Chapter 25: An overwhelming sense of oppression.
Ji Boshen took in everything the two were doing. He held the water glass, his fingertips twirling back and forth on the glass, and before he knew it, the glass was empty.
A bottle of Perrier appeared before him, handed to him by Tan Zhaojing. After a moment of eye contact, Tan Zhaojing asked, "How's the project fundraising going?"
"Progress is going smoothly so far."
Lin Zaoyi was initially a little annoyed, but her dissatisfaction quickly disappeared as the conversation turned to Zhao Jing and President Ji.
At first, I thought they were just chatting casually, but the more I listened, the more suspicious it seemed; it was all about new energy.
First-hand news.
Even without an exclusive interview, this kind of content is enough to get by.
She subtly opened the notes app, making sure not to be noticed, while eating blueberries, giving the impression that she was using her phone.
But as he was eating, he inexplicably remembered Tan Zhaojing's earlier prank.
She doesn't hold grudges, but she can evoke his grievances against her within ten minutes.
That's a bit awful.
“Here it is.” Yuan Laiqin’s smile reached my ears.
She quickly turned off the screen, saying, "Sister Yuan Lai."
Yuan Lai waved a stack of red paper in her hand. "Here you go, you've won it all."
Lin Zaoyi refused to accept it, saying, "The money belongs to Brother Zhaojing."
"Keep it." Tan Zhaojing glanced at her sideways.
Lin Zaoyi felt it was inappropriate and refused, while also giving a plausible reason: "I was in a hurry when I came out and didn't take my bag."
Tan Zhaojing then took it away.
The simple and efficient movements left Yuan Lai feeling quite empty inside.
Duan Lin came over, sat down on the sofa, put his arms behind his back, and crossed his legs. "What are you guys talking about?"
Yuan Lai pointed out regarding Zhao Jing and Ji Boshen, "What can two workaholics talk about together?"
She turned her head, her voice tinged with laughter, "Zaoyi, aren't you bored?"
Lin Zaoyi smiled and said, "It's alright."
Yuan Lai sat down beside her, took out her phone, and said, "Let's add each other as friends and go shopping together sometime."
Regardless of whether there's a specific purpose, in this situation, the only option is to add.
Duan Lin also came over, "Zaoyi, let's join in too."
In a short while, Lin Zaoyi added two more friends to her contact list. She somewhat wanted Ji Boshen's friend, but was too afraid to.
So, he gently tugged at the man's sleeve and glanced sideways at him, "Hmm?"
"Brother Zhaojing, can you—"
"Zaoyi, your WeChat Moments is quite extensive!"
Duan Lin's voice not only interrupted her, but also caught Tan Zhaojing's attention. "Your WeChat Moments?"
Duan Lin raised his voice, "Your sister's name is quite amusing too."
Tan Zhaojing took out his phone, tapped and scrolled through it, "Why is mine blank?"
Lin Zaoyi: "..."
I forgot to block one thing.
Tan Zhaojing stared at him without saying a word, but there was a clear meaning in his eyes, and a faint, ambiguous smile played on his lips.
That's pretty awkward.
He silently turned his head away.
This person seemed to want an explanation, and seeing that she ignored him, he called her by her full name, "Lin Zaoyi".
She had no choice but to turn around, revealing a smile that was sweet but rather artificial, "I'm here, Brother Zhaojing."
"Is that all the courage you have?"
She pursed her lips but didn't say anything.
Fortunately, he didn't press the matter further, and calmly changed the subject, "What were you about to say to me just now?"
I wanted Mr. Ji's contact information, but I was too embarrassed to ask him to make the connection right now.
He shook his head. "It's alright."
Yuan Lai interrupted, "What are you two whispering about? Tell us."
Whether she was overthinking it or not, Lin Zaoyi always felt that Yuan Lai's mention of siblings was somewhat deliberate, as if she was reminding them of something between them.
I understand.
This young lady cares too much about Tan Zhaojing and feels insecure.
