Chapter 171 - 171: 169: Fashion Circle Banquet(2) It turned out to be just a parting, not a breakup

Translator: 549690339

In the banquet hall, everyone’s gaze was fixated under that beam of light.

At the same time, accompanied by the male voice of a host in the background, “Mr. Senjie is very grateful to everyone for attending his birthday banquet. On this beautiful evening, Mr. Senjie would like to introduce the next season’s product line of YILANG. As you can see on the female model, the major color of this year is avocado green—a deep and mysterious hue. The clothes have been tailored to fit the petite figures of Eastern women, incorporating qipao design elements for a conceptual upgrade which perfectly outlines the unique and elegant aura of Eastern women.”

Such a banquet was inevitably a promotional event for the brand.

Applause erupted throughout the venue.

Following that, the host announced, “The designer of this outfit, the new-generation Asian flagship designer of YILANG, Mr. Lee, is also the elegant gentleman standing next to the model.”

Another round of applause swept through the venue.

The host continued his enthusiastic presentation.

In the hall, the lighting suddenly brightened.

Yin Qin’S gaze was fixed in the direction of Ji Baixing.

She was gone.

His throat subtly contracted.

“I heard it was him, all the designs in the Asian region this year were dominated by him, Lee.” Qin Keqin, who had returned to his side at some point, whispered into his ear.

Yin Qin didn’t say a word.

Qin Keqin took Yin Qin•s hand and headed directly towards the designer.

At this moment, the designer was already talking with Senjie, with people approaching to pay their compliments.

Yin Qin’s gaze was fixated unyieldingly on this so-called flagship designer.

“Miss Qin.” Senjie noticed Qin Keqin.

Qin Keqin dragged her son over to him.

“I was just looking for you.” Senjie was very enthusiastic, “Didn’t you always like the ‘nostalgia’ series?

The limited edition that you took last time was designed by Lee.”

“Really?” Qin Keqin was surprised, “Being able to meet the designer himself is truly a great honor.” With that, she took the initiative to shake his hand.

Lee quickly reciprocated, “Having Miss Qin appreciate my work is an even bigger honor for me.”

“You’re too modest,” Qin Keqin said, “But I’ve always been curious, why did you name this bag series ‘nostalgia’?”

“I’ve mixed some of my personal feelings into it,” Lee appeared slightly bashful.

“Do you mind disclosing it more?”

“Sorry.”

Qin Keqin didn’t press further, “But I really love this series. It’s not too extravagant, but it has a lot of charm and indeed stirs up feelings of nostalgia.”

“Yes,” Lee agreed.

Qin Keqin and Lee talked for a long time, even shamelessly ordering the limited edition bag for the next season, before reluctantly leaving with her son.

Qin Keqin loves skincare and is 45 years old.

Yes, that’s right.

Qin Keqin had Yin Qin when she was 20, this year she is just 45.

She looks young and beautiful. If one didn’t know, nobody would believe that Qin Keqin has a son as large as Yin Qin or would think she is in her early thirties.

When they are together, Yin Qin looks like her boyfriend.

However, she was unwilling to let anyone call her Mrs. Yin. The more times someone called her Miss Qin, the younger she seemed to be.

At nine o’clock, it’s time for Qin Keqin to go home.

She is used to going to bed before 10 pm for her beauty sleep and never stays up late.

Yin Qin walked out of the banquet hall with Qin Keqin, their car waiting at the foot of the stairs.

Qin Keqin got into the car first.

Yin Qin, however, suddenly paused.

Qin Keqin, sitting in the back seat of the sedan, frowned, “Not leaving?”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Then I’ll go first,” Qin Keqin didn’t say much more.

Many times, the interaction between Qin Keqin and Yin Qin was just like friends. Qin Keqin never interfered with Yin Qin’s actions.

Yin Qin watched as the sedan drove away.

Slowly, he strode back into the hall.

His eyes searched around the room.

His steps even became a bit frantic.

He had been suppressing it just now, but now that he’s released his emotions, he became agitated.

She was not in the hall.

Nor near the pastry section.

Also not by the restroom.

