Chapter 64 - There Were Millions of People I Could Have Met, But as It Turned Out, You Were Here (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“In my eyes, you’re the best. If a man can’t notice you, he’s blind.” Jian Yi’s eyes lit up with sincerity and tender sentiment. He smiled suddenly and said, “It’s contradictory, isn’t it? I feel like men who don’t see your beauty have terrible eyesight, but if any man looks at you, I’ll be extremely jealous.”

Song Yu laughed. The corner of her lips opened gently, like a lily that suddenly flushed pink. The whole world seemed to turn bright and beautiful.

Jian Yi saw everything and felt his heart pound. He could not control himself from lowering his head and giving her a kiss on the corner of her lips.

Upstairs, Guan Xiaolin opened the window and was able to see their actions clearly. She took her phone out and adjusted its lens, then she took a few successive shots.

Her expression turned more and more frigid as she looked at the two embracing.

Jian Yi aside, it never crossed Guan Xiaolin’s mind that even Qi Chengzhi would have his heart set on Song Yu.

When Qi Chengzhi told Guan Xiaolin his wishes that day, she was extremely shocked.

Before she went off, she had already walked to the door, but Qi Chengzhi called out to her and warned, “Stay away from Song Yu. Don’t you dare use your despicable methods on her again.”

Recalling that warning, Guan Xiaolin trembled intensely in anger.

Song Yu and Jian Yi said their goodbyes and returned home. Guan Xiaolin was nowhere to be seen, and no one knew the exact time that she left.

…

…

The next day, Song Yu and Manager Wang brought Xiao Chen with them over to Qilin to sign the contract.

Previously, it was only Cheng Dongge and the lawyer who were present, but on that day, Qi Chengzhi was there too.

Manager Wang was somewhat taken aback by that. He was but the manager of a small department, so it came as a shock that a simple contract signing could elicit the attendance of Qilin’s director.

Almost involuntarily, he recalled the rumors surrounding Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu.

They seemed to have a different kind of relationship. It was certain that Qi Chengzhi viewed Song Yu in a special light because there was absolutely no need for him to take the trouble to attend the simple signing of a contract.

He could not help but attach even more value to Song Yu. He improved his relationship with her subtly and even showed a great deal of consideration toward her.

On that occasion, the signing went smoothly and problem-free.

Once it was done, Manager Wang flattered them with some compliments. Then, along with Song Yu, the two of them bid the others goodbye.

While Qi Chengzhi sat in the meeting room, he could still hear Manager Wang speaking with Song Yu outside. “Xiao Song, it’s all thanks to you that the contract has been signed. How about we go celebrate and have dinner tonight, on me. I can’t treat you to Dynasty though, but I definitely can treat you to Shengyue.”

“I’m sorry Manager Wang, I’m meeting someone tonight.” Song Yu unwittingly revealed her womanly charm when she said those words.

Manager Wang knew that she would not have made up that reason to decline him. She must have had plans, so he chuckled and said, “A date with the boyfriend, eh? Good, good. Well, in that case, I won’t butt in. There’s always next time.”

Their voices subsequently became more distant.

The word ‘boyfriend’ caused Qi Chengzhi to squint. He held his handphone with an extremely sour face and scrolled through the pictures—they were of Song Yu and Jian Yi hugging the night before.

His gaze was so intense that it appeared as though it could burn a hole through the screen. His face, meanwhile, was stiff and motionless.

Qi Chengzhi left her alone for a second and she was already fickle enough to be with that other man!

Fuming with anger, he took out a cigarette. He lit it up and took a deep, intense breath, but his anger still had not dissipated. He glanced once more at his phone and felt it to be an eyesore, so he deleted each photo and tossed the phone out.

…

…

It was the first official date between Song Yu and Jian Yi. Before she got off work, she intentionally went to the restroom to re-apply some makeup.

“Yo, you’re looking beautiful. Got a date?” Ruan Danchen poked her and asked softly.

Song Yu blushed and replied, “It’s to celebrate me successfully getting Qilin’s business.”

“Yeah right!” Ruan Danchen rolled her eyes at Song Yu.

Song Yu blushed as she left the office. Jian Yi’s Buick Regal was parked at the entrance and he stood in front of the car while waiting for her.

She walked over to Jian Yi and smiled embarrassedly when she saw his gaze, a gaze which seemed to proclaim loudly that ‘this is my girlfriend’.

Before their feelings were made known to each other, there was never any unease when they met. They joked around like friends and everything was natural between them.

Funnily enough, it felt different when they decided to date. Song Yu unexpectedly found herself shying away from looking him in the eye.

Her delicate and charming demeanor caused Jian Yi’s heart to flutter. He suppressed his racing mind and opened the passenger seat whilst saying, “Hop on in.”

Song Yu sat down and waited for Jian Yi to start the car. She then asked, “Where are we going?”

“How about Shengyue? To celebrate our first date and your success in getting Qilin’s business,” Jian Yi said.

With his right hand stretched out, he held her hand after starting the car.

