Chapter 197 - Second Of Many

It had been a long night in heels that was why when the last important guest was out the door, she immediately took off the shoes she was wearing. On the cold floor, her toes and soles seemed to thank her. 

She straightened up and Qing Chen was already there beside her, producing a pair of hotel slippers. "You shouldn't make a habit with this," he said with a smile.

"Aw," she said in awe. "You came prepared."

"I saw this coming," he answered and helped her slip them on. "We're going somewhere."

"Oh!" she said, feeling excited. "I still have to say good bye to them."

"Don't worry, I said bye for you. We're leaving now." He clutched on her elbow and they exited.

"Wait," she laughed. "Are you sure? Where are we going?"

He took off his coat and helped her in it. "We're going to fight that cold you're about to have. But first, you have to brace for this."

"Brace for what?"

He didn't answer and hit the elevator button to the topmost floor.

**

It was a helicopter. A fudging helicopter. "What?!" Feng Xuan screamed at the top of her lungs. She barely heard herself with the noise the blades were making. Qing Chen only grinned at her before they jogged to it. A man helped them up and Qing Chen strapped her to her seat then placed a pair of heavy headphones on her ears.

"Where are we going?!" she asked through the microphone and Qing Chen winced at the sound of her voice. 

"To the best place to have soup."

"Where is that?"

"You'll know when we get there."

It was her first time to ride a helicopter and she felt a little seasick. She thought that maybe it was only because she had not eaten anything for breakfast and lunch—out of nervousness and partly because she had to fit in her dress.

Qing Chen noticed her unease and held her hand all the way, distracting her by asking questions about the event. Her favorite topic finally came through after a few minutes.

"What do you think she'll do next?" she asked him pertaining to Da Xia. "She seemed really mad earlier."

"She'll try to make a bigger opening. I don't know how on earth she'll be able to pull that off, but she needs something more eye-catching so she would trend. If her launch fails, she would be done for."

"Would it be so bad to watch her crash and burn?" Feng Xuan asked, looking out the window. She could see that they were moving to a less urbanized part of the country. 

"Don't you want her out of here?"

"I do," she answered quickly. "That hasn't changed. I am just thinking about the fun we're supposed to have playing with her."

Qing Chen smiled. "We should help her with the opening, then end her right after. Wouldn't that be more satisfying?"

Feng Xuan felt her lips smile but something was stabbing in her chest. She shook her head in her mind. Nope, she wouldn't want to feel regret with this. She was just trying to be nice. She saw how much Wang Yimin worked hard for this brand.

She was sure Da Xia put it a lot of hours—YEARS in her work and she would be the one who would end it all. It was nice to know you were a person who was holding that kind of power… but was it really worth it? 

It was not like she didn't warn Da Xia. She had set warnings everywhere and if she would still choose to proceed then that would be on her, right?

Feng Xuan wanted to kick herself with the way her thoughts were being jumbled. It was just that she was thinking if it was Wang Yimin who would get dragged to the mud—her life's work dead even before it flourished.

She felt Qing Chen's thumb caressed the inside of her wrist. "Are you having second thoughts?"

Feng Xuan shook her head. She was going to put this all aside because she wanted her gone and away, away from them. "We'll go as planned."

In a short while, the helicopter landed on a bare space of land and a car was waiting for them. "Oh, it's mushy," she giggled when she stepped on the soft ground. Qing Chen led the way, she was stepping on where he stepped to ensure her feet would not sink in.

It was a quick ride, not even five minutes when they stopped in front of a wooden house. Attached to it was a small kitchen with tables on the side. It was dark and it was more than cold.

"We're at the foot of the mountain?" asked Feng Xuan.

"You got it," Qing Chen answered.

It was still snowing. She was more than grateful that when she sat down, Qing Chen threw a thick blanket over her legs and thighs. 

Feng Xuan's airways felt like it was getting dry with the cold wind and she shivered under Qing Chen's coat. The old woman with waspy hair quickly served them bowls. There was nothing special with the presentation but the smell of it made Feng Xuan's mouth water.

She quickly blew on it and took a sip. "Hmmmmmm!" she m.o.a.ned. "This is so good. How did you know about this place?"

"This is the next one in father's list. He wants to build a small resort not far from here. It's a big risk, but hopefully it will drive commerce in this place and do some good for the people and tourism."

Feng Xuan nodded and leaned her head against Qing Chen's shoulder. She lifted her legs on top of his lap, warming them in his heat.

"Thank you for bringing me here, husband," she said.

Qing Chen turned his head and kissed her. "Congratulations on your launch, wife. To the second of many…"

They clinked their plastic bowls together. "I'll cheers to that."