After Trying To Pursue The Cold, Elegant Beauty. I Ended Up Being Flirted With Instead - Chapter 44

Wen Zhu was too good to everyone.

The next day, Wen Zhu followed Li Zhiyun to An City.

An City, like Tongcheng, was an ancient city with rich historical heritage.

As the car drove into the city center, Wen Zhu noticed that it was much more prosperous and lively than Tongcheng.

High-rise buildings lined the streets, traffic flowed continuously, exuding a sense of youthful energy and progress.

Wen Zhu rarely visited a new city without a work related purpose, and although this trip was partly work, she was equally excited.

She turned to look at Li Zhiyun beside her. “When are we going to report to the club?”

Seeing the lively anticipation in her eyes, Li Zhiyun’s expression softened.

Her sister’s words from last night were still ringing in her ears.

“I’m telling you, Li Zhiyun, I know you don’t want to participate in this competition, but think about it what a great opportunity this is for you and Wen Zhu to go on a trip? Just the two of you!”

“If you don’t take advantage of such a good opportunity I’ve handed to you, you deserve to be single for the rest of your life.”

Li Zhiyun, who had not originally planned to attend the competition, was swayed.

Before her brain could even finish processing the thought, her hand had already opened her phone and arranged the day’s itinerary with the driver.

She told the driver to hand over the luggage to the hotel staff, and then said to Wen Zhu, “We’ll go right away. After we’re done with the club, we can go sight-seeing this afternoon.”

Joy radiated from the corners of Wen Zhu’s eyes and brows.

Li Zhiyun led her to the car behind them. A bodyguard in a black suit immediately got out and respectfully asked, “Miss, where to?”

“Give me the key. I’ll drive myself.”

The bodyguard handed the car key over with both hands.

Wen Zhu’s eyes fell upon the sleek Bugatti, finding it somewhat familiar.

She suddenly recalled wasn’t this the limited edition series that Pei Xiubai had specially sent Secretary Sun to Country D for last year? The one that cost six million USD just for the reservation slot?

Six million USD, and that was just for the right to reserve.

It was said that the actual purchase price would be at least thirty million USD.

Such a multi-million dollar luxury car was just casually thrown to the bodyguard by Li Zhiyun to drive over.

However, considering Li Zhiyun’s easygoing nature, Wen Zhu figured the car was probably bought by Sister Zhishu as well.

This was truly the disparity of the world.

Li Zhiyun took the key and was about to speak when she turned around and saw Wen Zhu staring at the car with eyes full of admiration.

She changed her mind and suddenly asked, “Can you drive?”

“Yes,” Wen Zhu nodded.

In the past, Pei Xiubai was very clingy, and whenever she attended a cocktail party, she only wanted Wen Zhu to drive her home when she was drunk. If anyone else so much as touched her, she would throw a tantrum. To ensure Pei rested comfortably in the car, Wen Zhu had perfected her driving skills.

Li Zhiyun nodded, hooked the key with her index finger, and dangled it in front of Wen Zhu.

“Want to try driving it?”

Wen Zhu’s eyes immediately lit up. She nodded without hesitation!

She couldn’t afford to buy one in this lifetime, but driving it for a bit was certainly possible.

She took the key and sat in the driver’s seat, resting her hands on the steering wheel with a sigh of admiration.

A luxury car was a luxury car, indeed. The feel of the leather, the design of the interior it was phenomenal.

She adjusted the seat, asked for the club’s address, and after Li Zhiyun was settled, she pressed the accelerator.

The luxury car had a low chassis, making the ride exceptionally comfortable. There was almost no noticeable vibration during the drive.

Wen Zhu even felt a little reluctant it seemed they arrived in no time.

Driving a car like this was simply a pleasure.

The car stopped smoothly at the entrance of the Nan’an Go Club.

A woman with neat short hair and a professional demeanor was waiting at the entrance to greet them.

Wen Zhu recognized her instantly.

It was the woman in the red dress she had seen at the bar last time.

This time, the woman was wearing a sharp black and white club uniform with a large “Nan’an” logo on the chest.

The woman froze when she saw Wen Zhu, finding her somewhat familiar.

But she didn’t ask further. She immediately stepped forward and enthusiastically greeted Li Zhiyun.

“Zhiyun! You finally came around and agreed to participate in the competition.”

She finished speaking, then turned her gaze to Wen Zhu, a warm, professional smile on her face. “Miss Li told me everything. You’re here to accompany Zhiyun for the competition, right? Hello, I’m Zhiyun’s agent, my name is Zang Ying. Just call me Sister Zang.”

Actually, she was the former agent, but Zang Ying wouldn’t mention that.

So she was an agent…

Wen Zhu felt a little embarrassed; she had mistaken her for Li Zhiyun’s girlfriend last time.

