BXBX NOVEL Chapter 168 - 168: 164: The Well-Prepared “Surprise” (1 update)
Chapter 168 - 168: 164: The Well-Prepared “Surprise” (1 update)
Song Zhizhi reviewed her work out of habit, ensured nothing was omitted before saving all her work, setting a password, and shutting down the computer.
She stretched lazily.
It was only half-past seven, just the right time.
She bent over to pick up a set of clothes kept under the desk.
She had deliberately arranged for Luo Xiaolang to bring it over from her home.
Considering Ji Baijian’s heartfelt invitation for dinner, she felt it appropriate to make a gesture in response, didn’t she?!
Holding the clothes, she walked into the ladies’ restroom in the company.
The office was gradually emptying out at this time.
The restroom was nearly empty.
Song Zhizhi changed into a bright red dress. It wasn’t a traditional style but a high-end silk strappy dress. The low neckline and the short hemline, coupled with the figure-hugging silhouette, accentuated her perfect figure. Letting her hair down, the cool, brown waves looked sensual on her shoulders. She touched up her makeup, applying foundation and lipstick and then sprayed on seductive perfume. The woman in the mirror, with fiery red lips, was stunningly beautiful. Her plump lips pouted slightly, exuding an indescribable seductive aura.
Song Zhizhi couldn’t help but smile.
Her smile was bewitching and charming. Perhaps tonight she could… reap rich rewards.
Filled with joy, Song Zhizhi donned a slim-fit jacket over her dress.
In this way, her sexy back and lovely shoulders were concealed, but it added tremendously to her allure.
Either way… she looked stunning.
She packed her makeup bag, got up, and walked out of the restroom.
The moment she reached the door, she ran into Chu Qin.
It seemed like the person you didn’t want to meet was the one you would unintentionally bump into.
Or perhaps it was because she didn’t want to meet that even a chance encounter felt irritating.
Chu Qin seemed to be assessing Song Zhizhi.
Song Zhizhi stood tall without saying a word, and with confident strides walked past Chu Qin.
Chu Qin watched Song Zhizhi’s retreating figure with a cold gaze.
Because of the tight dress, Song Zhizhi’s back looked exceptionally appealing, perfectly curved and graceful as she walked. Her figure heart-stopping, probably what most men desired. And just a moment ago, Chu Qin was faced directly with Song Zhizhi’s impressive figure.
Chu Qin looked down at herself.
With an even colder expression, she walked into the restroom.
The restroom door was closed with more force than necessary.
After using the restroom, Chu Qin washed her hands at the sink.
Unintentionally, she looked at herself in the mirror.
She couldn’t remember when was the last time she looked at herself in the mirror, as if she hadn’t taken care of herself for a long time.
Even though she put on makeup every day, it was just a simple nudish style. She always wore a plain black suit and tied her hair up neatly. Even though her features were pleasing, such a get-up was decent for work but not particularly striking. She had never cared about her appearance, never!
But at this moment…
Her fists clenched tightly.
It was all Song Zhizhi’s fault, all because of Song Zhizhi!
Because of Song Zhizhi’s arrival, her world had changed.
Due to Song Zhizhi’s presence, she was questioned, she was ridiculed, and even found herself belittling herself.
She could not tolerate, simply could not tolerate.
Chu Qin fiercely splashed cold water on her face and calmly walked out of the restroom after calming down.
She walked towards the elevator indifferently while holding her briefcase.
At the elevator, she met Yi Wenhan.
Yi Wenhan left late only due to his health. He didn’t want others to notice his discomfort.
Seeing Chu Qin, he quickly straightened up and greeted her with an amicable smile, “Manager Chu.”
Chu Qin only glanced at him and didn’t say a word.
“It’s too late. Have you had dinner?” Yi Wenhan asked to make small talk.
Chu Qin didn’t answer.
Just then, the elevator arrived.
Chu Qin and Yi Wenhan entered, one after another.
