Chapter 79 - 38: Aromatherapy and Diamond Bracelet (Part 2)
He wasn’t the middle-aged man she’d imagined. Instead, he was tall, rich, and handsome.
He wore a royal blue suit, his hair was styled with meticulous care, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on his face. He had a roguish charm, giving off the vibe of a debonair scoundrel.
Her hand holding the gift bag tightened reflexively. Coming to her senses, she lifted the bag and placed it on the glass lazy Susan. "This is a gift for you. I hope you like it."
Hearing the gift was for him, Lu Zhi’an’s eyes lit up. "You really shouldn’t have! Just coming is enough."
Despite what he said, his hands were already tearing open the wrapping with practiced speed.
It was a blue striped tie from a brand he often bought.
He immediately took off the tie he was wearing and put on the one from Zheng Qi.
After giving Lu Zhi’an his gift, Zheng Qi handed another bag to Jiang Li. "Sister Jiang, this is a wedding gift for you two."
Jiang Li feigned displeasure. "Oh, you’re being too formal." But she still reached out and took it.
’She could refuse other gifts, but a wedding gift was something she had to accept.’
Zheng Qi smiled. "It was one thing not to know you were married at the last class reunion, but now that I know, I have to make it up to you with a proper gift."
Jiang Li set the gift aside and pulled out a chair. "Don’t just stand there, have a seat!"
Zheng Qi nodded with a "thank you" and finally sat down.
The private room was a bit large, feeling rather empty with just the four of them.
As soon as she was seated, Zheng Qi leaned over to Jiang Li. "Sister Jiang, you really know how to keep a secret. This is bombshell news, and you never said a word! No one even knows that you and Brother Shen are married."
Jiang Li laughed. "I just didn’t feel like it was something that needed a special announcement."
Zheng Qi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "If it were anyone else, they would’ve spammed their social media feeds until they broke."
Jiang Li suddenly thought of Guo Yao.
’If Guo Yao had been the one marrying Shen Yanzhi, forget spamming her feed—she’d probably want to broadcast to the entire world that she was the one who married him.’
Jiang Li shrugged. "Maybe I just don’t like to show off."
’Well, the truth was, she felt she and Shen Yanzhi didn’t have much of a relationship yet, so it didn’t feel right to suddenly post about it on social media.’
’It wasn’t that there were no feelings at all, but she wasn’t sure if Shen Yanzhi even liked her.’
Ever since Zheng Qi had entered the room, Lu Zhi’an’s gaze hadn’t left her. Seeing her and Jiang Li deep in conversation, he couldn’t help but ask, "What are you two whispering about?"
’He’d already thought Zheng Qi was his type when he saw her on the livestream, but seeing her in person, Lu Zhi’an was completely smitten.’
’How could someone be so perfectly his type? It was like she was made for him.’
Zheng Qi looked up and smiled sweetly. "Girl talk. Not for you to hear."
Just as Lu Zhi’an was about to say something, a knock came from the door.
"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—"
"Come in."
The next moment, a server entered, pushing a food cart.
They had ordered eight dishes in total.
Besides the Bullfrog and Fish Hot Pot and Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, there were four other meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup.
Spicy Pepper Chicken, Duck with Young Ginger, Double Pepper Beef, Minced Pork and Eggplant Casserole, Hot and Sour Shredded Potatoes, and Pickled Cabbage, Vermicelli, and Sliced Pork Soup.
After the server had laid out all the dishes and left the room, Zheng Qi asked in disbelief, "Did we really order this much food? Can the four of us even finish it all?"
’She had thought one dish per person would be plenty, maybe one extra at most. She never expected this much.’
Lu Zhi’an threw up his hands. "Well, there’s a minimum charge for the private room, right?"
It wasn’t really a room fee, but a minimum spending requirement.
’Besides, it was their first time meeting properly. Eating in the main dining hall just wouldn’t feel right.’
’So, after he found out Zheng Qi was coming, he had immediately changed their reservation from the main hall to a private room.’
’Zheng Qi wanted to suggest they could just eat at a street food stall next time, but she swallowed the words before they could escape.’
’Of the four people here, everyone but her was wealthy.’
’Jiang Li was a business owner, Lu Zhi’an was a business owner, and although she didn’t know what Shen Yanzhi did...’
’...with someone as successful as Jiang Li, Shen Yanzhi couldn’t be doing poorly.’
Since they all had to drive, the four of them stuck to soft drinks.
Lu Zhi’an raised his glass. "Come on, let’s all raise our glasses. We’ll toast with soda instead of wine. To an early New Year’s celebration!"
Jiang Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but she raised her glass anyway. Their four glasses clinked together in the air, a makeshift toast to the New Year.
After setting down his glass, Lu Zhi’an nudged Shen Yanzhi’s arm with his elbow and shot him a meaningful look.
Shen Yanzhi shot Lu Zhi’an a deadpan look but asked anyway, "Zheng, do you mind if I move over here?"
Addressed so suddenly, Zheng Qi jerked her head up. "Oh, not at all, not at all."