Blazing Sun~Extra Chapter 3.1: With Light

 

Extra Chapter 3: With Light

1

Nie Xiguang had been in the car for almost ten minutes without getting out.

The driver who brought her to Shanghai for this charity auction was her mother's long-time employee of nearly twenty years, who treated her like an daughter. He couldn't help but remind her, "Xiguang, I think it's almost time; you need to go in."

Xiguang knew she couldn't delay any longer, so she responded and opened the car door.

This was a charity auction jointly organized by several famous collectors in Shanghai. The invitation had been sent to Jiang Yun, but she couldn't come, so she was sent instead.

This was supposed to be an easy task—just socialize a bit, bid on something, and leave. The problem was, as soon as the car arrived at the parking lot, she saw Lin Yusen.

Her ex-boyfriend, whom she had broken up with three months ago.

How could it be such a coincidence to run into him again? This was the third time she'd run into him since their breakup.

She should have expected it; of course, Sheng Yuan would be invited to such a charity auction. Now that Sheng Xingjie was exiled and Lin Yusen had returned to Sheng Yuan headquarters, seemingly poised to succeed him, it was perfectly normal for him to represent Sheng Yuan.

But she still felt a little hesitant.

She didn't know what she was being cowardly about. Three months ago, he was the one who inexplicably broke up with her; why should she feel guilty?

Besides, perhaps today, like the previous two times, they wouldn't even need to greet each other, even though they were in the same place? She really didn't need to worry beforehand. Even if she did need to say hello, it wouldn't be a problem; she happened to have something to ask him this time.

Having mentally prepared herself, Xi Guang's steps became much firmer. Reaching the entrance, she handed her invitation to the doorman, and a smiling Miss Li immediately greeted her. "Miss Nie, Uncle Liu was just asking about you."

Uncle Liu was the organizer of this auction and also the most famous art collector among them. "Sorry I'm late."

"It's not late, it officially starts at 7:30, on the third floor." Miss Li led her upstairs. "There's a buffet on the second floor right now. You must be tired from coming all this way, have something to eat to relax."

Xi Guang nodded.

The buffet on the second floor was very uniquely decorated. A long, elegant table in the center was set with all sorts of exquisite pastries and drinks, surrounded by glass cases of the same style, displaying the items to be auctioned. Guests could enjoy their food while admiring the items.

Miss Li led Xi Guang to Uncle Liu, who then introduced her to several other people. After some pleasantries, she finally managed to slip away, took a few pastries, and sat down in a corner.

The pastries were delicious. After a few bites, she started to become a little distracted.

The venue wasn't very large. Why hadn't she seen him? Had he gone to the third floor beforehand?

If the seats were far apart, could she... perfectly avoid him again today? This should have been a cause for celebration, but somehow, she felt even more listless.

The room grew increasingly stuffy. Xi Guang noticed a dimly lit terrace outside; it seemed deserted, so she got up and headed out.

Pushing open the terrace door, the cool air invigorated her. She pulled her coat tighter and took a few steps, intending to find a place to sit, when she suddenly caught sight of a figure standing vaguely in the corner of the terrace, out of the light.

She froze instantly.

Without looking closely, she knew it was Lin Yusen.

His tall, slender figure leaned against the railing, his head slightly lowered. The dim terrace light only illuminated the area in front of him; he was completely shrouded in darkness, giving him an inexplicable air of mystery.

Xi Guang was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether she should turn around and leave.

The person in the darkness seemed to sense her movement, looking up at her. Xi Guang instinctively spoke first, "I didn't know you were here."

He nodded calmly. "This isn't my territory. Do as you please."

He straightened up, stepping out of the shadows as if to leave.

He was actually leaving?

"Wait a minute, I have something to ask you." Without time to think, as they passed each other, Xi Guang quickly blurted out her question, "Did you get Ma Nianyuan imprisoned?"

He suddenly stopped, his gaze turning to her. "Are you questioning me? Do you think she didn't deserve it?"

"No, but..."

Before Xi Guang could express her vague meaning, Lin Yusen had already given her a definite answer.

"Of course it was me. Perhaps she didn't deserve it, but Xi Guang, can't you see?" Lin Yusen said gently, "I'm taking my anger out on her."

He was still calling her Xi Guang.

Nie Xiguang was deeply moved by his incredibly gentle way of addressing her, and asked, bewildered, "What are you taking your anger out on?"

"I'm taking it out on her because of her, because I acted first and then later, making my girlfriend hesitate."

"I didn't hesitate!"

Nie Xiguang blurted out.

