To Love You Again

Song Xuantin saw Xiong Zhi's smile. Her friend was a person who rarely smiled happily, so she noticed this especially vibrant smile.

"You are really enjoying it, huh?" Song Xuantin commented dryly.

Xiong Zhi looked around, observing the people inside the garden still with her smile on. More and more people moved to surround Xiong Wuyue. At present, perhaps due to the shock of it all, no one was still helping her get out of the water.

"Of course, I am," she absentmindedly answered back as she looked for Xiong De's figure. She had to make sure Xiong De, along with the rest of the guests, was already inside. It would be bad if she runs out of the garden and Xiong De sees her by chance. He would surely stop her, directing the guests' attention towards her so she could share the hot seat, to lessen the impact on his daughter. 

Naturally, Xiong Zhi would not want that to happen. Explanations from her could follow anytime. She had the status and authority to back up some stories as excuse, so she was not worried even if Xiong Wuyue acted out now and blamed everything to her. 

As long as they did not see her, everything would be fine.

Someone called Xiong De's attention, and soon, Xiong De came running to his daughter's rescue. He immediately went into the fountain without a care for getting soaked by the cold water, and helped his daughter untie the gown from the fountain. The butler also hurried over with a dry cloth.

Taking advantage of the lack of attention on their side, the two who was hiding behind the bushes ran straight to the entrance. 

However, someone suddenly jumped in front of them when they were only two steps away from the door, barring their exit.

"Not so fast." William blocked the two. He smiled playfully as he observed the two who had suddenly gone missing once the celebrant went away. He glanced at the fountain's direction where all the other guests had gathered around curiously.

"So, the other protagonist is here. Are you trying to run away from the mess you created?" he asked cheerfully. He studied Xiong Zhi who was sodden wet from head to toe. 

Oh, wow. This lady appeared more seductive wearing that wet dress, with wet hair strands running down her shoulders. 

Song Xuantin saw how the man's eyes travelled all over Xiong Zhi's body. Indignant, she stepped in front of Xiong Zhi and blocked his view.

"This uncle, please get out of the way." 

Song Xuantin smiled cheerfully but her eyes held warning. She pulled Xiong Zhi and they passed by him. 

"..." William stiffened. What did she just call him? Him, probably the youngest bachelor present here? This girl called the young and well-known Casanova 'uncle'?

He felt speechless as he watched them go away. He fell into a dilemma. He had the urge to run after them and get firsthand gossip of what had happened. But! It would be a waste if he did not take a good look at the front, which seemed to be greater spectacle. 

The Model of the Year's unforgettable history would be there. So, after making a decision, he chose to witness the actual scene and joined in with the 'festivity' by the fountain. He walked towards the fountain's direction and the other gossiping guests generously gave way to him.

Xiong De covered the freezing cold Xiong Wuyue with a large dry cloth.

Xiong De's heart was aching. The majority of the people around him came from the entertainment industry. There was no doubt they would let go of such scoop. They likely had already called their teams to be the first to publicize the scandal tonight. 

Xiong De felt that another major headache was coming. He should not have left his daughter alone by herself, especially when the Young Miss Xiong Zhi was here. 

It could only be that girl who would do this to his daughter!

He paused and suddenly looked around. Where was that girl who dared to hurt his daughter like this? Looking at the scene, the other person should also get substantial damage. If the guests saw Xiong Zhi's similar predicament, they would be able link it together. He could declare the story that it was Xiong Zhi's fault to begin with, bullying his daughter on her birthday. How could he let his daughter take this burden alone?

It might not erase the fact that this had happened today, but it could at least lessen the impact on Xiong Wuyue's reputation. If he used his cards well, he would be able to gather sympathy from the people.

Xiong De had lost all his hopes to form a good relationship with Xiong Zhi. 

However, not a single shadow of that girl could be seen.

He gritted his teeth. She had effectively made an enemy out of him, starting from this night.

"Daddy, daddy... It's that bitch's fault. She pushed me here! Hic, hic." Xiong Wuyue cried loudly in her father's arms. This was a humiliation that she would never forget! This was more than enough for Xiong Wuyue to want to kill Xiong Zhi a hundred times over!

"Shh... I will take care of everything. You take a good rest first." Xiong De's voice was gentle as he brought her daughter out of the garden, trying to shield her from the guests' penetrating eyes at the same time. 

This celebration could not continue anymore. He sighed. He had painstakingly gathered all these powerhouses here so he could use them, not to become the object of their gossip.

Once they left the garden, Xiong De's eyes finally unleashed his raging fury inside. His eyes were filled with malicious killing intent.

'Very well, Xiong Zhi. Since it had come to this, then I won't hold back from destroying you.'

Since he could not make use of this Young Miss, then, he would simply destroy her.

*****

Xiong Gaiyu was still at her table inside the almost empty banquet hall. She wanted to wait for the two women first before going to the garden, thinking that they simply went to the restroom. After all, Xiong Zhi's purse was still on their table. 

In fact, she had already wanted to leave the birthday party now that she had made some good connections with the big shots from earlier. Her goal for tonight was achieved with flying colors. 

But she felt it was too impolite to leave without saying goodbye to Xiong Zhi, her benefactor tonight.

