Chapter 1049 Not Strange

“I’m providing her with an opportunity.”

Ling Qingan swirled her wine glass, a pair of delicate brows subtly arched.

“President Xiao is this generous?”

Xiao Yize raised an eyebrow, “Depends on the person. If it’s Miss Ling, I don’t mind being generous this time.”

Ling Qingan paused slightly, then couldn’t help but laugh softly.

This petty man.

Clearly, he was retaliating for her earlier doubts about his quirks, while pretending to be magnanimous.

Ling Qingan felt a bit helpless inside, but the smile on her face was pure and real, making her features exceptionally lively.

She looked at Xiao Yize meaningfully, “Really, any request can be granted?”

Xiao Yize nodded, “Naturally.”

“Any request whatsoever?”

“Hmm.”

Ling Qingan took a sip of wine, then stared straight at him, “What if I want the Xiao Family?”

Ye Zhichen gasped sharply.

Shen Ji also widened his eyes slightly, quickly looking at Xiao Yize for fear that Ling Qingan’s words would anger him.

However, to Shen Ji’s surprise, Xiao Yize not only wasn’t the least bit displeased upon hearing this but instead looked at Ling Qingan with eyes as black as ink and full of interest, his face brimming with thick amusement.

“Miss Ling, that’s not a request a sister would make.”

“Then whose request is it?”

Xiao Yize curled his lip, a faint arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Mistress of the Xiao Family.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere fell silent once more.

Strangely eerie.

Ye Zhichen’s sound of a cold breath intake was slightly louder than before. Suddenly, a penetrating chill spread from a certain direction.

Having mingled in the entertainment industry for years, she was sensitive to the detection of such energies. Her gaze turned towards the source of the chilling aura, spotting Wen Jichen taking sip after sip of the wine in his glass.

He still looked composed, his expression unchanged.

Yet, the cold severity and ferocity emanating from him weren’t quite right.

He glanced sideways at the beautiful, gentle woman beside him, tugging slightly at his lips.

Truly worthy of being a good brother.

He lowered his gaze and took a sip of water, drowning all the room’s light and the emotions in his eyes in darkness.

Ling Qingan heard this yet was unashamed, she tilted her lips up, nodding calmly.

“Indeed, it seems I was presumptuous. But compared to being President Xiao’s sister, I prefer to be your partner.”

As she spoke, she raised her eyebrows and lifted her glass towards Xiao Yize. Compared to her previously vibrant and expressive features, now there was an unshakeable determination in her eyes.

“I’m wondering if President Xiao is willing to grant this opportunity?”

Listening to Ling Qingan’s unabashedly purposeful words, Xiao Yize found it even more amusing.

The woman’s smile was shallow, her casual tone unchanged from before, yet her dazzlingly bright eyes radiated unbridled ambition.

He raised an eyebrow, the arc at the corner of his lips growing larger, and clinked glasses with her.

“Agreed.”

Ling Qingan smiled and finished her glass of wine in one go.

Not a drop left!

Seeing her empty glass again, Shen Ji felt helpless, “Drink less; though this wine isn’t strong, too much will make you uncomfortable.”

Ling Qingan smiled, “I know, thank you, senior.”

A few people gathered for a small party, and from start to finish, Ling Qingan didn’t say a single word to Wen Jichen and Yin Xiner, nor did she look at them even once.

To her, the two were like air, completely nonexistent.

Wen Jichen also didn’t say a word, merely drinking one glass after another.

“Jichen, drink less; don’t let your stomach upset later.”

Seeing Wen Jichen change glass after glass, Yin Xiner couldn’t help but speak up.

Wen Jichen glanced at her, seeing her gentle face full of concern, and his expression grew slightly dazed, his thoughts drifted away.

“Wen Jichen, what’s the taste of alcohol?”

“I don’t care, you drink a glass, I’ll drink a glass!”

“If you get drunk today, don’t expect to go home!”

“Wen Jichen, I’m drunk; you carry me home!”

“Wen Jichen, alcohol isn’t tasty at all; why do you still like to drink?”

“If you drink and feel stomach discomfort again, I won’t care about you!”

The one who used to chat incessantly before him, now won’t even spare him a glance.

First Shen Ji, now Xiao Yize.

Before them, she’s outspoken and adept.

Does she consider him dead?

Wen Jichen’s face grew slightly somber, he glanced at Yin Xiner quietly beside him, not noisy.

Forget it.

Let it be.

Compared to her unfeelingness, Yin Xiner is much more thoughtful and sensible.

Yin Xiner kept looking up at Wen Jichen’s cold, handsome face, only to see his lips draw into a cold smile.

That smile made her heart turn cold, and her whole heart followed suit.

His smiles never hide but never reach his eyes; they seem never to come from the heart.

It remains unchanged even in front of her.

Outsiders say that the Wen and Yin Families are well-matched, a strong alliance, and it’s natural for the two to marry.

Initially, she thought so too.

But why does it feel now that the distance between them is growing ever wider?

Her eyes flickered, gazing across to see Ling Qingan chatting and laughing with Xiao Yize. Yin Xiner smiled slightly.

“I didn’t expect Miss Ling to know President Xiao, and they seem quite familiar with each other.”

Hearing her own name, Ling Qingan looked up at Yin Xiner, seeing her with an elegant smile, her brow deepened the smile.

“Is it strange for me to know President Xiao?” She turned to Su Ran, asking.

Su Ran shook her head, “It’s not strange.”

Ling Qingan swirled the wine in her glass, chuckling softly, “Seems Miss Yin isn’t puzzled about me knowing President Xiao but rather why despite the Ling Family’s bankruptcy, I still know President Xiao.”

Yin Xiner’s eyes showed a trace of unease.

Ling Qingan’s words were straightforward and blunt, revealing her intention to say despite the Ling Family’s collapse, how come she still knows Xiao Yize.

The atmosphere, once harmonious, gradually turned cold and stagnant.

Unsure whether it was because of Yin Xiner’s words or Ling Qingan’s sarcasm.

Ling Qingan found it rather meaningless, so Su Ran took her and Ye Zhichen away.

–

Once they left, Xiao Yize and Shen Ji also dispersed.

Yin Xiner, one of the focal points of the evening, soon found herself surrounded by others, leaving Wen Jichen alone.

Standing amidst the crowd, he was dignified and elegant, exuding a remarkable aura.

He drank one glass after another, almost never stopping.

His deep eyes coldly stared at the figure socializing in the crowd not far away; he drew a smile on his handsome face, but the chill in his gaze and demeanor sent shivers down the spine.