She couldn't help but explain again, "I'm just shocked, just a little regretful, but I never thought about breaking up with you to be with him."

Just a few months ago, Zhuang Xu somehow discovered that she and Lin Yusen weren't together on New Year's Day. He actually stopped her downstairs at her Shanghai apartment, questioning her and demanding that she break up with Lin Yusen.

She immediately refused him.

"You may not understand me. Once I decide to be with someone, I will never be fickle. He won't betray me, and I won't betray him." That was her firm answer to him at the time.

But Zhuang Xu's smile was mocking. "If you won't, you won't. Why make such a vow?"

His gaze passed over her, smiling behind her. She was startled and immediately turned around. Lin Yusen was standing not far away.

Zhuang Xu looked at Lin Yusen. "Congratulations, she has a sense of responsibility towards you."

"A sense of responsibility," Zhuang Xu repeated the three words with a smile, his gaze towards Lin Yusen almost arrogant. "If you don't bring up breaking up, she will never."

"You're talking nonsense!" she retorted angrily.

Lin Yusen remained calm, only saying four words to him, "You're only just realizing that?"

The matter was clearly over. Later, she tried her best to be a good girlfriend, but Lin Yusen asked her, "Xiguang, why do you always want to make it up to me? Why do you feel like you've wronged me?"

Did she?

Amidst her confusion, Lin Yusen chuckled softly, "Finished asking?"

"Then it's my turn to ask you."

A flicker of anticipation rose in Xi Guang's heart. "What do you want to ask?"

"I remember you don't like attending banquets like this." His voice was calm and indifferent. "But this is the third time we've met in the past few months. Why? To see me?"

Xi Guang had never considered the reason for her recent active participation in various activities. His sudden, direct question made her realize the truth, but also brought a sense of embarrassment at being exposed.

She quickly denied it, as if trying to cover up her mistake: "No, of course not."

"Is that so? I was overthinking it. Goodbye."

He nodded casually, took a step back, and left the terrace with utter decisiveness.

Xi Guang stood there, stunned, unable to believe he was gone.

After a while, she heard footsteps again. She turned back hopefully, only to see a waiter informing her: "Miss Nie, the auction is about to begin. You may enter."

Most of the auction guests were already seated. Xi Guang was led to her seat by a waiter. As soon as she sat down, she saw Lin Yusen's impeccably tailored suit and back to her right.

He was chatting with the woman beside him.

Xi Guang recognized the woman; she had seen her on other occasions before. She was the daughter of a long-standing family friend of the Sheng family, and she vaguely remembered her surname was Wu.

They were clearly having a good conversation; Miss Wu was all smiles and laughter.

Xi Guang bit her lip slightly and lowered her head to flip through the auction booklet.

The auction began quickly.

Xi Guang was somewhat restless and planned to bid randomly, complete her task, and leave early. So, she raised her paddle for the second item.

It was a luminous pearl the size of a pigeon's egg. The luminous pearl claim was mostly a gimmick, but it did indeed glow when the lights were off. The starting price was 200,000.

Unexpectedly, someone else raised their paddle at the same time as her—and it just so happened to be Miss Wu.

The auctioneer was Uncle Liu himself, and the atmosphere and process were rather casual. Seeing the two of them raise their paddles simultaneously, he immediately became excited.

“Xi Guang and Nana bid almost simultaneously, but Xi Guang seems to have bid a little earlier. So, Nana, are you going to raise the bid?”

Ms. Wu smiled slightly and raised her paddle again.

“250,000.”

Xi Guang naturally disliked competing with others, but firstly, this was a charity auction, so a higher price didn't matter. Secondly, she was representing her parents, and giving up after being challenged would make her seem weak, so she raised her paddle again.

“300,000!”

And so it went, reaching 600,000.

Xi Guang felt it was about right and was about to give up. Uncle Liu asked a couple of questions, and Xi Guang shook her head slightly to indicate she wouldn't raise the bid. Just as the gavel was about to fall, the young man to Xi Guang's right, who hadn't made a move, suddenly raised his hand.

Uncle Liu excitedly said, “Now there's a new bidder, our Mr. He, 650,000. Nana, are you going to raise the bid?”

Xi Guang looked at Mr. He to her right with some surprise, only to meet his smiling gaze. He gazed at her, speaking politely, "Miss Nie seems to really like this pearl. If I am fortunate enough to win the bid, I hope you will allow me to give it to you."

Huh?

What's going on? Xi Guang was stunned. She had just met this Mr. He at the buffet on the second floor; they had only exchanged names and nodded to each other after being introduced by Uncle Liu. Why was he already offering her such an expensive gift?!

