Misty Nights in Hong Kong - Chapter 12

Enigmatic

Assistant Li’s hand trembled slightly as he stole a glance at his young master, whose face was dark with anger.

Being called a “pretty boy” by someone had left his noble young master in a terrifyingly low mood. Yet, with his strikingly handsome face, he did look the part of a kept man funded by a wealthy woman.

Li silently shrank back, wishing he could melt into the wall.

Gu Xiangsi’s temples throbbed violently. “Auntie! Stop talking nonsense!”

“Still denying it?” Chen Fang eyed Fu Sinian’s custom-tailored suit. “Look at this outfit, it must’ve cost tens of thousands! No money? You must’ve spent it all on this pretty boy!”

Fu Sinian suddenly chuckled softly, leaning in close to Gu Xiangsi’s ear, his voice barely above a whisper.

“So, in your aunt’s eyes, you can actually afford to keep me?”

Gu Xiangsi took a few steps back, coughing lightly. “He’s not a pretty boy, and I’m not keeping him.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Fu Sinian raised an eyebrow, his expression turning playful.

Chen Fang’s mind raced. This man’s attire clearly spoke of wealth and status. If he wasn’t a kept man, then… She glanced at Gu Xiangsi’s face. Could it be…?

“Then who is he? Why is he helping you?”

“A creditor I owe money to.”

Gu Xiangsi emphasized the word “creditor.” Chen Fang’s scheming thoughts were written all over her face, did she really think Gu Xiangsi couldn’t see through her?

“A creditor? You owe money?” Chen Fang exploded instantly.

“You’re always asking me for money. How much can a small project manager like me earn? I had to borrow from loan sharks. Now I can only beg my uncle and aunt to help share the burden!”

Chen Fang’s face paled. “Loan sharks?”

“That’s right. Let me calculate, five million.” Gu Xiangsi counted on her fingers with exaggerated seriousness.

Song Hefan crept up to Gu Xiangsi’s side, nervously twisting the hem of his shirt as he mumbled, “Sis, could you… borrow a few more million from him?”

“What did you say?”

Gu Xiangsi looked up, unable to believe her ears.

Was there really someone in this world so shameless?

Fu Sinian stood to the side, one hand in his pocket, silently observing the farce without a word.

But Song Hefan remained oblivious, tugging at her sleeve. “Since you already owe a few million, just help me out!”

“Ha.” Gu Xiangsi let out a cold laugh, her eyes icy. “Why don’t you just say you want to sell me off?”

Fu Sinian’s gaze turned frosty as he swept his eyes over them. “Five million. Who’s going to pay it back?”

Gu Xiangsi froze.

She had thought her earlier manipulation might anger him, but now he was actually playing along with her act.

Just yesterday, she had berated him with sharp words.

Song Ping panicked, grabbing Chen Fang’s arm and snapping at Song Hefan, “Let’s go!”

The two stumbled toward the door, Song Ping muttering under his breath, “Our old lady is still lying in the hospital. We really don’t have the money. If she owes a debt, go after her for it!”

With that, the group vanished onto the balcony.

Nothing was more awkward than the sudden silence that followed.

Seeing the situation, Assistant Li tactfully slipped out through the sliding door to the balcony.

Fu Sinian stared at Gu Xiangsi, who kept her head lowered, and suddenly spoke.

“What’s wrong? You were so quick to use me earlier, but now you’ve got nothing to say?”

Watching her bowed head, an inexplicable irritation surged in Fu Sinian’s chest.

Gu Xiangsi clenched the hem of her shirt. She had indeed used Fu Sinian to stage this act, all to make her uncle and aunt believe she was also entangled in debt.

She exhaled softly and murmured, “Thank you.”

“Thanks?” A hint of mockery surfaced in his eyes. “Miss Gu’s gratitude isn’t even as valuable as my favorite cup of coffee.”

“At least it can still perk you up.”

Fu Sinian took a step forward, his tall frame instantly enveloping her.

Gu Xiangsi instinctively retreated, only to hear him let out a cold laugh. He raised his phone, the screen gleaming with a chilly light under the illumination. “Remember, I’m your creditor now.”

