-003- Recognized Her at a Glance.
Although the Chen Group's status in Jingbei wasn't as high as the old prestigious families, it was still among the top tier of wealthy clans. Chairman Chen Yinhe had only one son, Chen Xingyue. The entire Chen family doted on him, which had led to Chen Xingyue, at 27, still having no serious career. He spent his days either racing or chasing girls, and news of his playboy lifestyle was everywhere online.
Before returning to China, Xuan Yang had asked Xie Xinglan to help her do a background check on Chen Xingyue. Someone like him, who loved freedom, probably wouldn't want to be tied down by marriage.
Xuan Yang spent a day settling into the Xuan Family and then met up with Xie Xinglan to talk. Xie Xinglan, her closest friend, was very concerned. "Now that you're back for good, what are your plans for work?"
It was late afternoon, and the café was quiet and peaceful. Warm sunlight streamed through the glass window, falling on Xuan Yang's hand as she stirred her coffee. She lowered her eyelashes, watching the cream foam slowly dissolve and blend. "Before I came back, I submitted my resume to Junda Law Firm. I should get a result in a couple of days."
Xie Xinglan said, "Junda, huh? That's a top-tier firm with a global reach—most clients are large corporations and multinationals. I've heard it's really hard to get into."
Xuan Yang took a sip of coffee. "The bar is pretty high."
If she hadn't come from the GS Law Firm in New York, she wouldn't have dared to send her resume to Junda.
Xie Xinglan held her coffee cup, a hint of a smile at her lips. "With how calm you look, I guess I don't need to worry about your job."
She took a drink and then continued, "As for Chen Xingyue, when are you planning to find him?"
Xuan Yang said, "I've already reached out." Chen Xingyue hadn't been in Jingbei the past two days; she had heard he was racing in Germany. She had sent him a friend request on WeChat, but it hadn't been accepted yet. Either way, she needed to meet him and talk face-to-face.
Xie Xinglan nodded, her eyes full of admiration. "A true lawyer—decisive and efficient."
Xuan Yang smiled and raised her cup. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Xie Xinglan replied, "It is."
-
Two nights later, Chen Xingyue returned to China. It was Singles' Day, and at past 8 PM, Jingbei City was still bustling and lively. After leaving the airport, Chen Xingyue received a call from his father. "You've had enough fun outside, haven't you? Since you're back, come home for dinner. Your mother and I are waiting for you."
Chen Xingyue ran a hand through his light brown, curly hair, his round, clear eyes tinged with impatience. "Don't wait for me. I'm not coming back." Going home would only mean being nagged about the marriage to the Xuan Family. He wasn't about to set himself up for misery. He reiterated, "And let me say it again—I'd rather die than marry Xuan Yang!"
This marriage had come out of nowhere. He had been in Germany preparing for a race when he heard the news. He called home immediately to refuse. But for some reason, his parents, who usually indulged him, this time had united against him, insisting he marry Xuan Yang.
Xuan Yang! Back in high school, she was on the student council, and he had been caught by her multiple times for breaking school rules. He had developed a conditioned fear of her. How could he dare to marry her? Even now, whenever he thought of her, all he could picture was her in the blue-and-white school uniform, with her low ponytail, looking serene and gentle on the surface but actually cold, heartless, and ruthless!
What made Xuan Yang terrifying was her ability to say the most hurtful things in the gentlest tone. Although she seemed soft and obedient, she was actually sharp, with the imposing manner of a "cold-faced devil" like a head teacher. Marrying Xuan Yang would be like marrying a head teacher—life would be spent in constant fear.
At the mention of Xuan Yang, Chen Xingyue's father's tone became serious. "Son, you're not young anymore. Your mother and I are getting older. You need someone by your side to care for you, so we can rest easy. Xuan Yang may only be the adopted daughter of the Xuan Family, but in terms of looks, personality, and ability, she stands out among all the socialites. She's the best match we could find for you after careful consideration. We wouldn't steer you wrong."