Inside the elevator, Wenhan took the initiative to start a conversation, “I heard there’s a porridge shop nearby, which serves excellent porridge that’s good for the stomach. Hawthorn and wolfberry porridge taste pretty good. Why don’t you give it a try sometime, Manager Chu? It remains open until midnight.”
Chu Qin remained cold.
Seeing this, Yi Wenhan didn’t say more.
Being too eager might backfire.
The elevator reached the desired floor, so Wenhan endured the pain and casually walked out with Chu Qin.
Not sure if Chu Qin was quickly walking to avoid involvement with Wenhan or not, she suddenly stumbled, looking like she would fall over.
Wenhan quickly stepped forward to support Chu Qin.
Chu Qin was a bit startled but then quickly regained her composure.
Wenhan’s hand was still tightly gripping Chu Qin’S hand.
Chu Qin abruptly pushed Yi Wenhan away.
With Wenhan already feeling unwell, this made his pain worse. Unable to bear it, he let out a low stifled groan, his face visibly changed.
Chu Qin just as she was about to walk away, she paused, “What happened?”
Wenhan quickly composed himself, laughed and said, “Nothing, I slipped in the shower yesterday and hurt my leg. It’s fine.”
“Idiot.” Chu Qin left those words behind and strode away.
Wenhan just watched her retreating figure.
If he wasn’t mistaken, for that brief moment when he was supporting Chu Qin, her face turned red.
When she had just called him a “fool”, her tone wasn’t that cold.
So… how hard could it be to win over a woman?!
It’S absolutely effortless.
Song Zhizhi ended her work with a happy mood.
She deliberately put on a pair of red high heels that matched her clothes and walked seductively towards that familiar car, step by step.
Ji Baijian, who is still handsome and imposing, stood by the car.
Didn’t he say he would arrive at 8 ‘0’ clock sharp?
It was only 7.• 50 now but he came all the same.
This man, he is fond of saying one thing but meaning another.
He clearly wanted to see her as soon as possible.
Otherwise, why would he ask her out to dinner today when they had just shared a meal last night?
Song Zhizhi intentionally tugged at her clothing a bit, revealing her attractive figure, hoping to give him a big surprise.
Thinking this way, Song Zhizhi quickened her pace.
As she approached, Ji Baijian chivalrously opened the car door for her.
Song Zhizhi got into the passenger seat.
She reached to pull over the seat belt and buclde it.
“Sister-in-law,” a voice came from behind, it was Yin Qin.
Song Zhizhi’s hand paused on the seat belt.
She turned her head.
Yin Qin smiled brightly. “Sister-in-law, your perfume smells really nice.”
Song Zhizhi blankly looked at Yin Qin, then turned to look at Ji Baijian, who appeared indifferent as he started the car and began driving.
Why was there an extra person in the car?!
Ji Baijian had never mentioned that Yin Qin would be there.
Of course, he didn’t say that Yin Qin wouldn’t be there either.
She bit her lip and buckled her seatbelt.
The car moved along the street.
After greeting Song Zhizhi, Yin Qin started chatting idly with Ji Baijian.
Song Zhizhi, who initially had her coat draped over her shoulders, now put it on. She turned her head to look out the window, feeling annoyed to the point of wanting to swear!
“Sister-in-law, is your little wolf dog always following you?” Yin Qin seemed to notice the small car following them.
Song Zhizhi glanced in the rearview mirror and replied, “Mhm.”
“The little wolf dog is quite loyal.” Yin Qin murmured.
Song Zhizhi didn’t want to respond.
She didn’t want to talk to anyone.
The car soon arrived at the destination.
It was still the Four Seasons International Hotel.
The car arrived at the entrance; hotel staff promptly came forward to open the door for them.
Everyone got out of the car.
Ji Baijian naturally walked towards Song Zhizhi; seeing the extremely short skirt under her blazer, he furrowed his brows, “It’s too short.”
