Chapter 38

The dress Xie Jinxing chose reflected his very personal sense of aesthetics.
It was called a long dress, but only relative to Su Ruan’s petite height. Gu An’an wasn’t very tall, 163 cm barefoot, 165 with shoes, and with ten-centimeter heels she reached about 173. On her, the dress fit perfectly. The back was cut open, revealing her shoulder blades, the waist was tightly cinched, and the black velvet fabric was accented by a pink silk ribbon tied around her midsection.
Standing in front of the mirror, Gu An’an turned once, feeling something oddly familiar.
Wasn’t this the same style as the “dancing girl on the music box” dress she’d worn at Xie Jinxing’s first public banquet appearance?
Could it be that he was copying her fashion choices this time?
She glanced at him lounging on the rest area sofa. He wasn’t even looking her way, his attention fixed on his phone.
Maybe everything that had just happened had left him a bit shaken, Xie Jinxing looked visibly drained, his complexion tinged with gray.
Gu An’an thought for a moment, unsure how to comfort this poor overworked CEO. Being chosen by fate as the male lead came with a price, after all.
The store had its own stylists, so Secretary Yang’s elite team finally had a break.
The team gathered together, exchanging knowing glances full of silent gossip about the two people across the room who looked as if they weren’t interacting at all.
If they hadn’t been so busy that their eyes were practically falling out, they could swear they’d just seen their finicky, germaphobic boss let a girl grab his hand. Not only that, he’d even touched the back of her neck himself!
Right on cue, Lily finally arrived in her high heels.
Everything had happened too suddenly earlier, and afraid of getting caught in the crossfire, she’d hidden by the staircase.
Lily exchanged a meaningful look with Assistant Li, mutual understanding flashing in their eyes.
Secretary Yang looked between her senior Lily and Li the team leader, utterly lost. What’s that look supposed to mean? Did I miss some juicy boss gossip? Don’t leave me out, come on~
The elite secretary team maintained perfectly straight faces, like a row of solemn tombstones, no one could tell that these top-tier intellects were quietly transmitting gossip via mental Wi-Fi.
Time was tight. The banquet started at eight, they could arrive fashionably late, but not too late, or it would look arrogant. Everyone was working in a rush, and Xie Jinxing was reviewing the guest list.
After a quick touch-up, Gu An’an and the group hurried to the venue.
The car was already waiting outside. Over at City Hall, Secretary Wang had already called several times to hurry them up.
By now, no one paid attention to Su Ruan, who had been left on the sidelines. Thanks to Xie Jinxing’s cold, oppressive aura, the atmosphere in the room felt heavy and quiet.
And with Gu An’an there, Su Ruan’s “halo filter” completely shattered.
Without her usual aura or beauty buffs, she looked dull and colorless, like some forgotten decoration in a dark corner. She seemed to realize it too: stripped of her filters and glow, she was more ordinary than the female secretaries around Xie Jinxing. The thought made her chest ache; tears kept falling one by one...
If Gu An’an knew what Su Ruan was thinking, she’d probably roll her eyes into another dimension.
What do you mean, “not even as good as the secretaries”?
Please! Those secretaries were all graduates of top domestic and international universities (the lowest being Q University undergrads, top of their class), all over 165 cm, fit and toned from regular workouts, and possessing both professional skill and elegance. Even if you stripped away all that, they were still objectively attractive!
Where did Su Ruan get the confidence to look down on them, of all people?
Still, some of them pitied her. Seeing how far she’d fallen, they quietly pulled her aside to comfort her.
Su Ruan tried resisting a little, but without her “protagonist glow,” no one noticed. Especially not Xie Jinxing, who sat on the sofa typing away on his phone.
Her struggle went nowhere, so she gave up and followed the secretaries downstairs.
When Gu An’an got into the car, she noticed Xie Jinxing had changed clothes too.
Gone was the pale smoke-blue suit; now he wore pure black, his hair slicked back neatly to reveal his forehead and sharp brows. His high nose and tightly pressed lips radiated a cold, distant elegance.
He must’ve changed because of the kick she’d given him earlier. Oops.
Four or five cars were parked outside the boutique.
