No matter what, her relationship with Shi Che was improving, which was beneficial and harmless for her.
Ling Chuxia sat down at her dressing table and carefully applied her makeup. After all, she was attending the dinner as Young Madam of the Shi Family, so she couldn’t dress carelessly. However, since the last time she and Shi Che went to the movies, she had slightly reverted to her previous style. Although Che didn’t say anything, the look in his eyes, twinkling with a hint of appreciation, was etched in her heart. Therefore, this time, while she intended to dress elegantly and with proper decorum, she wasn’t as rigid as before.
Her raven-black hair was no longer tied up rigidly, but loosely draped down. She no longer wore those dark and dreary suits, instead choosing a tender yellow dress that made her skin appear even more porcelain and ivory.
After she was ready, Ling Chuxia stood in front of the full-length mirror to examine herself, and only after she was satisfied did she nod approvingly. Noticing that it was almost time to leave, she picked up her bag and went downstairs.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw the car drive in and stop at the entrance. Ling Chuxia walked over, and Old Zhu hurriedly got out of the car and opened the door for her. Chuxia softly thanked him, lowered her body, and got into the car.
Shi Che was sitting on the other side, with a laptop on his lap, looking at spreadsheets. As soon as Ling Chuxia got in, she softly greeted him, "Young Master."
Shi Che lazily lifted his eyes, but his pupils abruptly fixated on Ling Chuxia.
The woman before him was no longer in her meticulous updo, nor in her unchanging business attire. Instead, her long hair flowed freely, and she wore a tender yellow dress that clad her, her skin as white as snow, more delicate than the blooms.
Shi Che’s breath hitched slightly, even the light in his eyes darkened a shade. Seeing that he kept staring at her, Chuxia unconsciously lowered her gaze, worried she might have dressed inappropriately. She stole a glance at him and asked in a subdued voice, "Is it not good... dressed ?"
Ling Chuxia’s soft voice suddenly pulled Shi Che back to his senses. He coughed lightly, subconsciously, to mask his stunned expression, and commented indifferently, "It’s fine."
Without waiting for Ling Chuxia to speak, he directly said to Old Zhu in front, "Drive."
Although Shi Che only rated her meticulous dressing with a lukewarm "It’s fine," it was enough to fill Ling Chuxia’s heart with joy. She knew that for three years she had spent so much thought and energy trying to please Shi Che, but whatever she did, it always provoked only his disgust and cold remarks. But now, he finally... didn’t hate her so much anymore.
Ling Chuxia cast her eyes down, her nose inexplicably tingling with acidity, yet it was not from sorrow, but from happiness.
Ling Chuxia thought that the dinner Shi Che was taking her to would be a formal business gathering. However, to her surprise, he took her to a dinner with a few of his close friends instead.
What she didn’t expect even more was that upon walking in, she saw Ji Xinxin. Likewise, Ji Xinxin saw her, and immediately got up from her chair, walked straight towards her, and unceremoniously pulled her away from Shi Che’s side.
The two women walked to the balcony of the private room. After they had settled, Ji Xinxin sized her up and down, then smiled suggestively, "For today’s dinner, Che bringing you along... looks like there’s been some progress between you two, huh?"
Of course, there was progress, but what was it good for? In front of Ji Xinxin, Ling Chuxia didn’t need to hide anything. She looked at Xinxin, and with a sense of helplessness, said, "It’s just that I still haven’t had the chance to steal that ’thing’."