Chapter 1140: Chapter 428: Our Intersecting Paths (Part 2)
“This is the top floor of the Waldorf Clubhouse Building. When it was still Magic City Club, the social elite would stand here overlooking Magic City’s historical changes and the flowing river… In other words, in the first half of the 20th century, this was one of the centers of social life in Magic City.”
Upon arrival, the suite’s butler took over the role of narrator, deliberately guiding everyone in a circle.
For Zhou Wang, this kind of session was somewhat boring, merely an act to evoke atmosphere for first-time guests and showcase the high-end nature of the place.
But now Zhou Wang’s mindset was entirely different; he had this air of “whenever I stand, there is high-end,” so he simply smiled silently at the butler’s courteous introduction.
Only when the suite’s butler led everyone to the corridor leading to the suite, Zhou Wang happened to see Jian Zhuoran holding a wine glass along with another middle-aged man in a suit coming out from another suite. That was when he understood.
It turned out the suite’s butler was intentionally helping these two stall for some time to avoid awkwardness.
“Mr. Zhou!”
Seeing Zhou Wang, Jian Zhuoran and the other man, whose faces were already adorned with smiles, turned around with delight to greet.
“Sorry, sorry, I ran into some business friends with Old Wang and couldn’t personally go downstairs to welcome Mr. Zhou. Later, I will surely drink three glasses as self-punishment to apologize to Mr. Zhou…”
“Mr. Zhou, I am Wang Lijia’s father, Wang Yan. I am in the foreign trade business in Magic City. It’s an honor to meet you, an honor indeed…”
While the two exchanged warm handshakes with Zhou Wang, he glimpsed briefly at the suite door closing outside, where he caught a sight of a somewhat familiar figure, making him halt.
“Who is inside there?”
Zhou Wang instinctively inquired.
“They’re all business friends from Magic City… wait, Mr. Zhou, do you possibly know someone inside the suite?”
Noticing Zhou Wang’s strange eye contact, Jian Zhuoran hesitated before probing.
“I think I’ve seen one of them but don’t really know them well.”
As the suite door shut, cutting off the laughter inside, Zhou Wang withdrew his gaze and shook his head.
“Oh, I see.”
Jian Zhuoran, who had initially felt some inexplicable anticipation, suddenly felt relieved.
Indeed, the people seated inside, any one of them could easily overpower him, especially President Qi Kai, who was. Despite not being a local, Qi Kai had wide connections and considerable influence in Magic City. It was because he met them by chance that Jian Zhuoran had to bring Wang Yan in to toast a few drinks…
“Mr. Zhou, shall we return to the suite? The friends I invited are eagerly waiting to meet Mr. Zhou.”
At this moment, Jian Zhuoran said smilingly.
“Hmm, let’s go.”
Since Jian Zhuoran and Wang Yan’s attitude was impeccable, Zhou Wang couldn’t press them on the minor discourtesy. He nodded and motioned for them to lead the way.
…
“Duoduo, what’s wrong? Why are you staring into space all of a sudden?”
In the resting area in a corner of the Waldorf Clubhouse Building lobby, Yu Fei, waiting for his parents to arrive, turned and saw Yu Duo staring dazedly, prompting him to wave a hand in front of her.
Yu Duo withdrew her gaze from the staircase and stammered, “I… I think I saw him…”
“Hmm?”
Yu Fei was even more bewildered, “Saw who?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Yu Duo snapped back to reality and shook her head.
She wasn’t certain, as the silhouette seemed familiar but increasingly foreign.
Was it because they hadn’t met for a long time, so she couldn’t recognize him instantly from a distance?
Isaac felt inexplicable sadness.
He was surrounded by so many people. Earlier, Yu Duo had craned her neck but still hadn’t seen the person’s face. But somehow, the back of the lady next to him looked familiar to her as well.
In essence, Yu Duo thought maybe she was mistaken, or perhaps because of overflowing longing, she had conjured some illusion.
But even if it really was him, so what?
She would still end up like that day by the fountain at the Bulgari Hotel entrance, hiding in the corner, unable to muster the courage to approach.
In truth, Yu Duo knew deep down she wasn’t afraid of encountering him again, but of losing him forever once they met…
It’s like as long as she kept hiding, there’s still a sliver of hope. But if she really made contact, this last thread of hope might also sever.
“Duoduo, I feel like something’s off today…”
Not aware of the torrent of emotions within his sister’s heart, Qi Fei frowned.
“Hmm?”
Yu Duo, still lost in thought, looked at Qi Fei in confusion.
“You see, our parents received President Qi’s invitation. Logically, President Qi should have called ahead to confirm with our parents today.”
Yu Fei analyzed, “Yet, our family waited early at home, but President Qi’s call never came. Dad eventually couldn’t resist and called President Qi himself before we headed over…”
“But Uncle Qi wasn’t supposed to forget things like this, so do you mean President Qi might not want us to come?”
Though Yu Duo often showed a coy demeanor, she was still somewhat sharp.
The recent tumultuous experiences planted some worldly thorns in her once flower-filled heart, leading her to think of something immediately.
“I can’t be sure, but it’s a possibility.”
Yu Fei sighed, “After you brought it up, I thought carefully about it… In truth, though our parents constantly say President Qi is a close friend who watched us grow up, what did he do after our family fell on hard times?”
“We sold our original house cheaply to him, handed over the factory’s land contract and a large batch of medicine to him, under the guise of finding us a way. But it’s been one or two months already, where’s the way forward?”
“But brother, it seems we have no other choice…”
Yu Duo said in a low voice.
“Yeah.”
Yu Fei chuckled bitterly, “At this point, our only option is to trust him… In fact, our parents should be aware of the risks too, but like you said, we have no other option.”
“Anyway, we’re here at this super important banquet. Maybe today will bring a turning point!”
Yu Duo flashed a smile, pumping a little fist towards Yu Fei. “Brother, we all have to stay positive!”
“Haha, yes, let’s stay positive, there’s always a way out!”
Yu Fei couldn’t help but smile, infected by Yu Duo’s optimism.
Just then, accompanied by hurried footsteps, Yu Zetao and his wife carrying bags entered from the lobby entrance, Yu Fei and Yu Duo rushed over to greet them.
“Bought so many things again?”
Yu Fei, seeing the myriad of gift bags his parents were carrying, filled with various high-end cigarettes, liquors, and teas, was somewhat surprised and also a bit distressed.
These things, who knows how much money they would cost…
Given their family’s already modest situation, it was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
Yu Fei even suspected maybe Yu Zetao borrowed money again to buy these, hence why they didn’t take them along earlier, not wanting their children to witness their predicament.
The gifts for attending the banquet today were prepared in advance, but after Yu Zetao called Qi Kai earlier, something Qi Kai said got the couple to go out and buy more things, so Yu Fei and Yu Duo ended up waiting here.
“Your Uncle Qi said the guests he invited today are rather special, and we should be extra prepared, so we bought more.”
Panting briefly, with a weary expression, Yu Zetao explained before glancing at the clock in the lobby, “Alright, let’s not discuss further, let’s quickly head up; we’re already late… Yu Fei, remember later, both of you, to be mindful and courteous!”
“Don’t worry, Dad, I’m not new to accompanying you as a guest; as for Duoduo, I’ve already briefed her in advance, she won’t make you look bad.”
Upon receiving Yu Zetao’s stern instructions, Yu Fei quickly nodded.
“Dad, Mom, the restaurant is on the fifth floor, I checked with the front desk earlier.”
Yu Duo raised her hand.
Yu Zetao nodded; then the family of four grabbed various gift bags and hurriedly headed upstairs…