Back garden… There she was.

Yin Qin abruptly halted. His gaze fixated on the two people in front of him.

The one called Lee, the designer, and the woman called Ji Baixing.

They stood under the night sky, surrounded by colorful fountains, looking at each other intently, with deep affection in their eyes.

Such a beautiful scene, so jealousy-inducing that it stirs murderous thoughts.

He clenched his fists tightly.

Step by step, he moved forward.

He was the bad guy, he always had been.

He had no reason to change.

His steps caught the attention of the two people, who were silently staring at each other.

He disrupted their pleasant moment.

Ji Baixing looked at Yin Qin, her face changing subtly.

The change was so profound.

She was vastly different from the woman she was just moments ago.

This was distance, the distance he could never cross.

Yin Qin came to a halt in front of Ji Baixing.

In that moment, he suddenly reached out, grabbing Ji Baixingt s hand and forcefully pulled her into his arms.

Ji Baixing’s body resisted against him.

Seemingly oblivious to her resistance, Yin Qin kept his gaze fixed on Mr. Lee. His voice, even his teeth grinding together, “Long time no see, Li Wenjun.”

Li Wenjun kept his eyes on Yin Qin, who held Ji Baixing’s hand firmly, then turned to Yin Qin, “It has been a long time, how have you been?”

“Very well.” Yin Qin said, “We’re doing very well.”

“That’s good then.” Li Wenjun smiled, “I have some business to attend to, so I won’t disturb you two anymore. Baixin, let’S have dinner sometime.”

“Yes.” Yin Qin quickly agreed on behalf of Ji Baixing, “I’ll host, as a welcome back occasion for you.” Li Wenjun gave a polite smile, glanced at Ji Baixing one more time, then turned around and left.

Yin Qin just sat there, staring at Li Wenjun’s fading figure.

It was only when Ji Baixing forcefully pushed Yin Qin away, creating a physical distance between them, did he snap out of it.

“Enough, Yin Qin.” Ji Baixing said firmly, “Stop being so childish.” “Yes, I’m very childish. Always have been. But Li Wenjun, he’S growing more and more mature, isn’t

Ji Baixing did not wish to engage in a long conversation with Yin Qin.

So, she turned and walked away.

“Ji Baixing, you should change your name to Ji Baiyan (white-eye, meaning ungrateful in mandarin).”

Yin Qin mocked her.

Ji Baixing paused for a moment, then turned back, “Yin Qin, we need to find some time to discuss our engagement with our families.”

“The moment Li Wenjun comes back, you can’t wait to end our relationship?” Yin Qin scoffed.

“This has nothing to do with him. I just simply, don’t have feelings for you.”

“No feelings.” Yin Qin muttered, his laughter colder than ever.

Ji Baixing never cared about his feelings, she simply took a step forward and walked away.

Yin Qin, at that moment, was pushed to his limit.

He reached out and grabbed Ji Baixing’s hand, pulling her back into his arms, his body looming over hers.

Ji Baixing turned her face to the side, Yin Qin’s lips landed on her cheek.

Ji Baixing struggled violently.

Yet, Yin Qin was relentless.

In the midst of their struggle…

“Slap!” Ji Baixing suddenly landed a harsh slap on Yin Qin’s face.

So loud, it was so loud.

The sound startled Xin Zaozao, who was planning to get some fresh air in the back garden, causing her to stand there, frozen in shock.

At this moment, it wasn’t appropriate for her to make an appearance.

Dejected, she left.

In the rear garden, Yin Qin, his eyes red rimmed, stared at Ji Baixing angrily.

Ji Baixing’s eyes were also red.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Did you also resist when Li Wenjun kissed you?” Yin asked her, his voice cold.

Ji Baixing just stared back at Yin Qin.

Yin Qin said, “Why did you two break up back then, hmm? Weren’t you so in love that you would even cut ties with your family to be together? Why did you break up? Did Li Wenjun no longer want you? Did he leave you for his career and prospects? Now he’s back, and you’re just wagging your tail, eager for his attention like a dog. Ji Baixin, how can you be such a loose woman!”

