Chapter 068　 I was just putting on a brave face.

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng checked his watch and walked to the foyer to wait. When Su Xian appeared, holding Li Chengshi’s hand, his eyes lit up instantly. Yes, that was his radiant ex-girlfriend—wearing a magenta sequined, sleeveless, bodycon, ankle-length dress. She always managed to make such gaudy colors and uninspired designs look breathtaking. He stepped forward and offered his arm to her, as if Li Chengshi weren't even there.

  Su Xian swatted his hand away. "Where’s Yoshida?"

  "Touching up her makeup."

  "Where’s the good food?"

  "Don't just think about eating. Go network for me; those expenses can’t go to waste. You too, Li Chengshi. That outfit of yours..." He looked him up and down.

  "What are you looking at? Team leader bought this for me with her own money."

  Zhao Nanfeng took off his own watch and handed it to him. "Wear this. Otherwise, standing next to her, you look like a waiter."

  "Oh, thanks, Boss."

  Su Xian helped Li Chengshi put on the watch. "How does a design firm even 'network' at a place like this?"

  "I'm not asking you to aggressively promote us. But the people here tonight are all either rich or influential. If you get the chance, grab anyone for a casual chat and leave a business card if it's convenient. Don't force it. We are a firm with master-level works; keep your head high."

  The phrase "master-level works" made Su Xian beam.

  *

  Yoshida Wakaba finished her makeup and came over to greet Su Xian and Li Chengshi. She was wearing a ruffled cocktail dress that accentuated her curves, looking every bit the feminine beauty.

  "Okay, everyone’s here. I’ll take you to greet the host first."

  Fujikawa Koki had just finished exchanging pleasantries with several investors. He turned to see Zhao Nanfeng approaching with his team and immediately stepped forward with a warm greeting: "南丰、お久しぶりです。いつものように、センスがいいね！(Nanfeng, long time no see. As usual, your taste is impeccable!)"

  Zhao Nanfeng introduced his team in turn: the designer Su Xian, the assistant Li Chengshi, and his assistant-slash-girlfriend Yoshida Wakaba.

  Fujikawa noted with a smile that he had already seen them walking hand-in-hand. "また奪ったら殺されるかなぁ。(I wonder if I’d be killed if I stole another girlfriend of yours?)"

  "やってみな。(Try it and find out.)" Zhao replied.

  Fujikawa burst into laughter, but was soon called away by the master of ceremonies. He apologized and left.

  Zhao Nanfeng turned to Yoshida and said, "If you like him, feel free to try."

  Yoshida gave him two playful punches and said coquettishly, "I don't want to."

  *

  Su Xian and Li Chengshi went to the bar for drinks. Su Xian ordered a beautiful cocktail, while Li Chengshi, who had to drive, chose a mixed fruit juice. The buffet tables were spread with various light snacks; it seemed most people weren't here to actually eat. They picked out a few items on a plate and found an inconspicuous spot, deciding to line their stomachs before networking.

  "Wow, this caviar crisp is delicious." Su Xian stuffed another one into Li Chengshi’s mouth.

  "It really is. I’ll go grab two more."

  "Go ahead, but don't take too many. Otherwise, the Boss will think we’re embarrassing him."

  "I know."

  Watching his retreating back, Su Xian took a leisurely sip of her drink, thinking: This high-class stuff really is something.

  Just as Li Chengshi reached the buffet table, a middle-aged lady slipped and accidentally knocked over two plates, spilling her drink. He quickly stepped forward to support her and led her aside to avoid the shattered porcelain.

  The lady thanked him repeatedly and introduced herself.

  Seeing Li Chengshi glance back as if casually checking in, Su Xian waved for him to continue. Isn't this exactly what 'networking' looks like?

  Since the staff were still cleaning up the broken plates and spilled food, she couldn't go over to get more food for a while, so she sipped her drink slowly. Soon, someone came to strike up a conversation. After a few words, she realized he was the director of a private hospital. Fujikawa’s tech company focused on medical robots, so it made sense. Hearing that she was an architect, the director showed great interest.

