LOVE FRAGMENTS

TEA, TENSION AND STRATEGICALLIANCE

Si Zhenxuan took a few steps forward, bent down, and delicately removed the faint red stain from her lips with his fingers. He then stood upright and said, "You look stunning in this attire."

She exuded an air of quiet elegance, like a flower floating on water. There was a captivating charm in her eyes and the gentle arch of her eyebrows, reminiscent of a morning when she had worn purple lace pajamas.

Si Zhenxuan and Gu Antong hadn’t been on good terms for years. He had heard that she came from a prominent family—the Gu family, a notable clan in Fengcheng. People described her as cold, noble, and often bearing the demeanor of an unworldly fairy. But things changed when she began associating with Si Yueyun, her own brother. Every time they met, smiles abounded.

To outsiders, however, Si Zhenxuan couldn’t help but find Gu Antong somewhat awkward.

"Let's rest for a while, and then we’ll be ready to go after breakfast," Si Zhenxuan remarked, withdrawing his hand.

Xie Jianchen’s teahouse was situated in Yunhai Lane, a renowned antique street in Chengdu. The street was adorned with century-old buildings boasting intricately carved beams and painted facades, and both sides were lined with well-preserved historic homes.

Yunhai Lane bustled with tourists wandering to and fro. Fortunately, Xie Jianchen’s teahouse was right at the entrance. They parked their cars outside and took a short walk.

Gu Antong had just stepped out of the car when she overheard Jiang Nuan’s laughter nearby. "Oh, I won’t give up so easily. Do I need to compete for this business?"

Si Zhenxuan had just removed Shen Zhou’s painting from the trunk when he noticed Si Yueyun standing next to Jiang Nuan in a suit. Clearly, he had also heard Jiang Nuan’s comment, but he responded with an indulgent smile. This made Si Zhenxuan furrow his brows and say, "Yue Yun, I’ve been preparing for this for a month."

Si Zhenxuan’s objective was to secure the partnership. He didn’t mind who received the credit in the end, but in recent days, due to Gu Antong’s actions, their relationship had been strained, and even his explanations often led to misunderstandings.

Si Yueyun brought Jiang Nuan over to Si Zhenxuan’s side, wearing a natural smile. "Elder brother, what are you saying? You’ve always been diligent, and you won’t let up even when you should rest. It truly puzzles me."

Gu Antong noticed that Jiang Nuan was dressed elegantly today. She wore the season’s hottest red Lei silk dress with high-heeled shoes standing about ten centimeters tall. Her makeup was impeccable, resembling a modern Milan street girl.

Gu Antong turned to Si Zhenxuan with a hint of suspicion and asked, "Jiang Nuan, you’re pregnant. How can you dress like this?"

Jiang Nuan shot her a glare before looking at Si Yueyun. "Yueyun, didn’t your uncle and aunt promise to let you handle the Rongcheng business? Why is your big brother intervening?"

Si Zhenxuan handed Shen Zhou’s landscape painting to Si Yueyun. "If you can succeed, I’ll be happy. You go ahead; I won’t argue with Antong."

"Really?" Jiang Nuan looked at Gu Antong with disbelief.

While Si Yueyun and Si Zhenxuan had a good relationship, Gu Antong’s recent actions had complicated matters.

Si Yueyun didn’t thank his elder brother for supporting the family’s honor at the wedding. He had been misled by his mother’s words, believing that Si Zhenxuan had married Gu Antong to seize the family inheritance. As a result, he couldn’t bring himself to be friendly with Si Zhenxuan.

Although Gu Antong wanted to protest, she sensed that Si Zhenxuan was growing increasingly impatient with her recent behavior. She restrained herself, adhering to the lessons of composure taught by her master.

In the end, Gu Antong chose to take Si Zhenxuan’s arm and let him handle the current situation.

Si Zhenxuan nodded. "Certainly."

Jiang Nuan’s face lit up as she took Si Yueyun’s hand and signaled to go upstairs to find Xie Erye. Winning today’s collaboration was their main goal. In the future, no one would dare label Si Yueyun as a dandy who shirked responsibility.

Gu Antong let go of Si Zhenxuan’s arm after Jiang Nuan and Si Yueyun went upstairs. She looked at Si Zhenxuan with concern. Instead of objecting, he turned and asked, "Why didn’t you object just now?"

Based on his understanding of Gu Antong, he expected her to oppose Jiang Nuan and Si Yueyun—something that had become the primary focus of her recent actions.

