Chapter 198 The Empress's Position is in Precarious
Qu He felt increasingly uneasy as she listened.
This atmosphere, this topic, it's all so similar to that blundery blind date from last time.
Could it be that Director Lian is still trying to match her up with Zhou Shi'an?
This is utterly absurd.
Didn't we already make that clear last time?
Moreover, she and Zhuang Bieyan were clearly already...
She subconsciously looked at Zhou Shi'an across from her. He was also frowning, gently shaking his head, his eyes blank.
He picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in her bowl: "Eat more, Aunt Lian made this especially for you."
Dinner ended with Director Lian reminiscing about the past, and Qu He ate the meal without tasting it.
Zhou Shi'an glanced at the time and, seeing it was getting late, got up to take his leave.
Director Lian immediately nudged Qu He: "Quick, see your brother Shi An off. It's dark downstairs, be careful."
The autumn wind carried a chill as the two walked downstairs, their shadows stretched long by the streetlights.
Before Zhou Shi'an could speak, Qu He apologized first: "Brother Shi'an, I'm sorry, I really didn't know my mom invited you over for dinner for this reason. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
Seeing her frustrated expression, Zhou Shi'an comforted her, "It's okay, don't overthink it. Aunt Lian probably just wanted to make things lively; she's just concerned about you."
His tone was as considerate as ever.
But Qu He felt that things couldn't remain ambiguous any longer.
She felt a little guilty.
She knew Zhou Shi'an's feelings for her; she had seen his innocent love when he was young and his protectiveness as an adult.
Now that she and Zhuang Bieyan have reconciled, she feels terrible that she has put Zhou Shi'an in this situation because she hasn't been honest with him yet.
Qu He took a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs and making her more alert.
She raised her head, looked firmly at Zhou Shi'an, and decided to be honest: "Brother Shi'an, I actually..."
"You and President Zhuang got back together, right?" Zhou Shi'an asked first.
Qu He's eyes widened in surprise: "How did you know?"
Zhou Shi'an looked at her surprised expression, a bitter look flashing across his eyes, too fleeting to catch.
"Because you've been in great shape lately, radiating a sense of relaxation and happiness from the inside out, especially through your work."
He paused, then said, "Ahe, have you forgotten? The first lesson Teacher Qi Mo taught us was that art comes from the heart. Your work is now full of warmth and love."
The night breeze swept by again, ruffling Qu He's hair.
Zhou Shi'an subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to help her tuck her hair behind her ear, just like he had done countless times when he was a child.
But he withdrew his hand halfway through.
"Ahe," Zhou Shi'an said in a lower voice, with a hint of relief mixed with a touch of reluctance.
“I will always be your Shi’an brother. I’m so happy to see you so happy now. I hope you will always be happy like this, forever happy.”
Qu He's nose tingled, and tears almost fell. She nodded vigorously: "I will, Brother Shi An, I will definitely be happy."
He took a step back, smiling and waving, "Go on up, it's windy. Call me anytime if anything comes up. And don't forget to send me an invitation to your wedding."
Years of obsession and forbearance seem to have finally dissipated with the wind at this moment, transforming into a pure, brotherly blessing.
"must!"
...
The next day, at Heyuefang.
Zhuang Bieyan sat on his usual sofa to handle official business, but he couldn't concentrate.
One morning, he kept looking in the direction of the pottery wheel classroom.
Qu He and Zhou Shi'an were huddled together, heads close, in front of a half-finished piece of artwork, discussing something in hushed tones. They had been doing this all morning.
What kind of work needs to be studied so closely?
Zhou Shi'an's hair was almost touching Ahe's forehead!
Zhuang Bieyan's expression grew increasingly grim, and he couldn't concentrate on reading a single word of the documents in his hand.
Especially when he saw Zhou Shi'an seemingly reaching out to grasp Qu He's hand holding the carving knife, he could no longer sit still.
He stood up, took a long stride, and squeezed between the two men in just a few steps.
"What would you like for lunch? I'll have someone bring it over," he asked Qu He.
However, Qu He didn't notice his jealousy at all. Instead, she felt that he was blocking the light and pushed him away.
"Hey, don't block my way! Brother Shi'an, what did you say about how to change the curvature of this spot? Like this?"
Zhuang Bieyan: "..."
Three black lines on the top of his head.
Brother Shi An?
Does Zhou Shi'an not have a surname?
With so many surnames in the Hundred Family Surnames, is there not a single one you like?
Zhuang Bieyan felt that his position as the empress had been challenged like never before and was in grave danger.
