A Long-Established Engagement

When Yan Ruyu threw a party, she made a point of going over the top, afraid people would call her stingy, so it always got very noisy.

Chu Tianqing thought her good big brother was so aloof that he certainly wouldn't like a rowdy party.

She really wanted to join the fun and see whether her good big brother needed help, and cover for him if necessary.

On Christmas Eve, business at the restaurant was indeed booming. Chu Tianqing had originally planned to leave at five, but couldn't get out until six.

She pushed open the door and a gust of cold wind hit her. Looking up at the dark sky, she remembered the weather forecast had said the first snow might fall that night.

The heavens were really doing them a favor. It couldn't have been more fitting for the occasion.

She pulled her coat and scarf tight and jogged to catch the subway. The shopping district wasn't far from where she lived, just three stops away, and she could get home in fifteen minutes.

As soon as she got home, she gave Baogang a kiss and said apologetically, "Don't worry, I'll definitely be back before midnight to take you out to play."

After comforting the dog, Chu Tianqing hurried to take a shower and wash off the smell of cooking fumes.

Then she picked out a designer evening dress from a past season, stepped into a pair of high heels, put on her coat, tied her scarf and hurried out.

When she got downstairs, she saw that Xiao Junyi's car was already waiting for her.

Chu Tianqing smiled knowingly, took a deep breath and ran out as fast as she could, making it into the car before she froze to death.

As soon as the door opened, a fresh fragrance wafted in. Xiao Junyi raised an eyebrow and asked with a mischievous grin, "Just had a shower?"

Chu Tianqing shot him a sideways glance. "Impressive. Your nose is even sharper than a dog's."

Xiao Junyi wasn't angry. As he started the car, he bantered back, "Thanks for the compliment."

He really was thick-skinned, always teasing her whether there was a reason or not. At first, Chu Tianqing had been annoyed and embarrassed, but now she was used to this way of getting along.

After all, for all his talk, he had never laid a hand on her and treated her with plenty of respect.

Later, she had figured it out too. He had to be interested in her that way, or he wouldn't be pursuing her.

What else could he be after? She was penniless now, with no family background to fall back on. All she had left was herself.

She didn't think there was anything wrong with that. Wasn't that how dating worked? He pursued her sincerely, and she enjoyed spending time with him. That was enough.

As for the future, she had never thought she would marry him. They were both still young anyway, so wasting some time on a romance was no big deal.

Chu Tianqing fastened her seat belt, rummaged through her bag for her makeup and instructed Xiao Junyi, "Young Master Xiao, please drive smoothly. I need to put on eyeliner, so don't hit the brakes and make me poke my eye out. I'd never let you off for the rest of my life."

"Then I have to try it, so you won't let me off for the rest of your life." Despite what Xiao Junyi said, he drove incredibly smoothly.

Chu Tianqing finished her makeup without a hitch, casually swept her hair into a bun, then held up a small mirror and pulled out a few strands to create a relaxed, effortless look.

Xiao Junyi glanced at her and said with exaggerated astonishment, "Who's this? Has Cinderella completed her transformation? I must be driving a pumpkin carriage."

Chu Tianqing couldn't help laughing. She raised a hand and slapped him. "Oh, stop it. What nonsense are you talking about?"

The two chatted and laughed all the way to the Deercall Club.

As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw a gleaming golden Christmas tree in the center. All the male employees wore Santa hats, and all the female employees wore Christmas dresses. Little colored lights and snowflakes hung everywhere, filling the place with holiday cheer.

The party was in banquet hall number seven again. The moment Chu Tianqing walked in, she was nearly deafened. A rock band was wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves: "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!"

Chu Tianqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. See? She had known it would be like this.

A waiter came over and took their coats and bags to the checkroom in the front hall. Xiao Junyi fetched two glasses of juice and handed one to Chu Tianqing, and the two instantly blended into the party atmosphere.

"Well, well, well, look who's here!" Yan Ruyu rushed over excitedly, grabbing Xiao Junyi with one hand and Shen Xixi with the other. "Don't run. Come clean, are the rumors true? Is there something going on between you two?"

The people who had been dancing wildly were instantly drawn over, all wanting to hear what was going on. Such was the power of gossip.

Unable to break free, Chu Tianqing leaned close to Yan Ruyu and whispered, "Stop it. Has my brother arrived? Can't you be a little more reserved?"

"Why should I be reserved? This is how I am. Why put on an act? It's wrong to deceive people." Yan Ruyu grinned and asked, "Young Master Xiao, don't you agree?"

"Right, it's wrong to deceive people." Xiao Junyi swept Chu Tianqing into his arms and shouted at the top of his voice, "Since everyone's interested, let me make an official announcement. Shen Xixi is my girlfriend now. If any of you dare bully her, you'll be making an enemy of me, Xiao Junyi!"

The people around them erupted in screams and cheers, and some even egged them on to kiss.

Chu Tianqing looked bashful. She really couldn't handle the situation and wanted nothing more than to turn and run.

Xiao Junyi pulled her back and indicated that they should drink with their arms linked. Chu Tianqing, all in a daze, agreed, and only then did everyone let them off.

Once things around them had quieted down a little, Chu Tianqing went up to Yan Ruyu and pressed her. "You still haven't told me. Where's my brother? Did he come?"

"He did, but someone pulled him away. I bet he's talking business in some private room." Yan Ruyu snorted. "What a bunch of tactless fools. They came to my party and are holding up my love life. I'm definitely putting them all on my blacklist. They're so annoying."

Chu Tianqing nodded silently. So that was what had happened.

Yan Ruyu tilted her head and complained to her, "And your big brother too. He left me hanging to go talk business. Would a little time really make that much difference? I think he just doesn't take me seriously."

"He really is a workaholic. He works more than ten hours a day, and he's very reserved too." Chu Tianqing advised her earnestly, "Yan Ruyu, I'm not trying to sound alarmist, but you can't change him. If you can't accept that, you'd better break it off sooner rather than later."

She didn't want them to force themselves into becoming a resentful couple. She hoped her good big brother could be happy.

Yan Ruyu fell deep in thought and raised her glass for a sip. "I know what you mean. As the saying goes, if you want to wear the crown, you have to bear its weight. I'm attracted to his status and family background, so I have to put up with him being busy and neglecting me. Aren't all society ladies like that? Once we have children, it'll be fine."

Chu Tianqing was a little surprised. "You've already thought as far ahead as children?"

That was moving way too fast!

"Just thinking about it casually, I'm not serious." Yan Ruyu laughed and put an arm around Chu Tianqing's shoulders. "Thanks for the warning. In return, let me warn you about something too. You really dare get involved with Xiao Junyi?"

"What is it?" Chu Tianqing was puzzled and ventured a guess. "Oh, you mean he's a flirt and likes to fool around? He said all that was just playing along for appearances. I trust his character."

"Oh, no, what's the big deal about that?" Yan Ruyu looked around and put an arm around Chu Tianqing as she led her toward a corner. "I mean his terrifying mother, and the engagement that was arranged a long time ago."

What engagement?

Chu Tianqing was stunned. She had known nothing about it.