C9 A Heart as Cold as Ice

The phone call was from Chuchu, and Zijun's voice was gentle. "Chuchu."

"Zijun, why aren't you here yet? Is there traffic? My dad just called, saying Mom's already got everything ready. Why aren't you here?"

"I'm almost there, just a little longer," Zijun replied, his tone a mix of tenderness and ease.

But as he hung up and looked up at Xinling, the affection he had shown her moments before vanished, replaced by impatience and coldness.

"Xinling, you shouldn't come looking for me anymore. You know the past is behind us. I'm engaged to Chuchu now, and nothing can change that."

His harsh words hit Xinling hard, leaving her feeling weak. She had truly misjudged him.

"Zijun, tell me, did you ever love me? Did those times we spent together mean nothing to you?"

Without meeting her gaze, Zijun opened the car door, his voice as cold as ice. "How do you not get it by now? We just dated, that's all. For people like us, isn't that normal? Please, don't ever show up in front of me again. Let's just say I'm the one at fault. Chuchu wouldn't be happy if she knew."

Xinling stood there watching Zijun leave, her heart completely frozen.

She was momentarily stunned, then gave a bitter smile as she started making phone calls.

But now, it seemed like Miss Ji was untouchable, as if she were something toxic. No one dared to get involved with her, let alone marry her!

After her efforts proved fruitless, she finally ended up at the bar on the basement level of the Starlight Lounge.

Moving to the beat of the music, she walked straight to the bar and said to the bartender, "Make me a 'Farewell My Concubine.'"

Her request made the bartender pause. A 'Farewell My Concubine'? Was she drinking alone? Everyone knew it was one of the strongest and most expensive drinks in the world!

"What, you think I can't afford it?" Ji Xinling's spirits were already at rock bottom. Seeing the bartender hesitate, she pulled out a wad of cash from her purse, roughly twenty thousand dollars.

The bartender pressed his lips together, saying nothing. He glanced at the money and made her just one drink.

Ji Xinling downed the drink in one go. It wasn't harsh going down, but the alcohol hit fast. Within minutes, she felt a bit dizzy.

Yet, this didn't improve her mood. Her slightly unfocused eyes carried a hint of anger. "Why won't you make me another?"

The bartender remained silent, which only fueled her frustration. She pulled a credit card from her pocket and slapped it on the bar. "You think I can't pay? Charge it!"

In her daze, she didn't notice that the card she pulled out wasn't hers; it was a VIP gold card signed by Zeyu.

The bartender's eyes widened at the sight of the gold card, and his demeanor instantly shifted to one of utmost respect. "Yes, right away, miss," he said, promptly preparing her drink. His attitude wasn't just respectful towards Ji Xinling; even his movements while mixing the drinks were exceptionally careful and... reverent.

Ji Xinling had no idea what was going on. She kept ordering drinks, one after another, and the bartender continued to serve her. She lost track of how much she had consumed, her mind becoming hazy and her awareness slipping away. She vaguely sensed someone helping her, guiding her to a large room where she found herself lying on an incredibly comfortable, luxurious bed.

In the opulent presidential suite, Nie Zeyu had just finished his shower and emerged to find a woman asleep on the bed. His eyes turned cold as ice. These people were getting bolder by the day!