A few days have passed since the kiss.
"Nice night, isn't it? Delicious wine, good friends, and the finest woman I've ever feasted my eyes on." Leisurely crossing his legs as he sits in the VIP seat, Xi Yuanjun narrows his eyes seductively.
"Turn it down a notch, Yuanjun. You're going to scare the girl off. Right, Xinxin?" Jing Ke, wearing his usually smile, is there as well as a frowning Zhixin.
Looking at his face makes her feel like she's going to start thinking about the kiss they shared, so she discreetly averts her eyes.
"Now, I think it's about time you confess. Tell us Jing Ke and I everything."
It was a nightmare for her to face both Xi Yuanjun and Jing Ke. Squelching the distress she feels inside, she though back to how it all started.
It's been a few days since the kiss. Summoned by Wang Zhixin, she shows up, prepared for the worst. He, on the other hand, appears strangely at ease as he hands her an envelope.
"This is for you."
"For me?" Skeptical, she opens the envelope. Inside was an invitation to a party at Heaven's Gate Resort restaurant.
The invitation was from Xi Yuanjun.
"Yuanjun probably invited you because we told him you're my girlfriend at the patrons' party. As much as I hate to say it, you should go to the party. He's more obstinate than you can imagine."
"Ok."
And so, Xi Yuanjun invited her to his party normally enough, but—
"I should have done this much earlier. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Xi Yuanjun, the owner of Heaven's Gate Resort."
"And I'm Jing Ke. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Of course. I know who you guys are."
"Yet, Xinxin never bothered to formally introduce you to us, despite the fact that you're supposed to be his girlfriend. It's all very fishy."
"That's Xinxin for you." Jing Ke laughs. "That's why we wanted to invite you."
"I see."
"Alright, time for you to start talking. How did this romance between you and Xinxin start?"
Jian Qingshan knew this was what the two man were going to ask her about.
"Or, if you can't tell us that, we could talk about something else. For instance, what do you find cutest about Xinxin?"
"Yuanjun, that's an even more difficult question." Jing Ke's exasperation brings a mischievous smile to Xi Yuanjun's face.
Hard-pressed to come up with an answer of some kind, she shoots Wang Zhixin a look, but the man remains silent.
What's the cutest thing about him?
A memory of the day they kissed in his room runs through her mind. She quickly brushes the imagine from her head. There was no way she needs to tell them about it. She was not going to let those two men intimidate her.
"I hate to break it to you, but I don't have much to tell you. I mean, secrets are only secrets when they're kept hidden."
"You are nothing like the other girls Zhixin has dated."
"Watch it, Yuanjun. Joke around too much and you'll piss Xinxin."
"How are you not enjoying this? Our Xinxin got himself a girlfriend who offers him nothing professionally. This is no time to be stuffing your face with caviar."
Unbothered by Xi Yuanjun, Jing Ke casually spreads some caviar on a baguette.
"Would you like some? It's Almas caviar, the finest in the world." Jing Ke says, grinning as he offers her some of the not black but cream-colored delicacy.
"That's ok. Thank you though."
Jing Ke seems like the mildest mannered one but his ability to completely and utterly tune out Xi Yuanjun was pretty impressive. And, Wang Zhixin was being Wang Zhixin, ignoring everything and drinking his wine.
"You guys seems like such good friends. You said you've known each other since university, right?"
"Yea. We were quite the trio back in the day. We even got ourselves into a little trouble here and there."
"A little?" Jing Ke commented, followed by Wang Zhixin. "Pfft."
"You two want to tell me I'm wrong?"
The three men were so comfortable with each other. Well, that only happens when you're partners in crime.
Regardless of their checkered past, Wang Zhixin was surprisingly at ease tonight. Just then, Jian Qingshan hears a smattering of applause. A familiar artist has taken the stage.
"I know him. That's the pianist named—"
"You recognize him? He's very popular right now."
What a romantic song. There was a big departure from the bawdy atmosphere of the first party she attended. It was so pretty and Jian Qingshan herself loves songs like this.
"This is really lovely."
"You like it? It's Xinxin's stage tonight."
"This restaurant started as a joint investment between the three of us. We take turns booking the live acts. And Xinxin is in charge today."
"I see. So that's why you say it's Xinxin's stage."
Jian Qingshan quickly realizes that she called the man Xinxin.
Wang Zhixin scrunches his nose in displeasure, and she gives him a shrug.
Watching Jian Qingshan and Wang Zhixin back and forth, Jing Ke smiles.
"You two are cute together. An individual's taste in music says a lot about the kind of person they are. And if you can confidently say you like this pianist then it's tantamount to saying you like Xinxin himself. You two must be very compatible."
Surprisingly, Jing Ke's comment makes her pulse spike. It was because she wasn't saying those things just to be flattering. It wasn't something Wu Nianzhen would say but was her, Jian Qingshan's real opinion.
Another round of thunderous applause snaps her back to her senses. The next thing she knew, another performer has taken the stage.
"That was a good performance. Lacking in the drama department though."
"Eat A5 grade of beef every day and you'll end up with an upset stomach." Wang Zhixin comment upon hearing Xi Yuanjun's words.
