Chapter 16:
The Shackles Between Teacher and Student (16)

In the blink of an eye, tomorrow’s dusk came by too soon; and the car that would bring them to the venue was already at the door.

​

For some reason, Chen Lang felt conflicted. Deep inside, he couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable sense of panic and emptiness in his heart.

He had his lips pursed. 

The temperament that he bore was so refined that it could easily make people forget his age. His chosen suit was gray, and it was with matching delicate silver cufflinks. His whole person just screamed poised and elegance despite the internal conflict that was brewing deep inside him.

After adjusting his tie, he went towards Su Chunchun, who was standing before a full-length mirror. Perhaps as a result of the careful attention she had received during this period, she could almost resemble her original healthy self. Her complexion seemed to improve a lot.

Even her eyes that had always looked so tired looked better. It now appeared like a quiet look, her dark eyes revealing clarity and transparency.

Observing her appearance, the stylist was definitely pleased with the results. She smiled. "Miss Su looks really beautiful. You might become the focus of tonight's banquet."

Her words might be full of flattery, but it also did carry a sense of truth. Su Chunchun was definitely gorgeous wearing a light-colored evening gown with exquisite workmanship. The dress perfectly contoured her graceful figure; the temptation was additionally intensified with the backless design. 

Her long hair was pinned up, revealing her slender back in its full bare glory. Her snow white skin seemed to be of jade texture—smooth, delicate, and soft to the touch, inclining people to reach out and pinch, as if to see if water could flow from it [1].

This appearance would definitely be seen by everyone tonight. And those men—they might have some other thoughts when looking at her. Just thinking about it, Chen Liang felt as if something that belonged to him was being coveted!

Feeling displeasure, he pursed his lips and ordered the stylist to change her hairstyle.

The stylist who had been waiting for his response was frightened by the coldness of his tone. Looking at the appearance of Su Chunchun, she realized at a glance the concerns the man must have felt. Immediately, she withdrew the exquisite hairstyle. 

Before long, her hair was released from its restraints and cascaded over her back. With its volume, it looked fluffy and slightly curled as it concealed the enticing sights from any viewers.

Chen Liang looked at it for a while and felt that nothing had changed. Although her long hair blocked the broad expanse of skin on her back, the visible traces that could be faintly exposed at the slightest movement seemed to carry a more enticing allure.

He frowned, suddenly having the urge to not bring Su Chunchun with him.

The system, who was so rarely keen in detecting his intentions, happened to pick up what he was thinking at that moment. It was then very quick to remind him of his mission. 

【 Host, don't forget the task tonight to solve the misunderstanding between the leads. 】

Chen Liang's face was stiff. Taking the suit jacket from the hands of some staff member, he reached out to Su Chunchun. "Teacher, we should go."

Feeling her hand on his, he made the discovery that her palm was still holding that ring tightly! The thought of Han Xiping finding out that she still had his ring in her possession, Chen Liang's expression could only go sour.

Convincing Su Chunchun to throw away the ring was impossible! It was almost as difficult as him reaching the sky [2].

Chen Liang sighed. 

Suddenly having a thought, he found a silver chain to string the ring and hang it around her neck. The chain was a little long that the ring was around her neckline; and with her long hair a bit scattered around, it was completely concealed.

Chen Liang stroked her long hair. Reluctantly smiling, he gently spoke, "Teacher, I’m taking you to meet someone so… you should be happy."

With the ring gone from her palm, Su Chunchun raised her hand to rub the position around her collar. Feeling the familiar sensation of the ring, she eventually settled down before letting him guide her out and into the vehicle.

…

They eventually arrived at the party.

Standing in the middle of the hall and talking to everyone was Han Xiping, who was dressed in all white. His thick black hair was neatly combed to the back, and he looked presentable. 

His whole bearing seemed to exude an air of refined elegance. However, the occasional glint in his eyes hinted of danger.

Beside him was a charming female companion. Even so, he never once spared her a look, only fixating his attention to the entrance most of the time.

That was why when Su Chunchun arrived, Han Xiping immediately took notice.