Yin Qin, who was initially walking ahead, turned back when he heard Ji Baijian’s words.
Ji Baijian stretched out his arm, placing his hand directly in front of Yin Qin’s face, “Turn around.”
Yin Qin was speechless.
He wasn’t interested in Song Zhizhi, okay?
Although she is very attractive.
Song Zhizhi remained indifferent to Ji Baijian’s words.
She didn’t tell Ji Baijian that her innerwear was even shorter.
Anyway.
She beckoned to Luo Xiaolang, and together with Yin Qin, they entered the hotel.
The elevator arrived at the top-floor restaurant of the Four Seasons International Hotel. Unlike last night, this place, although expensive, could be afforded by the wealthy, no reservations or queues necessary.
Following the waiter, they walked to a table.
Surprisingly, there was already someone sitting at the table, Ji Baixin.
Ji Baixin also saw them. She smiled warmly and was about to greet Ji Baijian when she suddenly saw Yin Qin next to him. Her face fell slightly, becoming much colder.
Yin Qin also noticed the change in Ji Baixin’s expression.
His lips twitched slightly, indicating that he didn’t care.
The group of people sat around the table. Since it wasn’t a date, naturally Luo Xiaolang also followed Song Zhizhi and sat next to her.
The dinner gathering for five people suddenly felt a little awkward.
“Big brother, wasn’t it supposed to be a dinner to meet the sister-in-law? Why are there extra people?” Ji Baixin nonchalantly asked.
The extra person, of course, referred to Yin Qin.
Yin Qin turned to look at Ji Baixin; “Am I so unwelcome?”
Ji Baixin did not want to talk to Yin Qin.
She chose to ignore him.
The color drained slightly from Yin Qin’s face.
He might blow a gasket at any moment.
Ji Baijian spoke, “Yin Qin is not a stranger. You two are going to be husband and wife. It would be good to know more about each other.”
Ji Baixin seemed to have little interest in this topic. She said, “Big brother, I’m going to the restroom.”
Having said that, without waiting for Ji Baijian’s approval, she got up and left.
Song Zhizhi watched Ji Baixin’s retreating back.
Ji Baixin’s disgust for Yin Qin was certainly not feigned.
After all, what about Yin Qin was so repelling to Ji Baixin?
To be fair, Yin Qin didn’t look bad, had a good character and a good family background. If one has to say, he really wasn’t a downgrade for Ji Baixin. Even if Ji Baixin didn’t like Yin Qin, even if it was about a familial arranged marriage, her disgust shouldn’t have reached this level.
Just as she was thinking, Yin Qin also suddenly stood up from his seat and walked towards Ji Baixin.
Ji Baijian watched Yin Qin and pursed his lips.
Song Zhizhi couldn’t help asking, “Why is their relationship so bad?”
Ji Baijian didn’t gossip, nor did he like to talk about others.
Song Zhizhi frowned as the lack of response only increased her interest, “Why?”
Ji Baijian looked at Song Zhizhi and slowly said, “Baixin used to like a man. In college, they liked each other so much that they sever ties with their families. They were very affectionate for some time.” “Did Yin Qin break them apart?”
“It was more than that.” Ji Baijian said, “You should have heard about Baixin suddenly living with someone else as soon as she came of age.”
It seemed like she had heard of it.
But it had been too long and she couldn’t remember clearly. After all, she was someone who had lived an additional 6 years, and these events were more than a decade old. There was no way she could remember them clearly.
“It was Yin Qin’S doing.” Ji Baijian said, “After knowing that Baixin was with someone else, Yin Qin made a huge fuss at our house. At that time, they were engaged. After making a fuss, it was not enough for him. He also posted a weibo criticizing Baixin for being unfaithful. It was a sensation across the country.”
Song Zhizhi widened her eyes, “Yin Qin is really tasteless.”