“Yes, I am loose!” Ji Baixin shouted back at Yin Qin, “I am fond of Li Wenjun! All these years, I’ve been waiting for him! You think we had broken up? No, we never did! We merely parted ways temporarily. Yin Qin, I never liked you. I never did! I’d rather be Li Wenjun’s dog than your caged canary! Also, I never resist when Li Wenjun kisses me. I relish it!”

So…

So.

He was destined to be hurt by Ji Baixin in his lifetime.

He had thought that if Ji Baixin had broken up with Li Wenjun, he might have a chance. He might be able to be with Ji Baixin. When he knew that Ji Baixin had returned to the Ji family home, he was so overjoyed that he was grinning foolishly for a week. But now…

As expected…

Everything was just his wishful thinking.

They were just separating, not breaking up.

Just separating…

Li Wenjun could kiss her and she would not resist, she would only enjoy it!

Yes, enjoy.

It was all him, he was doing it for himself.

He watched Ji Baixing’s retreating figure, watched her coldly leave.

“If it’s not a break-up, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Yin Qin asked her.

Murmuringly asked her.

Ji Baixing couldn’t hear anymore, she had left a long time ago.

Maybe, to look for her Li Wenjun.

Why…Why didn’t he say it earlier and make him happy for three years.

Three years…such a long time.

The banquet hall.

Xin Zaozao retreated again.

As they say, turn a blind eye. She chose to remain ignorant.

Yan Quan left hurriedly because he received a phone call from home saying his daughter was sick, so, it was only her left again.

She held a glass of champagne in her hand, waiting for a long time. Finally, seeing no one was around Senjie, she gathered the courage to go over.

Senjie looked at Xin Zaozao, as a host, with understanding still, “Chairman Xin.”

“Sir, there’s no need to be so formal, I’m younger than you, you can just call me Zaozao.” Xin Zaozao tried her best to appear calm.

“Zaozao.” Senjie smiled, “Zaozao in the morning, it’s a good name.”

Actually, it’s not.

She shouldn’t have come to this world so early.

“Mr. Senjie, have you noticed my dress today?” Xin Zaozao changed the topic.

Senjie smiled, “Is Zaozao challenging me? It’s our house’s seasonal style. If I don’t recognize it, I’ll get fired by my boss.”

Xin Zaozao chuckled along, “How do you think I look in it, Mr. Senjie?” “Stunning.” Senjie commented, “The part at the chest is the highlight.”

Xin Zaozao felt a little embarrassed at that moment.

She didn’t expect Senjie to be so direct.

And she’d never worn such a revealing dress before.

She tried to maintain her smile, changing the subject, “Let me propose a toast to Mr. Senjie.”

“Oh? Why should you propose a toast?”

“It’s your birthday today, and I should wish you a happy birthday.”

“I’ll accept that one.”

So, the two shared a drink.

Xin Zaozao couldn’t hold her liquor, but she had to socialize.

“I didn’t expect Zaozao to have such a good alcohol tolerance.” Senjie looked at her empty glass. “You flatter me, sir. I’m not good with alcohol, I just want to make a strong impression on you.”

“Is that so?” Senjie smiled, a meaningful smile, “There are many ways to deepen impression, such

as…”

Senjie moved forward, his hand held Xin Zaozao’s waist.

Xin Zaozao’s body stiffened suddenly, but her smile remained fixed.

Meanwhile, she seemed to feel a sharp gaze, but Xin Zaozao didn’t pay it any mind.

She moved slightly, breaking away from Senjie’s hold, handed a waiter another glass of wine, and said, “Mr. Senjie, there must be a lot of women who use your tactic, but not many would employ the one I use.”

With those words, another glass of red wine was drained.

Senjie’s eyebrows furrowed, this woman was quite intriguing to him.

Xin Zaozao finished one glass and had a waiter bring another.

Senjie just watched her.

Xin Zaozao didn’t say anything, the glass was emptied again.

Senjie viewed Xin Zaozao differently now, he said, “Zaozao is indeed a gallant woman.”

“Have you remembered me, sir?”

