Chapter 112 The Peacock Spreads Its Tail
Zhuang Bieyan stood at the door, wearing a black shirt with a dark pattern, the top two buttons casually undone, and the cuffs rolled up to his forearms, revealing the smooth lines of his wrists.
He was surrounded by several executive directors as he stepped forward, his usual cold and aloof aura emanating from him.
But his gaze softened when it fell on Qu He, and a subtle hint of guilt even flashed in his eyes.
He walked a few steps to Qu He's side, his gaze sweeping over the entire scene indifferently, his voice not loud but clear: "Just passing by, stopped by to take a look, everyone continue."
The director walked over with a smile, "Mr. Zhuang, your presence is truly an honor for our humble abode tonight! Quickly! Please give Mr. Zhuang a seat next to Ms. Qu He."
The waiter quickly cleared the seat and even replaced the chair cushion with a new one.
Zhuang Bieyan nodded and sat down, then affectionately found Qu He's hand under the table and tickled her palm in an ambiguous way.
His action was seen by Yan Shu, who was standing next to him. Her face darkened instantly, and her fingers holding the water glass gradually turned white.
What brings you here?
Qu He pulled her hand away and poked his arm, then turned her head and asked in a low voice, "Didn't we already agree on this?"
Zhuang Bieyan poured her a cup of floral tea, his expression unchanged, "You sent me a message."
Qu He remained silent.
"I clearly sent you a message saying that we had just started eating and that it would take about two or three hours to finish."
"oh?"
Zhuang Bieyan glanced at the dishes on the table and called the waiter to add a few dishes that Qu He liked.
He said slowly, "Oh, maybe I missed you so much that I misread the time."
"you...."
Qu He was furious. This man was lying so easily these days, without even thinking.
If it weren't for so many people in front of me, I would have really wanted to punch him.
Just as she was thinking, a small, cold plastic box was suddenly shoved into her hand. Looking down, she saw it was the medicine box she used to store allergy medication.
She looked at him, puzzled.
Zhuang Bieyan hooked her little finger, his tone coaxing: "I've come to bring you medicine."
Thank you!
Qu He glanced at him and shoved the medicine box back into his hand.
Zhuang Bieyan raised an eyebrow slightly, nodded thoughtfully, and put away the medicine box.
"It's fine if you don't want to eat, then it looks like I'll have to drink on your behalf later."
"Your injury hasn't healed yet! I wasn't planning on drinking tonight. My period is coming soon, and I told everyone before I came that you weren't allowed to drink either."
Zhuang Bieyan smiled and obediently agreed, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
Qu He looked at the smile on his lips and instantly understood that he had just set a trap for her!
She pinched his thigh under the table, then got up nonchalantly and went to toast the production team with her teacup.
When she went to the next table, Zhuang Bieyan followed her without her noticing and stood naturally beside her, imitating her by taking a cup of tea as well.
The young staff members and guests became quite nervous upon seeing Zhuang Bieyan and quickly bowed to pour the wine.
Zhuang Bieyan covered the rim of his glass with one hand, his tone indifferent: "I appreciate the sentiment, but I won't drink. Teacher Qu gave me orders that I might not be able to get in tonight."
"Pfft~" Someone couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Qu He blushed deeply, turned around and glared at him with embarrassment and anger, giving him a look that said, "I'll settle the score with you when we get back."
Zhuang Bieyan looked innocent, then casually put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him in an intimate manner.
The production team members are all shrewd and quick-witted; they just laughed it off.
"Mr. Zhuang is injured and it's indeed not advisable for him to drink alcohol. We understand. So, like Teacher Qu He, please have tea instead of wine. Come on! Let's all toast Mr. Zhuang and Teacher Qu!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down, and the atmosphere became lively again, inevitably making Qu He the center of attention.
Zhuang Bieyan raised his hand in greeting, and the waiter by the door bowed and nodded before leaving.
Soon the door was pushed open again, and several waiters in smart suits and white gloves walked in, each carrying a bottle of obviously expensive top-quality wine.
"I am not feeling well and should not drink alcohol. I apologize for this and hope everyone will do their best. I also thank everyone for taking care of Quhe during this time."
