Chapter 491 Suspicious Interests
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CHAPTER 491
A New Year's party was hosted by Liu Corporation to bring their workers, friends and families together.
It had been a dazzling spectacle, the kind that lingered in memory long after the clock struck midnight.
With everyone shouting Happy New Year when the clock struck twelve, the new year began in full swing.
Resplendent in her red sequined gown that cascaded down her body like a waterfall of rubies, Andromeda had been the star of the evening.
The gown was a masterpiece, hugging her curves in all the right places while leaving just enough to the imagination.
Her golden-blonde hair framed her face in soft waves, and the overall effect was nothing short of breathtaking. Andromeda had always been stunning, but tonight she was a vision of ethereal beauty.
Whether it was due to the decorations and festivities, one couldn't tell. She had a way of stealing the spotlight with her presence.
As she waltzed around the hall, attending to things for the celebration to be in order, Qi Fuyi, the new director, couldn't take his eyes off her.
He had heard about Andromeda's beauty, but seeing her in person was a different experience altogether. From across the room, he watched as she mingled with guests, her laughter like music in the air.
Feeling a pair of heated gazes on her, Andromeda scooted to the side where Jian Xiaofei was.
"Hey."
The latter maintained her smile, raking her eyes over Andromeda. "You look stunning still. Are you worried about anything, big sis?" Jian Xiaofei inquired when she noticed the nervousness Andromeda was facing.
"Oh. No. Nothing like that. It is just…" She tightened her hold on her glass of wine and gulped. "There's this man. He's had his eyes on me for a while now."
Jian Xiaofei's eyes lit up. She stepped closer, wanting to hear clearly. "Really? Where?"
"Um don't look now but he is at your 8 o'clock."
No sooner had she said that than Jian Xiaofei whipped her head in that direction. Andromeda rolled her eyes and mentally face-palmed herself. "Didn't I say do not look?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"Hehhe. My bad but, damn he is good-looking," Jian Xiaofei complimented.
"Seriously now."
Jian Xiaofei chuckled at her bewildered expression. "I am teasing you. Relax. It is not a new thing for several men to make quick passes at you every now and then. You are beautiful."
Andromeda sighed, her shoulders slouching as Jian Xiaofei spoke.
"Believe me, Ms. Kai. Any guy who wouldn't stare and admire you is probably gay."
Her conclusion brought smiles to Andromeda's face. "You sure?"
"I am absolutely, very sure. Besides," Jian Xiaofei continued, "if you would like to chitchat, I'd tell you to go for it. Boy, is he handsome. It won't hurt to make friends you know."
This time, Andromeda face palmed and shook her head at Jian Xiaofei. "And have a jealous Xueyi? Pass. I know my boyfriend. And, I don't fancy any guy other than him."
"No one said you should fancy him. Light talk won't hurt," Jian Xiaofei advised.
"I'm glad you think so. Feel free to engage him," Andromeda muttered the last sentence, hoping Jian Xiaofei would not hear her but she did.
"Oh, I plan to and plan to find out just who he is."
Jian Xiaofei bit down on her lower lip seductively. Stylishly, she let her gaze dart over to where Qi Fuyi stood, still staring at Andromeda.
"Suit yourself. In fact, I'd be happy to get his eyes off."
Taking that as her cue, she left Jian Xiaofei hoping the latter would be daring enough to pull her plans off.
Still, even after a few minutes, his gaze remained on her. Not understanding the intensity of Qi Fuyi's gaze, Andromeda brushed off the feeling of being watched and searched for Liu Xueyi.
It wasn't long before she found him, looking dashing in his tailored tuxedo.
On the other side of the room, Fang Qian Qian felt untold jealousy as she watched Andromeda.
She had always been the centre of attention at these events, but tonight she couldn't help but feel overshadowed.
Andromeda's presence was like a magnetic force, drawing people in with her beauty and charm while steering their attention away from her—the true star.