This was absolutely unacceptable. Xi Guang thought she should just bid for it herself and then casually mention some family task to refuse him?

The new competitor clearly made Miss Wu hesitate. Xi Guang made up her mind and was about to raise her paddle when she heard Uncle Liu's even louder voice.

"700,000!"

"Mr. Lin has bid 700,000!"

Mr. Lin?

Lin Yusen?!

Xi Guang's hand froze instantly. She abruptly looked towards Lin Yusen's back, only to see Miss Wu's surprised and delighted eyes.

Xi Guang suddenly felt a little ridiculous.

Especially remembering how hastily she had explained things to him on the terrace just now, she felt even more embarrassed.

“800,000.”

The new bid startled Xi Guang. Uncle Liu's tone grew increasingly louder, “Mr. He has bid 800,000! And…”

“1,000,000,” Lin Yusen said.

Mr. He's expression visibly turned serious, because he sensed Lin Yusen's determination to win.

Afraid he would continue bidding, Xi Guang quickly said, “Mr. He, thank you for your kindness, but it's alright. Actually, I don't really like it that much; I just think the box is very pretty.”

She forced a joke, paused, and said, “If I really liked it, I wouldn't give up.”

Xi Guang casually bought something and returned to Wuxi that night. Exhausted from a day of traveling, she couldn't fall asleep after washing up and lying in bed.

The sudden ringing of her phone snapped her out of her reverie. Xi Guang reached for her phone, glanced at it casually, and then sat bolt upright.

The caller ID read "Driver Xiao Wang."

This was Lin Yusen's driver. She'd saved his number when they were dating for convenience, and hadn't bothered to delete it after their breakup.

Why would he call her in the middle of the night?

A good ten seconds passed before Xi Guang answered. Xiao Wang's somewhat naive voice sounded: "Miss Nie, you're still awake, aren't you? Sorry to bother you, Mr. Lin asked me to bring you something."

Nie Xi Guang realized something, yet couldn't quite believe it. Her heart pounded, and she jumped out of bed, grabbed a coat, and ran downstairs.

Xiao Wang was already waiting downstairs.

But only Xiao Wang.

She couldn't quite describe the feeling—disappointment or something else—as she tried to calm her rapid breathing.

"Miss Nie." Xiao Wang handed her the paper bag he was carrying. Xi Guang stared at the charity auction logo printed on the bag, hesitating to move.

Her guess had been confirmed, but she still asked, "What's this?"

"I don't know," Xiao Wang shook his head. "President Lin asked me to deliver this. Make sure it reaches you. Miss Nie, take it and I'll go back."

It was already late, and he had to get back, so Xi Guang couldn't delay any longer and took the bag.

Back in her bedroom, Nie Xi Guang sat at her dressing table, staring at the bag for a long time before finally taking something out—it was indeed a wooden jewelry box. A distinctive color made Xi Guang instantly recognize it as the box that contained the luminous pearl.

Suppressing her racing heart, she gently opened the box, but the next second, she was completely stunned.

It was an empty box.

It was completely empty.

Xi Guang was stunned for a moment, even glancing into the paper bag to confirm that Lin Yusen had indeed sent her an empty box that very night.

A surge of anger welled up within her. What was this? Playing tricks on her in the middle of the night?!

She couldn't hold back any longer and picked up her phone to call Lin Yusen.

The call was answered almost immediately.

Xi Guang blurted out, "What do you mean by sending me an empty box?"

"Received it?" The voice on the other end sounded nonchalant. "I originally wanted to give you the pearl along with it, but I couldn't bear to."

Couldn't bear to? Couldn't bear to give it to her? Then who was he going to give it to?

Xi Guang thought of Miss Wu sitting next to him, and the look of surprise and delight in Miss Wu's eyes when Lin Yusen made his offer.

Did he give the luminous pearl to Miss Wu and then send an empty box to mock her?

Because she said the box was pretty?

This terrifying thought made Xi Guang feel suffocated, her fingers trembling involuntarily. She knew she had better not ask; wasn't the answer obvious? But almost to the point of self-torture, she desperately wanted to hear him say it himself.

"So? You're going to send one thing to two people?"

"Two people? Who do you think I'd send it to?" Lin Yusen seemed somewhat surprised, then chuckled softly, "I kept it."

Xi Guang was stunned.

"Now hold it in my palm," he said softly, "Xi Guang, she glows."

Xi Guang gripped her phone stiffly.

He stood there, speechless. A moment later, the receiver beeped; he had hung up first again.

Nie Xiguang suddenly woke up, sitting up in bed.