Chen Xingyue knew how outstanding Xuan Yang was, but marriage wasn't like picking a cabbage at a market. It was a lifetime commitment—one should marry someone they like. He had no intention of settling down with just one person; giving up the whole forest for Xuan Yang was out of the question.
"Oh, by the way," his father added, his voice dropping, "your aunt said Xuan Yang came back a couple of days ago. Tomorrow at the He family's birthday ball, the two of you will attend together."
"Xuan Yang is back?" Chen Xingyue was surprised. After a moment, he frowned. "I'm not going to He Chen's birthday. Whoever wants to go can go. I'm hanging up."
With that, he ended the call. Standing by the street outside the airport, he belatedly opened the "New Friends" list in his contacts. There was a long string of pending friend requests. He scrolled down and found one he had ignored two days ago—
X Yang: [I'm Xuan Yang. Please accept my friend request.]
Chen Xingyue held his forehead, frowning in unprecedented anxiety. For a moment, his phone felt like a hot potato; he wanted to throw it away. Fortunately, whenever he faced such a tricky problem, he could turn to Zhou Dang for help.
In the next second, he called Zhou Dang and hailed a taxi at the same time.
-
When he received Chen Xingyue's call, Zhou Dang was in his apartment at Liujin Court. It was 9 PM, and he had just finished showering, planning to go to his study to deal with some leftover work and then go to sleep. But Chen Xingyue's call disrupted all his plans.
Zhou Dang's apartment was very close to the Zhou Group building, surrounded by high-end shopping malls, office buildings, and art centers, convenient for his daily commute. Not far away was a famous bar street, always brightly lit at night. Chen Xingyue had arranged to meet at a bar called Lanyan Bar.
Wearing a dark gray bathrobe, Zhou Dang stood by the south window of the bedroom, looking out at the dazzling night view of the city center. He had no interest in Chen Xingyue's invitation. "Didn't you just get off the plane? Aren't you tired from the journey?"
Chen Xingyue replied, "It's not like I was flying the plane. Why would I be tired? Come on, Dang Ge, cut the crap. Hurry up and get dressed and come out for a drink with me. I'm so damn annoyed I could die."
Zhou Dang: "..." He was about to refuse when Chen Xingyue continued, "My dad just called to say Xuan Yang is back, and he wants me to attend that moron He Chen's birthday ball with her tomorrow. What's my relationship with He Chen? We're like fire and water! There's no way I'm going to his birthday ball! And that Xuan Yang—just seeing her friend request makes my heart race. How can I possibly marry her? You've got to help me figure out how to call off this marriage. I'm begging you!"
Zhou Dang's gaze, fixed on the distance, steadied. The words at the tip of his tongue inexplicably died away. His cold gray eyes narrowed. It took him a moment to find his voice. "Who did you say your dad wants you to marry?"
Chen Xingyue thought he hadn't heard clearly. "Xuan Yang! The adopted daughter of the Xuan Family who was sent abroad for nine years. Don't you remember? Back in high school, you and I got into a fight, and she was the one who marched us to the principal's office! You must remember that!"
Chen Xingyue went on about various grudges with Xuan Yang from high school, afraid Zhou Dang might have forgotten her. But the line remained silent, as if disconnected. "Hello? Dang Ge, can you hear me? Are you still there?"
He was too frustrated. He urged Zhou Dang to hurry and come out, insisting he must go to Lanyan Bar for a couple of drinks. Otherwise, he was sure to have insomnia! The moment he closed his eyes, he'd see Xuan Yang's friend request. The anxiety was killing him. He didn't even dare to accept her request, feeling like an ant on a hot pan.
...
Zhou Dang eventually agreed. An hour later, he met Chen Xingyue at Lanyan Bar.
