Zhenyi turned to look at Long Jie in surprise. "How on earth is this possible? Everyone knows about the ongoing rivalry between Dus and Xins. Even Aria. Then, how did she get acquainted with him?"
"Try not to kill Du Zheng later," Long Jie said as he kissed her lips. "He is the host of the event and you will be meeting him later."
Moreover, Du Zheng was Long Jie's prey. To have evil intentions for his wife? He would deal with him in his way. He would let him fly for now. Because it hurted more to fall from the peak.
Many people who recognized Zheny stiffened when they saw her and Long Jie together, holding hands. Since when did these two families become friends? They were those people who used to incite these two families against each other and took advantage of the situation.
Just like during the cold war, the world was divided into two camps initially -- USA camp and USSR camps. One camp used to side with the USA and another with the USSR. And later a new camp emerged who joined neither and decided to have friendship with both the camps. In similar ways, there were two camps in the capital city, one followed Xins blindly and others followed Longs. And the nouveau riche class that emerged later, decided to have friendly relations with both of the families as they couldn't afford to offend any of the two major power groups.
It was natural that people would be surprised to see Xin Zhenyi and Long Jie together with apparent romantic feelings for each other. People were even wondering if they were transported to another dynamic.
"It's nice to meet you again, Miss Xin," a middle-aged man said, who had previously partnered with Xin corporations for a project. He turned to Long Jie and greeted him professionally.
"Likewise, Mr. Shen," Zhenyi said with a polite smile. "Please meet my husband, Mr. Long."
Even though Mr. Shen was shocked to hear about their relationship, he still maintained a neutral smile on his face.
This news spread like wildfire. And so, many people came and greeted them to hear the truth with their own ears.
"You sure know how to become sensational news," Du Zheng's voice rang, making Zhenyi and Long Jie veer around to see him smiling at them. He greeted them," Mr. Long and Mrs. Long, it's my pleasure to have you here." Du Zheng's eyes lingered on Zhenyi's body for a little more than tolerated. "And you look as stunning as ever, Mrs. Long."
"I will send you my ophthalmologist's number, Mr. Du," Long Jie said as he snaked his arm around Zhenyi's waist.
"Excuse me?" Du Zheng's smile faltered.
"You will need it after I pluck out your eyes," Long Jie said with another signature smile of his.
Zhenyi laughed after hearing Long Jie's words. "Don't mind him. He is a little possessive. He won't touch you." Her mismatched eyes turned dark suddenly as she added, "For now."
They trotted away with another laugh. "What a fine piece of chess you will make, Du Zheng."
Du Zheng felt a pat on his shoulder as he looked up to see his father looking at him in utter concern. "I warned you, son. But you didn't listen to me. They are more smart than their previous generation. They have been fighting with each other for no reason for several decades. In the end, they united, didn't they? Why are you hellbent on destroying your life?"
Du Zheng had a headache listening to his father's cowardly words. How could he make his father understand that he would defeat Xin Zhenyi and get his hand on whatever Xins own including the infamous heiress?
"Dad, if I say that I will defeat and conquer Xin Zhenyi, I mean it," Du Zheng said, his eyes lingering on Zhenyi's back for a second. "I have something or someone who will make her submit to me. I told you before too and I am telling you again that I have the key to her destruction. Let her fly for a moment before I clip off her wings."
Du Zheng's father couldn't take his son's stupid obsession with Xins anymore. "Have you gone blind, Du Zheng? Can't you see who was standing next to her? That is Long Jie. You may not know but I know better than anyone what the look in his eyes says. He will destroy every force that intends to hurt his wife. Son, men in love are more dangerous than men out on missions. Don't let this stupid obsession of yours to be your damnation."
"We will see, father. We will see." With this said, Du Zheng left, leaving his sighing father behind.
___
Zhenyi felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked behind to see a grinning Mya. She was standing with her father to talk to her.
"Mya!" Zhenyi said with surprise. She met this young girl on the same day she got into the accident. She nodded at Mr. He, who was Mya's father.
Mya launched herself into Zhenyi's arms as the latter recognized her. "Are you fine, Miss Zhenyi? I was so worried that day. I'm so happy that you are perfectly healthy."
Zhenyi was awkward in this situation. She had never received warmth from the outsiders. So when Mya hugged her as if her life depended on it, she didn't know what to do. When she saw Long Jie smiling at her, telling her to take it easy, she hugged back the girl.
"I'm perfectly fine, young lady. Tell me how are you?" Zhenyi asked Mya as the latter just grinned in reply. "Does your dad again fix your wedding with Du Zheng's prodigal brother?"
"Oh, I kicked that scumbag in his nuts when he approached me," Mya replied, making Zhen and Long Jie laugh with her sassy reply. The girl had changed so much in these few months."Moreover, I realized that I'm in love with someone else!"