Chapter 119 Dressed to Find Love: The Night of Zuo Qinghuan

Chapter 119 Dressed to Find Love: The Night of Zuo Qinghuan

"Aoba, what do you think of this one? Between this and the others, which looks best?" Zuo Qinghuan gazed at her reflection in the dressing mirror, addressing Kitano Aoba, who stood beside her.

Kitano Aoba nodded with a helpless smile. Her sister had already tried on countless evening gowns this afternoon, and her eyes were starting to feel strained from watching.

"You look like a young girl getting ready for her first date," Kitano Aoba commented, a smile playing on her lips.

Zuo Qinghuan felt a blush creep up her cheeks and smiled back at Kitano Aoba, a little embarrassed by the teasing. She knew she was being overly nervous.

"But it feels so wonderful!" That sense of joyful anticipation was almost contagious, making her long to be looked forward to by someone in the same way. It must be a truly happy feeling.

"This one is definitely the best." Zuo Qinghuan finally decided on the white evening gown. White was still the most flattering color for her.

When Zuo Qinghuan emerged, having changed, she noticed that Aoba had also changed. Both Aoba and Qin Wanshu possessed delicate features that were strikingly beautiful without being showy. They both had an air that made people feel comfortable, noble, and elegant. While both were gentle and approachable, Qin Wanshu's approachability had a subtle hint of distance. It was that almost imperceptible detachment that gave people the impression of Qin Wanshu being like a goddess. Aoba's approachability, on the other hand, was full of energy and infectious warmth. Qin Wanshu treated people like lukewarm water, consistently warm but never hot. Aoba, however, adjusted her demeanor to suit the person. Zuo Qinghuan wondered if Qin Wanshu would also feel a sense of familiarity if she saw Aoba. However, the more time Zuo Qinghuan spent with both of them, the more she realized that any initial feeling of familiarity was just a superficial illusion, and they were actually completely different.

"Aoba, you look absolutely stunning, more breathtaking than a lotus rising from the water," Zuo Qinghuan praised with a smile. Surrounded by so much beauty, she felt a pang of insecurity.

"You're beautiful too, Sister." In Kitano Aoba's eyes, Zuo Qinghuan was the most beautiful woman, though Zuo Qinghuan probably never took her words seriously.

"Aoba, could you help me with my hair?" With Kitano Aoba around, Zuo Qinghuan didn't even need to hire a makeup artist. Japanese girls learned makeup at a very young age, and Aoba had incredibly skillful hands. Zuo Qinghuan could never achieve the same results on her own.

"Of course." Aoba nodded with a smile. She was always happy to help, and her favorite thing was making Zuo Qinghuan even more beautiful.

Aoba admired her handiwork, momentarily stunned by the result, but quickly regained her composure. Sister belongs to Miss Qin, and Miss Qin will be just as amazed when she sees her.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Zuo Qinghuan felt remarkably more stunning. Aoba truly had magical hands.

"Aoba, you're amazing, practically omnipotent!" Zuo Qinghuan exclaimed. Anyone who married Aoba in the future would be incredibly lucky. Not only was she caring, but she was simply an all-around genius.

Kitano Aoba just smiled gently.

Zuo Qinghuan and Kitano Aoba arrived at the venue and easily spotted Li Xin and Yan Ruozhe in the crowd. Li Xin was still wearing a red, figure-hugging evening gown, effortlessly stealing the spotlight, while Yan Ruozhe wore a sapphire blue gown, much more conservative and understated in comparison. In fact, Li Xin and Yan Ruozhe had publicly announced their relationship a year prior. Perhaps because they were both highly educated and successful women, there hadn't been much objection or negativity.

"Zuo Qinghuan, you've met her before. This is her god-sister, Kitano Aoba," Li Xin introduced Zuo Qinghuan and Kitano Aoba to Yan Ruozhe.

"I often hear Li Xin mention you," Yan Ruozhe said with a smile to Zuo Qinghuan, who returned the smile. Seeing Li Xin and Yan Ruozhe so affectionate now, Zuo Qinghuan was genuinely happy that Li Xin had finally found happiness.

"Li Xin talks about you even more." Yan Ruozhe was the person Li Xin mentioned most frequently.

"Haoda Group is a subsidiary of the Kitano Group. Are you the newly appointed CEO?" Yan Ruozhe asked Kitano Aoba. She had, in fact, organized tonight's guest list and naturally knew that Kitano Aoba was Kitano Mine's daughter. Qin's was trying to enter the Japanese market through Haoda, but this CEO was surprisingly young, appearing to be no more than twenty years old.

Haoda is a Sino-Japanese holding company, a joint venture subsidiary of Kitano Group in China.

"I'm in China for personal reasons. My sister is the new CEO of Haoda," Kitano Aoba said with a smile. She was returning to Japan to take over the family business. Her father wouldn't allow her to stay and work in China.

Li Xin looked at Zuo Qinghuan in surprise. Wow, this fellow has transformed into a high-flying executive. She really did go to Japan to make a name for herself.

