As for Ning Ci, he would definitely come after her.
...
Meanwhile, in the private swimming hall.
A powerful figure sliced through the blue pool water, arms pulling strong, splashing wildly, body rising and falling rhythmically.
He had just finished an 800-meter round. He climbed ashore with poise, took the bathrobe from the attendant, and loosely tied it, covering his young, fit body. His hair was still dripping wet, but he didn't seem to care. He shook it a couple of times and sauntered toward the lounge chair.
The manager stood respectfully by the shore, following him. Knowing that the young master had recently started investigating the female student he had met back at Blue Bay International School, the manager couldn't help but worry.
Back then, the young master had used a lot of connections to find that mysterious student, but Blue Bay International was a top-tier aristocratic school. Its student records were not easily accessible, even for the Ning family, and with only a vague name, it was nearly impossible.
"Young master," the manager said cautiously, "this matter has been investigated for years with no news. Why revisit it suddenly?"
Changing the subject with a smile, he added: "By the way, madam has recently selected a high-quality match for you. Good family, good looks..."
"Whenever you're free, we can arrange a meeting."
Ning Ci ignored him coldly, turned his back, and flexed his trapezius muscles. He seemed calm, but the manager knew he hadn't heard a word.
Just then, a young man burst in, shouting: "Second Master! I found a lead!"
Noticing the head manager was also there, the young man hesitated, then greeted him humbly, becoming a bit more formal. "Feng Shu is here too..."
Ning Ci put down the towel. His handsome, distinct face, soaked with water, appeared even more alluring and profound. He said succinctly: "Speak."
The young man relaxed and began his report: "I had someone look into it. After a few days of digging, we found a retired staff member from Blue Bay International. She said that back then, there was only one female student who matched the description. She had withdrawn from school. The time and appearance match."
"What was her name?"
"Chen Xi."
"Here's her file..."
Chen Xi.
His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, like a drop of water falling onto a calm mirror, creating ripples.
Ning Ci's face remained expressionless. After a long pause, he nodded and said, "I understand."
Was he disappointed? A little. But more than that, it was a sense of release.
She wasn't the one. He hadn't expected her to be. So many years had passed, and at least he still had the capacity to love.
The pouring rain back then, the little grove he couldn't get out of, the white dress he couldn't catch up to. It was time to let go. Now—he had someone he liked.
Just then, he received a message from Cheng Buxi. Her tone was cautious: [quq Something came up. Can we reschedule?]
His face darkened. He tore off the robe he had just put on, dove back into the pool, and swam toward the opposite end, his strokes more forceful, his speed faster.
"Second Master is..." The two onshore were baffled.
The young man rubbed his chin, thinking: "Usually, it's like this when someone's in love—vulnerable, sensitive, paranoid, up and down. One second they're smiling, the next they're..."
Wait—!? Their Second Master was in love? What about the arranged meeting then!?
The next moment, waves from his furious swimming splashed them, and they wisely shut up.
...
When she arrived at the entrance of the alley, the silver Maybach had already been waiting for some time.
Cheng Buxi had thought only Uncle Liang would come to get her, but her adoptive mother was also there.
Madam Bai took off her sunglasses and scanned Cheng Buxi from head to toe through the car window. She was pleased with her outfit. Usually, she wore no makeup, but today she had not only applied makeup but also dressed meticulously. Clearly, she had put thought into it. It seemed today's meeting had potential.
The anxious mother was fretting over her marriage, unaware that this outfit had nothing to do with the arranged meeting but was for Ning Ci...
What a huge misunderstanding.
After waiting for a long time without a reply from Ning Ci, she propped her chin on her hand and stared out the window at the old, quaint alley houses, the fragrant squid skewers from street stalls, the tempting candied hawthorns. Her finely arched brows were tangled with worry.
Everyone would be upset at being stood up. She opened and closed the chat box repeatedly, feeling irritable.
Her emotions were clearly visible in the rearview mirror. "Koukou, what are you looking at? One minute crying, the next laughing," Madam Bai remarked.
She thought Cheng Buxi seemed particularly energetic today, her complexion good, unlike the usual lifeless look that wasted her stunning beauty.
Cheng Buxi stiffened slightly. Was it that obvious? She quickly closed her phone and explained: "N-Nothing, just looking."
They had already set off, but the main character of the day was nowhere to be seen. She sat up straight, looked around, and asked: "...Where's Brother?"
"He said he had a meeting. Let's not wait for him."
Madam Bai sighed, thinking of something, and looked dissatisfied. "Your brother is no longer young, yet he still hasn't settled down."
"He spends all day and night buried in work, completely neglecting marriage. And your second sister—don't even get me started. I'm about to go crazy with worry."
The air in the car grew thick with anxiety.
"..." Cheng Buxi was one hundred percent on her brother's side. She would never say anything against him. Since she knew his mind wasn't on starting a family, she kept her mouth shut, didn't take sides, and certainly wouldn't backstab him just to please her adoptive mother.
"Tell me, what exactly is going on in your brother's head?"
She hesitated for a moment, then answered softly: "Maybe he has his own considerations..."
"Considerations? What serious considerations could he have? Don't speak for him. I know him better than anyone. You just focus on checking out the Second Young Master of the Yang family later."