Chapter 82

"Who?" Su Ruoyun asked again, unable to believe it.

"Huo Jingcheng."

Su Mingyan, hands in his pockets, followed Su Ruoyun with a steady pace and repeated it once more.

Su Ruoyun twisted her polo shirt into a ball behind her back, her knuckles turning white. She swallowed involuntarily and asked in a stammer, "Why... invite him?"

Because she was overly nervous, her voice sounded very dry.

Could it be that the matter of the birthday banquet a few days ago had been exposed? But it had already been over a week; if Su Mingyan had discovered it, he would have lashed out long ago and wouldn't have waited this long...

Su Ruoyun couldn't think of a reason.

Hearing her question, Su Mingyan raised an eyebrow. Regarding the profit-sharing of the energy project, the Bank of China and Hengfeng had been unable to reach an agreement, and with Huo Jingcheng making many small moves recently, seemingly trying to claw back a win on other projects, this golf game today had come about.

However... he didn't answer immediately. Instead, the invisible panic and helplessness displayed on Su Ruoyun's face caught his attention. His gaze was sharp as it swept over her face without a trace. "What's wrong?"

The glaring light shining straight down from above and Su Mingyan's keen tone made Su Ruoyun feel like she was on pins and needles, her eyes instantly drifting away.

Pretending to turn her head to avoid Su Mingyan's gaze, her voice involuntarily carried a hint of guilt as she gave a dry laugh. "Nothing, I was just a bit puzzled. Didn't you and him not have the best relationship before? How come you're meeting up now?"

As she spoke, she stepped forward, placed both hands on Su Mingyan's shoulders, tilted her head, and asked him, "Brother~ you haven't told me yet, why didn't you get along with him in the first place?"

Su Mingyan wasn't so easily fooled. He moved his shoulders away without a trace, his eyes narrowing, his ink-black pupils fixed on her. His tone was steady but allowed no resistance. "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Su Ruoyun had been mischievous as a child, like the time she deliberately threw her summer homework to the stray dogs in the family courtyard, and after it was torn to shreds, she blamed it on the little dogs...

She knew deeply that if one wanted to cover up their "crimes," a good method was to throw out another event that had actually happened but was much less serious to divert attention.

She stood properly, hands clasped in front of her, and said, "When he came to the tea house to drink tea, I accidentally spilled tea all over him."

This matter had actually happened, so Su Ruoyun felt no guilt at all, her eyes clear and innocent.

Su Mingyan watched her quietly for a moment, his gaze as deep as a pool, trying to see through every trace of her expression. Only after confirming she wasn't lying did he slowly withdraw his gaze, his tone casual. "That's no big deal."

Su Ruoyun pursed her lips, her hands, which had been tightly clutching the fabric, relaxed, and the crumpled ball of cloth in her palm smoothed out. "But isn't everyone saying he is ruthless?"

"Those who can make a name for themselves in the business world, which one isn't ruthless?" Hearing this, Su Mingyan glanced at her sideways. "The business world is like a battlefield."

"You're protecting him so much." Su Ruoyun shook her head, smiling teasingly, her brows and eyes curving.

"..." Su Mingyan.

Under her own brother's pressing gaze, she instantly felt as if she had been muted. She wisely closed her mouth, turned around, and walked forward on her own.

After walking two or three steps, she inadvertently stole a glance at Su Mingyan. Seeing that he wasn't continuing to pay attention to that matter, Su Ruoyun quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

If her brother knew about all the strange things that had happened between her and Huo Jingcheng, she feared she wouldn't be able to keep these legs of hers.

She let out a heavy breath, lowered her eyes with lingering fear, her gaze falling on her slender legs, and then followed closely behind Su Mingyan.

Although Su Mingyan said he invited Huo Jingcheng today, Huo Jingcheng was not the only one playing.

When the two arrived at the tee box, many fellow golfers had already arrived, all of them entrepreneurs from Sijiucheng, but Huo Jingcheng had yet to appear.

To the side, the caddy had been waiting for a long time and stepped forward at the right moment to inform the two of the wind speed and green speed.

Since most of the people playing were men who chose the blue tee box, Su Ruoyun was afraid of the sun, so she went to the side to find a rest area and sat down under a parasol.

Ten minutes later, a golf cart carrying Huo Jingcheng arrived fashionably late.

Among the crowd, Su Ruoyun was the first to notice him. She held a golf club in one hand, her gaze wandering listlessly around, occasionally casting her eyes toward the rolling white ball.

Unlike his usual proper business attire, Huo Jingcheng had changed into casual wear today: a dark green polo shirt and black casual trousers, looking dashing and at ease.

He got off the cart nimbly, walked a few steps forward, and raised his hand to take off his sunglasses.

After greeting everyone around, Huo Jingcheng cast his gaze toward Su Ruoyun, as if it were just a passing glance.

The girl looked delicate and moving, her high ponytail lively and neat. She was wearing a pink polo shirt that set off her fair, jade-like skin, paired with white skorts. On her head was a white golf cap, and the long legs exposed were straight and slender.

Su Ruoyun stood to the side, leaning on her golf club. When she inadvertently met his dangerous gaze, her body subconsciously moved back a small step. Fortunately, Su Mingyan didn't notice.

Just when Su Ruoyun thought the pleasantries were over, that large hand, which was about to be lowered, suddenly seemed to change its mind and reached out toward her direction again, a large hand appearing before her eyes.

Huo Jingcheng called out lazily: "Miss Su, nice to meet you."

Su Ruoyun's hand holding the club tightened. Seeing everyone looking at her, she forced a natural fake smile. "Mr. Huo."

Seeing Huo Jingcheng's hand still hanging in mid-air and people around watching, she had no choice but to raise her hand and extend it toward him.

The two hands shook in front of others, warm palms overlapping, her hand completely wrapped within the man's. Su Ruoyun lowered her head, avoiding Huo Jingcheng's deep gaze.

After shaking hands for two or three seconds, she just wanted to let go, but unexpectedly felt a fleeting touch on her inner wrist.

Stunned for a moment, she looked down at her wrist and immediately realized that it was Huo Jingcheng's fingertips brushing against her wrist.

In front of so many people, she had been touched by him.

Su Ruoyun bit her lower lip lightly.

You pervert!

She raised her hand with a bit of force and shook off Huo Jingcheng's large hand.

Huo Jingcheng seemed not to see the anger in her eyes; what flashed by was playfulness, interest written entirely in the depths of his eyes. Seeing Su Ruoyun glaring at him, he hooked his brows at her, as if triumphant after a victory, or as if deliberately provoking her.