Fatal Desire

Chapter 144 The Calm Before the Storm (5)

“I don’t have anyone I want to marry right now,” Song Xi said softly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the celadon teacup.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled patterns of light on her delicate face.

"It's okay to have someone you like. Who hasn't fallen in love with the wrong person when they were young? In the end, romantic love is just an experience in life."

Song Yunyu held Song Xi's hand, her voice as gentle as melting snow in spring, "Good child, your aunt only hopes for your well-being. No matter how much you like someone, don't forget your future. In love, you must remain clear-headed, don't lose yourself, and know how to protect yourself, understand?"

Looking at the fine lines around her aunt's eyes, Song Xi suddenly remembered that when she had a fever as a child, her aunt stayed up all night to watch over her, wiping her burning forehead with an ice towel again and again.

She choked slightly: "I understand, Auntie."

By any standard, the hardships she has endured over the years cannot compare to the kindness her aunt has shown her.

After her parents passed away, her aunt had a boyfriend she was about to marry, but the two had a dispute over how to raise her.

The aunt decisively broke up with him, declaring, "A man who doesn't like my niece doesn't deserve to be my husband."

Since marrying into the Zhao family, her aunt has been too busy to take care of her, but she has always understood her aunt.

My aunt is the person who loves herself the most in the world.

He was also her only relative.

Song Yunyu coughed, "My aunt is getting older and her health is deteriorating day by day. She is most worried about you."

"Auntie, don't talk nonsense. You're in good health and will definitely live to be a hundred!"

Song Yunyu smiled and said earnestly, "Bei Xiao is eight years older than you. He is steady in his work and of good character. He can take good care of you. Why don't you meet him and get to know him? If it doesn't work out, then forget it."

Song Xi thought for a while, and finally agreed: "Okay."

"Sister Xi," Zhao Chengyou's voice suddenly came from the study, "Come quickly and appreciate my calligraphy!"

Song Xi got up and walked to the window, looking into the study from the outside. He saw Zhao Chengyou standing in front of the desk, holding up a piece of calligraphy with great confidence.

The ink was not yet dry, leaving marks of varying shades on the rice paper.

"Wow!" Song Xi exclaimed dramatically, her fingertips hovering above the calligraphy. "Young Master's calligraphy is so exquisite that even Empress Dowager Cixi would rise from her coffin and applaud. Absolutely amazing!"

Zhao Chengyou didn't mince words, bringing up her past: "You're a bit better than Sister Axi. Last time, your painting almost got your teacher called the police, saying someone was deliberately ruining his reputation."

"There's nothing I can do; I'm the worst student among all the students taught by my traditional Chinese painting teacher." Song Xi shrugged, appearing completely at ease and confident, without any shame about it.

Seeing this, Song Yunyu shook her head and chuckled, the tea rippled in her cup.

The path is lined with lush flowers and trees, and laughter breaks through the light mist. In the distance, under the hibiscus-white sky, the sun leaps over the thick clouds and shines into the warm summer courtyard.

*
After agreeing to Song Yunyu's request, Song Xi communicated directly with Gu Beixiao, without going through elders or secretaries/assistants.

The two were very efficient and decisive. After a brief discussion, they quickly arranged to have dinner at a restaurant in Wudaokou Hutong on Tuesday evening.

The twilight is closing, and the lanterns are starting to turn on.

After finishing her work, Song Xi left the company and went directly to the restaurant.

Song Xi and Gu Beixiao sat down at the dining table by the window, exchanging friendly smiles and greetings.

Across from him, Gu Beixiao was wearing a sharp gray suit, his facial features bathed in a soft golden light.

“Little Song Xi.” Gu Beixiao looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. “We haven’t seen each other for a long time.”

Knowing that he had automatically ruled out their chance encounter at the Gu family's courtyard a while ago, Song Xi smiled politely.

"It has been quite a while indeed. I didn't expect Mr. Gu to still remember."

The waiter stepped forward to pour the wine; the Burgundy glass was filled with rich and fragrant wine.

Gu Beixiao said, "No need to be so polite, just call me by my name."

Gu Beixiao is Qin Fanghao's uncle. Song Xi is the same age as Qin Fanghao, so according to seniority, she should also call him uncle.

He called her by her given name, but Song Xi took it as a polite remark and smiled, "You can call me by my name as well."

