Zheng Yuze genuinely wanted to hear Miss Xu Nanyin answer his question.
Miss Xu Nanyin, on the other hand, was hoping he would back off. She ran through several thoughts in her mind—all contrary to Zheng Yuze’s direction.
“He has to be tall, mature, someone I can admire, and won’t pester me endlessly…” she thought aloud.
“And definitely not younger than me.”
“I’m only three months younger than you!”
Zheng Yuze protested.
“Three months is still younger.”
Xu Nanyin wore an innocent expression and spoke softly.
“That’s because you were born a little later.”
Since they moved in the same circle, she actually knew Zheng Yuze’s birthday and was deliberately teasing him.
Zheng Yuze’s mindset was clearly different from most people’s.
“I’ll go home and ask my dad to change my age to older.”
Xu Nanyin was truly at a loss. Her personality was gentle, unlike Miss Liang Jiamin’s sharpness.
People would think she was easy to get along with.
“That’s your business, not mine. I already said I don’t like it.”
Some people in the Main Hall regarded them as a pair of lovable rivals.
Not wanting to continue this back-and-forth with Zheng Yuze and become the subject of gossip, Xu Nanyin’s eyes caught sight of Miss Liang Jiamin.
A small smile curved on her lips as she walked over.
“Jiamin, what a coincidence.”
Liang Jiamin had just come out when she was blocked.
Seeing who it was, and aware of the other high-status people in the hall, she restrained herself and put on a generous smile.
“Zhuzhu, such a coincidence. Are you here to eat or…?”
She was suspicious, wondering if there was some issue to pick a fight with her.
But recently, she’d only asked someone to investigate the Song family in Ning City.
Although they disliked each other, they still maintained appearances, only exchanging barbs in private.
Xu Nanyin’s voice was gentle.
“To eat.”
Noticing Liang Jiamin came alone, she asked, “Are you here by yourself? Isn’t Dai Hongshu with you?”
Liang Jiamin snorted, feeling this was an innuendo.
“How could I eat alone? My fiancé was inside chatting with acquaintances. Weren’t you here with Zheng Yuze?”
Xu Nanyin glanced back.
She wanted to see if Zheng Yuze would know when to quit, but her peripheral vision caught a familiar tall figure on the other side.
However, it disappeared quickly from sight.
She knew Mr. Song Huaixu might be here today but wasn’t certain.
Maybe she was mistaken.
If he wasn’t here, then today was just a normal meal.
Zheng Yuze was coming over, so Xu Nanyin squeezed Liang Jiamin’s hand.
“Do you mind if there’s one more person today?”
“I don’t.”
“That’s interesting.”
Zhuang Qifeng, who knew Xu Tianshi, overheard the young women’s discussion about their ideal types.
“I have someone right next to me who fits that description.”
He was a good-natured man, so he’d been sent along as company.
Habitually quick to speak, he suddenly recalled Mr. Song Huaixu’s temperament.
Zhuang Qifeng glanced at the man beside him.
“Mr. Song, please pretend I didn’t say that.”
Song Huaixu raised an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly, then deliberately said, “I heard everything.”
Crystal clear.
Zhuang Qifeng, seeing no anger, breathed a sigh of relief.
“I just spoke too quickly.”
He had gone along with Miss Xu Nanyin’s description without thinking.
Now he realized that just fitting the description wasn’t enough—they were incompatible. Their ages were six or seven years apart, and they probably had no common topics.
What a pity. Knowing the man beside him was pure and disciplined, he could have introduced a few suitable women otherwise.
Zhuang Qifeng pressed the elevator button. “Mr. Lin and the others should have arrived by now.”
Though Xu Nanyin’s suggestion sounded like a third wheel, Liang Jiamin didn’t mind at all.
First, she didn’t have to fake affection with Dai Hongshu.
Second, she wanted to ask Xu Nanyin about her previous engagement.
“Can I borrow you as a shield?” she smiled slightly.
“But you have to answer my questions later.”
Xu Nanyin hooked her arm around hers, eyes curved with a smile.
“Sure.”
When Zheng Yuze arrived, Dai Hongshu came out from inside.
The two greeted each other, and by the time they approached the two women, they looked like close sisters—one elegant, the other seductive—truly a sight for sore eyes.
Now it was a party of four.
Since Liang Jiamin agreed, she followed through.
“You guys chat. Zhuzhu and I will head to the restaurant first.”
Zheng Yuze saw Xu Nanyin move to leave and wanted to follow but was stopped by Dai Hongshu.
“Girls are chatting, you wait.”
“That’s on purpose.”
Zheng Yuze was no fool.
“All the more reason to wait.”
Dai Hongshu gave him a sidelong glance.
“If you pester, she’ll dodge you.”
Zheng Yuze found some truth in that.
Xu Nanyin was unlike his previous girlfriends.
“Mr. Dai, you’re quite experienced.”
“You’d be better off working on her parents.”
“Like I’m you, trying for a political marriage!”
