When Jian Qingshan steps away from the bar, the music changes. With the music slowed, the mood is more romantic and atmospheric.
It must have been 'that time' of night.
The lights have dimmed, and it seems like there are even more couples cuddling up to each other. They've forgotten all about hiding their identities, and they're whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears.
-thud-
"Sorry…" A man who reeks of alcohol bumps into Jian Qingshan. "My, my, my. Well aren't you just the bell of the ball."
"Oh? That's a very complimentary thing to say when you can't even see my face."
"I can tell your body. Yeah, the legs you've got sticking out of that dress are really nice."
Gross.
"I'd love to see what you've got hiding under that mask. How about you let me take it off?"
"I obviously can't let you do that. I mean, we're at a masquerade party." She gently brushes away the hand that is reaching out for her mask; looking around for a waiter she could call.
However, that seems to offend the drunk man.
"What's your deal? You've been acting like you're too good for me since I walked up. Everyone here thinks they're better than me. No one respects me!"
One thought came in her mind, if he keeps swinging the glass around like that—
-crash-
There's a shrill noise, and the champagne glass breaks into pieces. Shards of glass goes flying, and a sharp pain rips through her calf.
"What's all this commotion?"
That question was all it takes. Everyone presents immediately turns to look at the owner of the voice.
The man has an air of regal authority far too powerful to be concealed by any mask.
The man was Xi Yuanjun, himself.
"Clean that up! All of it!"
"Yes, Mr. Xi." The security guard signals the waiter to clean the mess and turns to take the drunk man away. "Please come with me, sir."
"Huh? Wh-what?"
As expected no less of Xi Yuanjun. He was using his authority as owner to throw the drunk out with the rest of the trash.
Jian Qingshan thinks back to the three profile she read earlier. There's Xi Yuanjun, Wang Zhixin and—
"Are you alright?"
"…"
"What a shame. A cut marring your beautiful leg."
This man, Jing Ke. Was he genuinely concerned or just genuinely concerned with appearing to be?
His smile never fading as he continues to fret over the trivial matter.
"How dare that drunk damage a treasure he could never afford? He should pay with his life."
"You're being too dramatic, Yuanjun."
These two men were friends of Wang Zhixin. Jian Qingshan thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to connect with these two, but not tonight.
"That must hurt. Let us help. We'll fix you right up."
"No, it's no big deal, really." She quickly declines Jing Ke's assistance.
Xi Yuanjun eyes focused on the woman in front of him. "Reverse psychology? If you're saying that to manipulate me, you're a very dangerous woman. Men can't help but want to chase after the one who got away."
Just as Xi Yuanjun is about to take her hand, Jing Ke cuts him off.
"It's not nice to go after an injured woman, Yuanjun."
"So, now you're pretending to be a gentleman? There's nothing worse than feigning kindness to make a first impression."
"Would you prefer I did the opposite? Following your logic, that would make Xinxin the good guy."
"That's another story entirely. Speaking of the devil. There he is, Xinxin!"
When Xi Yuanjun calls out to him, the man turns around, albeit as slowly and reluctantly as human possible.
Wait! Xinxin is Wang Zhixin?! Not in a million years would she guess that the man would have such a cute nickname.
"Perfect timing. Look, she got hurt. You're the responsible party here, Xinxin. It's only right that you help her with her cut."
The wrinkly between Wang Zhixin's eyebrows gets deeper every time they call him Xinxin.
"I'm impressed, Xinxin. You act like you're above it all, but you know how to make a move when it counts."
"Yeah, I mean, we saw you buy her a drink."
"It's too bad. This woman is a rare beauty, but I won't step on your toes. Have fun."
It sounds like a whole mess of misunderstandings.
Egged by the two stubbornly smirking men, Wang Zhixin takes a look down at her and her leg.
Making a face like he'd truly rather be doing anything but this. He lets out a grief-laden sigh and shoots her a look that says, 'come with me.'
-
The man brings the woman to a room deep in the bowels of the restaurant. While apathetically preparing the necessary supplies, he takes off his mask before it can get in the way and turns around to speak to her.
