Chapter 20 - Are you sure?

She stepped in before Mengqi could reply. "This place is so hot and loud. Should we take this party somewhere else?"

She turned to Honglin. "Why don't we go to your nightclub, Dark Raven?"

"No way." Jihai glared at her.

"Bu-"

"No buts. Nightclubs are crowdy and more noisy. You are just recovering, don't stress yourself." He cut her off coldly.

Chunlan was speechless.

You stubborn man! Can't you see I am trying to protect you?

The doctors had advised her to rest but she has discarded their advice when she looked at the calendar a week ago.

If I could change his fate today, she thought wistfully....

She grabbed his sleeves with a tinge of desperation in her eyes. "Please."

His raging eyes softened at her plea.

"We are departing at 10 pm."

"Okay."

10pm? If possible, we will leave at 8pm!

"Lets go." Wen Honglin tried to hide his annoyance at the love scene they were creating in front of them.

They arrived at the VVIP lounge of Dark Raven, Honglin's private lounge.

It was well lit and furnished lavishly with a large bar at the corner with soft music in the background.

Jihai seemed to also be reading something on his phone, his other hand swirling his glass elegantly.

Finally, Honglin hit his glass with a spoon softly earning the attention of the people in the room.

He said "Six years ago, we were just freshmen in college, hoping to achieve our dreams and make our families proud. It was hard for all of us mentally, physically and.." His eyes landed on Jihai briefly before he continued ".....financially. Now, I have taken over my family's business in the law industry, Mengqi is rising to the top of the jewelry sector, Menxiang is now a medical doctor, Jihai is going into the finance world and Chunlan is going to be the head of her family's hotel companies all over the world. We have taken a great step but this isn't the end of our dreams. No, this is just the beginning because the sky is our limit. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" They chorused.

Chunlan felt Menxiang's elbow dig into her ribs, making her inhale sharply in pain as she followed her friend's line of sight. Mengqi was now sitting beside Jihai, talking to him in low tones. Jihai had a mask of indifference on his face with a tinge of impatience.

She was about to stand up when she heard Honglin say "Since it is such an auspicious occasion, Mengqi and I got you little gifts to congratulate you three on your hard work and determination."

Everyone knew Honglin ȧssumed the role of the father in their group due to him being the eldest by four years, followed by Mengqi and Jihai then she and Menxiang as the youngest.

Chunlan felt her blood turn cold with his words. She was hit with anger, pain and indecision. She didn't want to do this.

Why did you do this, Lin-ge? I thought we were friends.....

Honglin made a phone call and suddenly some men came with boxes wrapped in different colors and placed them on the table. Chunlan could already guess what was inside.

Mengqi stood up, smiling. "This gifts were chosen by the both of us. We hope you like it."

"Oh my GOD! This is a box set limited edition of Purple Crystal Petals (PCP) skin care products! This isn't meant to be out until next year June! The price online is worth three million yuan! Thank you Lin-ge!" Menxiang screamed excitedly.

Mengqi chuckled. "When you start your internship in the hospital, you would stop paying attention to your skin! This will revitalize and refresh your soft skin, protecting it from harsh weathers."

"Mengqi, you are the best!"

Chunlan received a box and opened it. "Thank you, Mengqi."

Menxiang leaned over to peek at her gift and gasped "Is this what I think it is? A bottle of Hermés 24 Farbourg?!"

Chunlan frowned at her. Is it not just a bottle of perfume?

Menxiang continued to rant. " There is only 20 right here in China worth a million per bottle! Lin-ge spoils us the most!"

Chunlan felt a pair of eyes stare at her from afar. As she turned, she felt Jihai's eyes full of pain, shame and determination gaze at her as he whispered "Lan'er, one day I will be able to buy you a hundred of those......"

He knew she was raised delicately and had never suffered any grievances growing up. He wanted to spoil her, protect her and make her proud, enough to stand in front of her family and friends as her man. He knew her friends sometimes secretly jeered at her for her "poor" taste in men. He wasn't rich right now but he will be someday.

Lan'er, please wait for me, don't give up on me......

Chunlan felt her heart clench in pain. She didn't want perfumes or money. If she could decide her fate, she would rather live with him in a small house and live a small life with him.

Mengqi poured her lips. "Jihai, its your turn."

Jihai opened the black box and stared at it indifferently. "What is this?"

Honglin gazed at him with subtle disdain in his eyes. "This is a car key to a Maserati. It is more convenient to drive around than public transport."

Jihai kept the box on the table without a second glance. "Too expensive."

Chunlan gazed at the black box like it was a gift from hell. How could she forget this cursed day, a day that helped delay Jihai from reaching his full potential?

Wen Honglin, I am warning you....

She smiled to diffuse the tension and placed her glass of wine on the table in front of her. "Lin-ge, Jihai would be leaving to UK to work for Colossus in a month. I think, it won't be convenient to use it here in China. Even if it can be transported for him to use, the management there knows about his financial situation.. If he shows up with such a flashy car, it will portray him an untrustworthy individual and may even put a dent on his reputation. Lin-ge, are you sure you want to give him this car?"