When she was little, going to and from school, she would pass by the trees. They weren't as delicate as calathea, had low soil requirements, stood tall and straight, and had strong vitality.
But later, for some unknown reason, they were relocated. Perhaps they weren't outstanding enough. After all, such a large space with just a few green plants was too wasteful.
Soon, her adoptive mother ordered various other flowers and plants to be planted, like petunias, pansies, and colorful thorny roses. All kinds of flowers crowded together, like a colorful border around the spacious road, including a wall of pink and white roses.
Gradually, Cheng Buxi's impression of the blue gum faded.
Only a faint, sharp, pungent scent remained in the depths of her memory.
Now, standing in the group's building, facing the uniquely shaped blue gum, they silently gazed at each other for a while.
She used to not understand the line "The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, but her rosy face has changed." Now, looking back, it was nothing more than that.
Just as she was about to leave, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Tsk..."
The person was a young woman, no work badge around her neck. Light chestnut curly hair fell on her shoulders, and her small face was heavily made up, but it couldn't hide her delicate features.
Long face, fair skin.
Wow, pretty hot.
Cheng Buxi was about to apologize and walk past, but her casual glance fell on the woman's hand, and she suddenly froze.
In her hand was a men's watch, a silver titanium case, 18K white gold hands. Under the harsh white light of the lobby ceiling, the sapphire crystal reflected a piercing, cold gleam.
The way she held the watch was definitely not business-like... It was more like... holding a beloved object.
Cheng Buxi's breath caught for a moment.
This watch... she knew it too well. It was her brother's missing tourbillon.
Wan Yi had said that her brother had only three secretaries, two men and one woman. The woman was her. So who was this person? Why did she have her brother's watch?
Such a personal item, now openly in the hands of a strange woman, held so intimately. She could almost imagine the whole story.
Or was she overthinking?
It was like being hit in the face by something, her mind going blank.
Either way, it made her uncomfortable, churning her stomach. A sticky, cold nausea climbed up her throat, blocking her breath.
Did she have the right to ask?
Probably not.
Her brother was outstanding, rich, handsome, and in the prime of his life. It wouldn't be strange for him to have women.
Even with the three-year gap in the Special Region, now that he was back, countless women would throw themselves at him. It was no surprise that he had one or two female companions. If the mood was hot in bed, he might give his watch to a seductive woman... It wasn't unreasonable.
As for her, what was she still foolishly dreaming about?
Wan Yi had just turned away to take a call, an internal line from Brother Xin.
The two spoke in Cantonese, a coded conversation she couldn't understand. Only a few words like "dian syun, m goi, daai wok, sit dai." It didn't seem like a pleasant conversation. The call ended.
She didn't notice this detail about the little lady.
When she turned back, the woman had already murmured an apology and disappeared into the crowd.
"Miss, let me see you off." Wan Yi was still holding her canvas bag.
But Cheng Buxi refused with a cold face. Her expression lacked the sparkle from before, and her voice was weak and hollow. "Sister Wan Yi, I made plans to meet friends at Yang Street. No need to see me off. I'll just take a taxi."
Saying this, she forcibly took her canvas bag from Wan Yi's hand and left the building without looking back.
Her back was distant and aloof.
Wan Yi was left stunned in place, confused, but dared not ask why.
Everything had been fine just a moment ago.
-
At Sanjing Road, a 4S store.
Ning Ci drove up in a tiger-head Mercedes, attracting many old brothers who wanted to take photos with it.
After all, this car had gold trim back in the day, "every old boy's dream." He was an easygoing young master, friendly with everyone, and happily played the role of parking attendant.
Wei Qisi and the others saw this and sighed that among the elite circles of North City, spanning ages and directions, no one was as elegant and enlightened as the young master of the Ning family.
Whoever caught his eye would have no worries for life.
After sighing, Young Master Wei clicked his teeth, turned around, and suggested to the guys, "Let's go drink. A new bar just opened at Gongti, lots of pretty girls."
Having just sent off his girlfriend and now turning to look at girls, the group shook their heads one after another, thinking that anyone who became Wei Shao's girl was really unlucky. You're really something: middle finger.
"Come off it. Every time you say that, there's maybe one or two girls worth looking at, and the rest are all phonies!"
"So where else? Watch a movie? Nothing good recently."
"Play pool?"
"Just played, too tired, just want to lie down."
Han Xiao folded his arms and said cynically, "Ah, should not have asked."