Misty Nights in Hong Kong - Chapter 2

As it turned out, the deepest pain had never been his hatred, but his indifference and the words that came from his lips.

She finally raised her eyes, forcing a perfect curve at the corner of her mouth, her voice light but steady.

“President Fu is absolutely right. I’ll be more mindful next time.”

Setting down her glass with a strained smile, she added, “I need to use the restroom.”

She nearly fled the private room.

In the bathroom, Gu Xiangsi shoved her fingers down her throat and retched until her vision blurred.

Splashing cold water on her face brought some clarity. She twisted open a bottle of mineral water from her bag, gulped down several mouthfuls, then bent over to spit out the rinse.

The reflection in the mirror showed flushed cheeks, eyes glistening with unshed tears, utterly pathetic.

“Gu Xiangsi, what a fine mess you’ve made of yourself.”

Pushing open the restroom door, the figure at the corridor’s corner made her breath hitch.

Fu Sinian leaned against the windowsill, one knee bent, a lighter flicking open and shut in his fingers. The metallic clicks echoed sharply down the hallway.

At the sound of footsteps, he lifted his gaze. Those peach-blossom eyes, dark and unreadable, instantly shattered the fragile calm she’d just regained.

They stood frozen, a few steps apart, the air between them thick with tension.

Fu Sinian didn’t move, simply watching her with that unwavering stare.

Five years apart, and she hadn’t changed much, only grown thinner.

Light blue jeans paired with a white puff-sleeved blouse.

The soft fabric clung to her frame, cinched at the waist, accentuating the slender length of her legs. Petite yet perfectly proportioned, every curve in its rightful place.

Gu Xiangsi clenched the hem of her shirt, nails digging into her palms through the fabric.

It hurt.

But compared to the suffocating ache in her chest, this pain was almost merciful.

There would be no more entanglements between them.

Her knees locked as she took a step, dragging like rusted iron weights. The corridor, though short, felt like trudging through frozen snow, each step a brittle crack beneath her.

One step… two steps…

Just as she moved to sidestep past him, Fu Sinian suddenly let out a derisive chuckle, his voice laced with icy mockery.

“What? Too important to remember your ex now, Manager Gu?”

He snapped the lighter shut, gripping it so tightly the heat seared his palm, yet he didn’t even flinch.

Her steps faltered, rooting her in place.

When she turned mechanically, Fu Sinian had already straightened to his full height.

His shoulders were broad as blades, his frame even more imposing than she remembered, effortlessly eclipsing her.

Step by step, he closed the distance.

Gu Xiangsi retreated until her back hit the cold wall, his knuckles pressing into the space beside her ear.

The familiar scent of sandalwood and whiskey enveloped her, stirring memories she’d tried to bury.

“Fu-” Her lips parted, the name lodged in her throat like a bone.

Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but she swallowed them back.

He stared down at her, his dark eyes churning with something indecipherable, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he finally spoke.

“Gu Xiangsi, is this what you’ve become without me?”

“I’m doing fine now.”

Her lips twitched into a weak smile, gaze dropping to the wine-stained trousers. “I’m sorry.” she murmured an apology for everything.

“Five years, and all I get is a ‘sorry’?” His jaw clenched as he spat the words.

His hand shot out, gripping her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

The moment their gazes collided, his breath hitched.

Those eyes, the ones he’d once drowned in were still clear, but rimmed with red. It irritated him.

His voice dropped to a rough whisper, thumb unconsciously grazing her trembling lower lip.

Gu Xiangsi’s eyelashes fluttered as she avoided his gaze, turning her face away.

Memories suddenly surged five years ago to this day, she had spoken those same cutting words.

He had demanded to know why she abandoned him.

What had she said back then? “I got tired of playing.”

She had dumped the crown prince of Hong Kong’s elite circles. Of course he hated her.

Those words from the past now echoed in her ears once more.

She closed her eyes briefly and apologized again, “I’m sorry.”

His gaze lingered on her delicate features before he scoffed. “Five years ago, it was just ‘I got tired of playing.'”

His voice was dangerously low, his fingers brushing faintly against the curve of her waist.

“Gu Xiangsi, you didn’t look like this when you dumped me back then.”

Shame burned through her as she pressed her back against the cold wall, the collar of her blouse rising and falling with her rapid breaths.

His presence enveloped her with an overwhelming intensity, the heat of it making her ears tingle.

“President Fu,” she forced herself to tilt her head away, her voice trembling. “Please behave yourself.”

Instead of retreating, he leaned in closer, his lips nearly grazing her earlobe.

“What, now you don’t even dare to look at me?”

Just as Gu Xiangsi tried to turn away, her wrist was seized, forcing her back around.

“There’s a more pressing issue now.”

He paused, his tone leaving no room for refusal. “You’ve injured my future descendants. You’ll have to accompany me to the hospital every step of the way.”

“You’ll cover the medical bills.”

“You’ll be responsible for any follow-up treatment.”

“And if there really is lasting damage…”

His voice dropped, laced with threat. “Manager Gu, you’ll be responsible for the rest of your life.”

Gu Xiangsi’s face burned, but she forced herself to stay composed.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Had she heard that right?

She studied his serious expression.

Her gaze involuntarily flicked downward before she quickly looked away.

He’s putting on quite the act… Is he really faking it?

Wait… Could he actually have some hidden condition?

Is he staging this?

He was perfectly fine in the private room earlier, this is ridiculous.

“President Fu… You seemed perfectly healthy just now. Clearly, nothing’s wrong,” she said awkwardly.

“Manager Gu seems quite knowledgeable. Have you inspected many others?” His voice was icy, the last two words deliberately emphasized.

“I just… don’t think you’re that fragile…” The moment she spoke, he scoffed.

“Should I take them off and let you inspect them yourself?”

“Or, with just one word from me, President Chen could fire you.”

A blatant threat.

He was clearly holding a grudge.

“Fine, I agree.”

Afraid he might say something even more outrageous, Gu Xiangsi gave in, then turned and hurried away.

Fu Sinian stood still, watching her slender figure flee in panic.

The corner of his lips curled into a cold smirk, like a hunter observing prey struggling futilely in a trap.

…

By the time she left the club, rain had begun to fall, the briny sea wind carrying the neon glow of the city.

Hong Kong’s harbor shimmered with countless fishing lights, the mournful horns of cargo ships echoing through the night.

The tram rattled along its tracks as Gu Xiangsi, her mind in a daze, stumbled toward the bus stop in her high heels.

Rain seeped into her shoes, the worn-out backs of her heels rubbing painfully against the leather, yet it was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

Her jeans were soaked, dark stains spreading from the rain.

She shrank deeper into the shelter of the bus stop, hugging her arms against the cold.

Five years ago, she never touched alcohol. But after the breakup, she had learned to drink though her tolerance remained pitifully weak.

Rainwater trickled down her hair at this moment, when she suddenly recalled that equally damp night five years ago, the same kind of rain that had extinguished the last shred of her self-respect.

Fu Jiaye, Fu Sinian’s elder brother, had sought her out.

By then, she was already in a wretched state.

Her father’s company had collapsed, rumors swirling that he had embezzled funds and fled. Unable to bear the blow, her mother had jumped to her death.

“Take this check and leave the country.” Fu Jiaye had said, cutting straight to the point.