearing this name, Qiao Xi said, "She is the youngest daughter of the Bai family in Yijing, and her family has been friends with my maternal grandfather's family for generations."
The Bai family runs businesses in tobacco, gambling, and entertainment venues.
She has three sons and one daughter.
“Shaoyi’s maternal grandmother used to dislike her the most, because she was born to a woman from another family. She only let her into the family back then to save face for the Bai family, so she lied and said that she and Uncle Quezhou were twins.”
"Unless Shaoyi's grandmother goes crazy, she won't try to match them up."
Shang Xinuan recalled Chen Shaoyi's unusually intimate manner, "Isn't there any other possibility?"
Qiao Xi paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes."
The old patriarch of the Li family had two sons.
The eldest son, Li Qianyin, is Qiao Xi's maternal grandfather. In his youth, he resolutely gave up his right to inherit the family business in order to marry the female singer he liked.
The second son, Li Qianyun, was then entrusted with an important task and married Chen Shaoyi, a woman of equal social standing.
However, after five years of marriage, the couple were unable to conceive.
It was only after examination that it was discovered that Chen Shaoyi had fallopian tube disease and was unable to conceive.
Li Qianyun was also a well-known gentleman in Shanghai. In order to prevent his wife from being criticized, he kept it a secret from the whole family and said that he was infertile, taking all the blame upon himself.
They have been married for ten years and have a harmonious relationship.
However, in the tenth year, Li Qianyun was involved in a car accident on his annual business trip to the UK.
Upon receiving news of Li Qianyun's death, Chen Shaoyi also learned that he had a son while studying in the UK.
On the day of the car accident, she was there to celebrate Li Xiran's tenth birthday.
It took her ten years of marriage to understand why her husband would make a business trip to England every December.
The fairy tale of marriage turned into a lie nursery rhyme overnight.
Having no children and no rights, she adopted Li Xiran in order to gain a foothold in the Li family.
“In recent years, my uncle has become more and more mature in managing the Li family business. Many of his new ideas have clashed with the old shareholders, such as Shao Yi’s maternal grandmother.
"So I guess the reason for bringing Bai Quesi together was twofold: first, to warn Uncle about his background, and second, to prevent any wife from having an overly prominent family background from becoming an asset to Uncle. For example, you, the young lady of the Shang family."
Shang Xin felt even worse. "These days, there are no arranged marriages anymore. Why should my uncle have to listen to Shao Yi's grandmother when he wants to marry someone?"
“Miss, for children from families like ours, marriage is all about matching social status.” Qiao Xi sighed, “Even if Shao Yi’s maternal grandmother doesn’t object, do you think Shang Zun’s maternal grandfather would agree?”
Shang Xin sniffed, "But the problem is, my uncle doesn't like me at all."
Did he explicitly say he didn't like you?
"Among adults, do we need to bluntly say we don't like something in order to show that we don't like it?"
“Others may be, but my uncle is definitely not,” Qiao Xi said with certainty. “My uncle has always been a cautious and rigid person. He will only take action on something if he is absolutely certain of success. Before that, he will always be ambiguous.”
"Besides, he's lived for over thirty years and hasn't had a woman in his life. The most active people around him, besides you and me, are probably Shaoyi's grandmother."
"I think he just wants to support you for a few more years." Qiao Xi lowered her voice and teased, "Otherwise, your age and relationship would be too taboo. When he met you, you hadn't even graduated from high school yet. Any normal person would criticize him for being an old cow eating young grass, especially since he's from his mentor's family."
Shang Xin said listlessly, "Could it be that the young grass is eyeing the old cow?"
Qiao Xi was drinking water and almost choked. "Young lady, be more reserved. Don't go looking for him for the next two weeks. Let him cool off."
"People only realize the deep love they have been suppressing when they sense that the person they care about is drifting away from them."
Shang Xinuan is focused on writing the first draft of her thesis, so she really doesn't have time to bother Li Xiran every day anymore.
