The Only Choice - 17

Guan Yuanbai appeared perfectly calm, so composed it seemed he barely knew the person standing before him.

But only he knew that the moment he saw her, the anger that had simmered for days surged up, nearly choking him!

Yet, he held it back.

Many acquaintances were present tonight. If he showed how much this still bothered him, Song Li and the others would never let him hear the end of it.

But expecting him to be all smiles, acting as if nothing had happened, was impossible. Besides, if he did, this little schemer might think she'd gotten away with it scot-free.

In the brief silence, he betrayed no emotion.

"Oh, you're here too." Guan Yuanbai glanced down at her, his tone icy.

Zhou Fanfan replied softly, "Guan Xi invited me, so I just came to hang out."

"Is that so? You and Guan Xi are that close already?"

His words were delivered flatly, yet Zhou Fanfan distinctly heard the sarcasm lacing them. His implication seemed to be that she had simply found a new target to get close to her idol.

Zhou Fanfan immediately straightened up, her expression serious. "We're not close. Guan Xi was just very enthusiastic. I didn't overthink it before coming."

Guan Yuanbai let out a cold laugh and looked away. "Fine. Then enjoy yourself. I'm heading over there."

Zhou Fanfan glanced in the direction he indicated, where a few people stood, likely his friends.

She pressed her lips together, feeling deflated. "Oh..."

As Guan Yuanbai walked away, a wave of discouragement washed over Zhou Fanfan.

It was painfully clear that Guan Yuanbai disliked her now, and not just mildly. He seemed to think everything she did had an ulterior motive.

But today, she genuinely hadn't overanalyzed things, let alone planned to use Guan Xi to get closer to Guan Zhiyi.

She knew, as a fan, she needed to maintain a certain distance from her idol. Even before, all she'd wanted was to give her gifts and see her in person, nothing more.

Her face fell. Silently, she picked up another glass of the fruit cocktail and downed it.

"So, you're Zhou Fanfan, right?" a voice suddenly asked from beside her. Zhou Fanfan looked up to see the man who had been with Guan Yuanbai earlier was still there.

"Who are you?"

The man had refined, handsome features, wore silver-rimmed glasses, and appeared to be around Guan Yuanbai's age. A faint smile played on his lips.

"I'm a friend of his. Yan Chenghuai. I've heard about you."

Zhou Fanfan was confused. "Heard what about me?"

"I know you were Yuanbai's blind date."

"Not anymore," Zhou Fanfan quickly clarified. "We're not in contact now. The arrangement is over."

Yan Chenghuai gave a light chuckle. "Right, my mistake. I misspoke."

Zhou Fanfan: "It's fine..."

Having said that, she didn't know what else to add. Seeing the man still hadn't left, she picked up another drink, using it to avoid further awkward social interaction.

"Can you hold your alcohol?" Yan Chenghuai suddenly asked another question.

Puzzled, Zhou Fanfan said, "Alcohol? I rarely drink."

"Then you should probably stick to orange juice. Maybe don't have any more of that cocktail."

Zhou Fanfan looked at the pink drink in her hand. "This one has a very light alcohol taste. It's fine."

Yan Chenghuai seemed to have anticipated her response. "It tastes mostly like strawberry, and the alcohol is subtle, but it's actually quite strong. It's just mixed to taste like juice."

Zhou Fanfan was surprised. "Really?"

"Mhm."

"Ah... thank you." Zhou Fanfan set the glass down, not daring to drink more. She rarely drank and knew her tolerance was terrible.

Yan Chenghuai nodded. "No problem. I'll head over there now."

"Okay."

When Yan Chenghuai rejoined Guan Yuanbai and the others, Song Li immediately grabbed him. "That girl is Zhou Fanfan, right?"

"Yes."

Song Li rubbed his chin. "She really is a pretty young thing. So, what did you two talk about?"

Guan Yuanbai, having decided not to drink tonight, was only sipping water. He took a sip, his gaze sliding over the rim of his glass to land on Yan Chenghuai.

Yan Chenghuai said, "I just asked her if she was the Zhou Fanfan who went on a blind date with Yuanbai. Guess what she said."

Song Li: "What? What did she say?!"