Gu An’an and Xie Jinxing got into the stretch Lincoln in the middle.
It seated eight. Assistant Li, Secretary Yang, and Secretary Wang sat in the back, ready to brief him on work matters during the ride. The bodyguards followed in other cars, while the police escort led the way.
With officers at both ends, it really felt like a boss-level convoy.
Inside, it was quiet. The moment Xie Jinxing sat down, he closed his eyes to rest.
Assistant Li lowered his voice, giving Gu An’an a rundown of banquet etiquette, things to avoid, how to respond politely, and what not to say.
After all, for events like this, even a small slip could cause trouble for their boss and his team.
Gu An’an listened quietly, nodding along.
When he finished, there was still some time before they arrived. She sneaked a glance at Xie Jinxing. Maybe it was the lighting, but his lips looked a bit pale.
She quickly looked away, but accidentally caught Assistant Li’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
The man curved his lips and mouthed silently: “BOSS only drank one pot of tea all day.”
Gu An’an gasped softly, her eyes instantly softening with sympathy.
He really did look asleep, his expression calm and untroubled.
Still, those pale lips looked very kissable.
The neon lights of Nan Cheng were nothing like those of Beijing. Once they left the city center, it was as quiet as a small village. Only when the car passed a streetlamp did a faint glow fall across half his face.
Xie Jinxing had that rare, refined beauty, so perfect it almost seemed cold and unreachable. Most people only ever saw his composure, his unapproachable air. No one would think to describe him as fragile.
But right now he actually looked a little delicate, almost pitiful.
Gu An’an reached into her pocket, only to remember this dress didn’t have one. Normally she’d keep some chocolate on her.
Poor uncle hadn’t eaten all day. Even workhorses got fed carrots, and he only had a pot of tea. No wonder, nine out of ten CEOs in novels had stomach problems.
She tsked softly to herself, considering changing her phone’s lock screen code. Sure, he probably wouldn’t secretly check her phone or delete her photos again, but what if, one day, he wanted to?
Sensing her gaze, Xie Jinxing slowly opened his eyes, catching her in the act.
Gu An’an stiffened, goosebumps running up her arms, and immediately looked down.
Xie Jinxing: “?”
Gu An’an: “…”
Thankfully, the car soon arrived at the venue. Xie Jinxing looked away and sat up straight.
There was no underground parking, Nan Cheng’s infrastructure was old. The Guomao Building was considered the city’s most luxurious hotel, but it was still ten years behind Beijing’s standards.
The car stopped at the front entrance, where the doorman rushed to open the door and take the keys.
Assistant Li and the secretaries exited first to open Xie Jinxing’s door.
Gu An’an quickly followed his long strides, but with his height and pace, two of his steps equaled three of hers, and she was wearing heels.
Normally, Xie Jinxing never adjusted his stride for anyone. He never brought female companions to events. Tonight was a first.
Realizing he’d left her behind, he paused and waited.
When she caught up, he offered his arm.
Gu An’an blinked, then slipped her hand through.
Led by the city officials, they entered the hall.
Under the chandelier’s glow, soft music played. The ballroom was filled with guests.
For a small city, the event was surprisingly grand. There was even a live violin ensemble, though the waitstaff wore local-style uniforms instead of tuxedos.
The moment they entered, the mayor of Nan Cheng approached with his wife and daughter.
He was a plump man in his fifties, medium height; his wife and daughter were heavily made up, the daughter clearly dragged along unwillingly, her lips pursed in irritation.
The mayor, holding a glass of wine, had come personally, a sign of respect.
He’d expected a polite young heir, impressive but restrained. But when he saw the tall, sharp, movie-star-level man and his team, all modelesque professionals, he froze.
The “Little Xie” on his tongue got stuck halfway.
After a pause, he corrected himself: “Mr. Xie.”
“Mayor Liu.”
They shook hands, Xie Jinxing smiling faintly.
The mayor’s wife and daughter were equally stunned.
They’d heard rumors the heir of the Xie Group was handsome, but online gossip always exaggerated. They’d imagined an ordinary-looking man. Instead, this face nearly made them forget how to breathe.
