Bai Yuxuan bit down on Song JinXing's arm like a man possessed: “Sis! It must have been him! He'd just left less than ten minutes before I was caught - who else could it be if not him?!”
Bai Yinyue's fists tightened, but she had to restrain herself with her matchmaking date right there: “Mr. Song, why would you have a grudge against him? How could it be you? You're wrongly accusing someone here and sticking to your story - apologize to Mr. Song this instant!”
Bai Yuxuan was so angry his cheeks puffed out, but with his sister looming over him, he reluctantly muttered: “I'm sorry!”
Zhong Ruanxing didn't care enough to hold a grudge against a teenager: “It's nothing, don't worry about it.”
Bai Yinyue felt this matchmaking date was nothing like the rumors painted him to be. She actually really disliked those cold and aloof tycoons without a hint of humanity. When her family arranged for her to meet the notoriously ruthless Song JinXing, she was quite unhappy about it.
She had caught a glimpse of him at the city construction bidding meeting earlier this year. Even from afar she could tell he was good looking, but so unapproachable. So when the Song family made no moves afterwards, she was in no hurry either and was happy to leave things be.
She didn't expect to run into him on the plane today. Song JinXing's features were too unforgettable - she recognized him instantly, but surprisingly he wasn't as frosty as she imagined.
He smiled as he declined the flight attendant's offer, stowing his own luggage away. His black athletic wear gave him a refreshing handsomeness. His temperament was gentle, gaze lingering softly when he spoke to her - polite and warm.
This was exactly the gentle, dreamy hunk she liked!
Bai Yinyue was extremely excited but knew she had to play hard to get. She gave an award winning performance, exceptionally demure as she smiled: “Mr. Song is going to Shanghai on business?”
Zhong Ruanxing nodded: “Yes, to attend a seminar.”
Bai Yinyue tilted her body slightly, brushing her hair back behind her ear: “How many days will you be there? I'll be in Shanghai for a few days too. Perhaps we could have the honor of dining together?”
Whoa, this young lady is making a move on me!
Zhong Ruanxing knew he should ask Song JinXing about his stance regarding this matchmaking date before deciding whether to continue contacting her. He declined for now: “I'm afraid I'll be too busy with work to dine with Miss Bai.”
Bai Yinyue didn't seem disappointed at all, graceful whether she was rejected or taking the initiative: “That's alright, we can meet up when we're both back in Jing City. I hope Mr. Song won't turn me down then.”
Zhong Ruanxing nodded slightly.
Bai Yinyue didn't try to talk to him again for the rest of the trip.
But as they were getting off the plane, Bai Yinyue walked ahead then suddenly turned and flashed him a sweet, charming smile: “Mr. Song, until we meet again.”
Zhong Ruanxing returned a faint smile: “Until we meet again.”
As soon as she got off the plane, she received a work call and walked away while taking it, motioning for Fu Ling to follow.
Bai Yinyue dragged her suitcase a long way before looking back, but his figure was already lost among the crowds.
She sighed in disappointment.
Beside her, Bai Yuxuan shook his head vigorously, looking at her in horror: “Sis! You were nothing like yourself today! Who on earth were you pretending to be?!”
Bai Yinyue just smiled and smacked him hard twice.
...
By the time Zhong Ruanxing was done with the seminar and all the social obligations, night had already fallen. The hotel was located near the Oriental Pearl Tower. The luxury penthouse suite on the top floor had a panoramic view of the Bund through floor to ceiling windows.
This was Zhong Ruanxing's first time staying at such an expensive hotel. It would be a waste not to stand on the balcony with a glass of red wine, taking in the view and showing off a bit.
So that was exactly what she did.
Song JinXing called just as she was starting to feel a little tipsy. The Oriental Pearl Tower outside the window was like a star that had fallen to earth. Zhong Ruanxing raised her glass and narrowed one eye, toasting the tip of the tower.
“Song JinXing, cheers!”
He immediately picked up on her slightly drunk tone: “You've been drinking?”
Zhong Ruanxing smiled tipsily: “Just a little red wine. Oh right, I also had some champagne at the banquet earlier.” She concluded matter-of-factly: “Song JinXing, you really can't hold your liquor!”
He chuckled, voice low and gentle: “I don't usually drink much.”
Her breath was clearly audible through the phone.
She suddenly spoke up: “I met your matchmaking date on the plane today.” Song JinXing was surprised. He heard her confirm: “I checked her out for you. She's quite pretty! And well-mannered too!”
Song JinXing just laughed: “Thanks for going through the trouble.”
Her voice grew soft again, sounding unexpectedly pitiful: “Song JinXing, do you like her?”
He didn't hesitate one bit: “I don't.”
Zhong Ruanxing didn't believe him: “You haven't even met her, how do you know you don't like her?”
“I don't like her.” He repeated without impatience: “Even if we meet, I still won't like her.”
There were sounds of rustling over the phone as she moved about. He called her name twice: “Zhong Ruanxing?”
After a moment, her smug voice sounded: “I moved the lilies on the balcony next to the bed. They smell so nice! Song JinXing, you're so strong! I lifted that huge planter with one hand!”
He said helplessly: “Go to bed now.”
Zhong Ruanxing flopped onto the bed. The room seemed to be spinning, the lights swirling above her. She quickly shut her eyes: “Did you get the seminar info I sent you?”
“I did.” That familiar voice was incredibly gentle: “You summarized it very well.”
“I'm awesome!”
“Yes, you are.”
Silence on the other end. After waiting a bit, he called again: “Zhong Ruanxing?”
Her even breaths in sleep answered him. Song JinXing smiled and said softly: “Good night.”
After hanging up, he messaged Ran Ting: The red carpet event is the day after tomorrow? In Shanghai?
Ran Ting replied excitedly: Yes yes, have you decided? I think it's a rare opportunity this time. It's a bit rushed but I'm confident I can get a gown ready by tomorrow. Let me RSVP them if you're going!
The TV Drama Awards was being held in Shanghai this year. Other than the awards ceremony itself, the highlights were always celebrities walking the red carpet. All sorts of entertainers tried to outshine each other on the red carpet, vying for best dressed.
Of course with Zhong Ruanxing's popularity, red carpets were normally out of her reach.
No kidding - the only red carpet she walked after her debut was at the ribbon cutting ceremony of a privately owned business.
Also known as a shabby carpet.
But the top trending topic about her yesterday put her back in the public eye again. With the Song endorsement, her popularity and exposure wouldn't suffer even without any projects. Her hype was at its peak these last few days. So the producers of the TV drama Zhong Ruanxing had a small role in last year - Tipping the Wine Cup, Laughing at Peach Blossoms - sent an invitation asking her and the main leads to attend the awards ceremony in two days.
In that drama, Zhong Ruanxing didn't even have a third female lead role. Out of forty episodes, her scenes added up to about thirty minutes total.
The drama Tipping the Wine Cup, Laughing at Peach Blossoms didn't make much splash when it aired either. But the two main leads had some fame, enough to get nominated for the TV Drama Awards.
The producers saw an opportunity in Zhong Ruanxing's recent popularity surge and wanted her there to draw more attention to them on the red carpet.
Song JinXing was inclined to turn it down at first.
But at this moment, he changed his mind.
So he messaged Ran Ting back: Sounds good, get a car ready. We'll head out early tomorrow morning.