Watching her jawline tighten abruptly, he suddenly chuckled low, his voice laced with a playful malice. “You seem to be in dire need of money right now. How about I give you a choice?”

Under Gu Xiangsi’s puzzled gaze, he casually adjusted his cufflinks, his tone as indifferent as if discussing what to have for dinner. “If you stay with me, won’t all your problems be solved?”

The moment the words fell, the air instantly froze.

He narrowed his eyes, savoring the expression on her face, nothing but shock and astonishment.

Gu Xiangsi felt a loud buzz explode in her ears, her entire body stiffening on the spot.

Was this his revenge for her defiance yesterday?

She clenched her palms, her nails nearly digging into her flesh, barely suppressing the surge of bitterness rising within her.

When she looked up again, a perfectly measured smile had already graced her lips, distant and polite, as if facing any difficult client. “Mr. Fu, you must be joking.”

“I don’t do affairs.”

“Affairs?” Fu Sinian’s eyes darkened abruptly.

He stared at her, the corner of his lips curling into a mocking arc, just about to speak when,

“Ding…”

Her phone rang abruptly.

Gu Xiangsi hesitated for a second but still answered.

On the other end, a man’s voice was warm and amused. “I happen to have time today. Would you like to have lunch together?”

Without glancing at Fu Sinian, she simply replied softly, “Okay, send me the address.”

The call ended, and the air instantly turned to ice.

Gu Xiangsi tightened her grip on her bag strap, her knuckles turning white, yet she maintained her composure on the surface. “Mr. Fu, I’ll take my leave first.”

“Found a new target already?”

Fu Sinian sneered, his voice low, each word barbed. “Gu Xiangsi, does your Dr. Lu know what kind of person you really are?”

Her back stiffened, but she didn’t turn around, only murmuring softly, “Mr. Fu, can’t we just… part on good terms?”

“Part on good terms?”

He suddenly turned, the sound of his leather shoes against the marble floor like the approach of something dangerous.

“Gu Xiangsi.” His voice was terrifyingly cold. “What you owe me is far more than just a simple ‘part on good terms.'”

“Five million.”

He stared at her retreating figure, enunciating each word as if carving the number into her bones.

“Pay it back, then talk to me about parting.”

Gu Xiangsi didn’t turn around, only her shoulders trembling imperceptibly before she walked away.

Assistant Li clutched his phone, his steps unsteady as he shuffled to the door, his voice trembling. “Young Master, Mr. Lu from Linjiang Group just invited you to lunch.”

Fu Sinian’s face was so dark it could drip water. Without a word, he strode past him and out.

Assistant Li hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from his temple.

Great, the young master was in a bad mood again.

Meanwhile, the three people who had been hiding in the corner of the balcony finally crept out.

“Gu Xiangsi really owes five million?” Song Ping frowned.

“Mom, Dad, what should we do? Help me think of something,”

Chen Fang scoffed coldly. “Don’t worry, with Gu Xiangsi’s figure and face, she’ll manage somehow…”

The group began whispering among themselves, plotting their next move.

——

Paper Moon, located in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, is a restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine.

When Gu Xiangsi arrived at the restaurant, Lu Wang happened to look up and waved at her with a smile.

He had chosen a seat by the window. The restaurant was surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, offering a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour, and also featured an outdoor dining area.

After Gu Xiangsi took her seat, Lu Wang flipped through the menu and recommended, “The smoked pork pappardelle is their signature dish.”

Seeing that Gu Xiangsi was fine with anything, he promptly ordered a few specialties.

Once the waiter left, Lu Wang took a business card from his bag and slid it across the table. “This is my senior fellow apprentice, he specializes in traditional Chinese medical therapy.”

Gu Xiangsi’s eyes inexplicably grew warm. “Dr. Lu, thank you!”

“I’ve already given him a heads-up. You can contact him directly.”

With Lin Xiu’s condition taking a turn for the better, Gu Xiangsi’s entire face lit up with joy.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Fu Sinian, who was seated in the outdoor dining area.

Lu Liang followed his darkened gaze and, noticing Gu Xiangsi sitting directly across from them, teased, “What, taken with the beauty over there?”