“Hello, Sister Zang.”

“Come in, come in quickly!” Zang Ying grabbed Wen Zhu, her enthusiasm over the top. “I’ve been waiting for you both for so long, terrified that Zhiyun would run off halfway and decide not to come.”

The interior of the club featured elegant wooden structures. The air was filled with a faint scent of tea and aged wood, bringing a sense of peace.

As they walked, Zang Ying introduced the place: “The reason our Nan’an club is what it is today is all thanks to Zhiyun’s fame after that one battle years ago. She used to be our pillar.”

She led the two of them to a wall covered with photographs and pointed to the largest one in the center, her voice filled with undisguised pride.

“Look, this is Zhiyun the first time she won the World Championship, when she was fourteen.”

She spoke of the former glory with a mix of pride and nostalgia: “A 14 year-old World Champion, the youngest 9-dan Go player in history…”

Wen Zhu walked closer.

The girl in the photo was undoubtedly Li Zhiyun. Her cheeks still had a hint of baby fat, but her eyes were exactly the same as they were now.

Calm, focused, with a piercing coldness that seemed to cut through everything.

Wen Zhu couldn’t help but curve her lips. So, she had been this cold-faced since she was a child.

Seeing Wen Zhu’s interest, Zang Ying became even more excited. “Come, let me show you something even more amazing!”

She brought Wen Zhu to a nearby resting area and played a video. “Back then, her opponent was the world’s second ranked Japanese master, who had a terrible temper. What was the result? He was utterly decimated by our Zhiyun. I heard that he was so furious when he went back that he didn’t touch a Go board for several years!”

The video began to play.

The vast competition hall was silent, broken only by the continuous clicking of camera shutters.

Wen Zhu’s breathing suddenly caught.

She recognized this competition.

In high school, when she first became obsessed with Go, she had accidentally stumbled upon this clip online.

She was captivated by the young player in the video, who remained completely unperturbed by the surrounding noise. Every move was precise and ruthless a kind of near terrifying dominance.

Now, as the video played before her again, she suddenly remembered why she had felt a sense of familiarity the first time she watched Jiao Jiao play Go.

Jiao Jiao’s posture at that time was a complete copy of Li Zhiyun in this match!

To think that the player she had admired all those years ago had not only played Go with her in her youth, but now she could also accompany her to participate in a competition…

The world seemed to suddenly shrink at this moment.

Wen Zhu’s gaze abruptly shifted from the screen, landing directly on Li Zhiyun, who was standing quietly beside her.

She and Li Zhiyun… truly had a bond.

Li Zhiyun saw her eyes shining brightly and was about to ask what was wrong, but Zang Ying was still in the middle of her exciting story.

“…Little Wen, you don’t know this, but when Zhiyun left the club, the boss was practically in tears, insisting that I bring her back, saying that if she returned, the club would split half of the revenue with her!”

“But she just wouldn’t agree, claiming she had more important things to do.” Zang Ying lowered her voice, leaning closer to Wen Zhu, and said mysteriously, “Thank goodness for you, Little Wen. You’re the savior of our Nan’an club. I absolutely must treat you to a big meal later!”

Because of her?

What did that mean?

Before Wen Zhu could figure it out, a sigh came from behind her from Li Zhiyun.

“Sister Zang,” her voice was very soft, but carried a hint of warning, “I can hear you.”

Zang Ying chuckled, finally satisfied, and clapped her hands. “Alright, alright, let’s get down to business! Registration!”

She led Li Zhiyun to a quiet office.

Wen Zhu followed, watching as Li Zhiyun skillfully navigated the official website of the International Go Federation, filling in personal information and uploading certification documents.

Professional 9-dan Certification

Rating Point Certificate

Wen Zhu subconsciously leaned closer. Even though she hadn’t participated in any competition for several years, Li Zhiyun’s name was still on the ranking list.

However, because she hadn’t participated in competitions for a long time, her points remained at the previous number, and her ranking had dropped.

Global Ranking: 32.

Wen Zhu’s heart skipped a beat.

She used to be number one…

Li Zhiyun didn’t even look at the ranking and directly pressed the final submission button. A small dialog box popped up on the screen.

$$Registration Successful$$

When everything was finalized.

The agent let out a long sigh of relief!

Looking at the signed name on the contract, it was as if a monumental task had finally been completed.

Finally, the person was secured!

Zang Ying’s face was beaming with a warm smile. She immediately called out to the two of them, “Let’s go, let’s go! To celebrate Little Wen’s arrival in An City, my treat! Let’s go have a good meal!”

During the meal, Zang Ying learned that Wen Zhu wanted to take the opportunity to spend a few days touring An City. She immediately became enthusiastic, sharing all the hidden gem locations she had discovered during her long stay there.