“I’m advising you—her parents spoil her, and she listens to them. If you get on her future in-laws’ good side, would she still dislike you?”
Liang Jiamin took a moment to glance back.
“Men gathering together never say anything nice. Nice smiles, though.”
Xu Nanyin looked at Dai Hongshu.
He was young and accomplished, having done well with the subsidiary’s financial report last year, so he didn’t seem like a slacker.
“Do you have big issues with your fiancé?”
Liang Jiamin said, “I have issues with everyone.”
She tilted her head at the lively Xu Nanyin.
“What’s wrong with Zheng Yuze? He’s loyal in love. He even cut off all previous girlfriends cleanly and chased after you after breaking up.”
Not like Dai Hongshu, who was always in the gossip columns, causing her to be mocked by Miss Lin Zhijun at the last Single Party.
“I’m just not attracted to him.”
Xu Nanyin said softly.
“Give it time, feelings develop.”
Liang Jiamin thought she was naïve.
“Love’s pointless. Ever heard the saying—marry someone who loves you? If he loves you, he should treat you well.”
“What if he stops loving me?”
Xu Nanyin asked back.
“What will he do then?”
Liang Jiamin nodded.
That made sense.
The two entered the restaurant together and were led to their seats by the waiter.
Xu Nanyin glanced toward a distant table where Port City officials and Young Master Lin were seated.
People nearby were also watching that direction intently.
The man at the head of the table had taken off his suit jacket; his shirt collar was slightly loosened, sleeves rolled up, subtly revealing lean muscles.
Among the table’s occupants, only he and Young Master Lin were striking in appearance.
Lin already had an engagement, and their styles were different.
This cold, unfamiliar man stood out even more. Just sitting there attracted many women’s attention.
Seeing her looking over, Liang Jiamin noticed too and seized the chance to ask, “Was your previous engagement with the Song family?”
She had previously suspected that Mr. Song Huaixu was that fiancé who chased her to Port City, now feeling she’d been too much like a TVB drama fan.
After seeing more news about Mr. Song Huaixu, it was clear he was unreachable.
Xu Nanyin lowered her eyes to the menu.
“Did you find out?”
Ning City hadn’t kept the Song Tingchuan engagement completely secret; some people still remembered it involved the Xu family in the past.
“Your ex-fiancé isn’t even as good as Zheng Yuze.”
Liang Jiamin replied, glancing at the man over there.
“The younger brother is no match for the older brother. Luckily, it wasn’t the older one—otherwise, you’d be out of luck.”
She smirked quietly.
“Look at his height, muscle lines. Sleeping with a guy like that must be great.”
Xu Nanyin hadn’t expected such bluntness.
The tea she had just sipped hadn’t been swallowed yet, and her cheeks turned faintly pink.
“Be careful your fiancé doesn’t hear that.”
“If he does, so what?”
Liang Jiamin didn’t care.
“I know you’re a good girl like this. We can’t discuss bedroom matters.”
“Don’t discriminate. I’m not clueless.”
“Knowing and doing are different.”
“I’m a TCM doctor. I know more about the body than you.”
“In terms of experience, trust me, Xu Zhuzhu.”
Liang Jiamin covered her mouth with the menu to avoid being read by lip readers.
“Look at how his chest pushes out his shirt, his arm muscles perfectly defined—not too bulky, and his Adam’s apple is prominent. He must work out regularly, which means despite being busy, he’s disciplined.”
Xu Nanyin was not surprised.
She had seen Mr. Song Huaixu swimming late at night.
She hid a sip of tea.
“You’re judging by appearances. There are people who look good but are useless.”
Xu Nanyin absolutely didn’t mean to disparage Mr. Song Huaixu.
Liang Jiamin chatted on.
“When he was drinking tea just now, his fingers were slender, the veins on his hand obvious. Xu Zhuzhu, a top-tier man like that, just his hands alone could make you…”
Xu Nanyin choked on her tea, spilling some out, coughing a few times.
Her cheeks flushed even deeper, enchanting.
Several nearby tables glanced over.
Liang Jiamin quickly handed her a tissue.
“I’m just saying, not making you actually…”
Seeing Xu Nanyin purse her lips in silence, face still red, she teased, “You’re already embarrassed?”
Both were engrossed in themselves, not noticing that the man they had just been discussing cast a glance their way.
Xu Nanyin steadied her heartbeat—she certainly couldn’t say she’d just experienced that feeling a few days ago.
Hearing Liang Jiamin teasing the good girl into blushing, she happily added, “I haven’t even mentioned yet, but he also has sexy lips.”
This time Xu Nanyin had no personal experience to draw on.
But hearing that, her mind involuntarily wandered into forbidden territory.
When Zheng Yuze sat down and saw Xu Nanyin’s shy, distracted expression, he was momentarily dazzled and enchanted.
After a long pause, he said to Liang Jiamin, “Don’t bully Zhuzhu.”
Liang Jiamin rolled her eyes.
