Rui Xiaodan and Ouyang Xue drove Ding Yuanying home and then headed back to the hotel.
As the car left the South Village, Rui Xiaodan asked, "Ouyang, what was that all about today?"
Ouyang Xue navigated through an intersection, too preoccupied to answer immediately.
Rui Xiaodan opened the car window a crack, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. "You went too far. How am I supposed to explain this to Ya Wen? I can't stand seeing a good man forced to bow down by a woman."
Ouyang Xue replied, "First, tell me, where are you going to get that 200,000 yuan from? In five days, can you manage a property mortgage or get a transfer from abroad in time?"
Rui Xiaodan hesitated briefly before admitting, "I'll go to my dad."
Ouyang Xue said, "I figured as much. All these years, you've avoided asking him for help, but now you're ready to lower your head for a man? 200,000 yuan! What could drive you to be so irrational, so reckless for someone?"
Rui Xiaodan hadn't considered these questions before. Ouyang Xue's words suddenly made her pause.
Ouyang Xue continued, "It's not like I've spent my life bullying others. Why would I target him specifically? I just wanted to see how much you care for him and if he cares for you. Ever since he drank those six glasses of wine, you've been looking at him in a way I've never seen you look at anyone. Girl, you're in love."
Rui Xiaodan felt a jolt in her heart!
That realization softened her previous emotions, and she understood Ouyang Xue's intentions. This more sensitive topic now occupied her thoughts. She remained silent for a long time, then murmured, "Me? In love?"
Ouyang Xue said, "You fell in love before you even had a chance to consider if it's worth it or if you should. It shows you can't control yourself. As your elder by two years, I have to help you keep things in check."
Rui Xiaodan frowned slightly and said painfully, "God! Can we use a less vulgar term? You're worse than Ya Wen. I'm fainting here!"
Ouyang Xue chuckled, "It's true, though."
Rui Xiaodan thought for a moment and said, "If I can't control it, then I'll just love."
Ouyang Xue warned, "But this guy isn't just anyone. Today, it was your look that forced him to respond to us. He's not on the same path as us. I don't think you can handle him, and you might end up getting hurt. You lost your composure today. Women should let men pursue them. You need to maintain some dignity."
Rui Xiaodan said, "That's for aloof women. I'm not one to pretend. If someone is easy to control, there's no need to try. If they aren't, you can't control them anyway. Love is just love."
Ouyang Xue didn't say anything more until they reached the Venus Hotel. She was still pondering Rui Xiaodan's words: "If I can't control it, then I'll just love." It sounded rash but was also quite straightforward. Yet, she still felt Rui Xiaodan was acting without enough rational thought, especially given how quickly everything had happened.
At the hotel entrance, Ouyang Xue parked the car, and both women got out.
Rui Xiaodan said by the driver's door, "I'm not coming up. I need to contact my dad, find out where he is, and book a flight for tomorrow to get the money as soon as possible."
Ouyang Xue said, "I'll gather the money I had for buying a house and find the rest from elsewhere. Getting 500,000 yuan shouldn't be a problem. I'm worried about you. Do you really believe in this opportunity? If it's such a good chance to make money, how much did he invest?"
Rui Xiaodan said, "Do you have to wait until the 200,000 is gone to run? Before coming to Gucheng, he ran a private equity fund. Ya Wen said the entry threshold for his fund was 30 million yuan per household. Last year, he managed over 200 million and made nearly 200 million in profits. Selling his records only shows he's hit a rough patch; it doesn't mean anything else. Considering he chose to sell records rather than ask for help, but picked up the phone today, even if he's a fraud, I'd respect him."
Ouyang Xue was shocked. "He's such a person? Why didn't you ever mention this?"
Rui Xiaodan replied, "Does it matter to us?"
Ouyang Xue was at a loss for words.
Rui Xiaodan got into her car, closed the door, waved to Ouyang Xue, and drove away.
Ouyang Xue stood there for a while, thinking to herself: That one look from you is worth so much.