50 years old
Zhao Nanqiao listened to her blushing recount the interaction between the two, and was utterly speechless. He was speechless to the core!
I knew you were slow-witted, but I didn't expect you to be this slow-witted!
"Didn't you realize he liked you before? He's such a big CEO, yet he was willing to put aside his work to accompany you to record a variety show. He was gentle and considerate throughout. Didn't you ever wonder why?"
“No, he’s a gentleman, and he doesn’t want to appear discordant in public…” Ye Zhenzhen tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to lower her voice.
"Haven't you ever been online? The Peach Blossom Couple are all over the internet, haven't you seen the screenshots of the way President Gu looks at you?!"
"I saw it! But it's just slow-motion editing with background music. I've been a fan of celebrities before, I know all the tricks..."
Zhao Nanqiao: Why can't you use your brain for anything useful?!
"You two are sleeping in the same bed, a man and a woman, all young and full of energy, and you haven't even kissed yet?" Zhao Nanqiao lowered her voice and sneakily leaned close to her ear, "Even if your husband is very patient, why isn't he reacting this early in the morning? Ah, is he impotent?"
"?" Ye Zhenzhen didn't understand at first, but after realizing what she meant, her face turned bright red, and she went over to pinch her, "What are you saying?!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, be gentle, it hurts!" Zhao Nanqiao rubbed her arm, not forgetting to analyze, "It shouldn't be like this, President Gu's face, his figure, ah, I sent you the screenshots from when you went to the beach, he looked like... um!"
"Shut up!" Ye Zhenzhen reached out and covered her mouth. "How can your head be full of dirty jokes?! People get up early every day to exercise!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhenzhen also recalled the screenshots posted by netizens when they went out to sea, and she almost felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
"Oh~ exercise..." Zhao Nanqiao said, shaking his head. Seeing that she was about to get annoyed, he quickly coaxed her, "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore, don't cover it up."
This girl has been too well protected by her family since she was little. She has never been in a relationship. No wonder Uncle Ye is worried about her.
Those rich kids in the industry can't do anything serious, but they're all out partying. They're into celebrities, models, nightclubs, yachts, and many of them in their teens and twenties have gotten people pregnant.
In comparison, Gu Tingshen is like a unique white lotus blooming in a vast field, emerging from the mud unsullied!
It's a perfect match for this innocent little peach blossom.
"And what about you?" Zhao Nanqiao took a swig of fragrant, refreshing Longjing tea and asked the person eating snacks with their head down, "He wants to kiss you, don't you hate it? Aren't you disgusted?"
"It seems I don't dislike it." Ye Zhenzhen's voice was barely audible as she sipped her drink from her cup, the pink blush on her cheeks visible through the rising steam.
“That means you like him,” Zhao Nanqiao understood immediately from his expression. “Then you two should just live happily together, what’s there to be conflicted about?”
“But,” Ye Zhenzhen bit her pink lips, somewhat conflicted, “could it just be a momentary impulse?”
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"So, it's just a physical urge? I always thought he was asexual, a clean freak, and aloof, and that his greatest love in life was his work..."
"Tsk tsk tsk, Ye Xiaozhen, you're doomed." Zhao Nanqiao crossed his arms and looked at the girl who was still blushing. Her shy expression was mixed with a hint of sweetness. He smiled. This girl had already started to feel insecure. It seemed that she had really fallen for him.
"So, what are you planning to do next? Didn't you say you were going to get a divorce in a few years and travel the world?" Zhao Nanqiao teased her deliberately, winking and saying, "Now, do you still want a divorce?"
When she first transmigrated, she often fantasized about the free life after her divorce. But, gradually, Gu Tingshen began to appear in every aspect of the future she could imagine.
"Hmph, I'm not getting a divorce, anyway, we can't get one." Ye Zhenzhen muttered awkwardly in response to her teasing.
Now, thinking about the bond that will last for more than a decade, my feelings are completely different from when we first met.
Recalling the man's burning gaze when he approached her last night, and as if she could smell that familiar cool fragrance again, her face flushed, and her heart pounded wildly like a deer's.
Suddenly, a cell phone rang, interrupting their conversation. As Ye Zhenzhen picked up her phone, Zhao Nanqiao also caught a glimpse of the caller's name.
She cleared her throat and stood up. "I'm going to the restroom."
Pretending to be casual, she walked behind the screen and stood there quietly. Then Ye Zhenzhen spoke softly, "Hey? Yeah, with Qiao Qiao... There's a jewelry exhibition over here, let's take a look..."
