Chen Jinzhao found such questions troublesome.
Xu Yaoyao said again, "I've thought about having someone else impersonate him, but after much consideration, I feel Brother Jinzhao is the most reliable."
"If your grandfather found out, he'd skin me alive," Chen Jinzhao said with a wry smile.
"He dares?" Xu Yaoyao snorted lightly.
Chen Jinzhao nodded in agreement, "Alright, then wait for me. I'll go change my clothes first."
"Hehe, I knew Brother Jinzhao was a good person."
A short while later.
Chen Jinzhao changed into casual clothes and went with Xu Yaoyao to the hotel where the gathering was to be held.
Coincidentally, this was the same hotel where Chen Jinzhao had dinner with Zhen Hai and others last time. Xu Yaoyao also reminded Chen Jinzhao, "The banquet was organized by the guy who's pursuing me. I heard his grandfather is a big shot in Jiangnan Province, and he hasn't retired yet."
"Oh? Then how does he dare to aspire to you?" Chen Jinzhao asked with interest.
Xu Yaoyao said exasperatedly, "I suspect he's only after my grandfather's status, using me as a stepping stone to enter Beijing in the future."
Chen Jinzhao thought that these people were truly bold.
However, he believed that such a thing was almost impossible. He understood Xu Hanchen's temper, and anyone who thought they could relax under his shade would likely be mistaken.
"You didn't refuse him?" Chen Jinzhao asked again.
Xu Yaoyao pouted, "Of course I refused, but that guy is persistent and hasn't given up yet. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked Brother Jinzhao for help to directly make him give up the idea."
Chen Jinzhao nodded, indicating he understood.
The two entered the reserved private room. When those students saw Chen Jinzhao, they were dumbfounded, thinking, "Why did Xu Yaoyao bring a strange man?"
Among them, Chen Jinzhao immediately noticed that the student sitting in the main seat harbored deep hostility towards him. Xu Yaoyao had already mentioned this person on their way – Cen Binbin.
Cen Binbin's grandfather was a prominent figure in Jiangnan Province, but he was nearing retirement. As for Cen Binbin's father, he was the head of a large state-owned enterprise, with hopes of further advancement in the future.
With such a background, Cen Binbin naturally became a leader among the second generation of Ninghai University.
There was even a small clique centered around him.
Most of the people at today's banquet were members of this clique. If Cen Binbin could surpass his father's generation in the future, these people would also rise in status.
This was also why they were enthusiastic about pairing Cen Binbin with Xu Yaoyao.
Despite his displeasure, Cen Binbin was sensible enough to stand up to greet Xu Yaoyao, hoping to leave a good impression. He was acutely aware of Xu Yaoyao's formidable background, so he dared not rashly displease her.
"Yaoyao, you're here. We've been waiting for you," Cen Binbin said with a natural smile that was quite pleasant.
However, he intentionally ignored Chen Jinzhao.
Xu Yaoyao nodded in greeting and then said to Chen Jinzhao, "You sit too. This is Cen Binbin, a classmate from my academy. I told you about him on the way."
Several people at the banquet looked at Cen Binbin in surprise.
Who was this young man who suddenly appeared, and why was he so close to Xu Yaoyao? They had planned for Cen Binbin to confess his feelings to Xu Yaoyao today; how could an outsider be present?
Cen Binbin subtly signaled his subordinate. These dirty jobs didn't require him to do them himself.
A student named Qin Ze frowned and asked, "Yaoyao, is this your brother? I don't recall Young Master Cen inviting your brother to the banquet."
Xu Yaoyao immediately looked displeased. Cen Binbin played the good cop, saying, "It's not that we dislike your brother, but our banquet has a fixed number of attendees, and the tableware and dishes have already been arranged. Furthermore, our parents have some influence. Yaoyao, I hope you don't misunderstand Qin Ze's intentions."
Since Chen Jinzhao had already agreed to help Xu Yaoyao, he naturally had to step forward at this moment and said calmly, "You've misunderstood. I'm not Yaoyao's brother, but Yaoyao's boyfriend."
The words fell.
The entire private room fell into a deathly silence.
The smile on Cen Binbin's face froze, and his gaze stiffly shifted from Xu Yaoyao to Chen Jinzhao.
How was this possible?
This person looked ordinary. Moreover, Cen Binbin had some impression of Chen Jinzhao; he seemed to be a security guard at Ninghai University?
Qin Ze was the first to react, exclaiming, "I know him!"
"He—"
"Isn't he that doorman?"
Upon hearing this, Cen Binbin realized he hadn't misremembered; Chen Jinzhao was indeed that security guard. He frowned and looked at Xu Yaoyao, "Yaoyao, what do you mean by this? If you truly had a boyfriend, I would naturally be happy for you, but as far as I know, this person is just a security guard at Ninghai University. How can you fool me with him?"
Xu Yaoyao found it amusing.
If Cen Binbin and the others knew that Chen Jinzhao was currently the youngest general, they might even prostrate themselves.
Even their fathers and grandfathers would have to be polite to the chief instructor of the Torch Dragon Special Forces.
However, Chen Jinzhao needed to keep his identity confidential for now.
Qin Ze again reprimanded Chen Jinzhao, telling him to go pee and look in the mirror to see if he was worthy of Xu Yaoyao. He even rudely told Chen Jinzhao to get lost, or they would resort to force.
Chen Jinzhao remained seated firmly.
Xu Yaoyao even more righteously linked her arm with Chen Jinzhao's and said to Cen Binbin and the others, "I solemnly declare here that he does work in the Ninghai University Security Department, and he is indeed the security guard you speak of. However, I don't see anything wrong with that; labor is glorious."
Qin Ze and the others scoffed, thinking there was nothing to be proud of about being a doorman.
Cen Binbin believed Chen Jinzhao was definitely a shield and sighed, saying to Xu Yaoyao, "Yaoyao, I actually understand what you mean, but there's no need to find a security guard to be your shield."
"Who says Brother Jinzhao is a shield?" Xu Yaoyao retorted.
Before Cen Binbin could say anything, he saw Xu Yaoyao turn her head and kiss Chen Jinzhao's cheek. This stunned Cen Binbin and the others, their expressions changing drastically.
This—
There was nothing more to say. Even if Chen Jinzhao wasn't Xu Yaoyao's real boyfriend, their relationship was not far off.
Cen Binbin stared at Chen Jinzhao, already viewing him as his primary enemy!
Qin Ze stammered, not knowing what to say.
Even Chen Jinzhao hadn't reacted; this girl was surprisingly bold. Xu Yaoyao looked provocatively at Cen Binbin, as if to tell him that Chen Jinzhao was indeed her boyfriend.
No matter how much Cen Binbin didn't want to believe it, he had to accept the fact.
Having been outmaneuvered like this, Cen Binbin's expression was grim. He sat back down in his chair to contemplate a countermeasure.
Not long after.
He thought of a solution.
Cen Binbin looked up at Xu Yaoyao again, a smile appearing on his face, "Yaoyao, I've actually been interested in you for a long time and wanted to use today's banquet to confess my feelings. I really like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"