Taio Rong, who had been eyeing Fang Qian Qian for a while, saw an opportunity to approach her. He had been charmed by her confidence earlier, and now he hoped to strike up a conversation.
As they exchanged greetings, Fang Qian Qian couldn't help but glance in Andromeda's direction. "She's still fazing you?" Taio Rong inquired, following the line of her sight.
"What?" Fang Qian Qian blinked before looking at him. She wore her trademark smile while trying to look unaffected. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I saw, Fang Qian Qian. I saw you earlier. The anger, and jealousy each time you set eyes on Andromeda Kai."
"What? I deserve all the attention," she shrugged, "how can she get that and Liu Xueyi? It doesn't seem fair."
"Life's not fair, you know. Just like how I am with you, yet your eyes still rest on Liu Xueyi."
Fang Qian Qian snapped her head back to stare him in the eyes before releasing a sharp breath.
"Fine." At the same time, she beckoned on a waiter, picked up two glasses of champagne and handed one over to Taio Rong. "Cheers to here and now."
Her smile held a faint touch of mischief in them. Taio Rong ignored what it might be, clicked glasses with her and took a swig of his drink.
They engaged in small talk and before long, he caught her eye searching Liu Xueyi.
"Let's dance?" Taio offered.
Fang Qian Qian did not offer any resistance and they immediately took to the dance floor. Their bodies rocked slowly to the rhythm the DJ played as they got really close together.
Just then, Fang Qain Qain caught Liu Xueyi's gaze resting on her and leaned forward, bringing her face awfully close to Taio Rong's while trying to get a rise out of Liu Xueyi.
To her dismay, Liu Xueyi seemed utterly unfazed, his attention taken away to rest solely on Andromeda.
Her brows furrowed deeply at the sight. How could he not be bothered by her beauty or the fact that another guy was having her?
Fang Qain Qain grew angrier by the second, and Taiyo Rong attempted to calm her down, though his efforts were in vain.
"Don't tell me to calm down. I am calm," she defended.
"Not the way I see it. It is one thing using me. It is another one trying to get out of the situation as soon as it didn't favour you. Be calm and look unbothered by his actions too," he advised.
As much as she wished to argue with him or have a go at him, she could not deny the fact that his words were true.
Pressing her lips together, she breathed deeply, nodding in agreement. "Sure. I'll play the game your way."
"Thank you."
From a corner of the room, Qi Fuyi observed Andromeda's every move, his interest getting piqued with each passing moment.
He couldn't quite place his finger on why she had such an effect on him, but he was determined to find out.
However, one thing he could tell was, that the pull she had, her natural magnetic attraction was something that would favour her lot in the industry.
Determined to get more details on her, he struck up a conversation with Director Chao Jin Ho who had seen his fair share of Liu Xueyi's life.
Qi Fuyi confided in him about his interest in Andromeda.
"Director Chao, what can you tell me about the lady, Ms. Kai?"
Director Chao raised a brow at him. What was there he needed to know? Everyone knew she was Liu Xueyi's girl and a talented fashion designer.
What other thing did he wish to know?
"Huh, I am afraid I do not quite follow," Director Chao stated.
"What's there not to follow? I am interested in the young lady. Do you know her personally?"
Director Chao shook his head and advised Qi Fuyi to drop whatever plans he had. "Andromeda is Liu Xueyi's territory," he warned. "Getting involved with her could be messy. And by that, I mean nit just Xueyi but the Liu family as well could get involved. She is their jewel."
Qi Fuyi snickered and took a sip of his drink. "Oh, Director Chao, you misunderstand me. I'm interested in Andromeda, but not in the way you think."
A frown creased Chao Jin-Ho's forehead but he did not wish to speak further on the matter.
To him, doing that would only mean encouraging Qi Fuyi in his interesting ploy to get to know Andromeda.
As the night wore on, the party reached its end. Fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating the city in a riot of colours. Couples danced, glasses clinked, and laughter filled the air.
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