Chapter Eight: The Uninvited Guest

Liu Jingye's head was pounding, and he had no appetite for breakfast. He turned to go back inside, only to see Yuan Xiaoying at the door once again.

Fortunately, the neighbors had dispersed. Otherwise, who knew what this woman might say next?

Just then, the sound of a car horn rang out behind them. A luxurious sports car glided slowly into view, preparing to turn toward them.

Out of the car stepped a chubby man and a garishly dressed woman—both draped head to toe in designer brands, the classic caricature of a nouveau riche and his coquettish companion.

The sports car came to a stop. The pair got out, both strutting with noses in the air as they surveyed Liu Jingye's little inn, their eyes full of disdain and undisguised contempt.

Still, a guest is a guest, no matter who comes to the door. Liu Jingye had to welcome them all; this was, after all, how he earned his living.

As for Yuan Xiaoying, she slipped quietly into the house, blushing like a shy bride.

“Ugh, I can't stand pretentious types,” Liu Jingye sighed to himself. “But business is business.” He walked toward the alluring woman.

Despite the thick powder on her face, the dark circles under her eyes, and the obviously fake lashes, she did have a charming smile. As Liu Jingye approached, he couldn't help but notice it.

He was about to speak when, with a sudden burst of energy, the glamorous woman darted past him and rushed straight at Yuan Xiaoying, who seemed ready to flee but was swiftly caught by her.

“Yingying! Oh my god, it really is you! I’ve missed you so much!” The woman bounced with excitement, her voice bright with genuine delight. “I can’t believe I ran into you here. How long has it been? Five years? You’re as beautiful as ever!”

Yuan Xiaoying, unable to escape the woman's tight grip, could only return her enthusiasm with a polite smile. “Yes, Hu Ling, it really has been a long time. You’ve gotten even prettier.”

The woman let out a shrill, triumphant laugh that sent shivers down Liu Jingye’s spine. He could hear the subtle jab in Yuan Xiaoying’s words—clearly, she meant the woman hadn't been much to look at before.

The glamorous woman was overjoyed, but suddenly changed the subject. “By the way, yesterday I was chatting in our alumni group online. Xiao Jing said you’re getting married! Yingying, how could you not tell me you’re getting married?”

Yuan Xiaoying replied awkwardly, “I’m so sorry. The truth is, I didn’t want a big ceremony—just a small family gathering.”

The woman pouted. “What? Aren’t we as close as family?”

“Of course you are,” Yuan Xiaoying replied quickly, “but I didn’t want to interrupt you two enjoying your time together. Haven’t you been living in the capital? What brings you back?”

“Oh, my fiancé heard the scenery here is beautiful,” the woman explained, “and you know, the air in Beijing is terrible. He wanted to come here for a little vacation.” She turned and called to the hefty man with the cigar-shaped belly, “Darling, come here. Let me introduce you. This is my best friend, Yuan Xiaoying. Yingying, this is my fiancé, Gao Dashang.”

Gao Dashang? Liu Jingye nearly laughed aloud. That name was as ostentatious as they came, right up there with Lai Yuejing and Shi Zhenxiang.

Liu Jingye smirked inwardly. He could tell Yuan Xiaoying’s smile was forced; she and this woman were hardly the close friends they claimed to be.

The nouveau riche man strode over, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Yuan Xiaoying’s delicate face, barely able to keep his eyes in his head. Especially now, with Yuan Xiaoying dressed in Liu Jingye’s shirt and shorts, she looked both relaxed and alluring—a combination impossible to resist.

He swallowed hard, extending his hand with a business card. “Hello, I’m the general manager of Yuanlan Corporation in Beijing. Here’s my card. We’ve just developed some new properties. If you’re interested, give me a call—I’ll give you a fifty percent discount.”

He handed her the card with a smug air, eager to impress.

Yuan Xiaoying accepted it gracefully, her composure unshaken. Meanwhile, the glamorous woman noticed her fiancé’s intentions and quickly cut in, “Oh please, those suburban houses in Beijing? Yingying wouldn’t be interested. She’s a real heiress, you know. Her father is—”

She was about to reveal more when Yuan Xiaoying interrupted, “Ah, let me introduce my fiancé. Hey, don’t just stand there—come over here!”

