Chapter 88: Eternity
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Chateau Haute Brion is here, and Burgundy is there, Xiao Qu, I can help you with whatever you want."
At a private banquet, a woman with an exaggerated outfit, with each step causing concern that her floor-length skirt might trip her, but she still confidently stood next to Qu Xizhi in her 13-centimeter high heels, her makeup looking dignified due to its precision.
"Thank you, Madame Wu." Qu Xizhi glanced at Gu Xizhi who was talking to someone in the corridor from a distance, turned back, and smiled politely, "But I don't drink."
Qu Xizhi received the alcohol ban from Gu Xizhi a month ago. On that day, after socializing, Qu Xizhi returned home. Concerned about Qu Xizhi's health, Gu Xizhi issued a serious warning. Several days later, Qu Xizhi drank again and returned home. The two had a heated argument, and that night Qu Xizhi stayed in the living room. After a few days of sweet talk, she finally regained Gu Xizhi's favor, and since then, he abstained from alcohol.
The young woman tilted her head while holding the wine glass and said with a smile, "Xiao Qu, I'll take you to see Mr. Wu. Wouldn't it be a bad idea if you didn't get the wine?"
Qu Xizhi also tilted her head and quickly said with a smile, "Okay, I'll do it myself.
The Mr. Wu mentioned by Madame Wu is actually the head of Times Media. Although this leading person is nearly sixty years old, he is married to a young girl in her early twenties, who is the Miss Lu in front of her.
In a normal situation, such lively social gatherings are inevitably accompanied by exquisite wines. Qu Xizhi had considered this scenario before coming, but she still accepted the invitation to attend with Gu Xizhi.
Gu Xizhi still has three years left in her contract with Times Media, but due to unpleasant disputes with the company over its planning, a few months ago, the company decided to let go of Gu Xizhi and shelve her. Although she herself doesn't mind, Qu Xizhi hopes to peacefully terminate the contract on her behalf.
The party was full of gentlemen and celebrities who could decide other people's lives in a matter of minutes. The usually bright stars became less dazzling among them. Two hours into the banquet, many handsome men and women enthusiastically applauded the DJ on the dance floor. The colorful lights on the dance floor shine on the white and black-themed clothing, making the solemn colors appear somewhat vibrant.
Qu Xizhi held the wine glass and walked through the crowd in Mr. Wu's direction under the guidance of Lu Chuanlin. Because Miss Lu was wearing a white floor-length diamond dress, she would attract the attention of people around her wherever she went, so she and her companion Qu Xizhi, in a simple black sequin dress, also garnered the gaze of onlookers as they walked together. Soon, the hushed whispers of the young female guests at the banquet reached Gu Xizhi's ears as she was engrossed in a conversation about orchestral music with a foreign-born Chinese.
"Madame Wu is truly a queen. Even at such a young age, she doesn't show any signs of timidity."
"A little girl who doesn't know the height of the sky and the thickness of the earth*, dress like that, Mr. Wu probably won't be able to satisfy her."
*arrogant and ignorant
"What little girl? How can she become Madame Wu with ordinary skills?"
….
Gu Xizhi didn't pay much attention to their words, but she saw the wine in Qu Xizhi's hand.
"I met Shen Ya and his wife, Miss Ni Si, in Sydney yesterday. If you're interested, I can introduce you next time," the Chinese gentleman said. Seeing Gu Xizhi a bit distracted, he added, "Miss Gu?"
Gu Xizhi suddenly refocused, her gaze quickly shifting away from the tall glass in Qu Xizhi's hand. "I've met Miss Ni Si once..."
….
After three hours into the banquet, half of the guests had left. Qu Xizhi bid farewell to Mr. Wu and then turned around to find Gu Xizhi, but she was nowhere to be seen throughout the entire evening.
Returning home at eleven o'clock, Qu Xizhi, prepared with explanations, felt slightly surprised that the door wasn't locked against her. Pushing it open and finding the bedroom lights on with Gu Xizhi having left the door unlocked, she sighed with relief and entered. "Are you asleep?"