They already knew the mayor’s plan, this banquet was half business, half matchmaking.
The wife had searched Nan Cheng up and down for a suitable match for their daughter and hadn’t found anyone. Xie Jinxing showing up was basically a gift from heaven.
Even the picky daughter, who’d told her parents she refused to marry anyone ugly, was now staring wide-eyed, practically glowing.
But when they noticed the young woman holding Xie Jinxing’s arm, the atmosphere soured.
He wasn’t alone, and that woman was stunning.
That waist, that figure, that face…both mother and daughter inhaled sharply.
The wife nudged her husband urgently, over and over.
But how could the mayor just ask about such private matters? Xie was here on official business, not a blind date. Asking about his female companion would be embarrassingly inappropriate.
So he ignored his wife, quickly glancing at Gu An’an, guessing she was some kind of influencer.
After all, among the elite, it was common knowledge that wealthy heirs liked to keep actresses or internet stars around. He hadn’t expected Xie Jinxing, who seemed so proper, to be the same.
As for the supposed “influencer” Gu An’an, she had no idea what they were thinking. The moment she entered the hall, her eyes were already searching for the buffet table.
“Hello, Chairman of XXX Trade Association,” someone greeted.
Xie Jinxing was courteous, greeting everyone properly, including the mayor’s wife and daughter.
Tall, poised, with that faint, polite but distant smile, he exuded authority. No one dared treat him lightly afterward.
Though called a “welcome banquet,” the event doubled as a preliminary meeting before the official project talks. Many of Nan Cheng’s major figures were invited to coordinate future cooperation with the Xie Group.
Once the higher-ups had met, the groundwork could begin smoothly.
Secretary Wang had also prepared a private box on the second floor for deeper discussions later in the evening.
More guests were still arriving.
For now, both parties mingled in the main hall before moving upstairs.
Since the serious talks were about to begin, it wasn’t appropriate for the ladies to follow. When the mayor’s wife and daughter stepped away, Gu An’an hesitated, then let go of Xie Jinxing’s arm.
He looked down at her.
Gu An’an mouthed, “I’m just going to grab something to eat, won’t go far.”
Seeing him nod, she lifted her skirt and ran off.
Mayor Liu, who was watching, couldn’t help but smile. “So…your girlfriend?”
The other prominent figures from Nan Cheng’s political and business circles perked up their ears.
Quite a few of them were already thinking they might have a stroke of luck and form a marriage tie with the Xie family from the capital. Who didn’t have a daughter? And even if they didn’t, surely there was a pretty niece or cousin available?
No one knew just how deep the Xie family’s roots went, but it was certainly deeper than any family here in Nan Cheng. Not to mention that the Xies had both military and political connections. If one could actually forge a relationship with them, it wouldn’t be difficult to move up a few ranks in power.
“She’s still young,” Xie Jinxing replied calmly, neither confirming nor denying it.
That single, detached line was enough to make Gu An’an, who hadn’t run far, stumble over her steps.
She turned around, eyes wide in disbelief, staring at the man who had just betrayed her with those words.
Had her uncle gone mad from hunger? Or had Su Ruan’s nonsense finally driven him into some kind of psychological breakdown? Otherwise, how could she explain why he’d suddenly say something so passive-aggressive in public?!
I’m your employee, not your property, Xie Jinxing! Don’t you dare stab me in the back when I’m not looking!!!
He noticed her wide-eyed glare and the corners of his lips curved faintly.
Everyone present was a seasoned player in politics or business. They exchanged knowing glances, how they interpreted the relationship between the two depended on their imagination.
Mayor Liu smiled regretfully. “I see, and whose young lady might she be?”
“An old family friend’s granddaughter,” Xie Jinxing replied briefly, clearly not wanting to continue the topic.
After all, it was a personal matter. Pressing him for gossip in a formal setting would be in poor taste. The others wanted to ask more, but seeing his detached expression, they thought better of it and shut their mouths.
Those who had been plotting potential alliances quietly gave up the idea.
Meanwhile, Gu An’an wandered near the food section in her ten-centimeter heels.
For convenience, everything was set up buffet-style.