"Gaiyu!" 

She looked at that direction and found Song Xuantin running hastily to her. Xiong Gaiyu's lips twitched a bit when she realized how this girl had informally called her first name, like they were best friends. But she still acted polite and respectful.

"What is it, Miss Song? Where's Young Miss Zhi?" 

Song Xuantin's face was a bit sweaty. Her hair was a little messy too. But her radiant appearance did not lessen at all, instead, her flushed cheeks made her look more vibrant. She picked up Xiong Zhi's purse.

"She was outside. She forgot her purse. We'll be heading out first," Song Xuantin said these words and turned to leave.

Xiong Gaiyu stood up. She was confused. Why was she acting like there was some urgent matter? 

"Let me go with you. I am about to leave, too."

Song Xuantin glanced at her, hesitating a bit, and nodded.

***

Xiong Zhi shivered due to the cold. She hugged herself while she waited for Song Xuantin to come down.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming on her way. Xiong Zhi's eyes narrowed, stepped back, and was about to hide when the person spoke first.

"Easy, it's me." William's cheerful face was revealed after he turned to a corner. Upstairs, he had only took one look at the drenched Xiong Wuyue before leaving the garden and coming after the two girls. Compared to Xiong De's uptight look upstairs that refused to say a single thing, coming down here seemed more interesting.

At least, he could feast his eyes on a beauty.

Xiong Zhi looked at him with a blank face. This man really did have sharp senses. He should not have seen her before turning that corner. How did he know it was her, and that she was about to hide?

William could see the question mark on her blank face.

"You are wearing heels. Also, the clear drops of water falling to the ground made it clear that it was you," William cheerfully explained.

"..." Xiong Zhi. He could even catch that... Truly some sharp hearing.

Then, the blonde haired man took off his coat and gently dr.a.p.ed it over her shoulders. 

"Xiong De seems upset. Tomorrow, or maybe even tonight, your name would be famous again. Do you like fame that much?" William asked teasingly.

Xiong Zhi looked at him and stepped away. His face was too close.

"No." 

William observed her again, appreciating the beauty at the same time. 'Hmm... This girl seemed to especially dislike close distance with men. Did something happen to her in the past?' 

His mind made up various dog blood drama.

As Xiong Zhi guessed, Wiliiam had sharp senses. He was good at reading people, too. It was his good point, his edge over his peers which let him achieve what he have now.

"Anyway, I just want to warn you that Xiong De is really not a person you should be making an enemy of. You are still too young for him." William retreated to a polite distance. His eyes were serious as he said this part, no longer playful.

Xiong Zhi looked at him with her usual distant expression. "I know. Thank you for the warning, and also for the coat." Her voice sounded dismissive.

William laughed. He was expecting something but this girl really kept on giving him the unexpected. He taunted, "Why you are not asking me to keep quiet about this? I might tell the media everything I know." 

Xiong Zhi's dark pools watched him intently, as if seeing through his guise.

"Because you will not. If you have that kind of intention from the beginning, you would not have let us out from the garden," she calmly replied. The more Xiong Zhi thought of this man's actions this whole time, the more she found him interesting.

William fell silent for a moment before laughing out. He turned around. He heard a pair of lighter footsteps. There should be two girls coming in their way. There were no doubt they were her friends. 

"Who knows? I might change my mind," he said with his back turned as he walked away. Xiong Zhi's eyes stared at his back until he was gone. After he was gone, Xiong Zhi finally heard the sound of footsteps.

Song Xuantin and Xiong Gaiyu arrived at the corner where Xiong Zhi was. 

Song Xuantin was stunned to see the large coat around Xiong Zhi's shoulders.

"Where did you get that?"

Xiong Zhi glanced at Xiong Gaiyu who gawked at her up and down with comical expression. Xiong Zhi simply nodded at the wide eyed Xiong Gaiyu.

"William gave me this," she answered.

"Oh. That uncle looks like a pervert," Song Xuantin commented with a scrunched nose while they walked to the exit.

"Yes. I agree," Xiong Zhi seconded.

Xiong Gaiyu who perked up her ears to catch gossip about why Xiong Zhi was drenched like this fell silent.

What did she miss? She felt regretful that she did not come after this two earlier.

*****

William was thinking deeply. The usual playful smile on his face was gone. Without that smile, he looked like a cool prince who came out of manhua. 

Sometime later, a smile suddenly broke out of his face. It was the same playful smile that he always wore. He fished out his phone and dialed a number.

"Will! I heard you visited China! You—"

"Hey, I met that girl," William cut off the voice on the other line. 

"..." The voice on the other side fell silent at first. "I don't know which girl you are talking about." 

William sighed.

"I am talking about Zhou Linfeng's."

"...Zhou Linfeng's master?" 

"Take note, she is not her master yet. But she was truly quite interesting. Have you heard any news about Zhou Linfeng?" William continued walking in the hallway. He need to return fast to meet a certain person.

"Yeah. He contacted me and he said he will meet us soon. You'll be coming right? "

"Of course, I wanted to be there when we welcome this future 'new king'." William said with a playful tone. 

There were five kings who reigned with great power, the true cream of the crop of the present generation. 

Now, they were finally about to welcome the sixth king.