That little voice is so sweet, like it's been soaked in honey!
She tiptoed out, no longer eavesdropping on their conversation, but unexpectedly, she ran into an acquaintance as soon as she came out of the bathroom and turned the corner of the corridor.
"Hi, Qiaoqiao! You're eating here too?" Jiang Anna had just followed the waiter in when she saw Zhao Nanqiao and exclaimed in surprise. She then looked around and asked, "Who are you with? Has Zhenzhen arrived yet?"
As Zhao Nanqiao looked up, Jiang Anna, dressed in a sporty and casual style, smiled and waved at her, followed by Ye Qinglan in a suit and tie.
She inwardly thought the man was dressed like he was attending a royal gathering, but outwardly she smiled and greeted him, "What a coincidence! We bumped into each other in Suzhou. Zhenzhen and I came to see the jewelry exhibition. Are you here too?"
"I'm here as a tourist. I heard this restaurant is very unique. Have you guys tried it yet? Why don't we eat together?" Jiang Anna was very outgoing and familiar with people.
So, the number of people eating together became four.
Another serving of appetizers was served. Jiang Anna held the hawthorn pastry on the white porcelain plate and exclaimed how cute it was, taking many photos.
Ye Qinglan spoke gently and gentlemanly, taking excellent care of the three ladies during the meal, but his gaze kept lingering on Ye Zhenzhen.
Zhao Nanqiao understood perfectly. Ye Zhenzhen hadn't dressed up at all today. Her slightly wavy long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she had no makeup on her face, yet she had a naturally rosy complexion.
She wore a grass-green jacquard blouse with a dark pattern, revealing a section of her fair wrist adorned with a lustrous bracelet, and beige wide-leg trousers. Sitting behind a maroon rosewood wooden table, every gesture she made, from raising a hand to resting her chin, resembled a serene lady from an ancient painting.
After the meal, the group walked through the corridor to the backyard to enjoy the view.
The restaurant's architecture is modeled after Suzhou-style gardens, with corridors built along the water, where the water below is crystal clear and fish swim and play.
The breeze carried a hint of moisture, quite unlike the dryness of the north.
“Zhenzhen is the perfect match for this beautiful garden. The three of us look like random tourists.” Jiang Anna leaned against the pillar of the pavilion in the middle of the lake, admiring Ye Zhenzhen dressed in traditional Chinese clothing.
No wonder William couldn't take his eyes off her; you can't see this type of beauty abroad, she makes you feel calm just by looking at her.
"Hey, you two are returned overseas Chinese, so you have to dress stylishly!" Zhao Nanqiao said with a smile, smoothing a strand of Ye Zhenzhen's hair over her shoulder.
"I'm just used to being lazy. When I'm not working, I do whatever makes me comfortable." Ye Zhenzhen sat down and leaned comfortably against Zhao Nanqiao, a contented smile on her face.
"Indeed, your outfit looks very comfortable. Where did you buy it?" Jiang Anna liked it more and more as she looked at it. She touched the fabric and found it to be soft, smooth, and incredibly comfortable to the touch. She couldn't tell the brand, but she guessed it was a high-end custom-made piece.
"She's so aloof now, complaining that those big brands are too expensive and uncomfortable. She designs all her clothes herself and then has them made," Zhao Nanqiao said lazily. "She says she'd rather do charity than give money to luxury stores,"
"Don't listen to her nonsense. I wouldn't dare to look down on other designers. I just did it for fun when I had nothing else to do," Ye Zhenzhen pushed Zhao Nanqiao and explained with a smile.
"Now that you mention it, it's true. I've seen you several times and I couldn't tell what brand your clothes were. I thought they were high-end designer clothes."
Jiang Anna also found it novel. She had a mother who was extremely fashion-conscious and knew all about luxury brands. Many people in her circle were crazy about the latest high-end brands and would do anything to show off. It was rare to see someone like Ye Zhenzhen who didn't buy into this at all.
As for Zhao Nanqiao's claim that she thought it was too expensive, she didn't believe it at all. With Ye Zhenzhen's family background and wealth, there was nothing in this world that she wouldn't want, so how could she possibly think it was too expensive?
That bracelet on her wrist could buy countless luxury stores. Would she complain about a few pieces of clothing being too expensive? What a joke.
Seeing Jiang Anna looking at her curiously, Ye Zhenzhen smiled and said, "You know how beautiful haute couture is, but it's too tiring. It's nothing like how comfortable I feel wearing it now. Besides, I really think it's better to do something else than spend money on clothes that you only wear once and then throw away."