Song Yu saw her hand being wrapped in his and felt the heat from his palm coming into contact with the back of her hand. She trembled, but did not break away from it.

Immersed in sweetness, they failed to notice a Jaguar behind them. It was parked at Chengshi’s entrance right from the beginning. Moments after the Buick Regal left, the Jaguar left too, tailing the Buick Regal constantly from behind.

…

…

“Young Master Cheng, Director Zhang and the others are already at the restaurant. When will you be arriving?” Qi Chengzhi received Cheng Dongge’s call from the Bluetooth earpiece he was wearing.

“I won’t be going tonight. Ask Chenglin to keep them company.” He hung up as soon as he finished his sentence. Noticing that he was fast approaching a traffic light, he braked.

A Mercedes-Benz SUV sped past him on the opposite lane.

“I think I saw Chengzhi just now.” Seated on the Benz’s front passenger seat was Yan Beicheng, who turned his head to look.

Wei Zilin, the driver, glanced at the rear-view mirror and replied, “I don’t see any Range Rover!”

“Not the Range Rover, a Jaguar.” Yan Beicheng stopped looking only when the car was completely out of sight.

“You must’ve been mistaken. He doesn’t drive a Jaguar,” Wei Zilin replied. He did not make anything of it.

“But it really looks like him.” Yan Beicheng insisted, so he gave Qi Chengzhi a call.

As the light turned green, Qi Chengzhi drove fast in order to catch up. He nearly lost his patience when his phone started ringing.

“Where are you?” He heard Yan Beicheng ask.

“Driving.” Qi Chengzhi pursed his lips.

“Where to?” Yan Beicheng asked again.

“I don’t know.” Qi Chengzhi rapidly caught up with the Buick Regal.

“…” A rather lost-for-words Yan Beicheng asked, “What car are you driving today?”

“…” Qi Chengzhi hung up.

“…” Yan Beicheng stared at his phone and did not react for quite some time.

“What is it?” Wei Zilin looked at him.

“He hung up on me when I asked what car he was driving.” Yan Beicheng had absolutely no idea what Qi Chengzhi was up to.

…

…

Qi Chengzhi stopped right in front of Shengyue. He saw a waiter leading Jian Yi and Song Yu to their table. Even the dishes that Jian Yi ordered could be seen with utmost clarity.

He tapped on his phone a few times and called Chang Lai. “Get the Range Rover here to Shengyue. Now.”

He then called another number. “It’s me. How are you and your boyfriend lately? No, it’s nothing. I’m at Shengyue meeting a client, and coincidentally, I saw him having a meal with another woman, and they’re constantly touching each other.”

While saying that, Qi Chengzhi looked on as Jian Yi held the menu and began ordering. Jian Yi was still well-behaved with Song Yu and there was no physical contact yet.

All the dishes that Jian Yi ordered were Song Yu’s favorites. When Song Yu saw that he remembered all her favorite dishes, a feeling of tenderness surfaced within her heart.

Jian Yi took out his phone and made a note in his calendar. He told Song Yu, “I’ll be sure to remember our first date so we have another anniversary to remember.”

Before he could put it away, a call came. Jian Yi’s expression turned slightly dispirited.

“What is it?” Song Yu asked after noticing his expression.

He sighed helplessly and said, “It’s the company. I don’t know what’s come up. I’ll go and take the call.”

Raucous sounds of conversation filled the restaurant, so Jian Yi had to step out to answer the call.

As he was taking the call, most of the dishes they ordered had been served.

Song Yu waited instead of starting the meal by herself. She directed her gaze through the restaurant’s French windows and onto Jian Yi’s back as he talked on the phone.

He shifted his body sideways when he spoke, and Song Yu managed to glimpse at the side profile of his solemn expression.

Perhaps he sensed that she was looking at him, because he turned and looked in her direction, making eye contact in the process.

Jian Yi flashed her an affectionate smile, and his solemn expression turned into one that was full of warmth. After a pause, he shifted his gaze away and continued talking in all seriousness.

About ten minutes later, Jian Yi returned. His body was warm before he went out, but by the time he went back in, the cold from outside made him chilly, too.

He sat down and apologized regretfully, “Song Song. The company had some last-minute issues and they asked me to go back. I have to go. I spoke with them for quite a while, but they disagreed and insisted that I go back.”

“It’s okay. You should rush there now.” Song Yu smiled empathetically.

“Today was supposed to be our date. I even planned everything for this important day.” Jian Yi was slightly frustrated.

“I’ve always been asked to go to the company at the last minute too, so I can understand these things. I’m okay.” Song Yu extended her hand toward Jian Yi’s direction but hesitated momentarily, causing her fingernails to gently brush against his fingers.

Her fingers trembled like they were scalded, but she maintained them determinedly in that position.

Jian Yi smiled warmly and turned his hand over to hold hers. His fingertips were rubbing lightly against her finger joints.

“Okay. Once everything that we ordered has been served, I’ll ask the waiter to pack them up to go. Then I’ll send you back home,” Jian Yi said.

