Chapter 17: Subtly Displeased, Jealous!

Why would Chief Fu call her?

After hesitating for a moment, Xia Mian answered the call.

"Hello."

"Where are you?" Fu Yanshen's clear voice reached my ears.

Xia Mian was stunned again, but still answered truthfully, "I'm in a coffee shop."

"one person?"

Xia Mian thought to herself, "Our relationship isn't close enough for him to ask such a question..."

"No, I was with my colleagues."

Xu Fengyang could be considered her colleague, right?

After all, she had just signed a contract with Xu Luo Jewelry.

The voice on the other end of the phone suddenly turned cold and deep, "A man?"

“This colleague happens to be male.” Xia Mian didn’t understand why Fu Yanshen was suddenly calling. “What’s wrong?”

"Will you have lunch with him?" the man suddenly asked again.

Xia Mian glanced at Xu Fengyang in front of her. They weren't even acquainted, so why did he want to invite her to dinner?

"Won't."

Strangely, the voice, which had been cold and deep, suddenly became relaxed. "I'm outside. Come out when you're done."

Xia Mian looked out the coffee shop’s floor-to-ceiling window with a puzzled expression. A domineering military green SUV was parked across the street.

What's Fu Yanshen doing here?

After politely declining Xu Fengyang's invitation to dinner, Xia Mian walked out of the coffee shop and went to the SUV.

The car door opened, sunlight pierced the window, and Fu Yanshen's cold and handsome features became even more profound.

He was very tall, sitting in the back row with his long legs crossed, his military uniform shirt outlining his perfect inverted triangle figure.

Even when sitting, he exudes the powerful aura of someone who has long held a position of authority.

"Get in the car," the man's deep voice rang out.

Xia Mian hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to him.

The car was spacious, but his presence was ever-present, enveloping her in a strong aura.

"Do you like this private kitchen?" The man suddenly shoved his phone screen in front of her.

Xia Mian glanced down and saw the image displayed above. The dishes were exquisite and the decor was quiet. She knew this private restaurant.

In her past life, she wanted to try it, but she could never get an invitation. Asking her brothers for help only earned her their disgust.

They had taken Lu Lian'er there many times, yet they had never abandoned her.

She didn't know what Fu Yanshen meant, but subconsciously voiced her thoughts, "I heard it's hard to get a table."

"Then let's go." Fu Yanshen put away his phone and instructed the guard in front of him, "Go to Haitang Private Kitchen."

The car was quiet. Fu Yanshen was a man of few words, and Xia Mian, not knowing what to say, could only remain silent.

It wasn't until... the SUV made a turn and was almost at Haitang Private Kitchen that the man slowly spoke, "What colleague of yours?"

Xia Mian was taken aback before realizing that he was asking about Xu Fengyang.

She had no intention of hiding it.

“I submitted my design to Xu Luo Jewelry and signed the contract today. I… can’t keep living at the Fu family’s house like a parasite forever. Besides, I need to pay my tuition when school starts. I want to move out as soon as possible and don’t want to keep bothering you.”

This is the second time she has said she wants to leave the Fu family!

As she finished speaking, Xia Mian noticed that the man in front of her had a dark expression and looked very displeased.

The man had a somber expression and exuded a sinister aura, causing the guards in front to drive very cautiously.

A chilling aura filled the car, and Xia Mian couldn't help but swallow.

What happened...did she say something wrong?

Or is it that he really hates her and wishes she would move out immediately?

Xia Mian felt inexplicably flustered.

She realized that she seemed to care a lot about Fu Yanshen's opinions and thoughts.

She was completely unlike the composed person she was when facing Xu Fengyang.

Fu Yanshen gripped his phone tightly, his voice low and menacing, "You're moving out?"

This is the second time she's said she's moving out!

Is the Fu family really that disliked by her? Who on earth is attracting her?

“Hmm…I’ll have to move out sooner or later…after all, guests shouldn’t stay in the host’s house for too long.” Xia Mian nodded slowly.

Then she saw the man's face darken even more!

A man's mind is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; it's completely unfathomable.

Fu Yanshen's dark eyes swept over her, his voice cold and icy, "Xia Mian, are you...?"

Before he could finish speaking, the SUV braked and came to a smooth stop; they had arrived at Haitang Private Kitchen.

The man opened the car door first and stepped out with his long legs. Despite his height and long legs, he did not walk very fast. Instead, he deliberately slowed down and waited for Xia Mian to catch up.

Xia Mian was completely unaware of this; her mind was blank. When the man called her "Xia Mian," his magnetic voice was deep and restrained, and her heart trembled. Her ears felt like they were pregnant!

It sounds so good, so incredibly good!

This was the first time he had called her by her full name.

He usually addresses her as Miss Xia in a distant manner.

Her heart felt itchy and tingly; she desperately wanted to hear him call her name again.

She hadn't heard enough!

It's awful!

A stunningly handsome man stood beside her, leading her through a tranquil courtyard and finally into a VIP room.

Lu Lian'er and Xia Qinglin followed behind Xu Luo with smiles on their faces.

Lu Lian'er craned her neck to look into the VIP room. A familiar figure had just flashed by; it looked like Xia Mian.

But why is Xia Mian here? Could she be mistaken?

"Madam Lin, this private restaurant is quite good. I specially invited you to come and have a taste." Even though Xia Qinglin wanted to ask Madam Lin to allow Lu Lian'er to take her in, his tone was neither humble nor arrogant.

He has the air of a true heir to the Xia family.

Xu Luo's expression was indifferent. She had no good feelings towards Lu Lian'er, not to mention that Xu Luo Jewelry had just signed a very talented and gifted designer today.

"Thank you for the expense, Mr. Xia."

Xia Qinglin took Lu Lian'er's hand and entered the ordinary private room next to the VIP room with Xu Luo.

"Mrs. Lin, please have a seat."

Xia Qinglin glanced at Lu Lian'er, "Lian'er, why don't you quickly offer a toast to Madam Lin?"

Lu Lian'er immediately put on a fawning smile and sweetly raised her wine glass, "Mrs. Lin, I'd like to toast you. Our Xia family and the Lin family have always had business dealings, and we hope that you can consider the relationship between our two families..."

She didn't finish her sentence, then, feigning nonchalance and generosity, said, "I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

After she drank a glass, she saw that Xu Luo didn't react and just stared at her expressionlessly.

She was a little embarrassed, so she immediately poured herself another glass and drank it all in one go.

Xu Luo seemed satisfied only after downing three cups in a row.

She swirled her wine glass meaningfully.

"Miss Lu is so generous! In that case, why don't you come to our company for an internship this summer? As for whether you can become a full-time contracted designer, that depends on your performance."

When Lu Lian'er heard that Xu Luo had finally agreed to let her intern at Xu Luo Jewelry, she nodded and bowed excitedly, "Mrs. Lin, thank you! I will definitely do my best!"

"Go to the company at 10 a.m. tomorrow to complete the formalities. From now on... 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day." Xu Luo smiled elegantly. "Is that alright?"

Lu Lian'er's smile froze, and she almost screamed, "Eight to nine? We have to work overtime until nine at night?"

Are they treating her like a top-tier beast of burden?!