chapter 10

Xia Weici had been desperate.

Her father’s poor decision ran his family to the ground when he was unable to control his addiction to gambling. Whenever he had some pocket money did he run to the casino to test his luck. Once his salary deposited into the bank did he wager it on large bets with mahjong. When he was low on cash did he pawn his wife’s jewelry and family antiques. And when the mortgage company sent him multiple notices of unpaid dues did he resort to borrowing large amounts from shady loan organizations.

Ultimately when the house became barren and the creditor garnished back unpaid debt, his wife pulled out divorce papers and left. She didn’t care to look back once at her two children who fell into the mess her failure of a husband has placed upon them. They were adults now and from her perspective it did not matter whether they had their parental figures anymore.

Xia Wencheng, her older brother, was more mature compared to his younger sister. He already had a stable career and took it upon himself as the son of his family to ensure that she only needed to focus on her schoolwork as she had just started her first year of university. Everything had seemed to be going well as he earned well enough to afford pricey cars, limited edition wrist watches, and even take his girlfriend dining at expensive restaurants. 

However, all of that was a lie.

He had gotten involved with a bad group of an underground triad and laundered illegal money. It was a huge scandal to hit the county as several influential members were caught and arrested. Xia Wencheng could do nothing but rot in jail if his family couldn’t afford to bail him out and pay back his dues.

Everything fell into Xia Weici’s hands. 

She was young and naive with no worldly experiences therefore she was at a loss of what to do to hold what’s left of her little family together. The loan sharks were already threatening her so even if she didn’t want to get involved they already placed the responsibility on her! She had little choice but to confine herself to the situation and try to solve it despite all the odds.

She pawned all her belongings. The designer bags, accessories, and clothes didn’t earn her back the original price so that was a loss. At a schoolmate’s advice she ultimately picked up a part time job in hopes of balancing it with school. She couldn’t give up on school as that was the last of her hopes for a better future!

The part time job wasn’t extravagant nor was the pay sufficient, but it was better than earning no income.

“Weici, the guests in room 1810 has checked out!”

“Okay, understood!” She strolled the cleaning cart down to head to the said room.

Housekeeping was the least of her worries. It’s not as if she’s never lifted a finger before in her life. Even when her family had been well off they didn’t keep many staff around the house and they took care of the house matters by themselves where only a few times a month would a maid come to tidy up after them.

Besides, Eden Hotel, where she had become employed at, wasn’t a measly low rated hotel either. It was an exquisite and famous hotel. Just booking a room with them would take over a year’s wait worth of reservation and cost a middle class working person an arm and a leg to afford the costly price! Even someone who had known some sort of wealth such as Xia Weici was still blown away by the elegant and pristine property.

“Shh, don’t make too much noise! I overheard that the Second Young Master of the Cheng family has booked the entire V.I.P floor for himself!”

“The Second Young Master? Why would he stay at a hotel when his home is basically a resort with servants waiting at his feet?”

“Didn’t you know? He had canceled his engagement! The rumors said that Old Master Cheng was so furious he kicked the Second Young Master out of the family manor!”

“Why would he cancel his engagement? Weren’t they a happy couple? Wow, I can’t believe that even someone as influential as the Cheng family would have messy disputes such as this. It seems like a soap opera!”

Xia Weici had overheard the conversation between the other two hotel staff in the elevator even though she didn’t wish to ponder over it much, however it was too juicy not to eavesdrop on.

The Second Young Master of the Cheng family was a celebrity among celebrities, there isn’t a single person in Shandong province who didn’t know the name Cheng Huo or his marvelous face. He is handsome, smart, and charismatic. Despite being the second born son he quickly outshone his older brother and presided a great position in their family’s large corporation. He was unrivaled in the business world and also in the poor hearts of women. There wouldn’t be any women who would turn down his request if he desired their attention. However, it was said that Cheng Huo was a very busy man and wasted no time with such trivial matters such as relationships. He was a large boulder that could simply not be moved!

Xia Weici departed from the pair once the elevator opened up on the 18th floor. She paid them no mind as she made her way to room 1810 to tidy up the place as she had been directed earlier. Xia Weici always felt relieved whenever she had an empty floor as it was a rare case. 

She wasted no time and immediately got to cleaning up the room spotlessly.

A while later once she had finished she hopped out of the room, pushing the cleaning cart ahead of her. However, something strange alerted her in the hallways. He was standing tall with his back against the wall in the near distance, arms crossed and eyes closed. It was as if he was peacefully resting and enjoying his time in solitude. The ambience around him couldn’t be denied, he looked as if he was a sculpture crafted by the finest artist. And as she slowly came closer upon him she immediately recognized the stranger.

She remembered the two ladies gossiping earlier and they have mentioned that the V.I.P floor was booked by the Cheng family’s Second Young Master and that was the next floor up. So what was Cheng Huo doing by being on this floor instead?

Knowing her boundaries, Xia Weici kept silent with her head low as she hoped to pass him by.

“Stop.” His heavy voice resonated so suddenly that an unexpected nervous feeling overcame her.

Xia Weici followed his order, yet she dare not look at him directly. “Is there something that Second Young Master Cheng needs assistance with?”

He rubbed the temples of his forehead, seemingly disturbed by something as one could not deny that he had the look of irritation drawn on his attractive face. It seemed that even someone as reserved and exclusive as him had their moments of discomfort. He pulled away from the wall, standing tall before her. His outstanding physique became more apparent to her. Although she’s heard many things about this man, this was the first time she had ever been graced by his presence!

His aura was unfathomable!

With his hands in his pocket he stepped away, gesturing his head towards her, “follow me.”