"Yan Yan, Huanhuan is here to see Qin Wanshu. Why haven't we seen Qin Wanshu yet? It's been three years since she last saw her beloved, so she must be very anxious. It would be impolite of you to keep her talking about business," Li Xin joked, interrupting their conversation. She sensed that Zuo Qinghuan was definitely not in the mood for business talk with Yan Yan right now.

Zuo Qinghuan shot Li Xin a glare. Li Xin had hit the nail on the head. To avoid appearing rude, she was trying hard to keep her eyes from scanning the room for Qin Wanshu's figure.

"Yes, you're right. Let's get coffee together sometime," Yan Ruozhe also sensed that now wasn't the appropriate time for business discussions.

"Okay." Zuo Qinghuan understood that Yan Ruozhe's invitation was a business one. Yan Ruozhe was indeed a workaholic, always thinking about work.

"Miss Qin should be arriving soon. She's always punctual," Yan Ruozhe said kindly, seemingly picking up on Zuo Qinghuan's anxiety.

Shi Yunyang, with her sharp eyes, noticed someone standing with Li Xin and Yan Ruozhe not far away who looked very familiar. Wasn't that Zuo Qinghuan? She hadn't expected Zuo Qinghuan to actually return. She should go over and say hello, showing that she still had some sentimentality, completely disregarding her past betrayals.

"Three years apart, you're indeed not the same as before." Shi Yunyang handed a glass of red wine to Zuo Qinghuan. This woman looked quite presentable, seemingly more beautiful and striking than before. Confidence truly did make women beautiful.

"Thank you. To reach the summit, one naturally has to make a fresh start," Zuo Qinghuan took the red wine, gently swirled it, and replied in a manner that was neither overly humble nor arrogant, neither cold nor overly friendly. The Mount Fuji metaphor from their past had left a deep impression on her, so much so that she had specifically gone to climb Mount Fuji several times while in Japan.

Zuo Qinghuan had gained more confidence and shed the timidness she had possessed before. She was no longer an easy target. Shi Yunyang sensed that it wasn't as amusing anymore. Her gaze quickly shifted to Kitano Aoba next to Zuo Qinghuan, and then she paused slightly. This woman had a somewhat similar aura to the young Miss Qin.

"Your new love? Or a substitute? So tender, reminiscent of the young Miss Qin back then, but I don't think Miss Qin would appreciate seeing you with a cheap imitation of her." Even though Shi Yunyang's personality had mellowed somewhat under the guidance of a certain older woman, she was still quite spiteful. Old habits die hard. Her words made Zuo Qinghuan's hand itch to slap her.

"There are no imitations. Aoba is Aoba, and Qin Wanshu is Qin Wanshu." Zuo Qinghuan was slightly annoyed. Moreover, Aoba had always been like a younger sister, not a replacement. This was an insult to Aoba, as well as to herself and Qin Wanshu.

"Tsk tsk, calling Qin Wanshu so formally by her full name, but calling Aoba so affectionately..." Shi Yunyang had clearly spotted Qin Wanshu behind Zuo Qinghuan. She was doing this on purpose, deliberately letting Miss Qin hear. It had been a while since she had stirred up trouble, and she really missed the feeling.

Zuo Qinghuan was certain that she genuinely disliked Shi Yunyang. Shi Yunyang completely failed to grasp the significance of Qin Wanshu to her, but Zuo Qinghuan didn't feel the need to explain it. This woman simply enjoyed making fun of others. Zuo Qinghuan understood Shi Yunyang's nature.

"Sister, who is she?" Kitano Aoba asked. Her trip to China was proving to be much more interesting than she had anticipated. First, there was the alluring and enthusiastic Li Xin, the earnest Yan Ruozhe, and now this charming yet nasty woman. Each one was more fascinating than the last. Kitano Aoba's curiosity to meet Qin Wanshu, who had been mentioned repeatedly, grew even stronger.

"Sister, you call her so sweetly, such a soft voice, just like cotton candy." Shi Yunyang continued to provoke. Miss Qin was remarkably composed, still showing no reaction.

Although Shi Yunyang enjoyed making those unrestrained jokes, being this relentless and unrestrained wasn't typical of her. Zuo Qinghuan quickly realized that Shi Yunyang was looking at her, but also looking behind her. When the thought struck Zuo Qinghuan, she instinctively turned around and saw Qin Wanshu.

Zuo Qinghuan stared blankly at Qin Wanshu. Qin Wanshu was as breathtakingly beautiful as ever. This woman was favored by time. Like a fine wine, she only became more fragrant and captivating with age. Her aura had become more subdued, and her eyes, as deep as a secluded pool, seemed bottomless, drawing one in. Even after their separation, Zuo Qinghuan realized that her infatuation with her had never waned.

The moment their eyes met, time seemed to freeze. Zuo Qinghuan felt her heart pounding violently in her chest, as if it were about to leap out. She realized she had waited for this day for so long, so long that her heart ached with it.

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