She quickly ate a plate of grilled meat and a few pastries to fill her stomach, then picked up a small plate of bite-sized snacks, shrimp dumplings, milk custard squares, flaky pastries, and casually drifted back behind Xie Jinxing’s seat.
He was still talking. Even powerful CEOs couldn’t escape the social niceties that required endless conversation.
Across from him, a few older men were raising their glasses for a toast. Just as one was about to stand up, Gu An’an poked Xie Jinxing in the back from his blind spot.
His words halted mid-sentence as he turned slightly toward her.
She quietly handed over the plate of food.
He blinked once, lashes long and thick, shadowing his dark eyes. With his presence so intimidating, most people didn’t dare look him straight in the eye. Only at this angle could Gu An’an see how absurdly long those lashes were.
He accepted the plate naturally. There was even a fork set neatly beside it. Xie Jinxing stared at the snacks for a good thirty seconds, then finally picked up the fork, speared a small pastry, and took a bite.
The sudden, casual motion made the old men opposite him pause mid-sentence. They lowered their eyes and discreetly glanced at the petite girl hiding behind his chair, half her body still visible.
Kids these days really have no sense of occasion, huh?
But someone quickly realized it was their fault for not providing refreshments earlier. They shouldn’t have kept the guest talking before dinner even started.
These middle-aged men were used to the drinking culture of business banquets, but clearly, the younger generation from the capital had different manners. Mayor Liu noticed Xie Jinxing calmly finishing the whole plate and shot a confused look at his secretary, as if to ask: Didn’t you arrange food for him?
Secretary Wang looked just as bewildered and a little wronged. Today’s schedule didn’t include this dinner! If anyone was responsible for feeding him, it was the host.
While the two silently exchanged looks, Xie Jinxing ignored them. Once he finished the plate, he felt another poke at his back.
He almost laughed, his lips curving despite himself, and turned around.
This time, Gu An’an slipped him a cup of hot soy milk from the shadows.
The table was full of alcohol, champagne and red wine, chosen specifically because the guest was from the capital and probably wouldn’t want the strong local liquor. Still, to most of these men, champagne was basically sugar water.
But here she was, sneaking him a cup of soy milk.
Xie Jinxing nearly chuckled.
He managed to keep a straight face, though, since laughing now would seem disrespectful. Instead, he said with polite embarrassment, “The little one at home tends to fuss.”
Everyone at the table burst out laughing.
They all started chiming in, saying their own wives fussed just the same whenever they drank too much.
Gu An’an, walking back with a plate of steak, froze at their laughter. Her scalp prickled.
What the hell? I just brought him some food!
In her last life, whenever she went to banquets with her best friend, that friend would always sneak her the best dishes too. She’d thought it was normal. How did this turn into a comedy routine? She just didn’t want her uncle fainting from low blood sugar in front of everyone, was that so wrong?
What did that have to do with their nagging wives?!
What’s so funny about that?!
Not wanting to draw more attention, she crouched behind his chair and poked him again.
His lashes trembled slightly as he turned his head.
Gu An’an was squatting beside him, tilting her face up. Annoyed by all the laughter, she mouthed, “Uncle, give me your empty plate, take this one instead.”
He looked at his empty plate, then, surprisingly obedient, handed it over and took the new one.
Inside was cubed steak, neatly cut into bite-sized pieces for convenience. His lips curved faintly again as he picked up his glass and toasted the others.
It wasn’t much food, just enough to keep a grown man from starving. The protein and sugar from the soy milk would hold him until the banquet ended.
Once satisfied, Gu An’an left him alone and went back to the food area. It was well past dinner time, and what she’d eaten earlier hadn’t filled her up. She chose two Angus steaks and a fresh-squeezed orange juice, then sat down to finally eat in peace.
Just as she was about to start, a group of tall, rail-thin socialites surrounded her.
Gu An’an: “…”
The young ladies of Nan Cheng were a little different from those in the capital.
The capital’s debutantes loved gossip and competition too, but they still maintained a veneer of grace. They wouldn’t gang up on someone in public like a bunch of street bullies.
Nan Cheng’s girls, however, had a bolder streak. Led by Mayor Liu’s daughter, they surrounded Gu An’an like a pack of hungry wolves, each one so thin they looked like a bean sprout.
