Chapter 362 Playing Chess
Nan Zhiyi felt everyone's attention on her, and her hand holding Gu Xiao's arm tightened unconsciously, her knuckles turning slightly white.
But she maintained a smile and nodded politely to everyone.
Gu Xiao raised his hand and gently patted the back of her hand that was wrapped around his arm, trying to comfort her, knowing that his wife's heart was probably pounding very hard right now.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Deng persisted, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying to Nan Zhiyi, "Comrade Huaiwei, you made this promise in front of everyone. I don't stand on ceremony; I have to keep my word!"
He turned to his wife and said, "Leader Sun, you often play cards with Comrade Huaiwei, so you'd better remember this for me and make sure she brings the book to me!"
Sister Sun laughed and spat at him: "Fine, fine, if she dares to forget, I'll win it back for you from the mahjong table!"
Nan Zhiyi, seeing that Deputy Editor-in-Chief Deng's attitude was sincere and not merely perfunctory, solemnly assured him: "Don't worry, Editor-in-Chief Deng, I will definitely remember to send it to you."
Seeing this, Director Huang, who was standing to the side, smiled and spoke, his tone perfectly measured.
"Comrade Huaiwei, I have long admired your work. I wonder when your new book will be published? If it is convenient, I would like to shamelessly ask you to sign it for me, so that I may benefit from your literary influence."
Nan Zhiyi hurriedly echoed a few words to Director Huang.
Several other men and women who knew "Huaiwei" or had read her novels also chimed in, asking for autographs.
Nan Zhiyi's cheeks flushed red, and she gradually became unable to resist.
At this moment, Qin Fen ran downstairs, carrying three or four books in his arms, which were the science fiction novels that Nan Zhiyi had published before.
He squeezed in front of Nan Zhiyi, put the book on the cabinet next to him, and said with a grin, "Come on, Comrade Huaiwei, since you're free, hurry up and sign my book to satisfy this old reader's vanity! I've been following your series since the very first one!"
Nan Zhiyi didn't stand on ceremony. She picked up the pen Qin Fen had prepared and carefully signed the words "Huaiwei" on the title page of each book, right by the cabinet.
One of the copies was a previously sold signed edition, so it wasn't signed again.
Qin Fen picked up the newly signed book, looked at the autographed copy, and exclaimed in admiration, "It really is Comrade Huaiwei's handwriting! This signature is exactly the same, beautiful! This is definitely worth it!"
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Deng also leaned over and jokingly nudged Qin Fen, saying, "Little Qin, let me see one."
Qin Fen clutched the books tightly, "No way! You'll just have to wait and see!"
Hey! You little rascal!
Just then, Li Xiaoxuan leaned out from the restaurant and said, "What are you all saying? Come on, everyone, come and sit down. Let's eat!"
She was clearly helping set the table in the restaurant and hadn't heard the discussion outside about Nan Zhiyi's pen name.
Upon hearing this, Qin Fen carefully placed the book into the cupboard and waved his hand, "Come on, come on! Let's eat first! Today we specially invited Fengzeyuan to cook Shandong cuisine, so everyone should try it and see if it's authentic!"
The group followed the host to the dining room.
Nan Zhiyi looked around and whispered to Gu Xiao, "Have you seen Yueyue?"
I was so busy with socializing that I didn't realize my sister had disappeared.
Before Gu Xiao could answer, Qin Fen shouted towards the left side hall, "Xingzhi! Stop thinking about your chess game and eat!"
Nan Zhiyi looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhou Xingzhi walking out of the left side hall at a leisurely pace. Half a step behind him was Zhang Yueran, who was keeping her head down.
The girl's cheeks still had a lingering blush, and her eyes were somewhat unfocused.
When did this girl go to the side hall?
Is she still with Zhou Xingzhi?
But now was clearly not the time to ask questions... Nan Zhiyi suppressed her doubts and followed Gu Xiao to the restroom to wash her hands quickly.
When I entered the restaurant, the huge mahogany round table was already mostly occupied.
She was deep in thought and was about to sit down in an empty seat near the door when Qin Fen greeted her warmly, "Old Gu, come on, come on, you and Zhiyi sit here, it's spacious here!"
He was referring to the two positions closest to the main seat and with the best view.
Nan Zhiyi looked at Gu Xiao.
Gu Xiao remained calm and nodded slightly to her. She suppressed her discomfort and followed him inside to sit down.
She noticed several gazes seemingly falling on her, including those of Lin Weila, who had remained expressionless throughout.
Zhang Yueran sat next to her sister in a slightly less prominent position, her head slightly lowered as she stared at the tableware in front of her.
As everyone took their seats, the sounds of greetings, chairs being pulled out, and servants serving food, wine, and drinks mingled together, and the banquet officially began.
Taking advantage of this moment, Nan Zhiyi quietly turned her head and whispered to Zhang Yueran, "What were you doing in the side hall just now?"
Zhang Yueran lowered her head even further and mumbled, "N-nothing, just playing chess..." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.
Nan Zhiyi's doubts deepened.
Can watching a chess game make your cheeks turn red?
This girl has something to hide, it's most likely related to that Zhou Xingzhi...
Nan Zhiyi wanted to ask for clarification, but she swallowed the words back down.
She had promised Gu Xiao that she wouldn't meddle in other people's business... and she had also promised to respect Zhang Yueran and not interfere in her personal relationships...
She swallowed back her question and gently smoothed the stray hairs at Zhang Yueran's temples. "Okay, okay, I won't ask. You should eat your food properly and eat more vegetables."
Seeing that everyone was seated and their glasses were filled with wine or orange juice, Qin Fen, who was in the host seat, stood up with a smile and raised his glass.
"Come, come! It's rare to have everyone gathered here today. We're all old acquaintances and new friends! I, Qin Fen, may not be good at much else, but I love making friends and I value loyalty! It's fate that we can sit here together! Enough said, let's drink to it! May our friendship last forever, and may we stay in touch often. Cheers!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he tilted his head back and drank the liquor in his glass in one gulp, then showed the bottom of the glass.
Gu Xiao, Nan Zhiyi, and Zhang Yueran also picked up their orange juice glasses and raised their glasses in greeting along with everyone else.
Zhang Yueran's light involuntarily drifted towards Zhou Xingzhi, who was next to Qin Fen.
Seeing the small white porcelain wine cup he held in his hand, and how his fingers appeared even whiter than the cup under the lamplight, and recalling how she had inadvertently touched his fingertips during their chess game...
His fingertips were so cold...
The thought made her heart skip a beat, and she quickly looked away, sipping her juice to hide her slight panic.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively.
Gu Xiao turned his head and asked Nan Zhiyi in a low voice, "Is the food to your liking? Is the chef's cooking alright?"
Nan Zhiyi's eyes crinkled slightly: "It's delicious, even better than I imagined. Let's go to the restaurant next time; I heard the ambiance there is even more unique."
Gu Xiao found her hand under the table, shook it, and indicated his agreement.
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