When Ning Guiwan was resting at home, it happened to coincide with a seven-day long holiday. Ning Qinghan and Ning Rongyue were also off work, but the two sisters were busy every day shopping for wedding dresses and gowns, spending very little time at home.
Sometimes, overhearing the household servants’ idle chatter, Ning Guiwan learned that during her absence from Shencheng, Quan Xiangru’s mother had already visited their home. The wedding date had been set for the following spring.
"They were engaged for four years without mentioning marriage, yet as soon as that jinx returned, they began preparing the wedding. I just hope nothing chaotic happens."
"You can’t be sure about that. She’s so jealous and malicious—who knows what she might do? Just you watch; she won’t stay quiet. She’s always had her eyes on the second master! At some party last month, she even tried to seduce him. They ended up in each other’s arms, the shameless woman."
"How can there be such a wicked woman? The Eldest Miss is gentle and kind, and the Second Miss is straightforward and innocent. How could she have the heart to harm them so severely? The Eldest Miss’s face was ruined like that. Who knows what kind of in-laws she will find in the future!"
At that moment, Ning Guiwan was standing beside the liquor cabinet, about to pour herself a glass of fruit wine, when she heard two servants whispering not far away.
The household staff had all been changed, inside and out. Not a single familiar face remained, and none of them knew Ning Guiwan. All their impressions of her came from the weekly newspapers and the sisters’ deliberate or inadvertent descriptions.
Hearing this, Ning Guiwan couldn’t help but laugh.
The maids, hearing the noise, came over. Upon seeing her standing there, they were immediately embarrassed. "Third Miss, what are you doing here?"
Ning Guiwan looked at the two maids and said slowly with a smile, "This is my home. Why can’t I be here?"
"I didn’t mean that..." the servant said, feeling guilty.
Ning Guiwan averted her gaze, took her wine glass upstairs, and didn’t look at the two again.
Back in her room, she leaned against the balcony railing, taking small sips of her wine. The sweet, cool fruit wine slid down her throat.
She had almost finished her wine when she received a call from Ren Xiaofei. "I’ve found out—Director Jin is attending the engagement banquet at Emerald Villa tonight, hosted by the daughter of the Futong Group’s chairman."
After Ren Xiaofei finished speaking, she asked Ning Guiwan, "Manager Ning, why did you ask me to track Director Jin’s whereabouts?"
Ning Guiwan smiled and changed the subject. "Are you having fun in Sanya?"
"Don’t get me started! It’s nothing but crowds, like a headcount..." Ren Xiaofei immediately complained.
Just as the call ended, a timely call from Li Annan came through.
These past few days, he had called Ning Guiwan almost every day. He didn’t make a point of offering empty pleasantries, just chatting like friends. As a learned man, he always found a topic and was never off-putting.
"My cousin is having an engagement party tonight at Emerald Villa. You’ve been cooped up at home for several days; come out and clear your mind," he suggested.
Ning Guiwan paused for a moment, then asked, "The Futong Group chairman’s daughter?"
Li Annan asked, "You know about it?"
Her lips curved into a smile. "I’ve heard people talk about it."
After hanging up, Ning Guiwan quickly freshened up. She applied light makeup, skipping lipstick, and chose an understated, light grey long dress.
In one of the standalone villas, Li Annan looked surprised when he saw Ning Guiwan.
The last time they met, she had been enchantingly beautiful, like a bewitching fairy. But now, in her long dress with a faint smile, she resembled an undergraduate student—pure and pristine.
"You always manage to surprise people," Li Annan said, not hiding his admiration for her appearance.
Ning Guiwan simply smiled faintly in response. She raised her head to glance at the setting sun and spoke slowly, "The engagement banquet is about to start, isn’t it?"
That reminded Li Annan to lead her inside. After showing the invitation at the registration table, he led Ning Guiwan straight to their pre-arranged seats.
Even though Ning Guiwan had dressed very modestly, her arrival still caused a slight stir.
