Guan Yingtang certainly knew Meng Qinghuai.
Even if she had never seen him in person, during those years at school, this outstanding Chinese alumnus was always a legendary figure often discussed among their group of international students.
He was the Student Council President of the 2017 class at the Business School, re-elected until graduation due to his exceptional leadership abilities.
During his time at school, he organized and founded multiple business projects, attracting the attention of top VC investors, and even had a Wall Street board member personally extend an olive branch to him.
There were simply too many halos surrounding him, so much so that even years after his graduation, Guan Yingtang would still occasionally hear news about him.
In fact, Guan Yingtang once had the chance to meet him.
In her sophomore year, she heard that this already-graduated senior was going to speak as a youth representative at the World Development Forum hosted by Stanford.
She had already gotten an invitation card and wanted to see this legendary elite man for herself, but she couldn’t make it due to a last-minute matter that day.
But for Guan Yingtang at that time, it didn’t leave any deep impression. She could never have imagined that, years later, she would meet this legendary senior in such a way.
“Rain in Beicheng, temporary airport control, so I’m a bit late.”
The middle-aged man in a suit explained to Fu Shengyun, then had someone bring over a congratulatory gift.
“This is a Zi Yu Duan Inkstone that Qinghuai photographed during his business trip to Japan at the beginning of the year. I hope you like it.”
With a soft reminder from Ho Ling in her ear, Guan Yingtang realized that the man speaking before her was Meng Songnian, chairman of the mainland’s top conglomerate, the Aowan Group, and beside him was his wife, Zhuang Jiayi.
And Meng Qinghuai was their eldest son, accompanying his parents this time to celebrate Fu Shengyun’s birthday.
Fu Shengyun laughed heartily. “I was just wondering who had such a good eye and snatched away my favorite piece— it turns out it was Qinghuai.”
As he spoke, Fu Shengyun turned around, his gaze landing meaningfully on Guan Yingtang, the smile at his lips deepening. “Yingtang, come here.”
Suddenly being called out, Guan Yingtang’s heart skipped inexplicably, but she maintained a composed demeanor, stepping forward with a smile to support Fu Shengyun’s hand, as he introduced her to Meng Qinghuai: “This is Miss Guan, Guan Yingtang.”
The Meng and Guan couples exchanged knowing glances, obviously having coordinated before tonight.
They simply stood by smiling, waiting for the two young people to get acquainted.
Meng Qinghuai showed his gentlemanly manners, his gaze lingering on Guan Yingtang for a few seconds before extending his hand. “Hello, Miss Guan.”
Perhaps it was the pressure of acting in front of such an overwhelmingly impressive man, but Guan Yingtang’s usually flawless mask wavered slightly— though only for a fleeting instant.
She quickly regained her composure, extending her hand with a polite smile. “I’ve long heard of you, Senior.”
The man’s fingers brushed lightly against Guan Yingtang’s palm— neither warm nor cold, just the usual social distance.
Normally, Guan Yingtang was the one consciously maintaining such boundaries with men.
But whether that distance was near or far had always been up to Guan Yingtang to decide.
Men liked to circle around her for all sorts of reasons, saying polite but insincere words, just hoping to make her smile.
Someone like Meng Qinghuai, who proactively kept his distance, was a first for her.
Then again, he did have the right to be aloof. Never mind the international influence of the Meng Family’s Aowan Group—just the stories she’d heard about him at school were enough for him to arrive late tonight under everyone’s watchful gaze.
Fu Shengyun looked at the two and said, “Qinghuai gave me an inkstone, Yingtang gave me Huimo. You two really are like-minded.”
At Fu Shengyun’s age and status, what rare treasures had he not seen?
The old man had loved calligraphy and painting all his life, so Guan Yingtang catered to his tastes and gave him a piece of antique Huimo at the National Painting Academy’s collection level— never expecting it would perfectly match the inkstone Meng Qinghuai gifted.
This inexplicable tacit understanding struck Guan Yingtang as curious.
She pressed her lips together, subtly steering the conversation away. “As long as you like it, sir.”
“Of course I do.” For some reason, Fu Shengyun suddenly set down his champagne. “Since you two are so thoughtful, I’ll return the favor with a gift for you both.”
Guan Yingtang: “……”
Return a gift to them?
Tonight was supposed to be Fu Shengyun’s birthday celebration, but now he was giving a gift to the two juniors?
Guan Yingtang felt it was a bit improper and wanted to politely refuse, but when she glanced at Meng Qinghuai, she saw him accepting the gesture without the slightest hesitation, calmly expressing his thanks.
Not far away, He Zi, holding a wine glass and watching, raised her brows at Guan Yingtang, her look seeming to say: Go for it, sis, this one’s a catch.
