Chapter 191: What “Just Friends”

A moment later, outside the suite.

Xiang Xiaotian followed her parents out, looking slightly unhappy.

They had been just one step away-fake almost becoming real… Could it be that somehow, fate, timing, and opportunity had all aligned, yet being just a little short still made it impossible?

Xiang Detao, on the other hand, felt greatly comforted, almost ready to throw his head back and laugh.

“Haha, what a twist of fate. You and President Zhang-this is truly a match made in heaven. Our two families joining together is what you call a powerful alliance!”

Originally, falling out with the Lu family had left him with some lingering unease…

But now it seemed that missing out had only been for something better.

Who could have imagined that in a city as large as Hangzhou, the Junlan Hotel and the InterContinental Garden Hotel would actually have such a connection?

Xiang Xiaotian felt extremely guilty. She lowered her head and stayed silent, not daring to reveal the truth.

“Hey? What’s wrong with you, girl? Why aren’t you saying anything?” Xiang Detao noticed her expression. “Let me warn you-you’re not allowed to throw little tantrums with President Zhang. When you’re by his side, behave yourself, understand? And you must be a smart woman!”

“What are you talking about?” Dong Yaru lightly patted her husband, then held Xiang Xiaotian’s arm. “Your father means that men aren’t kept by tying them down, but by attracting them. Just be yourself.”

Xiang Xiaotian nodded, blinking rapidly as her eyelashes trembled.

“Oh right, Xiaotian. Later, invite President Zhang to come over as a guest. Our family wants to host him properly.” Xiang Detao instructed carefully.

“Zhang Yang… Zhang Yang is very busy. He might not have time.” Xiang Xiaotian said softly.

“What kind of talk is that? This is a family dinner-how could he not come?” Xiang Detao glanced at her. “When you confirm it with President Zhang, I’ll invite our relatives as well-your aunts and uncles-and we’ll have a gathering.”

Xiang Xiaotian’s face turned pale, and she didn’t dare say anything.

At this moment, she finally felt what it meant to have gone too far.

Inside the suite, Zhang Yang stood by the window for a while, letting the river breeze cool him down.

“That really got heated.”

Men and women really couldn’t act in a fake relationship-because acting long enough would make it feel real.

If not for that sudden phone call earlier, things would probably have turned from fake to real. After all, the two of them had clearly been enjoying the feeling.

Half an hour later, Xiang Xiaotian called.

“Brother, good brother, help me one more time. My dad wants to invite you to dinner, and… and it sounds like he’s going to invite all my relatives too.”

“I told you before to think carefully. Now look-once you tell one lie, you’ll have to spend so much effort supporting that lie. How are you planning to wrap this up?” Zhang Yang said with amusement.

“Then… then maybe we could… make it real.” Xiang Xiaotian said timidly in a small voice.

“I have a girlfriend.” Zhang Yang deflected immediately.

Getting carried away was one thing, but now that he had calmed down, the moment Xiang Xiaotian suggested making it real, he became alert.

Making it real wasn’t just about flirting and sleeping together.

It meant responsibility and a genuine relationship.

Zhang Yang had so many businesses and plenty of carefree days ahead of him. He didn’t want to be tied down by a rich beauty demanding responsibility.

“You…” Xiang Xiaotian huffed angrily. “Then why were you touching me so enthusiastically?”

“Didn’t you say we were acting?” Zhang Yang said with a smile.

“There was no one around anymore-what acting was left? I think you just wanted my body. The moment you heard about responsibility, you immediately…” Xiang Xiaotian muttered. “Men.”

Zhang Yang didn’t speak and simply held the phone.

After a while, the other side also fell silent, leaving only soft breathing. It seemed both of them were waiting.

“Finished talking?” Zhang Yang asked.

“I… I was impulsive just now. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was wrong.” Xiang Xiaotian admitted defeat first.

“Mhm.” Zhang Yang responded.

“Brother Zhang, if you don’t want to come, then don’t come. I’ll tell my dad.” Xiang Xiaotian said quietly. “You’re right. I shouldn’t drag you too deeply into this. You have your concerns, and besides, I really do need to think about how to wrap this up… but…”

Xiang Xiaotian suddenly seemed to gather courage.

“But I won’t give up. Next time, I don’t want to act. I want to stand beside you openly and confidently.”

“What kind of courage is that supposed to be?” Zhang Yang laughed helplessly.

For the next period of time, the InterContinental Garden Hotel underwent sweeping reforms under Yu Kaili’s decisive management.

Some staff left, new ones were hired, and many issues left behind by the previous owner-including redundant positions and long-standing problems-were all dealt with during this opportunity.

The entire hotel’s personnel structure was practically renewed.

Meanwhile, Qu Shanshan was officially promoted to Front Office Manager. In fact, based on her ability, she likely would have been promoted even without Zhang Yang putting in a word.

This promotion was simply going with the flow.

