Chen Xiao followed Li Ziqing to a high-end restaurant, the only Michelin three-star establishment in Jiangcheng.
Li Ziqing's sister and her boyfriend had already arrived. However, to Chen Xiao's surprise, it was lunchtime, the busiest hour, yet their table was the only one occupied in the entire restaurant.
As Chen Xiao pondered this, Li Ziqing rolled her eyes and muttered, "Guan Shilan, that darn girl, still so fond of putting on a show."
Chen Xiao couldn't help but ask, "What kind of show? I don't see anything."
Li Ziqing shrugged, "Don't you notice no one else is around? She must have booked the entire restaurant."
"..."
Chen Xiao was speechless.
He couldn't quite tell if this was about putting on a show or simply extravagant spending due to wealth.
In fact, with his financial means, he wouldn't even flinch at buying the entire restaurant, let alone booking it for a meal and then discarding it.
The key was this way of conducting oneself, something he doubted he would ever learn, or deign to learn.
"Hi, darling, you're finally here! Zai Shi and I have been waiting for you for ages!"
Guan Shilan stood up and greeted them from afar.
Li Ziqing hadn't lied; Guan Shilan was indeed beautiful, the kind of beautiful that captivates one's gaze.
However, Chen Xiao did not like her.
Beneath her seemingly innocent and pure exterior, there was an air of worldliness about her.
As for Jin Zai Shi beside her, if Chen Xiao hadn't known his identity beforehand, he would have mistaken him for a popular idol.
He was genuinely handsome, the kind of handsome that made young girls scream and their hearts pound.
But he also lacked any masculine aura.
Moreover, as they approached, Chen Xiao sensed a particularly uncomfortable aura from him.
This immediately put Chen Xiao on guard.
"You must be my brother-in-law. Sister often mentions you, and I finally get to meet you in person!"
Guan Shilan said gracefully.
"Hello, I'm Chen Xiao."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly at them and said calmly.
When the other two heard Chen Xiao's name, Guan Shilan showed no reaction, as she had already heard about him from Li Ziqing.
However, Jin Zai Shi visibly froze, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Although he quickly masked it and returned to normal, that momentary anomaly did not escape Chen Xiao's notice.
"Hello, Mr. Chen, it's an honor to meet you!"
Jin Zai Shi spoke fluent Chinese, making it impossible to tell he was a foreigner.
Chen Xiao smiled at him and asked meaningfully, "Do you know me?"
Jin Zai Shi froze again, then awkwardly explained, "I thought this was basic courtesy among you Chinese people."
"Heh, I see."
Chen Xiao smiled faintly, but he was absolutely certain Jin Zai Shi was lying.
He must have heard his name before.
Chen Xiao suddenly found the situation becoming interesting.
After everyone was seated, Jin Zai Shi snapped his fingers to call a waiter, indicating that the food could be served.
Next, the two women took center stage.
It's said that three women are equal to five hundred ducks, and although there were only two women now, their combined effect was no less than five hundred ducks.
They chattered incessantly, never pausing.
From skincare and beauty to fashion and bags, and then to the exquisite food and wine before them.
Chen Xiao watched them incredulously. He hadn't managed to interject a single word throughout, and he was curious how these two women managed to keep the conversation flowing without a single pause.
With such talent, it was a shame they weren't in stand-up comedy.
As the meal neared its end, Li Ziqing finally got to the point, stating the purpose of her visit: "Mr. Jin, I believe Shilan has already discussed my desire to cooperate with your company. What are your thoughts, Mr. Jin?"
Jin Zai Shi smiled slightly, holding his knife and fork, meticulously working on the last piece of steak on his plate.
Regarding Li Ziqing's question, he replied perfunctorily, "Miss Li, this is a private gathering today. We don't discuss business."
Li Ziqing was persistent, continuing, "Mr. Jin, I am very sincere about this collaboration, and the company as a whole attaches great importance to it. I hope Mr. Jin will consider it carefully."
Jin Zai Shi put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth, and said politely yet coldly, "I'm sorry, Miss Li, Gaishi Group has no intention of cooperating with your company."
Li Ziqing's brow furrowed, and she asked directly, "Why? Is it because my sincerity is not enough?"
"No, no, no!"
Jin Zai Shi shook his head repeatedly. "This has nothing to do with sincerity. In business, strength is paramount. Your company's strength... If Miss Li's company is willing to be acquired, then Gaishi Group might consider it."
Li Ziqing's expression immediately darkened. "So, there's nothing to discuss?"
Guan Shilan looked nervous and kicked Jin Zai Shi twice under the table.
However, Jin Zai Shi remained unyielding, shaking his head and saying, "I'm afraid that's the case. It was an honor to have lunch with you both today. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. We'll meet again next time."
With that, Jin Zai Shi stood up and strode out with his long legs.
Li Ziqing was fuming. This Jin Zai Shi was too arrogant! What was so great about Gaishi Group to make him so conceited!
Even if business fails, friendship remains, especially since he's my sister's boyfriend!
Guan Shilan also quickly stood up and said apologetically to Li Ziqing, "I'm sorry, sis. He's just like that, stubborn and inflexible. Don't take it to heart."
"Forget it, it's not your fault. Why are you apologizing to me? Go chase after him quickly, don't let your golden bachelor slip away!"
Li Ziqing said impatiently.
"I'm sorry, sis..."
Guan Shilan bowed apologetically to Li Ziqing again, then followed him out in her slender high heels.
Soon, a heated argument could be heard from outside.
After a while, Guan Shilan returned.
However, her demeanor was completely different from before.
If she had been feigning innocence and purity earlier, she had now shed her disguise and revealed her true self.
She casually sat down opposite Li Ziqing, pulled out a slim, white cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.
"Damn it, this bastard doesn't give me any respect!"
Guan Shilan blew out a smoke ring, muttering curses.
Chen Xiao was dumbfounded. He knew Guan Shilan had been pretending, but he hadn't expected her true self to be so uninhibited.
Li Ziqing, however, was not surprised at all and waved away the smoke.
"You, smoke less. If that little bastard sees you, all your efforts will be in vain!"