MY - 2

Years unseen, the young man who used to wear his school uniform sloppily was now impeccably dressed in a suit.

He looked at her.

Jiang Xi’s gaze was calm, her face behind the mask showing no emotion.

In just a second, the man indifferently shifted his eyes, without scrutiny, completely uninterested. Cold, unfamiliar.

Jiang Xi’s fingers, hanging by her side, curled slightly.

He hadn’t recognized her.

He hadn’t recognized the person behind the mask, or rather, he had long forgotten her.

Everyone exited the elevator, and Director Li had already greeted them: “Mr. Lu, I thought you had left early. Just now I didn’t get to have a drink with you; how about we go in and have a few more?”

The assistant next to him spoke: “Excuse me, Director Li, Mr. Lu and Director Xu have business to discuss. Let’s arrange it another day when we’re free.”

Director Li and Director Xu Guosheng were currently co-directing a drama. On the surface, they were amicable, but secretly, they didn’t get along particularly well.

But after all, having been in the glitzy world of fame and fortune for a long time, Director Li, though snubbed, didn’t show his displeasure and still smiled broadly: “Alright, Old Xu was just looking for you.”

Jiang Xi had already slipped into the elevator unnoticed. The elevator doors slowly closed, and the chattering outside gradually faded. She raised her hand to press the floor button, her eyes lowered, seemingly indifferent.

As the gap narrowed and the elevator doors were about to close, Jiang Xi finally looked up.

The man’s back was tall and prominent, carrying an unwelcoming coldness, disinclined to converse with those around him.

He merely gave a polite nod and walked past.

The elevator doors closed, descending.

Jiang Xi retracted her gaze, her expression unwavering from beginning to end.

________________________________________

It was past midnight when she returned to the hotel. Lights out, people asleep.

Jiang Xi had slept through the entire day, and now she felt no hint of drowsiness. Usually, drinking would ensure a good night’s sleep, but tonight, she was unusually clear-headed, everything felt off.

She leaned her head back against the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her mind was empty, not thinking of anything.

Ten minutes passed, and she still couldn’t bore herself to sleep. Jiang Xi gave up, got up, and took another shower. Even without sweating, she felt uncomfortable after going out.

When she emerged, she was covered in moisture, a bath towel draped over her.

Jiang Xi walked to the window, leaving a few wet footprints on the floor.

From the high-floor hotel room, streetlights looked like a sea, cars moving like fleeting lights. Just another ordinary day.

Jiang Xi drew the curtains, then turned off the light. The moment the room darkened, a sense of relief washed over her.

She had just had a day off. The physical exhaustion from filming hadn’t subsided, but the shower had washed away some of the fatigue.

She stopped thinking and burrowed into bed to sleep.

________________________________________

At the same local time, on the thirty-seventh floor of a building in the city center, in the CEO’s office.

The assistant knocked and entered, walking to the desk: “Mr. Lu, the person has safely arrived at the hotel.”

The man had just finished a transnational online meeting and loosened his tie.

“Okay, you can leave.”

________________________________________

The next morning, Jiang Xi was woken by her alarm.

Today, she had an interview and photoshoot to prepare for the promotion of her new drama.

Though not particularly ambitious, Jiang Xi was always serious about her work. She didn’t hit snooze, turning off the alarm and getting up to wash.

After washing, she applied skincare and makeup, a process Jiang Xi was exceptionally skilled at, finishing in a few quick motions.

They say there’s little difference between a beauty with and without makeup, and Jiang Xi was just like that. With makeup or without, she was equally striking. Without makeup, she appeared aloof and cold; with makeup, a layer of distance was removed, adding a touch of allure.

In the mirror, her makeup was neither heavy nor light, with a hint of red smudged at the corner of her eyes. Her eyes were devoid of emotion, not a single superfluous feeling, excessively hollow.

Just as she finished her makeup, her ordered meal arrived. Jiang Xi rose to open the door.

She stood up too quickly, bumping into a low table nearby, and a stack of newspapers clattered to the floor.

She looked down at the sound.

Expired financial newspapers, several months old, filled with economic and financial terms.

Changes in the world and shifts in power were always topics of idle gossip, interesting to all circles. Newspaper headlines always captured public interest.

