I unexpectedly ran into Si Jiangchen in a booth at Rui Bai Coffee.
The moment I saw him, I nearly held my breath. Instinctively, I wanted to turn around and run.
However, Si Jiangchen merely turned his head slightly, gave me a sidelong glance, then picked up the coffee beside him and took a sip.
Right... I suddenly realized that I was now a "mummy", wrapped up tightly from head to toe.
Not only was I wearing a mask, but my eyes were also shielded by the long brim of my hat. I was also dressed in a shapeless, earth - red gown that a middle - aged woman in her forties or fifties would wear. Even if Du Wenzhong walked past me, he probably wouldn't recognize me at all, let alone Si Jiangchen, who had only met me three times!
I managed to suppress the wildly pounding heart in my chest and tried to act as if nothing had happened. I lowered my head as much as possible so that the brim of my hat covered more of my face.
The security manager who came with me saw that I didn't say a word and looked timid. He quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "This young lady is here for Song Yixuan's meet - and - greet event. Thanks to her act of bravery..."
"Can't she speak for herself?"
Before the security manager could finish his sentence, Si Jiangchen had already placed the gilded bone - china coffee cup back on the saucer with a soft "clink". Even though my face was shielded by the hat brim, I could still feel a pair of eyes on me.
Si Jiangchen's tone was mild, with a faint smile, but it sent a shiver down both the security manager's and my spines.
The security manager immediately fell silent and secretly nudged the back of my hand with his finger.
I understood what he meant, but how could I open my mouth?!
As soon as I made a sound, I was afraid I would give myself away!
"Haha, Jiangchen, why are you meddling in the affairs here?"
The rotund, jovial Director Wei laughed. "I dragged you out to relax, but you were still reluctant. Isn't this nice? Don't just focus on work all the time. You should experience some of the earthly pleasures!"
Si Jiangchen finally withdrew his gaze. "Brother - in - law, you're no different. You're always thinking about expanding the territory of Ruiyin. You're going to make all the money in the world."
"Where, where! The whole of Ruiyin probably doesn't earn as much as one of your investment projects."
Sure enough! The only person Si Jiangchen would call "brother - in - law" was probably Wei Wenzhao. I stole a glance at the gentle - looking and amiable fat man in front of me. I couldn't believe that such a man who seemed to have such a good temper had drugged and tried to seduce his own brother - in - law.
Wei Wenzhao still smiled and then turned to me. "Miss, don't be so constrained. I just want to express my gratitude on behalf of Hyatt City. Since you're not comfortable here, then..."
Saying that, he glanced at the security manager and said with a smile, "Manager Li, please give this young lady a shopping card. From now on, she'll be a permanent VIP of our Hyatt."
"Okay, Director Wei."
The security manager quickly nodded.
At this moment, there suddenly came a deafening scream and cheers from outside. It was so noisy that I didn't react at first.
"Song Yixuan is here."
The security manager didn't expect me to be such a dull person. He originally wanted to use me to get in touch with the company's upper - level management, but now seeing that I couldn't even say a word in front of people, he felt a bit disappointed. Just when he didn't know how to resolve the awkward situation, the sudden screams and cheers made him secretly happy. He quickly pointed out of the window. "He should interact with his fans on the red carpet in front of the store first. You can..."
Before he could finish, I turned around and ran towards the front door of the coffee shop.
While Si Jiangchen hadn't become suspicious, I of course had to make a quick escape!
"Alas..."
Wei Wenzhao's voice came from behind. "Manager Li, protect her. Make sure nothing goes wrong!"
"Don't worry, Director Wei!"
The security manager's footsteps followed me out immediately.
I pushed open the dark - green glass door of the coffee shop. The oncoming wave of noise made me feel like I had escaped from the gates of hell.
Ignoring the security manager's shouts, I plunged into the crowd.
Although Song Yixuan was just a minor celebrity, there were over a thousand fans there to support him. I weaved through the crowd a few times and managed to shake off the tail behind me.
At the periphery of the crowd, there was a dark - blue Mercedes - Benz nanny van. Under the protection of half a dozen security guards, a young man in an orange polo shirt and light - blue jeans got out of the car.
"Axuan!!!"
"Ahhh! So handsome!!"
The sudden screams seemed to explode right beside my ears, scaring me into covering my ears instinctively.
Before I could regain my composure, the rainbow - colored Song Yixuan had already walked over.
Where was his agent? I could only see the security guards and the staff from the coffee shop!
Wei Yuan said that Song Yixuan's agent would contact me, but I didn't expect the meet - and - greet scene to be so chaotic. Even when I stood on tiptoe in the crowd, I couldn't see the situation of the staff around Song Yixuan.
Suddenly, the phone in my hand vibrated. I didn't even need to look to know it was a WeChat call from Wei Yuan.
I answered it, but I couldn't hear what he was saying clearly in the noisy environment.
[Come to the parking lot.]
Wei Yuan hung up the call and sent me a message.
[I'm not going. Si Jiangchen is here!]
I replied.
The parking lot was underground. I would never go to such a place. Only in such a crowded environment could I feel a bit safe.
[That bastard?!]
[Why is he here?!]
Wei Yuan also didn't expect Si Jiangchen to be in a coffee shop in the mall.
[Then just take the elevator to Room 8012 on the eighth floor of Area C.]
[I'll wait for you there.]
Wei Yuan's WeChat messages came one after another, and finally he even sent me a location.
It seemed that he had already arrived at Hyatt City.
I thought for a while and stood on tiptoe to take another look at Song Yixuan, who was interacting with his fans in full color. I didn't think he had any charm, but wherever he went, there were waves of suffocating screams.
I really didn't know what Wang Yingxiu saw in this peacock - like and rainbow - flavored guy that she even wanted to see him one last time before she died!
Since I was living in her house for free, I could only help her fulfill her last wish.
I pulled down the brim of my hat again and carefully squeezed out of the crowd.
Presumably, Si Jiangchen and Wei Wenzhao were still relaxing in the coffee shop. If I went upstairs quickly now, I definitely wouldn't run into him.
I walked along the deserted corridor outside the mall towards the location sent by Wei Yuan. Fortunately, I found the direct elevator that connected the mall to the hotel. Just then, an elevator was rising from the second basement floor. I quickly ran over and pressed the button.
"Ding."
The elevator door opened. Inside was clean and brand - new. The stainless - steel wall panels on all four sides were so shiny that they reflected every detail of the elevator car like a mirror.
I pressed the button for the eighth floor. The elevator door started to close, and just when there was only a narrow gap left, it suddenly opened wide again, as if someone had stopped it from the outside.
Looking at the widening gap of the door, my heart couldn't help but pound wildly.