Chapter 12: Hidden Stares

Guan Xi came in Jiang Suizhou’s car, and he left early for some business at his company. Later, Guan Xi, along with her parents and Guan Ying, went back together. The driver was at the wheel, with Guan Xinghao in the front seat and his wife and daughter in the back.

“Ying Ying, not feeling nervous today?” Wei Shaomin asked in the car.

Guan Xi looked out of the window, her mind seemingly empty as she stared at the passing vehicles one after another. One, two, three…

Guan Ying shook her head, “Everyone is doing well. Grandpa and grandma said they’ll invite me to their home next time.”

Wei Shaomin nodded, “Yes, you should visit more often. Grandpa and grandma have been concerned about you all these years.”

The two elders from the Wei family were well aware of the past events. Over the years, they harbored feelings of regret for not having their daughter’s biological child. However, after Wei Shaomin said this, she realized that it might not be appropriate to mention it now. In recent years, the two elderly members of the Wei family visibly distanced themselves from Guan Xi, and now, they were saying they were concerned about Guan Ying…

Guan Xinghao, sitting in the front, also felt that this conversation was not good for Guan Xi and gave a subtle look to Wei Shaomin.

Wei Shaomin cleared his throat and turned to Guan Xi, “Xixi, how’s everything going at the company recently?”

She suddenly realized that she had had little contact with her recently. Guan Xi, who had been counting passing cars and reached sixty, blinked and looked at Wei Shaomin with a faint excitement in her eyes.

She turned to Wei Shaomin, unable to hide her joy, “Me? I’m doing well, working on the project with South Mountain Resort recently, and it’s going smoothly.”

Wei Shaomin nodded, “Then you should spend some more time at home during this period, don’t always run around.”

“Sure.”

“You two sisters are about the same age. You should have things to talk about. Spend more time bonding,” Wei Shaomin said, looking at Guan Xi and Guan Ying.

Guan Xi’s gaze met Guan Ying’s, and she smiled nonchalantly, “Sure, why not.”

Wei Shaomin then turned to Guan Ying, “Ying Ying, you had some experience in the tourism industry before. You can learn from Xi Xi when it comes to the company’s team activities.”

Guan Ying felt a bit nervous, “But I was just a tour guide, and I don’t know much about that.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not difficult. Just listen and observe more,” Wei Shaomin reassured her.

“Okay…”

Wei Shaomin continued, “There’s a lot to learn about the company’s affairs, and it’s quite complex. Take your time, no need to rush.”

“Yes.”

…

In the car, Wei Shaomin was offering sincere advice to Guan Ying while Guan Xi looked out the window, counting passing cars.

One, two, three…

“Ah, boring.”

**

Guan Ying’s room was opposite Guan Xi’s. After returning home, they went upstairs together.

“Guan Xi,” just as she was about to open the door, someone behind her called her.

Guan Xi turned around, somewhat surprised, given that they were practically strangers to each other before.

“What’s your opinion of me?” Guan Ying suddenly asked.

Guan Xi raised an eyebrow, “Why ask that?”

Guan Ying smiled, a bit shyly, “You’re my sister, and I’m worried you might not like me.”

Guan Xi was someone who liked to be straightforward. When faced with something soft and delicate, she didn’t know how to handle it. For example, when Guan Ying said this, she didn’t know how to respond.

After a stiff silence, she finally said, “No need to worry.”

“I quite like you, um… you’re really beautiful.”

Guan Xi, standing tall with heels, made the Guan Ying appear quite small in front of her. Guan Xi looked down at her and felt like she was bullying her without saying anything.

“Uh… thanks.”

Guan Ying said, “Let’s get along well in the future. I might have a lot of things I don’t understand and need to ask you. I hope you won’t find it troublesome then.”

Guan Xi, arms crossed, felt uneasy, “Maybe mom didn’t tell you, but I’m also half-baked. You might not get much information by asking me.”

“Then we’ll learn together,” Guan Ying said, “I don’t have anything else to do now. I’ll go back to my room.”

“Okay.”

After returning to her room, Guan Xi locked the door and went to the walk-in closet. Her room had a spacious walk-in closet filled with treasures. Of course, a significant portion of these treasures were scraped from Jiang Suizhou’s wallet.

Guan Xi tossed her bag aside, collapsed into the soft sofa, and called Lang Ningyi.

The call connected quickly, and Lang Ningyi’s sleepy voice came through the receiver, “What are you doing, darling?”

Guan Xi asked, “Where are you?”