Gu Xizhi turned over without responding.
Seeing her seemingly uneasy but not truly angry, Qu Xizhi smiled and said, "I'll go take a shower first, and I'll come over in a bit."
The sound of water quickly echoed from the bathroom. Gu Xizhi, already feeling troubled, found it even harder to sleep with the running water. She decided to sit up and watch TV instead.
Switching the TV to the pet channel, Gu Xizhi was suddenly reminded of Qiqi, who had been taken away by Liang Ying and occupied for a whole month, making her even more upset.
The notification sound of a phone interrupted the moment. Gu Xizhi reached for the phone beside the bed, glanced at the unfamiliar interface, and tossed it back onto the bed.
After a pause of about two seconds, Gu Xizhi frowned in front of the TV and quickly picked up Qu Xizhi's phone again.
The message on the home screen clearly displayed Lu Chuanlin's name. The content was incomplete, with only half a sentence: Thank you for drinking that glass with me. Have you returned home? I'm happy you chose green. Are you free tomorrow afternoon? I'd like to invite you to...
Gu Xizhi pondered the message for a moment, still frowning and hesitating, then returned the phone to its previous position.
Just as she placed it back, the phone beeped again with another incoming message.
After several battles between heaven and man, Gu Xizhi couldn't restrain her curiosity and picked up her phone again.
Still in the pop-up message, is still Lu Chuanlin’s name, and the content of the message is as follows:
In fact, I like your movie "Silence on the Champs Elysees" the most. In that movie, you had a bathing scene. Your body is so beautiful. It was because of you that I went to Paris to study...
The message abruptly stopped. Gu Xizhi tightly held the phone, resisting the urge to read further, and placed the phone back in its original position. As she looked back at the TV, her expression no longer conveyed the restlessness from earlier but rather a quiet contemplation.
A few minutes later, Qu Xizhi returned to the bedroom from the bathroom, and at the same time took the handbag she had just brought back from the living room.
"First of all, let me state that tonight I just held the glass and pretended to take a sip of wine. Besides, I know I was wrong, so I have already talked to Liang Ying to bring Qiqi back to you tomorrow, and then I bought new clothes for it."
She took out a dog outfit from the handbag and sat it in front of Gu Xizhi on the bed. "Does it look good?"
Gu Xizhi, who was still deep in thought, glanced at the thing in her hand. Just as she was about to speak, that line of small words suddenly appeared in her mind.
Have you returned home? I'm happy you chose green...
Thinking while carefully examining the dog's outfit for a while, Gu Xizhi realized it was definitely green, and her face turned green as well.
"It looks good." Gu Xizhi smiled and twisted up the clothes in her hands, threw them into the trash can nearby, and then handed the pillow to her, "But I don't want to see you tonight.
Qu Xizhi seemed to have not thought of this situation and looked a little surprised.
Gu Xizhi had already turned off the TV and lay down to sleep.
After a long argument, Qu Xizhi didn't manage to defeat Gu Xizhi that night. She ended up sleeping on the sofa with a pillow. Early the next morning, Gu Xizhi had to go to a neighboring city and left before dawn, without saying goodbye to Qu Xizhi. Near noon, Qu Xizhi called her, but she didn't answer. Qu Xizhi tried to appease her through text messages, but Gu Xizhi remained indifferent. Despite the difficulties, Qu Xizhi was persistently patient in trying to please her.
In the evening, as Gu Xizhi was on her way back home, she received another message from Qu Xizhi. Opening it, this time it wasn't a comforting message but rather a straightforward one:
I have plans to have dinner with Lu Chuanlin tonight. What time will you be back? I'll arrange for someone to pick you up.
Seeing the word "Lu Chuanlin" made her feel uncomfortable all over. When she heard that she was going to have dinner with her, Gu Xizhi replied without thinking:
I'm not going back tonight.