Gu An’an calmly finished chewing and swallowed. “Can I help you?”
Miss Liu sat opposite her, diamond-studded nails glittering under the lights. Tilting her head with a sweet smile, she asked, “Are you Mr. Xie’s girlfriend? Did you come with him for this inspection trip?”
Gu An’an: “…”
Inspection? That word choice seemed off.
But this wasn’t the time to correct her vocabulary. What she really wanted to know was why these girls were surrounding her with that not-so-friendly look.
Honestly, if not for the elegant setting, she’d have thought she was back in high school behind the gym.
“No,” she said finally, taking a sip of water to mask her discomfort. The heavy scent of perfume made her nose itch, she couldn’t even sneeze without ruining her meal.
Miss Liu smiled again. “My mother hopes I can get along well with Mr. Xie, preferably with results. If possible, I’d like to be friends with you. You two seem close. Could I have your contact info?”
Gu An’an: “…”
Excuse me? Who gave you that kind of confidence, to think you could ‘get results’ with Xie Jinxing?
She didn’t even know whether to laugh or pity her. Still, she had to admit, the mayor’s daughter had guts. She carried herself like someone who’d never been told “no” in her life.
Then again, her father was the highest-ranking official in Nan Cheng. It was basically the “my dad is Li Gang” situation all over again. Who would dare refuse her friendship here?
Gu An’an took another tactical sip of juice, expression blank. “Probably not.”
Miss Liu blinked. “What?”
She looked genuinely shocked, as if she couldn’t comprehend the rejection. “Are you afraid I’ll steal Mr. Xie from you?”
Gu An’an said evenly, “First of all, Xie Jinxing is my uncle. Second, you couldn’t steal him even if you tried, because my uncle doesn’t like bean sprouts.”
Miss Liu froze, her expression turning red, the polished arch of her Korean-style brows twitching upward.
Uh oh, anger incoming.
Apparently, this was her first time ever being told no. She opened her mouth to retort and was interrupted by her father’s voice.
She turned around and saw him approaching with several other senior officials. Xie Jinxing stood beside them, tall and composed, the very picture of aloof elegance, like a crane standing among chickens.
He didn’t even glance at her, his gaze fixed instead on the girl sitting across the table. Then he gestured for her to come over.
Gu An’an quickly downed her drink, stood, and trotted to him.
Perhaps because she’d been so busy sneaking him food earlier, the mayor politely asked whether Mr. Xie had eaten. Realizing the upcoming meeting would take at least two hours, Xie Jinxing smiled and said he hadn’t yet had dinner.
Dragging out the conversation any longer would seem inconsiderate, so the others quickly suggested letting him eat first before the meeting began.
When they reached the dining area, they saw the mayor’s daughter “politely” trying to befriend Gu An’an.
The mayor’s expression darkened immediately, his attitude toward Xie Jinxing becoming noticeably more cautious. His daughter paled, unsure what she’d done wrong, but seeing her father’s face, she didn’t dare argue.
Xie Jinxing said nothing, merely suggesting everyone go ahead without him.
Once they were alone, he sat across from Gu An’an, taking the untouched steak from her side.
Gu An’an frowned. “There’s more over there. Why not get your own?”
He raised a brow. “Am I not allowed to eat this?” Then, casually, “You didn’t seem so shy when you grabbed my hand earlier.”
It was like thunder striking her brain.
Gu An’an: “…”
She took a deep breath. Then another. “What?”
She’d grabbed his hand? When?!
As if reading her mind, he forked a piece of steak, chewed leisurely, and said, “At CQA café this evening.”
Gu An’an: “…”
That counts as grabbing his hand?!
Okay, maybe she’d been a little impulsive then. She had reached out without thinking, but that didn’t mean he had to bring it up now!
You choked me too, didn’t you?! Why didn’t you mention that? Double standards much?!
He swallowed the bite, voice calm as ever. “Why wouldn’t it count?”
Gu An’an: “…”
She was speechless.
Are you some kind of medieval nun, Uncle? Or an ancient chastity monument come to life?!
I just touched your wrist! Is that a crime?!!