Contract Marriage: The Tycoon's Pampered Wife-Chapter 89 - 0: Are you serious this time?

The alcohol hit her even harder. Ning Guiwan felt somewhat floaty and weak on her feet, her body’s weight unconsciously resting on the arm supporting her from behind as she lifted her face, her eyes misty. "Sooner or later, that’s all..."

She rarely took the initiative to wrap her arms around Quan Yu’s waist. Inhaling his masculine scent, perhaps because her nerves were heightened by the alcohol, she didn’t even feel uncomfortable. "Why not... right now?"

「...」

She was truly drunk. She probably couldn’t even control what she was saying.

Four years ago, on that night, she had hugged him just like this, crying one moment and laughing the next. The light in her eyes was scattered by the mist of tears, making it seem as if she were looking at him, yet also looking through him at someone else.

"You were the first to say you liked me, adored me! Why did you get with someone else then?"

Back then, he knew she had mistaken him for someone else.

"We were going to have a wedding on the sea... We agreed! We’d charter an entire cruise ship and sail around the Pacific Ocean..." She had squinted, her fingers tracing a half-circle on his chest. "...Past Australia, across the Indian Ocean, to see the Cape of Good Hope, and then traverse the Atlantic Ocean..."

As she spoke of these plans, her eyes held anticipation and joy. But after finishing, she had clung to him again, crying and accusing, "You’re going to take someone else there, aren’t you? You can’t do that! You can’t! That’s where I want to go! You can’t take another woman there..."

「...」

Quan Yu carried Ning Guiwan in his arms back to the first-class cabin, and Zhan Yan opened the door for him.

The large bed was laid with a soft, snow-white eiderdown quilt. Ning Guiwan sank into it, her complexion so fair it was barely distinguishable from the pristine bedding. Quan Yu pushed her hair to one side; her dense, glossy black hair spread across the pillow.

The chandelier was off. Only two wall sconces by the bed were lit, covered with orange-red crystal shades that cast a gentle light.

Quan Yu sat on the edge of the bed, his thumb lightly tracing Ning Guiwan’s eyebrows.

After a long moment, the man’s low, gentle voice finally broke the silence in the room. "Wherever you want to go, Big Brother will accompany you."

「...」

A sudden knock came at the door.

No one answered, but the knocking continued, steady and patient.

Quan Yu opened the door.

Chi Zhengjun stood outside, with Zhan Yan trying to block him. "...Mr. Chi, please stop knocking! My master traveled from Canada to the United States, then to Britain, handling so many affairs. He hasn’t had a good night’s sleep, rushed back without even a chance to catch his breath, and then immediately went out to sea. Please, be considerate and let him get some proper rest..."

"Your master?" Chi Zhengjun chuckled, glancing at Quan Yu. "Why do I get the feeling your master is about to become another woman’s man soon?"

Seeing Quan Yu emerge, Zhan Yan fell silent, his expression stiff as he stood by the door. Xu Ruohuai was standing on the other side.

After speaking, Chi Zhengjun tried to peer into the room.

Quan Yu pulled the door shut. "Let’s go to the dining room."

Chi Zhengjun hadn’t managed to see anything. His gaze returned to Quan Yu’s expressionless face, and he smirked. "Ah, so this is the beauty you’ve hidden away in your golden chamber? Truly precious, if I can’t even get a glance."

Quan Yu extended his hand toward Zhan Yan.

Zhan Yan immediately understood. He pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket, drew one out, and placed it between Quan Yu’s index and middle fingers.

Allowing Zhan Yan to light it for him, Quan Yu exhaled a couple of puffs of smoke before tapping the ash. "Even if I wanted to hide someone, it would still depend on her willingness."

He had said it merely in response to Chi Zhengjun’s teasing.

But upon hearing this, Chi Zhengjun’s expression stiffened.

As the two of them made their way to the restaurant, a constant stream of acquaintances came up to greet them, all familiar faces from the business world.

Just as they sat down, the president of Shangtai International approached. He was a man nearing fifty, with a girl in her early twenties on his arm. In their circle, such a sight was nothing out of the ordinary.

"President Quan sure knows how to enjoy life, inviting us out to sea to discuss business. Booking the Royal Cruise for five days—that must have cost a pretty penny," Han Tai said, sitting down next to Quan Yu. The girl also sat down.

After Han Tai finished, he turned to the young woman beside him. "This is Ruiyin’s Mr. Quan, the one I mentioned, our host for this trip. You should thank him properly."

He then introduced Chi Zhengjun. "And this is the head of Universal Film Industry, a major financial backer in your circle. You must recognize him."

"I recognize Mr. Chi, of course, but Mr. Chi wouldn’t know me," the girl said with a seductive yet composed smile. She lifted her glass. "My name is Zhang Ziyan. I’ve long heard of your esteemed reputations. It’s a true honor to meet you both today. I’ll drink to that first, as a sign of respect."

Zhang Ziyan readily drained her glass.

Pleased by her tact, Han Tai approvingly stroked her waist.

Quan Yu showed little reaction. The overhead light bathed his face, making him exceptionally striking. As Zhang Ziyan set down her glass, her eyes couldn’t help but linger on him for an extra moment.

Some people are simply like that; wherever they sit, they command attention.

Chi Zhengjun, however, chuckled meaningfully. "Miss Zhang, your fame is quite resounding."

Zhang Ziyan’s expression stiffened for an instant, but she quickly recovered her seductive smile. "You jest, Mr. Chi."

Chi Zhengjun said no more.

Han Tai then brought up another matter. "When I boarded the cruise, I heard there’s going to be a matchmaking event? Mr. Quan, Mr. Chi, you’re both over thirty and still single. It’s indeed time to consider settling down. I wish you both the best of luck in finding your destined partners tomorrow."

「...」

After they had been sitting for a while, Han Tai left with Zhang Ziyan.

Chi Zhengjun sipped his drink and said to Quan Yu, "That girl with Han Tai, she’s quite notorious in the entertainment industry. She hops from one financier to another. Speaking of which, she was classmates with Lai Yang. You should give Lai Yang, that junior, a bit of advice: tell her not to get too close to someone like that in the future."

Quan Yu sipped his wine, his expression pensive.

Chi Zhengjun watched him for a moment before asking, "You went to all this trouble to bring my niece out to sea—what exactly are you planning?"

Quan Yu merely glanced at him. He leaned back in his chair, looking weary, clearly not inclined to answer.

"Are you serious about this?" Chi Zhengjun fiddled with his glass. "I haven’t seen you interact with her much. When did you start developing feelings for her?"

"You need to think this through. Being with her will damage your reputation."

"And you just acquired Tianchi Group, the company her maternal grandfather left behind. Be careful you don’t unwittingly fall for some kind of honey trap."

Every word from Chi Zhengjun was laden with concern for his close friend.

Having known Quan Yu for so many years, Chi Zhengjun understood his temperament well: always calm and rational in his dealings, except for matters concerning Ning Guiwan. In those, he was neither.

If he were rational, he wouldn’t have gotten himself entangled like this.

Never mind what kind of person Ning Guiwan even is, just the disparity in their positions... If this gets out, it’ll cause another huge scandal.