Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 645 Is it a date or a meeting of friends?
Around 10 a.m., in a luxury suite at a luxury hotel on Hong Kong Island.

Chen Yifei had just gotten up and had only eaten a simple breakfast to fill her stomach before sitting down at her vanity and starting to carefully and slowly apply a very light makeup look in front of the mirror.

To be honest, with Chen Yifei's natural beauty and near-perfect features, she doesn't need any heavy makeup at all.

With just a thin layer of foundation, a little eyebrow shaping, and a touch of light-colored lipstick to brighten your complexion, you'll look stunning and radiant.

Moreover, overly heavy makeup would actually ruin her naturally cool, refined, clean, and charming unique temperament, making her look out of place.

At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, and then her assistant, Zhang Xiaorou, pushed the door open and walked in.

When Zhang Xiaorou saw Chen Yifei already sitting in front of the mirror and starting to put on makeup, a mischievous smile immediately appeared on her face. She teased, "Oh my! Our beautiful Yifei, did the sun rise in the west today? You're already starting to do your makeup in front of the mirror so early? This is really unlike your usual style of putting things off. You're a bit impatient!"

Chen Yifei glanced at Zhang Xiaorou through the reflection in the mirror and explained calmly, "What nonsense are you talking about? He just texted me and said he'd be coming to pick me up in a bit. If I don't get ready in advance, am I supposed to just let him wait around when he gets here?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaorou raised her eyebrows even higher, and said with a look of "disappointment," "Of course we have to make him wait! This is your first, uh, your first formal date, right? What kind of first date doesn't make the guy wait a little while and test his patience? But you're starting to prepare so early, you're being too eager, Yifei! This makes us look so cheap!"

Chen Yifei was both amused and exasperated by Zhang Xiaorou's absurd reasoning. She put down her eyebrow pencil, turned around and looked at her: "You, stop talking nonsense and giving bad advice! What do you mean by 'eagerly or not eagerly'? It's just ordinary friends meeting up and going out for a stroll together. There's no need for all the complicated stuff you're making it up about."

Zhang Xiaorou leaned closer, lowered her voice, and continued to "educate" Chen Yifei with a mysterious air: "Sister Yifei, you don't understand, do you? When it comes to relationships between men and women, especially at the beginning, you have to be mindful of the pace! You have to be reserved and mysterious. You can't let him think you're too easy to talk to or too easy to ask out! You have to make him feel that being able to ask you out is a great honor for him, something hard to come by, so that he'll cherish it more! This is the golden rule I've summarized from reading countless dating guides!"

Chen Yifei shook her head helplessly, deciding not to continue arguing with her little assistant who was full of theories about love. She turned back to the mirror and carefully outlined her lips, her tone calm but with an undeniable air: "Alright, alright, my little darling, stop bombarding me with your 'secret manuals.' I know what I'm doing. I just need a simple makeup and to get myself ready so I don't rush things later. You go do what you need to do and don't bother me here."

Zhang Xiaorou waved her hand helplessly, her face showing an expression that said, "I give up." She said, "Fine, since you've put it that way, I won't try to persuade you anymore. Anyway, I think you're completely hooked now, and not even eight oxen could pull you back!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yifei immediately retorted playfully, "Hey, you really don't know how to talk! What do you mean by 'fallen in love'? When did I fall in love? We were just ordinary friends meeting up, having a meal together, and doing some shopping. It's just normal social interaction, nothing special!"

Zhang Xiaorou deliberately widened her eyes and asked in an exaggerated tone, "Oh! This doesn't count as a date? My dear lady! Having a meal together, going shopping, that's the standard date routine, okay! Maybe Hu Jiangshan has even secretly booked the movie tickets! He's just waiting to take you to a movie after dinner, and once the lights dim and the atmosphere is right, then..."

She deliberately drew out her words, revealing a knowing, ambiguous smile.

"And then what? Stop right there! Don't get your imaginations running wild!"

Chen Yifei felt a little embarrassed by what she said and quickly interrupted her.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more, alright?"

