Chapter 81 - Old Times Sake

We all have heard, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.'

But this saying has left with no meaning in today's society. Why? Because the real problem lies with... We can't even tell friends and enemies apart anymore. In fact, enemies have become more sincere than friends. At least, they know how to show their hatred and dislike for you instead of wearing the facades of friendship.

Seeing that woman dazzling in her million-dollar ensemble, Xiu closed her eyes briefly as some bitter memories resurfaced in her mind. 

A dainty hand holding her elbow and saying, "Chen Xiu, you're the perfect life partner for my cousin. I can't believe we'll be cousins-in-law." That squealing voice was still vivid in her memory. But so was another voice...

"You don't worry at all, Auntie. I'll make sure to throw that Chen Xiu out of my cousin's life. Just because she is called Goddess Xiu, does she think she can raise her status? I'll never let her use our family name. She isn't deserving of it at all!"

When Xiu opened her eyes again, her aura took some shifts. The anger and hatred which was easily visible on her face were nowhere to be found anymore. Her face was as impassive as it could get. She had unclenched her fists and the hard countenance of hers also altered back to her languid self.

With her heels clanking on the marble floor, the woman came to their table and sat down opposite them. Xiu noticed the look on Dylan's face which was unlike hers. He wasn't being humble with his hatred at all. His dissatisfaction was written all over his face. And it made Xiu curious to know what animosity these two had.

"Ms. Hu, I don't have time to deal with you right now," was Dylan's way of starting the conversation.

The woman before them named Hu Shishi stared at Dylan's face for a moment longer and said, "You're still not very nice with words, Dylan."

"Are we on good terms? I don't think so. Please, I don't allow unfamiliar people to call me by my first name. Don't try to get familiar with me." Dylan was hell-bent on not giving her face at all and if Xiu said she didn't like it, she'd most definitely be lying about that. Because she was enjoying this very much.

The expressions on Hu Shishi's face were a sight to behold. And that allowed Xiu to have even calmer outlook than before. Xiu knew Hu Shishi's personality and was really surprised to see that she was trying hard to keep her temper in check before Dylan.

But she was more curious to find why? Either it was because Dylan's status and identity were better than hers or something else?

Hu Shishi clasped her hands together and gave Xiu a fleeting look before speaking again, "Can we have a proper conversation? Alone?"

If Xiu could tell that by 'alone' she meant to send Xiu out, then how could Dylan be this dense? He got up from his chair and said, "I don't think we have anything to talk about. Stop using these cheap tricks."

Hu Shishi stood up as well and held his hand to stop him. Dylan turned and glared at her making her take a step back. "Mr. Qiu, can you leave our differences aside for a while? I just need fifteen minutes of yours."

Dylan looked at her for a moment longer and said, "Ms. Bai, order a meal for yourself." Xiu looked at him with raised brows while he continued, "Don't be polite, Ms. Hu will pay for the meal."

Hu Shishi was gnashing her teeth when she heard that he was asking her to pay for his secretary's meal. The secretary who was nothing in her eyes whom she didn't even spare a second glance. But now that she looked at Xiu, she was stunned. 

With her hair down, Xiu's small face looked beautiful. In her white and beige pantsuit, she was looking formal and elegant. From her sitting posture to her expressions, she didn't give out the vibe of being a secretary. Rather, the term 'ice beauty' suited her better.

That look of hatred in Hu Shishi's eyes made Xiu's lips to curl up. She didn't know it'd be fun to see Hu Shishi being like this. That's why on purpose she asked Dylan, "Will you not be joining me for lunch?"

This nice gesture of Xiu was scarier than her murder plans. Well, at least to Dylan it was. Before he could reply, Hu Shishi jutted in, "What kind of a secretary are you? Don't you even know that Dylan doesn't eat lunch?"

In fact, Xiu really didn't know that. But now that she mentioned it, Xiu remembered not seeing Dylan eating lunch during her week or so time with him. "I'll join you later after having a talk with Ms. Hu." Dylan's answer was for Xiu but it certainly was to irk Hu Shishi. And it worked very well. "Let's talk somewhere else, Ms. Hu."

Dylan didn't even wait for her and walked off in another direction. Xiu could see them through the glass windows but couldn't hear anything. But from her overthinking, she had conjectured that Hu Shishi liked Dylan. Woah! Even though she hated Dylan but for being a decent man, she'd want him to be with a better person. And the hypocrite Hu Shishi wasn't that person at all.

Meanwhile, Dylan had taken a seat in the outdoor dining area. Hu Shishi looked innocent and docile as she sat before him. Dylan looked at his watch and said, "Your time starts now."

"Dylan, back then I really didn't know-?"

Her words were cut off when Dylan raised his hand to stop her. "If you're here to discuss that, let's not do it."

Hu Shishi took a deep breath and composed herself. "Okay. Let's talk business then," she started as she looked straight at his face and continued, "RX Studios has signed the deal for Flick City. I've heard from a source that you're close to the mysterious person behind RX Studios. Can't you help my cousin for old times sake?"

"Old times sake? Why are you talking like we dated or something?" Dylan looked really annoyed as he spoke. "We were never on good terms and you made it worse by messing with my family. But then again, look where it got you."

"If PassionArts Entertainment really didn't get this deal... My cousin will get in trouble. Uncle has given him an ultimatum. If he didn't seal this deal, his position in the family business will get-"

"Do I have to listen to this sob story?" asked Dylan without an ounce of empathy.