Chapter 5: Cold war between the leads

Days passed by, the day of Lin Feiyi's birthday banquet came.

Qin Zichen looked towards the large glass window behind his back. It was 5:34 in the afternoon and then sky started to darken.

He sighed and said, "finally!"

He turned his laptop off and arranged the things on his desk neatly.

Secretary Liu entered the office and saw Qin Zichen fixing his things on his desk.

"Ah, Sir let me help you." She was about to reach her hands when he smiled and said, "No thanks."

Qin Zichen looked up at her and said, "How about my car? Is it ready?"

Secretary Liu answered with a smile, "Yeah! Sir, including what you will wear tonight." She cheerfully said even though she looked tired.

Qin Zichen hummed in response.

He took his coat from the hook stand and left the Qin Group Building.

He went back home to change.

Qin Zichen looked at the full-sized mirror and fixed his suit.

He was dressed in a brownish gray suit with a white polo shirt underneath, a stripe black and gray tie, black round buttons, and a pair of black leather shoes.

His blondish gray hair was brushed slick back neatly.

He smiled beautifully in front of the mirror showing off his white teeth and reddish lips.

He sprayed some perfume on his body and then closed the door to his room.

He went downstairs and saw his mother.

He sighed, 'looks like this mother is making sure that her son would come with her.'

Mei Suxian smiled lovingly at her son.

"My son is so handsome! Sure thing, all the ladies there will swoon over you." She cheekily smiled as she was thinking about introducing her son to beautiful ladies.

Qin Zichen only chuckled and said, "Let's go or we'll be late."

The driver opened the door for Mei Suxian and for Qin Zichen and both entered the car.

The Mansion gates opened and then a black Limo drove out of the mansion.

......

They finally arrived at Hotel where the event would be held.

The car doors were opened then Qin Zichen got off first. He held Mei Suxian's hands to help her get off.

Many saw his actions and can't help but admire him.

Mei Suxian held Qin Zichen's arms and walked toward the banquet hall.

The hall was decorated grand and splendidly.

The hall was crowded with other business conglomerates having a joyful conversation. Some were discussing business matters, and some were just talking about how their lives were doing.

Even the female lead and other actors and actresses were present.

The female lead was wearing a blue flowery mermaid dress with a silver choker on her neck. She had small pearl earrings on her delicate ears.

Her long hair was curled and placed on both sides of her shoulders.

She had big doe eyes, a small button nose, refined eyebrows, cherry red lips, a diamond-shaped face, and milky white skin.

She looks a little innocent but alluring. She may look like someone who's easy to bully. Nonetheless, she's the opposite. She's a badass type of female lead everyone stan.

Many readers were impressed by her way of counterattacking and how she managed to tame the cold and arrogant Male lead.

An Meiyou caught Qin Zichen's stare.

But Qin Zichen wasn't embarrassed at all. He smiled at her as a greeting then she did the same thing.

"Mom, the cast of your favorite drama is here." He told her in a whisper.

"I know, I'll talk to my friend first!"

Mei Suxian spotted Su Yan, Lin Feiyi's Mother.

The two greeted each other with wide smiles.

Su Yan smiled and looked toward Qin Zichen "Oh my! You're already a grown-up man.."

Su Yan showed a surprised but happy expression and said, "Oh! You were just this little the last time I saw you." Su Yan leveled her hands to her hips.

Qin Zichen smiled gently and chuckled.

"It's nice to see you again! You rarely attend banquets. Now, I'm so happy that you're here to attend my daughter's birthday." She smiled.

"You're welcome" He once again showed a smile.

"I heard you inherited your father's position and became the Chairman of Qin's group!" Su Yan widened her mouth in surprise and admiration.

She then continued and then muttered in a low tone, "It would be better if you were my daughter's fiance..."

"What?" Su Yan asked.

She didn't hear it but Qin Zichen did.

Su Yan suddenly snapped out from her thoughts and waved her hand, "It's nothing!" She smiled.

Su Yan and Mei Suxian kept chatting.

Qin Zichen left the two bestfriends and wandered around.

Many recognized him that some businessmen chatted with him. He received endless praises from the older generations because they admired how he was a chairman at such an age.

They all heard his achievements and many ladies looked at him with admiration.

Qin Zichen only smiled hearing how they were talking about him.

"Your son is excellent! If only my husband arranged the marriage with your son..." Su Yan said to Mei Suxian in a somewhat sad tone.

Mei Suxian only scoffed, "Then why are you being like an obedient dog to your husband? He's not loving at all! He is a controlling freak." Mei Suxian rolled her eyes.

"Don't speak about him like that." Su Yan pouted.

"When we were young back then, I often tell you how much he is not deserving of you. But you never listen! Now suffer from it!" Mei Suxian harrumphed like a petulant child.

Su Yan only laughed at Mei Suxian's childish behavior.

"C'mon we're already both 51 years old. Stop being childish!" Su Yan laughed.

Su Yan and Mei Suxian had been best friends forever since they were both 15. So technically, they're friends for almost 36 years.

