Beep, beep, beep—the horn echoed through the quiet morning streets. Liang Yixing sat restlessly in the car, frequently glancing at his watch, his words laced with impatience. "Damn it, how can there be traffic this early?" Before dawn, he had received a call from his assistant about a project issue requiring his immediate personal attention—an urgent matter. With no other choice, Liang set out, but by the time he resolved it, time was slipping away. Now, stuck halfway to the airport, he was told upon arrival that the flight had departed just five minutes earlier. Frustrated, he slammed his fist onto his suitcase but refused to concede defeat, hastily arranging for a rebooking. Eighteen hours later, the plane landed smoothly. Everyone was listless, rubbing their cramped calves and voicing complaints.
"We've been sitting so long; my legs have swollen.""I'm starving. Can we eat something first?"
Li Manya soothed the group with a gentle smile. "Before we came, I sent our flight details to Paige Group. They should be here to pick us up. We'll have dinner together."
A moment of panic flickered through the group."What? We're meeting Paige's people today?""Yeah, and my broken English isn't even ready!""Don't worry, we have Sister Manya. This isn't her first time abroad; her English is quite good."
Li Manya smiled faintly, though in truth her English was rather average. When she had to discuss projects overseas, she always requested a translator in advance, as many technical terms still eluded her.
The group arrived at the parking lot, waiting for Paige Group's car. Su Wanwan leaned lazily against the wall, her casual posture effortlessly elegant—a living painting in repose. After a flurry of phone calls, a black vehicle slowly pulled up. The driver waved and helped load their luggage into the trunk. Li Manya handed him a tip.
"Thank you for coming all this way to pick us up."The driver accepted it naturally. "You're welcome. The manager sent me."
Once inside the car, the driver took them to a renowned local restaurant. Led by Li Manya, they proceeded to the private dining room.
"Our Sister Manya is amazing—she thrives abroad like a fish in water.""Yeah, if it were us, we'd be utterly lost and wouldn't even find the place!"
Li Manya listened to their praise, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile playing at her lips, a quiet pride stirring within. She pushed open the door to the private room, then froze for a moment when she saw who was seated on the sofa.
The man rose, raising an eyebrow with a smile."Manya, it's been years.""Qiao Zhen? How could it be you?" Li Manya was incredulous. "Could it be... you're the manager of Paige Group?"
The man appeared to be about thirty, his jet-black hair neatly slicked back, handsome in a refined way. Qiao Zhen stepped forward and embraced Li Manya, pressing his cheek affectionately against hers. His voice, rich with meaning, whispered in her ear, "Have you missed me?"
Li Manya's expression flickered with unease, and she suddenly stepped back, accidentally stepping on an assistant's foot.
"Sister Manya, why so nervous? This is just foreign etiquette."
She hastily apologized, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Everyone, please take a seat."
Su Wanwan's gaze swept over Qiao Zhen's face; her delicate brows knit briefly before she quietly took a seat in the least conspicuous corner.
Someone ventured a question, "Manager Qiao... do you know Sister Manya?"
Qiao Zhen sipped his coffee, casually nodding, a slight smile curling at the corner of his eyes as he looked at Li Manya.
"We were high school classmates."
The group brightened with understanding.
"Ah, that explains it!"
Su Wanwan rested her chin on her hand, watching the two with curiosity. Judging by their demeanor, their relationship was likely more than just classmates.
"Don't be nervous. Today, we won't discuss business—just a simple meal to welcome you all."
Qiao Zhen finished speaking and signaled the waiter to serve. Throughout the meal, Li Manya, usually quite talkative in such settings, remained mostly silent. It was Qiao Zhen's loquaciousness that kept the atmosphere lively.
When dinner finally ended, Li Manya exchanged a few polite words and prepared to leave.
"Manya, it's been so long; we must catch up properly."
She forced a smile. "These youngsters came with me—I need to get them settled."
"Then let me send your team to the hotel. That way, you can rest assured."
Faced with his insistence, Li Manya parted her lips but found no words to refuse. She was here precisely because she needed a favor.
"Alright then..."
Su Wanwan followed them out but tugged at one person.
"I know someone here—I need to go for a bit. You all head back first.""Okay, I'll send you the address later."
After they left, Su Wanwan hailed a taxi and made a call.
"Second brother, I've arrived in America. Same place?""Got it."
Since moving to the West City, Su Wanwan rarely returned, and she found herself missing it more than she expected.
Entering through the back door of a bar, the staff inside were momentarily startled, then spoke in English: "Who's that? Go out, go out!"
Su Wanwan chuckled silently—she had been gone so long no one recognized her anymore.
One of the staff, hearing the commotion, looked over suspiciously, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as he hurried forward.
"Miss Su? You're finally back!"
Su Wanwan patted his shoulder but couldn't recall his name.
"I'm here to wait for my second brother.""Please take a seat inside—it's a bit messy here; we haven't had time to tidy up. Shall I bring you a drink? The usual?""Yes, thank you."
Su Wanwan sat in a corner, sipping her drink, watching the dancers in the crowded hall.
Soon, she spotted Qiao Zhen pushing through the crowd, speaking with a foreigner. The distance was too far to catch their words.
Li Manya entered the bar, immediately overwhelmed by the deafening music. After a grueling twenty-hour journey with little rest, the noise made her head pound.
"What would you like to drink?" Qiao Zhen asked with a smile.
Li Manya managed, "Just plain water, please."
Qiao Zhen didn't insist and placed a glass of water before her.
"Manya, since college, we haven't been in touch.""How have you been getting along with Liang Yixing?""Is he treating you well?"