Xu Yanzhi's eyebrows twitched slightly, his tone calm, "I don't need you to give me a meal, but is the Third Young Master really that short of food?"
"That's exactly what we need."
Tan Yuchen really didn't understand the meaning of politeness. He went to the kitchen and brought out the whole pot, asking the others if they wanted to eat.
The other guys didn't expect him to be so shameless. It was obvious they were being a third wheel; if they had known Meng Jiuyi was here, they would never have come.
She hooked the stool next to Meng Jiuyi out with one leg, and he scooped up the sweet soup, saying indifferently.
"My cousin seems to have a lot of free time; is she planning to quit her job?"
That's a very timely question; she had already resigned.
Meng Jiuyi silently retorted, "Even the donkeys in the production team need a rest."
A swan-shaped pastry was placed on the plate, which Xu Yanzhi had picked up. Meng Jiuyi said thank you, and the man next to her handed him the plate.
Xu Yanzhi looked up at him, and Tan Yuchen's lips curled up slightly, his tone extremely shameless.
Thanks.
"....."
Xu Yanzhi also picked up a piece and put it on his plate, "Isn't your older brother coming back in the next couple of days? Why don't you spend some time with him?"
Tan Yuchen said casually, "A decrepit old man with a family to support is not as important as you."
Xu Yanzhi's brow twitched; he was somewhat unaccustomed to this sudden, feigned enthusiasm.
"Have you gotten to know the person who sent it to you a few days ago?"
"It's crystal clear. What's fake can't be real, and what's real can't be faked. Chairman Xu personally delivered it to me. If I don't get to the bottom of it, I'll really be letting you down."
During their conversation, Tan Yuchen ate some delicious pastries and casually put a portion into Meng Jiuyi's bowl, multitasking without wasting a moment.
With personal prejudice, Meng Jiuyi always felt that his actions were like feeding pigs, and he didn't really want to eat.
"...That's enough! You're feeding the cats and dogs."
"Give it back if you're not going to eat it."
Tan Yuchen rushed back from her plate, and also took the swan pastry from her plate.
Meng Jiuyi was furious and wanted to snatch it from him, but she held back.
Xu Yanzhi glanced at him.
Suddenly, I felt that the atmosphere was awkward; how did two people suddenly become three?
And then there's this bunch of light bulbs.
The others were so shameless that they wanted to strangle him if he was too much of an eyesore. Zhou Bo asked Xu Yanzhi what their plans were for the day, and whether they wanted to go to Zhao Youxi's winery.
Since his beloved daughter planned to stay in China for an extended period, Mr. Zhao naturally spent lavishly to meet all her needs. The winery was still some time away from opening, and Zhao Youxi had already extended an invitation to her.
I actually just wanted to spend the day with her, but someone brought so many people here.
Xu Yanzhi looked at Meng Jiuyi with a questioning gaze.
It's better than staying here. She plans to go find Tan Ni later.
Meng Jiuyi nodded in agreement.
Xu Yanzhi said, "Then go change your clothes."
Last night, the maid not only brought her toiletries, but also two sets of coats to change into. After Meng Jiuyi left, Tan Yuchen also put down his chopsticks, his eyebrows drooping and his expression unreadable.
Zhou Bo strolled around the balcony and was about to go upstairs when Xu Yanzhi said, "It's a bit messy upstairs; it hasn't been cleaned for quite some time."
"So where do you usually live?" After saying this, Zhou Bo wanted to slap himself. Did he even need to ask?
Unexpectedly, Xu Yanzhi accepted the call.
He used minimal force to achieve maximum effect without compromising his principles.
"downstairs."
After he finished speaking, Tan Yuchen looked up at him.
The gentle warmth that had just been on the surface shattered instantly, and the chill froze the atmosphere in the room.
--
Upon arriving at the winery, a low-rise villa was bathed in the sunset, with bougainvillea climbing on the bamboo fence, lush and green covering the entire villa.
Before the official opening, only a few cars drove in through the main gate along the bluestone slabs, and doormen waited on the side to park for them.
It was the first time for all of them to visit, but they were clearly very tasteful, with mosaic and glass handmade lamps hanging in the windows outside the corridor.
Zhao Youxi asked, "How is it?"
"Is Miss Zhao bringing the entire museum here?"
Zhou Bo gestured to the jade parrot cup in front of him, "If I remember correctly, the Nanshan Museum also has one."
Zhao Youxi smiled sweetly.
"My dad sponsored it."
She looked around, puzzled, and asked, "Where's Cen Dong?"
"I heard they're going to come here and act all high and mighty."
"Is this bastard planning to never see me again?"
Zhao Youxi kicked Tan Yuchen next to her, "Where's my opening gift? At least that dog Cen Dong sent a gift in advance. You're really not being fair."
Tan Yuchen remained silent or even indifferent from the moment he entered the room.
He leaned back lazily on the sofa, his profile appearing sharp in the swirling smoke, and said in a low voice.
"Just tell Jiang Zhou what you want."
Zhao Youxi: "..."
He flicked off the ash from his cigarette, and lazily raised his eyes, hidden beneath his black, tousled hair—among the rows of wine racks beside him, Xu Yanzhi patiently introduced the vintages of the various red wines to her.
Learning about alcohol out of boredom is one thing, but Meng Jiuyi simply didn't want to face Tan Yuchen.
The man's gloomy aura pressed down on her like a radar. When their eyes met unintentionally in the car, she had a feeling that he was about to start making trouble indiscriminately.
“Mr. Xu, why don’t I introduce you to Miss Meng? You know there are plenty of topics that girls can talk about.”
Xu Yanzhi wouldn't be so petty as to refuse to let someone go. He sat back on the sofa, and someone handed him a cigarette. He held it in his hand without smoking it, his gaze still unintentionally following Meng Jiuyi behind the wine rack.
The people nearby found it amusing. "Last time, the business manager submitted a draft, saying that a distinguished guest was interested in DB's latest series of museum collections, but needed some minor modifications. Was that Chairman Xu?"
His family is in the jewelry business, and due to their extensive political and business resources, their diamond mining company also holds a significant position globally.
Xu Yanzhi had reserved a diamond ring.
The man chuckled and readily admitted it.
"yes."
Before the jeers could even begin, he gestured with his eyes to her, who was standing not far away.
"Keep it a secret for now."
The people around could only offer their congratulations when a "bang" was heard as a wine glass was placed lightly on the table.
Everyone turned to look, and Tan Yuchen smiled enigmatically.
"This is the first time I've seen Chairman Xu in such a hurry."
Xu Yanzhi met his gaze. "Are you in a hurry? After missing so many years, I just want to seize the moment."
No one understood what caused that sudden tension during their eye contact.
The room lights were deliberately dimmed, making it difficult to see the man's expression clearly; one could only sense a gloomy aura emanating from him.
Tan Yuchen smirked and said, "Why are you looking at me so affectionately all of a sudden? Do you want me too?"
"...Of course not."
Xu Yanzhi smiled, looked up at him, and said, "But as your cousin, shouldn't you at least offer your congratulations?"
----
good evening.
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