February 14th, this was the day An Xino turned twenty years old and also, the day she and Zhou Jiaming got engaged.
In the most luxurious X Hotel of the city, the two held a grand engagement ceremony. At the same time, it was announced that Anno Group would officially join forces with Zhou Group to venture into the jewelry industry, marking a typical case of a business marriage.
However, after four years as classmates and with their golden boy jade girl image, it was easier for people to believe that their union was a perfect match born out of genuine affection.
Under the flickering lights, be it sincere or pretentious, everyone raised their glasses in celebratory toasts, except for one person. He quietly put down his wine glass, his eyes, black as lacquer, were fixed on An Xino with an unwavering intention of a predator about to hunt.
"An Xino?" Zhai Yuben raised his glass in front of her.
His eyes were filled with undeniable predatory intent, sizing An Xino up and down.
Her egg-shaped face, willow leaf eyebrows, cherry small mouth, rosy and full, all features of a classical beauty. However, in her apricot eyes, there was a disdain that repelled others from miles away. Especially her excessively cold face, devoid of any tenderness even when she smiled, it sent a chill down one's spine that was rather uncomfortable.
The corners of Zhai Yuben's mouth curled up into a smile. He found this highly satisfying.
An Xino glanced at Zhai Yuben's strikingly handsome face, confirming she didn't know him and he had no business with Anno Group. She ignored him without hesitation, intending to leave.
"You haven't told me your name," Zhai Yuben swiftly stepped in front of An Xino, blocking her way again.
An Xino's eyebrows slightly furrowed, not wishing to have an extended interaction with him she replied lightly, "An Xino."
Upon saying this, she again attempted to walk away, but was once more blocked by Zhai Yuben. Her ordinarily indifferent disposition began to give way to frustration. Nonetheless, she merely furrowed her brows faintly, staring at Zhai Yuben to see what he would do next.
"An Xino, a really nice name, fitting for my wife," Zhai Yuben's lips quirked up in a small smile, his rigidly handsome face softened surprisingly, like the thawing ice, captivating.
An Xino remained completely indifferent, saying coldly, "Just because it's fitting doesn't mean it can be."
"I heard that Anno Group needs a financial backer to collaborate with," Zhai Yuben took a small sip of his wine, confidently stating, "I presume you are aware of Zhai Group; I am the new CEO of Zhai Group, Zhai Yuben."
Zhai Yuxuan extended his palm in front of An Xinuo.
An Xinuo's gaze shifted from Zhai Yuxuan's hand to his deep, unfathomable eyes, showing no intention of accepting the handshake.
Hesitating slightly, she retorted coldly, "Unfortunately, the Anuo Group already has a partner."
It was rumored that as soon as he took up his position as the CEO of the Zhai Group, he had implemented many bold new projects. Instead of continuing to expand the Zhai Group overseas, he shifted almost all of his focus to domestic expansion. The executives within the group strongly opposed this move, but they were silenced by his iron fist. He ruthlessly purged all opposed from the leadership of the Zhai Group.
He was the most ruthless, brutal, yet also the most enigmatic CEO.
She admired his decisiveness and his calm wisdom, but she would never consider marrying someone like him.
They were too alike, and yet, this man's abilities were too unpredictable for her to keep under control.
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhai Yuxuan's lips curled into a beautiful smile. "How about we make a bet?"
"Sadly, I'm not interested in betting with you." An Xinuo kept a straight face as she stepped past Zhai Yuxuan.
"The Heart of the Mirage. Whether we win or lose, you can have it," Zhai Yuxuan stated leisurely.
An Xinuo's steps faltered, a moment of surprise flashed in her usually cold and aloof eyes.
The "Heart of the Mirage" was a sapphire, famous worldwide for its color-changing under the moonlight. There was only one such gem. It was the last gift from her parents for her fifth birthday. On the same day, her parents perished in a fire. In the chaos, she lost this precious gift.
"No need, thank you." An Xinuo lowered her eyelashes, covering the complex emotions of grieving and resentment in her eyes with an ever colder response.
Then, without looking back, she quickened her pace in her high heels and left.
Zhai Yuxuan watched her indifferent, icy figure walking away, yet his smile deepening. He drained his glass of red wine, his eyes, dark and unfathomable, growing even deeper, casting no shadows.
Taking out her phone, she quickly sent An Xinuo a message, then instructed her assistant to prepare for cooperation with Annuo Group.
An Xinuo, on the other hand, was about to go to the second floor's changing room to change into a new dress. As she reached the corner of the stairs, she received a message from Di Yubin.
"The small meeting room on the first-and-a-half floor, I have a surprise for you, looking forward to our cooperation - Di Yubin."
