Since being warned, Chen Ningxi deliberately started to distance herself from Zou Yong. He called twice, and Chen Ningxi quickly found excuses to hang up until Zou Yong hosted a banquet for the Chen Family.
Initially, Chen Ningxi wanted to refuse, but upon hearing from Ye Yujun that the al was primarily to thank her, with a secondary purpose for the brothers to gather, she found it inappropriate to decline.
These events occurred before Cheng Qiaobei reminded her. Qiankun Group had applied for electricity facilities, and Chen Ningxi, based on support docunts issued by the higher authorities, provided a green channel for them.
Thinking that her parents would be present and he wouldn’t act out of line, Chen Ningxi agreed.
So matters remain unspoken, making interactions less awkward.
Chen Ningxi called Cheng Qiaobei about dining with Zou Yong.
"Are you busy?" Chen Ningxi asked.
Cheng Qiaobei was out of town inspecting franchise hotels, having just finished a tour and returned to his room.
"No, just got back to my room. What’s up?"
Chen Ningxi said, "Tonight Mr. Zou is treating our family to a al, hard to refuse."
So situations are unavoidable, especially when it concerns the previous generation’s friendships.
Cheng Qiaobei said, "Surface matters must be handled appropriately. If you behave suddenly erratically, even Mom and Dad would notice. It’s just a al."
Chen Ningxi: "I plan to find so ti to talk to my mom."
Cheng Qiaobei said, "If Mom finds out, she might reduce interactions in the future."
"I think she will too. But I lack evidence, my mom will have her considerations, she will observe." Chen Ningxi checked the ti, "Let tidy up, then I’m heading to the restaurant."
After hanging up, Chen Ningxi walked out of the office.
The drive from work to the restaurant wasn’t far. When Chen Ningxi arrived, her parents weren’t there yet, but Zou Yong’s car was already parked. She didn’t hurry upstairs.
Chen Ningxi dialed Ye Yujun’s number, "Mom, where are you guys?"
Ye Yujun: "Just one more traffic light away."
"Okay, I just arrived too, waiting for you."
"Why don’t you go upstairs first, your Uncle Zou should be there." Ye Yujun said.
"I’ll wait for you." Chen Ningxi replied with a smile, hanging up the phone.
anwhile, in the private room, Zou Yong was giving instructions to the lobby manager about food restrictions.
"By the way, isn’t crab considered a cold food?" Zou Yong asked.
The lobby manager replied, "Yes."
"Hmm..." Zou Yong frowned, troubled, as Chen Ningxi likes to eat river crabs but her health isn’t suitable for cold foods.
The lobby manager observed and said, "President Zou, are there ladies among your guests today who shouldn’t eat cold food?"
Zou Yong nodded, "Yes."
The lobby manager responded, "This is easy, we can steam the crabs with rice wine, which can neutralize the cold nature of the crabs."
"Oh..." Zou Yong’s smile carried satisfaction, "Good, let’s do that."
Zou Yong understood Chen Weichuan, knowing that if the banquet exceeded expectations, he would certainly go downstairs to settle the bill halfway through, so he ordered so dishes that suited his palate.
Downstairs, two car horns blared. In the private room, Zou Yong ca to the window, just catching sight of Chen Ningxi getting out of her car and heading towards the sedan parked across the way.
On the glass, Zou Yong’s smiling eyes reflected, his gaze following her until she entered the restaurant and disappeared from view.
At that mont, Chen Weichuan walked ahead, while Chen Ningxi, arm-in-arm with Ye Yujun, followed upstairs.
Ye Yujun said, "Once inside, explain to your Uncle Zou that Cheng went on a business trip."
Chen Ningxi: "Hmm, got it."
ntioning Cheng Qiaobei, Chen Weichuan casually asked, "How is Cheng’s company running now?"
Chen Ningxi replied, "Quite stable, recently expanded seven or eight franchise hotels."
Chen Weichuan had a good grasp, "Then tonight I’ll have to drink wholeheartedly with your Uncle Zou."
Chen Ningxi said, "You better watch your health, getting on in years, drinking like that."
Ye Yujun chid in, "Although your Uncle Zou isn’t investing in Cheng’s company for our sake, there’s still this relationship with our family, your dad must show so gratitude."
Chen Ningxi sighed, realizing she should discuss the matter regarding Zou Yong soon.
Chen Weichuan pushed open the door to the private room. Upon seeing the family of three enter, Zou Yong looked behind them, "Where’s Cheng?"
Chen Ningxi said, "He’s on a business trip."
Zou Yong paused, as if recalling, "Ah, yes, he did ntion that he’d be visiting a few stores during the last eting." He invited the trio, "Sit down, I’ve ordered so appetizers, leave the main dish to you."
Chen Weichuan pulled out a chair for Ye Yujun, saying, "Wasn’t it ntioned in the phone call? Feel free to arrange, given our long-standing relationship, eating is secondary, drinking and catching up is the main purpose."
"Exactly," Zou Yong laughed and said to Ye Yujun, "I love drinking with my brother because of this, he doesn’t push for drinking contests."
eting Chen Ningxi’s gaze, Zou Yong chuckled, "Ningxi, there are new crabs today, I asked the manager to pick out the largest ones for you."
"See your Uncle Zou, he rembers how you love crabs," Ye Yujun laughed, "She really has loved them since childhood, be it river or sea crabs."
Chen Ningxi smiled without a word, choosing to sit as far from Zou Yong as possible.
Zou Yong glanced but said nothing, pressing the call button for the lobby manager to attend personally.
Having ordered more dishes and drinks, the four awaited the al.
As long as Zou Yong was present, the lobby manager kept a keen eye, ensuring dishes and drinks were quickly placed on the table. Zou Yong invited Chen Weichuan to start, since he was the eldest at the table, no one could eat until he did.
In Chen Weichuan’s mind, Zou Yong was very particular about etiquette and boundaries, never asking him to use personal favors, a quality that made Chen Weichuan enjoy befriending him.
Three of them chatted warmly, soon their conversation steered towards the investnt in Eastern First-class.
"Cheng’s company receiving your support pleases greatly, one is my old friend, the other my son-in-law. You’re cooperating..." Chen Weichuan raised his glass, "Of course, I know it has nothing to do with our friendship, business is business, and you were willing to invest seeing the company’s future potential. However, I still must thank you, I consider Cheng as a son, your kindness to him is rembered fondly by ."
Zou Yong also raised his glass, "Brother, that’s how it is. The investnt isn’t about friendship, it’s about Qiaobei’s capability and the future of his company. Co, let’s drink."
Clear clinks filled the air as the glasses collided, lifted high before setting down empty.
Listening to their laughter, Chen Ningxi lowered her head, eating, yet her heart felt unsettled.
"Ningxi, eat so crab." Zou Yong gestured to Chen Ningxi, who took one from the platter, as Ye Yujun inquired, "Wait? Shouldn’t you avoid crab? It’s cold in nature."
Zou Yong quickly assured, "Sister-in-law, you might not know, I specifically instructed the kitchen to steam the crabs with rice wine, which neutralizes the cold nature of crab. Ningxi can have a bit, it’s fine. I considered her health, ntioning it the other day when your brother told about Ningxi going to the hospital for surgery soon, he was quite worried."
Hold on, Chen Ningxi’s hand paused slightly. Was it really her dad who first ntioned her situation to Uncle Zou?
Misunderstood?
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