Li Xi and Lin Yuanyuan weren't the only ones surprised by Zhang Dezong's new look. Before Zhang Dezong and his current sponsor had even taken their seats, his former sponsor—a middle-aged, wealthy woman who was considerably plump compared to the others—began to speak up. "Why has Zhang changed his style? Wasn't he still a tough guy a while ago?"

Zhang Dezong's former financial backer was also a ruthless individual. In her youth, she helped her husband build a business from scratch and achieved considerable success. Unexpectedly, as life improved, her husband became more preoccupied, starting with two mistresses. With evidence in hand, she filed for divorce. Rather than forcing her husband out of the house, she split the business in half and then aggressively suppressed his business, bringing him down from his perch.

After that, she stopped talking about relationships and only talked about hormones. Her favorite type was a muscular, tough guy, even though she herself had no muscles at all. Zhang Dezong's popularity among women must be attributed to his good looks and excellent figure. Although his muscular lines weren't as well-defined as those of a fitness trainer, he was still very popular with women.

When Zhang Dezong was with his former financial sponsor, he often wore clothes that easily showed off his muscles and had a neat hairstyle, which made him look very handsome. However, his current image is far from handsome. He dresses a bit like a pretty boy, but with his wrinkled face and drooping eyebrows, it really doesn't fit.

"Just a change of heart." Zhang Dezong had long since realized that most of the people at this table had had intimate relationships with him. To say he wasn't embarrassed would be a lie, but he couldn't, didn't have the courage, to leave. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and take his sponsor's hand. He could only smile in response to his former sponsor's teasing.

He wanted to laugh it off, but someone obviously didn't want to miss the opportunity to ridicule him.

"Heh!" Lin Yuanyuan, who was sitting next to Li Xi, sneered. She ignored the fact that Zhang Dezong's current sponsor was right beside her and said sarcastically, "I think the sponsor likes this style." She glanced at Zhang Dezong up and down, "Tsk tsk, look at you now, you're almost like a different person..."

Lin Yuanyuan paused before she finished her words, reassessing Zhang Dezong and glancing at her current sponsor, who was calmly sipping tea nearby. She chuckled, a laugh that contained no sarcasm but pure amusement. "I was wrong. I've become a different person, hahahaha..."

“…”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the table fell silent. This statement was so blunt, it was almost like pointing at Zhang Dezong's nose and calling him a stand-in. Li Xi and Su Yuan were just bystanders. When Zhang Dezong came over, they leaned back, pretending they didn't exist.

Zhang Dezong's face turned blue, white, and occasionally red, which looked very beautiful.

His current financial sponsor was just drinking tea elegantly, as if he couldn't hear what they were saying, nor did he seem to care much.

Zhang Dezong's first, second, and third wives all had similar expressions, all looking like they were enjoying the show. They had all dealt with Zhang Dezong in his youth and were very familiar with his personal charm. Who would have thought that the charming Zhang Dezong would now change beyond recognition to please others? It really is a different time now.

The one who reacted the most was undoubtedly Zhang Dezong's former financial sponsor. She opened her mouth wide, her eyes widened, and her face was full of disbelief, "Xiao Zhang, did you leave me just to be my substitute? Am I not good enough to you, or am I giving you too much freedom?" After being in disbelief, the former financial sponsor became heartbroken and frowned at Zhang Dezong as if she was looking at a scumbag.

Zhang Dezong didn't know what he was thinking of. His face turned purple and blue, looking extremely ugly, but the words he spoke were still full of affection. "No, you are very good to me, but what I want is spiritual resonance, not just physical pleasure."

Li Xi looked at him with a painful expression. How could this person have such a stark difference between his expression and tone? And was he blind? He kept saying "I love you" but ended up looking disgusted...

As if to verify Li Xi's unfamiliarity with the subject, the former sponsor spoke at the right time, "So that's how it is. I'm sorry for not taking your feelings into consideration. The emotional trauma I suffered in the past has hurt me too much. I can't get involved in another relationship. I'm sorry for putting you down." As he spoke, he took out a tissue and wiped his eyes.

Li Xi wasn't sure if she was actually crying, but she was shocked. What kind of thing was this? I should be cooperating with your performance, but I'm pretending to be blind? She turned to look at Su Yuan, trying to see the same shock in his eyes. However, Su Yuan, accustomed to "acting" in the entertainment industry, was not shocked at all. Instead, his eyes lit up and he was very excited.

Li Xi tugged at Su Yuan's sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Don't you think it's absurd? Zhang Dezong's expression was clearly like that, and his former financial backer actually believed his lies."

Su Yuan chuckled softly, "This is just a hobby."

"What the hell?" Li Xi was shocked, Li Xi was puzzled, Li Xi thought of the old man on the subway looking at his phone.

"The relationship between the sponsor and the canary is simply a transaction of money and sex. No one will invest any emotional energy in it, and everyone knows it. But it doesn't stop them from acting out a love story. Even though both parties know it's an act, they still enjoy it." Su Yuan glanced at Li Xi imperceptibly when he said this. Li Xi and Luo Jingxuan should not be in a relationship of sponsor and canary, otherwise Luo Jingxuan would not have easily opened so many convenient doors for Li Xi, and Li Xi's eyes would not have been so clear.

Could this be a serious relationship? That cold workaholic is actually dating? Su Yuan was startled by his own guess and shuddered. Li Xi, who was standing nearby, noticed and asked what was going on.

Su Yuan shook his head, motioning Li Xi to continue. Li Xi didn't think much about it and continued, "Are you saying that everyone is just acting? Zhang Dezong deliberately used that expression to say affectionate words, and his former financial sponsor also played along and pretended to be blind?"

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