Chapter 250: with translation of chapter title

The Maple Leaf Lake International Golf Course is in the suburbs; after lunch, Xia Xi took Huang Shiyu there.

Hello, I have an appointment with Mr. Ge.

At the service area, Xia Xi checked in with the staff and waited for them to arrange a car to take her and her assistant to the golf course.

The staff member said sternly, "Please show your membership card."

Xia Xi blinked, then repeated her words: "I have an appointment with Mr. Ge to discuss matters; I have his secretary's contact information, you can call to confirm."

Considering customer safety, it's only natural for them to be cautious; Xia Xi could understand.

The staff member was very rigid, as if not hearing Xia Xi's words: "Ma'am, whether you're coming to the golf course to play or to discuss business, only members may enter the course—that's our rule here—or a companion accompanying you may show a membership card."

Xia Xi understood; they only recognize members, not asking for other reasons.

Huang Shiyu stood behind Xia Xi, silent until now, when she couldn't help stepping half a step forward and asked friendly: "Can we get one now?"

"Sure." The staff member brought over a booklet and forms and gave her an introduction.

Seeing the membership fee column, Huang Shiyu secretly drew a breath—it was beyond her means, yet she still wanted to get a card, almost as if she'd have to sell herself to afford it. Her eyes darted about, and finally she glanced embarrassedly at Xia Xi.

Her reaction triggered Xia Xi's memory; she herself had once been scared off by the high membership fee.

Later…

Later Xu Yanfeng got her one.

Xia Xi had forgotten about it, since she rarely came alone and never had a chance to use that membership card.

I remember your membership is lifetime, right?" Xia Xi asked.

The staff member nodded and smiled: "Yes, ma'am, once you register as a member you enjoy the benefits for life."

Xia Xi took out her cardholder from her bag, pulled out her ID, and handed it over: "Could you please check it?"

"All right, please wait a moment."

The staff member took her ID with both hands, went behind the counter, queried the computer's membership system, entered her name, and her membership information appeared—this Ms. Xia Xi had been a member of the golf course eight years ago.

"Sorry, Ms. Xia, that was my oversight—perhaps you don't come often, so I didn't recall." The staff member returned her ID, his smile tinged with apology, his attitude completely changed from before: "I'll arrange a car right away to take you and your friend to the golf course."

Huang Shiyu was dumbfounded.

Xia Xi put her ID back in the cardholder, slipped it into her tote, and patted Huang Shiyu's arm: "Don't just stand there, let's go."

A white-and-green golf cart was parked on the lawn outside the service area, the driver already in place; Xia Xi and Huang Shiyu sat in the back, both sides open, the cart moving slowly so they could enjoy the scenery along the way.

It was Huang Shiyu's first visit, and the natural beauty stunned her; she exclaimed repeatedly: "What a beautiful lake, like a piece of jade! Is that primeval forest over there? It's gorgeous—I've only seen such scenery in movies."

She leaned close to Xia Xi and said admiringly, "Sis, a six-figure membership fee—you really splurge." She gave a thumbs-up.

I don't splurge on it,' Xia Xi said without further explanation, 'Someone gave it to me.'

She never imagined that the membership card Xu Yanfeng had gotten for her eight years ago would prove crucial today.

As they neared the course, Huang Shiyu put aside her admiration for the scenery and began to worry: "I don't know how to play golf—Mr. Ge appointed this place, surely he expects to play a few rounds with me. Sis Xia, are you good at golf?"

She had never touched a club, didn't know the rules, and thought golf was a sport for the rich.

Xia Xi rested her chin on her hand, and a flood of images rushed into her mind, filling her brain.

Back then she hired a professional coach to learn golf, only picking up the basics; at the course she swung a few times without even hitting the ball, and Xu Yanfeng's friends joked she was there to plow the field. Later, when she was with Xu Yanfeng, he brought her out to play, giving her hands-on instruction; thanks to his superb skill, and her willingness to listen, she learned decently.

"I haven't played in years," Xia Xi's voice seemed to sigh, "I'm probably rusty."

