Chapter 13 Coping

Waitresses dressed in cheongsams stood at the entrance, respectfully greeting guests.

Rainwater dripped from the eaves, splashing up tiny droplets in front of the stone steps.

The two got off the car one after the other.

A cool night breeze swirled up fallen leaves from the roadside, sending them twirling under the dim streetlights.

Song Zhiwei wrapped her oversized black coat tighter around her.

The coat still retained Sheng Tingzhou's body temperature and a faint scent of cedar.

She lowered her head and followed him slowly, walking together toward the restaurant entrance.

The restaurant manager happened to be patrolling the lobby on the first floor. His eyes swept over the figure at the entrance, and he immediately strode over to greet him.

"Mr. Sheng, you've arrived! Welcome!"

His gaze inadvertently fell on Song Zhiwei behind Sheng Tingzhou.

The girl in front of me was dressed simply yet elegantly, with a quiet demeanor.

She was completely different from the socialites and noblewomen who had appeared around President Sheng in the past.

He hesitated for a moment, then adjusted his expression and asked with a smile, "And who is this?"

Sheng Tingzhou remained indifferent, not slowing his pace or turning around, and simply spoke.

Are the private rooms on the fifth floor still available?

"Yes, yes, yes! It's always been kept for you!"

The manager quickly agreed, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. Not daring to ask any more questions, he swiftly turned and led the way.

"I'll take you up there right away."

The three of them entered the elevator one after the other.

The metal door slowly closed, revealing three faces with different expressions.

The manager stood in the corner, his gaze lingering on Song Zhiwei for a few seconds, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Whose daughter is this?

She has a delicate appearance and proper manners.

I've never seen President Sheng bring a woman to this restaurant.

Could it be... a new love interest?

The private room is located at the innermost part of the fifth floor. Pushing open the carved wooden door, a calming sandalwood fragrance wafts out.

The private room is decorated in an old-fashioned Chinese style.

A traditional Chinese ink painting of landscapes hangs on the wall.

A celadon vase stands in the corner.

A few sprigs of winter plum blossoms were inserted, exuding an elegant and refined air.

In the center was a round mahogany table, its surface so smooth it could reflect a person's image.

The room is surrounded by carved wooden chairs, with auspicious cloud patterns carved on the backs.

Every detail is meticulously crafted.

After we sat down, the manager presented us with the menus with both hands, one for each of us, with respectful and careful movements.

Sheng Tingzhou casually flipped through the list and coldly recited a few dish names.

Song Zhiwei looked down at the menu with a reserved expression, and finally ordered a light dish of matsutake mushroom stewed chicken and a bowl of handmade noodles.

After the dishes were ordered, the manager asked with a smile if we wanted tea. After receiving a positive reply, he politely took a few steps back, quietly left the private room, and closed the door behind him.

The room fell silent instantly, with only the ticking of the old-fashioned wall clock remaining.

Song Zhiwei sat by the window, her fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of her phone.

Afraid of an awkward silence, she lowered her head, took out her phone, and pretended to browse her WeChat Moments.

The page popped up slightly, and a new update appeared.

It was just posted by Qiao Yiqing.

She subconsciously clicked on the picture.

The photos are warm and exquisite.

Qiao Yiqing, wearing a beige sweater, smiled gently as she and the man beside her held a silver cake knife together.

The background is bathed in warm yellow candlelight, making the whole scene soft and romantic.

Beside it, a golden retriever tilted its head, wearing a small crown on its head that read "Happy Birthday".

The caption reads: [Celebrating Milkshake Baby's second birthday, Mom and Dad are celebrating with you this year.]

Song Zhiwei stared at the line of text, her heart skipping a beat.

Although the man's face is not fully visible in the photo.

But she recognized the hand with its distinct knuckles and the wristwatch immediately.

Those were Zhou Yuze's hands; she knew them all too well.

It turns out he canceled the date at the last minute yesterday without giving a single explanation; it wasn't because of work or an urgent meeting.

It was to celebrate a dog's birthday.

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, trying to force a smile.

But just as she raised the corners of her mouth, a sour taste choked her throat.

It felt like something was gently pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

She closed her eyes and lightly swiped her finger across the screen.

This feeling of being forgotten and replaced is really hard to bear.

She was once cherished and pampered.

Now, it can't even compare to a pet.

"What are you looking at so intently?"

A deep, cold voice suddenly rang out, and Sheng Tingzhou looked up at her.

Song Zhiwei's heart tightened, and she hurriedly closed her phone, stuffing it into her bag, her voice slightly weak.

"I didn't watch anything, just browsed around casually to kill time."

Sheng Tingzhou lowered his eyes, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and spoke again after a few seconds of silence.

What were you doing at Yinda Building today?

"interview."

She answered truthfully, in a gentle tone.

"Jingda Law Firm?"

"Um."

She nodded gently, her fingertips unconsciously curling slightly.

"Did you pass?"

He asked.

Song Zhiwei paused, her Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

She knew that this law firm had extremely high entry requirements and fierce competition, and that passing the initial test was already a difficult task.

She actually made it all the way to the final interview and passed it smoothly.

But in front of this man of such high status, she felt a slight hesitation for some reason.

But in the end, she raised her head and nodded seriously: "Passed."

Sheng Tingzhou suddenly smiled.

"Congratulations, Attorney Song."

She had expected him to say something sarcastic and casual, just like before.

However, this time he did not, but instead unexpectedly congratulated her.

The unexpected kindness startled her slightly, and her heart skipped a beat.

A slight smile appeared on her lips, a rare genuine smile.

"Thank you, Brother Tingzhou."

The two continued eating while talking.

Just then, the waiters brought out dish after dish, their aroma filling the air and steaming hot.

Each dish is exquisite and meticulously prepared, with elegant presentation and a perfect combination of color, aroma, and taste.

The dishes at the Imperial Restaurant have always been known for their authentic flavors.

The ingredients are carefully selected, the cooking time is precise, and the portions are very generous.

Song Zhiwei has lived abroad for too long.

Although we can eat Chinese food on weekdays, most of it is a modified version that has long lost its original flavor.

But today's meal was a long-awaited taste of authentic local flavor.

She had a great appetite and found herself picking at food more often than she realized.

When the meal was almost over, there were quite a few dishes piled up on the table.

The lingering aroma of the food still filled the air.

Song Zhiwei put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth.

He then stood up and said naturally, "I'm going to the restroom."

She planned to take this opportunity to pay the bill at the front desk.

After all, she was the one who invited the meal, so she should pay for it.

But he had only just left the private room and walked less than halfway down the corridor.

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Song Zhiwei? What are you doing here?"

She paused, then slowly turned around.

Zhou Xiaolu was standing not far away, wearing a very stylish haute couture dress, with exquisite makeup, and carrying a designer handbag.

Several fashionable and well-dressed young ladies from wealthy families surrounded him.

They sized her up, whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with disdain.

Zhou Xiaolu walked towards her step by step, head held high, in her high heels.