"Second brother, you promised to accompany me for driving practice tomorrow, so remember to wake up early! And tell Aunt Wang I want to eat her almond milk pudding when I get back tonight!"
Jing Zeqian watched with amusement as Jing Yi hurried away from the living room. Even as busy as she was, she still didn't forget to give him instructions.
Oh well, if she wanted him to accompany her for practice tomorrow, then that's what he'd do.
Meanwhile, after leaving the house, Jing Yi drove out in her "Ghost" - they were still in the "honeymoon phase" and she'd been taking this car out quite frequently lately.
Sometimes she found herself fretting over which car to drive each day.
Jing Yi was still indulging in these rather privileged thoughts when her phone rang. It was Shen Xi calling.
"Yi Yi, where are you? Do you need me to come pick you up?" Jing Yi kept her eyes on the road ahead as she replied, "I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Alright, I'll wait for you by the riverbank then."
"Sounds good."
Gu Lin's yacht was docked on the bank of the Jiu River, quite close to the Jing family home. A few minutes later, Jing Yi arrived.
Shen Xi spotted Jing Yi's distinctive dark red sports car and waved to her.
Jing Yi parked and walked over. Shen Xi came up and linked arms with her, asking, "Why are you so late?"
Jing Yi widened her eyes in surprise, "Late?! I came straight here as soon as training finished, without even stopping for a sip of water!"
Shen Xi laughed, "Alright, alright. I'll get you some water in a minute."
"Why do these North river parties seem to start earlier and earlier?" Jing Yi mused. She had thought most parties started in the evening, but now they were gathering in the afternoon. Didn't anyone have other things to do?
Shen Xi led her onto the yacht, explaining, "Well, it is the Gu family young master's birthday party." Jing Yi felt a bit overwhelmed - just how many more North river elite families did she have to get acquainted with?
As soon as Jing Yi stepped onto the yacht, she was startled by the lively atmosphere inside, almost taking a step back. Despite the yacht's size, it didn't feel the least bit empty.
"Just how many people are here? Is the Gu family's young master such a big deal?"
Shen Xi's eyes also held a hint of surprise as she surveyed the scene inside, unable to look away. "It's not just for Gu Lin - at least half the guests are here for Shen Huaichu."
This surprised Jing Yi even more. "Shen Huaichu is here too?" Shen Xi nodded, explaining that she had just found out from Gu Lin when she arrived.
Due to the bustling scene of clinking glasses and mingling guests inside, the two hesitated on the deck, unsure whether to go in.
At that moment, Gu Lin spotted them and walked over with a glass of wine in hand.
"Jing Yi."
Jing Yi turned to him with a smile, handing over her gift. "Gu Lin, happy birthday."
Gu Lin looked curiously at the square gift box in his hands. "May I ask what it is?" Jing Yi nodded, "Of course, it's a Cartier racing helmet."
This was part of the gear Jing Zeqian had provided for her, and since she found it quite good, she bought one for Gu Lin as a birthday gift too.
Gu Lin seemed to like it, thanking Jing Yi with a smile.
"It's quite lively inside. Don't you want to join the party?"
Jing Yi instinctively declined, "No thanks, I'm fine staying out here with Xi Xi." She was allergic to crowds.
Gu Lin wasn't surprised. He turned to Shen Xi instead, "Little niece, that Chen Yisi from last time is inside too." Sorry, brother, but I have to sacrifice you for my big brother's sake! We can't let him come all this way for nothing.
At the mention of the handsome, sunny guy's name, Shen Xi's eyes immediately lit up.
Seeing Shen Xi's expression, Jing Yi understood immediately. Another handsome guy that had caught Shen Xi's eye - who knew how long this one would last.
Shen Xi looked torn, "I should stay with Yi Yi though."
"Oh, by the way, my brother is on the third-floor observation deck," Gu Lin quickly told Jing Yi where Shen Huaichu was. This way, they'd both have someone to talk to and wouldn't have to stick so closely together, right?
Jing Yi thought about it and decided this arrangement worked well. "Xi Xi, you go find your handsome guy. I'll go hang out with Shen Huaichu for a bit." She didn't want to get in the way of her friend chatting up a cute boy.
Shen Xi still hesitated, remembering how Jing Yi had disliked Shen Huaichu before. "Yi Yi, are you sure you're okay with that?" She glanced cautiously at Gu Lin before leaning in to whisper to Jing Yi, "That's my uncle, didn't you say you really disliked him last time?"
Jing Yi laughed awkwardly, gently nudging Shen Xi. Maybe don't say things like that in front of the guy's brother!
"Just go see your handsome guy already!"
"Alright Jing Yi, you can go up that way then. Shall I take Shen Xi over first?" Gu Lin pointed to the stairs behind him, and Jing Yi nodded.
Seeing that Jing Yi wasn't forcing herself, Shen Xi followed Gu Lin inside.
Jing Yi shook her head as she watched them go, wondering how her friend could be so keen on chatting up handsome guys.
After they left, Jing Yi gathered her skirt and headed towards the stairs Gu Lin had indicated.
What Jing Yi didn't notice were the many eyes following her.
A group of girls huddled together, watching Jing Yi's retreating figure. One girl in a black sequined spaghetti strap dress gestured for her friends to look.
"Look, someone else is going up there."
A girl in a black strapless dress next to her sneered, "Just wait, she'll be back down with her tail between her legs in less than a minute."
The sequined dress girl replied, "That's Jing Yi though." Her friend looked surprised, "You mean that fake heiress from the Jing family?"
Recently, the two Jing family daughters had become quite famous in these circles, especially after appearing on that reality show, so the girl recognized Jing Yi at first glance.
The previously disdainful girl bit her lip, "So what? You think Shen Huaichu will look at her any differently?" A flash of jealousy passed through her eyes.
Indeed, many people on the yacht had come for Shen Huaichu, but they were also too intimidated by his cold demeanor to approach him. Even now, he was the only one on the top deck.
Jing Yi craned her neck to look outside and sure enough, saw Shen Huaichu standing alone on the deck, looking every bit the brooding, aloof young master.
Today he wore a black shirt with the top two buttons undone, managing to make the formal shirt look somewhat rakish and debonair.
"So you really are up here?"
Jing Yi carefully navigated the last few steps onto the deck.
Hearing her voice, Shen Huaichu turned to look. Seeing Jing Yi, he said simply, "Miss Jing," his face as impassive as ever.
The top deck offered the best view of the Jiu River scenery. Only a few lounge chairs were arranged on the spacious deck.
Jing Yi walked curiously to the railing, leaning against it lightly. Right in front of her, the sun was beginning to set.
A gentle breeze blew, ruffling her hair and revealing the slender nape of her neck and fair shoulder blades.
The last rays of sunset danced on the river's surface, glittering and sparkling. They also fell upon Jing Yi, seeming to scatter fragments of light in her bright, lively eyes.
The sight made Shen Huaichu blink, momentarily dazzled.
