Chapter 62 Aren't you coming with me?

Chapter 62

She knew she shouldn't talk badly about others behind their backs!

If you get caught, you'll have to behave yourself.

Jiang Zhiyan smiled and didn't continue the topic. Instead, she suggested, "Can we pick up the gift after dinner? If we pick it up now, we'll be caught in the evening rush hour."

"Sure, no rush."

Seeing that he didn't seem to care about her age, Xia Zhiyu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She then brought up the topic of work, and the two chatted from the car to the restaurant. Xia Zhiyu became more and more excited as she talked, wishing she could bring Song Ziqing over to discuss the Youmu brand planning project as well.

Jiang Zhiyan had booked a French restaurant. The melodious violin and piano music intertwined in the middle of the restaurant, telling a story of tender love. Fresh roses were in full bloom everywhere. The private room, decorated with exquisite paintings, was filled with the captivating fragrance of roses. The warm orange candlelight on the table flickered, reflecting the exquisite bone china flower decorations on the wall, creating an extremely ambiguous atmosphere.

When his office assistant recommended this place to him, she confidently assured him that no girl could resist such a romantic date, and that this was where he successfully proposed.

Jiang Zhiyan watched as Xia Zhiyu enthusiastically told him about her new project plan while cutting her steak. Just as she got to the important part, the musicians were playing Adeline by the water.

The music, brimming with longing, intertwined with Xia Zhiyu's radiant appearance, yet it didn't seem out of place.

It wasn't until the chef brought out the pre-dinner dessert that Xia Zhiyu suddenly realized she had talked so much about work during her break. A flush rose to her cheeks, and her tone was a mix of regret and embarrassment.

"Look at me, I've been so busy with work lately that I'm dizzy, and even when I'm resting, I'm thinking about work."

"It's okay," Jiang Zhiyan smiled. "As long as I'm with you, I'm happy no matter what we talk about. I like seeing you smile."

Just as Pygmalion's prayers moved Aphrodite to turn the stone maiden into a human for him, except that Xia Zhiyu was not his stone maiden, but Aphrodite who fulfilled Pygmalion's dream.

Xia Zhiyu was stunned for a moment. The young man's tone when he said the word "like" was gentle and calm, which made her feel a few indescribable emotions. Her heart felt heavy, like the sour taste of lemon truffle bread sauce lingering on her tongue.

The milky-white window frames reflected the tall, swaying trees in the shadows. The setting sun cast a faint, almost black, blue sky that peeked out from the fading rays.

"Zhiyan," Xia Zhiyu gently put down her glass, finally blurting out the question that had been lingering in her mind for so long, "I feel you've changed a lot, even become a little unlike yourself. Is that intentional?"

The man's hand holding the silver knife hilt suddenly froze, the tip of the knife digging into his flesh, blood seeping out along the torn muscle fibers.

The candlelight flickered, and Jiang Zhiyan smiled as he looked up at her. The tip of the knife, embedded in his skin, slowly lowered, the warm light reflecting off his skin, making him appear even more gentle.

Don't you like it this way?

Xia Zhiyu frowned slightly. "Why do you think I like you like this?"

"Because you've been dating this type of man for the past few years, Chen Jing, Zhang Shaowen, Tang Yuan... I thought you liked this type."

The air suddenly became still. Xia Zhiyu looked at Jiang Zhiyan in disbelief, her eyes wide with astonishment. The man continued to cut the steak methodically, slicing it along the grain into bite-sized pieces, and then placed it in front of her.

The meat is tender and has an enticing aroma unique to grilling.

"Eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

His soft, flowing hair fell down his forehead, his light-colored shirt was rolled up to his forearm, and he wore thin-rimmed glasses, including a Patek Philippe, which he used to dislike the most.

Xia Zhiyu suddenly found Jiang Zhiyan in front of her extremely irritating.

The silver cutlery clattered against the porcelain, producing a very light, crisp sound; the melodious music gradually faded; and the high-backed chair scraped against the floor, creating a sharp, sizzling sound.

Does it suit your taste?

Suddenly, there was a gap between her nose and her forehead. Her bangs were abruptly swept back, and she felt a slight tug at the roots of her hair. Xia Zhiyu's beautiful eyes, which suddenly drew closer, held a sharp hint of annoyance.

Do you think I'll pity you just because you put on a pitiful act?

"What are you talking about? Don't I know what kind of person you are, Jiang Zhiyan?"

Is it interesting to pretend to be gentle and pitiful?

"Was this the kind of person I liked before?"

"And this damn French food, don't you even know whether I like it or not?"

Xia Zhiyu got angry at this point. It was one thing for her to eat French or Italian food with others for social reasons, but Jiang Zhiyan had been with her for five years. He knew better than anyone that she only ate beef cooked in a pressure cooker until it was very tender. Rare or medium-rare was never on Xia Zhiyu's mind, let alone snails or dry, crunchy bread.

And this hideously ugly casual coat... Where are his entire closet of bespoke suits? Where are his ties and tie clips? Where are his cufflinks?

The one she truly loved was Jiang Zhiyan, the one she first saw on the stage—a sharp-looking, ambitious man in a suit, with an icy gaze that seemed to kill, and who, despite his cold and sarcastic manner, was always generous with his advice to her.

After dating for five years, doesn't she know what kind of person Jiang Zhiyan is?

How come this person is still so annoying even after four years!

Xia Zhiyu's eyes were burning, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks, whether from annoyance or anger. The two were so close that they could hear each other's breathing and heartbeats. Their gazes met and intertwined, so intense that it was startling.

"You're so clever, Yu Yu," Jiang Zhiyan said, pinching her lower back with one hand and forcing her closer. His cold gaze, hidden by his glasses, stared directly into Xia Zhiyu's eyes. "If you like someone like me, why go on dates with them? You know you have a sensitive stomach and need to eat easily digestible food, so why eat Western food with them?"

Jiang Zhiyan's voice was cold. Without his hair to cover his face, his eyes and brows were fully exposed, revealing a sharp edge. His gaze towards her was filled with undisguised scrutiny and gloom.

For no apparent reason, Xia Zhiyu recalled the first time she met Jiang Zhiyan. The undisguised interest and scrutiny in his eyes as he looked at her were cold and wild, exuding a powerful aura. That was the first time Xia Zhiyu experienced what it meant to be sharp and piercing. She could even feel Jiang Zhiyan's gaze sliding inch by inch from her cheek to her neck, the interest in his eyes growing stronger and stronger.

Because of her outstanding appearance, Xia Zhiyu was watched with admiring or covetous eyes from a young age, and in theory, she should have been immune to other people's gazes by now.

But that day was different.

Asahi Shion, who appeared poised and elegant, smiled brightly.

So this is the type she likes. Nineteen-year-old Xia Zhiyu heard her own heart pounding in her ears.

Bang, bang bang.

When their eyes met, 28-year-old Xia Zhiyu heard the same heartbeat.

"Since I want to meet new people, I also want to try new things. Who wouldn't get tired of eating the same dish for five years?"

Xia Zhiyu slapped away Jiang Zhiyan's hand that was stuck on her lower back, mischievously raised her chin, and her pretty eyes held a hint of provocation.

Jiang Zhiyan smiled, stood up, draped his coat loosely over his arm, and looked at Xia Zhiyu calmly. "I also ordered a wild knife fish, which was just steamed. If we go now, we can catch it."

He looked down at her quietly. His deep, handsome features, no longer obscured by his hair, appeared even more striking. His voice was slightly hoarse.

"So you're not coming with me, Fishy?"

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Author's Note: Next chapter will feature fish.