“Hello, Miss Xia.” Hua Yue greeted Xia Yuan as their eyes met.
Hua Yue…
Ever since she rose to prominence within the Hua family, she’s been the talk of the town. Xia Yuan had heard of her, even though they ran in different circles.
However, Xia Yuan didn’t feel the need to be overly cautious around her. Being the daughter of the Xia family gave her confidence.
“Hello, President Hua.”
It was only upon seeing her that Xia Yuan realized Meng Xiyue wasn’t here to relax but to work. She glanced at Meng Xiyue, who looked energetic in her riding outfit, and tucked her hair behind her ear: “Do you have time for a hot spring later?”
Having agreed to treat Meng Xiyue better, Xia Yuan took action immediately, not even considering the possibility of Meng Xiyue refusing.
Meng Xiyue had two meetings later, though they weren’t very important. However, she didn’t like doing things beyond her control at specific times.
Having been in the business world for so long, Hua Yue seized the opportunity before Meng Xiyue could refuse: “Sure, I wonder if Miss Xia would mind an additional person?”
Hua Yue smiled charmingly, her seductive gaze drifting towards Hua Yingying, who was standing aside like a wallflower.
Hua Yue was known for being attractive to both men and women.
Xia Yuan, who hadn’t noticed, always believed the more, the merrier, and agreed: “Sure.”
With Xia Yuan’s agreement, Hua Yue turned to Meng Xiyue: “President Meng, regarding the follow-up issues, I think we can discuss them while enjoying the hot springs, what do you say?”
Though she said this, she didn’t really give Meng Xiyue a chance to refuse.
Unless Meng Xiyue wanted to give up on the collaboration.
Meng Xiyue didn’t like being put in such a passive position and replied with a slightly cold tone: “No problem.”
However, her displeasure wasn’t enough to cause a rift between them.
Hua Yue clearly understood Meng Xiyue’s mood swings but didn’t mind at all. She leaned closer to Meng Xiyue, her body as soft as a snake, but Meng Xiyue, quick to react, moved away. Hua Yue, ever so flirtatious, brushed her hair aside: “President Meng, relax. Work is something you’ll never finish in a lifetime.”
Hua Yue was extremely career-driven, and she could tell Meng Xiyue was the same. However, she also enjoyed life and had a good impression of Meng Xiyue, certainly not wanting Meng Xiyue to dislike her.
This fondness was out of admiration. Hua Yue wanted to be friends with Meng Xiyue, recognizing her as a very straightforward person.
She was still very curious about her and Xia Yuan’s familiarity.
Xia Yuan also came closer, her bright eyes glancing at Meng Xiyue, visibly a bit upset: “What? Do you want to go back to work?”
“I’ll have you know, I’m going to be very busy in the future.”
Her words were just short of directly telling Meng Xiyue that if she dared to refuse, she shouldn’t expect to be asked out again.
Meng Xiyue looked at Xia Yuan, who was clinging to her, their matching riding outfits pressed tightly together, her light-colored pupils shimmering under the sunlight. She took a step forward: “I’ll go.”
So, don’t stand so close.
Xia Yuan quickly followed up: “Alright, I’ll go make a reservation.”
Meng Xiyue nodded, taking the horse from the servant’s hand, ready to take a couple of laps.
Hua Yue looked at Hua Yingying standing there: “Do you want to ride a horse?”
Hua Yingying knew who Hua Yue was, her photo was in the finance magazine, somewhat flattered: “No… no need, I don’t know how.”
Hua Yue chuckled: “I’ll teach you.”
Hua Yingying followed in a daze.
After Xia Yuan made the reservation, seeing Meng Xiyue trotting on the horse, she got excited, remounted her horse, and followed, holding the reins, her expression excited: “Meng Xiyue, let’s see who can run the fastest.”
Meng Xiyue maintained her speed, facing Xia Yuan’s overly excited eyes, without a word.
Xia Yuan took it as her agreement: “I’ll count one, two, three… one… two… three,” and with that, she dashed off on her horse.
