Chapter 12: Reunion with Lin Xiao
1098 Words
The banquet hall on the second floor of the Imperial City Hotel was adorned with walls draped in luxurious silk, embellished with intricate golden threads that resembled a resplendent painting. Opulent crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their bright light refracting through the translucent crystals like stars twinkling in the night sky. The intricately carved ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s nighttime panorama added to the lavish, romantic ambiance of the venue.
Standing beside Ji Yunze, Xiao Tongyu forced a smile as she nodded politely to every guest who approached to greet them. Her cheeks ached from maintaining the practiced, upward curve of her lips.
“President Ji, and this is…?” A man who had just exchanged pleasantries with Ji Yunze glanced curiously at Xiao Tongyu.
“Hello, President Li. I’m President Ji’s secretary, surnamed Xiao.”
“Ah, Secretary Xiao from President Ji’s side,” President Li handed her a champagne flute. “Care for a drink?”
Xiao Tongyu hesitated, but Ji Yunze’s icy voice cut through the air beside her: “She doesn’t drink.”
“Let’s go.” He uttered the command coolly, signaling for her to follow.
Xiao Tongyu bowed apologetically to President Li before trailing after Ji Yunze. Luo Junzhi, observing from the sidelines, watched the scene with amusement.
It was unprecedented for Ji Yunze—a man known for never bringing female companions to events—to show up with a woman. And this woman, with her delicate yet alluring aura, stood out starkly from the usual crowd of beauties, drawing even more attention.
Luo Junzhi whispered to Xiao Tongyu, “How are you holding up, Secretary Xiao? Adjusting okay?”
Xiao Tongyu managed a strained smile. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Luo. I’m managing for now.”
In truth, her head was spinning. Days of sleeplessness, relentless work, and the mental toll of being under Ji Yunze’s scrutiny—coupled with the lingering physical ache from their recent encounters—left her feeling utterly drained.
Across the banquet hall, Lin Xiao, clutching a champagne glass, had spotted Xiao Tongyu.
The Lin Corporation had also been invited to the evening’s event. But given their recent financial crisis, most businesses now avoided them, fearing collateral damage.
Lin Xiao’s gaze burned into Xiao Tongyu.
She wore a pearl-white strapless cocktail dress that ended mid-thigh, exposing her pale, slender arms and collarbones. The dress accentuated her curves—the soft swell of her breasts and her narrow waist—igniting an involuntary stir in anyone who looked at her.
Regret surged through Lin Xiao.
When had Xiao Tongyu become so captivating? How had he been so blind before, dismissing the girl who once chased after him with such devotion? Had his hatred for the arranged marriage clouded his judgment?
He wanted to approach her, but Xiao Tongyu stood beside Ji Yunze. Lin Xiao didn’t dare interrupt.
By now, Xiao Tongyu felt unsteady on her feet. Her stiletto heels had rubbed her ankles raw.
She whispered to Ji Yunze, “Excuse me, President Ji. I need to visit the restroom.”
Ji Yunze nodded imperceptibly, and she hurried away.
Once inside the restroom, Xiao Tongyu immediately kicked off her heels. Her heels were bleeding.
Though naturally tall, she rarely wore high heels outside work. Even then, she’d never stood in them for so long. Her feet throbbed, her body ached, and her head pounded—every inch of her felt battered.
She wondered if Ji Yunze had deliberately chosen this strapless dress. The red marks on her chest stood out starkly against her fair skin. She’d spent ages covering them with foundation, barely managing to conceal them.
Staring at her reflection, Xiao Tongyu felt exhaustion weigh heavily. She longed to collapse into bed.
Years of hardship had forged her into an optimist. Otherwise, she’d have crumbled long ago.
Just a little longer, she told herself. Then you can sleep.
Reapplying foundation to the faint marks, she gritted her teeth, slipped her heels back on, and stepped out.
The moment she exited the restroom, a hand clamped around her wrist.
Xiao Tongyu looked up in alarm, meeting Lin Xiao’s bloodshot eyes.
“Lin Xiao? Let go!”
“Tongtong, we need to talk.” His grip tightened.
Xiao Tongyu glared coldly. “We have nothing to discuss.”
“Tongtong, you always loved me. How can you just move on?”
Xiao Tongyu felt equal parts bitterness and absurdity. So this was how pitiful I looked back then, chasing after him.
No wonder he’d despised her.
“Lin Xiao, wake up. You don’t love me. You just want me to save the Lin family. But it’s over. I’ve repaid the debt for being raised by your family. I owe you nothing more.”
Lin Xiao’s fingers dug into her wrist as if trying to fuse their flesh.
“Tongtong, you don’t have to help us. I’ll fix the company myself. Just be with me. I love you!”
“Lin Xiao, have you forgotten how you treated me?”
“…”
“You said I was ugly and pathetic. That the sight of me made you sick.”
“…”
“Where were you when Qin Mengyan and her friends beat me, tore my hair, threw my books?”
“…”
“When I was sick, begging you to buy me medicine, what did you say?”
“…”
“You said, ‘Just die then.’”
Lin Xiao’s eyes glistened, his voice trembling. “I’m sorry, Tongtong. I was wrong. Give me another chance. I truly love you…”
Xiao Tongyu yanked her wrist back. “But I don’t love you! Let go!”
As they struggled, her black hair slipped over her shoulder, revealing two vivid red marks behind her ear.
Lin Xiao froze, his gaze locked on her neck.
“Tongtong,” he choked out, “you’re with someone?”
Xiao Tongyu stiffened, hastily rearranging her hair.
Damn it—how did I miss those marks behind my ear?
Was Ji Yunze a dog, biting her everywhere?
“Lin Xiao, it’s none of your business. Let me go!”
Lin Xiao growled lowly, “Xiao Tongyu! You loved me! How could you throw yourself at some random man?!”
“Lin Xiao, no one will love you forever! The moment you stopped treating me as human, I let you go!”
Her wrist burned with pain. “Let. Me. Go!”
Suddenly, a familiar, frosty voice cut through the tension.
“Secretary Xiao.”
- Writer