Zhang Yang’s time in Hangzhou finally became leisurely.

Every day he stayed in the Presidential Suite, watching the waves of the Qiantang River. When bored, he would visit West Lake, wander around Peach Blossom Spring, occasionally invite Wen Ting from Peach Blossom Spring out for conversation when the mood struck, and respond to Xiang Xiaotian’s warm and persistent affection.

Life was naturally quite comfortable.

One day, by West Lake.

Zhang Yang and Xiang Xiaotian rented a small boat, drifting across the rippling water and enjoying a pleasant afternoon.

“The shimmering water is beautiful in the sunshine; the misty mountains are equally marvelous in the rain.”

Zhang Yang lay with his head on Xiang Xiaotian’s thigh, looking at the sky while feeling the gentle rocking of the boat. Many poetic lines about West Lake passed through his mind.

It wasn’t that he was trying to sound cultured.

Mainly because when he used to work as a copywriter, he had actually gained a bit of skill in poetry.

“Brother Zhang, your Chinese literature is really good.” Xiang Xiaotian smiled and lowered her head deliberately, letting her long hair fall down and tickle Zhang Yang’s face.

Zhang Yang immediately lifted his head from Xiang Xiaotian’s soft thigh and sat up.

“Mischievous.”

He casually pulled Xiang Xiaotian into his arms and teased her for a while.

Bang!

The small boat suddenly bumped into something.

“We hit something! We hit something!”

Outside, the boatman shouted.

Zhang Yang and Xiang Xiaotian looked out curiously. Not far away was another small boat.

On that boat, a young man also leaned his head out.

“Chen Zhuo?”

Zhang Yang had sharp eyes and immediately recognized the person on the other boat.

That person was none other than his high school classmate Chen Zhuo, who had been developing his career in Suzhou. Unexpectedly, the two of them met again in Hangzhou on West Lake like this.

“Zhang Yang!” Chen Zhuo widened his eyes, immediately recognizing him as well.

“Come on, let’s dock.” Zhang Yang waved with a smile.

A moment later, the two boats reached the shore, and the two young men got off.

“Long time no see! Oh, and this is…?” Chen Zhuo froze slightly, staring at the fair-skinned, beautiful girl stepping off Zhang Yang’s boat-like a luxurious flower in the mortal world.

“Oh, this is Xiang Xiaotian, my friend.” Zhang Yang introduced simply.

“Just a friend? I think I saw…” Chen Zhuo stammered, because he had clearly seen Zhang Yang lying on her thigh earlier.

What kind of ordinary female friend would let you rest on her thigh?

Xiang Xiaotian smiled faintly and leaned against Zhang Yang’s side, simply nodding politely to Chen Zhuo with a calm and gentle demeanor.

“By the way, who’s the one on your boat?” Zhang Yang also noticed the girl on Chen Zhuo’s boat.

But he could only see her back.

“My university classmate, and also my goddess. I finally managed to ask her out.” Chen Zhuo lowered his voice. “By the way, she has a bit of a cold personality, so don’t mind it.”

“Cold?” Zhang Yang chuckled.

To be honest, it had been a very long time since he had seen a girl act cold in front of him-none at all.

“Yajun, Yajun, let me introduce you to a friend.” Chen Zhuo leaned into the cabin and called out with a big smile.

After a while, a girl slowly walked out of the cabin.

Sure enough, just as Chen Zhuo had said-her expression was somewhat cold. She was pretty, but nothing overly stunning.

The girl stepped out and, upon seeing Zhang Yang, was clearly a little startled.

“Come, come, Yajun. Let me introduce you. This is my high school classmate Zhang Yang, and this is his friend.” Chen Zhuo said with a smile. “Zhang Yang, this is Gu Yajun, my… my classmate.”

“If she’s your girlfriend, just say girlfriend. Why call her a classmate?” Zhang Yang smiled and nodded in greeting.

He didn’t extend his hand. However, he noticed that Gu Yajun had instinctively seemed ready to shake hands but then stopped herself.

“N-not yet.” Hearing Zhang Yang’s words, Chen Zhuo stammered, glancing quietly at Gu Yajun beside him.

“It’s true, not yet.” Gu Yajun smiled faintly.

Even so, she still looked somewhat aloof and proud.

“Since we ran into each other, come on. Let’s find somewhere to sit and chat. I’ll treat you. Let’s have dinner together tonight.” Zhang Yang invited.

“Come to my place.” Xiang Xiaotian leaned closer and whispered. “It’s nearby and convenient.”

“That works.” Zhang Yang nodded.

A moment later, Chen Zhuo quickly looked at Gu Yajun, asking for her opinion.

“Alright… fine, we’ll go sit for a bit. But I’ll say this first-I have to go back early tonight. I already promised my roommates we’d go shopping.” Gu Yajun nodded reluctantly.

Soon afterward, the group walked over to Zhang Yang’s Cullinan.

