novelz
Chapter 91 - 91 The previous second indifferent the next second
Chapter 91 - 91 The previous second indifferent the next second
?Chapter 91: The previous second indifferent, the next second cozying up Chapter 91: The previous second indifferent, the next second cozying up Shang Hexing stood aloof, his presence impossible to ignore, let alone the prestige that came with his identity, which drew many to engage him in small talk.
Wen Zhi began to watch him and couldn’t shift her gaze away.
He seemed to sense her stare, slightly turning his body to avoid giving her a full view of his face.
Wen Zhi: “…”
Was it her imagination…
Shang Hexing looked as if he were angry, didn’t he?
However, Wen Zhi preferred to believe that Shang Hexing was ignoring her not because he was unwilling to acknowledge her in a crowded setting, lest their familiarity damage his distinguished status.
“Xiaoyin?”
Tan Zhongyao recognized Liang Yin at first glance and approached him with an outstretched hand and a beaming smile.
Wen Zhi discreetly released Liang Yin’s arm. Liang Yin stepped forward and gave Tan Zhongyao a light embrace, “Uncle Tan, your birthday banquet is a tradition year after year, and I’m here the day after.”
Tan Zhongyao laughed heartily, patting Liang Yin’s shoulder, “You rascal, seems like your time in the military has done you good; you’ve stopped choosing only unpleasant things to say.”
Ending the hug, Liang Yin chuckled sheepishly, “I was immature before, Uncle Tan, let’s not bring it up.”
“How could I not! As long as I don’t go senile, I’ll always remember it and mention it to everyone,” Tan Zhongyao said, his face ever-smiling.
The others nearby hadn’t recognized Liang Yin at first.
It was only when Tan Zhongyao suddenly asked Liang Yin, “Where’s Cheng Nan? Why didn’t he come?”
Liang Yin replied, “He’s tied up with a major case recently, very tricky. My dad couldn’t get away, but he knew you would miss him, Uncle Tan, so he asked me to deliver his gift to you.”
After saying this, Liang Yin gestured with a nod to Lai Sheng behind him, “Bring it over.”
Lai Sheng, carrying a wooden box nearly a meter long, stepped forward at Liang Yin’s signal and opened it in front of Tan Zhongyao.
Once Tan Zhongyao clearly saw the gift inside the box, he was visibly surprised, “Is this from that—?”
Liang Yin nodded, “Correct, it is an authentic piece by that very artist. My dad said you would definitely like it.”
Tan Zhongyao grinned widely, closing and accepting the wooden box while saying, “Cheng Nan is thoughtful.”
The ‘gift’ inside the wooden box, though unseen by the onlookers, was known to be a significant present from the Liang Family.
They also realized that the man presenting the gift was Liang Chengnan’s son, Liang Yin.
At that moment, Wen Zhi, standing close by and unnoticed by Liang Yin, caught a glimpse of the ‘gift’ inside the box.
It was an original work by Xun Beihong.
Considering the nature of the gift Liang Chengnan had sent, it was no wonder he wanted to keep it discreet. If it had been made public, it could have led to a pointed inquiry.
As Wen Zhi’s thoughts wandered, she suddenly noticed a very imposing gaze on her, which, if she remembered correctly, came from the direction where Shang Hexing stood.
When she looked up, she saw Shang Hexing’s eyes had shifted elsewhere, and someone was engaging him in conversation.
“Xiaoyin, come over and greet Hexing,” Tan Zhongyao signaled to Liang Yin.
Liang Yin had noticed Shang Hexing’s presence upon arriving with Wen Zhi, and at that moment an elder was conversing with Hexing, both their faces lit with smiles.
“Second Brother.” Liang Yin called out first.
Shang Hexing glanced sideways at Liang Yin, “You’re here too.”
“Yes,” Liang Yin nodded and said, “Uncle Tan’s birthday, of course I should come, after all…”
Liang Yin paused, looking at Tan Zhongyao, “When my dad was on missions, Uncle Tan, you didn’t spare any effort to look after me.”
