Cruel Romance - Chapter 2.1

***Realised it might be quite confusing, so just to clarify: Zuo Zhen (aka Er Ye, which means Second Master), Xiang Ying Dong (aka Ying Shao, which means Master Ying)*** Enjoy!:)

When Jin Xiu awoke, she felt pain in her head, her body was numb and even her hands felt so heavy that she couldn’t lift them up.

What place is this? An extravagant crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, surrounding walls were covered in floral wallpaper, a window was facing the sunset, snow white curtains fluttering in the breeze. The blanket caressing her was made of silk, soft and comfortable, the flower vase at her bed had stalks of gardenia, the petals pearly white, scent enveloping her senses.

Was she dreaming? Jin Xiu looked about, confused, there was no one around, it was quiet. Using her strength to raise her hand and touch her head, she was surprised to find it was covered with a layer of gauze. Then this wasn’t a dream, someone saved her, and took care of her wounds.

Not long after, she heard the sound of the door opening, a middle aged lady came in, seeing that Jin Xiu was awake, she seemed ecstatic, “Lady, you’ve finally woken up, you’ve been out for a day and night, I was so worried. How is it, do you feel better?” Jin Xiu fought to get up but felt a sharp pain in her hand and fell back onto the pillow.

“Don’t move!” That woman hurriedly pressed her down, “Lie down and rest well, I only came in to check if you had woken up.”

Jin Xiu weakly spoke, “Are you the one who saved me?”

That woman was stunned,”No, Ying Shao ordered to arrange a room for you and get a physician, I was also unaware.”

“Ying Shao?”

Jin Xiu felt that this name was familiar, outside Yin’s residence, that man was also called “Ying Shao”, perhaps in Shanghai, there were plenty of people named “Ying Shao”. “Could I ask, what place is this?”

“Lion Grove,” that woman smiled as she replied, “Lion Grove Hotel. Lady you’re considered lucky, to meet Ying Shao. The rooms her are really expensive!”

“What!” Jin Xiu was shocked, “I don’t even have a coin!”

“Don’t panic,” that women hurriedly tried to calm her, “This place belongs to Ying Shao, why would he take money from you? If he wanted money he wouldn’t take you here.”

Jin Xiu heaved a sigh of relief, but suddenly felt uneasy, “How could I impose?”

“Since you’ve woken up, eat something first.” That woman changed the subject, “Milk or porridge?” Hunger burned in her stomach and caused her to feel numb, with bitterness in her mouth.

“Then….anything would do.” Jin Xiu followed up gratefully, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, lady, anyway Ying Shao ordered us to take care of her. I’m just an employee, you can call me Auntie Lan.”

Listening to the sound of Auntie Lan closing the door, Jin Xiu felt as though the gratefulness she felt was about to burst out of her. Who was Ying Shao? This kindness and care, how could she possibly repay him?

This moment, Xiang Ying Dong and Zuo Zhen were walking out of Hua Long Bank together. Xiang Ying Dong asked as they walked, “Yesterday Tang Hai sent that beggar girl to Lion Grove and wanted me to arrange a room, get a physician and said it was your orders. Since when do you care about matters not relating to you?”

Zuo Zhen replied, “Looks like you’ve forgotten, two days ago at Ming Zhu’s place, this girl ran out and knocked onto you, you were so touchy with her and scared her half to death, why, you can’t recall it now?”

“It’s her?” A look of astonishment came across Xiang Ying Dong’s face, “It should be someone related to Ming Zhu, looks like they fell out. But it was barely two to three days ago and she had to resort to living on the streets and begging for food?”

Zuo Zhen had already walked to his car, Tang Hai hurriedly put the coat he was holding onto Zuo Zhen’s shoulders, while pulling open the car door, “Er Ye please.”

“Since she was related to Ming Zhu, better to ask for her opinion.” Before Zuo Zhen got onto the car, the side of his mouth curled up into a teasing smile, “Anything that has to do with Ming Zhu, can’t possibly be considered meddling right, Ying Dong.”

Xiang Ying Dong’s assistant had also opened the door and was waiting for him, heard him mumble, “Had the Sun Wu Kong from 800 years ago reincarnated and was his surname now Zuo?” He was extremely interested in Ming Zhu but that was big boss’s woman, he couldn’t even get close, even his small bit of intention couldn’t escape Zuo Zhen’s eyes? His pair of eyeballs were simply too poisonous.

“Where to, Ying Shao?” the chauffeur asked.

Xiang Ying Dong raised his spirits, “Back to Lion Grove to take a look.” He wanted to know, that girl who had landed in his hands time and again, what was her relationship with Yin Ming Zhu?