078. Cheng Xiang, just what the h.e.l.l are you?It"s almost 10pm by the time they came home from the Gu"s, the night sky tonight is not very beautiful, dark clouds swirling and ma.s.sing about, there isn"t any moonlight and you cannot see any stars as well.
Su Yi Cheng twitches his eyebrows, reaching over to secure the seatbelt for her, only then does An Ran reacts, turning over to look at him with an apologetic smile.
There isn"t much vehicle on the road at this time and the journey home is smooth.An Ran leans back on the seat and looks as if she is in deep thoughts.
An Ran looks at him, pressing her lips, lightly sighing, her small hands caressing his palm, saying," It"s so good having you here!"
When the car stops in the condo"s bas.e.m.e.nt, as Su Yi Cheng was preparing to alight, An Ran asks,"Can you help me to gather Tong Wen Hai"s information details?"
An Ran sighs and relates what happen in the afternoon to him.
"I"m not sure what is going on between my mother and him but I can see that mother is quite afraid of him. In the afternoon, she was shivering as she holds unto my hand tightly." An Ran says.
An Ran nodded,"Exactly, I still remember after we got home that night, mom totally change, not speaking a single word and even retiring to bed early. And father ask me not to query this but was sitting in the living room alone the entire night. I do not know what relationship they have, I"m just worried about her but not knowing the situation, I cannot do anything at all. Even if I want to console her I have no idea how to approach the topic."
An Ran nodded,"Ok."
An Ran nodded and try her best to force a smile, there has just been too many things happening recently, one after the other. She feels overwhelmed.
An Ran nodded and alighted the car.
Undoubtedly, part of the reason is because her mind is still worried about Lin Li, she is still not sure if she should tell her about it. Actually, no matter if she tells her or not it will be hurtful. She has loved Cheng Xiang for 10 years now and is now even pregnant with his child, what"s more the wedding is in a few days time, if she knows what happen at this time, how will she be able to take it? An Ran cannot even begin to imagine the consequences.
The result is the same no matter if she tells her or not, but she just does not want Lin Li to get hurt!
The phone on her desk rings at this time, it"s the company"s line and the caller ID shows it"s Huang De Xin. She picks up the call. He"s calling to ask her to prepare a little then to accompany him for a trip to "Xu Dong* Construction"; next season, "Jin Cheng*" and "Xu Dong" are going to be cooperating on a city scale project.
"Xu Dong Construction" is the leading developer in Jiang City, the president of the Construction a.s.sociation Xiao Ying Tian is the CEO of "Xu Dong Construction". Rumor has it that the one responsible for consolidating "Xu Dong Construction" as the premier construction developer in Jiang City is its leading designer as well as a.s.sistant manager - Eric.
An Ran finish preparing what materials Huang De Xin wanted and proceeded to his office. When she was just about to knock on his door the door opened and Xiao Xiao stood there, face full of fury and her eyes look as if she can pierce through An Ran.
An Ran did not bother with her, she knows Xiao Xiao is not happy because she was the one being called to join the "Xu Dong" negotiations instead of her. Normally the one accompanying Huang De Xin is Xiao Xiao, of course she would be miffed about being replaced.
It is just how society works, if you do not have the background or the influence, people will treat you as a stalk of gra.s.s and not pay any attention to you. She has known this truth for more than 10 years now.
Huang De Xin stood up from behind the desk and looks at her smiling,"An Ran ah, have you prepared everything that"s needed?" As he speaks he takes up his briefcase.
Huang De Xin nodded, picked up the jacket still drapping on the back of the chair,"Good good, then let"s go."
The meeting lasted for more than two hours. By the time it ended it"s almost 5pm, Xiao Ying Tian suddenly suggested having a meal at the new french restaurant near the office.
As the group of people waits for the elevator Xiao Ying Tian stood besides An Ran and asks amicably,"I hear Special a.s.sistant Su was in the hospital earlier, is he feeling better now?"
Xiao Ying Tian nodded,"it"s fine if everything"s ok now."
Looking at the group gathered there, he remarked,"Wow so many people, it"s so lively!"
The man shakes his head politely,"I"m just here to get some information, let"s get a meal next time." Upon saying that he is just about to head towards his office.
An Ran twinkle her eyebrows, her lips quivered a little considering his obviously outdated way of flirting but her face remains impa.s.sive,"I"m afraid you have the wrong person, Mister, I do not know you."
An Ran staggered, completely taken aback that the person standing in front of her is non other than the mysterious and enigmatic Eric, and he is so young!
The man looked at her with a hint of intimacy when suddenly he turns towards Xiao Ying Tian,"I just realise, the information is not very urgent and I just happen to be hungry, I"ll join you then."
Xiao Ying Tian and Huang De Xin are walking in front and talking ernestly. And Eric is walking with An Ran, trailing behind the group.
An Ran looks at him coldly, she has never taken a liking to man with a glib tongue, they are obviously strangers yet he is acting as if they have a close relationship. No matter how one look at it it is so fake. She replied coldly, "No thanks."
