Chapter 72 What do you plan to use to exchange for freedom of marriage from your grandfather?
With this shadow looming over her, Lin Zaoyi couldn't help but be wary, especially since Yu Long, that kind of scoundrel, might not be much more sophisticated than Sun Yao in his methods.
As for her boyfriend… her finger paused on Tan Zhaojing’s contact name.
Don't call him.
Secondly, they have social engagements, and their relationship cannot be made public.
The media will eventually uncover her identity, and if this relationship isn't kept secret, Tan's stock price will inevitably fluctuate.
She couldn't offer Tan Zhaojing any help, but at least she couldn't hold him back.
She moved her fingertip and sent a message to Tan You.
Are you free tonight?
He was probably busy, as Tan You didn't call back until after get off work. "What's up, Zao Yi?"
Lin Zaoyi kept it brief: "There's a dinner party, and I need you to help me out."
Tan You readily agreed, "I have a variety show at five o'clock, can it be later?"
Lin Zaoyi didn't need him to be there now. "Okay, I'll send you the location later."
The restaurant was decorated in a simple and elegant style, with artificial hills and flowing water, and bamboo shadows swaying in the windows.
I ran into Yu Long at the parking lot.
My first reaction was to record the conversation, since the evidence from the previous attempts wasn't sufficient.
The other person's disdainful expression fell upon her. "Your boyfriend isn't a rich kid, so why is he driving a beat-up electric car?"
She casually put her phone back in her pocket and smiled, "Because of environmental protection."
Yu Long seemed even more disdainful, "Can he help you in your career?"
Lin Zaoyi did not respond.
The silence made Yu Long even more certain. He walked over and whispered, "Stay with me, and Xu Qiao's supervisor position will be yours within a year."
How shameless must one be to say something like that?
Lin Zaoyi remained calm. "As far as I know, you're married."
"My wife doesn't care about me."
Is the evidence sufficient?
There wasn't enough room, and there wasn't enough room left.
Otherwise, it would be disgusting.
"No, I love my boyfriend very much."
There seems to be no need for this meal. With someone like Yu Long, whether you give him face or not, the outcome is the same: someone will inevitably be kicked out.
"Zaoyi," Sister Qiao's voice came, and she rolled down the car window. "Come in with me."
Xu Qiao then greeted Yu Long, "Editor-in-Chief Yu, this place is great, the environment is fantastic."
Yu Long's expression changed quickly. He adjusted his glasses and smiled, "If you like it, I'll go in first."
As the figure walked away, Xu Qiao pulled the silly girl up. "I don't know who's behind you, but we have to give you face before we take down Yu Long. Let's go eat first, and we'll leave the rest for tomorrow."
Upon entering the private room, a colleague asked, "Zaoyi, where's your boyfriend?"
Lin Zaoyi made up a reason on the spot: "On the plane, I'll be late."
When almost everyone had arrived, Yu Long signaled to the waiter to serve the dishes. He opened a bottle of wine and said, "Those who are driving should call a designated driver, and everyone must drink a glass."
Lin Zaoyi would never drink it, and covered the glass with her palm, saying, "Sorry, I can't drink it."
These words instantly made the atmosphere at the dinner table half-frozen.
Yu Long maintained his gentle, jade-like smile, "So disrespectful?"
Lin Zaoyi said, "My boyfriend is very strict, there's nothing I can do."
"Okay, then I won't drink it."
The atmosphere quickly returned to normal after a few words, and a few drinks later, the private room became lively again.
Lin Zaoyi barely touched her chopsticks and drank the water she had brought with her. She heard Zhao Qingqing call out to her, "Lin Zaoyi, when did your boyfriend arrive?"
"Yeah, are you coming again? Call and ask where you are. If you're not coming, let's have a couple of drinks."
Lin Zaoyi took a sip of the water she had brought and casually replied, "On the way, it should be here soon."
Tan You had just finished recording a variety show. The radio station was more than 40 minutes' drive from the restaurant, and he was worried he wouldn't make it, so he called his cousin.
He first gave her an address, "Brother, Zaoyi has a dinner party there. She must have been bullied by someone. If you're free, go ahead first. I'll wait for you."
Tan Zhaojing's eyes darkened slightly. "Why didn't she call me from the beginning?"
This question stumped Tan You, who replied bluntly, "Of course, I'm more important to Zao Yi."
Tan Zhaojing hung up the phone immediately, composed himself, walked into the private room, picked up his suit jacket draped over the back of the chair, and said, "Excuse me, I'll be leaving now."
