Li Annan noticed Ning Guiwan had been out for quite a while and hadn't returned, making him somewhat uneasy. He left the banquet hall to search for her but couldn't find her. Finally, a server informed him that she had left the villa through a side door.
From afar, he spotted her standing on Trestle Road with a gentleman and quickened his pace.
Upon approaching, he realized the man standing opposite her was actually Quan Yu.
His steps faltered slightly, but he still moved forward, intentionally or unintentionally positioning himself beside Ning Guiwan. Then, he greeted Quan Yu, "So, it's President Quan. A pleasure to meet you."
After speaking, he looked down at Ning Guiwan. "Why were you out for so long? I thought you got lost."
His arrival disrupted the subtle, ambiguous atmosphere between Ning Guiwan and Quan Yu. Ning Guiwan glanced at him and smiled. "I felt a bit stuffy and came out for some fresh air."
"It's chilly outside; you should go back in soon," Li Annan said, his words carrying an undertone of care and concern.
Ning Guiwan didn't object. Turning her gaze towards Quan Yu, a respectful yet distant smile touched her lips. "Then we'll head back first. We won't disturb Uncle Yu's appreciation of the scenery."
Hearing this, Li Annan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Quan Yu's fingers slowly twirled the extinguished cigarette butt, his eyes calm and profound.
Seeing that he wasn't speaking, Ning Guiwan smiled softly and turned to Li Annan. "Let's go."
Li Annan looked at her and also smiled.
This scene somehow carried a hint of sweetness.
Back in the banquet hall, the engagement party was drawing to a close. Everything that needed to be done had been done. Ning Guiwan felt like leaving, and Li Annan, seeming to have noticed, offered to take her home.
"No need, I drove here," Ning Guiwan politely declined.
Li Annan didn't insist. He escorted her to the parking lot where the night breeze was gentle. The girl at his side appeared serene and elegant, not at all like the person described by the media.
"Then, I'll be leaving first." Ning Guiwan unlocked her car and stood beside it with a smile.
Li Annan, looking at her faint smile against the night, thought she resembled a fairy who had strayed into the mortal realm. People often used the phrase 'as beautiful as a celestial fairy' to describe a woman's beauty, but no one had ever truly seen what a celestial fairy looked like. At this moment, gazing at the girl before him, that very phrase—'beautiful as a celestial fairy'—was all that echoed in his mind.
Perhaps moved by his feelings, Li Annan suddenly took Ning Guiwan's hand.
Caught off guard, Ning Guiwan instinctively pulled back her hand. Only then did Li Annan snap out of his daze, realizing his impulsiveness. He felt somewhat awkward and regretful.
"I'm sorry, I..." Even the normally eloquent man was at a loss for words at that moment.
"It's okay," Ning Guiwan said with a smile.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
After a moment, Li Annan said, "Do you have time tomorrow? My friend just opened a new Japanese restaurant. I'd like to take you there to try it out."
"No, I have plans with someone tomorrow."
Ning Guiwan paused, then added, "Mr. Li, you're a good person, and I'm very glad to have met a friend like you. When you find someone suitable for marriage in the future, I will definitely give you a big red envelope and offer my sincerest blessings."
After speaking, Ning Guiwan did not linger and quickly drove away.
The white sedan sped down the quiet roads of the Shencheng Suburbs. Ning Guiwan's face showed no expression. Her mind filled with images of her mother's heartache upon discovering her father's betrayal, and Ning Qinghan proudly touching her small belly in front of her.
Love, marriage—weren't they all poison and graves?
Lost in her thoughts, a black Cullinan sped past, overtaking her by about four or five meters, then suddenly swerved to block the road ahead.
Ning Guiwan was startled and quickly hit the brakes.
The two cars were only half an arm's length apart. If Ning Guiwan had reacted even a fraction of a second slower, they would have definitely collided.
Ning Guiwan's forehead struck the steering wheel. It was a moment before she slowly raised her head, her face still shaken.
The Cullinan's driver had already gotten out. Ning Guiwan's headlights were on, and as the driver walked towards the light, she couldn't see his face clearly. When he got closer, she recognized him as Quan Yu's private driver, Ren Yong.
"Miss Ning, are you alright?" Ren Yong's tone was concerned, laced with guilt.
Ning Guiwan shook her head, suppressing her racing heart, and forced a smile. "I'm fine." She paused. "Did Uncle Ren deliberately stop my car?"
Upon hearing this, Ren Yong was suddenly tongue-tied, glancing back towards the Cullinan's rear door.
Ning Guiwan immediately understood. She smiled, got out of her car, and walked toward the back seat of the Cullinan. The window rolled down slowly as she approached.
The lights from Ning Guiwan's car brightly illuminated the spot. Quan Yu was casually leaning against the seat back, his head turned, quietly watching her.
She smiled. "Is Uncle Yu looking for me about something?"
Quan Yu watched her for a while before speaking, his voice deep, "The old lady is ill."
Ning Guiwan's heart tightened. "Is it serious?" she quickly asked.
Quan Yu observed the clear worry on her face, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Get in the car."
His tone left no room for refusal.
"I'll drive my own car," Ning Guiwan had just finished speaking when, suddenly, her vision went dark.
Turning around, she realized the headlights of her car had been turned off. Unbeknownst to her, a discreet black car had stopped behind hers. Three men in black circled it, while someone could vaguely be seen sitting in the driver's seat of her car.
Those men were Quan Yu's bodyguards.
Ning Guiwan drew her gaze away, then turned back to Quan Yu. He was no longer looking at her; instead, he lowered his head to light a cigarette.
She was silent for a moment, then smiled. "It seems I must trouble Uncle Yu again."
Once in the car, Ning Guiwan smelled a heavy scent of alcohol mixed with burning tobacco. The smell was somewhat choking. She reached out and lowered the window on her side.
They drove on without a word.
As the car entered the city, passing a 24-hour convenience store, Quan Yu suddenly spoke. His voice was hoarse, yet to Ning Guiwan's ears, it sounded strangely alluring.
"Go buy me a bottle of water."
Ren Yong remembered there was water in the trunk and turned to remind Quan Yu, but he met Quan Yu's dark, almost terrifying gaze. The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back as he hastily pulled the car over to the side of the road.
The driver left, and the atmosphere in the car inexplicably became oppressive and heavy. Ning Guiwan felt as if she couldn't breathe and reached out to push the car door, intending to step outside for some fresh air.
Just as her hand touched the door handle, an arm suddenly reached from behind, encircling her waist. Before she could react, she was pulled into a familiar embrace.
Fingers scented with tobacco pinched her chin, forcing Ning Guiwan to lift her head. The rough sensation on her chin made her body tingle.
Quan Yu's gaze pressed down on her intensely, his mouth curved in what seemed like a cold sneer. "Do you like that Li fellow?"
The man's arms were strong, and Ning Guiwan couldn't struggle free. Her face lost its smile, replaced by coldness and detachment. "In what capacity does Uncle Yu ask me this question?"
Quan Yu gazed at her deeply. In the next instant, he suddenly bent down and pressed his lips to hers.