"You see that actress?" Su Yan asked while pointing towards An Meiyou.

"Yeah, why?"

"She looked like you when we were younger. From facial appearance to mannerisms." Su Yan said while having a shocked expression.

"Yeah, she reminds me of myself. That's why I became a fan of her after seeing that drama." Mei Suxian smiled.

"I heard she was an orphan and is the same age as Rachel. Don't you think Rachel is alive?" Su Yan said in a low tone.

Mei Suxian only had a solemn expression.

"I'm sorry!" Su Yan apologize.

"It's okay! I'm thinking the same too. However, I accepted the fact that Rachel died." She forced a smile.

Su Yan gave her a hug.

Qin Zichen on the other hand kept looking around looking for Lin Feiyi.

And finally.....

He saw her.

She was wearing a purple sequin sweetheart tulle gown showing off her voluptuous figure.

Her collarbone and delicate shoulders were exposed but not in a vulgar way.

Her hair was tied into a bun with her thin but long bangs hanging on her forehead.

She had light makeup on but her face is still somewhat fierce and a little cold.

She had white dangling crystal earrings in her ears and a beautiful silver necklace on her white jade neck.

Her fierce cat eyes were curving into crescents as she forced a business smile to greet the guests.

Her skin is so white that you could see she is literally glowing.

Other men can't help but steal glances from her but were afraid of the fact that she is Harris Li's fiancee.

She looked enchanting which made Qin Zichen smile.

'She really looked like Shuang'er. Just draw some birthmark on her cheek and they will look alike. So this is how she looks if she has no birthmark. Everyone is teasing Shuang'er for having a birthmark on her face. But I believe it is not ugly and is unique.'

Lin Feiyi shook hands with the guest and kept chatting with them with a light laugh.

"Chuying, Miss Lin is so beautiful. She really deserves Mr. Li. I heard she was a famous fashion designer in England. She is also talented! What an excellent woman." A lady whispered to another lady.

The Fang Chuying answered with a sneer, "She's pretty but she didn't get Mr. Li's heart. I heard the scandals and rumors about Mr. Li and that famous actress. What's the purpose of being pretty and talented if you can't even make your fiance love you."

"Shhh... don't talk about it. They might hear you." The lady held her friend and covered her mouth.

"What's wrong with that? I think I'm more suitable for Mr.Li than her." Fan Chuying arrogantly said.

"Alright! You are!" The lady smiled wryly.

Lin Feiyi naturally heard it since she's close to them. She just pretended she did not hear any of it and just smiled. She can't afford to create a mess. She was a little sad in her heart though.

Qin Zichen saw Lin Feiyi's sad eyes.

Qin Zichen's eyes were fixed on her and were walking toward her with a wide and sincere smile on his face.

All the ladies were captured by his smile.

"He's coming towards me!" A woman giggled

Another lady glared at her, "No he's looking this way!"

Fan Chuying was looking at Qin Zichen. "Baibai, I think I changed my mind! Chairman Qin is more attractive than Mr.Li! I think I'm in love with him." She was showing an infatuated smile but Baibai only rolled her eyes at Fan Chuying's expression.

She thinks she deserves Qin Zichen more than Fan Chuying does.

Lin Feiyi was chatting with her friend, Ling Xiaoning when she heard every girl around her chattering and giggling like fools.

"Mr. Qin is coming this way! Ah! I'm gonna faint!"

She turned around and her heart immediately skipped a beat for a reason she doesn't know. She saw a familiar man with a captivating smile that anyone who sees it would fall in love with.

Ling Xiaoning gasped, "Hey isn't that Chairman Qin? Why does it seem like he is walking this way!? I have to tell Feifei about this!"

'Chairman Qin?' She thought, 'No wonder his name felt a little familiar! He was the man my mom kept talking about when I was abroad! And he is also the man who saved and let me stay in his house! He's Qin Zichen!"

She was stunned that she can't even utter a word.

Ling Xiaoning tapped Lin Feiyi's shoulders, "Why are you staring at him? And why is he staring at you!? Lin Feiyi I'm telling you! He's my ultimate crush!!"

Lin Feiyi ignored Ling Xiaoning.

Everyone made way for Qin Zichen to make its way to Lin Feiyi.

Fan Chuying tucked her hair behind her ears and was ready to approach Qin Zichen when he just walked past her and stopped when he reached Lin Feiyi.

"Miss Lin, Nice to see you again!" He smiled showing his white teeth.

Lin Feiyi was at a loss for words for a moment but then managed to utter a sentence, "Mr. Qin, Nice to see you again too." She greeted.

She faked a smile and said, "What are you doing here, Chairman Qin?"

'So this is what he meant by seeing you again'

"I was given an invitation by your Mom. By the way, you don't have to be so formal with me. Just call me by my name just like you used to." He smiled brightly at her.

Every girl inside was jealous since Qin Zichen was ignoring them but approached Lin Feiyi.

"O-Okay." She smiled in response.