She sent the message and got a reply quickly:
Tomorrow is our anniversary, how could you not come back?
Gu Xizhi, who was in a very unhappy mood, quickly replied:
I'm not going back anyway.
This time Qu Xizhi didn't reply for a long time. After about half an hour, Liang Youyou called her.
"Xiao Jing, this is unbelievable. Do you know who I just saw?" Liang Youyou's slightly excited voice came through the phone, making Gu Xizhi curious.
"Who?"
"You'd never guess what she was wearing!" Liang Youyou didn't mention her name first but said, "She was wearing a feather cape, a real one, at the International Building."
Gu Xizhi was even more confused, "Who are you talking about?"
"Ah, of course, it's Miss. Lu Chuanlin, your boss' wife." Liang Youyou paused before adding, "But do you know she's with Qu Xizhi?"
"I know," Gu Xizhi said, not wanting to continue the conversation upon hearing this. "I'm about to get off the car. I'll contact you later."
"Goodbye. I'll continue my date and keep an eye on your Xiao Qu at the same time." Liang Youyou hung up the phone.
After the call ended, Gu Xizhi looked at her phone, saw a new message from Qu Xizhi, and casually opened it: "I just had a little more to drink. If you keep being so proud, I might get angry. Getting angry might lead to violence.
Gu Xizhi snorted, exited the messaging interface, and found Cindy's number in her contacts. Dialing it, she asked, "Where are you?"
At 7:30 in the evening, the night enveloped the entire city. The commercial skyscrapers in the city center stood tall, and the solemn office buildings were distinctly separated from entertainment venues due to their different lighting styles. From a distance, these Building structures made of steel and concrete resembled mighty and imposing giant robots.
International Building downtown.
This building, known as the tallest skyscraper, gives people the illusion of being able to "pluck the stars and the moon" at night. The colorful glass exterior provides a strong sense of grandeur and elegance during both day and night. Amidst a group of cold, mechanical structures, the sleek and rounded silhouette of the tall building, resembling a sphere, gives the feeling of a crystal ball. Beneath the stars, the vibrant lights reflect from various corners, making the colossal glass structure seem like the mandatory path to the temple of heaven.
Entering the top floor of the International Building, various fashionably dressed young people with colorful handbags bewilder the eyes of the elderly. The floors host foreigners with high cheekbones and fair skin, as well as heavily made-up women with dark red lips moving in and out of different restaurants. The bright restaurant corridors carry the luxurious scent of women's perfumes and the aroma of various foods. In the corners, the record player plays the voices of last century's once extremely popular actresses.
In a certain restaurant, the waiter cleared the plates. Lu Chuanlin, wearing a white feather cape and styling her hair in large curls, smiled and said to Qu Xizhi, "Are you satisfied with tonight's dinner? My favorite is the cheese-filled escargot appetizer, how about you?"
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Qu Xizhi glanced at the silent phone and said with a smile, "I like them all.
Lu Chuanlin tilted her head, looking at her. "It's hard to imagine you have such a good temper. Just thinking that you are helping her terminate the contract, and won't come to me anymore. I don't even want to help now."
Qu Xizhi said, "You and I are friends, we are not in a relationship with interest."
"Is that so?" Lu Chuanlin smiled thoughtfully, "So, does that mean aside from her, you still enjoy being with me?"
"Miss Lu's current status and personality are already quite good," smiled Qu Xizhi.
Lu Chuanlin was about to speak, but whispers among some people in the restaurant caused both her and Qu Xizhi to lift their heads and look toward the entrance. As they raised their heads, Qu Xizhi's attention, however, was drawn to the woman in the corridor.
She has seen many beauties, but this is the first one that can hold her gaze for more than three seconds.
