CHAPTER 350: CHAPTER 135: A NEW JOURNEY

"He, like the Hangs and the Feis, is nothing but a spoiled rich kid. How could he have such insight?" Wen Mai Xue said with disdain. During her time in Japan, she was so harassed by Pello that she was forced to leave her name and contact information.

Hooked by the beauty of this Eastern woman, Pello, upon returning to his country, immediately had someone investigate Wen Mai Xue’s background and family affairs. After confirming that her character and appearance were as good as reported, he launched an aggressive pursuit.

Over the past few months, at every international social event that Wen Mai Xue attended, he would always show up to lavish her with attention. Just the expenses alone had already amounted to no small sum.

"I’m not sure if Fei Qing is a spoiled rich kid, but it’s quite obvious that Hang Yishao isn’t," Pello always had his guard up regarding Hang Yishao, although for now, he couldn’t see anything special about him.

"All he does is hover around Su Ziceng like a moth to a flame; if that’s not a spoiled rich kid, what is," Wen Mai Xue looked down on those men who just revolved around women, like Qiu Zhi used to. But thinking about it, Qiu Zhi had not appeared in her line of sight for quite a while, and she wondered what he was up to. As long as Pello wasn’t that kind of man, that was enough for her.

When Pello first said he intended to pursue Su Ziceng, Wen Mai Xue worried that he might genuinely fall for Su Ziceng in this pretense, but after hearing his new plan, Wen Mai Xue’s concerns were put to rest.

"You’re truly cruel, not only planning to toy with the Su Family but also wanting to shatter Su Ziceng’s dreams," Wen Mai Xue took two glasses of red wine from a waiter nearby and handed one to Pello.

"I’m just adding a bit of fun to her path of dreams. Besides, I need a new identity to reappear in front of my dear uncle and cousin," Pello took a sip of his wine, his gaze drifting back to the direction of the garden.

"You’ll have your wish granted soon enough. Pello himself is not interested in the exclusive rights to ZARA’s Asian Region, but his father, who seems much shrewder, has different ideas," Wen Mai Xue informed him of the good news, and their glasses lightly clinked together.

In the fountain, the sound of water tinkled, spraying out in 360 degrees like a shower of broken jade, with the colorful lights shooting from every corner of the garden.

In the June courtyard, the low hum of summer insects sounded like the whispers between lovers.

Hang Yishao walked beside Su Ziceng, watching the sleeve that rose when touched by Su Ziceng’s arm fluttering in the summer breeze. He reached out, wanting to hold that hand, swaying with the sleeve.

"Do you think the newly renovated garden is pretty?" Su Ziceng’s hand suddenly disappeared, she lifted her hand to brush back the long hair the wind had tousled.

Hang Yishao felt a bit embarrassed and stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking around. He hadn’t paid attention to his surroundings while walking; his thoughts and gaze had always been on Su Ziceng next to him. Only when she mentioned it did he notice that the Su Family’s garden had been completely transformed.

"It’s alright," in fact, Hang Yishao couldn’t remember what the old Su Family garden looked like, just as he couldn’t remember what the old Su Ziceng was like. What he remembered was enough—the fleeting figure standing by his side now.

"I still prefer the old garden, where at the center there was a bald patch of lawn with a swing set up. On summer nights, one could lie on the swing’s bench, using an arm as a pillow to watch the stars," Su Ziceng reminisced, trying to find that swing in her memory.

Dressed in her gown, Su Ziceng spun around, looking lost and helpless as if she had misplaced something most precious. Hang Yishao watched her and then stepped forward to pull her to a stop.

The coat fell to the ground, and the newly planted lawn was still somewhat uneven. Su Ziceng stumbled and tilted into Hang Yishao’s embrace as he pulled her by the arm.

The familiar scent made its way to her nose, and she could hear Hang Yishao’s heart beating violently. Yet, her own heart was calm, without a ripple.

In the night sky, countless morning stars twinkled, Su Ziceng listened to her own heart and Hang Yishao’s increasingly faster heartbeat, she was certain that she no longer loved the man before her.

She no longer loved this man whom she had loved for nearly twenty years, whom she thought would grow old with her.

So where had her heart gone?

"Ziceng," another voice joined them on the lawn, Pello emerged from the light of the banquet hall, stepping into the garden aglow with colorful lights, and instantly saw the intimately embraced couple. Even so, he called Su Ziceng’s name with the usual tone he always used.

"The Chairman has asked you to come in and meet some guests," Pello observed Hang Yishao, who under his scrutiny had no choice but to release his grasp.

Su Ziceng responded and, without daring to look directly at Pello, straightened her gown before walking inside.

As she passed by Pello, her heartbeat suddenly returned, so fast that she herself was taken aback.

Only after Su Ziceng had walked far away did Pello turn and leave. Hang Yishao watched the two figures departing one after the other, then picked up the coat from the ground, feeling a sense of defeat. Even though he and Pello had not exchanged a word just now, and Ziceng showed no signs of abnormality, why did he feel such a strong sense of defeat?

After re-entering the banquet hall, Su Ziceng was introduced by Su Qingzhang to several directors who had hurried over from the province, one of whom was specifically in charge of approving various import projects.

Hearing that the Su Family was interested in launching a new project, the directors were all supportive.

After the cocktail party, before Su Ziceng could even rest, Su Qingzhang called her over, "I’ve decided to have Pello accompany you to Europe to negotiate this project."

"Dad, I can go by myself," Su Ziceng, recalling her reactions earlier in the garden, immediately refused.

"You lack experience in this area. The success of the Golden Coast project was due to Pello’s extensive negotiations with government officials. I believe if you both go together, it will be more advantageous," Su Qingzhang didn’t want to release Pello either, but considering Su Ziceng’s lack of experience, having Pello go along still made him feel more at ease.

"Dad..." Su Ziceng wanted to argue further.

"Just because I agreed to invest doesn’t mean I will let you handle everything on your own. In two days, once the budget for the Golden Coast project is finalized, you and he will head to Europe together," Su Qingzhang said decisively, settling the matter.

Su Ziceng did not know that someone had flown to Europe ahead of her and Pello. On the second day after the cocktail party, Wen Maixue flew to Europe to attend an art exhibition in Marseilles. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)