Chapter 36：Confrontation (2)

Zhiyuan was talking to some business associates when Mu Chuanli made the announcement. He was surprised by the sudden toast.

He shook his head.

Flashy as always.

Now that he announced his name, he had to go with Xinyi.

I hope Xinyi doesn't mind, he thought. She usually gets nervous being the center of attention like this.

Zhiyuan looked around in the faint light that the center spotlight cast in the hall. He recognized Xinyi's silhouette and smiled.

He walked up to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Xinyi."

Xinyi stiffened and jolted.

Unknown to him, Caihong watched them in complete silence. Her gaze was blank and devoid of any expression. Even if she was standing near Xinyi, the hall was quite dark so Zhiyuan couldn't see her face.

Zhiyuan mistook her sudden jolt for fear and nervousness.

He whispered. "I am sorry Xinyi. I had no idea that Mu Chuanli was going to raise a toast in front of everyone. Don't be nervous, okay?"

Xinyi shut her eyes. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest when Zhiyuan and her name were announced. And now he was standing beside her but had no clue that Caihong was silently watching them in the darkness.

"E-en."

He smiled. "Let's go?" And he offered his hand.

Xinyi tremblingly put her hand in his.

Zhiyuan chuckled. "Don't be so afraid. I am here with you."

She smiled but it faltered as she thought of Caihong.

Everybody clapped hard as Zhiyuan and Xinyi made their way to the center.

Mu Chuanli raised the glass. "Welcome aboard Han Zhiyuan and Han Xinyi. Like I said before, they will be responsible for making the best five-star hotel near my amusement park for visitor's comfortable stay. As always, their service is unmatched. Cheers to the Han Corps!"

"Cheers!"

Zhiyuan smiled. "Thank you for having us and Xinyi and I hope for this project to be a great success. Cheers to our collaboration."

"Cheers!"

Mu Chuanli nodded. He said, "Now, let me introduce you all to the second backbone of this project. Security is just as important a factor in any project. We at Mu Constructions take security very seriously. Hence, we have collaborated with the best technology and software company to offer their security services for the amusement park and the hotel that would be built by the Han Corps."

"Please welcome the CEO of the 3S company - Safe'n Secure Space, Zhu Xiaosi accompanied by his beautiful wife Mrs. Zhu Caihong."

Caihong felt the chills. She gritted her teeth and dug her nails in her palm.

That's why he wanted to bring me on this cruise. Xiaosi, you never fail to disgust me.

Suddenly, somebody grabbed her hand in the darkness and whispered in her ear as he chuckled. "Let's go, my dear wife. Our turn has come. Let's meet our dear 'friend' from the past."

Caihong tried to resist and shake it off but he had firmly held onto her wrist.

"Xiaosi...you disgust me," she looked at him with utter hatred.

He simply laughed and pulled her hand to walk with him.

At their side, Zhiyuan froze. He stood still as the last sentence rang in his ears.

Zhu Xiaosi and Zhu Caihong.

Suddenly, the figure of that lone woman flashed past his eyes which he saw a few hours ago on the deck. He was sure he saw Caihong but then she disappeared, making him wonder if he was hallucinating.

That was Caihong indeed. She was real.

From the darkness, he heard footsteps slowly coming towards them. As Xiaosi and Caihong stepped in front of him, Zhiyuan's breath got stuck in his throat. His stunned gaze didn't blink for a second as it bore into them. He silently but sharply gasped.

Xiaosi smiled. "Good to meet you, Mr. Han Zhiyuan."

Xinyi glanced at him and as expected, the announcement had shaken him up. To others, he seemed normal, but only she could see the myriad of mixed emotions the contours of his face were showing.

Her heart ached to see him that affected and troubled but at this moment, she could do nothing much.

Still, as they held hands, she gently but firmly tightened her grasp, assuring him. Zhiyuan strangely felt calm by her reassurance and he breathed out.

Xiaosi mocked. "What's wrong Mr. Han? You seem pale."

Caihong maintained a neutral face on the outside, but only she knew what storm was brewing in her heart. All the time and memories she spent with Zhiyuan as his girlfriend gushed forth like a broken dam. She tried hard not to think of anything, but her mind wasn't listening to her.

The heart that she felt was dead all this time suddenly started beating, and the memories only caused her pain. Once upon a time, they used to make her laugh, but now her eyes get stung in tears.

Caihong slowly glanced at Xinyi. Xinyi didn't avert her gaze, but she showed a helpless and sad look to her. She finally understood why she seemed so shocked and troubled when she first saw her.

A wry smile laced her lips. She had no clue when and how did it happen.

Xinyi is his wife and that boy...

It all made sense now. She realized why she felt so familiar with Siying. He was Zhiyuan's son after all. Not only his face, but his personality quite resembled him too.

No wonder I liked his company. It made her feel warm and alive just like the time she had been with Zhiyuan.