"Broadly cast the net and cultivate diligently. Uncle Guan is a decent man, with status, looks, and capability. Crucially, he's good to Mom and me. Why would we be third wheels? Of course, we should give them some private time."
Tutu looked confused, "But we already have Dad."
"Are these two mutually exclusive?" Mimi countered.
Tutu thought about it carefully, then shook her head, "They aren't."
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket. And people shouldn't hang themselves from the same crooked tree," Mimi patted Tutu's shoulder and said earnestly, "Mom isn't focused on romance, but I still hope she can have someone who cherishes her. Besides Grandma, Mom hasn't been truly cherished by anyone in her life."
"Understood, sis." Tutu clenched her fist and nodded solemnly.
The next day, under the dual urging of her son and daughter, Quan Jiu had to put on light makeup and go out.
...
The Interstellar Restaurant was quite crowded on a Sunday afternoon. However, the partitions between booths were spaced widely, so even though the vast restaurant was full, it didn't feel noisy.
The comfortable and gentle piano music, coupled with the low-key luxurious decor, added to the ambiguous atmosphere.
As Jiang Mengran entered the restaurant, a host quickly approached, "May I ask if Miss has a reservation?"
"I have an appointment with President Chu of Chu Group," Jiang Mengran said, not hiding a hint of pride.
The host was slightly surprised. While gesturing for her to enter, they were inwardly astonished, "Miss, please come this way."
Jiang Mengran was led by a waiter to a private booth by the window on the second floor. After the waiter left, she stepped forward, adopted a gentle demeanor, and called out, "ARong," before sitting down opposite him.
Chu Rong's brows furrowed, and his voice held a hint of displeasure, "Who allowed you to sit?"
Jiang Mengran's expression stiffened, and she said with suppressed anger, "We've known each other since college. After so many years of friendship, don't I even have the right to sit opposite you for a meal?"
"That's not a seat you should be occupying," Chu Rong said with a cold face.
Jiang Mengran felt a pang of heartache from anger. She pinched her thigh tightly, enduring for a long time before suppressing a breath. She continued, "The company has been buzzing about you and me lately. ARong, what are your thoughts? She's been gone for five years. Why did you suddenly announce her existence? Do you know the impact this has on the Chu family?"
She paused, then asked, "Is it because she's back? Did she force you to do this?"
Chu Rong's eyes suddenly turned icy, and he stared at Jiang Mengran with a chilling gaze.
Jiang Mengran's heart clenched fiercely. Unwilling to give up, she asked again, "Has she... really returned? Where has she been all these five years? Actually, I've been thinking about her all this time. I want to thank her in person for saving my life back then. Although she also took you away because of it, a life-saving grace is paramount. ARong, I just want to thank her personally."
Quan Jiu and Guan Shi ascended to the second floor of the Interstellar Restaurant.
"...I've always liked their food. I haven't been here in five years, I really miss it."
As soon as she finished speaking, Quan Jiu suddenly stopped, staring blankly in the direction of the private booth diagonally ahead.
"What's wrong?" Guan Shi asked when he saw her stop.
His gaze followed where Quan Jiu was looking, and he also froze, his expression turning grim.
"This beast..."
Guan Shi was about to step forward but was pulled back by Quan Jiu.
Quan Jiu shook her head, her expression calm, "Forget it. I've already signed the divorce agreement. If he doesn't sign it within a certain period, I'll sue. He can see whoever he wants; I can't control it." She said this as she walked downstairs.
Guan Shi's heart leaped with joy, and he quickly followed, "The legal team my father's company uses is quite good. I can introduce them to you if you need."
Quan Jiu chuckled and feigned nonchalance, "Aren't you in the medical industry? Can you handle divorce cases too?"
"Of course," Guan Shi nodded seriously, "I'll ask right now."
"Just kidding, there's no rush. I'll only go to court as a last resort. After all... I don't want to become public knowledge." Quan Jiu said.
Guan Shi outwardly agreed, but in reality, he had already sent out the information, adding a催促 (cuīcù - urge).
...
After Jiang Mengran's heartfelt plea, she indeed managed to move Chu Rong a little.
"It's good that you remember."
Jiang Mengran felt like flipping the table right there. She could withstand anything else, but the moment that slut was mentioned, he came alive.
Damn it.
"So, has she returned? I saw you even put up posters. I thought she had come back," Jiang Mengran asked with a smile.
Chu Rong glanced at her faintly, "You should leave."
Jiang Mengran knew further persistence was futile and could only leave with suppressed anger.
Chu Rong sat quietly for a moment longer, then suddenly took out his phone, opened his email, found the mailbox for "Mitu," and composed an email.
[Are you free today? I accidentally broke our agreement last time and would like to treat you to a casual meal.]
Quan Jiu, who had just walked a short distance from the Interstellar Restaurant, suddenly received an email notification on her phone. She opened it and let out a sigh of difficulty.
Guan Shi immediately asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Quan Jiu smiled helplessly, "A fan wants to meet me. I promised him last time, but something came up and we couldn't meet. I've been waiting for him to ask again. He asked today, but the timing is really inconvenient."
She replied: [I'm truly sorry, I'm out with a friend today. Can other times work? I'm also available during weekdays.]
Soon, "Lin Zhong Ren" replied: [It is I who should apologize. Inviting you last minute was too abrupt. If your time is convenient, how about next Saturday? You can choose the time and place.]
Next Saturday... Quan Jiu couldn't imagine any unexpected circumstances arising next Saturday, so she agreed and arranged a lunch time and restaurant location.
Guan Shi waited until she put down her phone before asking with a hint of jealousy, "Why does he want to see you?"
Quan Jiu smiled, "He buys my paintings every year, so he's my patron. We occasionally communicate via email. I feel he understands my art very well, and I'm also very curious to meet this kindred spirit."
Guan Shi said "Oh" with a touch of grievance, "You wouldn't even let me buy your paintings."
Quan Jiu couldn't help but laugh, "You don't like them, so why buy them? It's a waste of money."
How could I not like your paintings? Guan Shi grumbled aggrievedly in his heart.
...
At the Interstellar Restaurant, Chu Rong's expression finally improved upon receiving the reply.
A waiter walked over at that moment, "Mr. Chu, would you like to order?"
Chu Rong glanced at him coldly, "From now on, without my permission, no one is to be brought to me."
The waiter was stunned, understood, and immediately bowed his head in apology, "I apologize, Mr. Chu. We made a mistake."
Chu Rong tapped his fingers on the table and ordered a set meal for two.
The waiter, appearing accustomed to such things, finished the order on his tablet and left.
Returning to the front desk, several female servers immediately swarmed him, "Ordered a meal for two again? The lady from before left midway, what happened?"
The male server said with a hint of gossip, "That lady went up on her own. Just now, someone upstairs specifically reminded me not to bring anyone to see him without his permission. She must have been kicked out."
The female servers looked enlightened, "No wonder. I was wondering if the sun rose in the west today. But why does Mr. Chu always order a meal for two? He eats half and leaves half, as if waiting for someone."
"Who knows? It's definitely not you or me."
The servers shook their heads regretfully and went back to their work.