After Si Weimin left Si Mansion, he went back to Spring Valley. He was still in a bad mood. What Elder Si told him really annoyed him. He was infuriated with how scheming the Zhous were.
His head was throbbing. He walked directly to the bar and poured himself a glass of wine. He drank the content in one full gulp.
He clenched his fists and pounded one fist on the countertop. He couldn't believe that his grandfather would easily fall in their hands.
He knew Zhou Jiayin. He grew up hearing things about him. He was a good man as far as Elder Si was concern. He knew he could trust him but not his daughter, Zhou Bingbing. He didn't like her even a bit and marrying her was beyond his duty.
He loathed the idea of being her husband. He poured himself another glass of wine as he pondered with the words his grandpa said. He could still recall the conversation he had with him.
"Don't test my patience, Weimin. You will go with me and visit the Zhous."
"That's absurd, grandpa. Why would you ever think of such ludicrous idea?"
"Don't be insolent, Si Weimin!"
"I won't go."
"You will go and you are going to marry Xiao Bingbing. If you don't want me to die because of your insolence, you will do as I said."
Si Weimin could clearly remember what Elder Si told him. The words buzzed like bees taunting him. For the first time, he wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want to aggrieve Elder Si but marrying Zhou Bingbing was unacceptable.
He was lost in his thought when his phone rang.
"CEO, the audition will be held tomorrow."
"Okay. Anything more?" Si Weimin answered without interest.
Wang Guo could sense that something's not right so he responded nervously,"I-I won't be back until the day after tomorrow, CEO so I instructed Wang Wei to be in charge with the initial selection."
"Good. I'll leave it to you, then."
After hearing Wang Guo's report about the progress of the company, he bid him goodbye.
He continued drinking more wine, trying to drown himself to forget about his dilemma.
______________________________________________
Thomas Young arrived outside Si Weimin's house in Spring Valley. He received Wang Guo's message telling him to see Si Weimin as soon as possible. He was a bit anxious yet he realized it might be about Xu Jia Li.
He parked his car in the vast parking lot and walked to the door where a young servant opened it for her. "Good afternoon, Master Thomas."
"Hey, where's Weimin?" He smiled boyishly.
The young maid blushed as she stuttered, "H-he's i-in t-he bar, Master Thomas."
"Thank you." He winked and turned as he was ushered by the butler to the room where Si Weimin's bar could be found.
He walked in long stride, reaching the room in no time. He grabbed the knob and opened the door without knocking.
He always loved the contemporary look of Si Weimin's bar. Frosted glass and black, flat panel upper cabinets hanged on the wall. Leather barstools with chrome bases fitted snuggly underneath the waterfall edge countertop, making it look like a supremely stylish, high-end downtown bar.
On the left were wine shelves with plenty of old and expensive wines.
He instantly saw Si Weimin seating on one of the stool, holding an empty glass of wine while on the countertop laid an empty wine bottle. His hair was disheveled and he looked grumpy and knotty.
"Hey, bro! What's up?" Thomas patted Si Weimin on the back.
Si Weimin only watched as Thomas took a wine glass, opened a new bottle and poured himself a wine. Without answering, he raised his glass for Thomas to refill.
"What's with the sour mood, bro?"
He gulped the remaining wine in his glass before he replied, "Grandpa Si wants me to marry Zhou Bingbing."
Si Weimin's revelation took Thomas' by surprise. He almost spewed out the wine in his mouth. He didn't know how to react.
'Si Weimin? The cold hearted CEO, Si Weimin? Being force by his grandfather to marry? That's really funny.'
Thomas' thought to himself as he tried to suppress the laughter in his throat. There was a mischievous glint his eyes as he asked, "Why would Elder Si do that?"
"He felt obligated to bring back the favor. He's always been friends with the Zhous." Si Weimin answered darkly.
"HA HA HA HA HA! That's really funny, bro. I didn't know yer gonna obey that."
Thomas broke down in laughter. The laugh he tried to suppress felt like a bursting balloon he couldn't contain. He laughed so hard that he held his stomach.
"HA HA HA! Bro, that's ridiculous. Try to imagine the devil of the business world having an arranged marriage!"
"You done laughing?"
Thomas suddenly stopped when he heard Si Weimin's icy tone. He tensed as he gazed nervously at him. 'I think I angered the devil.'
"You should try marrying Zhou Bingbing on my behalf then?"
"U-uhh, bro. I'm only kidding," He refilled Si Weimin's glass as he continued, "Surely, you don't plan on marrying her, right? 'coz bro, you have yer Jia."
