Volume One: Qin Yang of the Northern Sea Chapter 13: Shock

Breaking news, sensational news—Zhang Mengqi, the general manager of Carnival Corporation, renowned as the Ice Beauty of Bincheng, was just seen embracing a mysterious man. The scene is being streamed live online, and countless people have joined the discussion. The most frequent comment, unsurprisingly, is that their goddess has been claimed by someone unworthy.

Of course, opinions are divided. Some voices support Qinyang, even spinning it into an inspiring love story.

The online commotion aside, reality was even more shocking—leaving everyone stunned and bewildered.

What on earth was going on?

Especially Su Ying, who sat in her car, her delicate hand covering her small mouth in astonishment. She had been convinced that this was the end for her. First, the hoped-for partnership was out of the question, and second, there might even be legal consequences to bear.

But who could have predicted such an outcome?

The onlookers had all braced themselves for drama, only to be completely caught off guard.

Feng Bo, who had just come downstairs, saw the scene and his face darkened instantly. He still held a bouquet of flowers, making the situation all the more awkward. The gathered reporters, unwilling to miss the moment, snapped away furiously.

He tossed the flowers to the ground and turned to leave, not forgetting to glare at Qinyang as if to commit his face to memory.

“Big sis, you—he—he’s the brute who just hit me! How could you…” Zhang Chu was so flustered he could barely speak.

Zhang Mengqi, realizing her own loss of composure, blushed fiercely, then seized Qinyang’s arm and marched toward the office building.

When the reporters tried to follow, the other security guards scrambled to their feet and blocked their way.

“Big sis, how could you do this?” Zhang Chu glared at Qinyang, his resentment undiminished. “If you really want to be with this brute, not only will I object—Dad won’t agree either!”

A crisp slap rang out.

Zhang Mengqi struck Zhang Chu across the face, her expression fierce with anger. “Brute? Who are you calling a brute? If it weren’t for the man you call a brute, you’d be dead by now!”

A hush fell over the crowd, even more oppressive after Zhang Mengqi slapped Zhang Chu. Her words left everyone speculating—had this young man once saved Zhang Chu’s life?

“Hmph. Sis, now you’re siding with outsiders. I’m telling Dad about this!” With that, Zhang Chu stormed off in his sports car.

Qinyang fished ten thousand yuan from his bag and tossed it to Wang Hu. Although the matter had been resolved smoothly, Wang Hu and his men had helped, so a little money was a token of thanks.

And now that Qinyang enjoyed a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle, he hardly cared about such a sum.

With the reporters and gawkers dispersed, Zhang Mengqi led him upstairs.

The Carnival Tower rose thirty-three stories high—a rare sight in Bincheng.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, the ground floor erupted in speculation about the relationship between General Manager Zhang and the young man.

Inside the office.

Qinyang stared in awe at the spacious office, over a hundred square meters. The décor was minimal, but the most striking feature was the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a sweeping view of the whole city.

He studied his former classmate, now a transformed woman, and grinned. “Zhang Mengqi, who could have guessed you’d become a wealthy lady? If I’d known, I should’ve courted you back then. I wouldn’t have to run around making ends meet now.”

Zhang Mengqi let out a peal of laughter, her loose white shirt fluttering as she shook with mirth. “Qinyang, back then, I was the one chasing you! But you never had eyes for me.”

Qinyang touched his nose sheepishly. It was true—at the time, his heart belonged to another girl, but she’d gone abroad after graduation.

Zhang Mengqi had gone on to Bincheng University, and contact was lost. Fate had played its tricks; if he hadn’t gone through those bitter college years, he wouldn’t have come to Bincheng, or met Zhang Mengqi again.

“So, Qinyang, after all these years, how have you been?” Zhang Mengqi asked with a gentle smile, settling into the seat across from him.

Qinyang hesitated, unsure how to respond. University had been a struggle, and only upon arriving in Bincheng had life improved.

“Not bad. After graduation, I found a job here. Make about four thousand a month. Enough to get by.”

Zhang Mengqi sighed inwardly. The Qinyang she remembered had been ambitious and proud, looking down on everything. Now, he seemed content with just four thousand a month.

Perhaps time had changed them both, making even an old classmate seem unfamiliar.

“So, Qinyang, what brings you here today? Don’t tell me you came just to see me, knowing I worked here?” she teased, sipping her coffee playfully.

At that, Qinyang slapped his thigh in sudden realization. He’d left Su Ying waiting downstairs while he relaxed upstairs. As a manager, she was shivering in the cold—surely that wasn’t right.

Zhang Mengqi smiled at his flustered look. “It’s fine, I’ve already sent someone to fetch her.”

Soon, Su Ying entered, shooting Qinyang a murderous glare. Were it not for Zhang Mengqi’s presence, she might have lashed out at him. To think he knew someone this influential and hadn’t mentioned it—she’d worried herself sick for nothing.

Qinyang lounged on the sofa, taking out a cigarette. Just as he was about to light up, Su Ying hissed, “Qinyang!”

He paused and glanced at Zhang Mengqi, who laughed. “Go ahead, smoke. I remember you used to—nearly choked me with it back in school.”

“Heh, I don’t know much about business. You two talk; don’t mind me. Oh, and don’t forget to call me when you leave,” he said, then began to wander the office, helping himself to a Sprite from the fridge.

Leisurely, he surfed the internet, drink in one hand and cigarette in the other, giving the impression of a man desperately busy.

Online, a new post was trending: “Carnival’s General Manager Zhang Scolds Her Brother for Her Lover.” It even included a pitiful crying photo that made Qinyang laugh.

When the business was concluded, Su Ying’s expression remained unchanged, but her heart was in turmoil, as though in a dream. She knew she’d made the right decision bringing Qinyang along. Without him, the partnership with Carnival would have been almost impossible.

After Su Ying left, Zhang Mengqi stopped him and exchanged phone numbers.

Watching Qinyang’s departing figure, Zhang Mengqi felt her usually calm heart pounding uncontrollably.

Since her sophomore year, she had been learning to run the company. In three years, she had more than doubled its profits, earning a reputation as a business prodigy in Bincheng’s commercial circles.

Yet someone had always lingered in her heart—her high school deskmate.

Now, reunited at last, she vowed not to let him slip away again. Watching his silhouette, Zhang Mengqi murmured softly, “This time, I won’t let you go.”