Chapter 102 Update

Chapter 102 Update

After hailing a taxi and giving the hotel's name, Xie Qingfeng sent a message to Hao Jixin to let him know he was safe.

Since he was only staying for a day, he didn’t bring Hao Jixin along.

Receiving the message, Hao Jixin calculated the time and, worrying Master Xie might be hungry upon arrival, decided to send a message to Jing Xi.

At the An family banquet, Jing Xi stood bored in a corner.

Checking the time, he had been there for twenty minutes and planned to leave after half an hour.

Since his arrival, he had specifically looked for Uncle Zhu. Ever since he showed up, Uncle Zhu, quiet as a quail, kept his distance, making it even more impossible for him to leave now.

Why did this calamity arrive? How could he dare to cause trouble now?

He was afraid that the host would dare to throw wine in his face and embarrass him thoroughly.

Better not to provoke him.

After achieving his purpose, Jing Xi delivered the gift to the host family and then found a corner to stay in.

His aura was intimidating, with an unspoken 'keep away' vibe.

Coupled with his recent reputation for being ruthlessly straightforward, no one dared to approach him for a chat.

They were waiting to see who would be the first to approach, then assess the situation before acting.

Jing Xi, watching the time, noticed his phone buzz. He glanced at it, ready to ignore it if it wasn’t from his national master.

But then he thought better of it, considering Hao Jixin wouldn’t message him without a good reason, so he decided to check it out of courtesy.

After reading the warrant: …

[Jin Jin Jin: Manager Jing, are you there? Are you there? Are you there?]

Jing Xi: Why is he babbling so much? Does he think he has too long to live?

The other side waited for half a minute without getting a reply, then sent another message.

[Jin Jin Jin: Manager Jing, are you at the hotel? Are you at the hotel?]

Jing Xi finally couldn’t help but reply: [Are you a parrot?]

[Jin Jin Jin: ...You'll regret this! [Angry]] He dared to find him annoying!

Jing Xi stared at these words but narrowed his eyes, sensing something fishy.

This guy usually didn’t dare to be so bold.

Jing Xi straightened up and quickly typed a few words: [Not here, I went on a business trip out of town today, forgot to tell you guys.]

The other side panicked: [Ah, really? You went on a business trip? How could you leave at this time?]

Jing Xi, reading these words, realized a possibility and his eyes lit up with excitement: [I'm just trying to finish work early. Qingfeng is coming on Saturday, I’ll be back on Friday.]

[Jin Jin Jin: What Saturday, Master Xie is already in B city!]

After sending the message, Hao Jixin was frantically pacing, wondering why Jing Xi had to leave today of all days. He quickly decided to message Master Xie to come back, otherwise it would be a wasted trip.

Jing Xi revealed a triumphant smile, not wanting to disturb the national master, and swiftly typed: [Really? What a coincidence, I just got drunk, I didn’t go on a trip, I’m heading back to the hotel now.]

Hao Jixin, about to call Master Xie, saw Jing Xi's message flash on the screen and was stunned for a moment, not immediately grasping what happened: ?????

Upon re-reading and realizing he had been tricked, he was so frustrated he pounded his chest in anger: Deceiving his own people! Is that even human?!

Jing Xi promptly decided to leave the banquet; after all, nothing was more important than his national master.

People who had been observing him and wanting to strike up a conversation became anxious as they saw him preparing to leave.

As someone hastily tried to approach, Elder An arrived with his butler.

Jing Xi saw the person in front of him and politely greeted: "Elder An."

Elder An smiled and thanked him: "President Jing, you're too kind. How's that troublesome boy's illness?"

Jing Xi raised an eyebrow: "Elder An knows about it?"

Elder An shook his head with a sigh: "Though I've stepped back in recent years, I still heard about the big incident at his company. I heard it was President Jing's friend who saved him? I don’t know how to repay this debt. This gift is a token of my appreciation for your friend."

The butler behind Elder An opened a delicate brocade box, revealing a high-quality piece of jade inside.

Jing Xi, however, did not accept it: "Elder An, your kind thoughts are appreciated, but the gift is unnecessary."

Elder An was surprised: "President Jing, your relationship with that friend is..."

Jing Xi: "I work for him; I understand his temperament."

Elder An was even more surprised, as the rumors he heard were apparently the opposite. He quickly waved his hand, signaling the butler to step back: "My apologies for the presumption. I'm extremely grateful for your presence today, President Jing. May I have the honor of sharing a drink with you?"

Jing Xi was in a good mood that evening and readily agreed: "It would be my honor."

After having champagne with Elder An and excusing himself, Elder An did not insist on him staying longer.

Jing Xi, brought by President Zhu's trusted aide, was similarly escorted back.

