OSTF - 27

Jiang Ruixue stormed off in a huff after turning her head.

“You’re really overdoing it,” Chi Suisui remarked, raising an eyebrow only after Jiang Ruixue had left. “I feel like her reaction is a bit delayed.”

Such an obvious comment still took her a few seconds to process.

He Xingwang noticed her seriously contemplating Jiang Ruixue’s reaction speed and replied, “Maybe she was just too shocked.”

“That’s true.”

Chi Suisui glanced at the closed door. “Actually, she’s quite amusing. Compared to others, she’s relatively innocent and cute, and she even knows to close the door.”

“...”

He Xingwang didn’t say anything, mainly because he didn’t know how to respond.

He knew that there were a group of young ladies in Nancheng with fiery tempers, and among them, the most fiery was Chi Suisui. However, if others didn’t provoke her, she wouldn’t bother with them either.

Chi Suisui’s impression of Jiang Ruixue wasn’t actually bad.

During middle and high school, Jiang Ruixue was even more arrogant than she is now. Her family spoiled her as their only daughter. On the surface, she had a group of friends, but in reality, she was being manipulated by her so-called sisters.

Day in and day out, they egged Jiang Ruixue on to mock this person or insult that one.

Once, when it came to Chi Suisui, she directly dismantled Jiang Ruixue’s entire friend group. Jiang Ruixue might be slow to react, but her memory was good.

Even in her twenties, she still remembered that incident.

The head chef was like an invisible man here.

It wasn’t until the young lady finally turned around and noticed him that she began discussing the menu and precautions with him.

“...This also won’t do, can’t add it.”

“Alright.”

“Don’t want this meat.”

“Are you sure you don’t want this meat?”

“No.”

“We can guarantee there will be no issues.”

Chi Suisui thought carefully: “No.”

Better safe than sorry.

Every bit of his training was for the future, for the country. She couldn’t let a little indulgence in food turn all of that into nothing.

He Xingwang originally thought he would be the one to speak up, after all, no one knew his dietary concerns better than him.

Unexpectedly, Chi Suisui started listing things off in a long string.

He raised his eyes, his gaze pausing briefly on her.

Chi Suisui was holding a private menu, lounging on the sofa and speaking lazily, every gesture exuding elegance.

After she finished talking, the two of them went together to the private seating area.

The private seats in this restaurant weren’t just for those with money; generally, reservations had to be made half a month in advance. Jiang Ruixue had booked hers a month ago.

Today’s fish dish was more beautifully presented than the one Chi Suisui made.

After all, the head chef was quite skilled in handling ingredients. Even without some seasonings, he could still make the dish look, smell, and taste great.

Chi Suisui initially only planned to eat some desserts, but she couldn’t resist taking a few bites. The taste made her squint her eyes in delight.

She suspected that after going home today, she’d have to spend the whole next day working out, stepping on the elliptical machine.

“How is it?” Chi Suisui asked.

“The taste is good,” He Xingwang nodded.

But he felt it wasn’t as good as that one time before. Maybe it was because of the initial impression—although it looked ugly, the taste wasn’t bad.

“The main thing is that you came back too suddenly,” Chi Suisui leaned back in her chair. “I originally thought you wouldn’t be back until next month.”

He Xingwang said, “Strictly speaking, that’s correct.”

It was just that he had suddenly decided.

The shooting center gave him a high degree of freedom, but he often chose not to leave. When he had time, he would hold his gun.

This entire weekend was free time for him.

When they returned, it was already eleven o’clock.

Chi Suisui touched her stomach, estimating tomorrow’s workout amount.

Although she rarely attended parties these days, as a socialite, she couldn’t afford any problems with her figure management.

As she looked up, she saw He Xingwang also looking at her.

Chi Suisui moved her hand away: “I’m just feeling it.”

He Xingwang hummed in acknowledgment.

Chi Suisui reached out to open the car window. As the wind blew in, she heard the man beside her say, “Like feeling me?”

“...”

Unlucky enough, tonight’s inexplicable touch was brought up again.

Chi Suisui almost forgot about it. Not only did He Xingwang remember, but he also managed to accurately bring it up in conversation.

The driver in front twitched his eyelids.

Chi Suisui narrowed her eyes: “The heart that loves beauty.”

She casually made up an excuse for herself and hinted that He Xingwang should stop remembering this matter, or else she wouldn’t invite him to dinner in the future.

He Xingwang fell silent as she wished.

Chi Suisui gazed at the night scenery outside the window, and for some reason, she suddenly recalled Jiang Ruixue’s expression at the restaurant.

Surprised, incredulous.

There was a moment when He Xingwang said “quite beautiful,” and Chi Suisui felt he was quite suitable.

As the arranged marriage partner, he was very qualified.

Even in an arranged marriage, she, Chi Suisui, would be hundreds or thousands of times better than others, not to mention that her arranged marriage partner was He Xingwang.

Daytime thoughts lead to nighttime dreams.

That night, Chi Suisui dreamed of her own wedding. Everything was blurry except He Xingwang’s face, which was clear.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a romantic dream.

