The atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed, and the conversation flowed easily.
The waiters brought out the dishes one after another; the steak sizzled with oil on the grill plate, and when the red wine sauce was poured over, its color was simply mouthwatering.
The restaurant Fan Zizhuo had chosen was very high-end— a single cup of latte cost over a hundred Hong Kong dollars.
“The reasons for the divorce are complicated, but it didn’t involve a third party. We just weren’t compatible, and it was better for both of us to separate. She’s settled in Australia now and living a fulfilling life, while I’ve been working hard on my own career, which isn’t bad either.”
Li Yaru ate her steak slowly, taking small bites and swallowing before saying, “That’s good. Life is your own to live— there’s no need to make yourself suffer for the sake of what others think. We’re both over forty now. If we don’t start living for ourselves, there won’t be another chance.”
Fan Zizhuo agreed with Li Yaru. More than twenty years had passed, and she had grown a lot. She was no longer the brash, naive girl who would even dare point at someone’s nose and curse them out.
Now, she was noble, elegant, generous, with a diamond-like brilliance shining from head to toe.
It seemed that man had taken very good care of her, protected her well.
Fan Zizhuo suddenly let go. If Ah Rou had really followed him, that would’ve been ruining her.
She wasn’t someone meant for a small pond— only a stronger man could lift her up and give her the best world.
He felt ashamed of his own immaturity.
“Sorry, Ah Rou.” Fan Zizhuo put down his knife and fork in a very formal gesture. Li Yaru picked up her napkin and wiped the sauce from the corner of her mouth, waiting for him to continue. “That thing back then— I was too reckless. I shouldn’t have called you so rashly. If you had really…”
“If I had really what?” Li Yaru blinked.
“If you had really gone with me to the mainland, nothing would have turned out this well. I’d feel very guilty.” Fan Zizhuo sighed, his tone bitter.
Li Yaru couldn’t help but laugh, her charming eyes spinning half a circle. “You’re overthinking it. There’s no need to feel guilty, Zizhuo. I never considered running away to the mainland with you.”
Fan Zizhuo knew that was the answer, but hearing it for real still stung. Men—they’re all like this. Who wants to lose to another man in front of the woman he loves?
He smiled wryly. “You really don’t leave me any dignity at all.”
Li Yaru shrugged. “I was about to have my wedding at the time. I’d already picked out the dress, shoes, and candy boxes. Our parents had met. Suddenly you wanted me to elope with you—what, did you think I was possessed?”
She’d always spoken with a sharp tongue, both lovable and infuriating.
Fan Zizhuo felt a little sour, but not too much. The long years had already worn away the sharpest parts.
“And besides,” Li Yaru picked up her latte and took a small sip. The milk foam was thick and creamy, putting her in a good mood. “I didn’t marry my husband just because he’s rich.”
“So, Zizhuo, don’t get hung up on it. A lot of things, when you look back, are just like that. It might’ve felt unbearable at the time— like dying— but once you get through it, you realize it’s fine. Nothing is the end of the world. Tomorrow is always more exciting.”
She knew what Fan Zizhuo couldn’t let go of was the idea that she hadn’t chosen him because Zhuang Qiting was just too rich— so rich it was absurd, intimidating, crushing any kind of love. But that wasn’t the main reason.
Zhuang Qiting wasn’t just rich; he was good-looking, had a great body, and was wild in bed. Perverted as he might be, he doted on her to the extreme.
She wasn’t stupid. When men offered the same things, plus extra wealth and status, who wouldn’t choose that?
Zizhuo was great, but she and Zizhuo were fated but not destined. They could only become a beautiful memory.
Fan Zizhuo finally let it go, though it was an awkward relief. He made a show of sighing and joked, “I can’t tell if inviting you for coffee was to make myself suffer or to test my blood pressure.”
Li Yaru’s smile was full of charm. “Actually, I should be the one feeling guilty. You suffered a lot because of me back then, and I never got the chance to make it up to you before I left. If I meet someone suitable, I’ll introduce her to you. I know some beautiful, wealthy single ladies. You’re good-looking, have a good temper, and a good career— they’d love that.”
