Realizing that Janice would be in shock for quite some time and would require more of her attention, Nicole turned to the old man who was serving as judge and spoke, "Director Li, I must ask for your decision regarding the validity of these rules, as you were a close friend of Director Xiu."
Director Li turned to Janice, his expression conveying confusion and uncertainty. He seemed unsure of how to defend her in this situation. "In that case, the outcome depends on what was agreed upon by both parties," he stated, attempting to find a compromise. "It could fall under either rule one or two."
Nicole turned her gaze towards Janice and asked for her opinion, "So, Miss Janice, what do you think? Which option do you prefer?" She waited a moment before adding, "As your former boss, I suggest you go with option one. Before I reveal my cards on the table."
Nicole glanced at her watch and said, "You have one minute to decide. If not, we will proceed with option two. Director Wu and I have other matters to attend to." She stared at the ticking clock and began counting down, "Fifty seconds left."
Janice felt a cold sweat break out across her body. How did the situation change so suddenly that she became the one being publicly embarrassed?
"Forty seconds left."
Nicole's voice was like a time bomb in Janice's ears, making her chest feel tight and pounding.
"Thirty seconds left."
Janice turned to Director Li, hoping for assistance as Lai Ting's devoted ally. But he only shook his head, silently telling her to let it go. She seethed with anger towards the bald man who had abandoned her when she needed his support the most and had even rudely told her to give up.
"Ten seconds left."
"Alright.. Alright.. Alright.." Janice shouted in a voice that was more like a shout with both hands raised. "Let's choose the first option."
A smile appeared on Nicole's face and she straightened her body, "Then, is that decided, Director Li?"
Left with no other choice, Director Li nodded his head once. The old man's expression when he saw Nicole compared to the first time was completely different, like seeing a little girl turn into a little fox.
"Also, we will take back, the White Jade Vermilion Bird Lamp." Nicole ordered one of the employees there.
Director Li's heart sank as he watched his valuable discovery being taken away right before his eyes. He had been on Janice's side from the beginning, not that other woman's side. He felt a twinge of guilt for not aligning with Director Wu earlier. With a heavy sigh, he realized the opportunity was lost
"I just arrived," said the man answering the phone call that had been roaring and ringing non-stop during his journey from the airport to Director Xiu's Villa in Macau. "It seems like you lose."
That comment immediately made the woman on the other end of the phone voice get louder as if venting her frustration. "Janice, you have to calm down." The man suggested after moving the phone away and then bringing it closer to his ear again, not wanting to let the woman's screams hurt his eardrums.
"I'm at the front door. I'll see you inside," He said, ending the call without waiting for a response.
As he climbed up the first stairs, a voice called out from behind him, causing the young man to pause in his steps. "Director Lai."
A well-dressed old man who was almost completely bald approached him. It took a moment for Lai Xuting to recognize him. "Director Li?" He greeted hesitantly, taking in the older man's somber appearance.
Compared to the last time he saw Director Li, his condition had visibly worsened. In half a year, the old man appeared frail and neglected, a stark contrast to his usual sharpness. Director Li had always been under Janice's supervision, then who was responsible for made him this? Was it Janice's doing?
"It's been a while since we last saw each other, Director Lai. I wasn't sure if you would make it tonight."
Lai Xuting answered with a respectful bow, "Of course I would come to Director Xiu's party and yours tomorrow as well!" He added with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. But Director Li didn't seem amused, he looked tired and worn out.
"Honestly, it's up to you whether you want to come or not tomorrow," He replied bluntly.
From those words, Xuting could already catch the yellow light signal from Director Li, which made him feel uncomfortable. "Is there something happened, Director Li?"
A long sigh was heard from Director Li and his gaze became distant, avoiding the man, "It seems like I will rethink whether to go on your side or Wei Sheng."
When those words came out of Director Li's mouth, it was like an atomic bomb was dropped on the ground, which meant a disaster for him. "Can I know why you changed your mind?" Xuting asked, trying to stay calm amidst the panic that gripped him.
"It's just I decided too fast last time. Then, this time I will choose carefully."
Trying to guess what might have actually happened there, Xuting linked the matter to Janice's anger on the phone earlier. "Is there something happened inside? Before I arrived?"
Director Li's laughter was heard for the first time, as if the old man no longer had the burden to speak now. In fact, he dared to look Xuting straight in the eye. "Nothing happened, it's just like a usual play. There is a loser and winner," He said in a slightly joking tone, "It's just this time Janice is losing."
Xuting's brows furrowed deeply and his voice became serious, "Janice lost?"
This time it was Director Li's turn to be confused, "You don't know yet? I thought she called you to tell you this."
Maybe yes, Janice had told him, but he was the one who didn't really listen to the woman's words. Because Janice's voice on the phone was full of harsh words, insults and explosive emotions, where he was very anti and unwilling to be the girl's punching bag.