Zhuang Bieyan spoke calmly, yet his manners were impeccable.
Everyone present could see that the few bottles of wine the waiter was holding could cover the entire restaurant's bill for the day, but Zhuang Bieyan treated it as if he were just giving away a few bottles of water.
The production team couldn't stop smiling, and two out of every three sentences they uttered were blessings for the couple.
Zhuang Bieyan was quite pleased. His cold and hard eyebrows softened considerably when he entered the room, and his gaze towards Qu He was almost piercing.
After the director started with a toast, everyone who came to offer a toast afterwards would add a blessing:
"President Zhuang and Teacher Qu He are a match made in heaven. I wish you happiness."
"Sister Qu He, President Zhuang is so incredibly kind to you, he spoils you so much! I'm so envious!"
"Sister Qu He, to be honest, I'm also a fan of the Yan Qu CP. I hope you two will be happy!"
"Wishing Mr. Zhuang and Ms. Qu He a long and happy marriage, and many children!"
One blessing after another followed, and Qu He wondered if she was not having a meal with the program crew, but had accidentally stumbled into her own wedding banquet and was experiencing the toasting ceremony in advance.
After going around once, Qu He looked at the man next to her and saw that he was even more obsessed than she was, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.
As they walked back to their seats after toasting, Zhuang Bieyan kept his arm around her waist the whole time.
He lowered his head, pressed his ear against hers, and whispered, "Ahe, do you think we looked like a bride and groom toasting each other just now?"
His words were filled with a smile and a deep sense of anticipation.
Qu He felt a sweet, tingling sensation in her heart.
She didn't answer directly, but grabbed his hand holding the teacup and smelled it. "You haven't been drinking either."
"It's not the wine that intoxicates, it's the person who gets drunk."
"Be poor."
“Ahe,” Zhuang Bieyan moved his hand down to interlock his fingers with hers, his voice deeper and more serious, “Our wedding is less than three months away, and I’m counting down the days every day.”
Qu He didn't answer, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up a little.
She flicked her finger and gently scratched his palm, which only made him grip her hand even tighter.
All the anxiety seemed to have been quietly soothed by his naive yet direct declaration.
I sat back down in my original seat, and all the dishes had been served.
Qu He thought that Zhuang Bieyan's injury had not fully healed yet, and she should give him some face in public, so she took the soup spoon and prepared to ladle a bowl of soup for him.
But just as she was about to reach out, the person next to her beat her to it.
Yan Shu suddenly stood up, carrying a bowl of steaming soup, and walked past Qu He, stopping between her and Zhuang Bieyan.
The bowl of soup was filled to the brim, and the rising white steam almost touched the medical bandage on the back of her hand, making it particularly glaring.
"Mr. Zhuang, thank you for your help with the accident last time. I heard your injury hasn't healed yet, so I specially asked the kitchen to make this medicinal soup."
Yan Shu stared straight at Zhuang Bieyan, completely ignoring Qu He beside her.
From the moment he entered the room, all his attention and tenderness were given to Qu He alone.
Those intimate whispers, so natural and casual gestures, and the satisfaction in his eyes when he received the blessing—all of it stung her eyes.
She watched them toast like a newlywed couple, receiving everyone's blessings, and her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.
Yan Shu held the bowl of scalding soup as if it were her own humility and stubbornness. Her hands were red from the steam, but she didn't move an inch, waiting for Zhuang Bieyan to take it from her.
She used the favor she had given him as a token of gratitude, and he had no reason to refuse.
The atmosphere quieted down.
Everyone in the private room lowered their heads, pretending to pick up food, but their eyes were unconsciously darting over the three of them.
An awkward silence filled the air; not only were there no sounds of chewing food, but everyone's breathing became quieter.
The steaming soup was served in a full bowl. Yan Shu's hand trembled slightly from being suspended in the air for so long, and it looked like it was about to fall. In addition, there was a medical patch on the back of her hand, which made everyone feel a little sorry for her.
Just as he was about to drop the bowl of soup, Zhuang Bieyan finally moved.
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