Wen Zhu smiled and thanked her, diligently noting down all the place names.

The meal was enjoyed by all.

After the meal, Li Zhiyun left with Wen Zhu.

When they reached the car, Li Zhiyun naturally tossed the car key to Wen Zhu.

Wen Zhu subconsciously caught it; the key still held the residual warmth of the other person’s body.

Li Zhiyun’s voice was light. “My hand is a little uncomfortable. You drive.”

Wen Zhu felt a little embarrassed Li Zhiyun probably noticed how much she liked the car.

But since she said so, it wouldn’t be good to refuse. She got into the driver’s seat and started the car.

“So, where should we go first… Moon Bay?” She turned her head to look at Li Zhiyun.

Li Zhiyun was quietly looking at her. The sunlight from outside the car window flowed in her clear, cool eyes, softening her entire demeanor.

In that instant, Li Zhiyun suddenly wished that time could stop forever at this moment.

She nodded gently. “Wherever you want to go is fine.”

Tongcheng Branch Office.

Although the work in Tongcheng was wrapping up and there was a pile of matters waiting for her back at the main company in Yancheng, Pei Xiubai had delayed her departure.

Even she couldn’t explain what exactly she was waiting for.

“Knock, knock.”

Secretary Sun knocked and entered. “President Pei, someone is looking for you outside.”

Pei Xiubai didn’t even raise her head, her tone tinged with impatience. “If it’s Xin Xin, tell her I’m not here.”

Ever since she helped Jiang Xinxin get the assistant named Ju Zi out of trouble, Jiang Xinxin had become increasingly infatuated and dependent on her. However, Pei Xiubai felt that the heart fluttering feeling she used to have was somehow missing.

Especially in the days since Wen Zhu resigned, she even felt a reluctance to see Jiang Xinxin.

She just stared distractedly at her phone screen, the message bar completely empty.

These past few days, Wen Zhu hadn’t sent her a single message, not one word.

Yet, they used to talk non-stop all day long.

When exactly did things start to change?

Secretary Sun was also annoyed by Jiang Xinxin.

How could a popular young actress not be filming and instead hover around President Pei every day?

She nodded and went out in response.

A moment later, Secretary Sun, with a professional smile, said to Jiang Xinxin waiting at the door, “Miss Jiang, bad timing, President Pei is not in the office.”

The smile on Jiang Xinxin’s face froze, solidifying inch by inch.

President Pei wasn’t here?

That was impossible.

She had clearly seen Secretary Sun go in, ask, and then come out. How could President Pei not be here?

Why? Why didn’t President Pei want to see her?

Was she bothering her?

No, impossible!

President Pei was clearly willing to drive Wen Zhu away for her sake, so how could she be annoyed by her?

Could it be… that she felt she had been coming too frequently lately?

No, the more this happened, the more she needed to see President Pei.

Jiang Xinxin’s gaze fell on Secretary Sun, who stood before her with a fixed smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

She remembered that this person seemed to have a good relationship with Wen Zhu.

She had heard that when Wen Zhu was sent to the hospital last time, it was this secretary who called the ambulance.

Why go through all that trouble? Why didn’t she just let Wen Zhu die of pain in the office…

Thinking this, Jiang Xinxin stepped forward and grabbed Secretary Sun’s hand, her voice soft and sweet.

“Sister Sun, I really have something very important to discuss with President Pei. Since President Pei isn’t in the office, could you tell me where she is? I’ll be sure to thank you properly.”

Secretary Sun was completely uncomfortable with the sudden action and the overly familiar address. Coupled with her existing dislike for her, her expression immediately chilled.

“I don’t know.”

Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. “Isn’t Miss Jiang President Pei’s new favorite? You should know better than I do!”

As she spoke, Secretary Sun tried to pull her hand away.

She didn’t think she used much force.

Yet, Jiang Xinxin was thrown back as if by a huge push, stumbling several steps backward.

“Ah!”

A scream rang out.

Jiang Xinxin fell heavily to the floor.

As she stumbled back, the back of her hand accurately scraped against the protruding metal edge of a wall decoration nearby.

A line of blood instantly bloomed on the back of Jiang Xinxin’s hand, startlingly red.

Employees in the surrounding cubicles heard the commotion and poked their heads out.

Seeing Jiang Xinxin on the floor with disheveled hair, they were all shocked: “What happened?”

“Oh my god, did Secretary Sun push her?”

Discussion rose all around.

Secretary Sun froze in place. She looked at the disheveled, tearful Jiang Xinxin on the floor, her mind blank.

She hadn’t used any force!

With such a loud noise, the door to the President’s office opened.

Pei Xiubai walked out. When she saw Jiang Xinxin on the floor and the blood on the back of her hand, a wave of annoyance hit her.