Liu Jingye feigned cluelessness, his eyes blank, refusing to play along.

Yuan Xiaoying didn’t mind. She walked over, beaming, and took his arm. “He’s just a bit shy, don’t worry.”

Surreptitiously, she pinched Liu Jingye and whispered quickly in his ear while the others watched his dazed expression, “Find a way to get rid of them.”

Liu Jingye was startled. He thought to himself, “What are this nouveau riche couple doing at a rural inn like this? They must be here for Yuan Xiaoying.”

It must have something to do with Huangchao. Using a not-so-friendly old classmate to get close to Yuan Xiaoying—she might be annoyed, but wouldn’t be on her guard. Then, when the chance came, they could look for those important earrings.

He wondered if Yuan Xiaoying realized this, or if she just wanted to get rid of them out of sheer annoyance.

“What?” the glamorous woman cried in disbelief, while the nouveau riche man eyed Liu Jingye up and down. The woman said bluntly, “This is your fiancé? He runs a little country inn?”

Liu Jingye cleared his throat and corrected her. “It’s actually a super-luxury, ultra-high-star hotel called ‘Better Than Home,’ right on the edge of town, with a sea view.”

He spoke with utmost gravity, but both woman and man nearly burst out laughing. “A sea view? Here?”

Liu Jingye pointed next door. “My neighbor’s name is Sun Xiaohai, and his brother is Sun Dahai. If you want to see the sea, I can call them over.”

They could see the mockery in his eyes. The nouveau riche man forced a laugh, trying to save face. “Actually, it’s not bad here. Nice scenery, fresh air. After staying in five-star hotels all the time, it’s good to have a change.”

Liu Jingye sneered inwardly. He could tell that the woman wanted to belittle Yuan Xiaoying, while her fiancé wanted to mock him. There was even a hint of jealousy in the man's eyes every time he saw Yuan Xiaoying on Liu Jingye’s arm.

Liu Jingye didn’t care, but the glamorous woman pressed on, “Yingying, you can’t be serious—him, your fiancé? I thought you’d find someone who’s your equal. By the way, with the current anti-corruption campaign going on, is your family...?”

“I simply like him,” Yuan Xiaoying interrupted her with a smile. Liu Jingye could see the woman was trying to score points at Yuan Xiaoying’s expense.

The woman was relentless. “Yingying, as women, we have it tough. We must treat ourselves well. Choosing a husband is a lifelong decision—you can’t let a moment’s impulse ruin your whole life.

By the way, Gao, don’t you have a friend who runs a software company? He’s doing pretty well—worth about a tenth of your fortune. Why not introduce him to my dear friend here? Yingying, you don’t have to settle!”

Yuan Xiaoying, knowing full well this was meant to insult her, simply smiled and shook her head, refusing politely.

Seeing that Yuan Xiaoying remained serene and unmoved, as if a gentle breeze brushed the mountain slopes, the woman found herself at a loss for words. The nouveau riche man stepped forward and turned his attention to Liu Jingye with a mocking grin.

“Mr. Liu, is it? I saw your sign outside—it says you offer free car washes. That’s great. It just rained, and my car’s a little dirty. Would you mind washing it for me? Just a heads up—it’s a very expensive car, so be careful.”

Liu Jingye shrugged indifferently and turned to go wash the car, his attitude impeccable. The contempt in the nouveau riche man’s eyes only deepened—such is the irrational hatred of a man who sees another with a beautiful woman.

He pressed on, “Mr. Liu, let me remind you again—my car is really expensive. Tell me, what’s the most expensive car you’ve ever sat in?”

Unfazed by the provocation, Liu Jingye smiled calmly and replied, “The most expensive car I’ve ever ridden in? It cost a few billion, but the comfort was average.”

It was obvious boasting, and the nouveau riche man sneered, “What car could possibly be worth billions?”

Liu Jingye replied with a cold smile, “A bullet train.”