Hearing this, Tan Zhongyao said, “You rascal, do you even realize how much trouble you used to cause me?”
“I appreciate your concern, Uncle Tan,” Liang Yin couldn’t help but smirk.
“By the way, Xiaoyin, the person you’ve brought with you is…?” Tan Zhongyao’s attention then turned to Wen Zhi.
The onlookers too shifted their gazes towards Wen Zhi, waiting for Liang Yin to introduce her.
“My friend, Wen Zhi.”
Liang Yin said as he naturally reached out his hand to Wen Zhi, gently grasping her wrist, “Come, stand by my side.”
With so many eyes watching, Wen Zhi didn’t want to slight Liang Yin and gracefully moved to his side at his urging.
Shang Hexing watched quietly without leaving.
Liang Yin introduced her to the others, “This gentleman here is Mr. Tan, the birthday star of the evening. You just follow my lead and call him Uncle Tan.”
The action was naturally intimate.
The words he said were equally intimate.
It was hard not to think more about it.
Wen Zhi smiled lightly, her eyes bright as peach blossoms as she opened her mouth to say, “Uncle Tan.”
In his lifetime, Tan Zhongyao had seen countless beauties, but someone as gentle and bright as Wen Zhi was indeed rare. Yet, upon closer inspection, he found something familiar about her eyes and eyebrows.
For the moment, he couldn’t remember where he had seen her before.
Tan Zhongyao decided not to dwell on it for now and nodded in satisfaction at Wen Zhi. He got the idea and teasingly chided Liang Yin, “You say that I looked after you when you were little, but now you treat me like a stranger.”
Liang Yin pretended not to understand, “Uncle Tan, what are you talking about?”
“What am I talking about? You still pretend not to understand?” Mr. Tan feigned anger, “Speak plainly. If there’s something good going on, your Uncle Tan needs to prepare the red envelope for your auspicious day.”
Liang Yin’s lips curled into a smile, “You’re joking with me, Uncle. Wen Zhi and I are just ordinary friends.”
“Enough of that, don’t be so secretive with me, I’m not the old-fashioned Cheng Nan. Nowadays, we advocate for free love. It’s a good thing when young people like each other and have mutual affection.”
Mr. Tan held a very open-minded view.
Liang Yin gave an ambiguous response, “If there’s any good news in the future, I will surely notify Uncle Tan right away.”
Mr. Tan knew better but laughed heartily.
Liang Yin also laughed. He glanced sideways at Wen Zhi, only to see that she was looking in another direction. Following her gaze, he saw it was the back of Hexing.
Liang Yin frowned slightly and called out, “Wen Zhi.”
Wen Zhi turned her gaze back to Liang Yin.
Liang Yin asked her, “Are you hungry? There are a lot of pastries over there. Do you want to have some?”
Wen Zhi shook her head. She had heard the conversation between Liang Yin and Mr. Tan, and she didn’t feel like staying by Liang Yin’s side at the moment, saying, “I’ll go to the restroom.”
Liang Yin took his hand out of his pocket, “I’ll accompany you.”
“No need, I saw the direction to the restroom.” Wen Zhi replied and then turned to leave.
Liang Yin knew that Wen Zhi was upset, but so what? He wanted all these people to know that Wen Zhi was his!
–
Wen Zhi stood in front of the restroom mirror, looking at the angry expression on her reflection.
Liang Yin had a hidden agenda in bringing her here tonight.
But she was no different, she thought. There was nothing to be angry about; it was the same for both of them.
She leaned in close to the mirror to check if her makeup had smudged. The stylist had specially drawn her eyeliner upwards, making her look less soft and more coolly detached than usual.
After washing her hands and drying them, she turned to leave.
A few potted plants about half a person’s height were placed outside the restroom, and a tall figure was obscured next to them in a smoking area.
Wen Zhi had good eyesight but didn’t intrude, instead stepping softly away.
‘Click’
The sound came from a lighter.
Then the man standing by the plants called out to her, “Wen Zhi.”