An Ran did not turn her head but look straight ahead, reply impa.s.sively,"I"m already married, what motives do I to be wary about from you?" This man being Eric, the one named the genius of the Designing world, the one that she had once studied his designs over and over again, the one that she has once idolise, revered.. But the man in front of her is too far from the one from her ideals, except for being good looking, the man in front of her does not seem to have any manner of character depth or unique traits.
Taking what she said as an excuse to avoid him, he smile widely,"Haha, I always prefer things with a challenge."
Eric looked at her, his smile stretching wider and wider, this woman is more interesting than he thought!
Both hands on his chest, Eric looked at her and says calmly,"Miss Gu are you baiting me? If you are then I must confess you have successfully ignited my curiousity in you."
Eric laughs,"It isn"t being opinionated, it"s confidence." Making a self satisfied expression.
Eric was still about to say more, only to see her walking away with big steps leaving him standing alone with hands gesturing around looking comical. Looking at himself and the situation, Eric can only laugh soundlessly and shakes his head.
Actually having a meal is also another term for drinking, all those who have been in the business world will know how much socialsing needs to be done.
Although An Ran dislikes this she did not say it, maintaining a smile and remain seated.
An Ran was a little bored looking at the delicacies on the table, not having any appet.i.te. The food is too oily and does not induce her appet.i.te, she picked up some green leafy vegetables to eat.
In front of everyone, An Ran is unable to refuse, took up her gla.s.s and took a sip of wine.
An Ran puts down her chopsticks, look at him and reply,"What does what I like to eat or if I like to travel have anything to do with the partnership of our two companies?"
"Has Mr Eric"s inspirations always been from women?" An Ran says coldly, her tone carries a heavy tone of sarcasm.
An Ran took a look at him, turned and smilingly apologies to everyone,"I"m sorry, I"ll be right back." Afterwards she got up and went to the washroom.
Eric took a bit to reply,"A few days ago I visited him at the hospital, what"s up?"
Ye Zi Wen frowns, not comprehending,"What do you mean?"
Ye Zi Wen continues frowning uncomprehending, he kept muttering in his heart, influence, what influence?
The call connected very quickly, it seems Su Yi Cheng"s side was a tad noisy, they are also at a dinner. She heard someone yell out a cheer.
"Not yet, I also have to socialize tonight, it may end late." An Ran replied.
"No need to, I"m not a small child, needing you to fetch me wherever I go." An Ran refused.
An Ran feels warmed by his words, his sweet nothings are always very warm and indirect but always touching.
Su Yi Cheng laughs on the other side of the line,"As the wife says. If it gets too late, give me a call, I"ll go over to fetch you."
When she exits the washroom, she encounters Eric who was leaning against the wall by the corner, she frowns,"Why are you here?"
An Ran looked and replied coldly,"Then I guess I must thank you." after which she proceed to walk past him.
Ye Zi Wen agreed,"It IS old fashion, but also the truth." He has never used such old fashion tactics to go after women before, she"s the first.
"Sigh,I"m speaking the truth, don"t you believe me?!" Ye Zi Wen says unbelievably, is he so untrustworthy? Why doesn"t she believe what he says? "A little more than a month ago, you were having a matchmaking session at this cafe, and__"
"What"s wrong?" Ye Zi Wen looked at her curiously, following her line of sight. He saw a man and a woman, sitting in a corner of the restaurant"s main floor, the woman was conquetishly talking and laughing with the man and the man was smiling and joking with the lady intimately.
An Ran clench her fists tightly, a rush of anger rousing from within her, the two sitting and talking intimately were Cheng Xiang and the woman she met at the hospital!
The call took a while to be answered, Lin Li"s voice sounds as jovial as before,"Hey, An Zi, whatever the matter is say it quickly, the noodles I"m cooking is simmering in the pot."
"He has a dinner appointment with a client tonight, I was hungry but too lazy to go out so I just thought to make do with noodles." Lin Li reply,"Why did you call?"
An Ran keeps the mobile, the edges of her lips curl up in a cold smile and she steps towards the couple.
An Ran ignores him, eyes fixated on Cheng Xiang, went forward and stops in front of them, blocking the ray of light shining on their table.
The woman seated opposite Cheng Xiang asks with a laugh,"Brother* Xiang, is she your friend?"
The surrounding became quiet all of a sudden, Cheng Xiang sits there without moving, the dark red liquid flowed down the contour of his face, dripping on his white linen shirt, spreading out and causing a big dark red stain.
The first to recover from the shock is the woman sitting opposite Cheng Xiang,"Hey, what is the matter with you, how can you just splash wine on someone like that? Do you have any manners?!" As she speaks she took the napkin from the table to wipe off the wine from Cheng Xiang"s face.
Frankly speaking, this woman is only above average looking, but she is nothing compared to Lin Li, truly!
An Ran stared at him, fist clenched, the manicured nails bite into her palms but she can hardly feel any pain now, her other hand holds unto the tall gla.s.s, her strength seemingly about to crush the wine gla.s.s.