— Lu Group changes hands, Lu family heir returns to become the new head.

Jiang Xi’s gaze was faint.

From their encounter last night until now, she hadn’t thought of this person, deliberately ignoring him, deliberately trying not to remember, cutting her losses in time, pretending nothing had happened.

The “nothing happened” she had constructed with numbness was now easily shattered by three fleeting words.

Lu Nandu, the new head of Huahong Group.

Huahong Group was widely known, a multi-industry giant that had dominated for half a century, firmly at the top. Its family heir had returned from overseas a few months ago, officially taking over the group.

Battles for profit were like a battlefield, with swords and spears, clashing armies, where the winner took all. The official report on paper, a few insignificant sentences, concealed countless treacherous schemes behind them.

All one could know was that the person who finally stood at the top was no simple character.

Jiang Xi wasn’t too surprised.

He really hadn’t changed.

Ruthless, adept at manipulating hearts—a born predator.

Jiang Xi slowly closed her eyes. She, too, had once been one of his prey, struck down by his fatal arrow.

Thinking of what she shouldn’t, her eyelashes trembled slightly.

A knock sounded again at the door, accompanied by a question.

Jiang Xi remembered someone was waiting outside. Her expression instantly returned to normal, and she walked to the doorway to open the door.

“Hello, are you there?”

Jiang Xi opened the door just as the server finished speaking. She apologized: “Sorry, I had something to do and didn’t hear you.”

“No problem,” the server smiled politely, handing her the tray, “Your breakfast, please enjoy.”

Jiang Xi took it: “Thank you.”

________________________________________

She closed the door and returned to the room, the newspapers still scattered on the floor.

Jiang Xi glanced at them, then after a moment, placed her breakfast on a nearby coffee table and walked closer.

She crouched down, no longer looking at the contents of the newspapers, and picked them up, placing them face down on the table.

After doing this, she paid them no more mind, becoming a person with nothing to do again, and went to the table to eat breakfast.

The interview didn’t take long. When Jiang Xi left the media building, it was already noon, still early.

With no further appointments, Jiang Xi returned to the hotel to pack and go home. Since entering this industry, her visits home had drastically decreased, though fortunately, she had no elderly relatives to care for.

Her last time home was three months ago; she hadn’t been back since starting filming.

Her home was cleaned regularly, so it wasn’t dusty, and it was much the same as when she left, except the curtains she had drawn were now open.

The room was filled with bright daylight. Jiang Xi felt a bit resistant to the brightness and wanted to go pull the curtains shut.

Outside the high-rise floor-to-ceiling window, the vast sky was a hazy gray, a heavy rain imminent.

It wasn’t as bright as a sunny day, so Jiang Xi stopped halfway.

Forget it.

She turned and went back to her bedroom.

________________________________________

It was a rare day of leisure. Jiang Xi didn’t go out or look for anything to do, spending the entire afternoon lying in bed.

She had an evening dinner appointment with Ji Yuanzhou. It was nearly evening when Jiang Xi finally got up from bed. She hadn’t touched her phone all afternoon, and when she picked it up, she saw a message from Ji Yuanzhou sent an hour ago.

• Something came up with work, you eat first, I’ll treat you to drinks later.

Ji Yuanzhou worked for a company and had recently been promoted to director, a time when he was swamped with duties, which Jiang Xi understood. She didn’t call Ji Yuanzhou back; Ji Yuanzhou usually called rather than texted, so texting likely meant he was busy.

She wasn’t hungry and didn’t plan to eat first. After playing a game, she got bored, changed clothes, and went downstairs.

Outside, a heavy rain had passed, and the temperature had dropped sharply. In the residential area, withered trees had sparse leaves, the ground was wet, and streetlights cast a dim yellow glow.

There weren’t many pedestrians on the road in the rain. Jiang Xi didn’t take a taxi, walking for forty minutes to Chunxi Street.

Chunxi Street was famous for its food, offering a wide variety of cuisines from East to West, North to South. This street was bustling all year round, with a continuous flow of customers.

Jiang Xi and Ji Yuanzhou often ate hotpot here in college. Tonight, they had agreed to meet here.

________________________________________

As soon as she entered the restaurant, a waiter in a black and white uniform came up to greet her: “Hello, how many people?”

