spring bite mark

Chapter 51: Video Request from Xie Yunxi
After a brief eye contact, Jiang Manman looked away.

Xie Yuheng, however, did not move forward. Instead, he stood still, his cold aura softening slightly as he waited quietly.

Chen Mohan had already witnessed the Hong Kong tycoon's subtle feelings for Yan Changye's beloved wife at the previous banquet. Although Yan Changye was not present at the moment, his vengeful nature was well-known in the industry, so Chen Mohan dared not hesitate and immediately stepped forward, subtly blocking Jiang Manman's path.

"Why isn't Chairman Xie going in? Are you waiting for your fiancée, Miss Murong?"

Xie Yuheng's eyes darkened as he met Chen Mohan's gaze: "Since when has Chairman Chen become so concerned about my private affairs?"

Chen Mohan laughed and said, "No, no, I just happened to hear that Miss Murong has arrived in the capital and is on her way here, so I asked."

Beside Xie Yuheng, his assistant Li Ke glanced at his phone and whispered, "Boss, Miss Murong will indeed be coming."

Behind Chen Mohan, Chen Jinzhou's eyes had been scanning the group of Xie Group executives around Xie Yuheng the moment Xie Yuheng appeared. After looking for a while, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Which one of you is Xie Yunxi, the CEO of Xie Group?"

Behind Xie Yuheng, a director of the Xie family conglomerate spoke up:
"President Xie Yunxi has something urgent to attend to and cannot make it."

"He's not coming?" Chen Jinzhou was surprised and disappointed. "He's not coming to the project launch meeting between the two sides in the Imperial Port? It's such an important event, and he's not coming?"

"The grandson is sick, and Mr. Xie needs to stay in Hong Kong to take care of the child," the director explained casually.

Jiang Manman paused for a moment.

Is Xie Jian sick?
She looked down and pulled out Xie Yunxi's WeChat, thought for a moment, and sent him a message:
Jiang Manman: [Thank you for your help. How are you?]

The message disappeared without a trace, and no response was received for a long time.

Jiang Manman thought of the adorable child who had excitedly helped her with her luggage just a few days ago. After hesitating for a moment, she got up and walked towards the group of people from the Xie family conglomerate.

She stopped two meters away from Xie Yuheng and asked the director who had just spoken, "Did you see him? Is he seriously ill?"

“It’s just the common flu.” Xie Yuheng answered her, his cold voice becoming unusually gentle when speaking to Jiang Manman. “She has already taken medicine and will be fine in a few days.”

Jiang Manman paused for a moment: "That's good then."

Chen Jinzhou had encouraged Chen Mohan to spend a fortune on a private cruise banquet, with one obvious purpose: to bring Xie Yunxi over and teach him a lesson. He had been hoping for this for days, only to be met with such a disappointing outcome, and he was deeply resentful.

“The flu is no big deal. Why does he need to personally take care of him? If it really comes to it, he can bring the child on the cruise ship to recuperate. I’ll assign him two pediatricians.”

“Young Master Chen is not married, so naturally he doesn’t know how important children are in their parents’ eyes.” Another Xie Group executive sneered, “Moreover, our president has always been mysterious. He can even refuse an invitation from the British royal family, let alone a private banquet from your little Chen family.”

"...Give me Xie Yunxi's phone number." Chen Jinzhou was furious. "I'll call him myself."

"Giving you his phone number won't help," a senior executive of the Xie Group sneered. "Our CEO, Xie Yunxi, usually has his phone switched off. Even we can't get through to him, let alone outsiders."

"If you can't get through on the phone, how do you usually contact each other?" Chen Jinzhou insisted. "Weibo? WeChat? QQ? Give me all your social media accounts, I still have to try to contact you."

"Unfortunately, our CEO Xie also never uses social media accounts." The Xie Group executive glanced at him. "The CEO is busy with important matters and doesn't like socializing. It's best not to bother him unless it's urgent. Even if it is, our chairman is here, so just talk to him."

Xie Yuheng stood in the crowd, ignoring the conversation between the higher-ups and Chen Jinzhou, his gaze fixed quietly on Jiang Manman.

Jiang Manman, however, had no time to pay attention to Xie Yuheng's scrutiny.

She looked down at her phone; the WeChat chat window was still showing her conversation with Xie Yunxi. A quick swipe up revealed all sorts of messages and emojis from him… No WeChat? Dislikes socializing? Then who had she been chatting with these past few months?

Jiang Manman was lost in thought for a moment.

In the distance, Jiang Tiancheng and Chen Suyan approached hand in hand, immediately spotting Jiang Manman blocking the boarding gate. Chen Suyan stepped forward and took her daughter's hand:
"Manman, what are you standing here for? It's so windy. Come inside with Mommy."

"No need, Dad, Mom, you go in first. I'll wait for my company's employees." Jiang Manman snapped out of her daze and replied obediently.

Beside him, Xie Yuheng greeted them politely: "Uncle, Aunt."

He was always aloof and difficult to approach, and the heads of the six powerful families present did not show him any courtesy. However, in front of Jiang Tiancheng and Chen Suyan, he properly performed the etiquette of a junior, which attracted many sideways glances.

Jiang Tiancheng paused for a moment: "Chairman Xie, hello."

Xie Yuheng spoke gently, "It's been six years. Uncle and Aunt, how have you been?"

Jiang Tiancheng glanced at Jiang Manman and replied politely, "It's fine, thank you for your concern, Dong."

“I remember my uncle loves tea. Last month I bought a box of Wuyi Mountain mother tree Da Hong Pao tea. I’ll bring it to him in a few days so we can drink it together,” Xie Yuheng said softly.

Jiang Tiancheng glanced at Jiang Manman again: "Chairman Xie, there's no need for this. You and Manman are not what they used to be, so it's not appropriate for you to come to the Jiang family again. If you really need a tea buddy, I'll personally visit you when you have time."

After saying that, he gave Chen Suyan a subtle wink.

Chen Suyan took Jiang Manman's hand and said, "Since you don't want to board the ship yet, come with your mother to see the scenery."

Jiang Manman obediently followed her to a distance, where they stood under a tree enjoying the sea breeze.

"Where is Chairman Yan?" Chen Suyan finally spoke up. "Why did you hang out with Xie Yuheng? I wonder what Chairman Yan will think if he sees this. Be more careful in the future."

"Mom, I understand," Jiang Manman explained in a low voice. "Yan Changye has to go on a business trip and may not be back for a few days."

"Try not to get too close to Xie Yuheng on the boat. If you're bored, come find your mother," Chen Suyan reminded him repeatedly, then glanced at Xie Yuheng, who was still exchanging pleasantries with Jiang Tiancheng.

Her tone was tinged with regret: "Speaking of which, Xie Yuheng was also someone who cared about you. Back then, he would come to your house every few days. His eyes were full of you, like he was doting on his daughter. I've never seen a man dote on a woman like that in my life... Fortunately, Chairman Yan treats you very well now."

“Mom, let’s not talk about the past.” Jiang Manman interrupted, “Xie Yuheng’s fiancée will be here later. You and Dad should keep your distance from Xie Yuheng to avoid being misunderstood by his girlfriend.”

“We know what we’re doing,” Chen Suyan patted her hand.

Before Jiang Manman could say anything more, her WeChat notification rang.

She looked down and saw Xie Yunxi, who had been silent for a long time, start to move.

Xie Yunxi: [Video?]

Before she could answer, a video popped up.

(End of this chapter)