Fan Zizhuo wanted to run away at this point. What was all this? He could only tease back, “Ah Rou, you’re a matchmaker now? Is this your way of making it up to me?”
Li Yaru: “Not just that.” She opened her expensive crocodile leather kelly, took out a business card, and handed it over. “This is my cousin’s business card— Lu Junqiu. You’ve met before. Call her in a few days. Her company’s contract with their current accounting firm is up next month, and they’re looking for a new partner. Isn’t your firm the most professional in finance?”
Fan Zizhuo couldn’t refuse this business. Business was business, and he wasn’t going to pretend to be high and mighty.
A real man should be open, so he accepted the business card graciously. “Thanks, Ah Rou. I’ll call her.”
“If there’s any business in the future, I’ll introduce it to your company.”
Li Yaru had been a career woman in her youth, and Zhuang Qiting was very good at training people. She’d learned a lot and was well-known in the investment circle.
In recent years, she’d gradually stopped handling business herself, leaving things to her two sons and professional managers.
Fan Zizhuo’s temples throbbed. “Don’t, Ah Rou. You’re making me feel like I’m clinging to a golden thigh.”
The meal was very enjoyable, with not a trace of awkwardness. They ate until nearly two o’clock, and during that time, Li Yaru even ordered an extra tiramisu.
When they said goodbye, Fan Zizhuo pointed to her neck. “You should fix your scarf.”
Scarf? Ah———!!
Li Yaru screamed inside, hurriedly covering the loose scarf. That pervert’s love bites were now exposed to her first love— too embarrassing, too shameful.
Li Yaru’s face flushed instantly.
Fan Zizhuo just smiled and let it go, though his eyes hid a darkness he himself didn’t notice. He was a true gentleman and arranged everything thoughtfully. “Let me pay for this meal, as thanks for introducing me to business. Ah Rou, you go first. With your current status, it’s better to avoid suspicion.”
Paparazzi always liked to stalk Li Yaru. If the two of them left together and someone took a picture and posted it online, it would cause unnecessary trouble. Fan Zizhuo didn’t want to make things difficult for Li Yaru.
Li Yaru calmly picked up her bag, put on her sunglasses, and, feeling utterly embarrassed, said, “Then I’ll head back first. See you next time, Zizhuo. I really enjoyed today.”
“Me too. See you next time.”
Fan Zizhuo quietly watched Li Yaru leave the restaurant.
That striking figure— bold and beautiful— was just as captivating as when she was young, only now with a maturity that made her even more irresistible. Her vase-like curves could make any man lose his mind.
Fan Zizhuo smiled, withdrew his gaze, and handed over his card and a tip.
The Bently was parked at the back entrance of the building, waiting the whole time. There were fewer pedestrians here, and cars lined the whole sloped road.
Li Yaru strode out in her high heels, full of presence. She didn’t wait for the driver to open the door but pulled it open herself and got in.
Only after sitting down did she realize— she turned her head and met Zhuang Qiting’s sharp gaze head-on.
Li Yaru’s heart skipped a beat. She instantly felt like she’d been caught doing something bad. “You—you came to pick me up, why didn’t you say so!”
Zhuang Qiting leaned back in the airline seat, his hair perfectly styled, his off-white linen suit exquisite and relaxed, as if he were on vacation at sea— completely different from the office workers on the street in suits and ties. He looked every inch the blood-sucking capitalist Boss.
His long legs were crossed, and the red sole of his leather shoe showed faintly.
Li Yaru didn’t understand why Zhuang Qiting was so well-dressed today, even wearing red-soled shoes, his whole figure hidden in the shadows, looking especially…
Arrogant.
She was really annoyed, wishing she could press his face down and ruin that expression.
Damn, why did she have such an urge toward an old man? Did she subconsciously like older men? But Fan Zizhuo was a handsome, refined older guy too, yet she felt nothing— her mood was calm and peaceful.
Li Yaru’s face was burning, her fingers nervously gripping the leather seat. “You…”
Zhuang Qiting’s gaze swept over the scarf on her neck, then he sneered and leaned over, pinning Li Yaru hard against the back seat, kissing her without a word, his breath burning.
“Mm… There are people around!” Li Yaru mumbled, catching a glimpse of pedestrians passing by outside.
“Let them look.”