“Two.”

“Okay, this way please.” The waiter led Jiang Xi to a window seat and handed her a menu.

Jiang Xi took it, ordered, and returned the menu to the waiter.

Her phone rang. Jiang Xi glanced at the screen, picked up the phone, and answered.

It was Ji Yuanzhou: “Where are you?”

“I’ve already arrived. Are you done with work?”

“Mhm,” Ji Yuanzhou didn’t say much, “I’m coming up. Which table are you at?”

Jiang Xi lazily turned her head. Ji Yuanzhou was just entering through the main door. She raised her hand to signal: “See me?”

Ji Yuanzhou saw her and hung up the phone.

“Ordered?” Ji Yuanzhou walked to the table, sat down, and took off his trench coat.

Jiang Xi nodded: “Yes.”

They had been friends for ten years, and they both knew each other’s food preferences, so Ji Yuanzhou didn’t ask what Jiang Xi had ordered.

Jiang Xi picked up the teapot nearby, poured a cup of tea for Ji Yuanzhou, and pushed it across to him.

Ji Yuanzhou took it, drinking a sip to warm himself.

Jiang Xi rested her chin on one hand: “Next time you’re busy, you don’t have to say it’s work.”

Ji Yuanzhou laughed: “How did you find out?”

Jiang Xi chuckled too, raising her hand and lightly tapping her own neck: “Sharp eyes.”

Ji Yuanzhou immediately understood, and didn’t mind Jiang Xi seeing, lightly pulling down his collar to cover the hickey: “But it really was work, though.”

Ji Yuanzhou wasn’t going to elaborate, and Jiang Xi didn’t ask further. Even the closest friends should have their own secrets.

The hotpot base was soon served, with various meats and vegetables on the cart. Steam billowed, red peppers floated on the oil, and meat slices rolled as they ate and chatted.

The glass window faced the street, where young men and women walked in twos and threes, likely students from a nearby university.

“It’s been about five years since graduation, hasn’t it?” Jiang Xi suddenly said, looking out the window.

“Roughly,” Ji Yuanzhou followed her gaze to the people on the street, “Youth is good.”

At their teens and twenties, life experience was almost blank, hearts filled with passion, fearless of anything, pure and ardent.

It was the most beautiful age.

Jiang Xi retracted her gaze: “I guess these juniors still often hear your name.”

The reputation of a beautiful woman never faded. Ji Yuanzhou was the recognized campus belle during her university years, with outstanding looks. Many people pursued her for contact information during those years.

Ji Yuanzhou was blanching beef slices. Hearing Jiang Xi, she glanced at her: “And you’re talking about me? You had a pile of little brats writing you love letters in high school.”

There were many pretty people in reality, but Jiang Xi’s appearance was so outstanding it set her apart significantly from ordinary pretty people.

Beauty was always a killer move. Those favored by the Creator would naturally be more favored by humans, so Jiang Xi had received countless expressions of affection since childhood.

But all of this came to an abrupt halt in the summer of her senior year of high school.

That year, Jiang Xi was pursued and won over by Lu Nandu.

Jiang Xi was a good student, known for being difficult to pursue. No one expected the first person to win Jiang Xi over would be a delinquent who got into fights every few days and skipped classes as if they were nothing.

At that time, there were many hot-headed boys who challenged Lu Nandu, vowing to continue pursuing Jiang Xi, but without exception, they were all beaten within an inch of their lives by Lu Nandu.

Until later, no one dared to pursue Jiang Xi anymore. No one wanted to provoke Lu Nandu.

Ji Yuanzhou knew all about Jiang Xi’s past. She didn’t bring it up, only vaguely said: “Next time, be more careful about who you choose. There’s no need to hang yourself on one tree.”

Jiang Xi knew Ji Yuanzhou meant well for her, and smiled: “Got it. Does your offer to treat me to drinks later still stand?”

“Of course.”

________________________________________

Iceland Bar City.

Music blasted, arms waved in the dance floor, fervent and noisy. The air was filled with alcohol, hazy and decadent.

Rotating lights shimmered, streaks of light flowing over the glass liquor cabinet. The dim lighting made it hard to discern faces.

