Ever since Xiulan's confrontation, she and Honqi became extraordinary close with each other. Hongqi stopped being a shameful flirt but he would still try to tease her when he has a chance and sometimes would stir sexual jokes that would make Xiulan cringe.
Right now, they are inside a famous fashion boutique to find the perfect dress for Xiulan for their wedding's after party. Hongqi decided to flaunt his wife to everyone in his circle and to the people in S city.
Hongqi already announced that he was marrying Song Xiulan. It caused a great uproar in the internet and local newspaper. It was even reported in the national television. His upcoming marriage was a great threat to his enemies and a huge entertainment for people who likes to gossip.
Song Xiulan became an instant celebrity because of the wedding announcement. She dreaded the unwanted attention she was getting. Random people would suddenly point at her and maliciously stares at her. Sometimes people would give a disgustful look. It stresses her so much.
"Hongqi, do I really need to go with you in the mall? I can just ask my secretary to buy the dress for me. She knows my measurements and she picks the right dresses for me." Xiulan suggested and made a pleading expression. She wants to go back to her office and be away from the judgmental stare of random people.
"Why? I want everyone to see that we are together and dating like normal people. I also know your measurements and I pick beautiful dresses as well. But it would be perfect if you were with me while I buy it." Hongqi retorted.He was just creating reasons to be with Xiulan. He can actually just ask his secretary or someone in his company to get the dress but he prefers it to be like this.
Xiulan will not be wearing a wedding dress so Hongqi will never have a moment like buying wedding dresses with Xiulan. He opted with the dress for the after party instead. He was really desperate to have this moment with her.
Xiulan squinted her eyes at Hongqi.
"You're just creating reasons to take me out." Xiulan accused and pouted. She was lazy and wanted to go back to the office. They can do this another time.
They have been seeing each other every day ever since that confrontation. They would either eat together during lunch or dinner. Sometimes when Xiulan is at her parents' house, Hongqi would also be at the Song household and have breakfast with Xiulan's parents. He started to become cozy with the Song family and Xiulan find it ridiculous.
"So? Yes it's true and I want to take you out." Hongqi grumbled like a little kid. He just wanted to be with her. What's wrong with that?
"We can do this another time. I've been seeing your face every day." Xiulan savagely said.
"You're so cold. I just wanted to be with you." Hongqi faked his cry and hugged Xiulan while they were shopping. He attached himself to Xiulan like a koala bear.
The shopping attendants can't help but blush at the intimate sight. They never thought Hongqi would be this clingy. They all thought the woman would be the affectionate one since the history of Hongqi's women were clingy as fuck.
"Fine. But tomorrow we won't see each other. I wanted to finish the software that I have been working on." Xiulan said. She lets Hongqi stick to her like a glue since she can't move or push him away. Though he was really heavy and it's making her neck stiff.
"What is that project anyway? Ever since we met, you have been trying to finish that. Do you need some help?" Hongqi displayed his jealousy. He remained curious what kind of software it was. That software has been taking Xiulan's attention!
"It's a personal software. It's for my company that's why I'm trying to finish it as soon as possible." Xiulan explained. She reached a turquoise dress on one of the racks while Hongqi stick his body like gum on Xiulan.
"Can you move a little? You're so heavy!" Xiulan finally complained. Hongqi removed himself from Xiulan's body but still held her hand instead.
"That dress looks good but I found a better one. Let's go there." He said and led the way to the other side of the boutique.
They spend the whole afternoon at the mall. Hongqi bought a lot of new dresses for Xiulan and also new suit and casual clothes for him. He even pestered Xiulan to pick clothes for him.
Xiulan was really annoyed with Hongqi all throughout their date. He was like an attention-seeking child. He would always try to get her attention and teases her. Though it was cute sometimes but he was too intimate! It's like they were PDA-ing too much.
Hongqi's cellphone suddenly rang repeatedly and it looks like the caller won't stop calling him so he answered it. It was Secretary Yang Bo and he reported that there was an emergency in the office and he was badly needed there.
Hongqi excused himself and hastily left the mall with Xiulan.
"Why do I have to go with you?" Xiulan complained while she gets inside Hongqi's car.