“Beauty salon, currently doing a face mask. Do you want to come over?”

“No, thanks. Next time,” Guan Xi replied. “Let me tell you something serious. Guan Ying talked to me today.”

Lang Ningyi: “Huh? What did she say?”

“She asked me about my opinion of her and mentioned that she quite likes me. Isn’t that amazing?” Guan Xi looked at the full-length mirror nearby, stretched her long legs, “She speaks so softly. I feel like even replying in a slightly loud voice sounds like I’m scolding someone.”

Lang Ningyi: “Maybe she thinks you’re strong, and she’s too embarrassed to use your tricks.”

Guan Xi rolled her eyes, “You guessed it right. I have no idea how to approach her, and there’s no reason to. Right now, I feel quite threatened by her identity, but if you think about it carefully, she’s also quite miserable. Who did she offend since childhood—”

“Oh my god, Guan Xi, are you sympathizing with her now? She’s a real phoenix.”

Guan Xi: “…”

“Cough, of course, you are too. You’re a phoenix soaring in the sky everywhere—”

“Shut up, stop with the ancient novels.”

“Oh… then let me be serious.” Lang Ningyi said, “She really likes you, maybe because she thinks you’re her real sister? Your dad didn’t tell her you’re adopted for your sake. What if she finds out one day that you’re not blood-related? What would her reaction be?”

Guan Xi was momentarily speechless. She was also wondering, what would Guan Ying’s reaction be? Would she still express liking her in such a soft manner?

“Anyway, see it for yourself,” Lang Ningyi continued, “In the plot of a novel, according to the script, she’ll definitely gain the affection of those around her, parents, siblings, male lead… they’ll all like her, and then—”

“What? Male lead? Where did the male lead come from?”

Lang Ningyi: “In your script, the male lead should be… Jiang Suizhou?”

Guan Xi: “…”

“Fragile and pitiful always attracts men. The male lead will slowly discover the heroine’s sadness and bitterness, sympathize with her, and fall in love with her. As for the arrogant and evil female supporting character, she’ll definitely be abandoned…”

“Lang Ningyi?”

Lang Ningyi snapped back, “Ah? I was just kidding! Just kidding! I meant most ancient novels, not you—”

“Get lost! Hang up!”

**

Guan Xi stayed at home for two weeks, and during these two weeks, Guan Ying accompanied her to the company. Gradually, this bizarre news also spread. Guan Xinghao’s eldest daughter, who had passed away before the age of one, was alive and found.

For a while, Guan Xi’s entire social circle was discussing this, and friends were sending her messages one by one to inquire. Guan Xi got annoyed by the questions, eventually stopped replying altogether, and didn’t attend any gatherings or parties.

Going to work, coming home, she lived like a proper young lady.

One day, on the weekend, Guan Xi, with some free time, went to the Crocodile Center tourist area in the outskirts. Guan Xi had unique interests from a young age. While others kept cats and dogs, she specifically adopted animals that couldn’t have companions, such as peacocks, Northeast tigers… and crocodiles not far away.

The three rare crocodiles she adopted were of unique breeds, and this was her fourth visit.

Sitting on a high platform at a safe distance, she watched the plump giant pets slowly crawling below.

“How’s Jiang Jiang’s appetite recently?”

The staff accompanying her nodded, “The issue from last time has been treated, so you can rest assured.”

“And the other two?”

“Little Sui and Zou have been quite healthy, especially Zou Zou, he eats a lot.”

Guan Xi smiled, “Good. If there are any problems later, contact my assistant promptly.”

The staff explained thoroughly and shared some recent details about the crocodiles. Guan Xi listened attentively, as if the creatures below were her own sons. While she was in the middle of the conversation, her phone rang. Guan Xi signaled to pause and answered the call.

“What’s up?”

“Miss Guan, the Chanel clothing has arrived. Are you at home? Can we conveniently deliver it to your place now?” It was Jiang Suizhou’s assistant, Zhou Hao, on the other end.

Guan Xi, reminded of the fashion items that Jiang Suizhou had mentioned earlier, replied, “Ah, go ahead and deliver it. I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.”

Guan Xi hung up the phone, and her somewhat gloomy mood these days seemed to have improved.

She stood up, “Okay, that’s it for today. I’ll leave now. I’ll come to visit again next time.”

The park staff eagerly offered to escort the “wealthy benefactor” out, “I’ll accompany you out.”

