Chapter 21: What’s Your Relationship
The auctioneer announced, “Seven million once, seven million twice, seven million three times, congratulations to the lady with number 38 for successfully bidding on this Romantic Star pink diamond!”
Meng Yan’s expression stiffened, showing no sign of joy.
Once the deal is hammered, it cannot be reversed.
If Zhao Yunrui didn’t help her pay this money, she wouldn’t have the ability to pay.
If Dad found out, he would definitely scold her mercilessly.
If it spread out, she would lose all face.
The last few lots were master paintings, some realistic and some abstract, and art-savvy collectors bid generously without hesitation.
Meng Shuyou admired these artworks up close and gained a bit of inspiration.
Of course, screwing Meng Yan over made her mood even better.
The auction ended, and Mark went backstage to handle the delivery procedures.
Pei Yuzhou hadn’t returned yet, so Meng Shuyou went to find him.
He was on the deck, with a strange man beside him, probably his friend.
Meng Shuyou didn’t go over to disturb them and stood to the side blowing in the wind.
Zhao Hesong noticed her first and spoke up proactively, “Brother Zhou, a beauty is looking for you.”
He raised his eyebrows, “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Last time at the race car club, it seemed to be this girl too.
He remembered this pair of pure eyes very clearly.
Pei Yuzhou narrowed his eyes, “Are you very idle?”
“I’m almost busy to death, but that doesn’t stop me from finding some gossip.” Zhao Hesong grinned roguishly and went straight over to ask: “What’s your name, beauty? Let’s get to know each other.”
“Meng Shuyou.” She answered.
Zhao Hesong introduced himself, “Hello, I’m Zhao Hesong, Brother Zhou’s friend.”
Meng Shuyou felt his name was a bit familiar.
Zhao Family…
She remembered, “You’re the eldest young master of the Zhao Family in Bin City?”
Zhao Hesong was quite surprised, “You know me?”
Meng Shuyou: “I’ve heard of you.”
The one in the Zhao Family who holds real power is this man right here, but he stays abroad year-round managing the branch company and rarely returns to the country.
“Then it seems we have quite a connection.” Zhao Hesong turned to ask, “Brother Zhou, shall we go grab a drink together?”
“No time.” Before leaving, Pei Yuzhou instructed Meng Shuyou, “There are rooms upstairs to rest in; ask the staff for the room card.”
She nodded lightly, “Okay.”
Zhao Hesong glanced in the direction Pei Yuzhou left and muttered, “Why did he just leave? Is he really that busy?”
Once the figure disappeared around the corner, he turned back to Meng Shuyou, “Miss Meng, what’s your relationship with him?”
Meng Shuyou herself didn’t even know what her current relationship with Mister Pei was, “Just friends.”
“Friends?” Zhao Hesong smirked meaningfully, “Not ordinary friends, right?”
Apart from business cooperation partners, Pei Yuzhou never seemed to have any female friends around him, let alone personally bringing someone to an auction.
“Meng Shuyou!”
A sharp voice suddenly cut in, breaking the quiet.
Meng Yan walked over quickly, confirmed she wasn’t mistaken, and asked with a dark face: “Why are you here?”
Meng Shuyou hadn’t expected to run into her anyway, showed no expression on her face, and calmly countered: “Why can’t I be here?”
Meng Yan was already full of anger from the auction and her expression twisted out of control, “Where did you get the invitation letter from?”
Zhao Hesong watched the drama and couldn’t resist chiming in, “Who’s this? So fierce-looking?”
Meng Shuyou said bluntly: “Your future sister-in-law.”
Zhao Hesong was slightly surprised, “Her?”
When did Zhao Yunrui’s taste get so bad?
Oh, it couldn’t be put that way; Zhao Yunrui wasn’t much better himself—anyone who wanted him was good enough.
“You’re Mister Zhao?” Meng Yan froze in place; earlier she’d been focused on questioning Meng Shuyou and hadn’t looked closely at the man beside her.
This face was somewhat similar to Zhao Yunrui’s, but the temperament was completely different—one was weak-willed and without opinion, the other had proud brows exuding shrewdness.
Compared side by side, the difference was clear.
How did Meng Shuyou get involved with the Zhao Family’s eldest young master?
“Where’s Zhao Yunrui? Why are you alone?” Zhao Hesong asked casually.
Meng Yan’s earlier arrogance was gone, “I’m looking for him too.”
Zhao Hesong didn’t get involved with them, “You two chat; I’m leaving first.”
Once he left, Meng Yan immediately pressed: “Meng Shuyou, how do you know Mister Zhao? Did he bring you here?”
The more impatient she got, the calmer Meng Shuyou was, “I don’t seem obligated to tell you.”
Meng Yan’s face turned ashen, her eyes dark and gloomy as she warned her, “Don’t forget, Dad has already arranged a marriage alliance for you; you’d better stay away from other men.”
“This is my business.” Meng Shuyou walked straight past her into the cabin.
Meng Yan gripped her bag tightly, her long manicured nails scratching marks on the leather.
If Meng Shuyou really got together with the Zhao Family’s eldest young master, what standing would she have in the Zhao Family in the future?
She absolutely could not let that happen.
–
Meng Shuyou went to the bar and ordered a special drink, eating two pieces of dessert.
Meng Zhenhua’s telephone call came at this moment.
It had to be said that Meng Yan’s speed at tattling was truly fast.
From the receiver came a rough, thick voice, “Yan Yan says you were also at Phillips’s auction; who did you go with?”
Meng Shuyou pinched the straw and stirred the cocktail, “A friend brought me; I just wanted to see the paintings at this auction.”
Meng Zhenhua was half-believing, “I heard you know Zhao Yunrui’s older brother.”
Meng Shuyou leaned on the high stool, “Just ordinary friends.”
“Yan Yan is about to marry Zhao Yunrui; keep your distance from that Zhao Family member so people don’t gossip.”
Meng Zhenhua had his own considerations; if there wasn’t the marriage between Meng Yan and Zhao Yunrui, he would actually approve of Meng Shuyou contacting Zhao Hesong, but now with the marriage alliance in place, there was no need to waste another marriage; currently he needed to establish deep cooperation with the Xu Family, so Meng Shuyou could only marry into the Xu Family.
“I know.” Meng Shuyou responded along with his words.
“If there’s nothing, stay obediently at school and don’t run around; after all, it’s not safe outside.”
“Mm.”
Whatever Meng Zhenhua said, Meng Shuyou obediently agreed.
After handling this call, she put down her mobile phone and ordered another special drink.
Low-alcohol fruit wine with a refreshing taste, mixed with jasmine tea and red pomegranate syrup to dilute the rum flavor.
She drank alone at the bar counter, and from time to time men came up to strike up a conversation, all politely refused by her.
Fortunately, none were persistently clingy.
The resident band performed on stage, livening up the atmosphere.
More and more people came in; Meng Shuyou felt it stuffy, took her mobile phone, left the bar, and went up to the deck for some fresh air.
The cruise ship sailed slowly on the sea, swaying gently left and right from time to time.
The night was thick, the sea surface dark and gloomy, with only the ship’s lights brightly lit.
She didn’t know if it was the aftereffects of the alcohol, but her head felt a bit dizzy.
For no reason, she dialed Pei Yuzhou’s telephone.
The “beep beep” tone rang in the air.
About half a minute later, the other end picked up.
Waves whispered past.
“What’s wrong?”
Through the phone, his voice sounded especially low and magnetic.
Meng Shuyou squatted on the ground and asked softly: “Mister Pei, are you done with your work?”