Meng Henian was also at the dinner today. He could guess what was going on since Tan Zhaojing left halfway through the conversation. Since there was a vice president present, he left early as well.
"Is something wrong with Zaoyi?"
Tan Zhaojing didn't answer immediately, but dialed the pinned number and asked, "Where are you?"
Lin Zaoyi took it as the man taking a moment out of his busy schedule to show concern, and lied without batting an eye, saying, "I'm reading."
The phone went silent.
Her heart skipped a beat for no reason. "Brother Zhaojing...?"
"It's nothing, I'm hanging up."
As the sunlight streamed through the window, Meng Henian could clearly see his friend's face. His expression darkened, and he asked again, "What's wrong with Zaoyi?"
Tan Zhaojing tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "Tan You said she ran into some trouble and needs you to step in."
"Why don't you—" Meng Henian's words caught in his throat, and he nodded, "No problem."
After a moment of silence, he asked, "What do you plan to offer your grandfather in exchange for freedom of marriage?"
Tan Zhaojing's tone was calm and composed: "Give me whatever I want."
Meng Henian unconsciously repeated the sentence, his gaze falling on the neon lights outside the window, dazzlingly bright. "What about ethics? Will the Tan family agree?"
After a brief silence, Tan Zhaojing said, "Zaoyi and I are not the same as you are today. The ethics you talk about do not exist in my eyes. As for the collateral branches of the Tan family, let them come to me and talk."
His tone was as calm as still water, yet it somehow came across as arrogant.
Meng Henian smiled, but very faintly. "When did you find out?"
Tan Zhaojing: "Not long after, Zaoyi got drunk and stayed overnight with Meng Jinxi that night."
For the rest of the journey, no one spoke.
Meanwhile, as the dinner party was drawing to a close, Lin Zaoyi went to the restroom and ran into Yu Long when she came out.
It seems he was deliberately waiting for her.
They turned a blind eye to it.
The road ahead is blocked, and your boyfriend doesn't seem to care much about you.
At the other person's chilling sneer, she completely lost her patience. "And then? What are you trying to say?"
The stronger the flavor, the better.
Yu Long really liked it. "Are you angry? You probably don't know, but the more you act like this, the more I like it."
As he spoke, he reached out his hand.
Before he could touch her, Lin Zaoyi brushed him away. "Do you think I wouldn't dare to cause a scene, or do you think you can be manipulated at will?"
Yu Long, emboldened, said, "What kind of trouble do you want to cause? You don't really want to be kept by an unreliable rich second-generation, do you? If that's the case, you might as well come with me. I can give you money and a career."
Lin Zaoyi uttered a curse, "Don't you have some kind of misunderstanding about yourself?"
Yu Long paused slightly, "What do you mean?"
Lin Zaoyi slightly lifted the corner of her eye, her bright eyes filled with coldness, "You really think you're a playboy!"
"Oh no, only handsome guys can be called 'Sea Kings' (players). You're at best on par with a water ghost!"
Yu Long's usual hypocrisy crumbled instantly, his eyes sharpening as he glared at her. "Lin Zaoyi, I underestimated you. At first, I just thought you were pretty, but I didn't expect you to be so captivating!"
"You just realized? I'm more excited when I'm being chased by livestock!"
As I passed him, I said, "Stop being a nuisance!"
Unable to stay in the private room for even a second longer, Lin Zaoyi grabbed her bag, gave a perfunctory greeting, and said, "I'm leaving."
Yu Long's voice followed immediately, "Have you all eaten enough?"
"I'm full, time to go home and sleep. Thanks for the treat, editor-in-chief!"
They chatted and laughed for a while.
The lights of the night in northern Beijing flickered. Lin Zaoyi walked out of the private room with the crowd. Tan You had sent a message five minutes earlier, saying that he would be arriving in a while.
It doesn't matter anymore.
It's not necessary to prove that she has a boyfriend.
but--
Unable to resist her colleague's enthusiasm, she asked, "Zaoyi, hasn't your boyfriend arrived yet?"
Yu Long frowned, a sneer rising in his eyes. The tastes of rich kids have never been worth much.
It doesn't matter who plays it.
Lin Zaoyi showed no embarrassment and smiled naturally, "There might be traffic, you guys go first."
The moment she finished speaking, a blinding headlight shone in. Before she could shield her eyes, the car had already turned around and stopped two meters away.
She looked over, and upon seeing the license plate, her back stiffened involuntarily.
Why did Tan Zhaojing come here...?
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