noveldrama
Chapter 90 - 90 Vinegary taste
Chapter 90 - 90 Vinegary taste
?Chapter 90: Vinegary taste Chapter 90: Vinegary taste Wen Zhi looked back after checking herself in the mirror and saw the stylist still staring at her dumbfoundedly. She asked with a smile, “Do you have a hairpin?”
“Yes!” The stylist immediately nodded, “But I only have silver hairpins here. If you pair this cheongsam with a White Jade Hairpin, that would be perfect.”
Wen Zhi was not particular, “A silver hairpin will do.”
The stylist quickly fetched a silver hairpin. However, a silver hairpin couldn’t directly secure the hair; if not careful, the hair would easily come loose. A hair clip had to be used first to style the hair before clipping on the silver hairpin.
Meanwhile, outside.
Liang Yin stood by the window smoking. His tall stature and shadowy back resembled a mountain. Fed up with his usual heavy brand, he switched to a tobacco specially supplied by his dad’s tobacco bureau which indeed tasted smoother.
At that moment, he had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his back turned to the direction of the changing room, listening to Lai Sheng report the follow-up on the Shang Mingshu matter.
As he listened, Lai Sheng suddenly fell silent, staring blankly in the direction behind him.
Liang Yin’s eyes were hidden in the smoke, and he hadn’t heard Lai Sheng’s voice. He shifted his position slightly, following Lai Sheng’s gaze.
The smoke blurred his vision.
Liang Yin took the cigarette from his mouth just to see more clearly.
The moment he saw Wen Zhi, all the descriptions of graceful presence and glowing beauty couldn’t compare to the shocking beauty he witnessed at that moment.
Having known Wen Zhi for many years, he of course knew she was beautiful.
But today, it seemed he had to open another layer of understanding towards Wen Zhi’s beauty.
“Sss…” Liang Yin suddenly inhaled sharply.
He looked down to find the cigarette in his hand had burnt down to the end, slightly scorching his fingers.
He stubbed it out in the ashtray and walked over to Wen Zhi, his hands now empty, looking somewhat awkward, “Are you done changing?”
Wen Zhi nodded, “Hmm.”
After pausing for a few seconds, she asked again, “Do I look good?”
Liang Yin nodded, his compliment straightforward, “Absolutely stunning.”
Wen Zhi’s eyes and lips curved in a gentle smile, “What about you?”
Liang Yin confusedly replied, “Me? What about me?”
Lai Sheng chimed in, “Mr. Liang, Miss Wen is asking if you have finished changing.”
Liang Yin glanced at Lai Sheng, who immediately fetched a suit jacket, “Mr. Liang, it’s pressed.”
Liang Yin took the jacket, hooking it on his arm, and freeing his other hand to check the time on his watch, “Perfect timing, we can leave now.”
Wen Zhi nodded.
–
Old Mr. Tan lived near Qin Garden.
The journey took about half an hour.
Along the way out, Liang Yin’s eyes hardly left Wen Zhi, stealing glances at her occasionally, fearful she would notice, always sneaking peeks.
Wen Zhi had noticed long ago. When they arrived at Qin Garden and got out of the car, she asked Liang Yin, “Is my outfit today very strange?”
“No.” His reply was direct, “I used not to appreciate cheongsams, but that has changed now. I didn’t expect you to look this stunning in a cheongsam.”
Wen Zhi just smiled.
Outside Qin Garden, six or seven cars were already parked. Everyone understood the importance of discretion— coming in flashy cars was unbecoming and could lead to unfavorable gossip.
There were greeters upfront, and guests entered one after another. At that moment, Liang Yin raised his arm, indicating for Wen Zhi to hook onto it, “Just for show.”
Wen Zhi willingly hooked her arm but deliberately asked, “For show, for whom?”
Liang Yin had his own selfish reasons, and could only manage a smile in response.
The two entered the main hall of Qin Garden in sync. Many esteemed guests had arrived from various places, all showing respect for Old Mr. Tan.
Wen Zhi was too stunning tonight, and many eyes turned her way.
Liang Yin asked her, “Does it make you feel uncomfortable?”
Wen Zhi, being adaptable, shook her head, “It’s fine.”
On the other side, Old Mr. Tan, glowing with happiness, was warmly welcoming the guests. There were many people, and Wen Zhi had not seen Meng Fan or President Rong’s figure, and she did not see Shang Hexing either.
Liang Yin took Wen Zhi along, “Let’s first go meet Old Mr. Tan.”
Wen Zhi tried to loosen her grip on Liang Yin’s arm, but he subtly held on tighter.
Wen Zhi looked up at him, and Liang Yin explained, “Just going through the motions, play along.”
Wen Zhi retorted, “You didn’t mention this beforehand.”
Liang Yin joked with a smile, “I don’t know if saying it now is still on time?”
Wen Zhi accused him, “Sly.”
Liang Yin patted her hand, “Do me a favor. Old Mr. Tan used to give me a hard time; this time I need to earn some face back.”
Wen Zhi remained silent, Liang Yin took her acquiescence as a soft agreement, and led her to meet Old Mr. Tan.
Behind them, Lai Sheng followed carrying a gift.
…
“Hexing, you have a long road ahead; you must take good care of your political feathers without a single error,” Tan Zhongyao spoke.
As a retired senior, he was advising Shang Hexing, his junior. The other seniors around nodded in agreement, appreciating and valuing the young man in their midst.
After all, he was the best prospect among the younger generation.
Shang Hexing, dressed in a suit, was more approachable and amiable than usual in this gathering of seniors.
He nodded in response, “I will keep this in mind, junior.”
Tan Zhongyao patted Shang Hexing on the shoulder, gratified.
“Uncle Tan.”
Liang Yin approached with Wen Zhi, his face beaming, lips curved in a smile, and the woman by his side was breathtaking and eye-catching.
All eyes landed on Wen Zhi.
Shang Hexing also noticed Wen Zhi, his gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting to her hand hooked on Liang Yin’s arm, then he indifferently withdrew his gaze.
There was no hint of surprise seeing her tonight as there had been.