Chapter 103 Encounter
Tang Zifeng parked the car in the parking lot and said to Han Que, "Let me treat you to a meal."
Han quickly said, "Professor Tang, you're too polite. Since you came to work in our company, I should treat you to a meal."
Tang Zifeng locked the car door and walked inside, saying, "You treated me to a meal last time, and I said I'd treat you to a meal when I had the chance. Now, today is the day, and the opportunity has come. Let's do it today. I love to eat too, so please try the restaurant I recommended."
Han thought about it and realized that he had been with Tang Zifeng for a long time and had gradually become familiar with him. There was no need to be so fussy.
"This private restaurant has a nice environment and good food. I usually like to have friends over for dinner here." Tang Zifeng said as he led Han Que. They walked past the bustling commercial center and high-rise buildings and walked into a slightly secluded alley.
The two alleys are very quiet, with buildings with white walls and black tiles on both sides. Some of the red doors are closed, while others have red lanterns hanging at the door, swaying in the wind.
Tang Zifeng led Han Que through the door and into a courtyard with three paths. The courtyard had black tiles, white walls, and a floor paved with blue bricks. There were patios between the houses.
There were a few bamboos planted in the courtyard, which rustled slightly in the breeze. There was also a large blue and white porcelain water vat with lotus flowers planted in it. It was in full bloom, with emerald green leaves, beautiful flowers, and a faint fragrance.
"The environment is so nice and quiet." Han couldn't help but sigh.
"Well, yes, because it's quiet in the bustling city and quite private, business has always been good. I wonder if there are any private rooms available today." Tang Zifeng said, calling out to the room, "Madam, there are customers."
Following a reply, a woman emerged from inside. She was wearing a light green silk cheongsam, her hair tied up, and embroidered cloth shoes. She smiled brightly upon seeing them. "Oh, it's Professor Tang! What brings you here? Come in quickly."
As she spoke, she quietly looked at Han Que beside Zifeng and asked with a smile, "Just the two of you?"
Tang Zifeng nodded and asked, "I decided to have dinner at your house on a whim. I wonder if you have a private room. Let's try our luck."
"Yes, there just happens to be a small private room." The female boss said as she led them inside, while scolding Tang Zifeng coquettishly: "Professor Tang, you haven't been here for a long time. You didn't tell me beforehand when you came, making me so busy. Don't blame me if you are not satisfied with the food."
"If I'm not satisfied, who else can I blame but you? I won't pay if I'm not satisfied." Tang Zifeng was very familiar with her and was joking.
"Of course. I wouldn't have taken your money if you weren't satisfied." The female boss smiled and said, "But I'm really a bit busy today. A few important guests came and their demands were too high, so I dare not neglect them."
Tang Zifeng nodded: "Your guests are important, we are family, so it's okay."
As we crossed the wooden threshold, the female boss turned around and reminded us, "Watch your step."
But before she could finish her words, Han still tripped and stumbled slightly. Tang Zifeng beside her quickly supported her arm and asked, "Are you okay?"
The female boss also groaned and stood by the door, waiting for them, asking with concern, "Are you okay? This is an old house, and all the original items are here. The threshold is a bit high, and customers have tripped over it several times. It's hard for me to remove it, so I have to remind them several times each time."
Han felt a little dizzy. She stood up, closed her eyes, gathered herself, took a breath, and said, "It's okay. I just looked at my feet carefully."
Tang Zifeng frowned and withdrew his hand, saying, "Maybe he didn't eat lunch and has low blood sugar."
Then he told the proprietress to "Hurry up and prepare the dishes.
"Okay, then, how about what you usually like? Serve first and we'll talk about it later. We can add more if it's not enough." The proprietress led them in, prepared towels and cutlery on the table, and very considerately ran over to get a glass of honey water, handing it to Han Que: "Have some honey water first, it's not too cold."
Han took it and took a sip, it was very sweet.
The waiter came in and said, "Madam, a guest has arrived in the private room next door and wants to play cards. He said he's short of one more player, so please come over and play with him for a while."
"Oh, I'll be right there." The proprietress handed the teapot to the waiter and smiled apologetically at Tang Zifeng. "Excuse me, Professor Tang. I'll have to go over first. These state-owned enterprises like to play cards before dinner."
Tang Zifeng understood, waved his hand and said, "You're busy, you're busy, just serve the food quickly."
The dishes were served very quickly and tasted very good. The waiters spoke softly and the background music was a melodious ancient song that was very pleasant to listen to.
The private room was small but not cramped, and the lighting was warm and bright. Although there were only two of us dining together, the atmosphere was intimate but not ambiguous.
The dishes were very suitable for Han Que's current unpredictable taste. They were light and not greasy. The steamed yellow croaker was steamed to perfection, and the winter melon and clam soup was very fresh. Finally, a small bowl of Aozao noodles was served. The crucian carp and live shrimp were rich and mellow, and the noodles were chewy and elastic.
Han was hungry, so he ate with gusto, temporarily forgetting all the unhappiness in his heart.
Tang Zifeng didn't eat much, but just looked at her face quietly under the light.
Han Que intentionally or unintentionally avoided his gaze, and found some professional questions to ask sincerely. Tang Zifeng felt helpless and could only suppress his fluctuating emotions, put on the appearance of a professor, and answered Han Que's questions in a serious manner.
