There are certain men in the world so naturally privileged that, no matter how simply they dress, their inherent dignity and distinction cannot be concealed.
Ning Guiwan met that pair of deep brown, lucid eyes, rose with a smile, and greeted, "Uncle Yu."
Quan Yu nodded coolly and sat at the other end of the dining table. When a servant brought clean cutlery, he ordered, "Bring a bottle of wine."
Meanwhile, Ning Guiwan was chatting with Old Madam Quan about interesting things she encountered while studying in Britain, making the elderly woman beam. As the conversation grew animated, Ning Guiwan herself couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Glancing up, she saw Quan Yu holding a wine glass, his gaze profound as he watched her. The decanter of red wine beside him was already mostly empty.
Ning Guiwan paused, then a smile touched her red lips as she looked at him.
Old Madam Quan wasn't in good health and retired early each day. Before going to her room, she told her son to see Ning Guiwan home. Ning Guiwan was about to refuse, but Quan Yu had already nodded his assent.
Ning Guiwan was not one to impose on others.
"I can get back on my own; there's no need to trouble Uncle Yu." Under the lights, Ning Guiwan smiled, her red lips possessing an allure no teenage girl could match.
Quan Yu's gaze, clear and cool, rested on her for a moment before he said, "Let's go."
The chauffeur drove, with Ning Guiwan and Quan Yu seated on opposite sides of the back seat. The city's neon lights flashed through the car, momentarily illuminating Quan Yu's eyes—clear and exceptionally striking.
On reflection, Quan Yu had generally been good to her. Old Madam Quan and her maternal grandmother had been as close as sisters, and Ning Guiwan had trailed after Quan Yu like a little shadow since childhood. Her hazy early memories were filled with him lifting her above his head. Even after he went abroad in his youth for over a decade, he had always shown her a touch more gentleness upon his return.
"How confident are you about tomorrow's bid?" Quan Yu's voice pulled Ning Guiwan from her reverie. She paused, unsure if he had overheard her conversation with Grandma Quan.
"I'm fully prepared."
Ning Guiwan smiled faintly. "Although Tianchi Group's capabilities and financial resources don't quite match your Ruiyin Group, Uncle Yu, I will do my absolute best."
Quan Yu's expression was impassive, and he said no more.
The car stopped at the gates of the Ning family villa. Ning Guiwan bade Quan Yu farewell and, after alighting, bent down to wave at him inside the car. Quan Yu offered a cool nod in response.
The next day, Ning Guiwan came downstairs after finishing her makeup. Her father and sister were already seated at the dining table. The previously harmonious and warm atmosphere grew somewhat awkward with her arrival.
At that moment, Ning Guiwan inexplicably wanted to laugh.
She was clearly Ning Honghua's legitimate daughter, yet now she felt like an unwelcome intruder.
"The bid presentation is this afternoon. Whatever the outcome, Xiaowan, don't take it too hard. Just do your best," Ning Rongyue said, playing the part of a kind, magnanimous older sister.
"You're still as impulsive as ever. This project had little chance of success from the start. You should have discussed it with Dad before deciding." As Ning Rongyue spoke, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, revealing the very conspicuous scar on her otherwise pretty face.
Ning Honghua's brows knitted tightly at Ning Rongyue's gesture.
Ning Guiwan's gaze fell on Ning Honghua's face, and she smiled. "Dad, what do you think?"
Ning Honghua looked at her. "Think things through more carefully before you act in the future."
Ning Guiwan's smile widened, but her eyes grew colder. "I'll be sure to do that."
「…」
The bid presentation was scheduled for two in the afternoon. By one-thirty, Ning Guiwan had arrived at the venue with her team. Most of Shencheng's influential companies in the relevant sectors had been invited, making it a veritable gathering of industry leaders.
Just as Ning Guiwan glanced towards the entrance for the fifth time, Quan Yu finally made his appearance, fashionably late.
His arrival seemed to be the main event, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Ning Guiwan waited for him to be seated in the front row before rising to greet him. "Uncle Yu, you're here."
Quan Yu glanced over, his expression unreadable, and gave an almost imperceptible "Mm."
Undeterred by his indifference, Ning Guiwan smiled radiantly. "Allow me to wish you success in advance, Uncle Yu."
"Well, well, if it isn't Xiaowan! When did you get back?" inquired the man seated beside Quan Yu, his interest piqued.
Only then did Ning Guiwan realize the man looked familiar. After a moment of searching her memory, she smiled and greeted, "Uncle Chi."
"Hm, not bad, you still remember me. I thought you'd be just like when you were little, with eyes only for your Uncle Yu," Chi Zhengjun said, leaning back languidly in his chair, hands clasped behind his head.
Ning Guiwan laughed. "How could that be? Are Granduncle and Grandaunt doing well these days?"
Chi Zhengjun replied, "They're doing great, thanks for asking, my dear grandniece."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ning Guiwan returned to her seat. Chi Zhengjun squinted, observing her graceful figure, and chuckled. "It's been years. My grandniece has blossomed into quite the charmer. That title, 'Beauty of Shencheng, outshining even Wutai Mountain,' isn't just for show. I wonder how many young scions of Shencheng will fall for her."
"Think that no-good nephew of yours will be kicking himself when he sees her?"
Quan Yu's gaze, dark and profound, was fixed on the judges' panel. He offered no reply.
Many companies were participating in the bid, but everyone knew Ruiyin Group was the main contender; the others were just there for show. The outcome, however, stunned everyone: Ruiyin Group withdrew.
Because everyone had assumed Ruiyin was set on winning, many companies hadn't prepared seriously. Tianchi Group, having meticulously prepared, seized the opportunity.
「Baiyu Palace, Shencheng's most prestigious leisure and entertainment club.」
Chi Zhengjun, having heard the bidding results from someone, eyed Quan Yu with a sly grin. "Well, now. That little lady's 'Uncle Yu' certainly paid off, didn't it? Just a couple of calls like that, and she lands a deal worth tens of billions. If you don't mind, I could call you Uncle Yu too. How about you share some of those lucrative businesses with me?"
Quan Yu shot him a cool look. "Opportunity favors the prepared mind."
Chi Zhengjun's face lit up. "I'm always prepared to take over your businesses! So, when are you handing them over?"
He had barely finished speaking when Quan Yu's phone began to vibrate.
Chi Zhengjun watched him take the call. Quan Yu then rose, said to the others at the table, "Something's come up," and left the private room.
「…」
Ning Guiwan herself hadn't expected the bid to go so smoothly. Back at the company, someone proposed a celebratory banquet in her honor. Since most of the senior executives were attending, she had no reason to refuse.
At the banquet, she was the star of the show. She was toasted by many and, in turn, had to toast several senior executives. After a few rounds, she'd had a fair bit to drink and her head was throbbing. She excused herself to the restroom to get some air.
She hadn't been sitting long when she suddenly heard a soft DING.
She followed the sound and paused when she saw Quan Yu leaning against a pillar, lighting a cigarette. Dressed in a black shirt and black trousers, he seemed to melt into the darkness, the only point of light the glowing tip of the cigarette at his lips.
"Uncle Yu." She rose to greet him.
Only then did Quan Yu look over, seemingly just noticing her. He exhaled a puff of smoke to the side before walking towards her.