Zhou Rou found an excuse today to thank Yin Xian and invited him out for dinner.
Yin Xian had been entangled by Ye Duowei lately, and his mood was entirely foul no matter where he went. Later, he received Zhou Rou’s phone call. Her delicate and vulnerable image suddenly flashed in his mind, and thinking about how she’d gotten beaten and lost her job because of Weiwei, he felt guilty and agreed to her invitation.
Zhou Rou carefully selected an elegant Western restaurant for their eting. When Yin Xian arrived, the two exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere felt sowhat awkward.
Their encounter that night had stretched until deep into the night, and although they’d t in North City once before, he hadn’t gotten a clear look at her!
Now, under the natural daylight, Zhou Rou had deliberately put on light makeup and perfu, her entire being radiating a pure and gentle charm.
Yin Xian’s eyes briefly flickered with astonishnt, but upon closer inspection, he realized her style was entirely different from Weiwei’s.
How could he describe it? A fragile little woman.
Zhou Rou, being more bold, was the first to lift her wine glass and said, "Brother Yin, thank you for that night! Let offer you a toast!"
"Sigh, if it weren’t because of , you wouldn’t... Anyway, the one who should apologize is !" Yin Xian finished the red wine already poured before him in one gulp, adjusted his emotions, and asked with concern, "How have you been?"
He noticed that the corner of Zhou Rou’s mouth on the right side was still a bit swollen, likely from Weiwei’s heavy-handed slap during the incident.
Zhou Rou shyly touched her cheek and raised her head, her eyes reflecting regret. "Brother Yin, please don’t think that way. I know your girlfriend had just had too much to drink at the ti—that’s all!
Otherwise, on the surface, she seems like a truly wonderful girl! Sigh, I was at fault for speaking out of turn! She hasn’t been angry with you anymore, has she?"
"No! Miss Zhou, right? The New Year is around the corner. When will you be returning to your hotown?"
Yin Xian sighed, thinking about how Li Si’s friend was so understanding, then comparing her with Weiwei. Lately, he often regretted his engagent to Weiwei, especially the things that shouldn’t have happened due to drinking.
Above all, with the Ye Family pulling strings and dragging his own household into their ss, the Yin Family’s business had suffered as well. The house was now filled with grievances; Mrs. Yin no longer liked Ye Duowei as she had before, now only blaming herself for trying so hard to arrange things and ending up creating resentnt from everyone around her.
Zhou Rou bitterly smiled. "This year, I won’t be going back! The crowds during the Spring Festival travel season are overwhelming! Too cramped! I’ll wait until next year instead!" She spoke, though her eyes betrayed yearning to return ho alongside evident reluctance.
Yin Xian imdiately suspected it might be due to her losing her job—she perhaps didn’t have enough money for the trip—but as a fellow girl, she wouldn’t admit it outright, so he refrained from asking directly.
"I seem to recall you ntioning you had an older brother. Will he be going ho?"
Zhou Rou evasively avoided his sincere gaze, lowered her head, and twisted her fingers nervously while replying, "He’ll definitely go back! My family situation isn’t great. My father passed away due to illness, leaving behind a lot of debts. My mom is the only one left in the hotown. If neither my brother nor I return, how could my mother possibly have a good New Year?"
Yin Xian felt this girl not only had a mature understanding but also a strong sense of filial loyalty. His impression of her significantly improved. Reflecting on their first eting, he figured he might’ve misunderstood her back then—likely, her enthusiasm stemd from her close relationship with Li Si.
"By the way, Miss Zhou, regarding how my girlfriend caused you to lose your job, I’ve prepared so money as compensation. I hope you’ll forgive her! That night was rushed, and it was very late, so I couldn’t give this to you then."
Yin Xian finished speaking and pulled two stacks of RMB out of his bag, placing them on the dining table. He wasn’t sure how to offer her compensation properly; on his way here, he passed by a bank and withdrew so cash, worried that if he gave her too much, she might not accept it.
