Chapter 8: Comrade

Song Li had been Jiang Suizhou’s good friend for many years, but Guan Xi had also known him for a long time, and their relationship was quite good.

The next day, when assistant Yang Qing brought the gift prepared for Song Li to Jiang Suizhou’s house, Guan Xi had just finished her makeup and was standing in front of a row of perfumes, thinking about whom to spoil today.

“What is this?” Guan Xi casually asked.

Yang Qing said, “It’s something we won at the last auction, a 1921 Dijin. I thought since Mr. Song likes drinking, it should be suitable.”

Guan Xi nodded, “Just put it in the living room, you can go now.”

“Okay.”

The assistant left, and at that moment, her phone rang. Guan Xi answered and put the phone on speaker, placing it on the table.

“When will you be back?”

It was a call from Jiang Suizhou, “There’s some work at the company that can’t be resolved quickly. I’ll be late tonight, you go ahead.”

“Should I drive myself?”

“If you don’t want to drive, I’ll have Zhou Hao come to pick you up.”

Guan Xi chose a bottle of her usual perfume, “Then I have to wait for half an hour… Forget it, I’ll drive myself.”

“Sure.”

Jiang Suizhou was probably really busy, as he hung up quickly. Guan Xi hummed a song lightly, took a spray of perfume on her wrists and a rubbed behind her ears. She didn’t like heavy scents; this perfume had a light fragrance that she found most comfortable.

Ten minutes later, she was ready and left with her bag.

Song Li was a party enthusiast, and for his birthday, he would surely go all out. Today’s birthday party was held at his own villa. When Guan Xi entered from the entrance, she felt a bit dizzy from the extravagant birthday decorations.

Light bulbs all over the room… What kind of taste is this?

“It’s quite cool; I want to change clothes.”

“Are you sure you won’t get in the water later? What are you changing for?”

“Hey, does this look good?”

“Have this drink, it’s peach-flavored.”

…

In the living room, several girls in swimsuits were sitting, chatting and touching up their makeup. Guan Xi didn’t know any of them, so she didn’t greet anyone. She glanced at the yard outside the villa – swimming pool, fine wine, music, handsome guys and beautiful girls, a scene of luxurious revelry.

Very much in line with Song Li’s style.

Guan Xi smiled, placed her bag and gift aside, and took out a lipstick from it.

“Can I borrow the mirror?” she asked lazily, seeing that one of the swimsuit girls had a mirror in her hand.

The people on the sofa who were talking suddenly turned their attention to her. The girl asked to give the mirror a once-over, then handed it over. Guan Xi thanked her and started touching up her makeup.

While she was doing that, the others discreetly observed her. They didn’t know Guan Xi, and apart from Song Li, they weren’t familiar with anyone else at the party. However, being invited to Song Li’s birthday celebration made them quite happy, as entering Song Li’s social circle meant easy connections with wealthy individuals.

“Here you go,” Guan Xi handed back the mirror after finishing.

The girl took it, subconsciously glancing at the watch on Guan Xi’s wrist.

This group of people had sharp eyes, with a strong sense for luxury brands. It was easy for them to notice that everything Guan Xi was wearing was quite valuable. Especially her Patek Philippe watch on her wrist, and the latest limited edition Hermes on the cabinet.

“You’re also a friend of Song Li, right?” the girls on the sofa smiled, but there was a hint of curiosity and hostility in their eyes.

Curiosity because Guan Xi’s outfit was undeniably top-notch. However, there was also hostility because the newcomer was exceptionally beautiful, easily stealing the attention of onlookers. In such situations, girls usually wished to be the center of everyone’s attention.

Guan Xi nodded and was about to say something when Song Li’s voice came over, “Hey! Guan Xi! Miss! You finally made it!”

He rushed over, almost running.

Guan Xi gestured towards the box on the cabinet, “A little gift for you, happy birthday.”

“What? Alcohol?”

“Yeah, it’s got some years on it. My assistant mentioned it, and it hurt my heart a bit.”

Song Li exclaimed, “Ah, I knew you’d understand my taste! Love you, love you!”

“Don’t love too much. The people who came today, you probably won’t be able to love them all.”

Song Li gave her a look, “Mischievous. Hey, where’s Jiang Suizhou? Didn’t come with you?”

“Coming later,” Guan Xi said, “Song Li, I have to ask, what’s the theme of the decoration in this house? When you turn on these lights, it feels like I’ve walked into a Japanese red-light district.”

Song Li was surprised, “Really? Isn’t it romantic?”

Guan Xi sighed, “Forget it. I won’t criticize you on your birthday… Is Ningyi here?”

“She’s here, playing outside.”

“Okay, I’ll go find her.”

Guan Xi went straight out from the room, and Song Li followed eagerly. The beautiful girls on the sofa exchanged glances, but they had already sensed from Song Li’s attitude that there was no need to be hostile towards this new girl.

Because, obviously, they were not on the same level.

**

Guan Xi saw Lang Ningyi from a distance. She was standing by the cocktail table, chatting with her cousin Wei Xiuyang. After sending off Song Li, Guan Xi walked over to them and grabbed a glass of juice.

Wei Xiuyang turned to her and greeted, “You’re here.”

“You guys are quite early.”

“Not much earlier than you. I just arrived ten minutes ago,” Wei Xiuyang turned to look inside, “Has that person not arrived yet?”

Guan Xi knew he was referring to Jiang Suizhou, “Coming later.”

