Sixty-four

Chapter 5

For the next few days, Chief Huang was distracted at work. She kept pondering the tangled relationships among Xiao Ying, Jin Jing, the elegant woman, and herself—wait, actually, she wasn’t really part of it; it was their love triangle, not a quadrangle—trying to find a reasonable explanation to convince herself. Yet no matter how she tried to fill in the blanks, she couldn’t arrive at the conclusion that “Huang Qi is truly Sha Zhouyin’s one and only”! Besides, if she were, she’d deliberately given him her phone number right in front of him, yet he hadn’t called—several days had already passed…

That afternoon, the department head came by and said, “Tomorrow, Glorious Group is holding a new technology presentation. If you have time, drop by and show some support.” Glorious Group was a paint manufacturer, formerly a state-owned paint factory that had flourished after restructuring, now one of the few domestic companies that could compete with foreign paint brands. With deep roots as an established state enterprise, their production inevitably intersected with the environmental bureau.

Huang Qi had attended many such technical conferences hosted by manufacturers while in school. Though billed as technical presentations, businesses rarely reveal their core technologies, leaning more toward commercial objectives—gathering partners, sharing a meal, handing out gifts, and promoting their brand.

The event was held at a five-star hotel downtown, beginning in the afternoon and culminating in a dinner banquet—truly the main event. Huang Qi asked Xiao Li, “We’re just going to the meeting, so we don’t need to dress up too formally, right?”

Xiao Li replied, “I plan to bring my cocktail dress, change in the restroom after the meeting, so I won’t miss anything.” Huang Qi thought this was a clever idea. The next day, she wore a strapless camisole maxi dress with a jacket over it—appropriate for the meeting and easily convertible. Once it was over, she simply slipped off the jacket.

After helping Xiao Li change and returning to the hall, they found the waiters had already cleared the conference tables and set up the buffet. Aside from the afternoon attendees, new guests were arriving—purely business associates, coming for networking, many accompanied by luxury cars and beautiful women, giving the place an air of glamour.

Huang Qi glanced down at her dress, feeling it was still a bit plain.

Xiao Li’s outfit was also casual. “This dress was on sale for five hundred at the mall, so I can wear it any time. We’re just here for a free meal, not to put on airs like those rich folks; who’s even looking at us? Let’s find a quiet corner to sit and eat—the food here is quite good.”

Glorious Group had managed to maintain its market share against foreign competition thanks to its connections in real estate and construction, and today’s guests mostly came from related industries—inevitably including some acquaintances of Huang Qi.

She immediately noticed Xiao Ying as he entered, then focused on the two walking ahead of him: Jin Biao and Jin Jing. His daughter was holding his arm as they walked gracefully down the red carpet, people stopping to greet and shake hands with Jin Biao. Xiao Ying walked beside Jin Jing, but kept half a step away.

Huang Qi’s mind started spinning its little melodrama again, sourly thinking: this is the difference between the legitimate wife and the true love. The wife can attend formal events, but there’s no intimate hand-holding like with the true love; the true love can stroll affectionately together, but can never stand in the spotlight.

In any case, she envied neither. Hmph!

This time, she finally got a clear look at Jin Jing’s face. Strictly speaking, Jin Jing wasn’t a typical beauty. Her forehead was a bit high, eyebrows thick, eyes not particularly large, nose not very prominent, and her mouth was not delicate; individually, her features were ordinary, but together, they formed a strikingly harmonious and wild beauty. Her personality was clearly not that of a docile girl; even as she walked with her father in a little dress, drawing attention, she made playful gestures, and Huang Qi caught her making a silly face at Sha Zhouyin.

Huang Qi mused: if one were to categorize people by today’s popular labels, Xiao Ying would be in the “tall, rich, and handsome” group, while Jin Jing was unmistakably a “fair, rich, and beautiful” type.

As for herself: an aging leftover woman, the odd one out, the spinster.

It was genuinely disheartening.

When parting, Xiao Ying had said he would run behind her, letting her walk forward confidently—perhaps one day, when she turned around without thinking, he would already be beside her, keeping pace.