Seeing that things were going well, Zhang Xiaorou made a move to leave, saying, "Then you two go ahead with your date, I'm leaving. I won't be a third wheel here and get in your way."

"Hey! Where are you going?" Chen Yifei quickly called out to her, "You have to come with me in a bit!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaorou's eyes widened even more. Pointing to her nose, she asked incredulously, "Huh? I have to go too? Why? What would I do if I went on your date? Be a bright, annoying third wheel? I'm not going to do something so stupid!"

Chen Yifei patiently explained, "I've told you so many times, this isn't a date! It's just a meeting between ordinary friends! You have to come with me. In case, in case we encounter any unexpected situations, like fans watching or reporters taking pictures, you can at least help me deal with it and lend a hand, right?"

Zhang Xiaorou curled her lip and said dismissively, "What kind of emergency could possibly happen? It's broad daylight, and in a place like Hong Kong Island. Do you think Hu Jiangshan is going to do something wicked to you?" As she spoke, she revealed that mischievous smile again.

"Get out of here! Stop talking nonsense!" Chen Yifei gently pushed her, her face slightly flushed. "I'm mainly worried about other unexpected things. Alright, alright, stop dawdling and go back to your room to change into something more presentable. Once Hu Jiangshan arrives, we'll set off together."

Seeing Chen Yifei's resolute attitude, Zhang Xiaorou could only sigh helplessly and drawl out, "Fine! My dear young lady, I really can't do anything with you!"

After saying that, she slowly turned around and went back to her room to change her clothes.

Not long after Zhang Xiaorou left the room, Chen Yifei's doorbell rang.

Chen Yifei walked over and opened the door, only to see Li Kaixin standing outside with a big smile on his face.

"Yifei!" Li Kaixin greeted her warmly, "Want to go shopping together? I've already arranged the car, let's just go downstairs and get in!"

Chen Yifei politely waved her hand, declining the offer, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, I'm happy, but no need, I already have plans with someone and I'm leaving soon."

"Oh? You've already made plans?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Li Kaixin's face, then, as if suddenly realizing something, she exclaimed, "Oh! I know! Did you make an appointment with Boss Hu Jiangshan?"

Chen Yifei nodded and calmly admitted, "Yes, that's right. We agreed to meet up and have a meal together, that's all."

In Chen Yifei's view, this was just a normal social event, nothing to hide, and everything was aboveboard, so she felt there was no need to keep it from Li Kaixin.

Li Kaixin immediately put on a gossipy and ambiguous expression, and said in a low voice, "Yifei, aren't you afraid of being photographed by those ubiquitous paparazzi if you go out with him like this? If it gets published in the media, the internet will be in an uproar, and it will definitely be headline news!"

Chen Yifei shook her head and replied calmly, "It's okay. We're just meeting and having a meal openly and honestly. We didn't do anything shameful. Let them film if they want, let them do what they want."

"Oh, alright then." Seeing Chen Yifei's composure, Li Kaixin didn't say anything more, so he smiled and said, "It seems you've made up your mind, Yifei. I won't try to persuade you any further. Have a great time!"

"Thank you," Chen Yifei said with a smile.

After Li Kaixin left, Chen Yifei closed the door, a thoughtful expression on her face.

To be honest, she's not too worried about being photographed with Hu Jiangshan anymore.

Because the so-called scandal between her and Hu Jiangshan had been circulating on and off for quite some time.

Her agent, Li Shuning, later reviewed and analyzed the situation, and found that these rumors not only had no negative impact on her popularity, but also indirectly boosted Chen Yifei's exposure and discussion because Hu Jiangshan himself had outstanding appearance and high topicality.

Her popularity is indeed higher now than before the rumors surfaced.

Of course, Chen Yifei herself doesn't really value the inflated popularity brought by scandals.

But in any case, this is not a bad thing, but rather a good thing.

This is the most important.

Therefore, not only is Chen Yifei herself relaxed now, but even her agent Li Shuning is not opposed to her meeting with Hu Jiangshan, and even seems to be encouraging her.

Of course, Chen Yifei was also aware that Li Shuning and Hu Jiangshan were quite familiar with each other and had a good relationship.

