Chapter 2 Don't Flatter Yourself_2

——

An Chuyu changed clothes, knocked on the car window, and Xi Zheng returned to the car.

She took down her pinned-up long hair, ran her hands through it as if the person beside her didn't exist, and poured out a pile of bottles and jars of cosmetics from her bag. She started to remove her makeup and then reapply it afresh.

She only glanced up as the car started, lifting her eyelids to look forward, and said, "Drive slower, I'm doing my makeup."

The runway makeup on An Chuyu's face was not suitable for attending someone else's birthday party.

Xu Ye quietly slowed down the car.

Using a fluffy shark clip to hold up her hair, An Chuyu faced a palm-sized mirror to apply powder and shape her eyebrows. Her skilled hands moved methodically under Xi Zheng's gaze, creating a fresh and elegant makeup look.

"You'd better tell me Mrs. Madelon's preferences in advance since we want to win her over. We need to have topics to talk about," An Chuyu said, organizing her things without looking at Xi Zheng and in a matter-of-fact tone.

Xi Zheng took a few more glances at the glittery eyeshadow on her eyelids, "She's your avid fan. With her idol appearing before her, I think she'll be very satisfied no matter what the topic is."

Flattered, An Chuyu's attitude softened a bit, "Is that cooperation of yours very important?"

It was rare for her to show additional interest, so Xi Zheng didn't hide anything and carefully explained the situation to her.

The Yueting's newly developed subsidiary, Yaming, specialized in decoration and interior design. Madelon wanted to build a Chinese garden-styled resort and was looking to cooperate with a Chinese team. Many were eyeing this lucrative opportunity.

For Yaming, which hadn't been established long, landing this cooperation was crucial for its future development and reputation.

Business affairs were something An Chuyu usually had little interest in understanding, but she knew the cooperation must be significant, or Xi Zheng wouldn't have personally made the trip.

Worried that An Chuyu might feel pressured, Xi Zheng said to her, "You just need to keep Mrs. Madelon company, don't worry about anything else, I'll handle it."

An Chuyu replied, "You're overthinking. I wasn't planning to meddle in your affairs."

Xi Zheng was left speechless.

——

The business van slowly drove into a private estate. At the end of November, on a rainy night, the temperature was very low, and a light chill crept into people's bones.

When An Chuyu got out of the car, she sneezed. Xi Zheng, very gentlemanly, took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

The two were led by the estate's servants to the banquet hall, where Madelon and his wife stood at the entrance to welcome their esteemed guests from afar.

Mrs. Madelon's attention was first drawn to the woman holding onto Xi Zheng's arm, and she covered her mouth in surprise to stifle a scream that might startle her idol.

An Chuyu let go of Xi Zheng's hand and stepped forward to embrace Mrs. Madelon, wishing her a happy birthday.

Xi Zheng raised his eyebrows; he didn't realize his wife could speak fluent French. In the car, he had been concerned because he hadn't provided her with a personal translator since he heard that Mrs. Madelon's English was not very good.

After exchanging greetings with Madelon, the two women were already chatting merrily, discussing everything from films to tonight's fashion show, to perfumes and skincare products.

Mrs. Madelon even pulled An Chuyu over to introduce her to her friends and asked them to help take a few photos together.

Xu Ye, who followed behind Xi Zheng, could understand French. That's why he was brought along on this business trip by Mr. Xi. Listening to An Chuyu deftly making conversation, he felt confident about tonight's cooperation.

It was common knowledge that Madelon and his wife shared a deep affection, so pleasing her would naturally give them an edge over the others.

"Are you really Mr. Xi's wife?" Mrs. Madelon asked An Chuyu curiously, admiring the freshly taken photos.

An Chuyu had several films released internationally, and Mrs. Madelon liked her very much. She had watched all the ones that had been released and even searched online to watch her other films. However, she was not so familiar with her personal life.

All the guests present were Madelon's friends and family. As Xi Zheng had said, there wasn't a single media outlet present, and An Chuyu openly acknowledged her relationship with Xi Zheng.

Mrs. Madelon shook her head, "I didn't even know you were married."

There was no need for An Chuyu to get into the intricacies of her marriage, and a few words wouldn't have done it justice. "I hope you can keep it a secret for us, we're not planning to go public right now."

As a fan's request, Mrs. Madelon of course complied, gesturing an "OK" with her hand.

An Chuyu, holding a glass of champagne, glanced around. Xi Zheng was frantically conversing with Madelon. With him as the center, the aura around him seemed to change.

Xi Zheng, sensing her gaze, turned his head just in time to meet her eyes.

Their eyes met, and An Chuyu took a sip of her champagne without a change of expression.

As the banquet drew to a close, Mrs. Madelon was engaged in a delightful chat with An Chuyu. Not wanting her to leave so soon and learning that she had no other work that evening, Mrs. Madelon invited her to stay the night as a gesture of thanks.

An Chuyu declined politely.

Mrs. Madelon said, "I don't know when we'll meet again. You coming to celebrate my birthday has given it a different meaning. I would like to host you alone. Besides, my husband and Mr. Xi's negotiations aren't finished, and we can continue discussing movies. Will your new movie be released in France?"

Mrs. Madelon was too enthusiastic, and An Chuyu found it hard to refuse. However, this was not a decision she could make on her own.

She found Xi Zheng and asked if he was done talking.

Thinking that she wanted to leave, Xi Zheng looked troubled. After thinking it over, he planned to have Xu Ye drive her home first, but An Chuyu said, "Mrs. Madelon hopes we can stay the night."

Xi Zheng paused, "What do you mean?"

"If you're not done talking, we can stay the night and leave tomorrow," An Chuyu stated, "I have a flight back to China in the afternoon, and I don't have any other commitments at the moment."

Xi Zheng smiled, "Then I thank the lady for her consideration."

An Chuyu fought the urge to roll her eyes, "It's because I've taken a liking to Mrs. Madelon's insightful comments on the movie I acted in. It's rare to meet such a genuine film fan, and I cherish that. It has nothing to do with you, don't flatter yourself."

Xi Zheng touched his nose and gave her a conciliatory, surrendering look.

——

As the clock struck twelve, An Chuyu said goodbye to Mrs. Madelon in the hallway and turned into her room.

The lights were on inside, and the room's decor lay fully visible. When she reached the side of the bed, her weary mind suddenly became half alert.

Mrs. Madelon, assuming she and Xi Zheng were a true married couple, had prepared only one room with a single set of bedding and even lit an atmosphere-setting aromatic lamp on the wooden cabinet by the bed.

The warm, rose scent diffused around the room, and An Chuyu held her forehead in regret for agreeing to stay the night.

Xi Zheng wasn't there; he was presumably still talking with Madelon.

An Chuyu took a hot shower in the bathroom and collapsed onto the bed. She closed her eyes for a short rest, planning to discuss with Xi Zheng when he returned and suggest he make do with the floor for the night.

Having worn high heels all day and been in a state of heightened concentration for hours, she was now physically and mentally exhausted and soon fell asleep.

When Xi Zheng entered, what he saw was An Chuyu lying on the bed in a robe, her pale feet dangling off the edge.

He approached quietly, lifted her slightly up the bed, and pulled the blanket over her. She didn't wake during this, which showed just how tired she must have been.

Xi Zheng took a deep breath and went to freshen up in the bathroom.

When An Chuyu woke up, she didn't know what time it was. Her throat was dry, and as she reached out to turn on the light, she touched a warm chest. She paused, her mind groggy, unable to comprehend the situation immediately.