Chapter 212 Hot Water
Let's talk?
What should we talk about?
How happy was he to go out with Xia Mingzhao?
They've already secretly plotted against each other and need to step down.
Or should we talk about how proud you were of snatching the item he wanted from the auction?
Oh right, those decorations... are most likely meant for Xia Mingzhao.
The novel "Love in the Palm" is accurate in describing how Zhou Pingchuan was indeed madly in love with Xia Mingzhao, spending lavishly on her.
He thought that after living together for so long and experiencing so much intimacy, he and Zhou Pingchuan would have developed some affection for each other—if they couldn't be lovers, at least they could be friends.
Unexpectedly, he still wouldn't give Xia Mingzhao even the slightest bit of face.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Zhou,” Xia Mian said expressionlessly, “I have work tomorrow morning and need to get up early, so I can’t accept your invitation.”
Zhou Pingchuan remained silent.
The driver glanced at the boss in the rearview mirror, understood something, and continued driving along the route.
Xia Mian was too lazy to talk to Zhou Pingchuan, afraid of losing control of her emotions, so she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Perhaps due to jet lag and exhaustion, he actually fell asleep while pretending. When he opened his eyes again, the car was parked right in front of a skyscraper.
Xia Mian scoffed; he should have guessed it.
After being cooped up on set for over a month after the New Year, I hadn't contacted Zhou Pingchuan and had almost forgotten who he was.
Given Zhou Pingchuan's autocratic style of doing things, how could he possibly let him go back to the hotel?
Alright, let's talk if you want. It's a good opportunity to test the progress of those two's relationship. If Zhou Pingchuan is really in love with Xia Mingzhao, he can run away as soon as possible to avoid Zhou Pingchuan taking drastic measures against him.
Zhou Pingchuan got off the bus first, intending to explain, but when he turned around, he saw that the boy's expression was calm.
Knowing Xia Mian as he did, he knew she should be making a scene, refusing to get out of the car, and arguing with him. He usually disliked unreasonable and argumentative people, but he found Xia Mian quite amusing.
He enjoyed Xia Mian's mischievousness and liked watching her act willfully; it was a little bit of fun between the two of them, and he was willing and happy to indulge her.
But today... why isn't Xia Mian making a fuss?
"Please lead the way, Mr. Zhou," Xia Mian reminded him when Zhou Pingchuan didn't move.
Zhou Pingchuan turned around and walked through the gate.
The apartment is located on the top floor of a skyscraper. The living room features a floor-to-ceiling window that wraps around the entire building, offering panoramic views of the Parisian nightscape. The balcony boasts a stunning blue infinity pool, a place of dazzling glamour and grand romance.
Perhaps wanting to say something that couldn't be said openly, Zhou Pingchuan didn't turn on the main lights, only the ambient lighting on the balcony. Xia Mian walked to the window, looking at the dazzling lights outside, and suddenly felt a little regretful.
“It’s beautiful here,” he said.
"Bought twelve years ago."
Xia Mian exclaimed in surprise, "So long? It looks brand new."
“I haven’t been here much since I bought it; I’ve left it all to the apartment manager. If you like, you can use it as a place to stay when you’re on business trips or shopping,” Zhou Pingchuan paused for a moment, “There’s no place in Paris with a better view than this.”
"really."
“If you think the apartment is too old, you can choose a house you like, and I will have Yu Heng handle the property rights matters.”
Upon hearing the first sentence, Xia Mian thought it was her imagination, but after hearing this sentence, Xia Mian was certain that Zhou Pingchuan was... showing off his wealth.
Wealth was the least important thing to Zhou Pingchuan, so even though he possessed countless riches, he never flaunted it. This was the first time Xia Mian had heard him speak so bluntly.
Xia Mian raised an eyebrow: "Jay Chou is very generous, thanks, but I don't need it for now."
Why not?
Xia Mian was taken aback, not expecting Zhou Pingchuan to ask such a question. If it were before, given his tactlessness, the conversation would have ended long ago: "...I'm very busy with work, I don't have time to fly around."
In the darkness, Zhou Pingchuan observed Xia Mian's expression: perfunctory, impatient, and indifferent.
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his eyes swirling with emotion: "Mianmian, what did I do to upset you? Tell me."
So this person thinks the problem lies with him? Xia Mian laughed angrily: "You knew I was in Paris, but you didn't tell me you were coming. You knew I was also at the auction, but you didn't even bother to say hello."
As for the items that were snapped up... I don't even want to talk about them.
Saying it out loud will only make things more embarrassing.
Zhou Pingchuan explained, "I didn't know you would be going to the auction. The invitations were mailed to the address I received, and I only received one."
"Yes, I didn't even have an invitation, so I had to tag along with a new friend. But you can bring Xia Mingzhao on this business trip, and you can take him to your private room. Are you satisfied now?"
Zhou Pingchuan looked at him: "Mianmian, don't say hurtful things."
See, it's that rational and calm attitude again.
Xia Mian felt deflated and suddenly felt very tired.
Indeed, rational and calm people are more likely to succeed. When he encountered confusion, Zhou Pingchuan also used this characteristic to guide him out of his predicament.
He knew that saying hurtful things wouldn't solve anything, but at this stage, all he could do was vent, and that was all he wanted to do.
The water dispenser was on the living room island. Zhou Pingchuan took a disposable paper cup, filled it with hot water, and placed it on the side table in front of Xia Mian. He then said, "Drink some hot water to cool down."
Looking at the glass of water, Xia Mian recalled a day when he decided to stop liking Zhou Pingchuan, precisely because of Zhou Pingchuan's personality.
In this world made up of novels, he is a unique being. On the surface, he has an enviable marriage, a few close friends, a thriving career, and like-minded business partners.
In reality, he couldn't be truly close to anyone.
Therefore, what he wants is the kind of wholehearted love from his parents, a love that is both heartfelt and verbal, that is meticulous and attentive, not rational or calm.
Then, he took a step back while Zhou Pingchuan took a step forward, causing him to fall into a vortex of ups and downs.
Today, although the glass of water was placed on the table, it felt like it had been poured over his head, finally making him completely clear-headed.
He doesn't need to vent.
Without love, one should feel carefree.
Xia Mian took a deep breath and reminded him one last time, "I'm sorry, I was too emotional just now. I just want to say one thing, Third Master, Zhou Ting is your own nephew. As for the rest... I'll leave it to you to decide."
After saying that, Xia Mian got up and went straight out the door.
Just now, he was dissatisfied with him for bringing Xia Mingzhao out, and then he reminded him that Zhou Ting was his nephew. Zhou Pingchuan frowned - Xia Mian wanted him to bring Zhou Ting.
This is the second time Xia Mian has complained on Zhou Ting's behalf, complaining that he is not good enough to Zhou Ting.
Zhou Pingchuan looked at the glass of water and felt like he had gone mad.
Knowing that Xia Mian still had feelings for Zhou Ting, knowing that Xia Mian's heart wasn't with him, and telling himself he should calm down for a while before making a decision, he still came because he knew Xia Mian would be staying in Paris for almost a week.
Not only did he come over, but he also spent a fortune to buy the jewelry that Xia Mian liked, and he even planned to use money to keep Xia Mian here.
He's not like that.
He shouldn't have done that.
Even the most ordinary employee in the company would be fired if he found out they weren't focused on their work. Let alone their spouse.
Zhou Pingchuan glanced at the dark doorway, then suddenly waved his hand, knocking the water glass to the ground!
Water splashed through the window, and the Parisian night view gradually became distorted by the reflection of the water, losing its previous dazzling appearance.
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