Returning - Chapter 48
Chapter 48: Old Acquaintances
Ling Jianwei had indeed returned to the country in early December.
With Qin Yi by her side, Zhao Yu didn't even need to ask others to investigate; she was always aware of his movements.
Truthfully, she had known quite a bit about him before—knew he was an art student who went abroad for a foundation course right after high school and completed his undergraduate degree at CSM, one of the world's top three design schools.
Unfortunately, later on, perhaps due to guilt, or a desire to escape, she had never paid attention to that man again.
But as fate would have it, through Qin Yi's daily fangirling over her idol, she had filled in the parts she didn't know.
Two years prior, Ling Jianwei was accepted into CSM's postgraduate program and won several major design awards during his studies. He also founded his own studio and, upon graduating and returning home this time, brought his studio partners back with him.
Yiyuan Group focused on the design, development, commercial operations, testing, and appraisal of arts and crafts, standing as an industry leader.
Although Ling Jianwei's studio was independent of Yiyuan, it operated in the same industry. Huacan, which had a long-term partnership with Yiyuan, had already made contact upon learning he had returned with his studio to discuss collaboration. But this was rejected by Ling Jianwei's older brother, Ling Jianyuan.
This outcome didn't surprise Zhao Yu at all. Ling Jianyuan wouldn't want his younger brother to see her. Cooperation between Lanxi and Yiyuan was a major matter, and he couldn't let personal feelings jeopardize business. But for a small studio, he could easily find some excuse to decide on his brother's behalf.
Zhao Yu was indifferent. Regarding Ling Jianwei, she neither wanted to see him nor feared seeing him.
Because she knew his nature very well. Even if he were to suddenly see her now, he would only pretend not to know her, would not possibly bring up past affairs, much less interfere with her revenge plan.
As for whether that man still hated her, or if he was still heartbroken and miserable, that was none of her concern.
However, Ling Jianyuan preventing Zhao Yu and Ling Jianwei from meeting merely in terms of work was clearly insufficient. Even Zhao Yu herself hadn't expected to run into him at an occasion where Ling Jianwei absolutely should not have appeared.
It was Christmas Eve. Zhao Yu and Xue Zi'ang had originally planned a romantic evening for two. But his gaggle of friends kept calling him incessantly, urging him to join some wild party. After refusing several times, he became a bit tempted and asked Zhao Yu if she was willing to go.
Considering Zhuang Yiqing was abroad and it was unlikely she would care about such a raucous event, Zhao Yu nodded.
This party was unlike anything she had imagined. It wasn't held at a high-end club or a popular nightspot, but at a private estate.
The estate, built in a neighboring small town, had heavily invested in a private racing circuit and golf course. This year marked its completion and first opening to the public. The estate owner had invited many friends from his social circle, making the scale of the party immense.
Zhao Yu was not interested in any of the activities, but being a stranger in an unfamiliar place, she could only stick closely to Xue Zi'ang's side.
True to his reputation as a notorious playboy who had been partying hard for over two years, Xue Zi'ang knew the majority of the attendees at tonight's party. Almost everywhere he went, people approached to greet him.
Many, upon seeing Zhao Yu, assumed she was Xue Zi'ang's new female companion, and their words inevitably carried a frivolous tone. Unexpectedly, he draped his arm over her shoulder and declared domineeringly, "Girlfriend."
His action drew a fresh round of teasing remarks from all around. He didn't seem to mind much. It was Zhao Yu who was flattered, unable to hide her smile several times as she stole glances at him, only to be caught in the act by him. The result, naturally, was him disregarding the public setting, cupping her face, and kissing her fiercely several times.
After reveling indoors for over half an hour, the group still felt unsatisfied and clamored to go out for some real excitement. It was only when Xue Zi'ang led her to the racing track that Zhao Yu understood what they meant by the ultimate thrill.
"You're going to race?" Seeing that someone had already driven Xue Zi'ang's Vanquish over, Zhao Yu quickly grabbed his wrist. "No way, you just drank, and the snow is so heavy..."
Seeing the tense look on Zhao Yu's face, Xue Zi'ang suddenly laughed. "You care about me that much?"
"Is that even a question? Xue Zi'ang, normally I won't stop you from doing anything, but today, you're not allowed to participate."