Guan Yingtang signaled her not to make a fuss and followed up politely with her own thanks.
Soon, Fu Shengyun had someone bring over a horizontal Scroll, which he solemnly placed in Meng Qinghuai’s hands, as if entrusting it to them. “I wrote this last night. Consider it my gift to you both.”
A stir swept through the guests. Having retired for years, Fu Shengyun’s remaining works fetched sky-high prices at auction.
Being gifted his calligraphy meant more than just its monetary value.
“So curious, what did Master Fu write?”
“Why not open it and have a look?”
“How are they going to split it? Surely they won’t tear it in half?”
……
The questions others thought of, Guan Yingtang of course also considered.
It was normal for Fu Shengyun to return a calligraphy gift, but why only one Scroll?
How were she and Meng Qinghuai supposed to split this gift?
They’d only met tonight and had no real connection. Would he be willing to give her the teacher’s calligraphy?
Should she offer a price herself?
After thanking Fu Shengyun, Guan Yingtang pondered the issue seriously.
She wanted to consult her parents, but when she looked up, she found that her parents and the Meng couple were already deep in conversation amidst the crowd, chatting enthusiastically and even clinking glasses.
Guan Yingtang withdrew her gaze and, after a quick consideration, decided to take the initiative. “Mr. Meng.”
Meng Qinghuai, just about to leave, paused and looked at her. “Is something the matter?”
His voice was pleasant, just as she’d imagined— like crisp snow, cool and clear, cutting through the noise of the banquet and sinking straight into her ears.
Guan Yingtang glanced at the Scroll in his hand and was about to speak when Fu Shengyun’s son suddenly wheeled out an eight-tiered birthday peach cake for the old man, triggering a second wave of excitement at the party.
Guan Yingtang had to swallow her words for the moment, shaking her head with a smile. “It’s nothing.”
Remembering Fu Shengyun’s request to help entertain guests, Guan Yingtang searched for something to say. “Would you like a drink? I can get one for you.”
“No, thank you.”
“…Alright, as you wish.”
Luckily, amid the surrounding noise, their awkward exchange didn’t seem so out of place.
Meng Qinghuai turned and left, handing the Scroll to someone who looked like his assistant, before being stopped by the boss of Hong Kong Mingdian Group for a chat.
From afar, Guan Yingtang watched him, and for the first time, that legendary figure from her school days took on real substance.
His presence was hard to ignore— the black suit he wore exuded effortless composure, and every gesture was calm and assured.
Fu Shengyun had worried for nothing. Did someone like Meng Qinghuai really need her to play host? Within moments, he was already surrounded by people.
–
The old man valued his health, so the birthday banquet didn’t last long, ending at 10 p.m.
Luxury cars filed out of the Fu Family Residence at Sotheby’s Hill in an orderly procession.
The Fu Family’s eldest son stood at the door seeing off guests.
After saying goodbye to him, Guan Zhiheng and Ho Ling suddenly said to Guan Yingtang, “We have something to discuss with Uncle Meng. You go back in Qinghuai’s car first.”
Guan Yingtang couldn’t help but admire her parents’ social skills.
After just one banquet, their address for Meng Qinghuai had already shifted from ‘Mr. Meng’ to ‘Qinghuai’. Did they have to get that familiar?
But faced with her parents’ last-minute arrangement, Guan Yingtang had no reason to refuse.
She was a Lady. After attending such a high-profile gathering, she couldn’t just call a taxi home— otherwise, who knew what kind of salacious headlines would appear in the tabloids tomorrow.
It was just a bit of gentlemanly etiquette on the social scene anyway. Besides, she did want to discuss the division of that gift with Meng Qinghuai.
“Alright.” Guan Yingtang accepted the arrangement calmly.
Meng Qinghuai’s car soon pulled up in front of her.
The driver got out and respectfully opened the door, and Guan Yingtang immediately saw the man already seated in the back.
He glanced at her as well.
His black suit jacket was off and set aside, and though the collar of his white shirt was slightly loosened, that air of restraint only seemed more intense.
Meeting his gaze, Guan Yingtang slipped into her social persona, unconsciously straightening her back and sitting with perfect poise.
The driver closed the door, and the excellent soundproofing shut out all outside NOISE.
Guan Yingtang sat properly to one side, nodding and smiling at Meng Qinghuai. “Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Meng.”
Meng Qinghuai replied just as politely: “It’s nothing.”
A gentleman serving a Lady— that’s only proper.
—That’s how Guan Yingtang interpreted his words.
But the two of them were really too unfamiliar. It was their first meeting, and no topic seemed appropriate.