So she truly walked on, alone for so long that she forgot to look around. Unintentionally, she walked past the point, and when she looked back, he was ahead of her, now leaving her far behind.

Aside from that, Huang Qi also spotted Zhang Tao. Zhang Tao had saved her number and texted her afterward, hoping to meet again. Her replies were polite but distant, addressing him as “senior,” and he seemed to get the message, not asking again.

Huang Qi hesitated, wondering if she should say hello, but someone beat her to it—raising a glass and chatting with him. Circumventing the pillar that blocked her view, she saw the person was Sha Zhouyin.

Stranger still, after a while, Xiao Ying turned his head and gave her a meaningful look, as if he’d known all along she was there.

At such a distance, maybe he just happened to glance that way? Like last time at the mall, he simply happened to walk with the elegant woman toward some counter in her direction?

After finishing his conversation with Zhang Tao, Xiao Ying set down his wine glass and walked toward her.

Perhaps, once again, he was simply heading this way, given the crowd—but she could no longer deceive herself. He stopped barely a meter away and looked at her.

“Xiao Qi,” he called, the tone as familiar as family.

“Ah…” she replied instinctively, “Xiao Ying.”

Xiao Qi. Xiao Ying. Those four syllables seemed to erase the years between them; she was still his Xiao Qi, and he was still her Xiao Ying.

“How are you planning to get home?”

“Me?” She still couldn’t grasp the conversation’s purpose. “If there’s a bus, I’ll take it; if not, I’ll get a taxi…”

“I drove here,” he paused, tilting his head slightly with a hopeful look, “would you let me drive you home?”

What was happening? Was Xiao Ying actually flirting with her?

Chief Huang, excited, let her intelligence drop below zero: “If you drive me home, what about Uncle Biao and Jin Jing?”

He smiled. “It’s fine—I’ll call a driver to pick them up. Uncle Biao will surely be among the last to leave; we can go ahead.”

“Alright, I’m not needed here anyway, can leave anytime.” Huang Qi was dazzled by his smile and stood up eagerly, then felt she was too hasty. “And you?”

“I’m just here to show support; a quick greeting is enough. Wait for me a moment.”

He turned to go, but Jin Jing suddenly darted over and grabbed his arm. “Brother Zhouyin, so this is where you were! I’ve been looking for you!”

Jin Jing wore a strapless pink chiffon dress, layers gathered at her chest, revealing a hint of fullness, a diamond pendant resting in the hollow, both innocent and alluring. Huang Qi unconsciously straightened her own posture, then realized the movement only highlighted her weaknesses—regretting she’d left her jacket in her bag.

Jin Jing noticed Sha Zhouyin was speaking to Huang Qi and casually asked, “Your friend? Haven’t seen her before.”

Sha Zhouyin replied, “She’s Huang Qi.”

The introduction was slightly odd. Jin Jing glanced at Huang Qi, apparently seeing no threat, and continued speaking to Sha Zhouyin. “It’s so boring here. I want to leave; my friends invited me to a bar. Do you have time? Can you take me there?”

Sha Zhouyin looked at Huang Qi. “I’ll be a bit longer before leaving.”

Jin Jing pouted, disappointed. “I’ll just hail a taxi then—it’s not far. Every time I ask you to sing or go out, you never come, just like my dad’s generation. Will you pick me up later?”

Sha Zhouyin said, “Don’t stay out too late; go home early. Master Zhang will be with your father all night, so call him when you’re ready to leave.”

Jin Jing pressed, “You’re not staying with Dad? Where are you going?”

“I have something to do today,” he gestured toward the main table. “I’m going to see President Qian and the others.”

Jin Jing watched him leave, pouted, and headed out the other way.

Huang Qi waited where she was, thinking: The matter Sha Ying mentioned—was it taking her home? Did he turn down Jin Jing’s invitation for her? And judging by their interaction, they didn’t seem especially close; he acted more like an older mentor than anything else. Perhaps they weren’t what the rumors suggested?

