Meng Qinghuai’s calm utterance was enough to stir a wave within Guan Yingtang’s heart.
She lowered her head, and all the impulses swirling in her mind— the grievances, the restraint, the wild thoughts— all those emotions seemed to surge together, rolling over one another in multiples.
She could no longer deny it: last night’s restless sleep, the feigned calmness during the day, everything was because of the man in front of her.
Guan Yingtang thought to herself, is this the kind of love she wants? Why does it feel so bittersweet?
Even her nose felt sour.
But Guan Yingtang did not resist Meng Qinghuai’s hand; her body was more honest than her mind, quietly liking the man before her. Just a touch seemed to forgive all the displeasure.
“Since you’re here, then come.” She still stubbornly looked away, “Do you want me to welcome you?”
Meng Qinghuai gently rubbed her palm. Though it had only been a day since they last met, he missed her so much that it seemed if he didn’t hold her tighter, he might lose her at any moment. “Welcome or not, I will come.”
Guan Yingtang felt like a cat being stroked the right way. She closed her mouth but then asked knowingly, “Come for what?”
Meng Qinghuai’s motion stopped. He slowly gazed at her. After a long moment, he softly said, “My wife doesn’t even glance at me. I feel a little sad. How could I not come?”
Guan Yingtang’s heart stirred. Her lowered eyes blinked repeatedly before finally lifting again.
Their eyes finally met.
Meng Qinghuai wanted so badly to hug her tightly, but he couldn’t do that now. All he could do was convey his feelings through his gaze.
Their deep, lingering eye contact felt as if they were completely stuck together — inseparable and tangled beyond repair.
“Hey, why are you still standing there?” Ho Ling’s voice suddenly appeared.
Startled, Guan Yingtang immediately withdrew her hand from Meng Qinghuai’s grasp, awkwardly trying to tuck the hair behind her ear to cover her embarrassment.
Meng Qinghuai also stepped back a couple of paces, acting as if nothing was amiss.
Ho Ling had come with Guan Zhiheng, carrying freshly brewed tea and politely offering it to Meng Qinghuai.
“Sit down, Qinghuai.” Ho Ling smiled warmly, glancing at her daughter, thinking, so they really have something to talk about if they’ve been standing here all this time.
“Thank you, Madam.” Meng Qinghuai sat down, politely sipping the tea before saying, “It’s still early. I’ll take my leave first.”
Meng Qinghuai had arrived late and wouldn’t stay long. The living room was full of clothes and shoes, obviously showing that the host had been busy before his arrival.
Since they could meet tomorrow, Meng Qinghuai didn’t feel the need to rush over with gifts now. But selfishly, he did want to see Guan Yingtang.
Only after truly seeing her could the weight on his chest feel somewhat lifted.
Ho Ling was slightly surprised. “Why not stay a bit longer?”
“Please send my regards to Uncle.” Meng Qinghuai said this while looking toward Guan Yingtang. “Miss Guan.”
His tone was meaningful. “We’ll see each other again tomorrow.”
Guan Yingtang’s heart skipped a beat.
Meng Qinghuai’s visit had temporarily released some of the tangled emotions deep inside her heart.
Guan Zhiheng took the gift Meng Qinghuai had just brought into the living room.
Ho Ling opened it and saw it was a Qianlong Imperial Collection Painting by Lang Shining, sold just last week at Sotheby’s for 9.63 million HKD, if she remembered correctly.
“Qinghuai’s gift really hit Dad’s heart.” Ho Ling said comfortingly. “He must’ve done his homework and knows Dad loves collecting ancient paintings.”
Guan Yingtang closed her mouth, thinking it was because she had told him. Still, he was generous with such an expensive gift, giving it so freely.
“When I was brewing tea just now, what were you and Qinghuai talking about?” Ho Ling asked Guan Yingtang after putting the gift away.
“Not much.”
“That’s right. Even if you like him, you’re a guest here. You should at least let the host sit first before speaking.”
“…”
Guan Yingtang lowered her gaze, thinking deeply: not like I don’t like him. On the contrary, it was because she liked him so much that a few words from him could control her and mess up her emotions.
–
Guan Zhiheng’s banquet arrived on schedule the next day.
Because his daughter had been the topic of conversation these past days, the banquet stirred quiet ripples in the city’s social circles. Would Guan Yingtang attend?
Was she truly worn down by the marriage? Would the rumored fiancé show up? All had become hot topics.
At 6 PM, rain began falling as forecasted. Lights sparkled on the skyscrapers across Victoria Harbour, the shimmering reflections on the water undulating with the wind— a unique kind of beauty.
At the hotel, guests arrived one after another.
The Guan family held a long-standing reputation on Hong Kong Island, inherited from generations.
Guan Yingtang’s grandfather was a Taiping Justice of the Peace in his prime, having founded the well-known Port City Daily, earning high respect in the community.
Thus, even on a rainy night, all major noble families arrived on time to show their respect.
Guan Yingtang accompanied her father throughout the evening.
She wore a delicate rose-pink qipao with a traditional high collar that embraced her slender neck.
