She glanced sideways at Ling Chuxia, then let her gaze drift far into the distance. The night view of Liang City was beautiful, especially from such a high vantage point, a sparkling array of lights. However, within Ji Xinxin’s eyes lay a void.
Her lips curved, but there was not a hint of a smile. "You know as well as I do, in families like ours, marriage is virtually an alliance. Everyone just takes what they need. As long as it ensures mutual benefit, who cares whether you are fickle in love or how many women you have?"
Ling Chuxia naturally understood what Ji Xinxin was saying—she too came from such a wealthy and influential family. How many things were there really to choose from?
If there were...she wouldn’t be so troubled now.
But...even though her own marriage had been so unfortunate, she still hoped that her good friend could be happy. Her eyes flickered as she spoke softly, "Xinxin, actually, you don’t have to be so pessimistic. Shen Qian may be a bit of a playboy, but he is a responsible man. If you two get married in the future, I think he will take the marriage seriously..."
"There’s no need to talk about him, I’m not interested," Ji Xinxin cut Ling Chuxia off once again, without a moment’s hesitation.
Ling Chuxia looked at her face—an exquisite and beautiful face that held no extra expression, not even a flicker in her eyes. It seemed she had truly no interest in Shen Qian. Ling Chuxia furrowed her brows and eventually could not help but sigh softly, "Xinxin, don’t tell me...you still haven’t forgotten him?"
Who "he" was, Ji Xinxin certainly knew, but so much time had passed, and suddenly being reminded of him caused Ji Xinxin’s hand, which held a glass, to tremble violently, and her expression to flinch ever so slightly.
Seeing Ji Xinxin’s reaction, Ling Chuxia immediately realized what was happening. How could one face the present if they hadn’t yet forgotten the past?
However, Ji Xinxin only remained stunned for a few seconds before her expression returned to normal, as if that fleeting moment of blankness had been an illusion. She tilted her head back, drained the glass in one gulp, then turned to Ling Chuxia with a tantalizing smile, "Let’s go, time to battle!"
Back at the private room, the men had already started drinking. After all, they were all brothers—there was no need for formalities or pleasantries, just straight to the alcohol.
Ling Chuxia and Ji Xinxin returned to the room, and Ling Chuxia directly walked over to sit next to Shi Che. Originally, Shen Qian was sitting on Shi Che’s other side, and the seat next to Shen Qian was meant for Ji Xinxin. But Ji Xinxin walked straight over, nudged Shen Qian’s shoulder, and without a word, just gave him a look and then gestured to the empty seat next to her. The message was clear.
Shen Qian laughed, "You’ve been ignoring me all night, and now you’re commanding me to move as if it’s your absolute right."
Ji Xinxin scoffed and kept her beautiful eyes fixed on him, "So, are you going to move or not?"
Shen Qian studied Ji Xinxin’s proud and lovely face, then smiled, raising his hands in surrender, "Of course, I’ll move. I am happy to oblige a beauty."
Shen Qian got up briskly, even extending his hand in a gesture to offer his seat. Ji Xinxin didn’t even look at him and took the seat directly.
As soon as Ji Xinxin sat down, she turned her face to Shi Che, with a smile, "Young Master Shi, it’s been a long time."
Shi Che lazily swept a glance at Ji Xinxin, his voice indifferent, "It has been a long time indeed."
Ji Xinxin let out a light laugh, "I remember, the last time we sat down for a drink was back at our college graduation. And right after graduation, you quickly went and married my Xiaxia. Don’t you owe me a drink?"