“Because he was too infatuated, so he decided to sabotage everything. Actually, he regretted it later. He deleted the Weibo, apologized to my father, to Baixin’s mother, and even to Baixin herself. He posted a long Weibo confessing his wrong actions and hoped that everyone would not blame Baixin. He said everything was his fabrication. He took all the blame on himself, almost got himself beaten to death by his father, but still did not win Baixin•s forgiveness.” Song Zhizhi bit her lower lip.
At this moment she suddenly felt some sympathy for Yin Qin.
At that time, Yin Qin was only in his twenties, a young man deeply in love with a woman who fell in love with someone else. He was tormented and vented his feelings, but in the end, he feared really hurting her. He was willing to accept the contempt of the world to protect his woman.
“Not only did he not win Baixin’s forgiveness, but it also caused Baixin to cut ties with him. The family naturally did not want Baixin and Yin Qin to get married and forced her to break up with that person, which only provoked Baixin’s rebellion. She’d rather sever ties with the family and stay with that person.”
“Then what?”
Then what? Why didn’t they end up together in the end?!
Ji Baijian said, “Ji Baixin took her luggage and ran away from home. It was said that she moved in with the man she liked. He was from an ordinary family with a very general family condition. They rented a room outside and lived together while working. I went back to the country once and saw them. They were actually living quite well.”
“So why did they break up in the end?”
“It’S a mystery. No one knows. All they know is that a year after’s Baixin lived with that man, she suddenly came back with her suitcase, knelt at the door of the house for a whole day, and my father finally let her in. Since then, no one has asked her about the past. Everyone wanted to put it behind them and turn it into a memory that no one remembers. As for Baixin herself, she never mentioned about that year’s love affair.”
Song Zhizhi listened silently.
What on earth happened that made Ji Baixin suddenly come back? She had left so decisively to be with her lover, but then returned in such a sorry state.
Although she hadn’t had much contact with Ji Baixin, she always felt that this woman had a strong sense of self-esteem.
She wouldn’t compromise so easily.
“Let’s eat.” Ji Baijian called out to Song Zhizhi.
The meal was already served at this moment.
Song Zhizhi picked up the knife and fork and couldn’t help but look in the direction of the dining room.
Luo Xiaolang was eating her vegetarian meal and also looked over in the direction Song Zhizhi was looking at.
Emotions are indeed a headache.
Luckily, she had none.
At this moment, in a corner of the restaurant.
Yin Qin blocked Ji Baixin who had just come out of the restroom.
She looked at him coldly.
“Ji Baixin, enough.” Yin Qin said impatiently, “What do you want?!”
“Call off the wedding.” Two words, crystal clear.
Yin Qin sneered.
Ji Baixin said, “I never acknowledged our engagement.”
“Then why don’t you tell your parents, let them come to my house to call off the wedding!” Yin Qin was somewhat furious.
He had put up with Ji Baixin for a long time now!
“My parents don’t agree.” Ji Baixin said, word by word.
So, if her parents agreed, this broken engagement would have been torn up a long time ago!
Yin Qin suppressed his anger.
Ji Baixin tried to pass Yin Qin and leave.
As always, she was so indifferent to him, no matter what he did, she remained unmoved.
Yin Qin abruptly grabbed Ji Baixin who was about to leave.
Ji Baixin frowned, “Let me go!”
“What do you want me to do? Besides calling off the wedding, what do you want me to do?!” Yin Qin asked her, asked her harshly.
He really wanted to tear his heart out and show her.
He could deceive the whole world, but he couldn’t deceive himself!
He told the whole world that he hated Ji Baixin, he did not like this woman, he despised her lack of chastity. But in the end, he still loved her.
He still loved her so much!
“Yin Qin, you know how much I hate you.” Ji Baixin never hid her feelings from him.
“Why? Why!” What was wrong with him.
If she wanted the stars in the sky, he would pluck them for her.
Where did he go wrong?!
“You know very well what you did 4 years ago!”
“Is this so unforgivable?” Yin Qin asked her.
He regretted.