Yan Chenghuai said, amused, "She seemed flustered and quickly said no, that the blind date was terminated."

As soon as the words were out, both men looked very deliberately at Guan Yuanbai.

Song Li tutted and shook his head, slapping a hand on Guan Yuanbai's shoulder. "You've scared the poor girl. You must have said some harsh things to her out of earshot, huh? Ah, a young girl having a bit of mischief is normal! Being a fan is normal too. Why be so ruthless!"

Guan Yuanbai shot him a glare. "When did I say harsh things 'out of earshot'? Do I look that idle?"

"Really, you didn't...? Should I call that girl over here so you two can confront each other?"

Guan Yuanbai resisted the urge to kick Song Li. "Get lost."

"Hey! Zhou Fanfan! Zhou Fanfan!"

Who knew Song Li would actually start calling out, waving his arm vigorously. Guan Yuanbai didn't have time to stop him. The corner of his mouth twitched; he wanted to kick him even more.

The young woman in the distance widened her eyes slightly and pointed at herself.

Song Li: "Yes, you! Hello there!"

Zhou Fanfan didn't move.

Song Li then said, "Guan Yuanbai has something to ask you. Come here~"

Guan Yuanbai gritted his teeth. "Song. Li."

Song Li, reveling in the drama, grinned widely, his white teeth gleaming.

Seeing no other way, Guan Yuanbai had to glance back at Zhou Fanfan, his gaze stern and cold.

His look was meant to stop her, but Zhou Fanfan was too far away to read it clearly. Seeing Guan Yuanbai look her way, she assumed he really did need to speak with her.

Feeling guilty and not wanting to provoke him further, she obediently walked over.

"Mr. Guan, did you need something...?" Zhou Fanfan stopped a couple of steps away from him.

Guan Yuanbai didn't speak, instead shooting a look at Song Li.

Song Li, who enjoyed teasing young women, found her quiet, well-behaved demeanor appealing. "Actually, it was me who called you over. I've heard a lot about you. Saw you standing alone over there and thought you might be bored. How about we get acquainted? Chat a bit?"

Zhou Fanfan looked at Guan Yuanbai, unsure how to respond.

Guan Yuanbai frowned slightly. "Don't mind him. You can go enjoy the party."

"You... really know how to kill the mood," Song Li said, disregarding him and stepping closer to Zhou Fanfan. "Hey, why are you holding an apple? And it has writing on it."

Zhou Fanfan explained, "Guan Xi gave them out earlier. She said to sign our names and give it to someone we'd like to. It's Christmas Eve..."

Song Li seemed to remember now. "Oh right, Guan Xi did mention that. Wasn't paying attention, haha. I'll go get one later."

He then added, "So, who are you giving yours to? Yuanbai?"

Guan Yuanbai's eyes shifted to her, glancing at the apple in her hand. So she knows she should apologize. About time.

He set his glass down on the table.

But the next second, Zhou Fanfan was already frantically waving her hands. "No, no, no! I-I'm not giving it to him!"

Guan Yuanbai froze, his expression stiffening momentarily. "..."

Song Li chuckled softly, deliberately prodding, "Then, you must be giving it to Xiao Wu!"

Zhou Fanfan didn't dare mention that in front of Guan Yuanbai now. "Even less so! She's not even here today... I just picked one up randomly, thinking I'd give it to someone I meet later."

"Is that so? Then why have you been standing here for a while and haven't given it away yet?" Song Li wore an expression that said, 'Stop making excuses.'

"I will! I'm planning to!" Afraid of further misunderstanding and angering Guan Yuanbai, Zhou Fanfan's eyes darted around and landed on someone.

She hurried forward a few steps and shoved the apple into his hands. "Yan Chenghuai? Uh... this is for you. Merry Christmas!"

The music shifted at that moment. The energetic dance beats faded, replaced by a soft, melodious tune. The lead singer's distinctive voice floated through the garden, its magnetic tone reminiscent of a gramophone from a bygone era.

Zhou Fanfan usually loved this kind of music, but she had no mind to appreciate it now. After handing over the apple, she quickly turned and hurried away.

