Reaching the entrance of the Apricot Blossom Hall, Jian Fan knocked three times on the door.
A voice from inside responded, "Please come in!"
Gently pushing the door open, two handsome and striking male faces came into view.
For Shen Xi, one face was familiar, and the other was a stranger.
The familiar one was the man she had just seen at the door.
Qin Si Ye, why was he here?
As their eyes met, they both saw surprise in each other's gaze.
"Did we come to the wrong room?" Shen Xi leaned closer to Jian Fan, whispering.
"No, I've met Mr. Fu before," Jian Fan gave her a definite answer.
However, he himself was also bewildered by Qin Si Ye's presence here.
Seeing Jian Fan arrive with a woman, Fu Ji Heng's heart faltered, unsure of her role in this matter.
He stood up and took the initiative to greet them, "Please come in, both of you."
The two walked a few steps forward, arriving at the dining table.
"Mr. Fu, allow me to introduce Miss Shen Xi. She is the one who wants to buy the Yin family villa," Jian Fan said to Fu Ji Heng, glancing at Qin Si Ye.
Fu Ji Heng was taken aback. In the afternoon, Jian Fan had mentioned that he was merely a runner with a financier behind him.
He hadn't expected that person to be a young woman.
"Oh, so you are Miss Shen, please have a seat," Fu Ji Heng quickly invited them to sit.
Qin Si Ye, standing beside them, remained with a stern expression, saying nothing.
When he heard that Shen Xi wanted to buy the Yin family villa, a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared.
"Let me introduce my friend, Qin Si Ye. I believe you've heard of his reputation. In fact, I was doing a favor for him," Fu Ji Heng said with a faint smile after sitting down, gesturing towards Qin Si Ye.
The implication was that he hadn't bought the Yin family villa back then, but had done so on behalf of Qin Si Ye.
Hearing this, Shen Xi's heart jolted, and she suddenly felt the situation was rather tricky.
Earlier at the Qin family entrance, she seemed to have upset him.
"Hello, Mr. Qin," Shen Xi changed her previously serious expression, facing him with a smile.
Qin Si Ye looked up and asked with a half-smile, "Dr. Shen recognizes me now?"
The other two in the room widened their eyes in astonishment; they knew each other?
Jian Fan's suspicions grew even stronger.
Why had Qin Si Ye bought the Yin family villa at a high price back then?
And when Shen Xi mentioned taking on private work, doing acupuncture for an elderly lady, could it have been someone from Qin Si Ye's family?
At this moment, a waiter walked in to serve the dishes.
The atmosphere in the room was subtle, the air almost stagnant, making even the waiter feel breathless.
Fu Ji Heng and Jian Fan exchanged glances, both feeling that their presence here was superfluous.
"Si Ye, Dr. Shen, I apologize. I just remembered I have an important matter to attend to. Please continue your discussion; I must excuse myself."
Fu Ji Heng found an excuse and quickly made his exit.
Seeing this, Jian Fan also said softly to Shen Xi, "Sister Xi, I'll wait for you outside."
The moment the door closed, Qin Si Ye was the first to speak, "Who is that man?"
Shen Xi was slightly taken aback. Which man, Jian Fan?
What business is it of yours?
But as the words came to her lips, she suddenly changed her mind. "My brother."
"Your brother? Definitely not a biological one. Otherwise, why would you add the character 'Xi' at the beginning?" Qin Si Ye looked at her intently.
Hearing this, Shen Xi shot him a glare.
It's none of your business whether he's related by blood or not.
Qin Si Ye then realized he might have strayed from the topic. He looked away, picked up his chopsticks, and said in a low voice, "Let's eat first."
Upon hearing the word "eat," Shen Xi's slightly hungry stomach suddenly felt full and uncomfortable.
The scene from last time in the room opposite, where he had forced himself upon her, resurfaced in her mind.
At that time, she had secretly vowed never to have a meal alone with this man again.
She hadn't expected that just a few days later, she would be sitting down to eat with him again, and in the same restaurant.