Guan Yingtang thought that if she brought up the matter of dividing the gift too abruptly, it would be too forward.
She sat quietly for a moment, then took the initiative to make conversation. “I used to hear your name often at school, Mr. Meng. You were probably the most famous Chinese student in those years— everyone around me knew who you were.”
“Is that so?” Meng Qinghuai’s answer was terse. “Thank you.”
His tone and gaze were both distant and cool.
Although he was expressing thanks, it felt perfunctory, as if he was just being polite.
Guan Yingtang never did things to embarrass herself.
Sensing his disinterest, she dropped her own mask and focused on the passing night view outside the window.
After a quiet ten seconds or so, Meng Qinghuai’s next words suddenly pulled her back:
“Miss Guan is quite famous herself.”
Guan Yingtang was taken aback and turned to look at him.
To be honest, there was a three-year gap between them.
When Guan Yingtang entered school, Meng Qinghuai was already a senior.
They only overlapped for one year, and with one in the Business School and the other in the School of Liberal Arts, their daily lives hardly intersected.
Moreover, Guan Yingtang had always kept a low profile in the School of Liberal Arts and didn’t think she was so ‘famous’ that everyone would know her.
Was this man just making small talk?
Guan Yingtang wasn’t sure. His words piqued her curiosity, and she couldn’t help but probe, “You… know me?”
The car suddenly fell silent.
Meng Qinghuai didn’t answer right away. He turned his gaze to Guan Yingtang.
Under the flickering, shifting light, the woman before him wore a traditional Chinese qipao, the patterned satin exuding a dignified sheen.
Her makeup was subtle and gentle, even her earrings were warm pearls— she truly fit the image of a refined Lady from a prestigious family, just as his parents had described.
Meng Qinghuai looked away, pausing for a few seconds before replying, “No.”
“……”
Wow, you really know how to make conversation.
Guan Yingtang tucked away her unnecessary expectations, put her mask back on, and gracefully shifted the topic with a smile.
“Actually, I just happen to have something I’d like to discuss with you, Mr. Meng.”
“What is it?”
Guan Yingtang got straight to the point. “About the Scroll that Master Fu gave us just now— if you don’t mind, could you let me have it?”
Meng Qinghuai frowned slightly, as if not understanding her request. “Let you have it?”
Guan Yingtang actually had no interest in calligraphy or paintings, but she knew Guan Zhiheng would definitely want her to get Fu Shengyun’s calligraphy. So she might as well act early.
“I have studied calligraphy with Master Fu since I was a child and have a deep bond with him, so I want to collect every gift he gives me.” That was her explanation to Meng Qinghuai.
Meng Qinghuai said nothing, lowering his head as if in thought.
After a few seconds, he nodded forward in indication.
Guan Yingtang followed his gaze and quickly spotted the Scroll placed on the front passenger seat.
Just as she was about to reach for it, the driver, ever attentive, handed it over.
“Thank you.” Guan Yingtang took the Scroll and casually opened it—only to freeze at what she saw.
Fu Shengyun had used red paper as the base, and the four large characters written in powerful strokes were— “Tianzuozhihe.”
Guan Yingtang frowned. Strange, why would the Master write these words for no reason?
Apparently, she stared at it so long that even Meng Qinghuai noticed her surprise and explained, “This is Master Fu’s wedding gift.”
Guan Yingtang was stunned, instinctively turning to look at Meng Qinghuai. “You’re getting married?”
Meng Qinghuai’s gaze became a bit more intriguing, and he paused. “Miss Guan didn’t know?”
…?
Guan Yingtang was baffled.
Why would I know about your wedding?
You didn’t even send me an invitation.
Even as she grumbled inwardly, Guan Yingtang knew that this calligraphy from Fu Shengyun would be more appropriate for Meng Qinghuai to keep.
So she carefully rolled up the Scroll and politely handed it back to Meng Qinghuai. “Then you should keep this gift, Mr. Meng. Congratulations.”
Meng Qinghuai looked at Guan Yingtang intently, and after a moment, let out a light laugh. “Or perhaps Miss Guan should take another look at the right side of the Scroll.”
The right side?
Guan Yingtang followed his gaze and spotted a line of small characters she’d missed earlier.
She peered at it— though the light in the car was dim, it was enough for her to read the words clearly—
「Gifted to students Guan Yingtang and Meng Qinghuai, husband and wife」
H-husband and wife?
The word buzzed in Guan Yingtang’s mind, and the mask of a smile on her face instantly froze.
“This is Master Fu’s wedding gift to us. Whether you keep it, or I keep it—” Meng Qinghuai straightened, his eyes locking on Guan Yingtang, “does it make any difference?”
Guan Yingtang: “?”