Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love-Chapter 92: Liking you is not a terrible crime

Xu Si decided to attend the banquet, representing Xu’s Real Estate as its decision-maker. It had been over a month since she last appeared on Hong Kong Island. After a simple dinner, she hired a professional makeup artist to style her hair and do her makeup.

Her cool, aloof features needed little adornment, and her nails remained unpolished. She chose a silver-white vintage wristwatch, a French wide-brimmed hat with a striped lining, and a deep brown double-faced cashmere coat secured with a slim black belt. She completed the look with black stiletto heels.

Such attire placed her at the pinnacle of the era’s fashion trends. Her bearing, of course, was indescribable—elegant and aristocratic. There were no cute encumbrances like bubble skirts or lace; the contrasting fabrics were stark and sharply tailored, the design avant-garde to an extreme.

Xu Si selected a pair of gemstone earrings, holding them up to the mirror before fastening one to her ear.

Butler Ge approached and said, "Miss, the painting has already been sent ahead."

"Mm," Xu Si replied, turning her head to put on the other earring. Her red-lipsticked lips curved into a smile. "It’s getting late, Butler Ge. Have the driver bring the car around; I’m heading out now."

Birds stirred in the dense, mellow dusk. The drive from Harbor North to Harbor East took an hour.

The hotel Jarvis had booked, located in a scenic area on Hong Kong Island, was a classic Western European-style building. Its semi-open setting was private and tranquil, with the flowing notes of elegant musical instruments filling the air.

Holding her invitation, Xu Si walked to the banquet’s lounge area. Although hosted for personal reasons, the cocktail party was primarily a commercial networking event; the food and drinks were secondary to the strong emphasis on socializing.

Men typically brought female companions—wives, family members, or mistresses. Similarly, women would bring husbands, family members, or young lovers as their male companions. Xu Si, however, had brought Anshi. Though he seemed slightly out of place, his presence suited her character.

Her arrival immediately drew many gazes. Those who recognized her came up one after another to greet her. Smiling readily, Xu Si effortlessly navigated the conversations, not only catching up with old acquaintances but also meeting several of Hong Kong Island’s newly prominent tycoons.

The entire hotel had been booked for the event, ensuring no disturbances from uninvited guests.

Standing in the crowd with a champagne flute in hand, Xu Si conversed with ease. When she encountered an old acquaintance of her father, she became even more talkative.

"Uncle Liu, have you been busy lately?"

The man she addressed as Uncle Liu, dressed impeccably in a suit, waved his hand resignedly. "The old industries are tough these days; I’m finding I have more and more free time."

Xu Si clinked her champagne flute against his with a bright, generous smile. "Money, well, one can never earn it all. When you’re free, do come visit us. Enjoy life a bit. Your son is so clever; I’m sure he can handle great responsibilities."

Mr. Liu clearly enjoyed such remarks—perhaps all of Hong Kong’s older generation did. He laughed heartily, clapping his hands. "That’s what I always say! Xiaoxu, you’re so broad-minded. Xu Sheng is fortunate to have a daughter like you; truly excellent."

Xu Si’s smile didn’t falter, but the mention of her father extinguished her desire to converse. She coughed gently twice, then excused herself, saying she needed to take some medicine, and retreated to a quiet corner.

Anshi followed her closely, pulling a pillbox from his pocket and promptly requesting a cup of warm water.

Xu Si was indeed ill. Perhaps due to the sudden drop in temperature, she had started coughing the previous night. Fortunately, it wasn’t serious. Setting her handbag on the table, she took the white pill and the glass of water, still in the mood to make a dark joke to Anshi:

"You’ve confirmed with the doctor that it’s alright for me to take this after drinking, right? I won’t keel over from a stomach ache here, will I?"

Anshi picked up her handbag, careful to keep its bottom from getting soiled, and said seriously, "Miss, you knew you were sick and needed medicine, yet you still came to a cocktail party to drink. I assumed you weren’t concerned."

Xu Si sighed softly. "I may not be overly concerned, but I’m not keen on dying just yet."

"Rest assured, Miss," Anshi nodded. "You can take it. I’ve confirmed it multiple times."

Xu Si smiled. "The party will officially kick off soon, and I might have to drink a lot more. See that man over there? He’s an industrialist, Mr. Chen. He has a prime piece of land suitable for senior living, and I want to buy it to build a hotel. When you get a chance, help me swap my alcohol for a non-alcoholic beverage. I’m going to get him drunk."

"Understood, Miss."

The cocktail party officially began, and the melodious tunes of the Western instruments grew more cheerful. Jarvis went on stage with a translator, said a few words, then took his wine glass and began mingling with the guests.

In the normal ebb and flow of social interactions, Xu Si always felt a particular gaze fixed on her, persistent as a shadow. Following etiquette, she hadn’t yet approached Mr. Chen to discuss the land deal, instead waiting for the host to come over and toast with her.

After several minutes, Jarvis purposefully walked up to her, having dismissed his translator this time. His expression was gentle and earnest. He tried to ignore her graceful figure and striking face but was clearly still captivated. His voice deepened.

"Xu, welcome to my party."

Xu Si returned his smile, her brightly lipsticked lips curving as she clinked glasses with him. "Happy birthday, Jarvis. And welcome to Hong Kong Island."

"Thank you. It’s indeed just as you described—romantic, beautiful, and warm."

Xu Si’s fingers supported the base of her glass, and she swirled the liquid gently. "You probably won’t be staying too long, so you should enjoy the scenery here as much as you can."

She said this calmly, but by the end, the corners of her lips and eyes couldn’t help but lift into a knowing curve.

But Jarvis laughed. "No, if things go according to plan, I’ll stay here for a long time—until you’re willing to see me, or until my family calls me back. But I hope even more that I can take you with me when I leave."

Xu Si’s eyelashes fluttered. She glanced at the white shirt he was wearing, her gaze lingering on it for a moment before she looked away.

"Jarvis, I think when it comes to matters of emotion, I’m not one for being indirect. You’re a great person. Whether viewed as a friend or a former classmate, you’re quite perfect. But I don’t have those kinds of feelings for you."

"But liking you isn’t something I can control. I can only control the extent of my affection." He lowered his gaze, a dry laugh escaping him. "I don’t think liking you is a heinous crime. I could tell that dangerous man the other day wasn’t your boyfriend. You can’t deny me even the chance to pursue you. My invitation today was just for a birthday party. You only need to enjoy yourself; I won’t pester you."

He always spoke with a gentlemanly air, his words romantic and passionate, conveying his sincerity.

That tone was familiar. Xu Si was reminded of Pei Zhen from her youth. Both hailed from well-bred aristocratic families. Pei Zhen had undoubtedly been more diligent in his studies than Jarvis; he excelled in everything and possessed a certain noble air beyond just being a gentleman. Yet, there were undeniable similarities. This sense of nostalgia made her pause and listen to him, even though she disliked the topic. It felt truly suffocating.

Xu Si lifted her chin slightly, reaching into Anshi’s pocket. Delicate blue veins traced a path across the back of her fair hand as her slender, pale fingers plucked out a cigarette. She placed it between her red lips, lit it, and took a drag. The strong, harsh smoke seared her lungs, bringing a sharp pain before she finally exhaled it completely.

Amidst the curling smoke, Xu Si, unaccustomed to it, suppressed a cough and said slowly, "Of course, that’s your prerogative. But I suggest you see me clearly before you talk about liking me."