**

Guan Xinghao and Wei Shaomin had left together for some business today, leaving only the auntie and Guan Ying at home. Guan Ying was currently getting acquainted with the South Mountain Resort project. It was her first time dealing with these matters, and there was a lot to learn. However, her abilities couldn’t keep up, so she could only ponder repeatedly.

The living room’s coffee table was covered with a pile of documents, and she had been reading them all day.

“Go upstairs. Yes, just put it directly in Miss’s dressing room.”

The voice of Auntie Zhen came.

Guan Ying looked up and saw two unfamiliar women in professional attire coming in from outside. They carried many exquisite bags and skillfully headed upstairs.

“It’s usually Zhou Hao who comes over. Why did you come personally today?” Auntie Zhen asked.

“Passing by, picking up Guan Xi,” a man’s voice.

“I just received Miss’s call, she said she would be home in ten minutes.”

“Where did you go?”

“Said she went to see her son. Oh, the crocodile she adopted before. Miss said that’s her real son.”

The man paused, seemingly a bit speechless. “Okay, I’ll wait.”

“Please come in and have a seat.”

The voice got closer, and then Guan Ying saw Jiang Suizhou coming in. Unlike the day she first met him, today he wasn’t wearing a suit, and he didn’t exude that heavy sense of dignity and oppression. Today, he wore a long trench coat with a round-necked white shirt and black trousers inside, simple yet refined.

“Mr. Jiang,” she stood up.

Jiang Suizhou nodded when he saw her, “Miss Guan.”

With no one else at home, Guan Ying felt that she should assume the role of a hostess. She asked Auntie Zhen to make tea and invited Jiang Suizhou to sit on the sofa. After Auntie Zhen made the tea, she retreated to the kitchen to prepare some simple snacks, leaving only the two of them in the spacious living room.

As the distance between them narrowed, Guan Ying felt that her initial impression today was somewhat off. Jiang Suizhou wasn’t affected by his attire; regardless of what he wore, his gaze was still imposing and mysteriously made her feel tense.

Guan Ying didn’t know what to say, feeling a bit awkward. But the man in front of her was composed, taking a sip of tea, his expression calm and polite, seemingly courteous but with a sense of keeping people at a distance.

In the corner of her eye, Guan Ying saw him put down the teacup. She glanced at him and noticed his gaze on the documents on the coffee table. She hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly tidied up the papers.

“South Mountain Resort?” he suddenly spoke.

Guan Ying’s heart skipped a beat, nodding, “Yes, I’m studying it recently.”

“Wasn’t Guan Xi handling it before?”

Guan Ying looked up at him.

Jiang Suizhou, noticing her surprise, said, “This project is a joint development between our two families.”

Guan Ying: “I see… My parents asked me to study, so now I’m working on it with Guan Xi.”

Jiang Suizhou nodded and didn’t say anything more. Guan Ying organized the documents and put them in the study. When she came out, she saw Jiang Suizhou standing by the floor-to-ceiling glass window in the living room, his teacup still emitting steam in his hand.

She took a deep breath, wanting to go over and say something to him. Just at that moment, she saw a figure rushing in from the entrance.

Clickety-clack—

High heels echoed, creating a gust of wind.

“Jiang Suizhou.” The newcomer walked straight to Jiang Suizhou.

Jiang Suizhou turned around, “Back from seeing your son?”

“Who told you that’s my son?”

“Isn’t it?” 

Guan Xi looked at him meaningfully and said, “Yes, they are my sons.”

After saying that, she took the cup from his hand and took a sip of tea. After finishing, she asked, “But why are you here today, and where is Zhou Hao?”

Jiang Suizhou put his hand on her waist, embraced her, and tilted his head slightly, saying, “What, is it not better for me to come than him?”

As he spoke, there was a hint of a smile on his lips, different from the serious look just now, showing charm, and his eyes seemed to be seductive. Guan Ying, in the distance, took a step back and closed the study door.

Outside, their voices could still be heard. Guan Ying leaned against the door and remained silent for a while.

Buzzing—

Five or six minutes later, the phone suddenly vibrated. Guan Ying glanced at the screen and didn’t move. But the phone kept ringing, and after struggling for a moment, she finally answered.

The person on the other end of the receiver was happy that the call went through, choking with joy, “Ying Ying? Ying Ying! Why don’t you answer my calls? How are you in the new house recently, how are they treating you, you—”

“I’ve said it before, don’t call me anymore.” Guan Ying lowered her voice.

“But mom misses you…”

“You’re not my mom.”

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