Chapter 134: The Cocktail Reception Encounter
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Ling walked into the reception ballroom and scanned her surroundings.
The spacious room was brightly lit, and a violin ensemble had a live performance on the black marble stage. The melodious tunes danced around in the room as waiters formally dressed in white shirts and bowties served wine to the ladies and gentlemen around. The male guests were in their tuxedos while the female guests arrived in their gorgeous gowns, all exuding a faint fragrance from their perfume.
They spoke gently and civilly, portraying a classic scene of the high society.
Xia Ling had no idea why she used to like such a pretentious event and even hosted it year after year. She recalled the time when Pei Ziheng had kept her imprisoned, and when Xia Yu secretly filmed the predicament she was in. It was these people here who had attended her reception parties who gloated over it. “Such a pampered woman, she should’ve been kept out long ago. I told you, Director Pei would get sick and tired of playing with her one day, but you didn’t believe me.”
“Who didn’t believe you? Boss Liu and I had a bet about how long it’d take for Director Pei to kick that woman aside, haha. It’s been less than two years, I win.”
All these bits and pieces ate at her slowly.
The only consolation was that Pei Ziheng was not around, there was no sight of him in the entire ballroom.
“This is so boring.” That was Wei Shaoyin’s voice, he had been uncomfortable since he stepped into the place. “I don’t like crowded places.”
Li Lei shrugged. “You can go wherever you like.” He did not like having Wei Shaoyin around, playing gooseberry on a perfect couple’s date.
Ah Wei was delighted to hear that and decisively broke away from his Boss, looking for a corner to relax in.
Xia Ling was not all that excited about the event either; seeing so many familiar faces disgusted her.
Li Lei read her expression. “Are you bored?”
She nodded.
Li Lei was happy to know that she was not enjoying herself at Pei Ziheng’s cocktail reception. He thoughtfully asked, “I’ll get you something to eat, what would you like?”
“Hazelnut cake.”
Hazelnut cake was her favorite. Li Lei ate with her very frequently in the recent weeks and had figured out her likes and dislikes. He told her to stay where she was until he got back and went on his own to the food table to get her cake.
Xia Ling waited by the side, when suddenly, she felt a pain in her shoulder — someone had knocked into her pretty hard. She subconsciously reached out for the windowsill beside her to avoid falling flat to the ground.
“Why are you in the way, are you blind!” The other party started berating her before she even had the time to look up. It was a young lady’s voice. “Who’s this over here.”
Her condescending tone got Xia Ling fuming.
Xia Ling looked up to see a fancifully dressed lady in a classy custom-made gown. She had an intricately designed chest brooch in the shape of a peacock studded with precious stones.
“What’re you staring at? You have something against me?” That lady disliked the way Xia Ling looked at her with her clear eyes and piercing glare. There was no trace of fear or inferiority in those eyes, and with a “Hmph,” that lady turned and walked away from Xia Ling.
Xia Ling wanted to act up, but took a deep breath and suppressed her anger. This was Imperial Entertainment’s event in Pei Ziheng’s territory. She did not want to draw any unnecessary attention to her or to create a commotion.
She furrowed her brows and tried standing upright, holding onto the windowsill for support.
Her ankle gave way, and she almost fell again.
A steady hand appeared before her — the nails were cleanly cut, the rest of the arm was covered in a white sleeve under a black suit, and the titanium cuff glimmered in under the light from the chandelier.
She looked up and saw the person’s face clearly — Feng Kun.
It had been too long.
He was just as she remembered him to be, not incredibly handsome, but polite, pleasant and quiet. He looked at her with gentle eyes and asked, “Are you alright?”
That was when she realized she had been staring at him for too long. She snapped out of it and nodded her head.
He still had his hand outstretched before her.
She felt better and reached out to hold onto him.
Feng Kun exerted some force to help her steady herself.
“Thank you,” she said. She had thought about the possibility of bumping into him at this reception even before she came. This old friend of hers was one she missed truly, and now that they met once again, there was so much she wanted to say to him, but none of which she had the chance to.
Feng Kun looked down at her. “You’re welcome.”
The words were polite but estranged, nothing more than the usual formal exchange between acquaintances. Yet he did not leave after the short exchange. He could not pinpoint why, but he felt that the girl standing before him gave him a very familiar feeling, she really seemed like Xiao Ling… It was too strange, they did not resemble each other at all.
“Is there anything else?” asked Xia Ling. She felt conflicted, on the one hand, she really did not wish to have anything to do with Feng Kun and wanted him to distance himself as soon as possible, but on the other hand, she could not bear to watch him go so quickly. Old friend, it has really been long.
“I’ve heard you sing ‘Sea Demon,'” Feng Kun said.
His voice was gentle as the waves, calming her fluster that arose from her excessive focus on not revealing her identity. “It wasn’t well sung,” she said.
“No, it was great.” Feng Kun smiled. “You’re the first person I know who can sing Xiao Ling’s song well and suitably.”
That was too good a compliment, and she expressed how flattered she felt. “You’re too kind.”
“If she were still here, she’d definitely like you.”
Feng Kun’s voice sounded a little strained now, making Xia Ling ache a little inside. Before she realized, she asked, “How… have you been abroad?”
“What?” Feng Kun was stunned.
Xia Ling realized she had said something wrong. Given that it was their first interaction, how could she have asked something so personal? She tried to salvage her mistake. “No-nothing much. I just felt that after Xia Ling passed on, you’d be very sad.”
Was he sad?
Of course.
Feng Kun looked up, gazing at the screen where Xia Ling’s videos were playing as he smiled sadly. “She was my best friend,” he said, gently and painfully.
Her heart ached even more. Afraid that he would sense her change in emotions, she turned away.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “someone’s waiting for me over there. I should get going.”
She fled from him. She could face all her enemies from her previous life and the hatred and insults that came with it. Yet she did not have the strength to face Feng Kun and his longing.
She was afraid she would lose control.
She walked towards the food table quickly. Why was Li Lei not back yet from getting her the cake? She looked past rows and rows of delicacies before finally spotting him.
In front of him stood a girl who had her hands on his elbow, as if they were very close. She had beautifully styled hair and was in a beautiful gown, and on her front was a shimmering peacock brooch.
It was the girl who bumped into her and hurled rude words at her previously.