Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love-Chapter 93: Auntie, didn’t you recognize me?

Jarvis, who had never seen her smoke, said calmly, "I believe I’ve seen your true self. I’m not a fool; four years is enough time to understand someone. Xu, you’re the most elegant and insightful businesswoman I’ve ever encountered. You value rules and adhere to them. You cherish your reputation. You’re passionate yet gentle, approachable, and unfailingly polite... In essence, feelings are inexplicable. I doubt I could ever find another woman like you."

"That’s why I suggested you see me clearly before you talk about your love for freedom."

Xu Si’s captivating peach-blossom eyes softened slightly. She downed the champagne that ought to have been sipped slowly, then tapped her empty bottle against his glass, a carefree smile playing on her lips.

"Setting other matters aside, Jarvis, when it comes to abiding by rules, you seem to be mistaken. I never play by the rules."

She pressed the cigarette, still more than half-unsmoked, into the ashtray. A faint lipstick smudge marked the white filter. Then, she added, "Pardon me, but may I use your banquet to find some potential business partners?"

Jarvis, looking somewhat bewildered yet thoughtful, shrugged. "Of course. I hope you enjoy yourself. I also need some time to ponder exactly how you don’t play by the rules."

Xu Si gave an apologetic smile and departed with Anshi.

A hint of avarice and ambition flickered in the corners of her peach-blossom eyes. She headed straight for President Chen, the owner of the land.

The grand chandelier, a substitute for the night’s moon, continuously bathed the hall in daylight-like brightness.

Anshi, holding Xu Si’s handbag and observing her expression, whispered, "Miss, I’ve just made some inquiries. This President Chen is quite influential. He has a reserved personality and is very cautious, almost exclusively socializing within his own circle. He’s here today with a friend. If we approach him directly to buy the land, we might be brushed off before we even get a chance to offer him a drink. Do we need to prepare anything?"

"No need. Brains and a good drinking capacity will suffice. The land he owns is what I want; I have to try, no matter what."

Xu Si paused, set down her champagne flute, and switched to a stronger vodka. She then stepped outside and picked a particularly unique-looking Hydrangea blossom from beneath an ornamental tree.

Returning to the banquet hall, she found a seat near President Chen, placed the Hydrangea into a water glass, and quietly awaited the opportune moment.

President Chen appeared to be in his thirties. He wore glasses and had a gentle demeanor, yet he was remarkably open-minded. He drank heartily with others, a clear indication that he still conducted business using traditional methods. President Chen spotted Xu Si just as she approached his vicinity.

Seeing Xu Si place the fallen Hydrangea into the water glass, President Chen looked somewhat surprised. He put down his drink and inquired about Xu Si with his drinking companions. Once assured she wasn’t merely someone’s date, he confidently raised an eyebrow, approached Xu Si, and asked curiously, "My friend, why bring a Hydrangea in here and place it in a glass?"

Xu Si’s fingers stilled. She looked up, a hint of surprise in her eyes, then generously shared a story. "As I passed that Hydrangea tree, this blossom happened to fall right in front of me—intact and fresh. It felt as if the tree itself had gifted me a flower, so I brought it inside to give it some water."

"Hahaha, you like flowers too?"

"I know a little. We actually have a few Hydrangea plants at home; my mother cultivates them."

"This particular variety is quite rare, you know."

"Indeed, it is. That’s why we only have a few at home."

They shared similar interests and now had something to discuss. The story Xu Si told was also quite engaging. Most importantly, she had mentioned owning the same type of tree.

President Chen couldn’t help but rub his hands together. He raised his glass in a toast, "My name is Chen Tang. Might we become friends? When you have a moment, could I perhaps visit your home to see your Hydrangeas? To be clear, I harbor no ill intentions. I’ve been admiring that tree through the window all evening. Honestly, I’m quite taken with it."

"No problem," Xu Si replied. She picked up her vodka, drank half of it, and said with an expression that was both teasing and dignified, "President Chen, it’s a pleasure. I’m Xu Si."

