Chapter 28 (1/2)

“Where did you go earlier?” Shentu Tian-Yin found Xia Lei after he returned to the hall.

“I met someone just now,” said Xia Lei.

“Who?” Shentu Tian-Yin looked curious.

“Gu Ke-Wen,” said Xia Lei.

“Huh?” said Shentu Tian-Yin in surprise. “Why is Gu Ke-Wen here? I didn’t invite her.”

“This place belonged to the Gu clan so it’s easy for her to get in. Show her some compassion - she’s like a madwoman now,” said Xia Lei.

Shentu Tian-Yin just smiled dismissively. “She’s like an abandoned dog now. She can’t afford to make waves. Right, so what did she look for you for?”

“It was about her father’s friends. She wants to work with me but I refused her. I don’t want to be involved in this any longer.” Xia Lei didn’t hide anything.

“Where is she now? I’ll get someone to call her over. She’s always been insufferably arrogant and I’d like to see if she is still that way.”

“No need for that. She probably left,” said Xia Lei.

Shentu Tian-Yin smirked. “Too bad.”

Ahn Suhyeon walked over as they were talking. “Who’s this, Tian-Yin?” he asked with a smile.

“This is my friend, Mr Xia Lei, the Chairman of Thunder Horse Manufacturing. Lei, this is Korea’s Shinyeok Group’s young master, Ahn Suhyeon. His father is an outstanding politician in South Korea.”

It was as Fu Ming-Mei had said. Xia Lei extended a hand and said, “Hello, Mr Ahn. Nice to make your acquaintance.”

Ahn Suhyeon gave him a cursory handshake and said, “Thunder Horse Manufacturing - what industry is that in? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Just a small company. It’s main focus is on processing,” said Xia Lei.

Ahn Suhyeon’s smile dimmed, just a bit.

The Shinyeok Group was a large, famous financial group in South Korea. It couldn’t be compared to large groups like Samsung or Hyundai but it wasn’t very far behind. They had expanded quickly recently in the past two years and were almost on par with Samsung and Hyundai. Following the fostering of better relationships between China and South Korea, Shinyeok Group had expanded its reach to the huge market that was China and its young master, Ahn Suhyeon, had taken to China like fish to water. With his status and assets, would Ahn Suhyeon even take notice of a tiny little processing company? Would he think highly of a little-known small fry like Xia Lei?

Future spouses had to make sure that their families were well-matched in terms of social status, and people dating also paid attention to status. Their social statuses were vastly different, so how could they become friends?

“Tian-Yin, may I have this dance?” Ahn Suhyeon bent at the waist in invitation; he looked like a model British gentleman.

Shentu Tian-Yin glanced at Xia Lei and said a little apologetically, “Lei, I’ll come accompany you later.”

Xia Lei nodded. “It’s fine, you don’t have to bother about me.”

Ahn Suhyeon held Shentu Tian-Yin’s hand as they headed to the dance floor. They swayed to the music on the dance floor and the guests around them clapped for them. One tall and handsome and the other a unparalleled beauty - Ahn Suhyeon and Shentu Tian-Yin were really an enviously perfect pair.

“Mr Xia.” A man’s voice came from behind him.

Xia Lei turned to see Tu Qing-Long. It seems he recognised him and this was surprising to Xia Lei. “Ah, it’s our champion. Hello, Mr Tu. But how do you know of me?”

Tu Qing-Long stood next to Xia Lei and watched Shentu Tian-Yin and Ahn Suhyeon on the dance floor. “It’s not strange at all that I know you, Mr Xia. Your relationship with Shentu Tian-Yin was a hot topic on media platforms for a period of time last year. Shentu Tian-Yin actually said that you were her fiancé in front of all those reporters. I’m her friend; of course I’d take note of you.”

“I see. That was just a misunderstanding,” said Xia Lei.

“I know. That was just an act for Gu Ke-Wu, right?” said Tu Qing-Long.

Xia Lei glanced at him. This Tu Qing-Long was no simple man. Xia Lei just smiled and said nothing.

“I won’t hide it from you, Mr Xia. I like Shentu Tian-Yin very much too and I can be counted as one of her suitors. But I don’t have even half a chance with people like you. I just can’t stand that Ahn Suhyeon. He’s arrogant and self-righteous. He just has a powerful father, right?” A curl of distaste appeared in the corners of Tu Qing-Long’s lips.

Xia Lei smiled. “Mr Tu, aren’t you afraid that I’ll tell Mr Ahn what you said?”

Tu Qing-Long laughed. “I’m self-aware, Mr Xia. I know that Shentu Tian-Yin doesn’t fancy me and I have no chance with her but I still wish her happiness. She won’t be happy with a person like Ahn Suhyeon. You get what I mean?”

“So you mean that I will be able to make Shentu Tian-Yin happy?” Xia Lei figured out Tu Qing-Long’s aim in coming to talk to him.

Tu Qing-Long looked at Xia Lei. “I can tell that Tian-Yin likes you. You should court her and become the man to care for her for the rest of her life if you’re not stupid. I just can’t stand that Ahn Suhyeon. Come look for me if there’s anything you need help with.”

“Haha…” Xia Lei couldn’t help laughing, but he still thanked him.