In a semi-enclosed leather booth in the west, men and women gathered in small groups, laughing and chattering, clinking bottles, interspersed with crude jokes from men.

Those at this table were all from prominent families, wealthy and influential.

Someone nearby asked about Lu Nandu. Shen Zexiao had his arm around someone’s shoulder, clinked his bottle with that person’s, and gestured with his chin towards the entrance: “Look, isn’t he here?”

Lu Nandu had just come from Huahong Group. He hadn’t changed out of his suit, and his brows still held the seriousness from work.

Tall, long-legged, and handsome, coupled with the illustrious Lu family background, Lu Nandu attracted many gazes as soon as he appeared.

Most of those present weren’t very familiar with Lu Nandu, rarely associating with him, and were only able to share a table with him thanks to Shen Zexiao. Shen Zexiao was a typical playboy, with many friends, and had been a close friend of Lu Nandu for many years.

The dance floor had switched to a new song, still noisy.

Shen Zexiao had saved a seat for Lu Nandu beside him. He held a glass in each hand, offering one to Lu Nandu, casually saying: “The busy man has finally arrived. You’re late, so you have to down a drink as punishment.”

The people around them cheered.

Lu Nandu took off his suit jacket, shedding his serious work demeanor, and sank into the chair back.

The man’s fingers were distinct, unbuttoning one shirt button, and he kicked Shen Zexiao, laughing and cursing: “Get lost.”

Shen Zexiao finally gave up, clinking his glass with Lu Nandu’s: “Is the company that busy?”

Lu Nandu raised an eyebrow: “Why don’t you try it?”

“Damn, no thanks.”

Lu Nandu chuckled, then lowered his gaze, playing with the wine glass in his hand.

Shen Zexiao lightly nudged his shoulder and asked: “Did you see that girl over there?”

Lu Nandu couldn’t be bothered with him.

Shen Zexiao continued: “That girl came here for you tonight. Don’t you like this type?”

Her temperament was cold and aloof, like a fairy.

The wine was mixed with ice, and a layer of cold water beads condensed on the glass. Lu Nandu’s fingertips tapped the glass wall absently.

He didn’t know what caught his attention, or perhaps he was just playing along, but he looked up at the opposite side.

Shen Zexiao: “Xu Shao’s friend, still in college.” Xu Shao was Shen Zexiao’s current girlfriend.

The girl wore a slip dress. Seeing him look over, she shyly lowered her head.

Lu Nandu’s attitude was unenthusiastic, and his gaze moved on in a second.

Shen Zexiao was incredulous: “Not interested?”

Many people in their circle liked to associate with women. Shen Zexiao hadn’t expected Lu Nandu to become increasingly abstinent and teased: “Are you still capable if you keep this up?”

Lu Nandu laughed: “Whether I am or not is none of your business.”

“Tsk, aren’t I just worrying about your future?”

Lu Nandu: “Got a cigarette?”

Shen Zexiao threw him a pack of cigarettes.

________________________________________

At the bar.

Jiang Xi propped her head with one hand, watching the swaying crowd on the dance floor, sipping her beer.

The nightclub’s sound waves were loud, making her ears uncomfortable and her head dizzy.

Jiang Xi swirled her glass with one hand and asked the bartender for the direction to the restroom. The bartender told her it was in the southwest.

She thanked him and got down from the high stool. On her way, she passed the booth area. The light was dim, and faces were shadowy.

Halfway, someone from a booth got up, perhaps wanting to get a drink from the bar. Jiang Xi didn’t have time to dodge, and they collided head-on.

The woman recoiled, apologizing quickly: “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Xi felt nothing: “It’s fine.”

The commotion wasn’t loud, and no one in the same booth noticed them.

Jiang Xi resumed walking.

From the booth, a soft female voice came: “Mr. Lu, I’ll pour you a drink.”

“No need, I’m not drinking anymore.”

A mature male voice, stripped of its frivolity, deep and pleasant.

Jiang Xi stopped in her tracks.

Borrowing the faint light, everything hidden in the darkness gradually became clear.

The man was relaxed in the sofa, his head slightly lowered, his high nose casting a shadow. A glowing red tip of a cigarette was held between his fingers.

A face she had seen twenty hours ago.

At the same time, Lu Nandu seemed to notice something and looked up.