She wore a highly metallic bright gold embroidered gown, and the expensive black mink fur on her shoulders, along with the dazzling diamond necklace around her neck, easily raised concerns about her personal safety. As she walked towards the restaurant, the sound of her high heels beneath her feet revealed that her shoes were so high that it was daunting to handle. However, not only did she handle it with ease, but she also made herself look even more charming with her beautiful, fluffy curls.
The restaurant's lighting is ever-changing, and with each step she takes, the beads on her body and the diamonds around her neck seem to refract a colorful glow. In her hand, the golden purse, worth enough to buy the entire restaurant, radiates a luxurious charm in the dazzling light. It may be considered extravagant attire, but because she can effortlessly handle the light-absorbing black color with natural and clean bare-faced makeup, no one finds it inappropriate.
She walked to the seats of Qu Xizhi and Miss Lu Chuanlin with a dignified gaze, then lifted a well-mannered smile. "Good evening, Miss Lu. I've come to take Xiao Qu home. Would it be too much of a disturbance for you both?"
Lu Chuanlin seemed very surprised, looking at her for quite a while before smiling again. "Of course not, but I've ordered tea that hasn't arrived yet. Miss Gu, would you like to sit down and chat for a while?"
"Okay." Gu Xizhi generously agreed, glanced at Qu Xizhi, and added, "I decided to come back temporarily to celebrate with you. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
Qu Xizhi was still observing her in a completely different light, thinking for a moment before gently smiling and saying, "Idiot." She stood up, gracefully pulling out a chair for her to sit.
Hearing the mention of a celebration, Lu Chuanlin inexplicably became curious. Upon seeing Gu Xizhi taking her seat, he then asked the two, "Tomorrow doesn't seem to be any special holiday. Did I get the date wrong?"
"No, sorry. It's our anniversary." Generally, Qu Xizhi is not a person who likes to be too high profile but she connected Gu Xizhi's unusual reactions over the past two days with her exceptionally peculiar behavior tonight. Hearing this, Qu Xizhi had to suppress a smile and took the initiative to explain.
Lu Chuanlin seemed even more surprised, but quickly smiled and nodded.
The waiter brought the tea at this moment. Gu Xizhi took the tea and handed it to Qu Xizhi. As the waiter placed a cup of tea in front of her, Gu Xizhi curiously inquired, "May I ask about this tea..."
"It's a gift from our boss," the waiter smiled in service. "You are the most beautiful lady tonight."
Gu Xizhi followed the waiter's gesture, looking towards the casually dressed American man behind the glass display. She smiled and made a gesture of gratitude towards him.
Originally planning to chat while enjoying the tea, but due to an unexpected call that Lu Chuanlin had to take, she apologized just about ten minutes after the tea was served.
"I'm really sorry, I have some last-minute matters to attend to, and I might have to leave." Lu Chuanlin took out her wallet, facing Qu Xizhi and Gu Xizhi. "The tea is good; you can stay a bit longer. I'll settle the bill directly."
"Miss Lu, if you have something to attend to, it's no problem," Gu Xizhi interlocked her fingers on the table, slightly raising her chin as she looked at her. "I've already taken care of the bill because I'm truly grateful for Miss Lu's help. I hope you won't mind my presumptuousness."
Lu Chuanlin remained silent for quite a while this time, looking at her before managing to squeeze out a small smile and nod. "Then I'll treat you next time. Tonight, it's time to say goodbye."
Qu Xizhi, following etiquette, stood up. "I won't see you off. Thank you for the contract matters."
Lu Chuanlin smiled and shrugged, "No problem, see you later."
Qu Xizhi watched Lu Chuanlin walk out of the restaurant with elegant steps until the flowing feathers really disappeared. When she was gone, she turned to look at Gu Xizhi, "Hey."
"Mm?" She was drinking her tea.
Looking at her with interest, Qu Xizhi asked, "So, you're jealous?"
Setting down the tea, Gu Xizhi replied casually, "Not at all." Then, in an unaffected tone, "Since you mentioned tomorrow is our anniversary, I came to find you."