Still, Huang Qi could tell Jin Jing was attached to Xiao Ying. It wouldn’t be wrong to say she liked him. Jin Jing had known Xiao Ying for over ten years, and during her school years, they had been together often. Jin Jing was in her adolescence—her budding feelings directed at Xiao Ying weren’t surprising. He was so outstanding; other girls liking him was only natural.

Chief Huang felt a pang of melancholy. She wasn’t the only one who knew how wonderful Xiao Ying was; now she had rivals—and formidable ones at that.

No, not only Jin Jing, but also the elegant woman from the mall on Sunday! She didn’t seem easy to deal with either.

The pressure was immense. Back in university, when she and Xiao Ying were close, there weren’t so many competitors.

Sha Zhouyin finished his greetings and returned for her. “Let’s go.”

Huang Qi followed him to the elevator, down to the underground parking to fetch the car. This time, she knew to seize the opportunity and got into the passenger seat without hesitation.

Driving out of the hotel, they entered the heart of the commercial district, now aglow with city lights—more vibrant and lively than by day. Sha Zhouyin drove carefully, keeping an eye on traffic. “Are you heading home so early?”

Huang Qi glanced at the time on the dashboard. “It’s only eight…” Honestly, wandering around or finding a place to sit wouldn’t be bad either…

The commercial district was crowded, the evening rush not quite over, so he drove cautiously. Huang Qi didn’t chat, pretending to admire the night scenery outside, occasionally stealing glances at him.

Xiao Ying’s appearance had changed a lot from six years ago. He was twenty-eight now, no longer the youthful boy he once was, but exuding maturity and restraint. The car’s interior lights were off, neon reflections from outside washing gently over his face, outlining soft yet defined features.

He’d inherited Professor Zhou’s good skin; no longer exposed to wind and sun, his complexion was clear and smooth, making Huang Qi envious. Both times she’d seen him, he wore glasses—he always looked best in glasses, especially from this angle…

Huang Qi always believed she’d grown into her looks. After earning her doctorate, she’d devoted herself to beauty, skincare, and fashion, finally transforming from an ordinary girl into a reasonably attractive young woman. Occasionally, people complimented her, and she’d feel proud.

Xiao Ying’s development was simpler: he grew from a handsome boy into a handsome man.

That’s the difference between natural beauty and acquired charm—comparing oneself to others is truly frustrating.

Sha Zhouyin glanced at her between turns. “Xiao Qi, stop looking at me like that. If you keep staring, I won’t be able to concentrate on driving.”

Chief Huang sheepishly withdrew her bold gaze and looked outside, retorting, “Xiao Ying, where are you taking me? Haven’t we circled around here several times already?”

He admitted honestly, “I’m trying to find a quiet place to stop and talk with you, but there are too many cars, haven’t found one yet.”

Huang Qi leaned back in her seat, trying to suppress her delighted smile, but her lips curled up regardless.

After leaving the city center, they finally found a quiet stretch of road and pulled over. Beside them was a small park, and through the trees, faint sounds of elderly evening activities could be heard. The amber streetlight spilled into the car; he switched off the engine, unfastened his seatbelt, but remained seated.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” Chief Huang had a pretty good idea, but pretended not to.

“Xiao Qi, there are some things I feel I should say face to face.” He turned toward her, still carrying a hint of youthful shyness. “You may have heard rumors since you returned, but none are true. I haven’t married, nor do I have a girlfriend—six years, always the same.”

Chief Huang waited calmly for him to continue his confession, hoping he’d say something like “Xiao Qi, I’ve always waited for you, only you, there’s no one else”—but he didn’t.

He looked down at his hands, clenched and relaxed them, then after a pause, spoke again. “Xiao Qi, we once made the same promise to each other. Mine is still valid. Is yours?”

Huang Qi understood what he meant—the words they’d once exchanged: “I never gave up on you.”

Honestly, such a roundabout way of confessing—couldn’t he just say “I love you, do you love me” and be done with it?

She looked out the window and replied carelessly, “You said it four years before me, but mine’s still valid. Why would my expiry date be shorter than yours?”