After saying that, she pointed to the outfit she was wearing, "This outfit was made by a shop in City A. If you like it, there's also a studio in Suzhou. The craftsmen there are very skilled. The round fan at the last auction was one of their creations. Qiaoqiao and I are going to go see it this afternoon. Do you want to come with us?"
"Great! Great! Design a few outfits for me, I want this kind of traditional Chinese style!" Jiang Anna perked up immediately, stood up to leave, and then remembered the man who had been quietly following them the whole way.
"William, Zhenzhen and I are going to get some clothes made. What about you?"
"It is my honor to serve you ladies." Ye Qinglan stood up, straightened her sleeves, and said with a faint smile.
--
"Wow, the embroidery here is so beautiful..." Jiang Anna couldn't move once she entered Mu Qing's embroidery workshop. "There are so many double-sided embroideries! This osmanthus screen is also two-sided with different colors!"
"This series all comes from Ms. Ye's inspiration. She previously ordered a double-sided screen with different colors of peach blossoms, which was already popular with many old customers before it was even finished. These are all new designs derived from it." The owner, Ding Wanwan, dressed in a light purple Suzhou embroidery cheongsam, walked beside them and introduced with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qinglan looked up and saw that most of the large and small round fans and screens were decorated with flowers of the four seasons, but none of them were peach blossoms.
"It's all thanks to the chef's excellent skills that so many customers come from far and wide," Ye Zhenzhen said, pointing to the two people beside her. "They've brought you another customer; whether you can keep them or not depends on you."
"Then I'll have to bring out all my hidden skills." Ding Wanwan covered her mouth and laughed, leading the three of them to the design room.
The room suddenly became lively, with the clear and melodious laughter of girls frequently heard from inside.
Ye Qinglan, who was walking at the back, did not follow. Instead, she asked a staff member, "Excuse me, where is that peach blossom screen we mentioned earlier?"
"That screen was custom-made by Miss Ye and has already been given to her." The young girl looked up and was momentarily stunned by his handsome face, then quickly said, "However, we have a video of what happened. Would you like to see it?"
Ye Qinglan's gaze was fixed on the shimmering peach blossoms on the computer screen, one side showing lush peach tree branches and leaves, the other side showing blooming peach blossoms.
"The peach tree is young and tender, its leaves are lush and green..."
"Sir, what did you say?" The young girl asked, blushing, because she hadn't heard what the handsome young man said.
"I would like to have one of these peach blossom screens custom-made."
When the master embroidery artist returned to the workshop, he saw his young apprentice staring at a young man in a suit in the distance, completely infatuated.
"They've all left, why are you still looking?"
"Ah, Master, did you see that? He's so handsome! His eyes are green! Like emeralds, he's incredibly cool!!"
"All you ever do is look at handsome guys. What was that question you asked earlier?"
"Oh, you've also taken a liking to Miss Ye's peach blossom screen. This is the eighth one we've had. Miss Ye is so kind. Even though it's her idea, she doesn't mind us using it at all."
"Miss Ye comes from a wealthy and powerful family; our little business is hardly worth her attention." The old master tapped his apprentice's head. "You should also settle down. No matter how handsome a guy is, he's someone else's. Nothing is more important than work!"
"Yes, sir!"
---
As evening fell, the sunset painted half the sky crimson.
After watching Ye Zhenzhen board the plane and saying goodbye to Zhao Nanqiao, the brother and sister left the airport and drove back to the hotel.
“You have good taste,” Jiang Anna, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly said.
Ye Qinglan drove silently, waiting for what was to come.
"It's so comfortable being with her. She's gentle and cultured, and we don't have to use any witty banter when we talk. Today was the most relaxing day I've ever had. Do you know where she spends all her money? She goes to charity, not for tax evasion, but for genuinely transparent and open accounting."
Jiang Anna finished speaking with a smile, then lowered her voice, "Brother, our family can't support someone like that. She'll be targeted by leeches and they'll suck her marrow from her bones."
Ye Qinglan tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her expression frozen, before finally managing a cold smile: "I never intended for her to have any contact with anyone in the family."
How could he possibly allow those greedy and ugly parasites to disturb her life?
"Then why did you invite them to record a program in Country Y?"
"Do you think the Gu family is any better than the Swire family? Someone as cunning as Gu Tingshen is not good enough for her. I want to show her Gu Tingshen's true colors."
[Author's Note]
I've been too busy with real-life matters lately, so updates haven't been frequent. I'll try to build up a backlog of chapters from now on! [shrug][shrug][shrug]
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