Meng Hualan felt a surge of joy upon receiving Jin Mu’s call.
It was the beginning of the quarter, not particularly busy, so she declined an unimportant dinner invitation and had her driver take her towards the foothills of Xiaofeng Mountain.
Unable to resist, she bought several bags of gifts from the Lanyu Mall en route.
There were jewelry and clothes, as well as backpack charms and keychains that a young girl would likely appreciate.
Although she didn’t dare to provoke her son, she had agreed with Jin Mu that after dinner, Jin Yan would call Chen Ziming away, giving her an opportunity to meet Su Yue.
She had heard from the household staff that the girl was very polite and certainly wouldn’t tell Chen Ziming about this.
A smile played on her lips.
Finally, she had found an opportunity.
When Su Yue and Chen Ziming arrived, Jin Yan was already waiting for them at the entrance.
“Oh my, Yue Yue, how beautiful you look today!” he exclaimed, bypassing the passenger side to open the door for Su Yue.
His eyes lit up again instantly.
She was wearing an taro-purple dress today, her smooth black hair cascading over her shoulders, reaching her waist.
It made her appear exceptionally gentle and serene.
Hearing his compliment, she felt a bit shy and offered a smile in response.
“What, I’m not pleasing to your eye anymore?”
The person from the driver’s seat got out, resting his arms on the car roof, and looked at Jin Yan, speaking indifferently.
“You? Aren’t you also supposed to obediently listen to Yue Yue? So I only need to butter up the sister.”
Jin Yan glanced at him and said with disdain.
Su Yue: …
Chen Ziming smiled, walked over, took her hand, and headed towards the restaurant, teasing Jin Yan as they went:
“If you care about your sister so much, why didn’t you buy good clothes and send them to her door?”
Jin Yan: …
He followed them, saying, “Look at my memory! I’ll find Liang Mu right away to pick some out and send them over!”
Su Yue, upon hearing this, wanted to stop him, but Chen Ziming squeezed her palm.
Remembering his words from before, she fell silent.
Jin Yan arranged a small private room for four for them, by the window, with sliding wooden doors for privacy.
A thin veil was pasted on the door, allowing a faint glimpse of the outside.
After they were seated, he called Liang Mu, who agreed to buy clothes and then come join them for a bite.
“Yue Yue, I scared you last time, so I’ll drink to that first.”
A bottle of red wine was placed before Jin Yan. He poured himself a glass and drank it down.
Chen Ziming raised an eyebrow and said calmly:
“This bottle of wine looks familiar.”
Jin Yan let out a satisfied sigh and replied:
“Yes, it’s the Mouton 1945 I brought from your place last time. Sister, would you like some? This vintage is absolutely exquisite.”
Chen Ziming: …
Su Yue: !!
She subtly glanced at the man beside her. He nodded at her.
It was that bottle of wine worth over half a million.
She was indeed tempted, but instead of asking for his opinion like before, she turned her face to him and asked innocently:
“I want to try it.”
Before Chen Ziming could reply, Jin Yan picked up a new wine glass, poured some, and pushed it towards Su Yue.
“This is my territory, I call the shots. Come on, sister, cheers!”
Saying that, he raised his wine glass and touched hers.
Just as Su Yue was about to pick hers up, the glass was taken away.
“You can’t drink right now.” Seeing her surprised look, the man lowered his head and said softly.
“You’re too…” Jin Yan started to retort, but was cut off by a cold glare.
“Why? You’re with me, what could happen?” she asked, not convinced.
He leaned in towards her ear and said in a low voice:
“First, it’s that time of the month for you; second, I’m afraid my precious will get too drunk and start provoking me again.”
“…”
Her face turned red again.
Since the topic couldn't be avoided, she felt too embarrassed to admit that she had drunk so much wine back then because she wanted to provoke him, not that she wanted to provoke him because she was drunk.
If she wasn’t drinking, she wasn’t drinking!
She rolled her eyes internally but obediently followed his instruction.
Meng Hualan entered through the restaurant’s back door.
Jin Mu was also waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing the driver carrying the large bags behind her, she exclaimed in surprise:
“You’ve really gone all out!”
Madam Meng smiled faintly:
“It can’t be helped, I want to leave a good impression on the young lady!”
Jin Mu: …
In her opinion, it was always the daughter-in-law who should leave a good impression on the mother-in-law.
Chairman Meng, as expected of a high-ranking leader, had a unique mindset that was both baffling and… admirable.