Her long hair was neatly pinned up with a refined jade hairpin, which gently swayed as she moved, exuding tenderness.
“Hello, welcome, thank you…” Guan Yingtang responded politely, wearing a gentle smile. Yet her gaze occasionally wandered with subtle intent.
Why hasn’t he arrived yet? The rain’s getting heavier.
Guan Yingtang felt a little distracted.
She held her wine glass and recalled the first time she met Meng Qinghuai. At that moment, the crowd had parted for him.
She stood at one end of the banquet hall, staring straight at him as he approached. From that very first glance, she already knew this man was unlike anyone else.
Her heart’s stirring had long been evident.
The murmur of the guests came from outside. Another group arrived at the door. Guan Yingtang came back to herself and glanced over, only to see Jiang Peiming and his parents.
…They really moved fast, already back.
The Guan and Jiang families had been longtime friends, so the invitation to the banquet was natural. Guan Yingtang quietly followed.
After greetings between elders, Guan Zhiheng glanced at Jiang Peiming. “Feeling better from your fever?”
Jiang Peiming shrugged, “Miss Guan personally brought me medicine. How could I not get better?”
Guan Yingtang recalled the small quarrel with Meng Qinghuai over delivering medicine, sighing lightly, “I’m fine now.”
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Peiming misunderstood and instinctively reached out to touch her forehead. “Did I infect you?”
Guan Yingtang dodged aside with a frown. “Jiang Peiming, can you please have some boundaries?”
Jiang Peiming realized his behavior had lacked some decency and raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I was just asking.”
“A-Tang.” Ho Ling called out to Guan Yingtang.
Guan Yingtang turned around, only to realize that while she was talking to Jiang Peiming, Meng Qinghuai and his parents had quietly arrived.
They stood not far away. Guan Zhiheng exchanged pleasantries with the Meng couple, while Meng Qinghuai’s gaze stayed fixed on her.
Guan Yingtang’s heart leapt. She quickly nodded at Ho Ling.
“…It’s really thoughtful of you to come out in such heavy rain.” Guan Zhiheng spoke politely, then seeing his wife and daughter approaching, motioned to his daughter, “Go say hello to Uncle Meng.”
Guan Yingtang nodded and politely said, “Hello, Uncle Meng. Hello, Aunt Zhuang.”
She paused, feeling awkward facing the man beside them—the one with whom she had already shared several intimate moments— but now, she found herself at a loss for words.
She glanced at Meng Qinghuai and then lowered her eyes, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
But to the elders, this was just the shy modesty of a young lady.
“Qinghuai, why are you standing there? Say hello to Miss Guan.” Meng Songnian immediately took charge.
Meng Qinghuai looked at the wife before him, took a deep breath, and extended his hand. “Hello, Miss Guan.”
Before coming to Beicheng, Guan Yingtang had intended to have fun for a while, then return to tell her parents she and Meng Qinghuai had registered their marriage.
At first, it was just for fun; she didn’t expect Meng Qinghuai to develop feelings, nor that she would end up storming out of Beicheng in anger.
They hadn’t spoken the last time they met. Today’s meeting went from bad to worse. She could only grit her teeth and act out the unfamiliar script.
After twenty years of playing the gentlewoman, she once boasted her acting skills could win a Golden Statue Award.
But now, in this setting, she felt too shy even to raise her hand, afraid the elders might realize that they were in fact a pair of wild lovers long entangled.
“…Hello.” She felt her palms growing hot.
Meng Songnian and Zhuang Jiayi looked at their future daughter-in-law with smiles in their eyes— graceful, reserved, polite, and elegant. They were truly satisfied.
But on the way here, the couple had considered that after just ending things with “Miss Yi,” their son might not be ready to accept Guan Yingtang immediately.
Pushing him into marriage right away wouldn’t be fair to their precious daughter. So Meng Songnian decided to take things as they came, no longer forcing it.
Little did they know, the Guan couple had the same plan. Their daughter had even caused a scene threatening to leave the family. If she truly didn’t like him, they were prepared to call off the engagement.
“Shall we go inside and talk?” Guan Zhiheng invited.
Meng Songnian nodded, “Yes, let’s talk as we walk.”
The group proceeded into the main banquet hall, the two sets of parents leading the way. Guan Yingtang and Meng Qinghuai followed behind, occasionally brushing arms, hearts pounding wildly as if colliding.
At that moment, Jiang Peiming suddenly came over and wished Guan Zhiheng a happy banquet.
Guan Zhiheng then introduced Meng Songnian and Zhuang Jiayi to Jiang Peiming, “This is Peiming, the son of a family friend. He grew up with Yingtang.”
He continued to introduce one by one: “This is Uncle Meng and Aunt Zhuang from Beicheng, and this is the eldest son of the Meng family, Qinghuai.”
Before tonight, Jiang Peiming had no idea what Meng Qinghuai looked like. The Meng family’s children had no photos online.
He only knew that the eldest son, who was to marry Guan Yingtang, was outstanding— already carving out a name for himself in Asia Bay at a young age.