The next morning, as soon as Chi Suisui got up, the image of He Xingwang opening the door last night popped into her mind again—it was too striking.

Doctor Song’s call interrupted her train of thought.

The content was nothing special, just an invitation to a party. Perhaps having heard about last night’s events, they also asked if He Xingwang could come.

“Do you think he’ll come?”

Chi Suisui sat on the bed, pulling her hair up, messy yet stunningly beautiful.

“That’s why I’m asking you,” Doctor Song pushed the question back to her. “Didn’t you two just show Jiang Ruixue a display of affection last night?”

“Did Jiang Ruixue say that?”

“One of her little sisters revealed it.”

“Why hasn’t she learned her lesson yet?” Chi Suisui pondered, puzzled. “The fake sisters she has torn apart could circle Nancheng once!”

Doctor Song didn’t care: “That’s something she needs to answer herself. It’s fine if He Xingwang doesn’t come; I just casually asked. You two haven’t appeared together for a long time.”

“...”

“Will the next time we see you together be at the wedding scene?”

Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow: “Possibly.”

“...”

With her admitting so frankly, Doctor Song didn’t know how to continue the conversation. After teasing a bit, she told Chi Suisui the location and time, then hung up.

Although Chi Suisui thought He Xingwang wouldn’t go, after finishing washing up and going downstairs, she decided to ask anyway. Upon reaching downstairs, she saw He Xingwang writing something.

A sheet of grid paper, a pen.

He wrote very seriously and meticulously.

Chi Suisui watched for a while, supporting her face, and noticed that each character neatly stayed within the grid lines, though written quickly, it still looked good.

“What are you writing?” she asked.

“Training patience,” He Xingwang had just finished a full page and put down the pen. “Breakfast is warming in the kitchen.”

Chi Suisui didn’t comment.

During breakfast, she casually mentioned the party, though it was essentially a gathering of socialites and second-generation wealthy individuals.

Such events happened several times a month, not unusual.

“You can go.”

However, after Chi Suisui finished speaking, He Xingwang agreed.

“Aren’t you returning to the shooting center today?” Chi Suisui was a bit surprised. “Don’t you need training?”

“I’ll head back on Monday,” He Xingwang said, finally speaking.

Chi Suisui nodded. “Actually, there’s no need for you to go.”

He Xingwang said in a slow and deliberate manner, “I think it’s necessary to understand your life. That way, there won’t be any misunderstandings after we get married.”

“...”

Chi Suisui’s lips curved slightly. “You make a good point.”

By the time the two of them arrived, almost everyone was already there.

The moment Chi Suisui entered, nearly every eye turned her way. Someone quickly nudged their friend and whispered, “People told me Chi Suisui was coming, but I didn’t believe it.”

“That man next to her looks so familiar.”

Many of the socialites who didn’t follow the sports world couldn’t quite place He Xingwang, though his profile and back view seemed vaguely familiar.

“Ruixue, who is that?”

Jiang Ruixue, who had been sitting inside, scoffed coldly. “Don’t know him. Never seen him before.”

She still remembered the grudge from the fish incident last night.

She had only found out when she got home that the hotel, along with the restaurant, had been acquired by the Qi Corporation. No wonder Chi Suisui had been so arrogant then.

Someone nearby couldn’t help but giggle. “That’s He Xingwang.”

Several girls who had just entered this social circle widened their eyes.

Of course, they had heard of He Xingwang and had even watched his competitions, but they never imagined he would show up at this small party with Chi Suisui.

The Nancheng social scene had its own layers, big and small, and Chi Suisui and He Xingwang were two of the most central figures.

Many had wanted to get close to the He family but had no opportunity. Firstly, He Xingwang was rarely home, and secondly, it was rumored that he would marry Chi Suisui in the future.

“Looks like they’re really getting married.”

“It’s both God He and the He family’s young master...”

This double halo effect made all the young ladies sigh with envy and admiration. Chi Suisui’s luck was truly off the charts.

Which other second-generation rich kid in Nancheng had this kind of pull? Just being the He family’s heir was enough to look up to, and then there was also a national idol.

Seeing both of them at once, those with any sense quickly went over to greet them.

Chi Suisui had been planning to let He Xingwang experience the party life of the wealthy elite, but they were immediately surrounded.

Her mother came from a renowned musical family, a prestigious background, and her father was the chairman of the Qi Corporation. As for her, she was the beloved and pampered daughter.

The girls showered her with compliments that cost nothing, like beans spilling from a bag.

He Xingwang rarely attended public banquets, let alone parties with so many women. The colors of their dresses alone were dazzling, not to mention the mixed fragrances of their perfumes.

It was probably something men found hard to understand.

Chi Suisui had a separate display case just for her perfumes in her walk-in closet, but he had never found them unpleasant. He Xingwang suddenly began to doubt his own sense of smell.

Several of the young ladies were extremely well-mannered. They never repeated themselves, praising Chi Suisui and then immediately praising him in sweet voices.