Chen Xingyue had come straight from the airport, still carrying his suitcase. Once at the bar, he handed it over to the bartender and announced he was staying the night. Then he led Zhou Dang to the bar counter and snapped his fingers at a mixologist. "A whiskey and an Old Fashioned."
Lanyan Bar was Chen Xingyue's own venture; he was practically king here. All the staff knew him and followed his orders without question. The two drinks arrived quickly, and Chen Xingyue slid the Old Fashioned over to Zhou Dang, who was in a suit. "Dang Ge, for you."
Zhou Dang took it but didn't drink. Instead, he stared at Chen Xingyue, his expression serious. "You mentioned before that your parents arranged a marriage for you. Was it to Xuan Yang?"
Chen Xingyue blinked, his eyes innocent. "Yeah, didn't I tell you?"
Zhou Dang's eyes darkened. He knew Chen Xingyue's family had arranged a match, but such things were common in their circle—nothing to get worked up about or pry into. So he hadn't asked further.
Chen Xingyue downed a big gulp of whiskey, slammed the glass on the marble counter, and leaned toward Zhou Dang. "What the hell were my parents thinking, making me marry Xuan Yang? Are they afraid I'll live too long?" The thought of a dull, oppressive life with Xuan Yang made him complain, "I'd rather become a monk than marry her."
Zhou Dang listened quietly, took a sip of his drink, and said, "There's a temple in the north of the city. You could ask if they'll take you."
Chen Xingyue: "...I'm not actually going to become a monk."
Zhou Dang glanced at him. "She's known as 'Jingbei's Top Socialite,' after all."
He was referring to Xuan Yang, of course. Despite Chen Xingyue's mental scars, he had to admit she deserved the title. He pouted. "Dang Ge, whose side are you on? Why are you defending an outsider?"
Zhou Dang looked down, saying nothing, his eyes fixed on the Old Fashioned glass in his right hand. The amber liquid swirled slightly with his movements, the ice cubes clinking with a crisp, pleasant sound.
Chen Xingyue had been griping offhand, but now he got down to business. "Dang Ge, help me think. How can I get out of this marriage? My parents seem dead set on me marrying Xuan Yang..."
Zhou Dang took another sip, savoring the lingering aftertaste. After a long pause, he lifted his cold gray eyes and asked Chen Xingyue, "What does Xuan Yang think? Doesn't she have any objections to this marriage?"
Chen Xingyue was stumped. He had never considered that angle. "I don't know. The marriage was arranged by both sets of parents. Neither of us has met the other." But given Xuan Yang's status, she probably wouldn't refuse marrying into the Chen family. He raised an eyebrow, inexplicably confident. "She's already added me as a friend—she must want to build a connection."
Zhou Dang: "..." He suddenly regretted having Chen Xingyue as a friend. Downing his drink in one go, he decided not to waste any more time here.
Chen Xingyue saw him set down the glass and pick up his suit jacket from the back of the chair. Panic set in. "Wait, Dang Ge, you're leaving already? You haven't given me any advice yet."
Zhou Dang draped the jacket over his arm. The bar was a dazzling mix of colorful lights, creating an atmosphere both alluring and ambiguous, surrounded by noise and shifting shadows. He looked at Chen Xingyue, his low, magnetic voice cutting through the music. "First, ask Xuan Yang what she thinks."
With that, Zhou Dang turned to leave. At the same time, in the chaotic dance floor, a familiar, graceful figure wove through the crowd toward the bar.
-
Xuan Yang wore a French-style white long-sleeved blouse with a large collar and a high-waisted dark gray A-line skirt, giving her an elegant, intellectual look that highlighted her slender figure. But her cool, refined aura clashed with the smoky chaos of the bar.
... People moved back and forth on the dance floor, men and women indistinguishable. Yet, at a single glance, Zhou Dang recognized her.
Author's note:
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Mr. Zhou: Amid the bustling crowd, I only see you. [star-eyed]
Yangyang: Hiss—why are there goosebumps? [question mark]