They didn't gloss over it; "Brother Zhaojing is coming to interrogate me."
Yuan Lai raised her eyebrows sharply. "Why?"
Lin Zaoyi's eyes rolled slightly. "I blocked him on WeChat. I don't know if you understand that feeling. When parents add someone on WeChat, their first reaction is to block everything."
Seemingly satisfied with her explanation, Yuan Lai nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I've also blocked my dad."
The others laughed.
"Dinner's ready!" a friend shouted.
The group moved to their private dining room.
Lin Zaoyi deliberately moved faster, grabbing the seat next to He Nian. Her bottom had barely touched the chair when He Nian turned to look at her, "Aren't you going to sit with your Zhaojing brother?"
"They're all the same."
Isn't this an opportunity?
Once Tan Zhaojing falls in love, she naturally forgets the entanglement of that night.
For her, it was also a kind of relief.
But—
Tan Zhaojing did not comply with her wishes, "Come this way."
The three simple words, spoken in a calm tone, conveyed an overwhelming sense of pressure.
She mustered her courage and refused, "Brother Zhaojing, I'll sit here. You and Sister Yuan Lai—"
That sounds deliberate.
With a quick shift in thought, she added, "Whether it's President Ji and the others discussing projects, it doesn't matter where I sit."
“We’ve finished talking.” Tan Zhaojing beckoned to the empty space to his side with his chin. “Come here.”
With so many people around, Lin Zaoyi didn't argue anymore; she didn't dare to even if she wanted to.
Duan Lin was perceptive and understood the look Yuan Lai was giving him. He voluntarily gave up his seat, saying, "Yuan Lai, you sit here. He Nian and I have something to discuss."
She tried to help him achieve his goal, but He Nian said, "You're being nosy."
"...How is this making a fuss?"
Meng Henian was too lazy to say anything more, so he took the fruit wine offered by the waiter and said, "Zaoyi, you can drink this."
Lin Zaoyi: "No need, I'll just have a beverage."
Meng Henian thought she was worried about the high alcohol content, "This is a sweet fizzy drink."
Tan Zhaojing casually interjected, "Zao Yi is allergic to alcohol."
Meng Henian had doubts in his mind. The scene of Zao Yi and Xi Xi getting drunk was still vivid in his mind, and it was even more difficult to deal with than slaughtering a pig during the New Year.
He glanced at it and said, "Fine, I won't drink it. Don't try to fool me."
Lin Zaoyi's heart skipped a beat, and she denied it weakly, "I didn't lie..."
Tan Zhaojing turned his gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Aren't you allergic?"
Lin Zaoyi tensed up. "It's an allergic reaction."
As she spoke, she didn't forget to give He Nian a look. Not only did he not understand, but he also exposed her secret: "How can someone with an alcohol allergy get so drunk with Xi Xi?"
"..."
He Nian, shut up.
The man's gaze was still on her, and he didn't say anything, but the ambiguous curve of his lips made her feel very guilty.
She should shut up too.
Just then, Xixi messaged her, asking what she was doing and if she wanted to go out and have some fun.
I'm not free tonight.
After replying, I turned off the screen.
On the other end of the phone, Xixi was like an unemployed bum, sending one message after another. The vibration didn't disturb the atmosphere at the dinner table, but it did bother those sitting nearby.
She put her phone on her lap and opened it.
What are you doing here?
【Dating? 】
When did you find another man behind my back?
Have you forgotten your white moonlight?
[He must have forgotten, otherwise how could they have gone on a date?]
Her expression cracked; that absurd night had become a cherished memory in Xi Xi's mind.
Bai Yueguang said she had never been so disliked before.
As she was typing, Tan Zhaojing placed a piece of shrimp roll into her bowl. "Eat your food, we'll talk later."
She reflexively pressed the black screen.
Duan Lin chuckled lightly, "Tan Zhaojing, how come I never knew you were such a siscon?"
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