I walked to the parking space, opened the car door and sat down, turned on the speakerphone and put my phone in the holder, then turned around and fastened my seatbelt.

"I reported my own father, he's definitely going to jail. I came to tell my mother so she can be happy in the afterlife," I said carelessly.

Su Shenglin chuckled as well, "You're quick on your feet."

I said confidently, "Of course, otherwise I'd have to take the blame for him. Spending money is a small matter; I might end up in jail."

"Decisive and efficient, not bad, you've impressed me again."

"Thank you for the compliment, Second Master Su." I started the car and got back to the point, "Why did you call me?"

"It's nothing, just asking if the injury on your arm has healed."

Hearing him say that, I realized that I still had an injury on my right arm, which I had completely forgotten about when I was busy.

I raised my arm to let my sleeve slide down, glanced at the wound, and said, "It's healed now, it doesn't hurt or itch anymore, thank you for your concern."

"You're welcome."

After he said that, I didn't know how to respond for a moment. We both fell silent, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward and ambiguous.

"Ahem—" I cleared my throat, about to speak again, when a voice came from the other end, "Are you driving? Then I won't bother you anymore, please be careful."

I knew he was going to hang up after saying that, but I suddenly felt reluctant and quickly said, "Hey, wait a minute!"

"What's wrong?"

"Are you busy right now? If you have some free time, I'd like to treat you to a meal. We agreed before that I'd treat you when you're done with your work. Thank you for helping me all this time."

I finished speaking in one breath, my heart pounding, and I held my breath, waiting for his reply.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Realizing he probably had plans for lunch, I quickly added, "If you're busy, then next time. Don't bother me..."

"Where should we eat when we have time?" he interrupted me, asking directly for the location.

I was taken aback: "You really have time? This was a last-minute decision. You're so busy with work, I was afraid it would be too much for you."

"No pressure, I don't have anywhere to eat lunch anyway," he joked with a smile when he saw that I seemed to be having second thoughts. "Are you suddenly regretting not wanting to treat me to lunch?"

"No, no, no," I quickly explained, then thought for a moment and said, "How about we go to the Royal Garden? I'll ask my friend to reserve a private room."

"good."

"Well, it will probably take me forty minutes to get there from here. If you get there first, please wait for me."

"Okay, drive slowly, no rush."

After hanging up, I immediately called Li Yunwei.

She asked curiously, "Who are you treating this time? You're heavily in debt, yet you're willing to spend so much."

After all, Royal Garden is considered the most upscale restaurant in Jiangcheng, and a single meal there costs the equivalent of one or two months' salary for an average person.

I am 300 million in debt, so I should be frugal and save money to pay off my debts.

Feeling a little guilty, I stammered, "It's the same person as last time."

"That one from last time?" Li Yunwei paused, then suddenly realized, "Su Shenglin?"

"Yes."

"What the heck... what's your relationship? Jiang Xiaowan, are you dating someone again without telling me?" Li Yunwei exclaimed excitedly.

"Oh...it's nothing. I told you a few days ago that I saved him when we were kids, and we're still friends now."

"Ha! You're kidding me!"

"I'm driving, so I'll stop here. Just save me a room."

After hanging up the phone, I unconsciously sped up, wanting only to get to the restaurant as quickly as possible.

I was just telling my mom at the cemetery that I knew I wasn't good enough for him, but now I've completely forgotten about it.

Anyway, I've been telling myself that we're just ordinary friends, and it's perfectly normal for friends to get together for a meal occasionally.

Half an hour later, I arrived at the Imperial Garden.

The manager recognized me and said as soon as we met, "Ms. Jiang, your guest has arrived, the top-tier guest."

"Okay, thank you."

I was so excited that I even jogged a few steps while walking.

The waiter helped me open the door to the private room, and a smile already spread across my face. "Su..."

I had barely opened my mouth when I saw the girl sitting next to Su Shenglin, and my face lit up with surprise and delight. "Oh? Mu Xi, you're here too?"

Chen Muxi smiled sweetly, "What, can't I come? Do you think I'm disturbing your time together?"

My cheeks flushed, and I glanced at Su Shenglin unconsciously, feeling nervous and guilty: "No, no, I couldn't have been happier for you to come."

I could only pretend I didn't hear that phrase "just the two of us" and dared not respond.

Su Shenglin poured me some tea and placed it in front of me. I smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

"She came to see me just as I was leaving the company. Knowing that you were treating us to lunch, she insisted on coming over for a free meal," Su Shenglin explained with a smile.

I sat down, put down my bag, and said apologetically, "It was my oversight. I should have called Xixi."

"It's okay, I'm shameless. I'll come uninvited if I want to eat. You'd better avoid me next time you go on a date, or I'll be freeloading every time."

When Chen Muxi said that again, my ears twitched. This time I had to explain, "Xixi, you misunderstood. It's not a date. It's just that your brother helped me recently, and I promised to treat him to a meal to thank him when he has time."

"Oh..." she drawled, a mischievous glint in her eyes, before turning her gaze to her brother. "Is that so, brother?"

Su Shenglin remained calm and composed, showing no sign of distress. He took a sip of tea and replied, "If Jiang Wan says so, then so be it."

What?

My heart skipped a beat. What did those words mean?

Does admitting it's a date mean I'm dating?

Fortunately, the awkward and ambiguous topic didn't continue, and the manager had already knocked on the door and started serving the food.

I was surprised to find that the food had already been ordered.

Seeing my surprise, Su Shenglin explained, "I had something to do this afternoon and was in a hurry, so I ordered the food before you arrived. It was all recommended by Chef Lin, so it should be reliable."

"It's okay, it's fine. I'm hungry too, so I don't have to wait."

I took the hot towel from the waiter, wiped my hands clean, and prepared to eat.

Now I'm pretty sure he originally had plans for lunch, but because of my sudden suggestion, he changed his plans to have lunch, which is why he was in such a rush.

Combined with Chen Muxi's obviously ambiguous words, which he didn't defend himself against, the thoughts that had been swirling in my mind for days became even more certain.

Su Shenglin's feelings for me are definitely not just those of an ordinary friend.

Perhaps he, like me, was hesitant and conflicted due to various considerations—perhaps my low social status, perhaps my ongoing divorce, or something else—and dared not break the ice.

This ambiguous state is the most agonizing, but I actually quite enjoy it.

Thinking about Jiang Haiyang facing imprisonment, I was actually quite afraid that he would reveal the truth about our relationship.

Because I really am not good enough for him. I don't want him to be laughed at by others because he is with me—saying that such a noble and illustrious young master of the Su family, after so many choices, ended up with a prisoner's daughter.