On the way back to the hotel, Jing Xi ordered a table full of delicious food, a variety of dishes, all highlighting their exquisite taste.

Besides that, he had ordered bouquets, candles, and fine wine, arranging for everything to be prepared in advance.

The An family's residence was not close to the hotel. By the time Jing Xi arrived outside the hotel and checked the time, he estimated the distance from the airport to the hotel.

He decided to wait at the hotel entrance, like guarding a tree stump waiting for a rabbit.

During the wait, he felt a bit warm, unsure if it was due to the champagne at the banquet, though its potency shouldn't have been high since he wasn't drunk.

He tugged at his tie, loosening two buttons, his eyes intently fixed on the hotel entrance.

Anxious not to miss Xie Qingfeng.

Xie Qingfeng arrived twenty minutes later than expected; it was rush hour on his way here.

Traffic was congested everywhere; he was lucky to have arrived this quickly.

He had been traveling since the afternoon and by the time he reached the hotel entrance around nine, he was evidently hungry.

Hao Jixin had booked a room for him in advance. He collected his room card from the front desk and took the elevator up.

Just as he was about to enter the elevator, he paused, then continued forward without any change in his demeanor.

Someone was following him, or rather, had been since he stepped into the hotel.

At first, he thought it was just a guest also checking in at the front desk, but the person didn't get a card and had followed him directly.

Xie Qingfeng stood at the elevator, pressing the up button. Using the faint reflection on the door, he indeed saw someone following him.

The figure looked familiar.

Wrapped up tightly, wearing a large overcoat with a hood, and a baseball cap on top.

Sunglasses and a mask, fully equipped.

The figure was recognizable, but the footsteps were not; they were wobbly and unsteady, which was why he didn't immediately recognize Jing Xi.

Jing Xi stopped a couple of steps behind him, his eyes narrowed behind the sunglasses, but his lips couldn’t help but curl up.

His gaze, hidden behind the sunglasses, fixed on Xie Qingfeng, as if he could stare forever if the elevator doors hadn’t opened.

Jing Xi felt like he only glanced for a moment, how did the elevator arrive so quickly?

People stepping out of the elevator looked suspiciously at Jing Xi – wearing sunglasses in a hotel lobby, either a celebrity or someone up to no good.

Not a celebrity, then perhaps involved in a clandestine affair.

Xie Qingfeng entered the elevator after the others had exited, waited a bit, then looked at Jing Xi who hadn’t followed yet: “Aren’t you coming up?”

Jing Xi felt his behavior was normal, but to Xie Qingfeng, his actions were obviously delayed.

Jing Xi, not daring to speak, lowered his head and moved to another corner of the elevator.

As Jing Xi passed by Xie Qingfeng, he detected a faint scent of alcohol, raising an eyebrow, and sneakily glanced at Jing Xi using the elevator mirror.

Getting more daring, drinking again? Not afraid of getting so drunk as to lose consciousness?

It seems the lesson from last time wasn't learned well enough.

Xie Qingfeng, inexplicably in a low mood, didn’t bother with him and was about to step out at his floor.

Jing Xi, a bit slow to react, but quick with his hands, suddenly grasped Xie Qingfeng's wrist: "It’s a mistake."

Xie Qingfeng gave a half-amused, half-annoyed smile: "What mistake?"

Jing Xi remembered the candlelight dinner he had arranged and insisted: "Wrong floor."

In the midst of their conversation, the elevator doors closed again and continued upwards.

Xie Qingfeng looked at Jing Xi, who pressed the button for his floor: ...

So, was this guy actually drunk or pretending to be, or maybe using drunkenness as an excuse?

Reaching the top floor, the elevator doors opened, and there was no worry about other guests.

Liang Chenglei had booked the entire floor to prevent any encounters with other guests.

They were the only ones on this level.

Xie Qingfeng, led by Jing Xi, glanced at his wrist being held and then at Jing Xi who was walking ahead, taking off his sunglasses: "Not pretending anymore?"

Jing Xi turned back to smile at him, his eyes brimming with mirth, which caught Xie Qingfeng off guard and made him smile too, his previous moodiness dissipating quickly.

Clearly, he was at a loss with him.

They reached the room at the end of the corridor, Jing Xi took out the card to unlock the door, but only opened it halfway. Before Xie Qingfeng could enter, Jing Xi pressed the light switch off again.

Xie Qingfeng pretended not to notice his little maneuver.

The next moment, Xie Qingfeng felt a tight grip on his wrist and was pulled into the room. As the door closed with a bang, something was suddenly placed in his arms.

Xie Qingfeng’s senses were filled with a rich fragrance.

Opening his eyes, he saw a large bouquet of dewy blue orchids, shimmering under the dim candlelight, creating an almost enchanting atmosphere.