Just as Mu Shengchen was about to speak, the car finally came to pick them up.
"Assistant Ye should be here now," Ning Qianyu said as she immediately scrambled up. Having been squatting this entire time, her legs had already grown numb. As she was about to walk towards the door, she could feel them quaking at every step
Frowning, she stretched them a few times before heading over to fix the bed.
She had just finished tidying up the covers when she heard knocking on the door. He's here. That was fast.
Although caught off-guard, she straightened her back and pushed Mu Shengchen out the entrance. "Assistant Ye," she greeted at the bowed man before strolling down the pavement.
She never really asked him whom the courtyard belonged to and why he had brought her here. Glancing one last time at the pebbled roads and the beautiful flowers, she got into the car and quieted down.
She didn't say anything the entire ride.
The atmosphere was off. Ye Xi seemed to have sensed something off between them because he also didn't say a word. He just continued to drive, but one could see the tightened grip he now had on the wheel.
Once they had left Qingshui Mountain, they headed straight for the airport.
When they arrived at the airport, Ye Xi went to arrange the luggage that was to be transported. Mu Shengchen and Ning Qianyu, on the other hand, were preparing for their first-class flight to City B.
As soon as they got onto the plane, he quickly called for the stewardess. "Two servings of this please," he said, and the woman simply nodded in reply. The airplane was slightly empty, probably because it was a weekday.
They ate for a while, with Ning Qianyu checking up on him from time to time. However, once they finished, the two reverted back to being silent once again.
At exactly 8 PM, they finally arrived at B City Airport.
As soon as they reached the Arrival Hall, they could see Yan Rui's lean figure standing at the center of the hall. His eyes were narrowed as if he were searching for people in the entranceway.
When he spotted them, he started waving his hand up in the air.
"Young Master Chen, Young Madame, you're here!" Yan Rui greeted enthusiastically.
"President Yan!" Ning Qianyu greeted him with a smile. Just as he was about to say something more, he noticed Mu Shengchen's cold and calculating gaze cascading upon him. Seeing this, he grabbed their bags. "Here, let me get that for you."
Mu Shengchen wasn't expecting him to come and pick them up. The Shengxiang Group was planning their annual party, weren't they? Surely, the headquarters was busy now, and Yan Rui should be running from left to right. "Why didn't you send someone to pick us up?" he questioned.
"I just happen to have the time," he responded, holding their luggage. "That's why I came over."
Even then, Mu Shengchen wasn't convinced.
Yan Rui glanced at his sullen expression. However, when he saw that he was slightly calmer upon hearing his reply, he breathed out a sigh of relief. "Let's go back now," he said, clasping his hands together.
Although the man founded Shengxiang Group, Young Master Chen rarely visited City B in the past year. With what's happening in City A, he certainly wasn't complaining. However, now that he had finally arrived, he was going to make the most of his appearance.
The last thing he wanted to do was to piss him off.
"The Emperor Pavilion has already arranged dinner for the both of you."
Seeing him frown, Yan Rui quickly added,
"We know how exhausted you were on the plane, so you should rest. Let me do the work."
Mu Shengchen glanced at Ning Qianyu. Her eyes were already drooping. A few more seconds, and she'd probably be knocked out. A slow smile spread across his lips before he finally nodded in agreement. "All right."
After they came out of the airport, they entered Yan Rui's Rolls-Royce.
Everyone at the airport could recognize the car. Even more, when they saw the license plate–8888. The crowd shared looks as they peered closer at the couple approaching the vehicle. However, they were all so fast that they weren't able to catch them!
They all knew that the car belonged to the famous Vice President Yan of the Shengxiang Group. The man was well-known around the city. Seeing him actually come to the airport to pick someone up...who was he picking up?
No matter how much they struggled to peer into the window, they couldn't see the passengers. Slumping back in disappointment, they continued on their days.
Without another word, the car finally drove towards City B.
City B was well-known for being the largest commercial port city in China. It was the closest to the Capital and one of the richest business districts in the country. It's why the place was extremely bustling with tourists, businessmen, and even locals. It was far more crowded than City A, that was for sure.
The Emperor Pavilion Clubhouse was the number one clubhouse in City B. No one knew who the owner was, but they knew for a fact not to offend anyone who comes in and out of that building. After all, the man behind the clubhouse could destroy all of them with one blow–financially and physically.
It took them around half an hour before they finally arrived. There, they were personally welcomed by Manager Lin himself.
"President Yan," he greeted, before nodding at the couple. "The Clear Lotus Pavilion is ready."
"Thank you, Manager Lin."
Manager Lin led the way down the corridors. Yan Rui was speaking to the manager for a while, being updated on all the clubhouse's current happenings. However, once that was over, he slowed down and walked side by side with Mu Shengchen.
The clubhouse was decorated very luxuriously. With large chandeliers, gold embellishments, and detailed architecture, the building felt more like a palace than a casual hangout. Ning Qianyu couldn't help but gape at the wide corridors and high ceilings.
Occasionally, a few waiters would pass through the corridor. When they saw the manager, they all stopped to bow.
When they finally reached the end of the corridor, the manager led them straight into an elevator. "As you can see, everything's well managed here," he added as he pressed a few buttons.
The elevator doors opened, and they were immediately greeted with hues of green and white. Ning Qianyu gasped. In the center of the balcony, they could see a bright pool of lotus flowers. They were able to bloom both in the summers and the winters, glittering under the pretty moonlight. It was obvious that the Emperor Pavilion had invested a lot into this.
The little streams of lights glistened with every step they take.
As soon as they were seated, Manager Lin handed them the menus. "Please order whatever you want." He bowed.
"Choose for me." With a smile, Mu Shengchen passed the menu to Ning Qianyu.
Ning Qianyu hadn't eaten anything since their breakfast at Mingjun Hotel. Although Mu Shengchen had ordered her lunch at the airplane, she couldn't find it in herself to stomach the food there. At the thought of ordering, her stomach growled in agreement.
She opened the menu and instinctively went to find the dishes that she liked to eat. However, upon seeing the price, she gasped. The menu clattered onto the table. Why are they so expensive?
Even Yan Rui glanced in surprise.
"Where's the restroom?" She smiled awkardly.
"It's over there." Manager Lin pointed at the door not far behind her.
"Thank you." After thanking him, she pushed the menu towards Mu Shengchen and rushed into the bathroom.
A small smile carved into his lips as he shook his head. Even till today, she had always been very nervous when it came to ordering expensive dishes like these. "I'll have this, this..." He ordered the ten dishes that he knew she liked.
When Ning Qianyu finally returned, she saw that the table was already packed with all of her favorite dishes. A few of the plates were even carried by the Manager himself. "That was quick," she murmured to herself.
"Please enjoy." Manager Lin slowly retreated to the side.
At the same time, Yan Rui finally stood up. "Young Master Chen, Young Madame, I have something to do first in the company," he said. "I'll be leaving first."
"Oh, you aren't going to eat dinner?"
"Right..." He chuckled awkwardly. "I've already eaten."
"Okay." Ning Qianyu glanced at her watch to see that it was half-past 9:00. He must've eaten before picking them up.
Knowing that Yan Rui was rushing back to his company, he didn't keep him any longer. "You can go."
"Young Master Chen, I've already arranged a room for you. Manager Lin will be the one taking you there after dinner," he said hurriedly. "Tomorrow morning, I will ask Butler Wen to pick you up." With one last nod, he left.