chapter 2

Later that night, a group of Shanghai’s elites gathered in a private room at

Jade Dynasty Lounge.

Inside, the walls were draped in sumptuous crimson silk and adorned with

vintage Chinese embroidery depicting ancient tales of prosperity and

wisdom.  Luminous red lanterns swayed

from the ceiling, casting a warm, ruby glow over the occupants.

Amid the low pulsing beat of the music, a random voice called, “A’Qian, you

really think you’ve found her this time?” The crowd quietened as they looked at

the man in question.

Li Qian raised his eyes to the speaker and replied with a cold, “En.”

Li Qian had never hidden his interests from his friends, and they were all

well aware of his yearning for a face from the past.

Yuan Ming raised a glass with a

sarcastic smirk.  “Look at you,

A’Qian.  You’ve been searching for a

ghost for so long I can hardly believe you still think she exists.”

Li Qian sharpened his eyes at his oldest friend but did not respond.  Yuan Ming sat back in his chair and sipped

from his glass.  He couldn’t help but

keep poking, not entirely understanding the feelings pricking his heart.

“Once you find your little fairy, what will the rest of us do, huh?” He

scoffed to the room at large.  “Your mind

has been set on her so long I worry your friends will fall to the wayside.”  He laughed lightly, avoiding eye contact with

the man across from him. Vaguely uncomfortable titters echoed from the other

occupants in the room.

The door to the private room stood ajar, and a slim shadow had halted just

before entering at hearing Yuan Ming’s words.  Ling Xue stood captivated as she waited for

the man’s reply.

Ling Xue had been friends with Li Qian and Yuan Ming from the start and was

considered the childhood sweetheart of Yuan Ming.  Her heart, however, had always been drawn to

the brooding, cold phoenix eyes of Li Qian, which seemed to hold ancient

secrets in their depths.  While she was

aware of his ‘dream girl,’ Ling Xue had never taken it to heart as she

considered her a fantasy never to appear.  Deep in her bones, she knew Li Qian would be hers if she stuck by his

side long enough.

As she waited motionless, her ebony hair cascading like a silken waterfall

down her back, she couldn’t help but narrow her almond eyes.  The longer he paused, the more her heart

quailed.

Unable to stand it any longer, she burst into the room.  Happy cries met her entrance, “Ah, Xue’er’s

finally here!”

She laughed and whirled to the couch where Li Qian was comfortably sipping

his wine.  Ling Xue had always been

confident with her looks and personality; what was there to worry about?  She took in Li Qian’s cold demeanor, and her

heart calmed.  She was a beautiful,

successful, and wealthy young woman; who was this little mystery girl to her?

“A’Qian, you came to my birthday party,” she smiled and sat, leaving at

least one cushion between them as Li Qian preferred.

Li Qian finally turned his head to the pretty woman just sitting down.  The ice in his eyes melted slightly, and he

replied, “Of course, I couldn’t miss your twenty-fourth birthday party.”

That was all, but Ling Xue beamed in satisfaction.  Her attention turned to the other friends in

the room as someone turned the music up.  Knowing he was here was enough for Ling Xue to relax and enjoy her

party.

Li Qian stayed just long enough to give Ling Xue face, but his heart was

focused on his upcoming trip.  His

friendship with Yuan Ming and Ling Xue was legendary in their circle; they’d

practically been raised together from diapers.  Although Yuan Ming’s initially gentle personality had seemed to veer

towards the slightly competitive and jealous side lately, Li Qian brushed it

off as growing pains and familial pressures.

He was also well aware of Yuan Ming’s sticky relationship with Ling Xue;

however, she seemed unwilling to commit to him.  Yuan Ming’s eyes were always on Ling Xue, while Ling Xue couldn’t tear

her eyes from Li Qian.  From their early

years, Li Qian saw right through the warm and wandering gaze that invited him

to make a move, and he was vigilant to keep a respectful distance from her

because of it.

Let them sort out their own relationship, and Yuan Ming to hold onto her if

he dared.  Li Qian had other dreams to

fulfill.

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