Ling Xiaoning crossed her arms," Lin Feiyi! You little liar! Why didn't you tell me that you two know each other!"

Lin Feiyi only pinched Ling Xiaoning's cheek.

'She's a little bit off today. She doesn't like to smile and wasn't this friendly. What happened to her?'

[Her controlling father is watching your interaction with her.]

Qin Zichen was about to speak when someone announced the Ceo of Wuyuan entertainment's presence.

The attention was now turned to him.

He was a 185 cm tall man.

His black hair was combed neatly.

He had a triangular face shape, tall nose, black almond-shaped eyes, prominent thick black eyebrows, and fair tan skin.

He was wearing a burgundy tuxedo.

His cold eyes were wandering everywhere as if looking for someone. His long legs walked towards Qin Zichen.

Qin Zichen pretended not to see him and looked toward the stage.

"Qin Zichen." He called

Qin Zichen still ignored and was whistling.

"What's wrong with you today? Why are you ignoring me?" Harris Li asked with a frown on his face.

Qin Zichen laughed and said, "Alright, alright! I'm sorry!"

The two chatted a bit but Harris kept responding with short sentences only.

Qin Zichen sighed, "It's hard chatting with you. You kept answering shortly!" He complained.

Harris Li sneered, "You're just too boring to talk to."

Lin Feiyi was shocked by how the two men could communicate like close friends.

"You guys know each other?" Lin Feiyi asked.

Harris Li ignored her but Qin Zichen replied with a smile, "Yes, we were best friends since middle school."

Lin Feiyi nodded her head.

Harris Li is a cold and introverted type of person. He even rarely talks to his classmates because of his cold personality. Only Qin Zichen was dauntless enough to approach and befriend him.

The male lead found out he and Qin Zichen had things in common and things that are not. They're both superior when It comes to intelligence and appearance among their peers.

They hang out a lot and eventually became good friends.

He doesn't like talking that much but loved chatting with Original Qin Zichen.

During their high school years, both had been the school's best athletes and academic champions.

Qin Zichen, Harris, and their two other friends were labeled as the School Princes.

Harris is the cold but handsome type. Qin Zichen in contrast is the Sunny, Cheerful, and Handsome guy.

The two had been friends for almost 18 years.

'It's no wonder that the original body kept helping the male lead. They were bestfriends. But this friend is rarely mentioned. He is only mentioned during the male lead's unfortunate encounters. He is also the one who helped the male lead to locate the female lead when the female lead was kidnapped.'

"Chairman Qin, Mr. Li." Da Peng, the director of The new hit drama approached them with An Meiyou.

The three looked over and saw Da Peng.

"Oh, Director Da! How are you doing?" Qin Zichen asked. Harris Li only hummed as an acknowledgment of Da Peng's presence.

His attention was on the female lead. However, An Meiyou was avoiding eye contact with him.

The two leads had been having a cold war ever since Lin feiyi returned. The elders of the family scolded him.

He was threatened by his grandfather that he will destroy her career.

An Meiyou misunderstood the male lead's actions causing them to drift apart.

"I want to introduce you...-"

Qin Zichen interrupted, "I know her! Mom's a big fan."

An Meiyou smiled and bowed her head slightly, "Nice to meet you, Chairman Qin." She paused and then looked towards Harris Li, "Mr. Li." she called respectively.

Lin Feiyi is sneering and scoffing on the inside. Malicious intents and hatred were visible in her fierce cat eyes.

Da Peng saw her. He then greeted, "Miss Lin."

Lin Feiyi forced a smile.

She looked toward An Meiyou with the fakest smile she could ever master, "Miss An, How are you? I heard about the incident last time." She faked a worried expression.

An Meiyou answered and lifted the corners of her mouth, "I'm okay."

"You have to be careful next time then." Lin Feiyi had maliciousness in her eyes as An Meiyou could see them.

"Of course, I will! Nothing like this will happen again! I'll make sure of it." An Meiyou said nicely but felt somewhat threatening.

They might look to be subjected to a harmonic conversation, On their worlds, they are having a fierce battle.

"By the way, I would like to apologize for what happened last time. I was just a little stressed" She hugged Harris Li's arms and said, "My fiance and I will be getting married next month. I would like you to attend as an apology. My mom is also a big fan of yours." She cheerfully said.

Harris Li cannot do anything to Lin Feiyi at the moment.

An Meiyou looked at Harris' arms being held by Lin Feiyi.

Her heart can't help but ache.

"C-Congrats then." She faked a bright smile.

Lin Feiyi had a victorious smile plastered on her face and looked up at Harris' expression.

Harris Li's face was filled with coldness. He was clenching his left hand into a fist. He clenchs hard that his bones almost break.

"Thanks for sponsoring the drama Mr.Qin, Mr.Li. we will both take our leave." Da Peng said gratefully and left with An Meiyou.

Harris Li can't help but look at An Meiyou's back. He got off from Lin Feiyi's hold.

He looked at her coldly and said, "Don't do that again." He then left.