With a cold face, An Xinuo instantly blocked and deleted Di Yubin's message. She had intended to go straight up, but suddenly heard Zhou Jiaming's voice.
"Little demon, you miss me so soon?" His usually warm voice was laden with a teasing tone unfamiliar to An Xinuo.
She hesitated for a moment, then with a frown, uncertain, she headed towards the small meeting room at the corner of the stairs.
Through the half-open door, two intertwined figures could vaguely be seen, but the dim light failed to fully reveal who they were.
"Stop, I just... I just wanted to see you one last time," a sweet female voice echoed through the gap of the door.
"What's not to like, don't you love it when I annoy you!" Zhou Jiaming laughed.
An Xinuo frowned slightly, wondering whether to get closer for a better look.
"Jiaming, I love you so much!" Miao Shuya confessed passionately.
"I love you too, Shuya," Zhou Jiaming replied.
An Xinuo closed her eyes, going silent for a moment.
Three seconds later, when she opened her eyes again, the originally indifferent eyes had become even colder, startlingly so.
Without any further hesitation, An Xinuo advanced towards the source of the voices, abruptly pulled open the half-open door, and in the glow of the hallway light, faced two excessively shocked faces.
"Xino!"
"Mr. An..."
Both Zhou Jiaming and Miao Shuya exclaimed in surprise, their faces full of astoundment, still bearing the remnants of a passionate moment.
"You two... very nice." An Xino cast a frosty glance at them, her icy expression devoid of emotion.
"Mr. An... I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to…" Miao Shuya grabbed the hem of her nearly falling dress, her sorrow reflecting in her teary eyes.
An Xino didn't even spare her a glance, her attention falling directly onto Zhou Jiaming.
She never believed in love or men. Yet, because of one of the An family rules, she had to get married in order to inherit the family's wealth, that's why she had decided to get married.
Zhou Jiaming was chosen due to his gentle and refined demeanor, who persistently pursued her for four years. The Zhou Corporation aligned with the merger condition set by Anno Group. Nevertheless, she still couldn't escape from this vulgar plot.
"Xino, I'm sorry." Zhou Jiaming expressed his guilt.
"And then?" A certain bitter taste welled up in An Xino's cold heart as she continued to look at Zhou Jiaming, feeling rather uncomfortable.
"I truly love Shuya. Therefore, please set us free," Zhou Jiaming pleaded with An Xino.
An Xino glanced over the affection in their eyes, feeling inexplicably suffocated. However, she maintained her composure and said lightly, "Alright, then we shall cancel the engagement. All collaborations between the Anno Group and Zhou Corporation shall cease, and Zhou Corporation will compensate Anno Group for all losses.”
"Compensation?" Zhou Jiaming laughed mockingly, "So, to you, our emotions can be traded with just a string of numbers?"
An Xino frowned. No emotion could be read from her icy countenance. A hint of sorrow in her indifferent eyes was there, but regretfully, Zhou Jiaming couldn't discover it.
"You've done something wrong, and you naturally need to face the consequences. If we suddenly announce the cancellation of our engagement, the stock market will undoubtedly be affected. Moreover, the abrupt termination of Zhou Corporation's collaboration will greatly influence the development of the Anno Group,” An Xino stated coldly.
Zhou Jiaming became even more convinced that An Xinuo was heartless, "Was I wrong? What is wrong with seeking my true love? If the arranged marriage failed, it only means that you failed to capture my heart. Why should I bear the consequences?"
Zhou Jiaming deliberately embraced Miao Shuya who was crying softly next to him. His handsome face showed a cold, tantalizing challenge.
"True love?" An Xinuo snorted, a sardonic crack appeared on her icy face, "I hope when you're at Zhou Group, you can also speak with such assured confidence."
Zhou Jiaming was clearly choked by her words. After a while, he managed to reply, "That's still better than your cold, emotionless heart. If it wasn't for Annuo Group, do you think, I would really want to marry you? Stop kidding. Even if you're a fairy, no one would want to marry an emotionless piece of ice."
Miao Shuya, who had been keeping her head down, couldn't help but tighten her grip on Zhou Jiaming's clothes. Avoiding both their gazes, her eyes were filled with resentment. Annuo Group. Because An Xinuo had Annuo Group, even if she was cold and aloof, those men still crazily pursued her. And herself, even if she was sweeter and more beautiful, she could only act as a mistress hidden from view. She couldn't accept this.
An Xinuo couldn't see the resentment in Miao Shuya's eyes. At this moment, she was just staring intently at Zhou Jiaming, those familiar yet strange eyes. For the first time, she discovered that a shameless person could be so disgusting.
Just as she was about to turn around and leave indifferently, a group of reporters from unknown origins suddenly blocked the three in the narrow corridor. They could neither advance nor retreat.