  A waiter came by with a tray of five or six different cocktails. Su Xian picked one at random and continued chatting with the director. When he was finally called away, she stood up to find Li Chengshi but was stopped by someone else for a chat.

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  Regardless, Li Chengshi was working hard at talking to people. Whether he found potential clients was secondary; it was good for him to speak with different types of people.

  As for herself, she had always liked talking anyway.

  *

  The atmosphere gradually heated up. Fujikawa paused the socializing at the right moment and took to the podium to deliver an inspiring speech. He spoke of technology, innovation, and humanistic care. Finally, he solemnly introduced his new vision, explaining the major breakthroughs and bright future his new product would bring.

  A tech guy who knows how to play on emotions like this... maybe he’s the next Steve Jobs, Su Xian thought idly. Suddenly, she caught a whiff of cigarette smoke from the man next to her and immediately gagged. She took a few steps away, thinking it would pass, but the nausea only intensified. She had to lower her posture and slip through the crowd as inconspicuously as possible, heading into the hallway to find a restroom sign.

  Zhao Nanfeng was leaning against a wall taking a phone call. Seeing her come out covering her mouth, he pointed toward the restroom.

  Su Xian ran in and retched into the sink. She hadn't eaten much, so she didn't throw up much food—it was mostly alcohol. Once she finally settled down, she rinsed her mouth and lightly touched up her makeup, but her face remained pale.

  Seeing her emerge from the restroom, no longer radiant but walking with a slight wobble, Zhao Nanfeng immediately stepped up. "Are you okay?"

  "Just drank too much. I’ll go for a walk in the garden to clear my head."

  "I'll go with you."

  *

  The night breeze could sober one up, but that lingering feeling of total discomfort wouldn't leave.

  "I don't know what's wrong. I’ve been getting tired very easily lately."

  Zhao Nanfeng turned around and looked at her seriously.

  "What is it?" Su Xian felt a bit uneasy.

  "You... you aren't pregnant, are you?" Zhao Nanfeng had almost never heard her complain about being tired before, but she had mentioned it twice recently.

  Su Xian reacted with exaggerated shock. "How is that possible!" Then, realizing something, she immediately lowered her voice. "We use protection every time."

  "No matter what protection, there’s always a failure rate, and..."

  Before Zhao could finish, Su Xian’s body went limp. She grabbed his arm, terrified. "Oh no." She remembered—on the night of their anniversary, she and Li Chengshi had both drunk a lot. They had done it two or three times, and it was very likely they hadn't used protection once because she could hardly remember any details.

  Zhao Nanfeng steadied her. "It looks like you have an idea of what happened."

  "What do I do?!" She was already at her wit's end.

  "Don't panic." Zhao Nanfeng set a rhythm and guided her to take deep breaths. After a minute, Su Xian gradually calmed down.

  "What do I do, Zhao Nanfeng? I can't let Li Chengshi know."

  "Didn't you say before that since meeting him, you aren't against the idea of marriage and kids anymore?"

  "I was just putting on a brave face."

  "I knew it."

  "Is now the time to mock me?!"

  "Don't worry. First, we need to confirm if you're actually pregnant. If you are, and you're sure you don't want it, we'll just drop it. I'll find a reliable clinic and take you there. If the father’s signature is needed, I'll sign it."

  Su Xian felt slightly more at ease. "How do I confirm? I’m inseparable from Li Chengshi. It would be hard even to go to a pharmacy for a pregnancy test."

  "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll claim I’m taking you to see a client. We’ll find a pharmacy outside to buy one, and you can test it in a mall restroom. If it’s positive, when we go to Shodoshima next week, I’ll add a day to the trip and take you to a clinic. Luckily we found out this early, it’s easy to handle. With your constitution, you’ll recover in a day or two. No need to worry about being found out."

  *