"Take those things off."
What? Her clothes? He wishes.
"I won't be able to stop the bleeding with them on."
Oh wait, he meant the stockings.
He was really going to patch up her cut. Although the bleeding already seems to have stopped, she went along with what he says.
Avoiding the cut itself, she takes off the stockings. Then he gestures for her to sit on the sofa.
"I'm going to touch it."
"A-alright."
His long fingers slowly part the slit in her dress. The exposed skin is marred by a second cut.
Using a cotton ball he soaked in disinfectant then dabs the wound. To her, it stings every time he touches it.
She stifles a groan, and he glances up at her. After that, this touch seems to get a little lighter.
"Your hands are much kinder than your words—"
"Be quiet."
Urggh. Unable to hold it in, she moans despite herself, and the long, thin eyes looks her way again.
It's not long before the open wound feels like it's burning. The mood in the room was starting to wrap around her, as palpable as humid air. Her pulse was gradually quickening.
"All done."
"Thank you. But that was weird. It felt like I was being burned by dry ice."
"Cuts hurt. That's kind of their thing. And, to be precise, that was an ice burn. It's different from a fire burn."
"Ha-ha, I thought you may say tha—"
Jian Qingshan stumbles the moment she tries to stand up, but luckily the man was quick enough to catch her from behind.
"That's what happens when you get up too fast."
"I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
When she turns around, she discovered his eyes were far closer than expected. She could feel his breath on her neck, and there was a reverberating throbbing in her head.
What was this feeling?
There was something swimming in those indifferent depths. Something that should you touch, would hurt you before you could even register, just like dry ice.
Her curiosity tells her to dig deeper, but something like fear made her hesitate.
For a second there, she couldn't stop looking into his eyes.
"Thank you for catching me."
"If it hurts, let me know."
He was still holding her from behind, as he speaks, his low voice a whisper behind her back. The area around his neck gives off a clean, bracing scent, like that of a winter's night.
"If you don't want to make it worse, let me hold you."
Wait, was he really going to pick her up and carry her?
She gazes at him in surprise, and his eyes narrows.
"It's a thousand times better than sucking it up and forcing yourself to walk. Or, is there some reason you'd rather I don't hold you?"
Those eyes, Jian Qingshan knew that if she turns him down without a good reason, it'll only make him suspicious. She decided to just let him do what he wants.
"Come with me." He stoops over a little, placing one hand behind her knees and the other behind her back.
For a guy with the bedside manner of a block of ice, his hands were surprisingly warm.
Her gaze drifts momentarily upwards at his touch.
"Are you this nice to everyone?"
"Nice?" His eyes clouds over, and he abruptly scoffs at her.
The fingers on her leg slowly begins to move.
"I was right to buy you that sweet drink. You really are naïve. Do you honestly believe this is simple kindness?"
The tips of his fingers glide smoothly up her leg. He had touched her in ways that teases her sense.
Still, never taking her eyes off him, she smiles.
"So, you're capable of making jokes. Who knew? Guys who let their second head lead them around are so predictable."
"…"
"If I offended you, I'm sorry. I won't call you nice again, I promise."
"Enough chit-chat. I'll bring you home."
"There's no need for grand gestures. I'm find. I can walk. Besides, I don't like being indebted to others."
"I see. You're very convincing."
After expressing a subtle hint of admiration, he quietly lowers his eyes to the floor. Perhaps it's because of the backless dress she's wearing, but the second his hand leaves her skin, she felt a chill in its absence.
"Thank you for fixing me up. Goodnight."
Jian Qingshan bid her farewell and left the man behind while making her way out the restaurant.
Who had known that she successfully made a connection? And, as long as she had his handkerchief, she was bound to meet him again.
"Hm?" When she took out the handkerchief that was given to her by Wang Zhixin, something falls out of it. "Isn't this a man's ring?"
Jian Qingshan was lost at words; the intel had stated he was single. But, the ring clearly says it all. Wang Zhixin, the man was engaged.