"I’m not that foolish," Gu Antong murmured softly. "Si Yueyun has no work experience, and Jiang Nuan isn’t cut out for significant undertakings. It’s a miracle they’re collaborating. You obviously want to clean up their mess."

Si Zhenxuan raised an eyebrow. "You…"

"Of course, Si Yueyun will take the credit for this collaboration, and it has nothing to do with you. Even if it makes me uncomfortable, I won’t say anything. After all, it’s your decision," Gu Antong said, turning her gaze to a small vendor’s store nearby, where various handicrafts were on display. The vendor was energetically promoting them.

Si Zhenxuan, rarely smiling, reached out to hold Gu Antong’s hand. "Let’s head upstairs and wait."

The teahouse sat gracefully in Yunhai Lane’s prime location. A simple gate bore the sign "Yuming Pavilion." Beyond the entrance, bamboo tables were lined neatly, where occasional tourists relaxed. Some sipped tea, some chatted, and others played chess, creating a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere. At the gate, a woman demonstrated the art of tea service. Her smile exuded a distinct Jiangnan charm, offering a sense of serenity that transcended the act of sipping tea.

Gu Antong had been studying the art of tea under her master since childhood, cultivating a genuine passion for the craft. The subtle aroma of tea filled her senses, immersing her in the ambience at the entrance.

Si Zhenxuan instructed a waiter by the door and then led them upstairs.

Upstairs, each private room featured a unique décor style, surrounded by clusters of vibrant green bamboo. Gu Antong gently tugged at Si Zhenxuan’s arm. "Mr. Xie seems quite intriguing."

"I’ve had a few encounters with him. He’s quite a contradictory person," Si Zhenxuan replied concisely.

From the teahouse he owned, one would think he was disinterested in the world. In reality, he held ambitious business aspirations, evidenced by his collaboration with a French perfume production line. However, these ambitions often took a back seat to his easygoing nature. He only discussed business matters when in a good mood; otherwise, he remained quiet.

While Gu Antong listened, a man shouted from a nearby room, "I can’t make myself clear! I came here to discuss a business deal with him. Get lost!"

Si Zhenxuan’s eyes narrowed, and he headed straight to the door. He intercepted the man about to exit. "Mr. Xie, please extend your patience. We were a bit late due to traffic. I apologize."

Si Zhenxuan introduced Gu Antong as they walked into the room, placing his arm around her shoulder. "This is Zhen Xuan’s newly wedded wife, Gu Antong, the daughter of Feng Cheng."

"Hello, Mr. Xie," Gu Antong greeted, sensing Xie Jianchen’s demeanor shift to one of appreciation.

Gu Antong had dressed carefully, considering the teahouse’s setting and the landscape painting by Shen Zhou that Si Zhenxuan had chosen. Her attire was clearly more astute than Jiang Nuan’s.

Xie Jianchen eyed the ancient jade necklace around her neck. "Is this a two-color Qin?"

Gu Antong gently touched her jade. "Mr. Xie has an eagle eye. This was a gift from my master, but the five-color Qin on his plate is the real treasure."

Xie Jianchen shot a knowing look at Si Zhenxuan standing nearby. "You said you’d be late if you were late. Why did you have to call your brother? He doesn’t seem to know how to handle this."

He then returned to his room, where Si Yueyun and Jiang Nuan sat, seemingly dispirited. They smiled wryly as Xie Jianchen approached.

"I sent a picture, but I couldn’t explain anything properly. We were supposed to discuss company matters, but it turned into a muddled conversation. How can we expect to achieve anything with such unpreparedness?"

The woman in fashionable attire spoke confidently but fumbled when probed further. Xie Jianchen felt irritated, recalling the earlier unpleasant encounter.

Gu Antong, Si Zhenxuan, and Xie Jianchen all noted that Si Yueyun lacked work experience, and Jiang Nuan, despite her quick wits, had no knowledge of business negotiations. They had taken the lead without adequate preparation, explaining Xie Jianchen’s frustration.

Jiang Nuan murmured, "I’ve been preparing for this discussion for a month. I thought we’d seal the deal today."

Gu Antong cast a cold glance at Jiang Nuan as she sat opposite. Xie Jianchen took the central seat, with a magnifying glass and Shen Zhou’s landscape painting before him. Evidently, Si Yueyun had sent him the painting earlier. Xie Jianchen seemed genuinely pleased, taking a closer look.

He reached for the magnifying glass. "The Si family is quite generous this time. This painting looks like an original Shen Zhou, but if it is, it would be worth several hundred thousand. Can’t it be a replica?"