「All night long.」

Xu Si matched Chen Tang, an excellent drinker, glass for glass. She drank earnestly, yet no matter how much she consumed, she maintained her composure, her eyes remaining clear and lucid. Her eyes were captivatingly bright. Coupled with the unique verbal talents of a seasoned businessperson, her words inspired trust and fondness, yet never incited desire.

Before long, their forms of address shifted from "President Chen" and "President Xu" to the more familiar "Old Chen" and "Sister Xu." This breached traditional seniority, but in their drunken haze, neither of them cared.

「It wasn’t until the banquet was nearly over.」

Xu Si successfully obtained Chen Tang’s business card. Only after steeling herself despite her intoxication to secure his promise of a land visit did she depart, relieved.

After consuming a fair amount of alcohol, Anshi was nowhere to be found. Xu Si didn’t immediately leave by car. Instead, she staggered into the lounge, intending to wait for Anshi to find her and to sober up a little.

The lounge connected to the banquet hall, separated only by a thin gauze curtain. Sofas were scattered about—none side-by-side or directly facing each other—a clever design that afforded a degree of privacy. Thoughtfully placed on a central table amidst the sofas was a pitcher of clear, sobering tea.

Xu Si poured herself a cup and took a couple of sips. It had grown cool.

Peering around with somewhat blurry vision, she could barely discern that the nearby chairs were all empty. The only sound in the entire space was her own breathing. The evening breeze relentlessly tugged at the hem of her clothes, further disorienting her alcohol-muddled senses. She felt increasingly unsteady on her feet.

Xu Si simply chose a nearby sofa and sat down. Just as she was about to close her eyes for a moment, she distinctly saw a figure in a backlit area.

The person wore a black trench coat and reclined lazily on a sofa, their posture casual and unrestrained, long legs crossed and resting on the floor. Their facial features were completely engulfed in shadow, making it impossible for someone in her intoxicated state to discern them clearly. Yet, she could sense a dangerous aura emanating from them.

This person’s silhouette... It looks so perfect...

Xu Si was momentarily stunned. Her heart fluttered, and her breathing slowed. Suddenly, a scene from her past life flashed through her mind. A thoroughly intoxicated person has no sense of reason, and Xu Si was no exception at that moment.

As if drawn by a fatal illusion, she felt an overwhelming urge to recreate that scene. Despite her drowsy state, she bravely staggered into the shadows, stumbling, and braced herself with her hands on the armrests of the man’s sofa. Her eyes could barely stay open, yet she managed to lean down towards the man’s face. She reached out with slender, fair fingers, flirtatiously tracing his well-defined jawline.

Her cool voice, laced with a hint of laughter, was unknowingly seductive. "Hello there. I think you’re very handsome. Might I get to know you? How old are you?"

After a long pause, the man actually answered, his ethereal voice drifting to her ears, sounding quite unreal.

"Three years younger than you."

Xu Si paused. That seems different from the answer in my memory. She moved her finger to his lips, concentrating hard as the scene replayed in her mind: She was drunk... She approached a man in black... She lifted his chin...

BANG!

Someone in the banquet hall shattered a wine bottle. The loud crash tore through the air, sounding like a gunshot to Xu Si’s ears. She jumped in fright. Then, she remembered: such an action could get her shot in the head! Her scalp prickled, and as if she’d seen a ghost, she snatched back her teasing hand and scrambled backward.

The man, coldly observing her attempt to flee, reached out and grasped her waist just as she was about to pull away. With a firm tug, he pulled Xu Si down onto the sofa beside him.

Xu Si clenched her teeth, her heart sinking.

From close by, the man’s voice, deep and low, carried a strange gentleness as he spoke, "Drunk? So drunk you don’t even recognize me?"

Xu Si remained silent. Memories from her past and current lives tangled together, the alcohol churning her thoughts into a chaotic mess. Forget recognizing the man before her; she could barely tell what year it was.

The next moment, the man laughed. His breath and scent were intimately close, his warm exhalations brushing against her ear.

"The time you asked for—was it so you could fool around outside, attend these foreigners’ banquets, and, incidentally, flirt with other men?"