HBWnovel Chapter 263 - 264: Once Lost
Chapter 263 - 264: Once Lost
Chapter 263: Chapter 264: Once Lost
"It's truly unexpected, Mr. Yang, to see you here. What a rare opportunity for us to meet again," Yun Liu greeted with a friendly smile, his handsome appearance winning him the admiration of many socialites.
Yang Chen appeared somewhat subdued. Forced to engage, he replied, "Indeed, unexpected. But I'm not particularly looking forward to it."
Yun Liu chuckled, "I just learned from my father that Mr. Yang is already married, and to none other than the renowned Lin Ruoxi. Truly enviable."
The conversation between Lin Ruoxi and the Cai sisters halted as they curiously turned their attention to Yang Chen. None of them understood why Yang Chen knew Yun Liu.
"After you're done being envious, perhaps you should leave," Yang Chen waved dismissively, preferring not to dwell on the topic.
Lin Ruoxi frowned slightly. She had brought Yang Chen here hoping he would cultivate relations with influential families like the Liu family, not create awkward situations like this with Yun Liu. Trying to salvage the situation, she interjected, "Yang Chen, don't joke around."
Yang Chen felt a bit frustrated. Was he really joking?
Yun Liu, however, seized this as an advantage, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He turned to Lin Ruoxi with a brief glimpse of earnestness, "You must be Mrs. Lin, renowned not just for your marriage but also for your exceptional business acumen. My father has often mentioned you as a role model for our generation. It's truly unexpected to see someone so young achieve so much alongside Mr. Yang."
Unlike others who praised Lin Ruoxi's appearance, Yun Liu approached from a business perspective, which seemed to resonate better with her.
"I'm curious how Mr. Yang and Young Master Yun became acquainted," Lin Ruoxi casually inquired, though genuinely puzzled.
Yang Chen inwardly gasped. This was exactly what Yun Liu had been waiting for.
"It's a bit of a sensitive topic. Perhaps we could discuss it privately sometime," Yun Liu replied with a touch of innocence and sadness.
After Yun Liu finished speaking, he glanced meaningfully at Yang Chen and walked away.
In that moment of separation, in a voice only Yang Chen could hear, he said, "I'm going to make you lose everything."
Yang Chen remained expressionless, as if he hadn't heard Yun Liu's provocation at all. In reality, he truly had no interest in paying attention to Yun Liu at this moment, especially since Lin Ruoxi seemed to be in an extremely low mood.
Fortunately, the subtle changes that occurred here were only noticed by a few involved parties, so after Yun Liu left, the situation stabilized.
Seeing the desolate expression on Lin Ruoxi's face, Cai Yan couldn't help but regret speaking so bluntly. She glanced apologetically at Yang Chen, who was clearly preoccupied and didn't spare her a glance.
Approaching him, Yang Chen spoke in a low voice, "I know explanations are futile. I am simply not the kind of person who can put your mind at ease. I just hope you won't be too upset. It's not worth harming yourself over."
Lin Ruoxi raised her moist eyes, slightly red around the edges. "I should have known better than to pick up your sympathy. I'm not that foolish."
With that, Lin Ruoxi walked alone towards a corner of the venue.
Cai Yan and Cai Ning followed with concern. The two sisters wore different expressions—not only concern for Lin Ruoxi but also a hint of guilt. After all, it seemed they had also kept many things hidden.
Yang Chen felt restless. His frustration wasn't directed at Yun Liu's interference but rather the emotional turmoil surrounding him.
This wasn't a problem that could be solved by abandoning any of them. No man wants his woman to belong to another man, and similarly, no woman would enjoy her husband belonging to someone else. Yang Chen understood this well. Yet, his past decadence and blurred lifestyle, along with the unforgettable events, left him without the courage to reject a woman who genuinely loved him. He was acutely aware of his affection for them and couldn't guarantee he wouldn't fall for someone else in the future. Their tenderness made it even harder for him to hurt them.
But every time he thought of Lin Ruoxi's familiar determination, her icy gaze so reminiscent of someone else, Yang Chen feared she might truly leave him. Having once lost made him cherish even more.
Just as Yang Chen was feeling a headache coming on and contemplating finding a place to drink alone, the host of the evening, Ouyang Kangbo, suddenly approached with two of his associates.