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Lin Wangshu glanced at the watch on his wrist, wondering why he was asking her.
“It’s three thirty.”
He hummed lowly, then said nothing more.
Occasionally, his gaze would briefly fall upon the thin blanket still draped over his waist.
But it was only for a moment, and then quickly moved away.
The flight attendant came over with drinks, and he handed the thin blanket back to her.
The flight attendant politely asked, “Do you not need it anymore?”
His tone was cold, his attitude changing rather quickly: “Take it away, it’s an eyesore.”
She didn’t know who that remark was directed at.
The flight attendant was a bit awkward but maintained her professional smile, doing her best to meet the VIP client’s needs.
Lin Wangshu wasn’t clear why his mood had changed so suddenly, nor did she particularly want to know.
She focused intently on her book.
________________________________________
The plane landed at Lingdong Airport. After exiting through the VIP channel, people were already waiting outside the airport.
Behind the black Bentley were two more Mercedes-Benz cars.
Several burly men in suits stood by the cars, waiting. Lin Wangshu only recognized Jiang Yuan, who was leaning against the Bentley.
Seeing Jiang Congxian emerge, he straightened up and approached, his tone respectful: “Second Young Master Chen’s birthday. He insisted you come. He called several times already; I didn’t dare to agree on your behalf.”
Jiang Congxian straightened his loosened tie, resuming his usual meticulousness: “Let’s go. His old man is still somewhat useful.”
Second Young Master Chen was a common playboy in their circle, carousing and idle. Jiang Congxian never took such people seriously.
The one truly in charge of his family was his old man.
Jiang Yuan opened the car door, waiting quietly beside it.
Before getting in the car, Jiang Congxian paused for a moment, glancing at Lin Wangshu behind him.
She was holding a book, unsure which car she should get into.
Jiang Congxian clearly had work to do and definitely couldn’t spare time for her.
He withdrew his gaze: “Send her back to school. Her grades are already bad, and she still dares to skip class.”
Lin Wangshu’s delicate brows furrowed: “I asked for leave.”
He raised an eyebrow and said calmly, “And you can’t even be told off.”
Lin Wangshu didn’t want to bother with him anymore. She walked directly to the Audi behind, opened the door, and got in.
The driver didn’t dare to start the car rashly, directing an inquiring look at Jiang Congxian.
The latter nodded, and only then did the driver step on the accelerator, reversing and driving away.
________________________________________
Although she had taken two days off, Lin Wangshu really should be spending more time practicing.
She carried her sheet music to the practice room. Several girls in the hallway were discussing the latest gossip they’d heard.
“I heard Chen Sumin also entered this selection.”
“Ah, then we basically have no chance of winning?”
“There wasn’t much chance to begin with. Lin Wangshu also signed up, so now there’s a good show to watch. Let’s see which of these two talented Western music students is superior.”
Chen Sumin and Lin Wangshu were both Western music majors, and both studied cello.
Because of their exceptionally superior appearances, they were often discussed together.
There were even comparison posts about them on the school forum.
Regarding looks, figure, and personality, every aspect was extremely detailed.
A delicate young lady and a cool beauty, they seemed to each have their own distinct features.
That post had already accumulated over 20,000 replies, yet no clear winner had been determined.
In this selection competition, everyone’s attention seemed to be on them.
They were just waiting to see who would emerge victorious.
The girls who were just gossiping saw Lin Wangshu walk by, exchanged glances, and quickly walked away.
Lin Wangshu paid no heed to their words, though her steps gradually slowed.
Chen Sumin, if she also signed up, her chances of winning would be even smaller.
“Lin Wangshu!” A man’s energetic voice came from behind her, with a hint of cheerfulness.
Xu Jingyang ran over, holding an exquisite box carefully in his hand.
He stopped, panting, only when he reached her side, “I heard your professor say you had a cold. Are you okay?”
The cold was just an excuse she used to ask for leave.
She pursed her lips slightly and nodded: “Much better.”
Xu Jingyang breathed a sigh of relief: “You scared me to death. I saw you weren’t here today and thought your cold had gotten worse.”
