Jiang Li was lost in thought. Xiao Yanzhi noticed her absent-mindedness and his tone deepened. "Do you know why Sheng Shuocheng went to the play today?"
Jiang Li hesitated for two seconds.
"Someone in the circle spread the news that The Whistling Wind would be staged at the North City Grand Theatre today, and the acting of the leading actress was comparable to that of Li Muzi ten years ago."
At this point, Xiao Yanzhi pressed his tongue against his back molar. "And that woman was Sheng Shuocheng's late wife who passed away years ago."
Hearing this, Jiang Li's face showed a slight change.
No wonder.
She had been wondering why a mere charity show could attract Sheng Shuocheng to attend in person.
She used to think it was just a coincidence.
It turned out not to be.
She looked at Xiao Yanzhi's face. After a long while, she asked in a faint voice, "Who spread the news?"
"What do you think?" Xiao Yanzhi held the steering wheel with both hands. His eyes gave away no emotion. "You're so obviously naive. You really thought it was just a charity event."
Jiang Li froze.
So it was Chen Siqi who spread the news.
"The Chen Group has a project cooperation in the new quarter next year. They need to buy a real - estate property under Sheng Shuocheng, but they're struggling because they don't have any connections with him and can't break into the market."
Xiao Yanzhi started the engine, slowly released the brake, and stepped on the accelerator. "Guess who that connection could be?"
Jiang Li's breathing softened.
Judging from Sheng Shuocheng's actions today, if she still didn't understand, then the four years she'd spent in the world of fame and fortune would have been a complete waste.
That's right.
She was the connection that could help Chen Siqi pry open the door to Sheng Shuocheng.
No wonder Sheng Shuocheng had complained and asked her just now why he had just invested in Jiang Entertainment for her, yet she had turned around and joined the Chen Group.
The little girl he admired was so unstable in her career, constantly wavering.
Invisibly, she had also hurt Sheng Shuocheng's feelings.
She felt an indescribable sense of self - blame.
Xiao Yanzhi noticed her low mood. He said calmly, "You've been with me for so long. You shouldn't be so clueless about other people's intentions."
"I..."
"Alright, be more careful in the future." Xiao Yanzhi's voice was soft. He didn't want to dwell on this with her. "Stay away from people you shouldn't get close to. You might get yourself burned."
Sheng Shuocheng was one, and Chen Siqi was another.
Jiang Li was stunned.
She wanted to ask if he was also one of those people she shouldn't get close to.
"Where to?" Xiao Yanzhi turned his head and asked.
Jiang Li spoke up in time. "I'm going to Sister Chen's place to celebrate the New Year tonight. Xixi must be waiting for me."
Actually, this wasn't the first year Jiang Li had celebrated the New Year at Sister Chen's.
She had been drifting for these years. She had only accompanied Xiao Yanzhi back to the Xiao family's for the New Year in the first year. After enduring a meal full of sarcasm, she had spent the following years with Sister Chen and Xixi.
Xiao Yanzhi had never mentioned taking her back to the Xiao family's for the New Year either.
"Just drop me off somewhere where it's easy to hail a taxi. I'll take a taxi there myself."
Jiang Li lowered her eyelashes and said in a gentle tone, "You should be going back to the Xiao family's to celebrate the New Year tonight. It's a long way from here to the Xiao family's. Don't bother making a trip."
Her words were polite and distant.
Xiao Yanzhi hooked his lips. He didn't intend to slow down the car. "I'm not going back to the Xiao family's for the New Year."
A look of surprise flashed across Jiang Li's face.
Not going back to the Xiao family's?
"I'm going abroad." He closed his eyes for a moment, looking a bit tired. "I have to meet a friend and discuss a project by the way."
Xiao Yanzhi was always very busy.
At this moment, Jiang Li noticed that Xiao Yanzhi was wearing a casual suit today. It seemed that he was about to go on a business trip.
"Is it today's flight?" she asked.
Xiao Yanzhi replied in a deep voice, "It's in three hours."
After getting the answer, Jiang Li subconsciously glanced at the time. She asked out of curiosity, "Are you going alone?"
"Xue An is waiting for me at the airport." Xiao Yanzhi leaned back on the seat, his back muscles relaxed. "It'll probably take about a week."
Jiang Li hadn't even asked, but he still explained everything clearly to her.
No one tried to start a conversation along the way. The car was completely silent.
When the car stopped downstairs at Sister Chen's place, Jiang Li said softly, "Thank you," and was about to unbuckle her seat - belt and get out of the car.
"Wait."
Jiang Li's hand, which had just touched the car door, paused. She turned her head to look at him and said in a neutral tone, "Does Mr. Xiao have other instructions?"
The car was silent for a moment.
Xiao Yanzhi also unbuckled his seat - belt. He took out a high - end all - black jewelry bag from the inside pocket of his suit.
His voice was deep and magnetic. "I originally planned to give this to you after your play, but I couldn't find you."
Inside the mini black velvet bag was an expensive diamond necklace.
The necklace looked very delicate in his broad palm. Especially the diamonds inlaid all over it were not of ordinary grade.
The luster was excellent.
Jiang Li was stunned for two seconds. Her eyes showed confusion.
"It was a public - relations gift from a brand." Xiao Yanzhi said concisely. "Remember to wear it when you're attending events."
He sounded very matter - of - fact.
Jiang Li looked down. Her eyes flickered.
This wasn't a domestic brand.
In other words, this brand was so influential that it didn't need a brand ambassador at all, and there would probably never be a chance for cooperation in the future.
But since he said so, she had to believe it.
"Thank you, Mr. Xiao." Jiang Li reached out to take it, but he pulled his hand back.
"I'll put it on for you."
Jiang Li was about to say it wasn't necessary, but Xiao Yanzhi glanced at his watch and said in an unhappy tone, "I don't want to reschedule my flight."
This was a hint for her not to waste his time.
Jiang Li silently turned around, lowered her head with her back to him. "Then I'll trouble Mr. Xiao."
Xiao Yanzhi hooked his lips in satisfaction and let out a very faint chuckle. He put the necklace on her very gently and slowly.
His rough fingertips gently brushed against the skin on her neck, making her shiver all over.
Feeling the touch on her neck, Jiang Li's face gradually began to burn. She subconsciously wanted to end this atmosphere quickly. "Is it done?"
The man let go of his hand. Looking at the small patch of fair skin exposed after her hair was pushed aside, he couldn't hold back his impulse for a moment and planted a gentle kiss on it.
Jiang Li held her breath.
"Alright, get out." Xiao Yanzhi sat up straight. His expression was calm. "I'll be back in a week. I'll ask Xue An to send you my landing time."
This meant that she was supposed to pick him up at the airport.
Jiang Li seemed to suddenly remember something. She forced a smile. "Is it because Qin Yaoyao has a schedule and can't pick you up, Mr. Xiao?"
Xiao Yanzhi's eyes turned cold.
"Jiang Li, I'm in a good mood today. Don't spoil it."
...
Standing outside the car, Jiang Li watched the car speeding away. The cold wind blew her skirt.
She reached out and touched the necklace on her chest.
It felt cold.
This was an old apartment building that hadn't been renovated for many years. But it had the advantage of low housing prices and convenient transportation. There was a school nearby, so it was convenient for children to go to and from school.
At this moment, her phone in her handbag rang. Xixi's young voice came through. "Sister Lili, my mom is asking when you'll be here. The food is going to get cold!"
Jiang Li took a deep breath. Her tone was brisk. She looked up at the building. "I'm already downstairs."