“Zhang Yang, I heard in the group chat that you’ve been driving Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. Turns out it’s actually true.” Chen Zhuo stood beside the car, full of admiration.

Although Gu Yajun still deliberately maintained her cold and proud demeanor, the shock in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Clearly, there was no such thing as a girl who was truly proud in this world.

Pride was just a deliberately worn shell-and sometimes it was very easy to break.

“Get in.” Zhang Yang smiled and got into the car with Xiang Xiaotian first.

Outside the car, Gu Yajun revealed an expression that completely contradicted her usual composed image.

“Chen Zhuo, you actually have a classmate doing this well?”

“My classmate… he’s incredible. I’ll tell you all about it later.” Chen Zhuo said with a strange sense of pride.

A moment later, they got into the car.

Gu Yajun sat in the back seat, feeling the extremely luxurious interior. She sat upright, both restrained and unwilling to appear as if she had never seen the world before.

The pride she had worked so hard to maintain was already on the verge of collapse.

In reality, Zhang Yang and Xiang Xiaotian were chatting happily in the front, completely unaware of Gu Yajun’s state in the back.

“Chen Zhuo, how many days are you staying in Hangzhou this time?” Zhang Yang asked, glancing back slightly.

“I’m heading back tomorrow. Gu Yajun still has work, and so do I.” Chen Zhuo said. “I really envy you, old classmate… By the way, when are you going to bring me along?”

“Sure. If you want to come work for me, you’re welcome.” Zhang Yang joked while driving.

If Chen Zhuo really came, Zhang Yang had plenty of places to arrange something-Shanghai, Hangzhou, or even back in their hometown of Yinghai.

But Chen Zhuo had already settled down in Suzhou, so that probably wasn’t realistic.

“Forget it, forget it. After all, I’m still someone with an official position.” Chen Zhuo waved his hand and smiled modestly.

Complaining about hardship and fatigue was just his usual talk. In reality, plenty of people envied his job.

“But if you have a good opportunity, old classmate, maybe you could introduce something to Gu Yajun. She isn’t happy with her current job.”

“My place?” Zhang Yang smiled. “If she’s interested, I can arrange something in Hangzhou. But it wouldn’t exactly be easy work.”

Hotel jobs really didn’t have many idle positions. Of course, as the boss, if he truly wanted to create a relaxed role for someone to coast through, he could. But Gu Yajun had no particular relationship with him-why bother?

“You can arrange something in Hangzhou? Old classmate, you’ve really made it big!” Hearing this, Chen Zhuo was stunned.

“It’s alright.” Zhang Yang said with a smile.

“Yajun, you could really consider it. Working under my old classmate, having someone look after you would definitely be better.” Chen Zhuo quickly said to Gu Yajun beside him.

“We’ll talk about it later.” Gu Yajun replied calmly.

Chen Zhuo immediately shut his mouth.

Zhang Yang wasn’t surprised when he heard it from the front seat.

She already had a stable job. Even if it was tiring, why would she jump from one situation into another unknown one?

After all, he hadn’t promised any high-paying, relaxed position.

So the matter ended there, and no one took it seriously.

In front of Junlan Hotel, the Cullinan slowly stopped.

“We’re here. The rest-food and drinks-Xiaotian will handle.” Zhang Yang got out of the car, half joking.

“Huh? How could that be appropriate?” Chen Zhuo was confused, not understanding why the responsibility of hosting them had suddenly fallen to Xiang Xiaotian.

“No need to be polite. This hotel belongs to Xiaotian’s family. Of course she’s the one arranging it.” Zhang Yang said.

“Yes, I’ll arrange everything.” Xiang Xiaotian smiled as she stood beside Zhang Yang, gently holding his arm.

For the first time, Gu Yajun’s carefully maintained expression completely changed.

Such a large five-star hotel actually belonged to this girl’s family?

Then what had she been acting proud about all this time? Wasn’t it ridiculous?

“So it turns out… it turns out…” she stammered, not knowing how to start building a connection.

Back in the car, she had thought this girl was simply pretty-yes, prettier than herself, but she still believed she wasn’t bad either.

But now it seemed…

The gap between them was like heaven and earth.

Xiang Xiaotian glanced at Gu Yajun’s expression and immediately understood.

“Yajun, right? Come on, I’ll show you around.” She took the initiative to speak and greeted the still somewhat stunned Gu Yajun.

Gu Yajun instantly felt flattered and hurried forward.

At the spot they left behind, Chen Zhuo stood there absorbing the news, watching the two girls walk away.

“A real rich beauty… Zhang Yang, how exactly did you win her over? And last time, that girlfriend of yours…”

“I told you, she’s just my friend. Here, have a cigarette.” Zhang Yang smiled casually and tossed a cigarette to Chen Zhuo.

Chen Zhuo caught it absentmindedly, looking at his former classmate standing in front of him.

It wasn’t just that he was handsome anymore-there was an indescribable presence about him.