Misty Nights in Hong Kong - Chapter 5

President Fu, Are You Sure There’s Something Wrong With You?

He had overheard the phone conversation.

Being stared at, she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself before immediately letting go.

“No need for concern,” her voice was icy. “My medical report is probably cleaner than your company’s quarterly financial statements.”

“Sharp tongue.”

With that, she stepped out of the elevator.

On her way here, Gu Xiangsi had searched for Sinian Group on an app and only then learned that he had founded it three years ago.

Not only that, but within just a year, he had acquired and merged his father’s conglomerate, establishing Sinian Group as a leader in Hong Kong’s investment industry.

Hong Kong’s TVB had described him this way: cold and ruthless, decisive in action, a figure who struck fear into the business world.

Dazed, Gu Xiangsi exited the elevator and followed him into the CEO’s office.

Three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. The spacious room, with its cold white marble floors, resembled a showroom, luxurious yet hollow, devoid of any warmth.

It suited him perfectly.

Fu Sinian strode straight to the sofa.

Just as the woman was about to sit, he stopped her. “Jingjia, I have some matters to attend to now. Let Assistant Li take you to grab something to eat first.”

The woman pouted. “Sinian, you have to join me for dinner later.”

Fu Sinian’s gaze lingered briefly on the woman standing awkwardly before he nodded in agreement.

The girl named Jingjia stood up, shot a glance at Gu Xiangsi, and then turned to leave.

Assistant Li, ever perceptive, closed the door behind them on his way out.

The office fell into silence, so quiet that Gu Xiangsi could hear her own heartbeat.

Fu Sinian lazily sank into the black leather sofa, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt with his well-defined fingers, revealing a cold, metallic watch on his wrist.

His crossed legs swayed slightly before he finally lifted his gaze, eyeing her tense posture.

“Manager Gu, what brings you here?”

Gu Xiangsi knew he was playing dumb but still handed over the folder with both hands. “President Chen asked me to deliver the investment proposal.”

Fu Sinian didn’t take it, so she had no choice but to place it on the coffee table. Standing awkwardly, unsure whether to sit, she twisted the hem of her shirt between her fingers, her pinky unconsciously circling.

Fu Sinian caught the small gesture, his gaze flickering briefly as it passed over her pinky.

Still the same, this was how she acted when nervous.

He loosened his tie and casually pulled a chain from his pocket, idly admiring it.

Gu Xiangsi’s eyes locked onto the necklace in his hand, particularly the “XS” emblem.

His tone was indifferent. “Is there something else, Manager Gu? Want me to treat you to a meal?”

Her fingers clutching her shirt turned white. Taking a deep breath, she said, “President Fu, can you return the necklace to me?”

Fu Sinian’s eyes swept over her profile, pale and delicate. The once-bold young lady who used to argue with him now spoke with such caution.

Suddenly irritated, he replied, “What necklace?”

“President Fu, you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Gu Xiangsi abruptly looked up, meeting his mocking gaze.

“I remember someone throwing it away with their own hands.”

He dangled the chain, letting it sway gently in his grasp, its surface catching the light in sharp, cold glimmers.

Fu Sinian stood and closed the distance between them. “What I’m curious about, Manager Gu, is when you picked it back up.”

“That’s not the point.”

Fu Sinian suddenly strode forward. Gu Xiangsi instinctively stepped back, only for her lower back to hit the icy glass of the floor-to-ceiling window, nowhere left to retreat.

He reached out, bracing his hand against the glass to trap her, his breath brushing past the tip of her ear: “The necklace was a gift from me…”

Deliberately lowering his voice, he continued, “Now it’s being returned to its rightful owner. Does Manager Gu have any objections?”

The oppressive aura he exuded left Gu Xiangsi with no room to resist.

“…”

“N-no…” She parted her lips, but the man spoke before she could.

“Five years apart,” he suddenly took half a step closer, “and you’ve learned to use your words as a shield.”

His tall frame completely enveloped her, the familiar woody, fruity scent mingling with his masculine pheromones lingering at the tip of her nose.

Gu Xiangsi’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it might leap out of her throat. She pressed her fingertips against his chest.

“President Fu!” She forced herself to steady her voice, though it trembled slightly. “I’ll buy this necklace.”

The man’s eyes darkened. His slender fingers lifted her chin as he leaned in again, their lips so close that the slightest movement from Gu Xiangsi would bring them together.

He truly couldn’t understand, she was the one who had ended things, yet she was also the one who had kept the necklace.

Her breathing grew rapid, her legs even going a little weak. In her panic, her hands instinctively braced against the glass behind her.

Then, with visible disdain, he released her, his tone laced with accusation.

“Manager Gu, you’re so decisive now. Why were you so ruthless when you threw it all away back then?”

Including him and everything they had shared.

Gu Xiangsi didn’t know how to answer that question. Besides, he had someone new by his side now. There was no need to explain anything further.

She turned her head away, replying lightly, “It has my name engraved on it.”

Fu Sinian nodded. A flimsy excuse.

“Five million. Take it or leave it.”

Gu Xiangsi’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him.

She knew he had designed the necklace, but she never imagined it would be this expensive.

“C-can’t you lower the price?”

“In Manager Gu’s eyes, this necklace isn’t worth much, is it? Or is it that anything of mine is just that cheap to you?”

The way she hesitated only deepened the frustration in Fu Sinian’s chest. “Back then, you sold me off for a flat twenty million. Where’s the money? Spent it all?”

Gu Xiangsi looked up at him in shock. How did he know?

Did his brother tell him?

Of course. Now that she was back, his brother must have been worried they’d rekindle their old flame, so he’d told him about her despicable actions.

Whatever. Some things were in the past. It had been her choice, and she had no right to blame anyone else.

The necklace was important to her.

It had been her only solace during her years abroad.

Gritting her teeth, she whispered, “President Fu, give me some time.”

Fu Sinian studied her expression. Seeing that she remained stubbornly tight-lipped, refusing to reveal the truth, his interest waned further.

Straightening up, he strode over to the sofa and sat down, his gaze settling on the coffee table as his tone abruptly shifted. “I’m not satisfied with the proposal.”

Gu Xiangsi froze, suddenly remembering just who she was dealing with the ruthless Fu Sinian.

A man with a vindictive streak running deep in his bones.

Given their awkward history, any attitude from him was to be expected.

She forced a professional smile. “President Fu, would you mind taking another look? What exactly doesn’t meet your expectations?”

Fu Sinian leaned back against the sofa, not even bothering to lift his eyelids. “None of it does.”

Clearly, he was displeased with her. But work was work, couldn’t he separate personal matters?

Suppressing her frustration, Gu Xiangsi conceded, “I’ll report back to Director Chen right away.”

The corner of Fu Sinian’s lips curled slightly as he spoke in a low, unhurried voice, as if delivering an offhanded reminder.

“Manager Gu, I have an appointment with the private doctor…”

“For a physical examination,” he deliberately drew out the words, emphasizing his tone.

Gu Xiangsi paused, her scrutinizing gaze sweeping over him from head to toe.

Without thinking, she blurted out, “President Fu, are you sure you’re injured… in that area?”