The men standing there were stunned for a few seconds. After looking at the apple in Yan Chenghuai's hand, their eyes swiveled in unison towards Guan Yuanbai.

Guan Yuanbai was also taken aback, but he controlled his expression well, returning their gazes coldly. "What are you looking at?"

The others coughed lightly, laughter barely suppressed.

Song Li: "Aiyah, no one gave me an apple on Christmas Eve. Guess I'll have to go get one myself. Chenghuai, coming?"

Yan Chenghuai glanced at the apple in his hand and gave a light laugh. "Sure, let's go."

---

After leaving Guan Yuanbai and his friends, Zhou Fanfan hid in a quiet corner of the party. Afraid of running into Guan Yuanbai again, she stayed for a little while longer before finding Guan Xi to say goodbye, deciding to leave early.

"Fanfan, I'm sorry. I just saw my brother arrived, but he really had refused earlier," Guan Xi explained.

Zhou Fanfan said, "It's okay... Maybe he changed his mind."

Guan Xi murmured, "Strange, he never usually likes coming to my parties."

Zhou Fanfan didn't much care why Guan Yuanbai had suddenly appeared. It didn't matter to her now. The encounter was over, and her priority was escape...

After bidding Guan Xi farewell, Zhou Fanfan walked out of the villa.

Having had the cocktails at the party, she couldn't drive herself. She stood by the entrance, scrolling through her phone while waiting for someone to come pick her up and drive her car home.

She had added Guan Xi on WeChat tonight. Scrolling down her feed, she saw Guan Xi had posted photos from the party—nine pictures with various friends, one of which included a photo with her.

Zhou Fanfan gave it a like.

Just as Guan Yuanbai walked out, he spotted Zhou Fanfan standing by a pillar near the entrance, bundled up in her coat, head bowed, staring at her phone.

So that's where she'd been hiding after he couldn't find her inside.

His first instinct was to walk over. Now that they were alone, he felt like giving her a proper interrogation.

But as he approached, he noticed her cheeks were flushed bright red, as if she'd had quite a bit to drink.

Guan Yuanbai's brow furrowed in displeasure. "What are you doing standing out here?"

Startled, Zhou Fanfan hadn't noticed his approach. She turned around, her eyes widening even more when she saw it was him.

Her dark pupils looked like ripe grapes, or glass marbles, clear and shining.

Guan Yuanbai narrowed his eyes. Just how much had she drunk?

A young woman at a party, with no sense of caution whatsoever??

His voice deepened. "I asked you a question. What are you doing here?"

Zhou Fanfan took a step back, pressing her lips together. "Nothing. I just had a bit to drink, so I'm waiting for someone to come drive my car."

"'A bit to drink'? You look like you've had more than a bit. I'd say you're practically a drunk."

Zhou Fanfan shook her head, her face still flushed. "No, I really only had two glasses of the cocktail. And at first, I thought the alcohol content was low. It tasted good, so I drank it. Later, Yan Chenghuai told me it just tastes weak but is actually quite strong, so I stopped."

Yan Chenghuai? On a first-name basis already, are we?

And giving him an apple...

How nice.

Guan Yuanbai snorted coldly. "You're waiting outside in this freezing weather?"

"It's fine. I actually feel a bit hot right now... need some air..."

Guan Yuanbai said, "Oh. If you need a driver, Guan Xi could arrange one for you. Didn't you ask her?"

"Ah... it's such a small thing, no need to bother her. I can manage."

She really didn't look like she could manage.

Who knew who she had called.

Guan Yuanbai told himself it wasn't his business to interfere, and this wasn't why he had sought her out. But the person before him seemed as clueless as a goose... the kind of foolish goose that would applaud while being sold.

He watched her for a long moment, then let out a sigh.

Fine. She was Guan Xi's guest.

Regardless, he had to ensure a guest's safety.

"Come here," he said, as if making a great concession.

Zhou Fanfan: "Come... where?"

"To my car."

Zhou Fanfan stared at him blankly.

Perhaps the confusion in her eyes was too evident, making Guan Yuanbai feel slightly awkward himself. He added stiffly, "This area is remote. It'll take time for whoever you called to get here. Since you're a guest of the Guan family, it's my duty to ensure your safety."

---

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