"Next time, this is your welcome party, it's not convenient," Qin Yan replied with a light laugh.
Chu Bai nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you. Go in."
As soon as the door to the private room opened, the conversation inside stopped, and everyone stood up to greet each other. When he saw Ye Fan and Cheng Cheng, he thought for a moment before remembering who they were.
He simply nodded slightly to the two of them and then sat down next to Chu Bai. Chu Bai was on his right and Fang Lihuai was on his left.
Ye Fan looked at the empty seat next to her, her nails digging into her arms, forcing a smile. Having just listened to Xiao Yunli's long love story, she now found even a smile difficult.
Cheng Cheng, who was standing to the side, didn't have any problems. She came here to eat only because she wanted to cooperate with Shi Zhan. In addition, she got along well with Chu Bai when she was abroad, and he was also her friend, so she came to this meal today.
"Welcome back to our Chu Bai! Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome!" Xiao Yunli's voice was the loudest and most excited at the dinner table.
Chu Bai expressed his gratitude, and everyone sat down to eat. Fang Lihuai and Shi Zhan were both company managers, and a group of people with similar careers eating together could only talk about work, but Xiao Yunli was unwilling to do so.
He finally escaped the workplace, but now he has to listen to these people analyze things together during meals, which makes him feel exhausted.
Chu Bai didn't interrupt. As a doctor, he focused on eating his meal. Having studied abroad for many years, he had thought his cooking skills would be as good as Qin Yan's, able to whip up a delicious meal in no time. But the reality was that he could only force down those green, unappetizing salads just to survive.
Now that he's back in China and sees this table full of food, he's too busy eating to even think about chatting. Xiao Yunli watched him eat like a starving ghost and silently poured him a glass of warm water, afraid he might choke.
He then turned his gaze to the two girls, Cheng Cheng and Shi Zhan, who were discussing their collaboration. Apparently, the project Cheng Cheng was in charge of happened to be with Shi Zhan's company, and the two shared their views on the collaboration.
Ye Fan wanted to join their conversation, but as a design student, she didn't have much to say about their topic. In the end, she could only drink her wine dejectedly, staring intently at Qin Yan.
Seeing the unwavering gaze on her brow, Xiao Yunli's eyes darkened slightly. He picked up his wine glass, cleared his throat, and began to chat with Ye Fan in a low voice.
"I heard that the jewelry you designed was auctioned for over a million. Congratulations!"
Hearing his words, Ye Fan glanced at Qin Yan again, and feeling slightly disappointed upon realizing he wasn't paying attention. But seeing Xiao Yunli chatting with her, she cheered up and replied...
"It was during my most inspired period that I designed the Green Jewelry Set. I didn't expect you to pay attention to these things. I thought you were like them, only interested in business collaborations and such."
Xiao Yunli's smile didn't reach his eyes as he touched the outer rim of the cup.
“Work and personal time should always be separated. I remember you had a boyfriend when you were studying abroad. How is he now? I haven’t seen you bring anyone out to eat for a long time since then.”
Ye Fan's hand trembled slightly, causing the wine in the glass to swirl. She quickly put it down. She was flustered, and her voice was urgent as she explained...
“That’s not my boyfriend. He was just pursuing me at the time, but I didn’t agree to date him. I was thinking about my studies first. How could you think he was my boyfriend?”
Her eyes held a hint of anger, but thankfully Qin Yan didn't look over, and she didn't know if he would hear her. Ye Fan felt a tightness in her chest, and even became somewhat impolite towards Xiao Yunli.
Seeing Ye Fan's actions and expression, Xiao Yunli sneered repeatedly. He couldn't understand why Ye Fan had said those things at the beginning.
Now that she's figured it out, she wants to blame Yun Nuan, because she thinks Yun Nuan is Qin Yan's rotten love interest!
"But I clearly saw you kissing and hugging him. Does that mean that after the kiss, he was just a suitor among your 'friends and family'? You city folks are so fashionable, calling someone you've kissed and hugged a suitor."
Xiao Yunli spoke softly, and Ye Fan's voice rose, "What nonsense are you spouting!" After shouting, she realized the situation was inappropriate, because everyone chatting was looking this way, and even Chu Bai, who was frantically eating, looked up in surprise at the two of them.
Ye Fan panicked and quickly looked at Qin Yan to speak.
"Qin Yan, let me explain, I...I..."
Qin Yan interrupted her directly, not letting her continue.
“Miss Ye, our relationship isn’t good enough for you to mislead me and then explain things to me. I turned around only because your voice disturbed us.”
Ye Fan's lips moved, but she didn't know how to refute him. Qin Yan's words were not wrong at all, but he was really heartless! He kept the people who liked him out of the door.
Ye Fan pinched his arm and said with a stiff smile.
"I'm sorry for being so anxious, Qin Yan. I said those irrational things because I was in a hurry. I apologize for bothering you. I didn't expect Yunli to make such a joke about me. I'm just a little sad, after all, we've known each other for so many years."
Her gaze wouldn't leave Qin Yan, but Qin Yan ignored her, his expression even more indifferent than at the company.
Shi Zhan inwardly scoffed. This Ye Fan was truly persistent. He hadn't invited her, but she had come to Xiao Yunli's door herself. Xiao Yunli, out of consideration for their past friendship, had allowed her to come as well, but who knew she wouldn't give up? Now she had offended two people. Tsk tsk tsk.
Xiao Yunli scoffed. He didn't want to give her any face anymore. What did she mean by joking? It was the truth. Back then, he had only gone out for a smoke while abroad when he saw Ye Fan and her boyfriend kissing so passionately that they were practically naked.
What bad luck! He thought.
Qin Yan's phone rang; a message had come in. He thought it must be Yun Nuan replying, so he quickly took out his phone. When he saw it was indeed her, his expression softened with tenderness.
Yun Nuan: "I'm so tired, I just want to lie in bed and sleep all day. Qin Yan, are you having a big meal? My mouth is watering."
Qin Yan: "Do you remember Dr. Chu? He's back in the country, and Yunli organized a dinner for us. This restaurant is pretty good; I'll take you there to try it this weekend."
Yun Nuan: "Hehehe, no need for the weekend, I have an opportunity right now. Qin Yan, I missed you, so I came to find you!"
Qin Yan suddenly stood up, and everyone turned to look at him. Ye Fan thought Qin Yan was going to speak up for her and was about to smile when Qin Yan spoke with a smile.
"Sorry, I have to go out for a bit. It's on me today, so please eat as much as you like." He glanced at Chu Bai, whose plate was empty. Chu Bai's eyes lit up at this, and then hesitantly asked...
"Could it be her? Qin Yan, you're so happy!"
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