At least, that’s what He Xingwang assumed.

As for those who gave him flirtatious glances when Chi Suisui turned her head, he simply ignored them.

He turned his head to look at Chi Suisui, who was smiling and chatting, not speaking often but clearly in control of the entire atmosphere.

Like a natural-born queen.

The two of them only stayed at the party for about ten minutes.

On the way back, Chi Suisui asked, “Does your head feel like it’s about to explode?”

She thought He Xingwang might just turn to them with a cold face and say, “Excuse me, but I’d rather be at the shooting range.”

He Xingwang pondered for a few seconds. “It’s alright.”

It was just really too fragrant.

He frowned, trying to recall the scene, but ultimately couldn’t remember anything specific. Instead, the scent on Chi Suisui was particularly clear in his mind.

Cool and elegant, yet with a subtle refinement.

It smelled very nice.

His frowning expression was amusing. Before Chi Suisui could say anything else, the ringtone of her phone in her bag went off. It was a call from Su Mian.

“Director Chi, the chief editor suddenly said we have to work overtime today.”

Almost everyone could guess the reason for the overtime.

It was because of Lin Jingmu and Zhang Yueran’s affair.

Zhang Yueran had also been called back. Once everyone was there, they went straight to the meeting room. After all, it was Saturday, so people arrived late.

What was originally just a department interview had now become known all over the internet, and even the television station’s leaders were aware of it.

When there was no clarification initially last night, many people commented under Nancheng Television’s official Weibo account. The person in charge of the Weibo didn’t dare to rashly post or reply and could only call the leaders.

Adding to the later developments, from midnight until now, most of the comments mentioned Zhang Yueran’s name.

Although there wasn’t much overt mockery.

But after finally suppressing Qingcheng Television last time, now that their own station had a problem, other television stations were amused to watch the drama unfold.

So, this matter had to be resolved properly.

Chi Suisui arrived neither too early nor too late, and she hadn’t had time to change her clothes.

“Suisui, you look so... beautiful today.”

“That outfit really suits you.”

Chi Suisui smiled and returned to her seat.

She had worn this to a casual party; of course, it looked good. If it didn’t, the Nancheng socialite circle would spread rumors tomorrow that she was already washed up.

The socialite circle looked harmonious on the surface, but most of it was just a facade.

Otherwise, Jiang Ruixue wouldn’t have torn through wave after wave of girlfriends from junior high until now. She had become a detector of fake friendships.

Su Mian blinked her eyes. “Director Chi, you look really good.”

She was tall, but her face was small, with a pair of beautiful, clear eyes and delicate, picturesque features, subtly carrying a hint of assertiveness. Every movement exuded radiance.

Chi Suisui pinched her cheek. Perhaps Su Mian had been eating too much recently; it felt surprisingly good. “Where’s Zhang Yueran?”

The central figure in the news couldn’t possibly be absent today.

“She’s in the chief editor’s office. There should be some punishment.” Su Mian whispered, “I heard the TV station was busy with public relations last night and worked overtime.”

They must have been furious.

When this matter first came out yesterday, it was after work hours, and then the developments continued late into the night. They couldn’t possibly call people back in the middle of the night.

So, they could only call them early on Saturday morning.

Zhang Yueran had arrived earlier than them and had been called alone into the chief editor’s office.

The chief editor was furious. He had been scolded on the phone by the station director last night, and then the directors of other departments had offered superficial condolences while secretly mocking him.

“Chief Editor, Lin Jingmu and I really don’t have anything going on.”

Zhang Yueran hadn’t slept all night, and the dark circles under her eyes were barely concealed by foundation. “Lin Jingmu said he wanted to treat me to a meal, and he also had something to discuss with me about our department’s reporters. As soon as I heard that, I went.”

She lowered her head slightly and bit her lip. “Lin Jingmu used to be very nice to the reporters. I didn’t suspect anything.”

“The video is right there! Would a simple meal turn into this?” The chief editor glared, but still asked, “What did he want to talk to you about?”

“About Chi Suisui.”

Outside the office, several people sat at their desks.

Although the news wasn’t about them, being called in for a meeting like this made everyone uneasy.

Su Mian touched her chest. “My heart is beating so fast.”

Chi Suisui said, “It’s not your news. What are you afraid of?”

“Maybe it’s because I always feel like Zhang Yueran will talk nonsense.” Su Mian’s intuition was usually accurate. “This interview was originally yours. Maybe she’ll even try to frame you.”

“Would I be afraid?”

Chi Suisui’s lips curved into a smile, utterly calm.

Su Mian had heard a series of stories from Doctor Song before, and now she felt that the title “Director Chi” was truly fitting.

Zhang Yueran was probably going to drown herself this time.

Chi Suisui just smiled faintly. “That’s not necessarily true. If she wants to drag me down, she has to see if I’m willing.”

She spoke very lightly.

Su Mian had previously heard a series of stories from Doctor Song, and now, sensing the situation, she felt that the title “Director Chi” was truly well-deserved.

Zhang Yueran was probably going to dig her own grave this time.