He really regretted it.
At that time, he was just so heartbroken he didn’t know how to vent, he was just too sad, sad enough to want to die.
Ji Baixin didn’t know, when he saw her coming out of the hotel with another man, on the way home, he almost died in a car accident.
She didn’t know any of this.
She only knew about his mistake.
“Yes, unforgivable! ” Ji Baixin articulated each word carefully.
Yin Qin’s throat moved slightly.
Ji Baixin broke free from his constraints.
Yin Qin didn’t try to restrain her any further.
“Don’t you know why I did that?” he asked. Ji Baixin paused before taking her leave.
She knew.
But she was not moved.
Yin Qin watched as Ji Baixin left with detached indifference.
Once you make a mistake, it’s a grave mistake, one that you can’t redeem forever.
He stood there, his head held high, looking at the dim light above.
He remained silent, suppressed his feelings.
The tremor was apparent on his throat and where his heart should be…
Ji Baijian had hoped to bring them together.
It was clearly, useless.
If Ji Baixin knew he would come, she definitely would not keep the date.
He was gradually calming himself down.
There was someone beside him. The voice was crisp, “Excuse me, you are in the way.” Yin Qin took a deep breath.
He turned his head and looked at the puppy in front of him.
Luo Xiaolang was a bit impatient, “I need to use the restroom.”
Ye Qin looked at her directly without giving way.
Luo Xiaolang furrowed her brows.
“Am I repulsive?” Yin Qin suddenly asked.
Luo Xiaglang seemed to glance at him and nodded, “Hmm.”
“Damn it!” Yin Qin cursed.
Then he turned around and walked away.
Luo Xiaolang remained quite calm.
She didn’t understand the world of city dwellers.
Yin Qin returned to the dining table.
Ji Baixin was no longer there.
Obviously.
He was used to it.
“Stop looking at me with pity,” Yin Qin said while eating his dinner, “even though you two are constantly flaunting your love, good for me, I’m used to being the third wheel.”
Song Zhizhi turned his gaze away.
She somehow felt Yin Qin was making a joke out of his own misery.
Yin Qin must be used to being hit hard. After all, one day he will be completely numb.
“Did you see Yi Wenhan today?” Yin Qin suddenly changed the subject.
“Hmm.” Song Zhizhi nodded.
“Anything unusual?”
“Didn’t really notice anything strange.”
“That guy, he puts up a great show.” Yin Qin smirked. The term ‘putting up a show,’ somehow felt apt.
Yin Qin let out a couple of laughs.
Song Zhizhi watched him.
Now, who was really good at pretending?
His heart must be aching terribly, yet he could still laugh.
Thankfully, she was not the kind to expose others’ weaknesses. She played along and asked, “How did you come up with such a vicious way to torture someone?”
“Me?” Yin Qin pointed to his nose, “Sister-in-law, you’ve got the wrong person! I don’t have the brains to come up with something like that.”
Song Zhizhi frowned.
“Such a scheme that tortures someone’s body and mind, can’t be made public and can’t be reported to the police or anyone else the victim can’t even vent his grievances. How could I possibly dream up such a perfect plan? You’re giving me too much credit.” “So it’s…?
“It’s your dear husband.” Yin Qin replied sarcastically.
“But…he’s so upright, how could he possibly think of such things…” Song Zhizhi somewhat incredulous.
“That’s because you don’t understand him. If you did, you would know how cunning he can be, how dark his heart is, how much of a…
“Cough, cough.” Ji Baijian cleared his throat.
“Yes, how incredibly attractive and compelling he is, ” Yin Qin quickly changed direction.
Song Zhizhi couldn’t help but laugh.
She looked at Ji Baijian and said in a meaningful tone, “It seems, I’m going to have to go layer by layer to understand you…”
“A lifetime is a long time.”
It means that she can take her time to understand him.
It means…he has promised her a lifetime.
Ji Baijian, you can’t just make someone emotional like that!