After dinner, Tang Zifeng called the waiter to settle the bill. Han found an excuse to go to the bathroom. Passing by the private room next door, she heard laughter and noise inside. One of the voices sounded very familiar. She couldn't help but stop and listen carefully to identify it.
The door of the private room was closed, and the Chinese-style carved window was embedded with glass, so the shadows were dim and only shadows could be seen, not the real people.
Han suppressed his pounding heart, took a step forward, and turned to go to the bathroom in the corner of the yard.
After going to the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror while washing her hands. Her face was pale, a little haggard, and her expression was lonely and dull. It was not the way she should look when meeting her ex-boyfriend.
So I gave up the idea, dried my hands, and came out of the bathroom. Before I reached the door of the private room, I saw two men standing face to face in the corridor, apparently smoking and talking.
Han Que took a deep breath before walking up to them. Tang Zifeng smiled and met her surprised gaze: "Han Que, what a coincidence! Gu Ningwei is actually in the private room next to ours."
Han thought to himself, it was a coincidence, so coincidental that one would think it was done on purpose.
She raised the corners of her lips, looked at Gu Ningwei, and greeted him politely, "Hello, Mr. Gu."
Gu Ningwei was stunned for a moment before he nodded and smiled.
Maybe it was a psychological effect, but Han felt that he seemed to have lost some weight, with his hair cut short, revealing his full forehead. Under the light of the lanterns in the corridor, his features were distinct, but his facial expression had become a little more stern and fierce.
"Are you guys coming out for dinner?" After hesitating for a moment, Gu Ningwei asked with a smile.
"Hey, I was busy in your factory all afternoon today, and encountered a traffic jam on the way back. Han said her stomach was uncomfortable, so I brought her here to eat first." Tang Zifeng explained with a guilty conscience.
"Your stomach is upset?" Gu Ningwei raised his eyes and looked at Han Que, frowning: "Why are you feeling uncomfortable?"
"It's okay." Han looked away guiltily and said, "It's hot, and my appetite is poor." Then he said to Tang Zifeng, "Professor Tang, thank you for dinner. I want to go back and rest early."
She wanted to leave quickly and didn't want to be entangled between two men.
Tang Zifeng looked at Gu Ningwei.
Gu Ningwei pursed his lips slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "You guys go ahead and do your work, I have guests here." After that, he extinguished the cigarette butt in the ashtray, turned around, pushed open the door of the private room, and closed it after entering.
Han looked at his back in a daze for a long time, until Tang Zifeng urged him, he came to his senses.
Tang Zifeng and Han remained silent along the way.
Arriving at the parking lot, Tang Zifeng wanted to take Han Que back, but Han Que said it was not on his way and he wanted to take the subway back. Tang Zifeng refused and insisted on taking him back. Finally, he blurted out: "How can I feel at ease when you are like this?"
When these words were spoken, both of them were stunned.
The parking lot was an empty concrete ground that had been exposed to the sun all day, absorbing a day's heat and evaporating upwards. At this moment, there wasn't even a trace of wind. Only cicadas were perched on a large tree not far away, chirping non-stop.
After a while, Tang Zifeng touched his nose and explained, "Han Que, what I mean is that you can't do this. Gu Ningwei..."
Han nodded and motioned him to open the car door first: "Get in, I'm about to melt in the heat."
Tang Zifeng quickly opened the car door, got in first, turned on the air conditioner, rolled down the window for ventilation, and said to Han Que, "Wait a moment before getting in. Let the air conditioner blow for a while. Get in when the car is cooler..."
Han nodded and smiled, thanking him for his careful care, but his mind was wandering somewhere else.
The moment she saw Gu Ningwei, she felt extremely confused. They hadn't seen each other for more than twenty days. What kind of situation was he in?
She wanted to know, but she didn't dare to ask Director Pan, for fear of hearing sad news.
Now that she is pregnant, she is even more conflicted. She wants to let Gu Ningwei know, but she is also afraid that he will know. What will happen if he knows? Will he change the decision he made?
"Han Que, get in the car." Tang Zifeng called her from the driver's seat, looking down at her from the high car window with an inquiring look.
Han Queshi came to his senses, got in the car and sat in the passenger seat. The two were silent at first, and then Tang Zifeng casually turned on the radio.
There happened to be a talk show going on, with two hosts, a man and a woman, joking with each other and telling nonsensical jokes. As Tang Zifeng listened, he finally chuckled.
Han also laughed and said, "These two idiots talk nonsense, but everyone still likes to listen to them."
Tang Zifeng said, "Well, that's because everyone is usually too tired. It's a rare opportunity to rest and we don't want to use our brains."
Han leaned back in his chair, sighed, and said, "Yeah, I'm really tired."
Tang Zifeng chatted with her while driving, talking about interesting things in the industry. Han listened with great interest and asked about some gossip from time to time.
When they reached an intersection and encountered a red light, Tang Zifeng looked at the changing numbers on the light. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "I saw you and Gu Ningwei today... What happened between you two? Did you have a fight?"
Han shook his head and said calmly, "We didn't quarrel, we broke up."
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