“Oh.”

“What were you guys talking about?”

Lang Ningyi smiled, “Talking about a handsome guy.”

Guan Xi asked, “Are you gossiping about someone again?”

Wei Xiuyang was triggered by the word “again” and glanced at her, “I’m not gossiping. Lang Ningyi asked me.”

“Is that so, little brother?”

“…”

“So, who are you talking about?”

Wei Xiuyang had no choice but to say, “Xie Yan.”

“Xie… Yan? Who is that?”

Lang Ningyi gestured with her eyes, “The guy in the black shirt across the pool, did you see him?”

Guan Xi followed her gaze and looked over. Indeed, there was a man standing over there. He was far away, and she couldn’t see clearly at the moment, but she could tell he was tall and had a good figure.

Lang Ningyi said, “It’s normal if you don’t know him. They just moved from the south. They’re in real estate, and their family is quite wealthy. As for him, he’s a well-known house designer.”

“Oh… and then?” Guan Xi didn’t quite grasp the point of interest.

Lang Ningyi was about to speak, but seemed to remember something, looked at Guan Xi, and then closed her mouth.

Guan Xi said, “Why are you hesitating?”

“Ah… nothing.”

Wei Xiuyang added, “It’s nothing, just casual conversation. I’ve seen the things designed by Xie Yan, and I’m interested in collaborating. If there’s anything special about him, it’s probably his background.”

“Background?”

“Yeah, I heard he was adopted by the Xie family.”

The hand holding Guan Xi’s cup paused for a moment. Lang Ningyi sneakily glanced at Guan Xi. This was probably the reason she hesitated earlier.

Wei Xiuyang, oblivious to the underlying tension, continued, “Although he was adopted, he holds a lot of influence in the Xie family. His adoptive father dotes on him, even more than his own son.”

Guan Xi nodded in acknowledgment, her gaze lingering on Xie Yan. 

Adopted son… does this count as being similar to her?

Perhaps she had been staring too openly because when Xie Yan turned around, their eyes met. Guan Xi paused for a moment, nodding in a polite acknowledgment.

Xie Yan seemed equally caught off guard, reciprocating the nod.

Guan Xi hurriedly withdrew her gaze.

**

Around seven in the evening, Song Li had a cake brought out. After everyone celebrated, the atmosphere became even more lively, and quite a few people in clothes were directly pushed into the swimming pool. Today, Guan Xi didn’t feel like joining the madness. After letting Lang Ningyi play on her own, she finished her fruit juice and decided to go to the living room to get her bag; her phone was inside.

To reach the villa from where she was, she had to pass by the swimming pool, and the wet ground made it a bit slippery. Wearing high heels, she slowed down her pace.

At that moment, a man walked towards her. Guan Xi glanced at him, feeling strangely uneasy in her heart.

As they passed each other, she didn’t know if she was acting strangely or not, but she subconsciously spoke, “Xie Yan.”

The man passing by paused and looked at her somewhat unexpectedly. Guan Xi regretted speaking as soon as she did; she had inexplicably classified herself with someone else.

And suddenly, a bunch of questions popped up… such as, at what age was he adopted? Did he know from childhood that he was adopted, or did he find out later? How did he feel when he found out? Did he go crazy as quickly as she did? What tricks did he have to be favored?

All sorts of questions, as if she had suddenly encountered a “comrade.”

However, it was impossible to ask these questions! After all, she didn’t know this person at all. She regretted speaking out of nowhere; it was just her emotions taking over.

“Hello,” Xie Yan nodded to her. “Miss Guan.”

Huh? Did he know her?

Guan Xi returned to her senses, feeling a bit awkward. “Hello.”

Xie Yan seemed to sense her confusion and explained, “I just heard Song Li mention your name over there. Is it correct? Miss Guan Xi?”

“Yes, I’m Guan Xi.”

“Miss Guan knows me?”

“Oh… I also just heard someone talking about you.”

Xie Yan nodded and smiled. As Lang Ningyi had mentioned, this man was indeed handsome, refined, and his smile was very pleasant.

“Well, the thing is, I heard from a friend that you’re a talented designer. I thought there might be a chance for future collaboration, so I wanted to get your business card.” Guan Xi awkwardly came up with an excuse, or else she wouldn’t be able to explain why she had called out to him earlier.

“I see,” Xie Yan said, “but I didn’t bring any today. Otherwise, I could give you my contact information.”

Guan Xi pointed towards the house, “My phone is inside.”

“No problem, just tell me your number.” Xie Yan handed his phone to her.

“Sure.” Guan Xi nodded, “Okay.”

Guan Xi took the phone and entered her number. Xie Yan stood by, waiting. At this distance, Xie Yan could faintly smell a sweet fragrance, different from the intense atmosphere here. It was a pleasant and sweet scent, obviously coming from her.

Xie Yan’s gaze passed over Guan Xi’s lowered eyelids. He had overheard several people who didn’t know her asking for her name, and someone had asked Song Li. That’s how he unintentionally learned about her.

After entering the number and adding a note, Guan Xi was about to hand the phone back to him when two playful girls bumped into them. Guan Xi’s hand was jolted, and the phone flew out of her hand. She was momentarily stunned, instinctively turned to catch it.

However, behind her was the swimming pool. Her feet slipped, and though she missed catching the phone, she plunged into the pool.

“…!!!”

“Miss Guan!”

“Guan Xi!”

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