A tall figure strode in as the private room door opened, his sharp and unyielding presence accentuated by a perfectly tailored black suit.
The rhythmic thud of his leather shoes on the floor, steady and powerful, compelled attention, drawing the gaze of everyone present.
Heads turned towards the entrance.
Wang Qiang and the others directly facing the door were the first to see him. After a moment of stunned silence, Wang Qiang recognized him and, with an incredulous expression, quickly rose to greet him. "Mr. Chu, it's an honor."
Quan Jiu, her back to the door, stiffened, her chopsticks tightening in her grip.
Wang Feifei was also quick to react. Ever since she learned the identity of Mimi and Tutu's father, she had made it a point to find out what he looked like. Recognizing him, she quickly waved to Mimi and Tutu. "Children, come to Mommy."
No one found it strange that she referred to herself as "Mommy" to her godchildren. All eyes were now on the unexpected guest who was nearing the table.
Mimi and Tutu looked at Quan Jiu, their eyes questioning.
Quan Jiu's fists clenched tightly as she took several deep breaths, suppressing the shock in her heart.
With a faint smile, she picked up several shrimp and placed them on her plate. Then, she leisurely peeled one for Mimi and one for Tutu, placing them in their bowls.
Tutu exclaimed, "Delicious! I want more."
Hearing this, Jiang Nanchen also picked up some shrimp and continued to peel them for Mimi and Tutu.
Chu Rong's gaze was sharp as he looked at Jiang Nanchen's back. His deep, resonant voice, imbued with an innate dominance and arrogance, asked, "You don't mind adding another set of chopsticks and bowls, do you?"
Although Wang Qiang didn't understand the unfolding drama, he immediately welcomed the guest and signaled a waiter to bring extra cutlery.
Chu Rong pulled a spare stool from the corner and, with a "click," placed it between Quan Jiu and Jiang Nanchen.
With so many people already seated in the room, the narrow gap between the two stools could barely accommodate two legs, let alone a whole person.
Jiang Nanchen glanced at Chu Rong with some curiosity and pointed to the empty seat next to Wang Feifei. "There's an empty seat over there."
Wang Feifei inwardly prayed that no conflict would arise. She lowered her head and sent a message to Quan Jiu: "Nine Nine, should I take the children and leave?"
Quan Jiu was also in turmoil, but in this situation, she didn't know how to handle it better than to feign composure.
Ignoring her phone, she continued to eat calmly, occasionally picking up food for Mimi and Tutu.
However, Xing Di, sitting beside her, noticed Quan Jiu's left hand trembling slightly beneath the table.
He pulled his stool closer, almost touching Quan Jiu's, and then nonchalantly began eating.
A frost grew in Chu Rong's eyes. He subtly exerted pressure on his stool, as if determined to force it into the gap.
Jiang Nanchen also became more insistent, putting his full weight onto his stool.
Anyone could see the subtle tension between the two men.
Wang Qiang wore an awkward smile, completely bewildered by the unspoken rivalry and Chu Rong's unexpected appearance.
Full of questions, he forced a smile and said, "Mr. Chu, what an honor to have you here. Please, take the main seat." He wondered why the man wouldn't take the available seat and insisted on this struggle.
Chu Rong's single hand couldn't match Jiang Nanchen's full body weight, and the stool remained unmoving.
Chu Rong narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment, he turned, picked up the stools belonging to Mimi and Tutu, and shifted them to the right, creating a space between Quan Jiu and Mimi.
He then pulled the stool over and sat to Quan Jiu's right. He then forcefully embraced Quan Jiu's stool and pulled it towards him, creating a distance between it and Xing Di's, which had been close to it.
Xing Di curved his lips into a smile, his eyebrows raised slightly. He then pulled his stool closer again, continuing to keep it next to Quan Jiu's.
Excellent. The six stools were now lined up like a raft. Wang Qiang even had the leisure to wonder how anyone in the middle would get out.
Chu Rong said to Wang Qiang, who was still standing behind him, "Please sit. I'm treating everyone today."
The entire table exchanged confused glances. However, many of the actresses were quite excited. This was the wealthiest young bachelor in A City, and indeed, in the country. Countless women dreamed of marrying into the Chu family. Wealthy and handsome, who wouldn't like him?
But... seeing Chu Rong sitting next to Nine, the actresses' expressions became somewhat inscrutable.
Wang Qiang maintained his smile and returned to his original seat. He then said, "Come, everyone, this is Mr. Chu from Chu Group. Although we don't know why Mr. Chu is here today, guests are always welcome. Let's welcome Mr. Chu."
Everyone raised their glasses, except for Quan Jiu, Jiang Nanchen, Xing Di, and Mimi and Tutu, who were only half the height of the table.
Wang Feifei half-raised her glass, continuing to text Quan Jiu: "Oh my god, what is this situation? I'm already on pins and needles, and you're still so calm."
Wang Qiang's smile was about to break. He decided to pretend he hadn't seen anything and, with a "cheers," downed his drink. He then stood up. "I'm going to the restroom. Please continue eating."
Luo Cheng's hand trembled, and he cursed inwardly, suppressing the urge to use the restroom.
No one spoke at the table. Luo Cheng understood Jiang Nanchen and didn't expect him to say anything to smooth things over, so he politely asked, "Mr. Chu, is there a particular reason for your visit today?"
"Just here to eat," Chu Rong replied indifferently.
Luo Cheng let out a dry chuckle, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "Well then... everyone, let's eat. Dig in."
Jiang Nanchen placed the peeled shrimp in front of Mimi and Tutu.
Just as the two children were about to eat, a slender, fair hand reached out and took the dish. Then, a voice said, "Don't casually eat things given by others." As he spoke, he picked up three more shrimp from the plate. His well-defined fingers expertly peeled them with a few swift movements.
He placed one in Quan Jiu's bowl and the other two in Mimi's and Tutu's bowls respectively. Chu Rong then wiped his hands with a hot towel and began serving Quan Jiu and the children again.
The people at the table exchanged knowing glances. Even those who didn't understand the full story could grasp the theme of the current drama.
Wang Qiang, having escaped to the restroom, sat on the toilet and texted Luo Cheng: "What's the situation?"
Upon hearing his phone buzz, Luo Cheng grabbed his phone as if it were a lifeline and openly took a break. "I also need to go to the restroom."
Wang Qiang thought for a moment and replied, "He's clearly here for Nine. Do they know each other?"
Reminded, Luo Cheng couldn't help but express his surprise. "I suddenly remembered a piece of gossip I heard before, saying that Chu Rong is already married and has his wife's photo displayed at the entrance and on the walls of his building."
Wang Qiang was so startled that his hand slipped, and he almost dropped his phone. Fortunately, he quickly caught it and hastily replied, "I haven't heard that. If Chu Rong were married, wouldn't it be widely reported by the media?"
"It was a long time ago, and I don't know if it's true. But if it is, with his influence, would he let people spread rumors casually? He would have suppressed the news long ago," Luo Cheng replied, even putting down his chopsticks and typing furiously with both hands.
"This is going to be the death of me. A perfectly good wrap-up party has turned into a banquet of hostility," Wang Qiang complained.
Luo Cheng instinctively glanced at the other people at the table. They were all silently eating, while the six people opposite them seemed quite at ease.