“An impressive impression.”

“So Mr. Senjie knows that apart from Mu Cidian, there is also a Xin Zaozao in Xin Group?”

Senjie smiled, at that moment, he didn’t answer immediately.

Xin Zaozao did not show any emotions, she took out a business card with her number from her purse, “This is my number, it would be kind of you to keep it. All the malls of the Xin Group, with just one call from you, I can provide the best discount for you. ”

Senjie, being experienced, naturally knew Xin Zaozao’s intentions.

However, the Xin Family was currently in a serious internal crisis. Xin Zaozao’s power was hollowed out, and she now needed to find external support. Maintaining clients is the foremost priority.

He frowned at the sight of Xin Zaozao’s phone number. The string of digits was handwritten with a pen, which obviously showed more sincerity.

Perhaps Xin Zaozao wasn’t as bad as the rumors suggested.

He lifted his head, “I remember what Zaozao said, and I have her number.”

Neither agreeing nor refusing.

He would see her actions in the future.

At least, at least, he wouldn’t always side with Mu Cidian.

That would be enough.

Xin Zaozao smiled, “You’re busy, sir. I won’t disturb you.”

Senjie nodded.

Xin Zaozao left.

The moment she left, her stomach was already churning.

She walked straight into the restroom, unable to close the door in time, and vomited violently.

Her stomach was almost burning.

She bore the discomfort, slowly getting up.

Turning around.

She saw Mu Cidian.

Mu Cidian stood before her indifferently.

“This is the ladies’ restroom! ” Xin Zaozao emphasized every word.

“I know.” Mu Cidian replied.

“Have you lost your mind? You walking in here!” Xin Zaozao raised her voice.

“Is it worth it. Xin Zaozao?” Mu Cidian asked her bluntly

“There’s no question of worth it or not.” Xin Zaozao stood tall, moving towards the washbasin.

She rinsed her mouth, wiped her lips clean, then calmly applied lipstick.

“What will you accompany next, after drinking?” Mu Cidian looked at her and asked coldly.

“I can accompany anything,” Xin Zaozao finished applying her lipstick, looking at him through the large mirror, “Except for you, I can accompany anything.”

The expression on Mu Cidian’s face was extremely cold.

Xin Zaozao put away her lipstick, and without giving him another glance, she walked straight out.

Mu Cidian clenched his fist.

No matter how unhappy Xin Zaozao’s previous life was, no matter how unwelcome she was at home, whether she had ever felt warmth or not, she was raised in a greenhouse, she had never been in touch with the outside world, not ever.

She didn’t need to socialize, she didn’t need to drink, she didn’t need to say things she didn’t mean.

And now…

She’s doing everything.

Mu Cidian’s face grew darker and darker.

“Cidian. ” Wu Qianyuan walked in from outside, surprised, “Why are you here? This is the ladies’ restroom.”

Mu Cidian came back to his senses, “I walked into the wrong one.”

Wu Qianyuan wanted to say something else.

Mu Cidian had already left.

Wu Qianyuan frowned.

There was clearly something off about Mu Cidian recently.

In the past, she could never perceive his emotions, but now… they seemed vaguely perceptible.

Xin Zaozao didn’t return to the hall, she asked a chauffeur to drive her back.

Sitting in the small car, she felt dizzy.

Alcohol was truly not a good thing.

She felt sick to her stomach, and her vision was blurry. She felt terrible all over.

She endured it, till the car arrived at the entrance of the villa.

She had the chauffeur park the car in the garage and she walked into the villa, making her way back into her room with great effort.

As soon as she entered the room, her stomach churned again.

She quickly got up, rushed into the restroom, hugging the toilet bowl and vomited painfully.

She didn’t know how long she’d been vomiting.

She’d vomited until she was retching, and only then did her stomach feel slightly better.

She forced herself to stand up, to get up…

Just as she managed to stand up, perhaps because she had been crouching too long, her vision suddenly blacked out and her body involuntarily fell backward.

She had thought she was going to fall painfully, but in the next second, she found herself falling into a strong embrace…

It seemed… very familiar..