Chapter 212 - Guan Gao Huan's secret

Xiong Zhi spent a lot of time with her friends.

Various entertainments came as well. Xiong Zhi changed gowns three times, matching with the activities prepared for the night. She danced once with her grandfather, once with Little Ryu, twice with her Uncle Nuen Zai, and several times with her two male friends, Lu Yin Ze and Gu Zhen.

Xiong Zhi was now dancing for the third time with Lu Yin Ze. She now wore a purple gown and her hair was braided in an updo style. She was truly beautiful.

"My gift will surely suit you along with this gown," Lu Yin Ze suddenly said.

Xiong Zhi looked at him.

"Do you want to know what it is?" Lu Yin Ze asked teasingly.

Xiong Zhi thought about it.

"No, I think with the element of surprise, I will find the gift more pleasant," Xiong Zhi replied.

"Yeah, I thought so too," Lu Yin Ze smiled as he bantered with Xiong Zhi.

They danced for two more songs. Xiong Zhi would rather dance with Lu Yin Ze than to do so with strangers. Not only that, Lu Yin Ze was also a good dancing partner, which was why she did notice that they had already danced many songs. If possible, until this segment was finished, she would only dance with him.

However, Xiong Zhi's mind was not really on their dancing but somewhere else. She kept observing her surroundings discreetly, wishing to find that person.

Lu Yin Ze noticed her lack of attention.

"Are you looking for someone?"

Xiong Zhi glanced at him.

"Am I that obvious?"

"…" Lu Yin Ze was speechless. He did not expect that return from her. He hoped she would say 'it was nothing' like usual.

'So she is expecting someone...'

"Come to think of it, your butler is not here. I haven't seen him all day." Right after saying these words, he immediately regretted them. It was too late to swallow back those words now that he had said them.

"He is busy. But who knows if he is here or not. How I wish he is here," Xiong Zhi spoke gently with hopeful eyes.

Lu Yin Ze dazedly stared at those eyes. He could not fathom what he was feeling at the moment, but his mouth moved on its own. "Why do you wish for him to be here?"

Xiong Zhi's thoughtful gaze fell behind him, perhaps she was looking at something else, or perhaps she was remembering something.

Lu Yin Ze's heart skipped a beat. Maybe he should not ask. He should have stopped his own mouth.

"Have you ever liked someone?" Xiong Zhi asked him as she returned her gaze back at him. 

Lu Yin Ze flinched. The sudden question was unexpected.

"If you have, you will then understand how I feel," Xiong Zhi told with utmost seriousness.

Squeeze.

"I see." He only managed to spit out these words, as another guest had already respectfully stretched out his hand for their turn to dance with Xiong Zhi. 

Lu Yin Ze could no longer pay attention on who the owner of the hand was. Lost in his thoughts, he numbly passed her hand to that person and excused himself.

His heart was pounding loudly. But it was not the same as what he had felt on his birthday, when it had felt so warm and exhilarating. This heartbeat was too loud, painful with every beat.

He just learned something today.

His friend, Xiong Zhi, liked another person. 

And it was not him.

*****

Gaun Xixin stared at Lu Yin Ze's retreating back.

Did he do something to offend that kid? Guan Xixin inwardly wondered why the man did not return his greeting nor did he even look at him. He looked dejected as he left.

"Thank you for asking me to dance, Young Master Xixin."

Guan Xixin looked back at Xiong Zhi and smiled politely.

"Xin is fine. And it's my pleasure to have this dance with you."

Xiong Zhi returned his polite smile.

"As you wish, Young Master Xin it is, then. Thank you for coming to my birthday celebration," Xiong Zhi said as they began to dance to the next song.

"It's my honor. I am actually quite surprised with the turn of events today. Please pardon my grandfather for acting rudely and making such jokes."

Xiong Zhi lightly shook her head.

"It's alright. The elders seem to enjoy themselves."

"Yeah, it's true." Guan Xixin lightly laughed as he remembered Lu Yin Ze's face in front of everyone. They both became victims today. He glanced back again at Lu Yin Ze's direction. He actually wanted to talk to him, as they had been playmates before when they were still little. It appeared though that today was not a good time.

Also, he wanted to ask some things that happened in the past. Maybe with Lu Yin Ze, he could get answers.

He looked back again at the future heir of the Xiong Empire.

"I am really amazed and happy for you. Congratulations, Young Miss," Guan Xixin sincerely congratulated Xiong Zhi.

Xion Zhi smiled at this man. She had met him twice.

Once in the past life in the Guan family's banquet when her engagement with Guan Gao Huan was announced. He came to her not to congratulate her but to offer her friendship and a way out to marry him instead of Guan Gao Huan. She did not care about his offer as she just numbly followed her grandfather's will at that time. Simply, because she doesn't care. But now, after everything happened, Xiong Zhi appreciates this man's concern for her.

And the last time they had met was at her grandfather's funeral. At that time, he gave her warnings. He appeared before her in a very different appearance from the man he met before.

They did not get truly acquainted with each other as they had only met twice. 

This man, Guan Xixin were very different from Guan Gao Huan. Even the older brother, Guan Gurin, had left a good impression on Xiong Zhi. That was why she could not fully believe that the eldest brother had done something like that. Still, although these two people have a younger brother akin to a beast, fortunately, they were not like him at all. She felt good intentions coming out from this man. That's why even they have the same blood of that beast, she could not hate them. As they were different persons.

So she was sincerely polite to these two brothers.

"Thank you. About your grandfather's gift..."

"It's all yours. It's grandfather's decision. You don't have to worry about getting dragged into the Guan's battle for successor. Still, if you're going to ask me who I intend to support, then that would be my older brother. I hope you can consider him too."

Xiong Zhi looked at Guan Xixin. This man had also said the same things in the past when they first met.

"Sure. But may I ask why you supported your older brother instead of yourself? Or, why not… your other brother?" Xiong Zhi did not want to add Guan Gao Huan to their conversation, but she was really curious about it. Why did the past life's Guan Xixin say those words to her?

"My older brother is really hardworking. Grandfather thought that he doesn't have anything special, or that he is not wise enough to rule our business empire. But I saw how my Big Bro studied all night. He restrained himself a lot from doing what he wanted to do, just to become a man deserving of my grandfather's expectations on an heir," Guan Xixin nostalgically ruminated. "He is very hardworking and he never gave up. Big Bro is also really good-natured, and very passionate for the empire. His will to rule the empire is more determined and impressive than mine. I would be truly happy if he becomes the official heir." 

Xiong Zhi knew that this man was very wise. He had not truly opened up to her, but since she would be ultimately one of the key factors in becoming the table turner in the battle for the Guan's successor, Guan Xixin decided to show his stance to her, hoping to get her support for his older brother.

Xiong Zhi looked at this man who was very proud of his older brother.

Guan Gurin must be truly a great person if his little brother looked up this much to him.

However…

Xiong Zhi's gaze drooped down. Should she say it? Would it make any difference?

"And Gao Huan..." Guan Xixin was not done speaking yet. His face turned serious. Xiong Zhi drew his gaze back at him. 

"I don't trust him," he said with conviction.

Xiong Zhi's eyebrow rose. It seemed her assumption was wrong. It would not be later that Guan Xixin developed suspicion on Guan Gao Huan. It appeared that as early as this period, way before her grandfather's funeral, he had already been guarding against Guan Gao Huan. But exactly since when? And why? What happened with that beast that even his older brother Guan Xixin suspected of him harboring ill intentions?

Xiong Zhi felt that there was a puzzle slowly revealing itself, but with a piece still missing.