The golden door of the banquet hall on the north side of the sixteenth floor opened, and Fu Jichen, dressed in a three-piece suit, slowly emerged, with a freshly lit cigarette between his fingers.
As he raised his hand, his cool white wrist was revealed, wrapped with a circle of pure black braided cord, the tail end adorned with a white jade handle piece, which was a vividly carved male lion, asleep with eyes closed.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, alleviating the fatigue brought on by socializing.
Suddenly, a melodious and lingering cello sound flowed out from the southern banquet hall.
The sound was so clear because the banquet hall's door was not closed.
By some strange impulse, Fu Jichen started walking toward it, his leather shoes stepping on the light gray carpet, obscuring his footsteps, with only the attendant at the door noticing him.
The tall and handsome man was dressed in fine clothes and exuded an overwhelming presence. Having received guests of all kinds, the attendant naturally speculated that this person must be someone either wealthy or noble, nodding respectfully to him.
Fu Jichen ignored them, glancing through the open door inside, at the girl he encountered in the elevator.
She sat gracefully in a carved black lacquer wood chair, a cello cradled in her arms, her half-pinned black hair softly draping beside her cheek, the tips brushing against the rise and fall of her chest. Her indigo strapless starlit gown shone like a galaxy under the white lights. She slightly tilted her head, the half of her face facing the door serene like water. From a not-so-close distance, her lightly pursed lips could be seen.
The girl's arms drew beautiful lines in the air as she played the cello, the whole dynamic scene appearing as if shrouded in a layer of gentle filter, dream-like and ethereal.
Watching for a while, Fu Jichen forgot about the burning cigarette between his fingers, the burning sensation transmitting to his fingertips. He shook slightly, a long ash fell onto the expensive carpet.
Inside the banquet hall, both those who understood the music and those who didn't wore expressions of enchantment, either immersed in the flowing, natural sound or captivated by Shen Jianian's beauty.
"I've been looking everywhere for you, hiding here for some peace and quiet?"
A teasing voice sounded beside his ear, Fu Jichen did not turn around.
Lu Yanzhi walked over with large strides, glanced over Fu Jichen's shoulder into the banquet hall, and asked curiously, "What's going on in there? It's quite elegant."
Fu Jichen still did not respond, turning around indifferently, snuffing out the cigarette butt in a trash bin lid along the corridor, leaving a faint tobacco scent in the air.
Lu Yanzhi casually slipped one hand into the pocket of his suit pants, following the person ahead leisurely, "I remembered, today is Qin Zhongtian's old mother's birthday, held at this hotel. An invitation was sent to you half a month ago, but you didn't respond."
Coldness flashed in Fu Jichen's eyes, "What a big face."
Lu Yanzhi chuckled, Qin Zhongtian couldn't compare to the Fu Family, yet he shouldn't be dismissed lightly: "In Beicheng, you're like this." He gave a thumbs-up, then continued nonchalantly, "But Qin Zhongtian in Yicheng is like a local Emperor, it's better to make friends than enemies when you're new here."
Fu Jichen ignored his words like he hadn't heard them.
Lu Yanzhi shrugged, saying no more.
For many years, the Fu Family had stood atop the wealthy ranks. The man in front of him was the top among the younger generation, known as "Fu Da," the favoured grandson of Mr. Fu. Half a year ago, upon returning to the country, he took over the Junshan Group as general manager, boldly implementing layoffs and initiating innovative projects, creating widespread unrest within the group, angering the elders who collectively complained to Mr. Fu.
In a fit of anger, Mr. Fu reassigned Fu Jichen to Yicheng, placing him in charge of a subsidiary under the Junshan Group, to temper his character, teaching him that a businessman needs both the courage to act decisively and the patience to remain calm.
This kind of treatment was akin to demotion in ancient terms.
Hence, after Fu Jichen landed in Yicheng, the direct and collateral relatives from Beicheng continuously sent people to spy, only to see how the vibrant Fu Da would resolve the current predicament and earn another chance to return to headquarters.
No one expected his first move to be investing nine billion in a garden villa, filling the garden with roses, taking in stray cats and dogs daily, almost as if retiring in Yicheng.
No one could understand what he was thinking.
*
As the piece ended, Shen Jianian took a light breath, gracefully stood with her cello, and deeply bowed to the surrounding guests.
Old Mrs. Qin, a connoisseur, recognized Shen Jianian's skilled methods, knowing that she had practiced since childhood, someone who could focus deeply on studying the art of the cello. With admiration in her eyes, she began applauding, "Well done, truly well done."
Instantly, the applause roared like thunder, echoing continuously.
Yin Chengde heard the praises from the women around him, instinctively straightening his back, his face beaming with red, feeling a sense of pride. In contrast, his daughter Yin Shuyao was almost biting her lip in frustration.
And why wouldn't she?
After Shen Jianian's performance, several wealthy ladies gathered around Hu Yuzhi, inquiring about who Shen Jianian was to her and if she was engaged.
Hu Yuzhi couldn't feel a shred of joy either, as her own daughter had been eclipsed by that little brat Shen Jianian. Yet, she had to put on a pleasant face to deal with the ladies who came to arrange marriages for their sons.
"Jianian is my niece. Poor girl, her family had an accident a month ago, and she lost both parents. Jianian is still young, so her uncle and I wish to keep her around for a couple more years, not considering marriage for now. I hope you all might understand," Hu Yuzhi spun a tale fluently to fend them off, speaking so affectingly that her eyes even moistened. Such exquisite acting would make a movie star bow in respect, feeling utterly inferior.
The faces of the ladies showed mixed emotions. The girl, without a father or mother, depended solely on her uncle, who had a daughter of his own, meaning she was merely a little orphan living under someone else's roof. With no one to support her, marrying her would mean taking in a beautiful vase, pleasing to the eyes but bringing no benefits to the family business.
Within moments, these sharp-minded ladies weighed the pros and cons and each found an excuse to leave.
Shen Jianian, after placing her precious cello, was led by Hu Yuzhi to speak with Old Mrs. Qin. The old lady cherished talent, asking her numerous questions.
Shen Jianian answered each one clearly and unhurriedly.
Old Mrs. Qin was very satisfied, immediately saying she wanted to introduce her grandson to her. She looked around the room but couldn't find him, smiling, "He's probably chatting with friends."
Qin Zhongtian quietly joined in with a wine glass; Yin Shuyao could wait no longer, desperately signaling to her mother. The words of praise for Shen Jianian from the old lady were driving her ears raw.
Hu Yuzhi lightly touched Shen Jianian's arm, using a voice only the two of them could hear to remind her, "President Qin is here, quick, offer him a toast."
Shen Jianian hesitated; she didn't drink alcohol.
"Quick, what are you waiting for!" Hu Yuzhi urged, giving her a gentle push.
Shen Jianian's fingers curled slightly, taking a glass of red wine from a tray held by a passing attendant, her shimmering eyes lifting, sparing words as always, "President Qin, a toast to you."
Qin Zhongtian met her gaze, smiling lightly, "Miss's cello sound is beautiful, and her voice is even more so."
While speaking, he downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, his rough Adam's apple moving up and down, his eyes glancing at Shen Jianian through the rim of the wine glass.
His unabashed gaze made Shen Jianian deeply uncomfortable.