An Ran laughs coldly,"Aren"t you going to explain? Aren"t you going to tell me she is just your sister or someone you were close with since childhood?
"You don"t know how to explain, great! ha!" An Ran has never hated someone so deeply like now, even when Mo Fei left her for the sake of some "future" she has never felt hatred like this. "Cheng Xiang, just what the h.e.l.l are you? You are worse than a beast!"
"xiao xiao*!" Cheng Xiang blocks her away.
"You have no idea how much Lin Li loves you, a single message can upset her so much. Do you even know, that day at the prenatal examination, she is the only one waiting for her turn alone. Everyone else around her is accompanied by their love ones! Do you even know, at this time when you are enjoying your dinner with this woman, Lin Li is only able to cook and eat a bowl of noodles by herself at home!"
"How can you do this! After 10 years of relationship, how can you do this to Lin Li, you know she loves you so much, you know she"s pregnant with your child and that the both of you are about to have a wedding! But you are now with another woman!" An Ran is very agitated now and her entire body was trambling with anger.
"Explain to her? Ha!" An Ran laughs coldly,"To say that it is a sudden impulse, to say that you know you acted wrongly and now you are sorry, and wants her to treat as if nothing has ever happen?"
Hearing this, An Ran turn and look at Cheng Xiang,"Is that true?"
An Ran felt a sudden lost of breath, her chest heaves convulsively, looks at him then raises her hand,"PAA___!"
The surrounding quiet intensifies, not even breathing sounds could be heard.
Ye Zi Wen only reacts after a bit, looking at Cheng Xiang then look at the woman called xiao xiao, shakes his head then chases after An Ran.
Ye Zi Wen caught up to her just in time and boarded the cab from the other side of the vehicle, sitting beside An Ran, breaking a smile at her.
Ye Zi Wen looks at her,"Are you sure you want me to alight?"
"If I alight, are you sure you have the money to pay for the cab fare later?" Ye Zi Wen asks laughingly.
"still want me to go?" Ye Zi Wen challenges her.
The address she gave was Lin Li"s, rather than letting Cheng Xiang tells her about his own betrayal, she would rather she tells Lin Li the truth herself. Rather than dragging out the pain, if she tells her herself, at least she will be able to face everything with the last vestige of her pride.
"Hey, wait up!" Ye Zi Wen calls out from behind, taking out a red piece of note from his wallet for the driver and left the car without waiting for the change, chasing after An Ran.
Ye Zi Wen frowns, Mr Su? Who is that person?
Lin Li turns and waves them in,"First come in, what"s up? To come here in such a hurry."
Lin Li looks at her quizzically, completely not understanding what is happening,"You, what is it you want to say, An Ran?"
Lin Li paused, and when she reacted, smiles,"What"s strange about that? Didn"t I say he has a dinner appointment with a client tonight?"
Lin Li looks at her, the smile on her face seemingly frozen. It is not that she has not detected some things, but she just did not want to admit they are there, she is very fragile and not at all strong so she has not been strong enough to face up to the things that she suspected is happening.
Lin Li slowly got her wits about her, looked at An Ran, pressing her lips,"Maybe, maybe they"re just friends." She is still trying to find excuses for him, because she know that once she admits it, their relationship will come to an end. But she has given soo much to this relationship, she really could not bear to let go.
Lin Li remains quiet, turns her head to one side, biting on her lips, stubbornly refusing to allow her tears to flow from her eyes.
Hearing this, Lin Li turns her head with disbelief,"Impossible! That"s impossible! He won"t do that, we"re getting married, we even have a child!"
The door suddenly opens at this time, Cheng Xiang stands at the door, panting, still wearing that wine stain shirt, only now the stain has dried up. His face still clearly shows the red imprint of a palm.
Cheng Xiang calmly looks at Lin Li and heads towards her, standing in front of her, turns to look at An Ran,"Can you please leave first, I wish to have a private chat with Lin Li."
Lin Li interrupts her, looking at Cheng Xiang,"An Ran, go back first."
Her sights leaving Cheng Xiang, back on An Ran, she breaks out a slight smile," Go back first, I"ll be fine."
When the two of them left Lin Li"s place it was already dark and the cold wind started blowing, as if hinting at the cold events that happen earlier.
An Ran glance at him then turns to look at the building behind, sighs then at last nodded.
Ye Zi Wen looks at her, leans back on the seat, speaks out,"I understand what you are feeling now, I also had the same experience years ago. That time I witnessed firsthand someone"s betrayal, what"s more, those three people happened to be my best friends."
Ye Zi Wen pressed his lips,"This feeling sucks."
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*Xu Dong - can also mean Rising East
*Brother Xiang - endearing term for an older male for whom you have a close relationship with, I cannot come up with an english equivalent, it is much like the korean word "oppa"
---End of chapter---
The word for word translation is actually "Cheng Xiang, you really are not a thing" but it feels kind of...meh...
So what An Ran intended was to describe Cheng Xiang as something WORSE than that. Hope that paints a better picture of what"s going on.
What t.i.tle would YOU give to this chapter?