"Don't think about it anymore. When I get back to China, I'll organize a party to have some fun and relax. Then we can analyze how to win over Old Niu, okay?" Qiao Xi coaxed gently.
"Okay! Come back soon!"
-
With Shang Xinuan eagerly awaiting her return, Qiao Xi finally graduated and returned to China half a month later.
She had already arranged a party before even boarding the plane.
Shang Xinuan got dressed early in the morning and stood in the international terminal waiting for her.
The two best friends screamed so loudly when they met that they almost lifted the roof off the airport.
The two threw their luggage in front of the driver sent by the Qiao family and headed straight for the bar.
"Wow, it's been half a year, and you're so hot?" Sitting in the car, Qiao Xi finally had a moment to herself and stared intently at Shang Xinuan's black halter-neck mini dress, her chest rising and falling gracefully.
Shang Xinuan never acted coy in front of her, deliberately puffing out her chest, "This is the only clear line in my life right now. Showing it off might help me find my direction."
After saying that, he looked at Qiao Xi, who was dressed in a heavily made-up windbreaker, and asked, "Stop pretending, what's underneath you?"
Qiao Xi unzipped her zipper, revealing a sequined camisole paired with hot pants.
Her gaze drew the eye from her swan-like neck to her collarbone. "This is respect for the bar!"
The two girls who respected the bar naturally earned the bar's respect in return.
Streamers, fireworks, explosive music, and dazzling disco balls.
Upon learning that it was Qiao Xi's welcome dinner, Shang Xinuan, Yu Jiayue, and Ruan Songyi also came, and almost all the wealthy second-generation people in Shanghai with connections gathered together.
"The young lady has arrived, everyone make way!" Jiang Xiangzhuo, as the bar owner, had booked the entire place and was holding a microphone, pulling one person into the room with each arm.
“Boss Jiang, let go quickly.” Ruan Songyi glanced at Yu Jiayue ambiguously. “Our young master Yu is watching. Be careful, or Mayor Yu might shut you down tomorrow for harassing a customer.”
"Alright, Fairy Ruan. You can make ten male college students blush in a minute, does Master Ruan know that?"
These few are childhood friends who grew up together.
They got along naturally and spoke freely.
Yu Jiayue, also known as Young Master Yu, is the mayor of Shanghai. He has been following Shang Xi since childhood and has a steadfast and pure love for the God of War.
Ruan Songyi is the daughter of a renowned master of traditional Chinese painting and a campus beauty at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts. She's a girl with an ethereal appearance, but her speech is surprisingly vulgar.
Jiang Xiangzhuo's family owns a steel manufacturing company, specializing in national and international projects. He's a wealthy guy who can make money off of anyone.
Qiao Xi's family owns a globally renowned international bank, and she is jokingly referred to as the "banker's daughter" by the group.
Yu Jiayue pulled away Jiang Xiangzhuo's hand. As always, even though there were many beautiful women in the room, there was only Shang Xinuan in his heart and eyes.
"I've been trying to contact you lately, but you've always been busy?" Yu Jiayue has the typical handsome looks of a science and engineering student, a natural-born intellectual and romantic. His background in literature has also given him a scholarly air, making him as refined and elegant as a piece of unpolished jade.
Shang Xinuan sat down on the sofa. "Let's revise the thesis."
"I've finished writing it. Do I need any help?"
"You've finished writing!" This was definitely the most excited thing the young lady had said in the past two weeks. "If you need help, I'd like you to write one for me."
She was joking, of course, but recently she had been ignoring Li Xiran after listening to Qiao Xi's words.
But in the end, she found that if she didn't contact him, he would truly be gone.
The young lady, who is unsuccessful in both love and studies, never has a day when she is not depressed.
“How about I go to the library to look at it for you on Monday?” Yu Jiayue asked.
Aside from Yu Jiayue liking to be around her and occasionally giving her small gifts.