"Huh?" Huang Shiyu said with a grimace, "What do we do then?"

Xia Xi: "Cold dressing."

After getting out of the cart, Xia Xi headed straight for Mr. Ge; besides him, there were several middle-aged men on the course whom she didn't know, but seeing them chatting happily with Mr. Ge, she realized they were with him.

"Hello, Mr. Ge, I'm Xia Xi, the person in charge of Broad and Elegant; pleased to meet you." Xia Xi wore a modest smile—neither overly enthusiastic nor cold—just the right social etiquette.

Mr. Ge had just taken a club from the caddy's hand, nodded, and said, "Perfect timing; I and a few brothers have just warmed up and are ready to tee off—how about you, Ms. Xia, take the first shot?"

He turned the club in his hand and handed it to her.

Mr. Ge had a round face, a shiny forehead, and when he smiled he gave off a Maitreya Buddha vibe. Xia Xi wasn't naive enough to take him for an actual Maitreya; having been stopped at the service area, she had dropped her relaxed attitude and sensed a tough battle ahead.

She had made the appointment with Mr. Ge a week in advance, and before coming today she had also confirmed with his secretary—didn't Mr. Ge anticipate that she'd be stopped outside and unable to enter the course? Not giving the secretary a heads‑up was surely meant to intimidate her.

Although Broad and Elegant is a newcomer in the industry, now tied to the Xu Clan, only a fool would reject a cooperation opportunity; Mr. Ge's little stunt left Xia Xi guessing his true intent.

"My golf is just average—excuse the clumsiness." Xia Xi handed her bag and coat to Huang Shiyu.

Underneath she wore a black sports outfit; the temperature was low, so she had a warm base layer under the sportswear.

Xia Xi gripped the club with both hands, and in her mind appeared the scene of Xu Yanfeng embracing her from behind, taking her hands, finely adjusting her grip, and teaching her how to strike the ball.

She blinked, then swung the club; the motion was basically standard but with a hint of looseness. If Xu Yanfeng were here, he could probably see that she had learned about seventy or eighty percent of his technique.

All that was heard was a clear crack as the white ball flew out, arcing through the air before landing.

The men beside Mr. Ge were the first to applaud: "That shot was really beautiful."

Huang Shiyu clung tightly to Xia Xi's clothes, her palms sweaty; not understanding the game, she heard the middle‑aged bosses praise the shot, realized Xia Xi had played well, relaxed her grip, opened her fingers, and let the wind dry the sweat on her palms.

Mr. Ge: "It seems Ms. Xia is being modest."

Xia Xi chuckled, aware of her own level, and spoke first: "Mr. Ge, you're overpraising me—it was just luck; let me swing again and I might embarrass myself." She returned the club to him along those lines, saying, "Why don't you take a turn? I'll stand beside you and learn a bit more."

Just empty pleasantries—she had long since honed that skill.

Mr. Ge was quite pleased, laughed loudly, and gave her a demonstration swing right then.

Xia Xi played along, praising him to the skies.

Two golf carts pulled up to the course in succession; Xia Xi accompanied Mr. Ge to the front, far enough that she didn't notice the rear. Huang Shiyu, however, saw that the first to step out of the carts was Xu Yanfeng, along with several young men, all tall and handsome.

Huang Shiyu wanted to give Xia Xi a heads‑up and ran over, but seeing that Xu Yanfeng was heading in the same direction, she dared not be obvious and slowed her steps.

Mr. Ge was instructing Xia Xi: "Just watching won't teach you—you have to get hands‑on practice to learn golf."

"That's right," Xia Xi agreed, not objecting.

Mr. Ge gave the nearby caddy a look; the caddy picked a club from the bag and handed it to Xia Xi.

Xia Xi took the club, gave it a test grip—it felt comfortable. She looked at the nearby hole, a par‑three. This shot she was taking for Mr. Ge; if she messed up, the ensuing cooperation talks would be difficult.

She took a deep breath silently, Xia Xi's fingers gripping the club tightened, she found her angle, but hesitated long before daring to swing, lacking confidence.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind her side: "I taught you that, have you forgotten it?"