Yuan Mengjie was taken aback. She turned around and saw Rong Mo looking at her with some surprise.

Shen Zhi Qiu looked up and met Yuan Meng Jie's gaze. She smiled gently at Yuan Meng Jie.

Seeing Yuan Mengjie walk up to him, Rong Mo stood up, intending to introduce her.

Shen Zhi Qiu, holding onto the handrail, wanted to stand up as a sign of politeness, but Lu Jia gently supported her waist.

Yuan Mengjie looked at Lu Jia's actions with some confusion in her eyes.

"Zhi Qiu, this is Yuan Mengjie. She was my classmate when I was studying abroad, and now she works for my company."

Rong Mo spoke gently to Shen Zhi Qiu.

Shen Zhi Qiu nodded and smiled. "Hello Meng Jie, you can call me Zhi Qiu. This is Lu Jia." Shen Zhi Qiu said, taking Lu Jia's hand and speaking generously.

A hint of doubt flashed across Yuan Mengjie's brow as she pondered their relationship, but on the surface, she still greeted them with a smile.

"Mengjie, did you have dinner with Lin Zixuan here tonight?" Rong Mo asked curiously, but after looking around, he didn't see Lin Zixuan.

“No, Zixuan had something come up, so I came to eat by myself. A few days ago I told you about a new Western restaurant that opened near the company and asked if you wanted to try it. This is the place. Zixuan had something to do today, so I thought I'd come by myself,” Yuan Mengjie replied with a smile.

"Since you're alone, would you like to come with us?" Shen Zhi Qiu said with a smile.

Yuan Mengjie did not answer, but instead looked at Rong Mo.

Rong Mo nodded. Since his sister had invited him, he had to accept.

After taking his seat, Rong Mo noticed Yuan Mengjie sizing up Shen Zhi Qiu. Trusting Yuan Mengjie's character after knowing her for so many years, he lowered his voice and said, "Zhi Qiu is my sister."

Yuan Mengjie's eyes widened in disbelief as her gaze darted back and forth between Rong Mo and Shen Zhi Qiu's faces. "I've known you for so many years, and I never knew you had a younger sister."

After a moment, she calmed down. Although Shen Zhi Qiu's face was rounder because of her pregnancy, the two did have similar facial features.

"It's a long story, and the Rong family hasn't announced it to the public yet. I hope you can keep it a secret for me for now," Rong Mo said with a smile.

Yuan Mengjie pursed her lips and made a zipping motion with her hand.

This action immediately made everyone present laugh, and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

After ordering, Shen Zhi Qiu wanted to go to the restroom, and Lu Jia stood up, wanting to accompany her.

But Yuan Mengjie also stood up and said with a smile, "I'll go too. Or let me go with Zhi Qiu. It'll be more convenient for girls."

Rong Mo nodded and said softly, "Be careful if the ground is slippery."

Yuan Mengjie fixed her hair and makeup in front of the mirror, waiting for Shen Zhi Qiu to come out.

After washing her hands, Shen Zhi Qiu looked at Yuan Meng Jie's earrings and praised them, "Your earrings are quite pretty and suit you very well."

Yuan Mengjie blushed slightly and couldn't help but touch the earring with her hand. She smiled and said, "This was many years ago when your brother and I were studying abroad. I had to attend an important event, and your brother helped me choose it."

Shen Zhi Qiu was taken aback for a moment, intuitively feeling that Yuan Meng Jie liked Rong Mo, but she didn't say much, only saying, "It seems that my brother and I have very similar tastes, haha."

"Watch out for the threshold." As Shen Zhi Qiu reached the threshold, Yuan Meng Jie timely supported her arm, afraid that the light was too dim for her to see, and quickly reminded her.

"Thank you," Shen Zhi Qiu said with a smile, and the two prepared to return to their seats.

Suddenly, a tall, slender figure appeared in front of Shen Zhi Qiu, blocking the light, and said softly, "Zhi Qiu."

Shen Zhi Qiu looked up and saw a khaki shirt that was all too familiar. The fabric was soft and drapey, but it was clear that the shirt was quite old. Shen Zhi Qiu was stunned on the spot and looked up in surprise.

When his gaze fell on the buttons of Si Mingyu's shirt, his expression turned even more unpleasant.

"Brother Mingyu." Shen Zhi Qiu raised her head slightly, her voice even colder than usual, and her eyes held a mixture of helplessness and barely suppressed anger as she looked at Si Mingyu.

The expectation in Si Mingyu's eyes faded when he met Shen Zhiqiu's gaze, and a trace of sorrow appeared on his face. However, he still said in a gentle voice, "Are you here to eat with friends?" As he spoke, he glanced at Yuan Mengjie, who was supporting Shen Zhiqiu, smiled and nodded, and said, "Hello, I am Si Mingyu, a longtime friend of Zhiqiu. It's a pleasure to meet you here."

Yuan Mengjie had been sizing up the man in front of her.

Si Mingyu can be described as the epitome of gentle elegance, exuding a warm and charming aura. Especially when he looks at Shen Zhi Qiu, his eyes can truly be described as tender and affectionate.

"Hello, I'm Yuan Mengjie," Yuan Mengjie replied cautiously, unsure of the other person's identity.

"Zhi Qiu, can I talk to you alone?" Si Mingyu looked at Shen Zhi Qiu with gentle eyes and asked cautiously.

"Mengjie, you go back first. I'll talk to him. If my brother asks, just say I'll be back in a bit."

Shen Zhi Qiu withdrew her arm and said to Yuan Meng Jie with a somewhat apologetic expression.

Yuan Mengjie gave them a deep look, then nodded. "Be careful, it's dark here, watch your step." After giving them this instruction, she turned and left.

Seeing Yuan Mengjie walk away, Shen Zhi Qiu looked at Si Mingyu with a cold expression and kept some distance. "Brother Mingyu, you shouldn't wear this outfit anymore. The style from many years ago is outdated now and doesn't suit your current temperament."

"It's been many years, and I'm used to wearing it next to my skin." Si Mingyu gently twisted the maple leaf button on his shirt and spoke with a heavy tone.

Shen Zhi Qiu stared blankly at Si Ming Yu's actions, her memory drifting back to many years ago.

The maple leaves of late autumn slowly fall...

"Zhiqiu, move a little to the left. Yes, that's a great pose. Pretend to catch a falling maple leaf with your hand. It will look beautiful in the photo!"

"Is that so, Brother Mingyu?" Shen Zhi Qiu turned slightly to the side and reached out her hands to catch the falling maple leaves.

"Yes, that's great, very good!" Si Mingyu smiled, gave Shen Zhi Qiu a thumbs up, and kept pressing the shutter button with his right hand, with the sound of "click" echoing throughout the scene.

After taking the photos, Si Mingyu quickly handed Shen Zhi Qiu a cup of hot milk tea and a warm roasted sweet potato, asking with concern, "Are you cold? Have something to eat."

"Thank you, Brother Mingyu." Shen Zhi Qiu accepted it with a big smile, her happiness evident in her expression.

"Why do you like maple leaves so much? Is there any special reason for it?" Si Mingyu asked with a smile as they sat side by side on a park bench.

“My name is ‘Zhi Qiu’. I’ve loved autumn since I was born, and I think the season when maple leaves fall is so beautiful, so I’ve loved maple leaves since I was little.” Shen Zhi Qiu took a bite of sweet potato and smiled with satisfaction.