Over the years, apart from confessing my feelings to her after graduating from high school, I have never done anything to embarrass or overstep my bounds.
A group of friends would sometimes tease him, but he always prioritized protecting her reputation.
In contrast to the silent Li Xiran, the young lady nodded in agreement, "Thank you, Young Master Yu, for your great kindness. I will repay you in my next life by serving you like a cow or a horse."
"Hey!" Qiao Xi came over with a glass of wine. "If you can't see me for even a minute, are you already making plans for the next life?"
Yu Jiayue smiled, "Aren't you busy on Monday? Want to come along?"
"Busy, I'm really busy!" Qiao Xi nudged him. "Keep it up!"
Watching Yu Jiayue's retreating figure as she left, giving the two of them some space, Shang Xinu glared at her, "Which side are you on anyway?"
“I’m a fan of egg yolk pie.” Qiao Xi raised her glass and clinked it with hers. “Young Master Yu is quite good. His family background, appearance, character, and even how he has treated you all these years are all impeccable.”
"The child is very sincere, what's wrong with giving him a chance?"
Frustrated, Shang Xin decided to drown her sorrows in alcohol. "I was quite sincere, why won't someone give me a chance?"
Qiao Xi sighed and pulled her up. "Go stand next to Yu Jiayue, and I'll take a video and post it on my WeChat Moments."
What?
"If someone doesn't give us a chance, we'll give them a way out."
Five minutes later, Qiao Xi received a notification sound on WeChat.
The two sat in a noisy corner, so excited they almost shouted out.
"How come he's my uncle?!"
Li Yuzhan, Qiao Xi's uncle: [Where are you?]
Qiao Xi didn't dare not reply, so she only sent Li Yuzhan the bar's location before dejectedly deleting the post on her WeChat Moments.
"I messed up, and didn't give anyone a way out. Instead, I gave my uncle a handle to use against me. I'm so unlucky!"
The next second, Qiao Xi's phone rang with a WeChat notification.
"My brother!"
Shang Dan, Shang Xi's cousin: [Where are you?]
Qiao Xi still didn't dare not reply, and sent her location as well.
"Sisters in the same boat, let's drink!" Shang Xinuan was on the verge of tears.
Around midnight, Shang Xinuan couldn't stand the smoke from the group of rich kids anymore.
Qiao Xi and Yu Jiayue then helped her out of the bar for some fresh air.
The city at night is half silent and half noisy.
The night breeze helped to ease the flush of drunkenness on Shang Xi's face.
His previously muddled mind seemed to clear up, and he pointed ahead, asking, "Brother? Uncle?"
Qiao Xi looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a Maybach and a Bentley parked in a row.
In front of the car stood two men in sharp business suits, who looked like they had been waiting for quite some time.
"Uncle. Brother," Qiao Xi said, her voice trembling.
Shang Dan stepped forward and took Shang Xinuan from Yu Jiayue's hands.
"Do you know what time it is?" Shang Dan was usually a somewhat serious person. With his handsome features, he was even more intimidating when he wasn't smiling. He was one of the few people in the Shang family that Shang Xinuan was afraid of.
"Why are you being so fierce!" Shang Xinuan, who was drunk, didn't care about being afraid and pushed Shang Dan's hand away.
Qiao Xi, who was barely able to take care of herself, couldn't possibly support her on her own.
Then both of them suddenly felt their legs give way and fell forward together.
A drunk person is unafraid of pain.
So all I know is that I fell into a warm embrace, surrounded by the familiar and comforting scent of herbs.
"Yu Jiayue, I'm really drunk." She wrapped her arms around Li Xiran's neck and said to Yu Jiayue, "Li Xiran is actually hugging me."
Yu Jiayue and Li Xiran went to pick up Shang Xinuan at almost the same time, but Li Xiran was faster. He pulled her into his arms and lifted her up to prevent her from struggling.
"Nuan Nuan, why did you drink so much?" Li Xiran's gaze was still gentle and concerned as he looked at her.