Looking now, his appearance and figure were indeed impressive.
Jiang Peiming smiled and extended his hand to Meng Qinghuai. “Hello, Young Master Meng. I’ve heard much about you.”
His smile was ambiguous, but Meng Qinghuai was uninterested in analyzing it.
Recalling how he had just tried to cover Guan Yingtang’s forehead with his hand, he quietly clasped Jiang Peiming’s hand back, “Hello.”
No one noticed the undercurrents between the two young men.
After the brief introductions, Guan Zhiheng led the Meng family further inside. Tonight, they were guests of honor and would be seated accordingly.
Meng Songnian took the opportunity to hint to his son, “Did you see the information I gave you before? That was the Guan family’s originally intended match. She’s very close to Miss Guan.”
Meng Qinghuai’s expression remained blank. “So?”
Meng Songnian had meant to say his son showed no nervousness, but as the words reached his lips, he thought perhaps Qinghuai wasn’t focused on this at all and thus had no competitive instinct.
His mind was probably still on Miss Yi.
Well then.
The group entered the banquet hall as more guests arrived. Guan Yingtang found a chance to quietly tell Ho Ling, “Mom, I’m feeling a bit unwell.”
Ho Ling asked worriedly, “Ah? Do you want to go to the hospital?”
Her nervousness attracted the attention of Guan Zhiheng and Meng Songnian.
Guan Yingtang immediately shook her head, “No, I just need some fresh air.”
Guan Zhiheng understood that after the long journey back home, his daughter might still be jet-lagged.
With all the guests present and her appearances made, the social obligations were mostly fulfilled.
“If you’re unwell, then go home and rest.”
Guan Zhiheng was considerate. As he turned to call the driver, Meng Qinghuai quietly spoke.
“I’ll take Miss Guan home.”
–
The rain poured.
Guan Yingtang never expected that what she had planned as a quick breath of fresh air would somehow lead her to Meng Qinghuai’s car.
He drove gently out of the hotel parking lot into the heavy rain.
Neither spoke, the only sound the rhythmic swish of the wipers.
Guan Yingtang didn’t look at Meng Qinghuai.
After all, the unresolved argument still lingered between them. The harsh words hung awkwardly in the air. Without his response, there was an unspoken tension.
“Where does it hurt?” Meng Qinghuai finally broke the silence.
Guan Yingtang stared at the raindrops pelting the window and closed her mouth. “Nowhere hurts.”
A few seconds of silence.
“I thought you had a fever.”
Guan Yingtang was startled and hadn’t yet processed why he said that when he stopped the car at the roadside.
The subtle unease from the hotel had carried over. Meng Qinghuai turned and gazed at her deeply for several seconds before suddenly placing his hand on the back of her neck and kissing her.
Guan Yingtang was caught off guard. Instinctively, she wanted to push him away, to refuse, to tell him she was still upset.
But the more she pushed, the more forceful his kiss became, his hands gripping her waist tightly, nearly painful.
At first, she struggled, but soon her body slowly yielded.
The heart could not betray itself.
As his familiar lips devoured her, she could only control herself to want to respond, to absorb all of his scent.
Acceptance became the inevitable choice. Guan Yingtang’s hands unconsciously looped around Meng Qinghuai, their lips and tongues entwined, the sound of their mingling breaths almost louder than the rain outside.
Just as they neared breathlessness, Meng Qinghuai finally parted from her lips, breathing softly, pressing his forehead to hers.
“I don’t like him.”
Amid the dim, rainy haze, Guan Yingtang lifted her eyes to meet Meng Qinghuai’s shadowed gaze.
He looked at her and whispered hoarsely, “I care a lot, Tangtang.”
The sensitive topic was raised again. Guan Yingtang tried to calm her racing heart from the kiss. “If you really care that much…”
She didn’t know why she suddenly lost her head. “We can get a divorce.”
Guan Yingtang didn’t want to make things difficult for Meng Qinghuai. She had confessed everything, unable to keep pretending. Now it was Jiang Peiming.
What about later? The external opinions about He Zi weren’t any better. Was she supposed to sever ties with her own best friend?
Meng Qinghuai couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “I—”
He wasn’t willing to even imagine such an outcome and immediately said coldly, “Impossible. I won’t agree.”
“But I told you what kind of person I am, that I’m not some perfect gentlewoman. My friends aren’t perfect either. They all have flaws.”
Meng Qinghuai understood her more and more. “What does it matter to me if your friends aren’t perfect?”
Guan Yingtang blinked with a touch of grievance. “I’m not worried about me associating with them affecting me or the Meng family’s image.”
“…?”
Meng Qinghuai paused for a long moment, seeming to finally grasp what she meant. He looked at the woman in front of him in disbelief.
Her lips were still red from their kiss.
Suddenly, Meng Qinghuai unfastened the seatbelt and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly with no intention of letting go.
“Tangtang.” Somewhat helpless, though it didn’t seem like something so rational as him would say this, right now Meng Qinghuai couldn’t deny it:
“My jealousy comes from love.”