On one occasion, Li Shuning even half-jokingly and half-seriously teased Chen Yifei, suggesting that she might as well "try dating" Hu Jiangshan, in case the two of them were really compatible and got together.
Chen Yifei was both amused and exasperated when she heard this. She thought to herself, "You can't just 'try' things out with relationships? What kind of logic is that?"

However, Chen Yifei knew that Li Shuning was probably just joking at the time and wasn't really taking it seriously.

So she just listened and didn't take it to heart.

Just then, Chen Yifei's phone, which was on the table, vibrated and the screen lit up, showing that it was a call from Hu Jiangshan. Chen Yifei picked up the phone and answered. Hu Jiangshan's voice came from the other end of the line, telling her that he had arrived downstairs.

Chen Yifei said into the phone, "Okay, I'll be right down and find you in the lobby."

She paused for a moment, then added somewhat helplessly, "But Zhang Xiaorou went back to her room to change her clothes and hasn't come back yet."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yifei waited for a while, but Zhang Xiaorou still didn't appear, so she had to go to the door of the next room and knock on it.

After knocking several times, Zhang Xiaorou slowly came over and opened the door.

Chen Yifei asked anxiously, "Xiaorou, what are you doing? Why are you so slow? Hu Jiangshan has already arrived!"

With a slightly apologetic look on her face, Zhang Xiaorou explained, "Oh dear, Yifei, I'm so sorry! I was changing clothes when I suddenly received a phone call from a friend in Hong Kong. She said she wanted to meet me later because she had something to discuss."

"Huh? You want me to go out with you?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yifei was a little dumbfounded: "Then, what am I going to do?"

Zhang Xiaorou's eyes darted around, and she suddenly suggested with a grin, "Yifei, how about this? Why don't you go out with Hu Jiangshan by yourself? Anyway, he mainly invited you, not me. I'll meet with my friend as soon as possible, finish my business, and then come over to meet you! Is that alright?"

"Huh? Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?" Chen Yifei was clearly hesitant and uneasy. She was still a little unsure about going out with Hu Jiangshan alone.

"What's wrong with that?" Zhang Xiaorou tried to persuade her. "Look, Hu Jiangshan doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards you now, and he's quite a gentleman. It'll be fine! Just go with him without worry! I promise, by this afternoon! At the latest, I'll definitely be able to get away and come find you! How about that?"

Seeing Zhang Xiaorou's confident expression and remembering that Hu Jiangshan was still waiting downstairs, Chen Yifei reluctantly nodded, "Alright then. It's a promise, you have to come find me this afternoon!"

"Don't worry! I guarantee it will be done!" Zhang Xiaorou patted her chest and assured her.

So Chen Yifei had to compose herself and take the elevator to the hotel lobby alone.

Chen Yifei's outfit today was quite casual; she wore a mask and hat as usual, but not the kind of sunglasses that cover most of her face. It's definitely more relaxed in Hong Kong than on the mainland. Chen Yifei's fan base in Hong Kong isn't as large as on the mainland, and the level of fervor is slightly lower, so she doesn't need to be as "protective" when going out, and she can be more relaxed.

As soon as Chen Yifei stepped out of the elevator, her gaze swept around the lobby, and she quickly spotted Hu Jiangshan standing near the lounge area, smiling and waving at her. Chen Yifei nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then walked over.

Hu Jiangshan looked at Chen Yifei who had walked up to him, a gentle smile on his face, and said, "You're here? Shall we go then?"

The two walked side by side towards the hotel entrance. After getting into the car and fastening their seatbelts, Chen Yifei turned to Hu Jiangshan and asked, "Mr. Hu, what are your plans next? Where are you going to take me?"

As Hu Jiangshan skillfully started the car, he replied, "This is my initial idea. If you don't want to go shopping, I can drive you directly to Baisha Bay Wharf now, and then we can take a boat to Tenglong Island for a ride. The resort on the island has a very nice environment, and I can get you a room to rest there. I also heard that the resort is having a carnival party tonight, which is quite lively. I can take you to explore the island and experience its nightlife."

(End of this chapter)