"Mm..." Not wanting to argue further, Qu Xizhi simply gazed at her beautiful profile under the restaurant's lights. "By the way, would you like to wrap yourself up as a gift for me?"
"What?" Gu Xizhi looked at her alertly.
"You are really beautiful tonight." Qu Xizhi smiled half-heartedly, "So..."
"Huh?" Gu Xizhi remained on guard.
"Let's go home and let me unwrap my gift there?"
Raindrops fell on the transparent glass, adorning the crystal building with countless sparkling pearl-like chains. The city, drenched in rain, resembled a mysterious watercolor painting. After leaving the restaurant, Gu Xizhi and Qu Xizhi went to a rarely-visited jewelry store on the first floor of the International Building. The salespeople, with great poise, showed professionalism and enthusiasm, introducing jewelry to the two without prying or gossiping despite their evident surprise.
Seated in the back of the sports car, Lu Chuanlin looked through the rain-streaked glass window at the luxuriously decorated jewelry store. After a while, she took out her phone and sent a short message.
A minute later, Gu Xizhi, who was trying on diamond rings, received a text message. The number was completely unfamiliar, but the tone made Gu Xizhi immediately knew who it was:
The truth is, I have nothing to do with her, you should believe her.
Gu Xizhi only glanced at it and put the phone back into her handbag, showing no intention to respond.
Looking up at Qu Xizhi, who was examining diamonds, Gu Xizhi suddenly took out her phone and quickly typed a short message:
Regarding love, I firmly believe in two things: one, love knows no age, gender, height, or nationality, and two, she loves me.
Regarding Miss Lu, I just want to tell you, she's softhearted and not good at refusing. That's her weakness, but I'll try to help her to say no.
Miss Gu, this is the blue diamond mentioned in the news two months ago, just extracted from the Ivory Coast. Would you like to give it a try?"
As she put away her phone, the store clerk introduced the product to Miss Gu. Miss Gu lifted her head and glanced at the diamond, which was dazzling in both clarity, brilliance, and color. She then looked at Qu Xizhi sideways and asked, "How about this one?"
Qu Xizhi was also relatively satisfied, nodded, and said, "Try it."
The clerk had already taken out the diamond ring for Gu Xizhi to try on. After looking at it for a while, she felt it was good. She took off the ring and said to Qu Xizhi, "How about you try it too?"
Qu Xizhi looked at her with interest, "What do you mean?"
Gu Xizhi ignored her and proceeded to put the ring on Qu Xizhi's finger. Seeing the good effect, she opened her handbag, took out a card, and handed it to the clerk, saying, "Please."
The clerk took the card politely.
Gu Xizhi glanced sideways at Qu Xizhi, with a somewhat triumphant and joyful expression, "This is to punish you because if another Lu Chuanlin comes next year, I can only eat and drink what's yours."
Qu Xizhi couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's better for you to support me."
The rain is still falling, and on the stone steps washed by the rain, occasionally, gentlemen in suits and elegantly dressed women in high heels with umbrellas pass by. Through an expensive glass window, the thick ink-like gray-white reflections from the high sky cover the world like a picture blurred in a photographer's lens. Only the trail of lights leaves beautiful silhouettes in front of vehicles, elevated structures, and exquisite buildings.
The world is in your eyes and your hands.
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T/N: Fourth project done!!! 🥰🌻🎉
I can finally put my lingering frustration and 'wtf did i read' feeling to rest.
MGMQ is one of my earlier Baihe reads (that was MTL and my brain was fried) along with Perfect Heroine… and My Feelings Can Wait, because I couldn't wait for the Manhua update. This is one of the reasons why Loving Baihe was born.
Started: May 19, 2023
Finished: Nov. 14, 2023
Thank you for reading with me, I hope this edited MTL gave you a better reading experience. Apologies for the mistakes and erratic schedule. 😅🙏🙇🏽♀️🌻🌹
See you on the next project. Check out the INDEX for other stories, if you haven't yet.
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