Misty Nights in Hong Kong - Chapter 8

Half Anger, Half Humiliation!

Gu Xiangsi bit her lip and muttered a curse under her breath. She rummaged through the drawer for her headphones, stuffed in a pair of earplugs, and burrowed under the covers, wrapping herself tightly.

She saw Fu Sinian again a week later.

Clearwater Bay Peninsula was a private golf club, surrounded by the sea on three sides. The scenery was breathtaking, making it one of the most exclusive members-only clubs in Hong Kong.

Chen Hui paced back and forth in front of the ornate iron gate. The moment she stepped out of the taxi, his gaze locked onto her.

The white polo shirt hugged her slender waist, and her knee-length skirt swayed lightly with each step. Her high ponytail peeked out from under her cap, accentuating the graceful curve of her neck.

“President Zhao and the others arrived early. They’re just waiting for you.”

The two boarded a golf cart that circled the lake. In the distance, cheers erupted from the green as Zhao Niesen executed a clean swing, sending the white ball straight into the hole.

“President Zhao, your skills are as sharp as ever!”

Chen Hui clapped obsequiously.

When Zhao Niesen turned around, his gaze swept over Gu Xiangsi, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. “Manager Gu usually dresses so conservatively. I thought…”

He dragged out his words, his eyes lingering on her exposed forearms and calves. “I didn’t expect you to have such a figure.”

The remark was blatant.

Gu Xiangsi’s expression darkened, he was treating her like some kind of escort.

Chen Hui forced an awkward laugh to smooth things over. “President Zhao, you’re such a joker! How about we play a round?”

Zhao Niesen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Gu Xiangsi, tapping the golf club against his palm. “Playing with President Chen would be boring. Manager Gu, care for a match?”

“I don’t know how to play,” Gu Xiangsi declined politely.

“I can teach you.”

Just as she found herself trapped between refusal and obligation, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind. “President Zhao, how about a game with me instead?”

Fu Sinian had already approached. Gu Xiangsi stiffened, lowering her head slightly to steady her emotions.

Behind them, Jiang Liangchen’s footsteps halted abruptly as his eyes fixed on Gu Xiangsi. Her face was identical to the faded photo in Fu Sinian’s wallet.

Jiang Liangchen’s eyes darted, and suddenly, he grinned. “A bunch of men playing against each other is dull. Why not let the ladies have a go?”

Zhao Niesen’s female companion immediately clung to his arm, cooing, “President Zhao, I don’t know how to play. Will you teach me?”

“In that case…” Jiang Liangchen deliberately cleared his throat. “Let Young Master Fu coach Manager Gu. His teaching skills are second to none.”

Zhao Niesen, sharp as ever, caught the subtle tension in the air.

His gaze flickered between Fu Sinian and Gu Xiangsi before he suddenly chuckled. “Fine. Let’s do as Young Master Jiang suggests—let’s see how this plays out.”

When the golf club was thrust into her hand, Gu Xiangsi was still processing the situation.

Fu Sinian stepped closer, his shadow completely enveloping her slender frame.

“Zhao Niesen plays too rough. Manager Gu wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

Gu Xiangsi froze, as if scalded by his words.

She jerked her head up, meeting Fu Sinian’s unfathomable gaze, her cheeks instantly burning.

Half anger, half humiliation.

His implication couldn’t have been clearer.

“President Fu is overstepping,” she retorted, her voice tight with forced composure. “Whether I can handle it or not is none of your concern.”

“Sharp tongue.”

As he reached for the club, before she could pull away, his scorching palm had already covered the back of her hand.

Leaning in, his warm breath brushed against her earlobe. “Relax your shoulders.”

A faint blush crept up her ears.

Seemingly noticing her discomfort, his voice turned distant and businesslike. “Since I’m the one teaching you, take it seriously. I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

With that, his fingers tightened around hers, forcibly adjusting her grip on the club. “Raise your elbow.”

The surrounding crowd erupted in teasing cheers.

“Go for it, Young Master Fu!”

“One shot, straight into the hole!”

It was just the kind of banter men often exchanged, nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet, for some reason, Gu Xiangsi’s mind conjured up some decidedly inappropriate imagery.

Her ears burned, and she quickly averted her gaze.

Her thoughts tangled like a messy ball of yarn, those unwelcome flashes flickering through her mind.

…

She inwardly scolded herself. It must be because Xiaoli had been bringing men home lately, the noises they made late at night too loud, messing with her head.

Lost in thought, she barely registered as Fu Sinian guided her hands through the motion in one fluid movement.

The woody scent of his cologne, mingled with the raw masculinity of his presence, lingered at her nose. The closeness dredged up deeply ingrained memories, and her face grew even hotter.

Afraid of being caught, she lowered her head. His well-defined hand was wrapped around hers, fingers long and veins prominent.

Her first meeting with Fu Sinian had also been on a golf course.

Back in her senior year of high school, she’d worn a light blue blouse with a white skirt, her hair in a ponytail, when she went to the golf course to meet a friend.

Just as she turned past the lounge area, a group of boys from her school surrounded her.

The leader leaned against the railing, a golf club dangling from his mouth. “Gu Xiangsi, play a round with us? Heard you’re the school belle at the affiliated high school.”

Clutching her phone, she took a step back. “I don’t know how…”

“Even better. We’ll teach you hands-on.”

The boys laughed and closed in, one whistling. “Look at that waist, softer than my swing.”

She turned to leave, only to find her path blocked.

Just as panic set in, a lazy chuckle came from the lounge. “Golf? If you want to teach, why not let me do it?”

Looking up, she saw a boy in a black baseball cap slouched in a wicker chair, the collar of his polo shirt slightly open, spinning a soda can on his fingertips.

His sharp features were bathed in sunlight, a tear mole at the corner of his eye trembling faintly as he raised a brow, his peach-blossom eyes narrowed in casual amusement.

That was Gu Xiangsi’s first encounter with Fu Sinian, wild, with a face that exuded danger.

That day, he had taught her to play golf just like this.

“What’s wrong, Manager Gu? Remembering something scandalous?”

Fu Sinian’s voice was low, laced with a roguish smirk.

By the time Gu Xiangsi snapped out of it, Fu Sinian had already swung the club. The white ball arced through the air and landed perfectly in the hole.

He released her wrist almost immediately.

Dazed, she forgot to respond, watching as he walked away. “President Zhao, found yourself a new favorite?”

“No matter how good the new favorite is, they can’t compare to the one by Young Master Fu’s side.”

Zhao Niesen raised a brow, his tone suggestive.

“Some people are all thorns, President Zhao. Better watch yourself, you might not even see the injury coming.”

The words carried layers.

Zhao Niesen chuckled. “A rose with thorns is all the more worth conquering.”

Amid the laughter, the group strolled toward the lounge, where assistants promptly served tea.

Gu Xiangsi excused herself and slipped into the restroom.

As she stepped out after washing her hands, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist, yanking her into the men’s restroom next door.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Gu Xiangsi jerked her head up, her heart tightening when she saw it was one of Zhao Niesen’s lackeys.

“Tsk tsk, Miss Gu’s hands are quite soft.”

The man’s gaze wandered over her, his tone flirtatious. “Miss Gu, dressed like this today, aren’t you just here to seduce men?”

Gu Xiangsi frowned and glanced down at her outfit.

A white polo shirt paired with a matching golf skirt, the shirt was bought on sale last year, but it was well-tailored and crisp.

It was a perfectly clean and neat outfit, yet in his words, it had somehow become something vulgar.

She bit her lip, struggling harder against his grip.

“Let me go!”