Lowering her voice to Xu Nanyin, she said, “I agree with you now. Zheng is really boring and immature. Dai Hongshu is at least more mature and decent in bed.”
Xu Nanyin came back to herself, her eyes flickering.
“I thought you hated him and wouldn’t be intimate with him.”
Liang Jiamin casually replied, “Why waste time? It’s about my own pleasure.”
“Do you know what they call this on the mainland?”
“What?”
“‘Hateful couples.’”
Liang Jiamin found it quite fitting. Unfortunately, Dai Hongshu happened to sit next to her, so she switched back to the main topic.
“We’re getting married next month. Be my bridesmaid.”
Weddings in Port City differed slightly from those inland—starting early and lasting all day, with bridesmaids appearing throughout the event.
As a fellow Port City daughter, Xu Nanyin naturally wouldn’t refuse.
“Just don’t mind me causing trouble.”
Liang Jiamin said, “Lin Zhijun would be a more believable troublemaker.”
The Jockey Clubhouse’s restaurant was famous for its high-quality cuisine. Even though Xu Nanyin’s mind was elsewhere, she ate her fill.
Liang Jiamin curiously asked, “Why didn’t you come with Lin Zhijun today?”
Xu Nanyin ate her dessert.
“Can’t I be alone?”
Liang Jiamin didn’t mind.
“You can, but it’s rare. You’re usually the type who likes company.”
Xu Nanyin pressed her lips lightly.
Although Liang Jiamin’s comment was casual, it was true.
She always worried about having a dry skin flare-up when alone outside, so she either brought A Li along or went with friends like Lin Zhijun.
Ah.
Today, she wanted to see if she could run into Mr. Song Huaixu, so she hadn’t invited A Li or Lin Zhijun.
“Want to do a spa later?”
Liang Jiamin asked again.
“No.”
Xu Nanyin declined.
Looking at her face, Liang Jiamin couldn’t hide her envy.
“Hey, do you have some secret? Your skin’s so dewy. Share it with me.”
Then she looked at the exposed hand and arm.
“Your body too—it’s like it’s made of water.”
A secret?
Xu Nanyin blinked her lashes.
“You’re so naughty when you talk.”
Liang Jiamin stared at her seriously.
Uh-oh, had she corrupted the good girl?
Xu Nanyin politely finished her dessert and raised her head, her gaze suddenly fixed.
Mr. Song Huaixu was gone.
She looked around and finally caught sight of the man ahead, seemingly preparing to leave with others.
Not wanting to call out in the restaurant, she thought for a moment and took out her phone to send him a message.
[Mr. Song Huaixu, I saw you.]
She saw the man glance casually at his phone, then his gaze silently swept over her.
Xu Nanyin couldn’t read his expression clearly and sent another message: [I have something to ask you.]
Song Huaixu: [What is it?]
She didn’t want to discuss it over messages.
That would leave a record.
What if his phone got lost and their conversation ended up in the news?
It was more private and safer to talk face to face.
Xu Nanyin: [Wait for me a moment.]
The man didn’t reply.
She watched him continue talking with Young Master Lin and Zhuang Qifeng, his expression indifferent.
Just as she felt uneasy, those people left first. He stayed where he was, his arm draped over his suit jacket, casual and elegant.
The entire Red Wine Wall in the lounge, always a point of pride, now served as a luxurious backdrop that highlighted the man’s noble aura.
While Zheng Yuze and Dai Hongshu were engrossed in a car conversation, Xu Nanyin quietly said goodbye to Liang Jiamin and headed over.
“I thought you wouldn’t wait for me.”
A soft voice stopped her steps beside her ear.
Song Huaixu’s eyes withdrew from a bottle of wine and rested on the girl’s face tilted up to him.
“What do you want to say?” he asked.
“Here?”
Xu Nanyin glanced around.
This was a public place where people might pass by at any time.
“Not suitable?”
Song Huaixu’s voice was slow and deliberate, like a well-aged wine.
Xu Nanyin knew he had things to do and nodded.
“Alright.”
She stepped a few paces toward the wall, standing close to the man, her eyes level with his chest.
She couldn’t help but recall Liang Jiamin’s commentary, then hurriedly looked away.
Lowering her voice, Xu Nanyin said, “I want to ask you—”
Just then, many in the restaurant had already finished and left.
Two people passed by.
Her words stopped on her lips.
Both were of notable status.
Silence between them drew attention.
Xu Nanyin quickly changed her question.
“Does your family have anyone around my age? Or maybe one to three years older or younger…”
She was curious because she didn’t know the identity of the person who sent her gifts every year.
Based on what her mother said, the person might like her.
Reasonable guesses ruled out elders or children.
Song Huaixu narrowed his eyes.
“Gender?”
“Gender?”
Xu Nanyin, distracted by the two people who had not yet left, murmured, “Probably male?”
She wasn’t certain. It could also be female, but the opposite sex was more likely.
“Probably?”
The man bent slightly forward, his deep voice carrying a commanding aura.
“Who taught you to ask one man about another in front of me?”