He handed her the box he was holding, “I bought this for you.”
Lin Wangshu didn’t take it: “What is it?”
“Cake. I asked Xun Ya, and she said this is your favorite place.”
“Thank you, but I’m on a diet recently.”
She politely declined his good intentions and continued walking forward.
Xu Jingyang followed beside her: “I heard you’re participating in a selection at the end of the month?”
Lin Wangshu nodded.
He talked aimlessly about many irrelevant things: “I happen to not have class that day. The auditorium seems pretty close, just a ten-minute walk.”
As he spoke, he constantly observed Lin Wangshu’s expression.
“Um...” He hesitated, scratching his head, then carefully asked, “Can I come watch?”
Lin Wangshu didn’t understand why he was asking her: “The selection day is open to the public anyway. Of course, you can go if you want.”
Xu Jingyang’s mouth curved into a wide, happy grin, revealing two rows of white teeth: “Then I’ll go cheer you on.”
Lin Wangshu politely thanked him. When she reached the practice room door, she paused: “I’m here.”
Xu Jingyang smiled: “I’ll watch you go in.”
What a strange person.
Lin Wangshu ignored him and opened the door, going inside.
Then she closed the door very softly.
Xu Jingyang stood by the window for a while, watching her put down her sheet music, raise her arms, and loosely tie her long hair into a ponytail.
Revealing her fair and slender swan neck.
Xu Jingyang hadn’t heard the piece she was playing; he wasn’t very familiar with music.
But it sounded beautiful.
The gentle breeze rustled the white curtains, and warm sunlight seeped through the gaps. She seemed to be bathed in a layer of light.
Like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal world.
________________________________________
Chen Xun made over a dozen phone calls. Jiang Yuan was like a robotic bureaucrat, repeating the same line over and over again.
“I’ll give you an answer after the boss lands.”
The woman in his arms had become dull. He stood on the terrace like a waiting-for-her-husband stone, staring at the flow of cars outside the hotel entrance.
It would be too boring if Jiang Congxian didn’t come.
The arrogant Second Young Master Chen, in the eyes of outsiders, was actually Jiang Congxian’s lapdog. To say it out loud would probably make people laugh their heads off.
Inside the Bentley, Jiang Congxian’s long legs were crossed as he looked at this quarter’s financial report on his laptop.
Jiang Yuan, driving in front, said, “Second Young Master Chen called just now. From what he said, Old Master Chen seems to be interested in you becoming the Chen family’s son-in-law.”
Jiang Congxian closed his laptop, casually placing it aside, and asked with little interest, “The Chen family’s son-in-law?”
Jiang Yuan nodded: “You’ve met her, Chen Sumin, who greeted you at the Jiangbei charity auction previously. You even complimented her eyes.”
After several days of travel, a hint of fatigue appeared in Jiang Congxian’s calm eyes.
He raised a hand and massaged his brow bone: “I don’t remember.”
Even if he had said such a thing, it wasn’t surprising.
In business, one always had to say pretty flattering words, praising men for their successful careers and women for their beauty.
It was always the same routine.
To win people over.
He had ambition, and the ability to speak to people as people and to ghosts as ghosts was innate to him.
That little bit of self-important arrogance was worthless to him.
The car moved at a steady speed, stopping below the hotel.
Chen Xun saw it through the window and quickly had his subordinates go down to welcome them.
As Jiang Congxian stepped out of the car, he saw several men in suits standing in a row, bowing their heads to him.
The scene was quite comical.
He glanced at Jiang Yuan, who shook his head, indicating he didn’t know what was going on either.
Chen Xun’s hearty laugh came from inside: “Brother Xian, what do you think of this setup? Is it cool?”
A fleeting hint of contempt flashed in the man’s eyes, but it was only for a moment.
A faint smile still lingered on his face, and he nodded gently: “Not bad.”
His words were clearly well-received by Chen Xun.
Last month, he had a conflict with someone while drinking at a nightclub. That person had some influence and brought several people, all carrying weapons.