Staring at her intently for a few seconds, Xue Zi'ang abruptly lowered his head and kissed her on the lips. Starting with a light touch on her lip, he eventually simply held her lip, licking and rubbing. A large hand clasped the back of her head as his tongue thrust into her mouth, stirring with reckless abandon.
"Damn! Young Master Xue, was that really necessary? How many times have you kissed her in front of us? If you really can't get enough, just take her back to a room quickly and spare us the sight."
Xue Zi'ang ignored the teasing from beside him completely. Only when Zhao Yu was nearly out of breath did he reluctantly release her. Smiling, he stroked her face, then turned back to the group of friends and yelled loudly, "It's my pleasure."
"Ugh? So disgusting."
"I have goosebumps all over, man."
Another round of jeering exploded around them, with several people even directly calling Zhao Yu "Sister-in-Law" and "Sister-in-Law." On the contrary, Zhao Yu was the one who became a bit embarrassed by their antics.
However, as she looked up, past the laughing, jostling crowd, she suddenly saw two familiar faces.
One was Ling Jianwei, the other was Xu Chengyan.
Both were people she had not expected to see in such a setting.
And both of their gazes landed on her face, expressionless. But she faintly sensed that both were shocked by what they had just witnessed.
"Don't worry, I wasn't planning to race. The car's lent to Fengzi." Pulling Zhao Yu by the hand, Xue Zi'ang walked over to Nian Feng and gestured for the attendant to give him the car keys. "Take it easy, don't wreck my car."
Nian Feng took the keys and nodded repeatedly, then grinned slyly at Zhao Yu. "Sister-in-Law, this car... you guys haven't... you know, done it in here, have you?"
His words sent that group of rowdy friends into another chorus of howling laughter. Xue Zi'ang glared at them irritably. "Watch your mouths, or I'll beat the crap out of you."
Nian Feng hurriedly made a pleading gesture, tossing his own car keys to Xue Zi'ang. His mouth living up to its cheap nature, he added, "If I wreck your car, mine's yours. Don't worry, it's definitely never been used for that, no car sex."
Xue Zi'ang lifted a leg to kick him, but he leaped away like a monkey in an instant, leaving only a trail of hearty laughter.
Just then, another attendant approached and said respectfully, "Mr. Xue, Mr. Ling says he wants a race with you."
"Mr. Ling?" Xue Zi'ang swept his gaze around. "Which Mr. Ling?"
A friend nearby leaned in, gesturing towards the opposite side to hint at Xue Zi'ang. "That guy, Ling Jianyuan's younger brother. What's his name...? Oh, Ling Jianwei."
Zhao Yu's gaze followed Xue Zi'ang's, landing on Ling Jianwei's impassive face.
Ling Jianwei was similarly surrounded by a group of friends, several of whom even knew Xue Zi'ang. They greeted him with a laugh. "Young Master Xue, want to have a go?"
Xue Zi'ang's gaze remained locked on Ling Jianwei's face. He knew Ling Jianyuan, but it was his first time seeing this younger brother of Ling Jianyuan's. But the look in this man's eyes as he watched him was full of provocation, and he received the message loud and clear.
Zhao Yu showed no reaction on her face, but inwardly she was somewhat surprised. From her memory, Ling Jianwei was not such an impulsive, combative person. And did he even know how to race?
As expected, people around them were already murmuring quietly.
"Isn't that guy a bookworm? He knows racing?"
"Hard to say. Maybe he's been racing every day all these years abroad?"
"No way! You don't know how my old man uses Ling Jianwei as a model student every day to lecture me and my brother. Calling him a top student, a young genius. Pah! I get pissed just seeing him!"
Zhao Yu vaguely felt that Ling Jianwei's challenge to Xue Zi'ang had something to do with her. She was just about to tell Xue Zi'ang to ignore him, but he had already loudly responded with a smile, "Alright. Challenge accepted. Fengzi, give me my car back."
"Xue Zi'ang!" Zhao Yu tightened her grip on his hand, looking at him anxiously. "It's too dangerous. Don't do anything rash."
Xue Zi'ang smiled and pinched her cheek. "Relax. When I was learning to race, he probably didn't even know where to find milk yet."
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