However, after hearing the reason from Director Li, he began to understand why Janice sounded almost crazy earlier. It turned out that she lost at poker, which had always been something she was proud of in front of everyone. Even during the time he had known Janice, he had never heard of her losing at poker to anyone. It seemed like her opponent was not a usual one.
"Then who is the winner?"
Director Li seemed to be trying to imagine the person's face again, but his expression looked a bit confused. "I am sure, I never met her before. But, why is her face some kind of familiar to me." He said to himself, "Based on what I heard, her name is Nicole. She is coming with Wei Sheng's Director, Wu Zhaoyi."
"Then, she's on Wei Sheng's side?" Xuting tried to reconfirm his speculation.
"I don't think so," Director Li shook his head, "She seems to be independent."
Xuting seemed to be racking his brains, searching for a name among the people between Lai Ting and Wei Sheng. However, he unfortunately failed to find any similarities. "Any other information?"
There was a long hum from Director Li before he spoke again, "If I'm not mistaken, Janice said they were close friends. However, based on what Nicole said, she was Janice's former boss."
Xuting realized that the woman had no relationship with him. As Director Li had just said, she was independent and probably just happened to come here with Wu Zhaoyi.
"But, we don't know what will happen in the future, right, Director Lai?" There was an emphasis in this statement. "Because, once she decides to side with Wei Sheng, then you are really in big trouble, because she is not an amateur like Janice."
This was the first time Xuting had heard Director Li praise someone, while also directly criticizing Janice. And this successfully piqued his curiosity. "It seems like that woman left a good impression on you, Director Li?"
"That depends on what impression you mean. But in her eyes, I can see a little fox hidden there, who is cunning and subtle." Director Li's eyes narrowed as if he was imagining the figure. "That's why it is very different from Janice, who is hot-tempered and emotionally unstable." There was a long sigh.
"Can you say more clearly, who is the hot-tempered and emotionally unstable one?"
A high-pitched female voice was heard interrupting the ongoing conversation there. Director Li's face immediately turned pale and frightened in an instant, even before he had time to see who was standing in the doorway there.
"Then, I'll go first, Director Lai. See you later." He said hurriedly and immediately turned around with quick steps without turning his body even once, then disappeared behind the dark shadows in the parking lot.
Xuting turned towards the woman standing in the doorway and stared at her for a moment. "You have to learn to control your emotions from now on, don't you see how scared Director Li is because of you?"
There was no response from the woman who was leaning against the wall near the entrance with her head down. Judging from her condition, Xuting could already guess that Janice had drunk quite a bit to vent her frustration, anger and embarrassment from her previous defeat. Even judging from Director Li's reaction, it seemed like the old man didn't help Janice much when he was there.
"Besides, didn't I tell you to limit your drinking when you come to a party like this?" He said as he approached Janice, then held one of her arms to help her stand up straight.
"That woman, just wait next time we meet. I will crush you to the ground and making you never ever stand again."
Xuting sighed inwardly at the threat that came out of Janice's half-drunk mouth. However, he also knew that if he continued to let Janice hold such a grudge, it would be fatal for him and downside Lai Ting. "Unfortunately, I am not familiar with that woman. Otherwise, I could give you some advice."
Janice raised her head and looked at Xuting, who tried to keep his face away from Janice because of the strong smell of alcohol from her breath and body.
"How much did you actually drink.."
"You know her," Janice said, interrupting Xuting with her weak voice. "Because she also goes to Dai Da High School, in Shenzhen."
Xuting tugged on the girl's arm as they made their way towards the stairs, eager to leave that place as soon as possible. Communicating with Janice in this condition was already challenging, so he wanted to avoid any further interactions. "There are so many people in Dai Da, how am I supposed to know them all?" He continued to keep his distance from the woman.
"But, she was a popular girl in your high school, so you should have heard her name at least once."
Xuting's sigh was heard again, but this time it was clearer. "Then, what is the reason she is so popular?"
"Because, she was the first woman athlete who graduated from Dai Da who got accepted into our swimming national team."
That one simple statement immediately made Xuting's grip on Janice's arm even tighter. In fact, his other empty hand immediately grabbed the woman's other arm so that they were facing each other. "Then, what's her name?"
"Shan Shan," Janice answered immediately. "If I'm not mistaken, her full name is Luo Xieshan."
This time it was Xuting's turn to freeze in place, as if a bolt of lightning had struck his body from the calm night sky. That woman shouldn't be that girl, right? It couldn't be.
"Why? You seem to remember something." Janice commented before she finally fainted and Xuting quickly caught her body before she fell to the floor.
"Because I'm the reason why she can't swim anymore."
If it really was her, even though he felt sorry for her, Xuting would be very happy to see her again. With this opportunity, he would do anything to repay what he had taken from her. Whatever it was, he would do it for Luo Xieshan.
***