"Pfft, that's poor people talk, Xinxin."
Smirking, Xi Yuanjun laughs and writes a big check. Eyes still focused on Wang Zhixin, Xi Yuanjun casually sticks it in the chip of a waitress' waistband.
"So Zhixin, you still obsessed with building that rocker of yours?"
"You could say that. I'm going to use the money I make here tonight for investment purposes."
"You're always so upright. I'd love to see you let loose and go nuts for once. Although, I suppose that's the siren's territory, not mine."
Sirens, women who lured sailors to destruction with the sweetness of their songs. Evidently, Xi Yuanjun's interest is still very much focused on Jian Qingshan.
"Let's play a game with our beautiful guest, of course."
"Thanks for thinking of including me but count me out. This is too rich for my blood."
Besides, Jian Qingshan have no reason to play a game that doesn't have anything to do with her mission.
"Trying to avoid me?" Still wearing the same, alluring smile, Xi Yuanjun raises an eyebrow at her. "It's a simple game of Texas Hold'em poker. I'll pay out 1 million every time I lose. And if you lose, all you have to do is answer one of my questions."
"Those rules are pretty wild. What do you have up your sleeves?"
"Nothing. I just want to know more about the woman who captured Xinxin's interest. Low risk, high return, right? Or is Xinxin's new girl a chicken?"
"You've got a problem, Yuanjun. Now you're pressuring women into going along with your bets?"
"I'll do it."
"Nianzhen…"
"Sorry, but I actually really hate to lose." After flashing Wang Zhixin a smile, Jian Qingshan slaps an ironclad grin on her face and turns back to Xi Yuanjun. And so, the battle begins.
-
"I win."
Although she did her best, Jian Qingshan loses the first game. Badly. And the rumors are probably true. Xi Yuanjun is one hell of a gambler.
"Now, on to my first question. What's your name?"
"What?"
"Your name."
"Wu Nianzhen."
"Wu… Nianzhen… good. Let's keep playing."
"Sure."
In Texas Hold'em, bluffing is key. Xi Yuanjun was scary good at this kind of game. It's not long before she loses again.
"I underestimated you. You're really good at this."
"Moving on to my next question. What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a consultant."
"Do you like your job?"
"Yes, I do."
There was something about Xi Yuanjun's piercing gaze that makes Jian Qingshan feel like the man can see right through her, and it was starting to make her feel a little nervous.
Still, her poker face never falters.
And so, Xi Yuanjun defeats her time and time again.
"Not even a single win. How did you get so good at this?"
"I'd be willing to teach you if you beat me, but… never mind, I shouldn't say anymore in front of Xinxin. Anyways, I've wasted too much time asking unsexy questions to such a sexy woman. What do you love most about Xinxin?"
The new question, unlike its predecessors, makes her breath catch in her throat for a second. She may not have been expecting this, but she can't let her guard down in front of Xi Yuanjun.
The man has been trying to find out more about her all night. Jian Qingshan can see what kind of person Xi Yuanjun is. If she doesn't give him a good answer, he might see through her whole act.
Xi Yuanjun was too clever. He is a genius when it comes to reading people. Right now, she needs to be as honest as possible.
"It's hard to express why I love Zhixin in words."
"Take your time and think about it. I don't mind."
"But, you know, I think Xinxin's appeal is actually pretty obvious. I mean, say what you will about the man, but he's the CEO of WGTC."
"Yes. If you're going to speak about Zhixin's appeal. You have to include his title. Money and power are easily visible merits, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider them plusses. I mean they're things he built through single-minded devotion to his work."
"Oh?"
"But I think, he's a lot friendlier now than he was when I only saw who he was on the surface."
When Jian Qingshan glances over to Wang Zhixin, the man was still looking at her.
"Did you know his closet is fill of racks and racks of the exact same clothes?"
"Hey!"
"Yea, it's pretty intense. I was shocked when I first saw it."
"He says he doesn't want to waste mental energy on banal tasks."
"That closet was so funny to me; I couldn't help but laugh. But it made sense too. Right now, he lives for his job. It's his devotion to his work that made Zhixin the man he is today."
Wang Zhixin's daily uniform, his habit of responding bluntly in conversation. If anyone knew all that about the man, they'll think he was a weirdo, but it makes sense when you realize he pours all of his energy into his work.
"That's how much Zhixin loves what he does. And, I love my job too, so I can understand the need he feels to push forward, no matter the cost."
"…"
"Oh, and there's his secret room too. Learning he had a place like that made me feel like we're a lot alike. How should I put this? When you're extremely devoted to your work, it's very important to have a place where you can unwind, so—"
"Enough. At this point you're just trying to make me jealous."
"I'm surprised. You really understand the man, deeply."
Did she say too much?
Curious, she looks at Zhixin, but he's quietly sipping on his wine. Still, Jian Qingshan swears she sees the hint of a smile on his lips.
"Fine. Let's move on to the next game."
"You're going to keep going?"
"I don't feel like letting you off the hook just yet. Get ready."
The atmosphere shifts, returning to normal at Xi Yuanjun's words. With no end in sight, their poker game stretches on.