Looking at Zhuang Bieyan's dark face, Zhou Shi'an's eyes flashed with a knowing smile.
After explaining the necessary modifications to Qu He, he put down his carving knife and said, "You and President Zhuang should go have lunch. There are no other major problems. I have an appointment this afternoon, so I won't be coming over."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Bieyan's eyes lit up.
But Qu He reacted even faster than him. Her eyes curved into crescents as she began to gossip, "Brother Shi An, is this a sign that good news is on the way?"
Zhou Shi'an chuckled and explained, "It's just that a senior colleague from overseas is very interested in the Yujia Ferry Art Village Redevelopment Project, so I arranged to introduce the project to her."
Zhuang Bieyan didn't care about senior or junior sisters. He immediately put his arm around Qu He's shoulder and pulled her closer to him.
"Since Mr. Zhou has other matters to attend to, we won't stay any longer. Take care."
He asserted his dominance, then added smugly, "By the way, remember to come to our wedding banquet."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shi'an's eyes flickered slightly.
He looked at Zhuang Bieyan and smiled meaningfully: "Of course I'll go. But, Mr. Zhuang, according to seniority, I'm practically Ahe's older brother, so shouldn't you also call me that, just like Ahe did...?"
"..."
Zhuang Bieyan was choked for once.
Seeing the usually shrewd and calculating CEO Zhuang get his comeuppance, Zhou Shi'an finally couldn't help but laugh out loud twice, and then turned and left in a good mood.
Qu He gently nudged the frozen man beside her with her elbow. "Why aren't you saying anything, Mr. Zhuang?"
Zhuang Bieyan decided to ignore the topic that would lower his seniority and put his arm around her as they walked outside: "What do you want to eat? There's a new mutton hot pot restaurant that just opened across the street. I heard it's good. Shall we go try it?"
“Not today,” Qu He said, taking out her phone and waving the screen.
"Director Lian just sent me a message asking me to have dinner at the New World Shopping Mall."
"So sudden?" Zhuang Bieyan frowned.
"Yes, that's right." Qu He also felt it was a bit strange.
“Ahe, I…” Zhuang Bieyan’s eyes were expectant as he tried to fight for his family’s rights.
"no!"
Qu He refused, holding up three fingers and waving them in front of him. "Three more days! Comrade Zhuang, the revolution is not yet complete, comrades must continue to strive! Wait a little longer!"
Qu He arrived at the restaurant on the fourth floor of the New World Shopping Mall according to the address sent by Director Lian.
After entering and giving the last few digits of my phone number, I followed the waiter to my reserved window seat.
She looked around.
It is an Italian restaurant.
A woman in a white evening gown was playing the piano on the central platform, and soothing music flowed out slowly.
A huge pink bow hangs from the ceiling, filling the entire restaurant with a romantic and elegant atmosphere.
Qu He wondered why Director Lian would choose a restaurant that was clearly suitable for couples on a date.
Before she could think further, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in a booth across the street.
Zhuang Bieyan seemed to have seen her long ago. Across several tables, he raised his water glass and gestured to her.
Qu He remained silent and immediately looked down to take out her phone.
The lotus leaf, just beginning to unfurl its delicate beauty: 【How did you get in?】
Y: [Come eat.]
The little lotus is just beginning to show its crispness: [You clearly dislike Italian food the most!]
Y: [Try a new flavor and broaden your horizons.]
A budding talent emerges: [Aren't you afraid of being discovered by Director Lian?]
Y: [Eating is a right that everyone should have and cannot be taken away. We are just strangers who happened to meet, so please, Ms. Qu, be more professional and don't expose yourselves.]
The tender shoots are just beginning to show their delicate beauty: [(rolls eyes in exasperation.jpg)]
She had just sent the message when she heard footsteps beside her.
Qu He thought it was Director Lian who had arrived, so she quickly put away her phone, looked up, and gave him a sweet smile.
However, when she saw the person sitting opposite her, her smile froze instantly.
The person sitting opposite her was neither Director Lian nor Teacher Qu.
Instead, it was a handsome stranger in a black suit, holding a bouquet of red roses, looking at her tenderly.
Qu He instantly understood Director Lian's "good intentions".
Another blind date?
She suddenly looked towards the opposite side.
Zhuang Bieyan, who had been calmly holding a water glass just moments before, now had a completely somber expression.
He picked up a knife at some point and started poking at the plate bit by bit.
I feel like I could poke a hole in the plate any second.
Qu He wailed inwardly.
It’s over…
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