"Ring, ring, ring…" The monotonous ringtone of a cellphone emanated from Lu Xiaoxi’s bag. Without needing to look, she knew it was a call from her mother, Dai Qiaolan, "Mom, I'm close to the club, about a ten-minute walk."
"Xiaoxi, there’s no rush. Mom just found out about a young man who seems decent. You should meet him, alright?”
Upon hearing the words 'young man,’ Lu Xiaoxi felt tense. She admired her mother’s efficiency of one man a day, but to what use? No matter how many men she met, she had no desire to marry.
"Mom, can you slow down a bit? I have Fang Tianqi now...”
"Don't mention Fang Tianqi to me. I don't like him. Listen to me, you should marry someone of equal social status. What can a small-time designer like him provide for you?” Every time Dai Qiaolan heard about Fang Tianqi from Lu Xiaoxi, she'd wear a displeased look, doing everything in her power to arrange blind dates, hoping Lu Xiaoxi would eventually marry and settle down.
To Lu Xiaoxi, it felt as though she has become a burden to her mother, making her push back against marriage even more.
Yet for Lu Xiaoxi, her Platonic love affair with Fang Tianqi was not so bad either; at least she was not frightened by the thought of 'marriage’.
When she arrived at the café mentioned by Dai Qiaolan, Lu Xiaoxi didn't rush to enter, but carefully observed the man from outside first.
With sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, high-bridged nose, and thin lips, this was Lu Xiaoxi’s first impression of the man. He had a good appearance, black curly hair draped over his forehead, looking charming. He sat lazily in his chair, appearing relaxed and comfortable, wearing a fitting white shirt, its collar slightly open, looking sexy yet not too flashy, and his noble temperament naturally flowed from him, without any forced mannerism.
Such a man needs a blind date? It seems like all women around the world must have gone blind.
The bellboy opened the door for Lu Xiaoxi, she adjusted her expression to what she thought was a decent smile in the reflection of the floor-to-ceiling glass, and then walked towards him, after that she noticed a big problem, the man’s gaze was fixed onto the pianist!
Lu Xiaoxi waited for a full three minutes, only when the pianist left the stage, did the man finally turn to her.
"Lu Xiaoxi?" His voice, deep and slightly hoarse, sprung forth from his lips, as if pleased to meet her.
"Hello, my name's Lu Xiaoxi, I'm 30, and am diagnosed with a terminal illness with no known cure," Lu Xiaoxi introduced herself in a formal and concise manner, then licked her dry lips and asked, "And you?"
The man adjusted his posture, the corner of his lips curled slightly, and pushed the glass of water in front of him toward Lu Xiaoxi. "Ling Chujue, 32, healthy, with no hidden illnesses".
"No hidden issues?" Lu Xiaoqi thought about the way he stared at the pianist, and let out a cryptic laugh, "Really?"
"Of course," Ling Chuqiao leaned back self-assuredly, his deep eyes gleaming and filled with life. He began to scrutinize Lu Xiaoqi seriously, his stunning brows dimpling with captivating brilliance. Under his petite nose were lips as soft as cotton. His skin was smooth as jade, so delicate that it was hard to spot a single pore. After over a decade of not seeing each other, her face has become even more exquisite.
"Had enough look?" Lu Xiaoqi blushed from being stared at, and decided to take a large gulp from her glass of water, only to choke and accidentally spray it all over Ling Chuqiao.
In a blink of an eye, his white shirt clung to his muscular chest, hinting at his sculpted body.
Lu Xiaoqi froze, wondering what to do next. Should she apologize? Or should she grab some napkins to help him dry off?
Just as she was torn in indecision, Ling Chuqiao abruptly stood up and went to the restroom.
This was her chance to getaway! Lingering any longer would mean she might miss the ball her grandpa was hosting.
Lu Xiaoqi grabbed her bag from the chair and dashed out of the café like the wind. Her departure was spotted by Ling Chuqiao, who had just returned from the restroom.
Escaped, huh? See you later, little Xiaoqi!
"Hi, Joe, why aren't you going after her?" A slender, fair hand slung around Ling Chuqiao's shoulder. The handsome Wen Yichen leaned close, almost clinging to him.
"Get your dirty hands off me," Ling Chuqiao turned abruptly, nearly knocking Wen Yichen off his feet.
In a city club offering a tranquil escape amid the hustle, soft melody filled the air. Filled with notables from the business world, city dignitaries— people currently toasting without a care, unlike their usual cautious comportment and dressing. This was a private party thrown by Grandpa Lu in celebration of his retirement.
Seizing an unobserved moment, Lu Xiaoqi snuck upstairs to the dressing room on the left as per Dai Qiolan's instructions where her gown was kept in the wardrobe.
She thought she heard some unusual noises from behind the door, suspecting a thief perhaps, she pushed the door heavily, only to find a man and a woman passionately entangled. Their faces flushed in exhilaration as they hungrily breathed in this unprecedented fervor.
Lu Xiaoqi was all too familiar with this scene. As the saying goes, you don’t have to eat a whole pig to know it runs. In order to overcome her fear of physical intimacy with men, she had bought no less than ten books about it. However, it seemed as though her efforts had been in vain as they had only left her with an eye for the unsightly.
However, upon laying eyes on the situation unfolding in front of her, she could no longer remain indifferent as if nothing had happened. This was because the man involved was her boyfriend, Fang Tianqi, and the woman, was Lu Xiao'e, who always seemed to try and snatch everything away from her first.