When she was little, only the older generation would call her Little Song Xi. Gu Beixiao used to call her that without any problem, but now that she's grown up, it feels rather strange.

"Song Xi." Gu Beixiao called her name gently and pushed the menu in front of her. "I didn't know what you liked, so I ordered a few of your signature dishes first." Song Xi glanced at it and saw that she had ordered all her favorite dishes. It was highly likely that her aunt had given him some information.

Song Xi ordered a few more dishes and handed them to the waiter, saying that the food could be served.

She took a sip of red wine and looked at Gu Beixiao: "If I may ask, Mr. Gu, are you also being pressured to get married by your elders?"

Also.

This indirectly revealed that meeting him was not her intention.

"It's not a matter of pressuring you to get married." Gu Beixiao's expression was calm, but there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "Are your elders pressuring you?"

“It wasn’t urging; my aunt was just trying to help me,” Song Xi said.

Gu Beixiao chuckled softly, his voice low and deep: "Elders are always like this."

He paused, then looked up at her. "However, I am very grateful for her arrangements."

Song Xi paused, then looked up to meet his gaze.

Outside the window, the city's neon lights gradually illuminated, and traffic flowed like a galaxy. In this tranquil space, their gazes met silently, a mixture of probing and a strategic maneuver.

The waiter brought out the food at just the right moment, breaking the brief silence.

"Try this steamed shad with truffles." Gu Beixiao picked up his chopsticks with elegant movements. "I heard you've been busy with a new project lately?"

Song Xi picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, the tender meat melting on her tongue: "Hmm, the cooperation with Zhongrui Group."

Gu Beixiao: "Zhou Ji'an from the Zhou family?"

"Yes." Song Xi said calmly, "President Zhou is busy with official duties, and we usually deal with the project manager."

Gu Beixiao nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly changed the subject: "In your opinion, when it comes to arranged marriages, is it more important to have mutual benefits or to be compatible?"

Song Xi didn't mince words and answered directly: "Marriage alliances are based on mutual benefit, but if you can't even share a meal together, then even the best conditions are torture."

Gu Beixiao laughed out loud, "So what do you think of me?"

Perhaps due to her experiences, Song Xi is more mature than many people. She appears young and beautiful on the outside, but is calm on the inside. Even in front of Gu Beixiao, who is so steady that he could be her father, she does not lose her composure or appear ridiculous or embarrassed.

Gu Beixiao had seen people who were embarrassed and made mistakes, including but not limited to those who couldn't control their mouths and talked nonsense; or those who accidentally entered his lounge and drank his tea... many dramatic and ridiculous behaviors and conversations.

That kind of cuteness, you could barely call it cute, but to put it another way, it's stupidity, acting without thinking.

Gu Beixiao's views on love and marriage are based on appreciation, not on foolish actions.

Just a wall away, in the garden.

Chi Wang and Xu Mo were standing under a tree, smoking and chatting in the evening breeze.

"I heard you've been chasing after that minor celebrity lately?" Xu Mo asked with a chuckle, one hand on his hip.

Chi Wang choked on his smoke: "Bullshit! That's our family's new spokesperson!"

"Yes." Xu Mo smiled slyly, "During the day, I'll endorse the Chi family's products, and at night, I'll endorse Young Master Chi's bed."

Just as Chi Wang was about to reply, his gaze shifted and he suddenly saw Song Xi and Gu Beixiao chatting and laughing inside the glass curtain wall.

"Angel sister?"

Xu Mo followed his gaze, her tone amused, "I wondered who it was, but it turns out to be the little princess of the Zhao family. The person sitting opposite her must be Gu Beixiao. We've all racked our brains trying to become the little princess's consort, but it turns out the consort has already been decided. Gu Beixiao, Gu Beixiao, he should be able to pass Brother Sen's eye."

"Seeing this so late at night is truly chilling." Chi Wang took a deep drag on his cigarette. "Didn't they say Gu Beixiao became a secretary?"

"What secretary! She's Director Gu now." A leaf landed on his shoulder, which Xu Mo brushed off. "She's got connections; her career is on the horizon!"

"No." Chi Wang stubbed out his cigarette, took out his phone, and snapped a picture of Song Xi and Gu Beixiao.

"We need to have Brother Sen oversee things; we can't let my sister stumble into a tiger's den."

When Xu Mo saw him tattling to Zhao Yansen, he laughed: "What are you worrying about?"

(End of this chapter)