"Li Xiran, are you worried about me?"
"You've had too much to drink, let's go home."
Yu Jiayue then stepped forward and blocked Li Xiran's path.
Looking at Li Xiran again, those gentle eyes from just moments ago were now filled with wariness and coldness.
Before Yu Jiayue could speak, Li Xiran cut to the chase, saying, "Young student, you should go home too. Don't worry your family."
However, this simple word of concern cleverly distanced Yu Jiayue from any particular stance.
How can a young student stand up to their elders in the family?
"Yu Jiayue." At this moment, Shang Xinuan suddenly turned her head again, "See you on Monday!"
After swallowing a bitter pill, the man raised his eyebrows, stared directly at Li Xiran, and replied with a provocative tone, "Fine! See you on Monday."
-
Because Shang Xinu was so persistent, Shang Dan, who was supposed to pick her up, drove Qiao Xi home instead.
She nestled in Li Xiran's arms as she wished, but she didn't stop for a moment.
Just as she climbed onto Li Xiran's lap and sat down facing him, the partition in the center of the car was slowly raised.
In the cramped, isolated carriage, the fragrance emanating from Shang Xinuan's body was stronger than the smell of alcohol.
She hugged Li Xiran's neck tightly, so close that she could feel his hot breath on her face.
When she had trouble breathing, he nodded slightly, and his breath fell on her chest.
Li Xiran pressed his Adam's apple against his shirt collar, feeling inexplicably dry and parched.
In the lingering darkness of the night, his voice trembled, and one could hear the low gasps of his barely suppressed emotions.
"Nuan Nuan, don't move around."
Shang Xin's eyes were red and swollen, and she felt a burning sensation all over her body, as if from the surge of alcohol.
The tight-fitting slip dress accentuated her figure, and she began to have difficulty breathing.
"Heh." She puffed out her chest, and her alluring, snow-white breasts were right in front of him.
The hem of her skirt, which barely covered her thighs, was also touching the edge of his suit jacket.
Li Xiran's ears were red, and his gaze lingered on her blushing cheeks.
He was supporting her back, but the young lady seemed uncomfortable.
She took his hand and moved down inch by inch until she pinched his slender waist.
In the dim light of the night, she was sometimes charming, sometimes cunning.
Her rosy, glossy lips opened and closed, gradually silencing him.
"Do you know how late it is? You're still drinking so much. Do you know how dangerous that is?"
Shang Xinuan tilted her head, her eyes greedily fixed on him as she drank, "Wasn't I right beside you? How could there still be danger?"
With a soft sigh, Li Xiran tried to pull her away a little. "I'm a man too."
The young lady's eyes were like those of an innocent little fox, yet they were alluring enough.
She stared at him and said, slowly and deliberately, "You can."
Li Xiran didn't immediately understand what he meant and asked, "What can I do?"
"There are some things you can do." She moved her finger down to his chest, her words subtle and ambiguous.
Li Xiran sighed, his voice filled with both helplessness and doting affection, "Nuan Nuan, I can't either."
"I said you can, so you can!" The drunk man's mind was illogical, and he wouldn't let her move around on his legs. "There are many things you can do, but you just can't."
After a long silence, as if he had given in, he sighed again and said, "Then Nuannuan, tell me, what can I do?"
She finally calmed down and cupped his cheeks with her delicate little hands.
At that moment, the car window was opened a crack, and a few wisps of breeze stirred her hair.
With a hint of seductive allure, it brushed against Li Xiran's lips.
With a tingling, numbing sensation, I heard her say, "Can you like me?"
A note from the author:
Li Xiran, you must agree to her right now, immediately!
Then, do what you can!
Don't force me to kneel down, please! Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2023-04-13 22:54:51 and 2023-04-15 02:01:08!
Thank you to the little angel who launched the rocket: Wuyou 1;
Thank you to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Simin and Ye Weiyin (10 bottles each); Zhixia (1 bottle each);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
