Chapter 24: Almost Married

Nan Xi was on break and invited Song Yanzi to go to the hot springs. It took about an hour and a half to drive from the city to the resort hotel. Song Yanzi drove, while Nan Xi, having worked overtime and stayed up late the previous night, caught up on some sleep in the car.

Upon arriving at the hotel, they found the room Nan Xi had booked. After a short rest, the two prepared to go to the hot springs, but to their surprise, they encountered Shen Yihuan and her friends in the lobby. It was a classic case of enemies crossing paths. Nan Xi and Shen Yihuan were relatives, but as the Song and Shen families became estranged and Song Yanzi broke up with Shen Yichi, their relationship shifted. The reason was simple: Nan Xi and Song Yanzi were close friends, and because Shen Yihuan hated Song Yanzi, she grew to despise Nan Xi as well.

The hot spring pools were scattered along the hillside, with each one separated by greenery. Amidst the swirling mist, Song Yanzi and Nan Xi soaked contentedly in the water, with fruit, snacks, and various drinks arranged by the side of the pool.

Suddenly, a message arrived from her "client": "I am also at the resort. Come to my room tonight."

Song Yanzi replied: "Mr. Shen, could I take a leave of absence?"

Client: "No."

Song Yanzi: "Your sister is here too. What if..."

Client: "The two are not mutually exclusive."

He had to be doing this on purpose, insisting on such a thrill. Song Yanzi was extremely annoyed and couldn't be bothered to reply.

Before long, a familiar voice drifted over from the next pool.

"Yihuan, I remember you used to be quite close with Song Yanzi and Nan Xi. Why are you like enemies now?"

Shen Yihuan sounded full of disdain and contempt. "Don't mention them. It’s bad luck."

Her friend couldn't suppress her curiosity. "I don't mean anything by it, don't overthink it. I remember your brother was almost going to marry Song Yanzi, right? Why did they break up so suddenly?"

Shen Yihuan stayed silent until her friend urged her, "Yihuan, just tell me. I really want to know."

Shen Yihuan's tone was sharp. "There's no reason. Song Yanzi is just a vicious woman, deep and calculating, who wanted to marry into a wealthy family. How could my brother ever really marry her? She can forget about stepping foot into the Shen family."

For the rest of the time, the sound of her mockery and insults was endless.

Nan Xi couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to retort, but Song Yanzi stopped her. She shook her head and whispered, "It’s fine, let her be." They were just insignificant words, and she didn't care. Nan Xi knew she didn't want to cause trouble. While she felt aggrieved for Yanzi, she felt even more heartache. It was clearly Yanzi who was the victim, yet she had to endure such treatment.

Nan Xi whispered, "You're too kind. People like that shouldn't be indulged. They're emboldened because you give them an inch, and it just never ends." A spoiled and arrogant young lady like Shen Yihuan needed to be put in her place.

Song Yanzi smiled faintly. "Forget it. I don't want to complicate things; I just want a peaceful life." Once a scene was made, there was no telling what might happen. It was better to avoid what she couldn't afford to provoke. Understanding her dilemma, Nan Xi said no more. Worried that staying there and listening to those words would affect Song Yanzi's mood, Nan Xi decided to move to a different pool. The two of them left quietly.

After dinner, Nan Xi had to return to the hospital due to a critical case. Song Yanzi chose to stay the night; after all, the "client" had given his order, and she dared not disobey. Bored in her room, she went to the bar for a drink. Since hearing Shen Yihuan's words, her mood had been affected. A heavy, stagnant feeling sat in her heart like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.

They had been so close—just a hair's breadth away from marriage. But then, everything changed. In one fell swoop, she and Shen Yihuan's brother were forced to break up. Occasionally, she wondered, if they hadn't returned and had chosen to stay abroad instead, perhaps the ending would have been different. But there were no "ifs." Perhaps this was fate. She and Shen Yichi were, in the end, destined to be apart.

After a few drinks, she began to feel dizzy. After settling the bill, Song Yanzi stood up to leave the bar. Upon reaching the lobby, two men blocked her path. Without a word, they grabbed her by the arms and dragged her toward the elevators. Though dazed, Song Yanzi remained rational. She tried to cry for help, but one of the men clamped his hand over her mouth. Terrified, she struggled with all her might, but it was useless. She was no match for two grown men.

Just as the elevator doors began to close and she fell into a state of extreme panic and despair, the doors opened again, and a tall, imposing figure stepped out. Seeing that refined, handsome face, Song Yanzi felt saved. She watched as the man strode in. With a few swift movements, Shen Yichi left the two men with no room to fight back. Finally, he carried Song Yanzi away.

Arriving at the floor with the presidential suites, Shen Yichi carried her straight to his room.

Meanwhile, Shen Yihuan received the news and rushed to the hotel without a moment's delay. The reason she had been at the resort was that she had pried information from her brother's secretary, learning that he had a business engagement there that night. She had been secretly investigating her brother for a while, but had found nothing. Just moments ago, a friend had messaged her, saying they saw Shen Yichi carrying a woman into a room. In the photo, only her brother’s back was visible, and the woman was leaning against him, her face hidden.

Shen Yihuan was exhilarated; she hadn't had to lift a finger to find this. She was determined to find out exactly who this woman was that her brother was hiding with such effort. Tonight was the perfect opportunity.