She ignored the curious or disdainful glances from those around her and quietly followed Li Annan. Her eyes discreetly scanned the room until she spotted the person she wanted to see at a table on the left side of the third row.
She overheard people at their table joking with Li Annan about bringing his girlfriend. Li Annan just laughed without clarifying. Ning Guiwan glanced at him and took a small sip of her water, saying nothing.
The engagement party proceeded with predictable rituals, offering nothing particularly novel, and Ning Guiwan watched absentmindedly. After the engagement ceremony, the banquet began, filling the entire hall with a joyful atmosphere.
After three rounds of drinks, Ning Guiwan caught sight of a figure leaving the banquet hall from the corner of her eye. She stood up, said something to Li Annan, and then followed the figure outside.
Jin Jixiang came out of the restroom and was momentarily taken aback when he saw Ning Guiwan standing by the wall, apparently waiting for someone.
Before he could speak, Ning Guiwan smiled and said, "Uncle Jin, it’s been a while."
Jin Jixiang looked at her, his gaze inquisitive, as if trying to discern what she wanted from him.
"Don’t be nervous, Uncle Jin. I’ve been back in the country for so long and haven’t had the chance to have a proper chat with you. May I have a word with you in private?"
At the end of the hallway was a glass door leading outside. The two walked down the steps. Jin Jixiang lit a cigarette, his expression now casual, and looked at Ning Guiwan. "Just speak your mind."
Ning Guiwan smiled softly. "I remember my mother saying that Uncle Jin started out with my grandfather in the early days and that you played an indispensable role in Tianchi Group’s success today."
Nobody dislikes compliments.
Jin Jixiang chuckled. "I’m not the only one who deserves credit." He paused, his expression turning reflective. "It’s a pity the old Chairman passed away too soon..."
Thinking of her late grandfather, Ning Guiwan felt a touch of sadness. After a moment of silence, she smiled again. "Of all the company’s veterans, Uncle Jin is the most respected. My grandfather passed away early, and my mother too. I believe Uncle Jin wouldn’t want to see Tianchi Group fall into the hands of others, right?"
The ’others’ she referred to was obvious.
There were always rumors in the company that Ning Rongyue would be the next successor.
Jin Jixiang looked at Ning Guiwan, silent, his thoughts unreadable. After about a minute, he said, "Taking back the company isn’t as simple as just talking about it. It depends on whether you have the ability to do so."
Ning Guiwan’s smile grew. "I won’t disappoint you, Uncle Jin."
After Jin Jixiang left, Ning Guiwan didn’t rush back. Instead, she walked towards the nearby Trestle Road. Below it was a vast lotus pond. In early October, the lotuses had mostly faded, but with the aid of the lights, a few withering blooms could still be seen.
She leaned against the railing and gazed out.
Suddenly, as if by some premonition, she looked up towards the observation deck above the Trestle Road. The light there was dim, but she could faintly make out a long, dark silhouette. A cigarette was between their lips, its burning ember flickering with a crimson glow.
Ning Guiwan recognized the person almost immediately.
Blending with the night, the figure seemed to exude a sense of loneliness.
It had been over half a month since their last proper meeting after that previous party. Ning Guiwan stood up straight, wondering how to respond, when she saw Quan Yu start to walk towards her.
As he approached, the contours of his face became clearer. The man’s features could be described as refined, a distinctly masculine sort of delicacy. She smiled. "Uncle Yu, what a coincidence."
Quan Yu looked at her. What a beauty, like the moon, he thought. Even if this entire pond of lotuses were in full bloom, they probably couldn’t compare to the lightly made-up girl before him.
"Did you come alone?" Quan Yu extinguished his cigarette but didn’t casually discard it.
"I came with a friend," Ning Guiwan said truthfully.
"Which friend?" Perhaps it was the deepness of the night that made his dark brown eyes seem even more profound and inscrutable. As he spoke, he glanced past Ning Guiwan.
Following his gaze, Ning Guiwan saw Li Annan hurriedly walking towards them.