However, perceiving the newly arrived couple standing together, despite his face still maintaining a flawless smile, the hand that had been holding the glass was a bit too tight.

His intense gaze was hard to miss. 

Every guest couldn’t help but gradually quiet down as they followed his gaze. Upon recognizing the newcomers, everyone started to feel that the atmosphere was a bit too tense. A sense of awkward silence fell over the hall.

It was just a few months ago since the two same men argued over this woman, so their identities were still completely fresh in everyone’s mind. However, back then, the social difference between them was too great; but now, the forces are evenly matched [3]. The atmosphere in the room seemed to drop even further as it went on.

None of them had expected that the woman who had just recently humiliated Han Xiping would be invited to his banquet. But when they saw the female companion beside him, some guests already had the impression on what was going to happen.

I’m afraid it's still about the woman.

On these kinds of occasions, it was a popular custom to bring a female companion. Some are purely just for the convenience of entertainment and socialization while others use this as an opportunity to declare just how important the person is to them. 

But, in this case, it was clear from the details what his female companion is really for.

Just like how Chen Liang’s intentions were shown when in the presence of his female companion. Despite attending the party, Chen Liang's behavior felt like he had only attended the party to entertain Su Chunchun and not others. Whenever someone would come over and greet them, he would simply utter around two sentences before returning his whole focus on her.

Han Xiping eventually took the initiative to walk towards them.

"Mr. Chen, it has been a long time." He raised a glass as if to greet. His smile was elegant, yet his eyes were cold.

As if hearing his voice made Su Chunchun uncomfortable, she looked a bit too pale. She tightened her grip on Chen Liang’s hand. 

Perhaps it was because he had been caring for her for the past few days. She felt more familiar with him. She was actually willing to lean closer to him to seek some comfort. 

Seeing Su Chunchun’s unusual emotional fluctuations, Chen Liang felt somewhat helpless. Sure enough, Han Xiping’s presence could easily stir her emotions.

Although his heart felt a bit heavy—but thinking about it, if she get to reunite with Han Xiping, then she can gradually get better.

"Teacher, it’s alright. You’re okay,” he gently soothed her, enveloping her in his arms. 

So focused on comforting her, he momentarily forgot about Han Xiping, who was still in the middle of his greetings. He only lowered his gaze, whispering soft reassurances to Su Chunchun.

From the intimacy displayed, Han Xiping almost crushed the wine glass in his hand. Vein could also be seen popping on the back of it. Anyone who had their eyes on him could immediately sense that his smile seemed to turn murderous.

"It seems that Miss Su’s methods are so effective that she can even make Mr. Chen care about her so much…”

As he spoke, he sneaked a glance at Su Chunchun with his peripheral vision. However, he was only left disappointed because not even once did she spare him a look. 

All he witnessed was her seemingly nestled in Chen Liang’s arms, as if she couldn’t bear to look at him for even a second.

Han Xiping's fist tightened. His gaze went dark. A dark cloud loomed over his heart.

Sensing Su Chunchun's body trembling, Chen Liang returned his gaze to the man before them. It was clear that even when she wasn't in her proper state of mind, she could still get affected by Han Xiping's resentment towards her.

He very well understood where Han Xiping's behavior is coming from. 

He knew that his behavior just now is nothing but a manifestation of jealousy and anger. Even so, he didn’t have to speak recklessly out of spite!

He looked at Han Xiping with the same mockery. His cold voice spoke out, "Mr. Han is also capable. It’s only been few months, and you’re already in control of the Han family. It wasn't even long since the previous heir of the Han family died."

Han Xiping restrained the emotions that were about to spill, his dark eyes only showing a hint of coldness. “I’m just fulfilling my responsibilities as you do [4]. I heard that recently, there have been constant waves with the company under Mr. Chen’s care. I'm afraid that the chairman might not be assured to completely hand his company over to you because of it." 

Chen Liang knew that Han Xiping was the one dealing with the company himself.