"We still have to meet for dinner, right?" Hongqi sweetly said.
"Oh, yeah I forgot." Xiulan realized. She looked at Hongqi and saw that there were sweats on his forehead.It must be because they walked so fast and he was holding a lot of heavy bags. She absentmindedly wiped it for him.
Hongqi was taken aback by Xiulan's sudden sweet gesture. He endearingly stared at her.
Xiulan noticed Hongqi's malicious stare. "You have a lot of sweat on your forehead." She nonchalantly said like it was nothing. She stopped wiping his forehead and sat comfortably on her seat.
Hongqi still can't move on from the sudden sweet gesture so he stared at her for a couple of minutes before putting his attention on the road.
"Does Xiulan have a quick split personality?" He asked himself.
They now arrived in Hongqi's company building and Xiulan waited inside the car. While waiting for Hongqi, she checked the emails on her phone and replied to it one by one.
While browsing her email, she saw that old message her sister sent to her about Hongqi. She never had the chance to read that message again. Xiulan wavered if she should read it or not. But she must know more about Hongqi and understand him.
Xiulan pursed her lips. She felt like if she reads her sister's email, it's like opening a pandora's box. All of Hongqi's scandals are written here, both good and the bad stuff about him. Nevertheless, she still reads it.
But as she goes further in reading the report, she thought that the Hongqi written in the report was so different with the current Hongqi who she spend time with everyday. They were far so different with each other.
At first she thought Hongqi was just the usual rich arrogant womanizer. She never thought that this man has far more darker side. She suddenly felt afraid and cautious.
"Is this the real Hongqi?" Xiulan thought. Her head was full of doubts.
In Hongqi's office, there was a commotion happening. It was Gong Yuming pleading to Hongqi not to leave her.
"Hongqi my baby, please don't leave me. I will do everything for you. Please don't leave me!" Gong Yuming shamelessly pleaded. She doesn't care if she looks ridiculous and pitiful right now. As long as she gets Hongqi again, everything will be back to normal.
Because of Hongqi's wedding announcement, Yuming didn't have the 'Hongqi card' privilege anymore and directors started to bully her.
"Yuming… you know I'm getting married. Please stop embarrassing yourself." Hongqi coldly looked at the thick-faced Yuming.
"I can be your mistress!" Yuming blatantly suggested like it's a good thing.
Hongqi furrowed his eyebrows.
"Are you hearing yourself?" Hongqi can't believe the Gong Yuming that most men adored would stoop this low.
"Yes! I don't care. I only want you and it'll always be you." Yuming exhibited great affection towards Hongqi. She will not let her golden man get away from her. If she has to share her man with someone else, it'll be okay as long he's there to support her.
Yuming suddenly threw herself at Hongqi and hugged him.
Again she pleaded. "Please… don't leave me." She tried to be sexy but it failed.
Hongqi disgustingly looked at her crying face. It was ugly and Hongqi thought that Yuming should get an acting workshop specializing in crying. Her crying face was really uncomfortable to look at.
Hongqi was about to remove Yuming's arms around him but the thick-faced actress refused to let go.
"Let go." Hongqi firmly said. Yuming shook her head disapprovingly.
"I said let go, Gong Yuming." Hongqi commanded. This time his tone has a threat.
Instead of letting go, she kissed Hongqi on the lips torridly. She even tried to put her tongue inside but Hongqi's lips were strongly pursed.
Secretary Yang Bo was inside the office as well. The scene was a normal occurrence. Women that Hongqi used to date have done that before but they were all thrown away. No one was outside to receive incoming guests so they didn't notice someone entered the hallway.
Just in time of the kissing scene, Xiulan was outside the office and saw all the events that happened inside. The door was slightly opened and she only peeked to check.
She was shocked of course but not to the extent of getting angry or jealous since she doesn't have any feelings for him.
She just finds it weird and amusing that this is happening to her. She doesn't know if she should feel sad or depressed.
She immediately retreated Hongqi's office and went back to his car.
All the questions that her mind created after she read the reports finally have an answer.
"My sister is right. This man will never change." Xiulan sighed.
"My heart, I will be living with this man until my last breath. I'm counting on you, please never let me fall in love with him." She silently pleaded to her heart.