Lu Xiaoxi’s dark, pure pupils suddenly widened. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe, her heart aching as if it was pierced cruelly by a knife.
The cold air that flooded in from the outside made the two people look towards the entrance in panic.
"Xiaoxi?" Whether the expression on Fang Tianqi's face was shock or confusion, Lu Xiaoxi could no longer distinguish. Her mind seemed to have been struck by thunder, frying her inside and out.
"Xiaoxi, listen to me," Fang Tianqi walked towards Lu Xiaoxi whilst hastily wrapping himself in a blanket. As he tried to reach out to grab her wrist, Lu Xiaoxi regained her senses and slapped him across the face.
With a crisp ‘smack’, the sound echoed through the entire fitting room.
"Sis, you can’t..."
"Shut up. We’ll settle this account later," Lu Xiaoxi gave Lu Xiao'e a stern look. She really couldn’t believe that she even tried to steal her boyfriend, the one person she truly cared for.
Fang Tianqi covered his burning cheek, desperately trying to explain himself, "Xiaoxi, it's not what you think. What happened between her and me was nothing serious, you cannot get too emotional over it. The person I truly love is you, Xiaoxi, please say something."
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Lu Xiaoxi’s mouth, she stared at Fang Tianqi for a moment, making him quiver before finally speaking, "Tianqi, you are really hilarious. Slept with Lu Xiao'e, yet still claiming to love me? Do you think of me as an idiot, or do you think that Lu Xiao’e is the fool?"
"Xiaoxi, don’t..."
"How should I phrase it? Should I ask pitifully why you betrayed me?" Lu Xiaoxi chuckled lightly, then scoffed, "After living for thirty years, I've finally understood the meaning of 'nobody can compete with a man’s cheapness'. It’s enough for me to deal with you later!" She slowly turned around, shooting an angrily flustered Lu Xiao'e a glance, and said, "You’ve helped me see him for what he truly is. Before we sisters cut ties, I advise you, if he can betray me, he will definitely betray you."
After hearing Lu Xiaoxi's speech, Lu Xiao'e clenched her teeth in anger. Why should she have to live in Lu Xiaoxi's shadow? Today, she wanted everyone to know, that besides Lu Xiaoxi, the Lu family had another daughter, named Lu Xiao'e.
"You don't need to interfere in my business, you can't manage it," Lu Xiao'e hides her hatred and exhibited a rare dominating charisma, "Lu Xiaoxi, neither Tianqi nor I owe you anything about this situation today. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for being sick. Tianqi is in the prime of his youth, he can't be suffocated alive because of your illness."
"Tsk tsk," Lu Xiaoxi gave a knowing and regretful look after hearing these words, "Xiao'e, do you know what it means to 'play the harlot and put on a saint's airs'?"
"You..."
"Also," Lu Xiaoxi interrupted Lu Xiaohui before she could burst into anger, "Have you ever heard of the saying, 'A cheap person is always pretentious?'"
Lu Xiaohui's face turned red instantly, her eyes filled with despair as she looked at Fang Tianqi. When had she ever endured such humiliation? Despite not being on par academically, why was Lu Xiaoxi always better than her in everything else? Even at home, where everyone treated her as the favorite, many attentions were given to Lu Xiaoxi.
Rely on men? Lu Xiaoxi found her cousin to be quite ridiculous. Lu Xiaohui, having lost both parents at a young age, was treated by Dai Qiaolan like her own daughter. Whether it was clothing, jewellery or even underwear, she would always let her choose first. Was she trying to snatch her boyfriend because she wanted to take everything that belonged to her first?
What ignorance!
"Xiaoxi, don't leave, listen to me, listen to me," Fang Tianqi blocked Lu Xiaoxi's way while covering his burning cheeks. However, seeing the chill in Lu Xiaoxi's eyes, he retreated involuntarily, failing to continue his words.
"Is there something else you want to say, brother-in-law?"
Lu Xiaoxi's mood lightened at the sight of Fang Tianqi's pale face. Serves him right for his infidelity and he'll never obtain her forgiveness in this lifetime. How filthy!
"Xiaoxi, the one I love is you. I was just playing along with her. I..."
"Fang Tianqi, you ungrateful man. If you say one more thing like that, I will ruin you utterly." Lu Xiaohui's roar brought fear in Fang Tianqi as he retreated slowly to her side, whispering comforting words.
Regarding her cousin, Lu Xiaohui knew her far too well. Lu Xiaohui would get whatever she wanted desperately, even if it means both sides getting hurt. For Lu Xiaoxi, refusing to fight was not because of fear, but because she felt it was too embarrassing.
Casting a scornful glance at Lu Xiaohui, Lu Xiaoxi turned around to leave, only to bump into a dazzling wall of white flesh.
"Xixi, darling, what are you doing here?"
Xixi? Was he calling her?
Lu Xiaoxi lifted her head abruptly to find a face with clear, strong features, and incredibly attractive, especially those abyss-like eyes, they seemed to possess a magnetic pull that drew her in. Why was he at the club?
Lu Xiaoxi was already fed up with her mother, Dai Qiaolan. Who was she introducing? Chasing her all the way here for a shirt?
Ling Chuqiao reached out and draped his arm over Lu Xiaoxi's shoulder. He leaned down, brushing his cheek against hers, and let out an ambiguous smile. "You can accept my proposal now, right?"