The atmosphere felt tense for a moment. The confrontation between the two giants of the business world silenced everyone in the room. They didn't dare to speak anything, afraid to offend anyone from both opposing sides and get into trouble.

At this time, the female companion who had been clinging on to Han Xiping suddenly stepped forward to break the tension between the two. 

She held his wrist, coquettishly speaking, "Mr. Han, this is not the time to discuss such serious matters. It’s your welcome banquet! Let's not talk about company matters. Let’s just dance... just rela—"

Han Xiping only had to give her a  faint glance before she completely went silent and unconsciously let go of him.

Coincidentally, it was at this time that the music started playing. Everyone followed suit, immersing themselves in the rhythm and finally extricating themselves from the tension.

"Alright." 

Han Xiping forced out a smile and glanced at Su Chunchun. He then walked towards her, reaching out his hand for courtesy. "May I have the pleasure of inviting Miss Su to the dance?” His gesture was gentle, yet his cold eyes showed otherwise.

Su Chunchun lowered her gaze, staring at the hand that had been reached to her. And yet, her face only gradually paled. 

Sensing something amiss, Chen Liang immediately took action. Holding her tight and pulling her behind him, he coldly brushed Han Xiping off. "Mr. Han, I think you’re forgetting that she is my female companion. Yours is there."

Chen Liang then, without even letting a second pass after saying that statement, held Su Chunchun's hand and led her to the dancefloor.

Han Xiping stood still for a moment. He slowly retracted his hand that had been harshly rejected. He turned his gaze, focusing his attention on the two figures sharing intimacy. His fingers slowly curled; his gaze looked rather grim.

"Mr. Han, let's go dance too." 

The woman beside him, who was originally displeased with Han Xiping inviting Su Chunchun, put a smile on her face again and invited him.

Han Xiping gave her a quick glance; and it was entirely cold and indifferent. Her body unconsciously froze from the bestowed hostility.

He wasn't even smiling, yet his voice still managed to sound gentle and light. "After this party is over, don’t let me see you again."

The female companion turned sheet white upon hearing his words. At first, she thought that she would be able to climb a big tree since she was brought to the party by Han Xiping personally, but she didn't expect that she would be kicked just after a short while of staying.

She tried to maintain her smile. Trying to reach out her hands, she aimed to tightly hold onto his clothes. "Mr. Han."

He calmly waved her hands off; the glass in his hand shook in the process. "You're only here for the transaction we had. Don't let me repeat my orders again."

The gentle words he spoke left no room for doubt.  The woman lowered her head. She still couldn't believe that this was happening. 

"I—I understand..."

When Han Xiping turned around and was about to leave, he suddenly heard the low words being uttered from behind him. "Mr. Han wants to be left alone with Miss Su, right?"

He immediately paused in his steps, facing her again.

The woman pursed her lips before eventually speaking, "...I have a way."
 

[1] 恨不得上手掐上一把，看看是否真会掐出水来 (hèn bù dé shàng shǒu qiā shàng yī bǎ, kàn kàn shìfǒu zhēn huì qiā chū shuǐ lái) - a metaphorical expression that conveys the intense desire to touch or feel something because of its apparent beauty or allure. In this context, it suggests that the woman's skin is so flawless and attractive that it evokes a strong impulse in others to test its perfection by pinching it, as if to see if it is truly as flawless as it appears, akin to the notion of expecting water to flow from a perfect jade, despite it being physically impossible.

[2] 简直比登天还难 (jiǎnzhí bǐ dēngtiān hái nán) - "it's as difficult as reaching the sky" or "it's harder than ascending to heaven." It is used to emphasize the extreme difficulty or impossibility of a task or situation.

[3] 势均力敌 (shì jūn lì dí) - "forces are evenly matched." This idiom means that two parties are equally matched in strength or power, implying a balanced or evenly contested situation.

[4] 彼此彼此 (bǐcǐ bǐcǐ) - "each other" or "mutually." It indicates a reciprocal relationship or action between two parties, often used to express that both sides are in a similar situation or share similar sentiments or responsibilities. It implies a sense of mutual understanding or agreement.