Chapter Sixty-three: Fu Sitong

“See, everyone’s already said so. Why don’t you take the car in the back?”
This fellow had a rather bad temper. Lin Wan’er, arms crossed, spoke with amusement, ready to watch the drama unfold.
“Oh, then I’ll just take the car in the back.”
Ye Qiu nodded slightly and actually got out of the car.
Lin Wan’er was a bit stunned.
This guy was so obedient, without even the slightest trace of temper?
Even an ordinary person, being belittled like this, would likely snap on the spot. Someone prideful would have stormed off long ago; let alone this guy, notorious for his violent streak and quick fists.
“Wan’er, which village is your friend from? He seems so clueless.”
The girl in the front passenger seat took the opportunity to mock Lin Wan’er.
She had finally managed to get close to Xie Hao, the young master, only to find he was adept at keeping his distance, never falling for the bait she dangled.
Tonight should have been a perfect chance, but not only did Xie Hao invite friends, he brought Lin Wan’er along as well.
Ever since she’d met Lin Wan’er at the café, Xie Hao treated her with cold indifference, not even bothering with superficial politeness. How could she tolerate that?
Moreover, Wang Min had attended crash courses for socialites—if she couldn’t win over Xie Hao, all those tens of thousands spent were wasted.
“I think he’s back from some village in the Beautiful Country. You know what those rural areas are like there—either garden villas or… oh, sorry, I forgot you’ve never been abroad.”
“Tch, so what if he went to the Beautiful Country? Nothing special.”
Wang Min pursed her lips, though Xie Hao and another girl in the back seat noticed her cheeks flush and clicked their tongues in surprise.
Wang Min had never suffered such humiliation before.
“Nothing special, just more hypocrites over there.”
Lin Wan’er fanned her nose as she spoke, “What a stench. Who used cheap perfume?”
Though Lin Wan’er was brash, she was far from foolish. With her family’s reputation in the capital and tutelage under Xuan Yuan Datang, she was well-versed in both knowledge and etiquette. Wang Min was no match for her.
Wang Min’s face turned green. She shook Xie Hao’s arm, whining, “Brother Xie Hao, someone said the perfume you gave me smells bad. That’s outrageous! My brother Xie Hao has the best taste, right?”
Xie Hao...
Damn it, can’t you leave me out of this? He hurriedly said, “Everyone sit down. If we’re any later, there won’t be good spots left. I hear tonight’s Rain of Flowing Stars has attracted a huge crowd.”

…
“Hello, let me introduce you. The driver is Fu Fan, just graduated from Harvard University in the Beautiful Country. The front passenger is Fu Fan’s sister, Fu Sitong. I’m Tong Fangjin. Nice to meet you.”
“Ye Qiu.”
Though Fu Fan was another troublemaker and Xie Hao’s accomplice, Tong Fangjin seemed gentle and courteous, introducing everyone. Fu Sitong looked shy, so the atmosphere in this car was much better than the one ahead.
Both cars quickly arrived at what Xie Hao called the best vantage point.
Seaside Park.
The mountaintop was wide open, with few obstructions. The air was fresh and the moonlight romantic, making it the perfect place for lovebirds to bathe in moonlight and indulge in whispered affections.
Eight people got out and headed upward. The park, which should have been quiet at night, was now teeming with crowds.
Most couples were holding hands, displaying their intimacy. The park management seemed prepared, with plenty of security staff maintaining order along the way.
“It’s all because someone wasted time. Now the mountaintop is crowded—what a mood killer.”
Wang Min didn’t name names, but it was obvious she meant Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu seemed either not to hear or was too engrossed in conversation with Tong Fangjin to bother with her, which made Lin Wan’er even more curious.
The more Ye Qiu held back, the more she wondered how long it would take before he lost patience and sent Wang Min tumbling down the mountain.
“Wang Min, quit your whining. If we don’t hurry, we really might miss out on good spots.”
Fu Sitong went up and took Wang Min’s hand, the girls walking ahead while the boys followed behind.
All the while, Xie Hao’s eyes never left Lin Wan’er, admiring her swaying, shapely figure with barely concealed longing.
“I’m so tired. I’m wearing high heels—I can’t go on. Is there any gentleman willing to lend me an arm?”
On the mountain path, Wang Min acted coy, casting eager glances at Xie Hao.
“You knew we’d be hiking, yet you wore high heels?”
Fu Sitong took off her cloth shoes and placed them in front of Wang Min. “We have the same size. Here, let’s swap.”
“Tongtong is the best.”
Wang Min changed into the cloth shoes, tossed her heels aside, and went to link arms with Xie Hao. “Brother Xie Hao, I’m tired. You don’t mind if I hold your arm for a bit, do you?”
Fu Sitong, who was about to take Xie Hao’s hand, froze awkwardly in midair.

“Here you go.”
Ye Qiu kicked the high heels over to Fu Sitong, embarrassed. “Normally, a gentleman should help a lady put them on, but these feet smell so bad, the whole mountainside reeks.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
Fu Sitong pouted, slipped on the shoes herself, and said, “Alright, let’s hurry up.”
Just as they were about to move, a girl nearby cried out in admiration, “Honey, you’re amazing!”
Everyone turned to look. A tandem bicycle rolled past, a couple riding it while a sweaty man pushed from behind.
Several other bikes followed suit, each with a man selling his labor for the climb, a staff badge dangling from his nose. The park managers’ business acumen was truly impressive.
“Brother Xie Hao, can we do that too?”
Xie Hao glanced at Lin Wan’er, then promptly shrugged off Wang Min and went to her side. “Wan’er, I’ll share a bike with you.”
“Didn’t Wang Min want to ride with you? I’ll go with Xia Zhu instead.”
Lin Wan’er and Xia Zhu paired up. Fu Fan had hoped to ride with Xia Zhu, but now could only go with his sister.
But Fu Sitong refused, frowning. “I can’t bear it. Even if they earn their living through hard work, sitting on top feels like being a cruel landlord from the old days.”
“I’d rather walk, too.”
Ye Qiu agreed.
So while everyone else took bikes, only Fu Sitong and Ye Qiu chose to walk.
Fu Fan wasn’t comfortable letting his sister walk with a man she’d just met, but seeing the busy path and the park lights on, he could only quietly remind her and then ride with Tong Fangjin.
Ye Qiu and Fu Sitong weren’t close, and Fu Sitong’s shyness left little to talk about.
After walking for a while, the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward until Ye Qiu had to break the silence, “Your brother’s car must be worth over a million. Your family doesn’t seem ordinary, yet you don’t have any of those spoiled heiress airs.”