Chapter 399: The Target
Chapter 399: Chapter 399: The Target
Li Huan felt an instinctive dislike for the way this woman was sizing them up. Although she wasn’t sure of the woman’s intentions, she was certain of one thing: they weren’t good.
Even though the woman tried her best to hide it, the jealousy in her eyes as she looked at Su Qing was still obvious at a glance.
"What’s it to you?" Li Huan said. "Do we know you?"
Hearing Li Huan’s words, Luo Yixian put on a professional-looking fake smile. "I don’t mean anything by it. I just came over to say hello."
"Questioning us right off the bat? That’s a strange way to say hello," Li Huan couldn’t help but roll her eyes and say with a cold snort.
Luo Yixian cursed inwardly, then quickly forced a smile. "My apologies. If my way of greeting you made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I just wanted to befriend you two."
Luo Yixian was a film star in Xiangcheng, though not a very famous one. She had starred in a few movies that failed to make a splash. It wasn’t until last year, when she played a decorative female supporting role in a film by a major director, that she finally gained some name recognition. After that, better opportunities gradually came her way.
But Luo Yixian’s greatest ambition wasn’t to make a name for herself in the film industry. She hoped to use her career as a springboard to marry the young master of a wealthy family. Only then would she complete her climb up the social ladder. This kind of thinking was common in Xiangcheng’s entertainment world. While only one or two had ever successfully married into a prestigious family, a precedent had been set.
’Since my predecessors could succeed, maybe I’ll be the next lucky one.’
And that was exactly what Luo Yixian was thinking. Her target was none other than Cheng Beize of the Cheng Family.
The Cheng Family was the most prestigious of all the elite families in Xiangcheng. If she could really succeed in marrying into their family, she wouldn’t just be married into wealth; she would gain an outstanding status even among the city’s elite. Today was Cheng Beilin’s wedding, and she had moved heaven and earth to finally get an invitation.
She had assumed that just by being here, she would get an opportunity to exchange a few words with Cheng Beize. At the very least, she could make a first impression, which would pave the way for future interactions. But to her dismay, throughout the entire ceremony, she never got the chance. Forget speaking to him—it was hard enough just to get near him. Cheng Beize was constantly surrounded by people, and there was no way a second-rate starlet like her could squeeze through the crowd.
However, because she was keeping a close eye on Cheng Beize, she noticed how particularly attentive he was toward Su Qing and Li Huan. He not only personally escorted them to their seats but also chatted and laughed warmly with them, looking quite close. This discovery made Luo Yixian’s heart clench.
At first, Luo Yixian assumed Su Qing and Li Huan were young ladies from some prestigious family she was too ignorant to recognize. But after making some discreet inquiries, she found out they weren’t from Xiangcheng at all. They were friends Cheng Beilin had met on the mainland, invited to the city for the wedding, and were currently staying with the Cheng Family.
’The mainland!’
In Luo Yixian’s eyes, "the mainland" meant "backward"; it couldn’t compare to Xiangcheng at all. She concluded that Su Qing and Li Huan were just two country bumpkins who must have used some trick to befriend Cheng Beilin. Their true goal, however, was the same as hers: Cheng Beize.
’After all, this is the Cheng Family of Xiangcheng, a top-tier prestigious family. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of it?’
And yet, they seemed to be succeeding. Cheng Beize’s attitude toward them was excellent. After thinking it over, Luo Yixian decided to approach Su Qing and Li Huan. She would try to cozy up to them first. Perhaps through them, she could get some contact with Cheng Beize.
However, once she got close to them, Luo Yixian discovered that Su Qing was far more beautiful than she was. Alarm bells went off in her head, and her words came out unconsciously impolite. After hearing Li Huan’s retort, she immediately realized her misstep and quickly apologized.
Lowering her head was something Luo Yixian was very practiced at. After all, in her circle, having a stubborn personality made it hard to get by.
"Is that so?" Li Huan looked at Luo Yixian skeptically. Based on the look she had just seen in Luo Yixian’s eyes, there was no way she’d believe her.
"Of course," Luo Yixian said quickly. "I forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Luo, Luo Yixian. May I ask your names?"
"There’s no need for us to become friends." Su Qing’s senses were much sharper than Li Huan’s. Luo Yixian’s jealousy was aimed directly at her, so she felt it even more clearly. "We’re only staying in Xiangcheng for a short while and will be leaving soon."
Su Qing’s words stunned Luo Yixian for a moment. She hadn’t expected such a blunt rejection, which left no room for negotiation. Her smile almost faltered. "It must be fate that we met today. I..."
Before Luo Yixian could finish, she heard an excited voice from behind her. "Miss Su! It really is you!"
Luo Yixian turned to see someone she recognized. "Boss Shi!"
The newcomer was none other than Shi Youda, the jewelry merchant Su Qing had met in Yun Province.
"Oh, Miss Luo is here today as well?" Shi Youda nodded at Luo Yixian before turning to Su Qing excitedly. "I thought your back looked familiar just now! I was wondering if it was you, Miss Su, and it really is! Goodness, Miss Su, when did you get to Xiangcheng? Why didn’t you contact me? I absolutely have to treat you to a meal."
The last time they were in Yun Province, the piece of jadeite Su Qing sold to Shi Youda had earned him a handsome profit. Moreover, thanks to Su Qing, he had even started some collaborations with the Cheng Family. In less than a year, his business had tripled in size. It was all thanks to Su Qing!
Shi Youda had always been grateful to Su Qing, and seeing her today made him especially excited. ’This woman isn’t just my lucky star; her luck is heaven-defying! Who else has such a golden touch?’ He, for one, had never met anyone like her. What’s more, her presence here today proved that her relationship with the Cheng Family was excellent. In that case, he had to make an even greater effort to foster a good relationship with her.
"Boss Shi, long time no see." Seeing it was Shi Youda, Su Qing also remembered who he was and replied with a smile, "It looks like business is booming, Boss Shi."
"Hahaha, it’s all thanks to you, Miss Su," Shi Youda laughed heartily. He quickly added, "Which day are you free, Miss Su? I’d like to treat you to dinner."
"I’m afraid that won’t be possible this time," Su Qing said. "I’m leaving Xiangcheng the day after tomorrow at the latest, and I have things to do tomorrow. It will have to be next time."
"Such a rush," Shi Youda said with some regret. "Well, the next time you come to Xiangcheng, Miss Su, you must contact me."
"Okay."
Shi Youda exchanged a few more words with Su Qing, then hurried off. This reception was not only for Cheng Beilin’s wedding but also a prime venue for businessmen like him to expand their networks.
Luo Yixian tried to strike up a conversation again, but seeing that Su Qing and Li Huan were giving her the cold shoulder, she had no choice but to beat a retreat. After Luo Yixian left, Li Huan finished the pastries on her plate and rubbed her stomach. "Wow, these are delicious. I’m going to get some more."
With that, Li Huan skipped cheerfully toward the long table where the pastries were laid out. Su Qing smiled faintly and took a sip of her juice. She was just pondering how much more time off she should ask her academic advisor for when she suddenly heard a series of gasps from not far away. She quickly looked up just in time to see Li Huan fall to the ground.
"Cousin!"