Meng Xiyue still maintained her pace, neither fast nor slow, following behind Xia Yuan.
She always politely declined such troublesome matters.
After Xia Yuan ran a lap and saw Meng Xiyue leisurely trailing, she was unhappy, “Meng Xiyue, I don’t need you to curry favor with me, I don’t need you to let me win, I can beat you.”
The reluctantly flattered Meng Xiyue: “…Miss Xia, I think…”
“A misunderstanding?” Xia Yuan lifted her chin: “Is that what you were going to say, Meng Xiyue, I know… cough, you’re cold on the outside but warm on the inside.”
Swallowing that phrase, liking how you secretly treat me well.
Continuing, she said, “But there’s no need to be so accommodating to me.” As she spoke, Xia Yuan’s face broke into what could only be described as a smug smile. “I certainly don’t think I’ll lose to you.”
“Want to give it a try?”
Meng Xiyue’s slender fingers tightened around the reins, her long eyelashes quivered, a faint curve appeared on her lips, and a glint flashed in her eyes.
“Okay.”
And then… Xia Yuan was utterly defeated.
…
On the way to the hot springs, Meng Xiyue completely ignored Xia Yuan’s sulky demeanor. Xia Yuan made a point of only talking to Hua Yingying, her little follower Wang Xuan, and the recently met but not yet close Hua Yue, clearly intending to exclude her.
Hua Yue chuckled softly, leaning in towards Meng Xiyue: “Hmm, I wonder what our President Meng did to make Miss Xia angry?”
The intention to watch the drama unfold was quite clear.
Meng Xiyue glanced coldly at Hua Yue, “President Hua, about our cooperation…”
Before she could finish, Hua Yue made a ‘spare me’ gesture and quickly distanced herself from Meng Xiyue.
Meng Xiyue was instantly left isolated.
Xia Yuan glanced over and continued to listen to Wang Xuan’s flattery, even snorting in her heart.
It was Meng Xiyue’s fault for making her lose face.
To this moment, she still remembered the cold look in Meng Xiyue’s eyes when she dismounted and looked at her.
The naked mockery.
Holding a grudge √
As for Meng Xiyue, she was feeling extremely comfortable and peaceful at the moment.
Xia Yuan had booked a super large private room, changed clothes, and Meng Xiyue declined the full-body massage service, opting to go to the hot springs first.
Hua Yue, who had been experiencing some shoulder pain recently, stayed for a massage along with Huayingying and Wang Xuan.
Wang Xuan couldn’t catch anyone’s attention at the club. She was pretty, but not outstanding. Plus, her calculating eyes were a turn-off for many.
Now, she had set her sights on Hua Yue. Although Hua Yue wasn’t part of the entertainment circle, her scandalous news was plentiful, involving both men and women.
Wang Xuan saw an opportunity.
Hua Yue ignored Wang Xuan’s flattery with a smile. On any other day, she might have been interested in playing along, but now she had someone cuter in mind.
Xia Yuan lay there, letting the senior masseuse apply essential oil on her, her gaze drifting to the empty space beside her, feeling a hidden discomfort.
The sauna’s heat made her restless.
She suddenly stood up, “I’m going to the hot spring.”
Hua Yue’s gaze followed Xia Yuan’s hurried steps, her eyes and brows teasingly smiling.
Upon reaching the hot spring suite, Xia Yuan immediately saw Meng Xiyue leaning back, her porcelain-white, slender neck exposed, relaxing against the wooden wall behind her.
Her face was flushed, her brows and eyes moist, soft, and warm.
She coughed to announce her presence.
Xia Yuan, observing Meng Xiyue closely, noticed that the other didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.
Completely ignored?!
Xia Yuan grew angrier, hastily removed her bathrobe, and sat down in a sexy black swimsuit.
The water in the bath stirred, reaching the relaxed Meng Xiyue.
Her brows twitched, she opened her cool eyes to look at Xia Yuan, who was far away, slightly lowered her gaze, moistened her lips, then closed her eyes again. However, the relaxation between her brows was gone, replaced by a slight frown.
The atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Xia Yuan stared at Meng Xiyue for a long time, then began to reflect.
She was the one who provoked first, and she was the one who demanded Meng Xiyue not to let her win. As for that last mocking and indifferent look, it might have been her imagination. Weren’t Meng Xiyue’s eyes always so cold?
Besides, Meng Xiyue was always dignified. How could she possibly mock her?
It was all her overthinking.
However, she had always won when racing horses with those girls. Suddenly losing so miserably, it was understandable for her to lose her temper. Now that the anger was vented, they could reconcile.
Thinking this, Xia Yuan slowly approached and sat beside Meng Xiyue. Observing her slender neck and pearly white collarbones under the shadow of her thick eyelashes, Xia Yuan felt a bit awkward.
She rarely bowed her head to anyone.
Meng Xiyue had broken her pride several times.
“Meng Xiyue, let me give you a massage.”
Meng Xiyue opened her eyes, revealing her beautiful and serene eyes. Without looking at Xia Yuan, she turned around, resting her hands on the wooden board, exposing her pearly white and delicate back.
Xia Yuan couldn’t help but smile triumphantly. Indeed, Meng Xiyue wouldn’t really be angry with her.
Her massage skills were mediocre at best, occasionally massaging her brother Xia Ke, which was hardly comfortable.
Because Xia Ke was a man, Xia Yuan always applied more force. Following the same method on Meng Xiyue, her soft skin immediately showed finger marks.
Xia Yuan felt guilty: “…”
She then started to lighten her touch. From her angle, she could see Meng Xiyue’s closed eyelashes. She stopped massaging and said, “Cough, Meng Xiyue, don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”
Xia Yuan wasn’t expecting an apology from Meng Xiyue, especially since Meng Xiyue wasn’t at fault to begin with. It just felt odd to her; if someone else had inexplicably gotten angry with her, she would have already confronted them.
Yet, Meng Xiyue was so tolerant of her.
Xia Yuan knew it wasn’t right, but she couldn’t help losing her temper sometimes.
Xia Ke often said she was like a little princess, needing to be pampered.
“Do you need a massage?”
A gentle voice sounded.
By the time Xia Yuan came to her senses, she was already lying down, letting Meng Xiyue knead her body.
When Hua Yue and the other two arrived, they saw Meng Xiyue diligently massaging Xia Yuan.
Seeing them coming, both of them unanimously ignored them.
Hua Yue shrugged, always feeling like she was being shown off in some inexplicable way.
*
“Hello, are you Miss Xia’s friend? She’s drunk at xx bar, can you come and pick her up?”
Meng Xiyue was just about to go to bed, she subconsciously looked at the time.
23:39
She replied rather coldly: “You can contact her brother.”
The person on the other end seemed troubled: “Miss Xia specifically asked for you to pick her up.”
Meng Xiyue: “I see, thank you.” After saying that, she hung up the phone.
The bartender placed the phone next to Xia Yuan, who was slumped over the table, and looking at the drunken Xia Yuan, said, “Miss Xia, your friend will be here to pick you up soon.”
At the same time, he couldn’t help but comment that Miss Xia had saved her friend’s contact as ‘iceberg’.
Barely sober, Xia Yuan propped up her head, her eyes blurry but her face wore a smug expression: “Ha, I told you, Meng Xiyue is so good to me.”
The bartender, seeing her drunken state, didn’t have the heart to say that the other party initially refused.
Xia Yuan didn’t wait long before Meng Xiyue arrived.
Late at night, when the bar was at its liveliest, Meng Xiyue entered the noisy scene, avoiding people who tried to strike up a conversation, and found Xia Yuan accurately.
“Miss Xia?”
Xia Yuan opened her eyes and saw Meng Xiyue’s familiar face: “Meng Xiyue, you’ve come to take me home.”
Meng Xiyue paused for a moment, her cold gaze softened: “Yeah.”
