Extreme Pampering-Chapter 80 - Not So Fond
Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Not So Fond.
Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Not So Fond.
Half a month later, at the height of the golden autumn, several luxury brands came together to launch their fall fashion show, booking the renowned representative building Huayin Building for a dinner party, to which celebrities from all walks of life were invited.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.
As the spokesperson for CN, Shen Zhiyi was also on the list of invited artists.
She had just finished recording a travel variety show, having stayed in Santorini, Greece for half a month. Still not adjusted to the time difference, she had just arrived in Haimarket and was not feeling very spirited, but felt slightly more alert after drinking some red wine.
The fashion show had ended, and the celebrities in the banquet hall were already engaging in conversations. Shen Zhiyi chatted with actress Ning Ning, whom she had got to know through the same travel show, when the grand doors of the hall entrance, engraved with reliefs of angels, once again slowly opened.
Standing opposite Shen Zhiyi, Ning Ning could clearly see this scene and was slightly surprised, “There are still people who haven’t arrived?”
The fashion show was the main event, and invited guests were expected to arrive before it concluded. It was a mystery who could be so late.
The waiters pushed open the doors on both sides, and the first to enter was the president of CN, whom Ning Ning recognized, prompting Shen Zhiyi with a remark, “The president of CN is coming over.”
As the newly signed spokesperson for CN that year, Shen Zhiyi had met the president two or three times. Before coming, Wang Feifei had specifically reminded her to remember to greet him.
Hearing this, Shen Zhiyi looked over.
The CN president was about thirty years old, at an age full of charm. He had a tall figure, a dignified appearance, and seemed to be a very mild-mannered person. After the waiter pushed the door open, he stepped forward two paces, then stopped and slightly turned his body, as if waiting for someone to go ahead of him.
Too far to hear what he was saying, she only saw him smile and extend a hand in a “please” gesture, as a figure appeared in the bright lights of the hall.
The glass in her hand suddenly tilted, and the cool liquid spilled out, dripping onto the floor. Ning Ning was startled and quickly handed over tissues, “Zhiyi, Zhiyi?”
Shen Zhiyi snapped back to reality, with the wine dripping all over her hand, sticky and uncomfortable. She absentmindedly wiped it twice but couldn’t help looking over again.
Apart from the president of CN, Qin Fang was also there, and in the middle stood Pei Yu, whom she hadn’t seen for half a month. He looked unchanged, still with his cold, indifferent demeanor, his face clearly illuminated by the light, his features finely drawn, sharp and clear. The silver-gray silk shirt made him look even more unapproachable. He half-listened to Qin Fang, casually nodding, as the group headed to the other side of the hall.
“Zhiyi?”
Her prolonged absence-mindedness puzzled Ning Ning, “What’s wrong with you?”
Shen Zhiyi paused for a moment and put her glass back in its place, “I’m fine.”
Wine stains had soaked into her gown, a pale red mark on the off-white fabric highly conspicuous. Shen Zhiyi changed into a spare dress, sighing softly at the ruined garment.
She hadn’t expected her reaction to be so strong, as though the half-month buffer had been of no use at all.
She tried to adjust her emotions before returning to the banquet hall. Ning Ning had already been called away by other friends, and she did not wish to interrupt. Intending to find a corner to eat something, she happened to encounter the president of CN instructing a waiter.
When Meng Qiming turned and saw her, he asked, “Miss Shen?”
Shen Zhiyi nodded, “Hello.”
Their interactions had been limited, but Meng Qiming was easygoing and not difficult to get along with. He greeted her with a smile, “Has Miss Shen eaten?”
In the hall, nobody was seriously dining, all were engaging in conversation for networking reasons. Shen Zhiyi was planning to eat something at that moment.
Noticing her momentary hesitation, Meng Qiming understood, “If Miss Shen hasn’t eaten yet, why not join us?”
Not knowing who he included in “us,” Shen Zhiyi shook her head, “No, thank you. I—”
“Miss Shen, there’s no need to be courteous,” Meng Qiming had already turned and stepped forward, speaking as he walked, “You are our CN spokesperson, so it’s only natural for me to invite you to a meal.”
Unable to refuse any longer, Shen Zhiyi could only follow him.
At the entrance to the private room, Meng Qiming made a point to instruct her, “There are many guests, Miss Shen should not feel uncomfortable.”
As the private room door opened, the interior lighting was much brighter than the hallway, causing Shen Zhiyi to close her eyes uncomfortably, then on opening them, found herself directly locked into Pei Yu’s gaze.
He was seated in the place of honor, lifting his glass to his lips. When he raised his eyes to look her way, there was a semblance of nonchalance. Then, on clearly seeing her face, his gaze fixed.
With a “clack,” he set his wine glass down.
Her eyelashes quivered lightly, and for a moment, Shen Zhiyi felt the urge to step back, but the occasion did not permit her to show any sign of discomfiture.
“Miss Shen, please come and take a seat,” Meng Qiming had already sat down and was smiling as he introduced her to everyone else, “As it happens, we’ve run into her, so we invited Miss Shen to join us for the meal.”
There were other women at the dining table, mostly companions brought by the guests themselves. The addition of Shen Zhiyi would not make much difference, especially since she had been invited by Meng Qiming.
However, among them were people who should not be neglected, so although this gesture was not significant, Meng Qiming still felt the need to ask, concerned that it might be annoying, “Chairman Pei, do you mind the addition of one more person?”
Shen Zhiyi, looking downward, felt an even stronger impulse to leave. Before this moment, she hadn’t thought she would see Pei Yu again so soon, much less face-to-face like this.
She moved her lips, “President Meng, I have something—”
At the same time, Pei Yu’s voice overpowered hers.
He tapped the side of his glass, watching the ripples it created in the wine, and through the glass’s reflection, her figure blurred into a spot of light.
He didn’t look up, replying casually as if he truly didn’t care or mind.
“How could I.”
Qin Fang had returned from the restroom and was startled to see Shen Zhiyi there. He took a moment to absorb the sight, then instinctively looked at Pei Yu—the man had not a trace of expression on his face.
He fretted, unable to discern the current situation.
When Brother Pei had just broken up with Shen Zhiyi, he was very surprised because it came so abruptly. Afterward, seeing Pei Yu carrying on as usual, he didn’t give it much thought, although he had once discussed it with Qin Xiaoran in secret. She believed that Pei Yu was not as indifferent as he appeared, but Qin Fang disagreed.
That thought was now wavering.
He passed a cigarette to Pei Yu, and the two stepped into the smoking room to catch some cold air.
Unable to hold back, Qin Fang simply asked, “Brother Pei, what are your real thoughts about Shen Zhiyi? Do you like her a lot?”
Was it the kind of liking that lingered even after breaking up?
Qin Fang couldn’t quite understand. For him, once it was over, it was over, and there was no delay in finding the next one. But Pei Yu was always different from them; nobody knew what he was thinking. Qin Fang was concerned about his brother’s emotional life, fearing that Pei Yu’s lack of decisiveness would lead to unnecessary suffering.
Pei Yu looked down to stub out the cigarette—he had smoked quite enough this past half-month, yet tonight, he had no desire to do so.
His tone was slow as he exhaled a ring of smoke, “Not that much.”