“It’s okay.” Song Yu watched as the waiter served the last two dishes. She continued her words only after the waiter left. “I’ll take my time and eat here. The food won’t taste as good if it’s packed and brought home. If you’re done with work and I’m still here, you can come pick me up. If I’ve finished and you’re still at work, I’ll go back myself.”

Jian Yi frowned. “Leaving you alone here is…”

“Don’t worry.” Song Yu urged him with a smile. “You’d better get going. Drive safe. It’s dark outside, so don’t drive too fast.”

Jian Yi nodded and said, “Okay.”

He stood up and hesitated for a moment before stooping across the table and kissing Song Yu on the cheek.

Qi Chengzhi’s action of lighting his cigarette was momentarily halted. The corner of his lips twitched coldly and he proceeded to light the cigarette. With a deep puff, he watched as Jian Yi stepped out of the restaurant.

Song Yu did not find the food too appetizing because she was the only one who was eating alone. The remaining tables were either filled with couples or lively family gatherings.

Eating alone amongst a crowd of people made her feel uneasy, so she might as well surf the net while she ate. Doing so would enable her not to pay too much attention to her surroundings.

The cheek which Jian Yi kissed was warm and tingly. The throbbing feeling on her cheek was akin to popping candy—something she used to eat when she was young.

“Long time no see, Song Yu.” The crisp, cold, haughty, and slightly disdainful voice of a woman sounded from above Song Yu’s head.

A startled Song Yu lifted her head, but before she could get a closer look, the other person had already taken a seat opposite her. The person then looked insipidly at the food.

“Song Yu, do you still remember me?” With a proud attitude, Qi Chengyue looked askance at her.

Song Yu placed her chopsticks down and sat somewhat straighter. She nodded her head and replied slightly indifferently, “Miss Qi. What a coincidence.”

“It’s not a coincidence.” Qi Chengyue flashed an ice-cold smile. “I came here specifically to meet you.”

Song Yu was shocked into silence. She did not understand why Qi Chengyue would want to look for her.

Both of them met a few times when they were young, mostly when Song Yu was a guest at the Qi family house. Qi Chengyue would be there sometimes, but the two of them never had the chance to play together, so they were never too familiar with each other.

“After the bankruptcy, our family did not keep in touch with yours. I didn’t expect you to be all grown up after all these years, and that you’d be willing to be the side chick who butts into another person’s relationship. You seemed to be pretty noble and above this sort of thing in the past. Is it because you’ve always kept that side of yourself hidden well, or have your standards dropped because your family’s financial situation turned bad?” Qi Chengyue looked at her with a frigid stare. Her words were so derisive that she could not even keep up her indifferent smile.

Song Yu frowned and looked carefully at Qi Chengyue. As the Qi family’s young lady, she presented herself much more exquisitely than anybody else. From her clothes down to her temperament, she was the textbook example of a celebrity.

“I don’t understand.” Song Yu’s voice sank.

“Jian Yi is my boyfriend. Do you understand now?” Qi Chengyue sneered at her. “We’ve even discussed when we should get engaged. We’re at a point where we’re talking about marriage, and I was preparing to bring him home to meet my parents.”

“In the past, he’s taken very good care of you. I know about all that, but I’ve never interfered because I knew he acted appropriately. With a girlfriend like me, he naturally wouldn’t leave me for you. His feelings for you are simply because of his greediness; he wanted to experience someone new.”

“All you can provide him is a fleeting high, but I can provide status, power, and a stable family background. So, no matter what happens, it’s impossible that he’d break up with me. I came here today to remind you not to waste your promising youth on him. Have some self-respect. Stay as far away as you can from someone else’s man.”

“I never knew that he had a girlfriend. Why would he confess to me then, if he had one already?” Song Yu’s brows were knit in a frown.

Song Yu’s heart sank down right after she heard Qi Chengyue’s words. It was hard not to have suffered a crushing blow from it.

However, she thought to herself and realized she never asked Jian Yi about his status. She trusted him. Before a confirmation could be sought, it was equally probable that Qi Chengyue had liked Jian Yi all along, and made those remarks on purpose.

Such a scenario was not impossible.

“We’ve been together for two years. Qi Chengyue said bluntly. “I got to know him in one of Qilin’s annual meetings. If it wasn’t for that, do you think someone like him – with his age and qualifications – would be able to take up the position of the engineering department’s manager? Qilin isn’t your run-of-the-mill company, and because it’s such a huge conglomerate, there’s plenty of talent in it. Jian Yi’s turn would never have come. It was because of his relationship with me that he is successful today, and in the future, I’ll give him even more.”

“Tonight’s your date night, isn’t it? Where is he? Why is he gone? He received a call just now, didn’t he? Well, I was the one who called him. He told me he was having dinner with a client. Think about it, Song Yu, if anyone asked, he’ll be afraid to acknowledge you. You’re nothing but a ‘client’.”

“When he left, what did he tell you? That’s he had matters to attend at the company?” Qi Chengyue mocked.