If Jiang Congxian’s people hadn’t happened to pass by, he would probably still be lying in the hospital now.
From then on, the arrogant Second Young Master Chen had an object of admiration.
________________________________________
Leading the way to the banquet hall, he prattled on about his recent heroic deeds.
It was nothing more than out-drinking everyone else at a nightclub while remaining steady, or winning over a woman from a good friend.
He epitomized the idle playboy.
Jiang Congxian chuckled in response: “It seems Second Young Master Chen is quite the man of the moment recently.”
Chen Xun was a bit disoriented by his praise.
The elevator doors opened, and the group stepped out.
Chen Xun still wanted to talk more with Jiang Congxian, but the latter was clearly different from his playboy self.
High-society banquets, whether for red or white wine, could always be linked to profit.
Jiang Congxian’s presence here wasn’t just to celebrate his birthday; he had important business to conduct.
Chen Xun understood this too.
Noticing the disappointment in his eyes, Jiang Congxian smiled and gently reassured him: “I’ll be over soon.”
Hearing this, Chen Xun’s eyes lit up: “It’s a promise then.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Congxian went to see Old Master Chen, who, despite being nearly sixty, was still full of vigor, able to manage two companions at once.
He must have considered today’s occasion, bringing only a gentle-looking female companion.
Judging by the fine lines around her eyes, she was likely in her forties.
He politely greeted them.
Old Master Chen, seeing his slight fatigue, asked with concern: “Jiang Yuan told me you came straight here after your flight landed. You haven’t rested yet, have you?”
Jiang Congxian: “I rested on the plane.”
Old Master Chen’s laughter was hearty as he looked at the woman beside him: “This is the Young Jiang I told you about before. How is he? Isn’t he a talented individual?”
The woman smiled and nodded: “Indeed, he’s quite a match for our Sumin.”
Refined and gentle, articulate, and rumored to be a business prodigy who had achieved his current position at a young age purely through his own efforts – indeed, a rare high-quality prospect.
The lights in the banquet hall dimmed a few degrees, while the lights at the front brightened.
Spreading over that area, everyone’s gaze shifted towards it.
A woman in a custom-made gown was elegantly playing the cello, the sound rich and full.
The melody was familiar.
Lin Wangshu had once played it for him.
It was the day she first came to the Jiang family, and he asked her to play it.
The young girl had no smile on her face, as if her father had just died.
... Though, indeed, her father had passed away not long before that.
She played it for him unwillingly, even deliberately hitting a few wrong notes, as if she were resisting him in her own way.
He watched the woman playing the cello in front of him indifferently. She didn’t play as well as Lin Wangshu, nor was she as pretty, and those eyes he had once complimented couldn’t compare to Lin Wangshu’s.
The difference between a fish eye and a pearl.
When the piece ended, there was a round of applause throughout the hall.
He also clapped a few times perfunctorily. Chen Sumin put down her bow, her gaze sweeping through the crowd, finally resting on Jiang Congxian.
Seeing him applaud, her face blushed, and she put down her cello and stood up.
Old Master Chen had a daughter late in life and doted on her immensely.
Even though she hadn’t graduated from university yet, he was already concerned about her marriage.
Marriages in the upper class were mostly linked to interests, with little emotion involved.
Since it was going to be an arranged marriage, it might as well be with someone excellent.
Jiang Congxian was undoubtedly the best candidate, not only the most capable among the younger generation but also humble and with a gentle temperament.
Most importantly, his own daughter liked him.
Chen Sumin approached with a flushed face: “Dad, what are you talking about?”
Old Master Chen smiled and chided her: “So disrespectful, seeing your brother and not even greeting him.”
She didn’t dare to look at Jiang Congxian much; when their gazes occasionally met, she would quickly avert hers, as if burned.
Since their farewell in Jiangbei, she dreamt of Jiang Congxian’s ascetic and handsome face every night.
His deep, magnetic voice complimenting her beautiful eyes.
It was clearly the most ordinary tone, yet lingering in her ears, it became sweet words.
So lingering it softened her heart, as if she were steeped in a honey pot, sweet from head to toe.
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