"I'm lost."
It was the first time Thomas had seen Si Weimin so lost. He could now feel the degree of burden on his shoulders. He looked at him sympathetically before he broke the silence, "What are your plans now?"
"Nothing."
"Bro, don't be so disheartened." Thomas gave Si Weimin a punch on the shoulder, "I know that you know what you shall do. Do what you must. After all, it'll only be you who'll decide what's best."
The two of them continued drinking when Si Weimin spoke, "Any news about Jia?"
"Glad you asked. That's the reason I came here. Wang Guo called me last night, telling me to see you today." He sipped his wine before he continued, "I found a piece of diamond when I came back in the parking lot after we talked."
Thomas took something on his pocket and handed it to Si Weimin.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Si Weimin unfolded the paper. A piece of sparkling diamond was inside. He looked questioningly at Thomas.
"I think it has something to do with the person Xu Jia Li had seen in the parking lot. It might be part of the culprit's clothes or accessory."
Si Weimin examined the diamond. The cut was good which meant that someone who wanted to scare Xu Jia Li was not an average person – an average person couldn't afford such precious cut of diamond.
"And if you're wondering, Jia was wearing a diamond encrusted gown on her Welcome Party," He sighed, "but that diamond wasn't hers. I called Shen Linqin to check if Xu Jia Li's dress was okay. She said yes. She even sent a picture of the whole gown… and it wasn't like that cut."
______________________________________________
Zhou Residence
"Xiao Bingbing, your mom will arrive tomorrow." Zhou Jiayin announced excitedly. It had been one month that Ye Lingling was out of the country.
"I'm so excited, dad! I wish mom could be here tonight when Weimin-ge and Grandpa Si visit."
"Don't worry, Bingbing, there are plenty of time when we can invite them again." Zhou Jiayin laughed heartily.
"Dad, I'm the happiest woman alive. I can't wait to tell mom about it."
"Why don't you call your mom now?"
"I want to tell it to her in person, dad." Zhou Bingbing hugged her dad as she beamed at him.
Zhou Jiayin was glad to see the happiness in his daughters' eyes. He would do anything to the best of his ability to make sure that his family is happy.
"Are you excited for later?"
"Yes, dad. I can't believe that we're finally going to talk about my wedding."
"Just tell me if he's not treating you right. My baby will be married soon." Tears started to build up in Zhou Jiayin's eyes.
"Dad, I'm no longer a baby." Zhou Bingbing pouted. She jolted upright as she said,"Oh myyy, I have to go to the spa. I have to prepare for tonight. I'll see you later dad."
Zhou Jiayin had a smile on his face as he stared at Zhou Bingbing's retreating form.
'My precious Bingbing, I hope Si Weimin will be the perfect husband for you…'
______________________________________________
Zhou Bingbing rode his car and went to her favorite spa. The Tranquil Garden Spa was exclusive for the richest and most famous people in China. Only selected celebrities had access to it. A person needed to be personally invited to gain the VIP card which required to be renewed every year.
She was elated to know that she was among those few who could regularly indulge in the exclusive service of the spa.
She entered inside the establishment and immediately, she was greeted by the receptionist, "Good day, Ms. Zhou!"
She was later on ushered to one of the rooms where she had a whole body scrub and massage. She felt renewed after. She couldn't help feeling overjoyed now that her dream was coming true.
She changed back to her clothes and went out. Upon her way out of the room, she bumped into the most hated person she had.
She raised her brow and looked at Xu Jia Li who was still wearing a robe – a white robe which meant that she only had the invitation card. Invitation card was given for an access of only a month. This could be a gift from an already VIP card holders.
Since VIP card holders wear deep crimson robe, she knew right away that Xu Jia Li only have the other card.
She instantly felt more entitled. She sneered as she spoke, "I wonder how you get the invitation card. Guess, you'll have to go here so your one month won't be wasted."
Xu Jia Li only looked at her without interest, her eyes shouting the word, I DON'T CARE. She walked past Zhou Bingbing but she was stopped in her tracks when she heard her say,
"I hope you'll stop using my fiancé's name to create hype."
Xu Jia Li turned to face Zhou Bingbing and asked, "Your fiancé?"
Zhou Bingbing saw Xu Jia Li gasped. She laughed seeing her reaction. She had a triumphant smile on her face as she answered, "Yes. My fiancé. The man I will marry. The man you keep on using to gain popularity. Yes, it's Weimin-ge."