Considering his connection to Li Si, he didn’t want Li Si to soday find out about this incident and think poorly of him.
Zhou Rou didn’t need to inspect the bills closely to know they were two stacks of crisp hundred-yuan notes. Clearly, it amounted to twenty thousand RMB. She swallowed a gulp of saliva in excitent. This was truly an unexpected gift today. Originally, she’d considered drugging him, making sothing happen, and then extorting him.
To her surprise, the man wasn’t half bad—he’d actually co offering money today. With this twenty thousand RMB, at least she could afford to return to North City for a decent New Year celebration. Thinking this through, she decided to change her approach toward him.
"Brother Yin, I really can’t accept this money. Please take it back!" She pushed the money back toward him, her eyes glistening with tears. "Although I lost my job because of your girlfriend, if I took this money, what would it make look like? Wouldn’t I co across as soone who cares only about money?"
Yin Xian’s impression of her improved further. He pushed the money back toward her once again and said, "Miss Zhou, I have no other intentions—just to offer appropriate compensation. I sincerely hope you’ll accept it! After all, you lost your job because of us! Moreover, if for no other reason, then at least out of respect for Li Si, you should agree to take it!"
His hand accidentally brushed against hers during this exchange. For so reason, he suddenly felt his mouth dry, whole body flushed.
When he looked at Zhou Rou more carefully, he felt her entire deanor exuded a srizing allure.
A hint of understanding surfaced in Zhou Rou’s eyes—she knew the drug was beginning to take effect. Feigning concern, she asked, "Brother Yin, what’s wrong?" At the sa ti, she glanced around; seeing no one paying attention to them, she reassuringly grabbed hold of his large hand.
Yin Xian’s rational mind prompted him to quickly let go, but his body remained stiff, forcing out, "Nothing’s wrong! Miss Zhou, I have sothing to tend to, so I’ll be taking my leave! Please keep the money—don’t think too much of it!" With those simple words, he seed to summon every last bit of his willpower.
"Brother Yin, you don’t seem well. Why don’t I take you sowhere to rest for a bit?"
Zhou Rou suggested, picking this location deliberately because a hotel was conveniently located just downstairs. Everything was ready—all that remained was his cooperation.
Yin Xian’s mind was blurry, struggling to process the implications of her words. He rely nodded in agreent.
Zhou Rou, showing a victorious expression, stuffed the money into her bag. Supporting his arm over her shoulder, she quickly paid the bill and aid to take him to a room downstairs via the elevator.
Unexpectedly, while waiting for the elevator, Li Si, Leng Mochen, and Mrs. Leng appeared.
Both Zhou Rou and Li Si froze on the spot upon seeing each other, neither expecting such a eting under these circumstances.
Li Si instantly noticed Yin Xian’s flushed face and closed eyes, his body practically slumped over Zhou Rou’s shoulder. These two people, who barely had any connection—how had they ended up together?
"Well, Li Si, it’s been a while!"
Zhou Rou glanced at the newly radiant Li Si, dressed in a short black leather jacket paired with jeans and knee-high boots. Internally anxious, her face nonetheless displayed an artificial smile. Especially upon seeing Leng Mochen’s icy deanor, her heart shrank with discomfort.
How could such an exceptional man choose Li Si? What qualities did she have?
Looking at the dignified Mrs. Leng standing behind them alongside him, it was apparent she was an elder from their family. Certainly, Li Si had no relatives with such poise.
No matter what, things had already progressed this far, and there was no turning back. After today, she might successfully establish ties with Yin Xian, so no one could stop her.
"Why are you with Yin Xian?" Li Si hadn’t planned on interfering but imdiately spotted sothing off with Yin Xian. Knowing Zhou Rou was a typical white lotus type, who knew what she had planned secretly?
Mrs. Leng studied Yin Xian closely before hearing his na and confird this was indeed Ye Cheng’s son-in-law. Not long ago, she and Li Si had attended his engagent party.
Furthermore, just earlier Tian Yaru had been bragging endlessly about how well the Yin Family treated her daughter Weiwei. It seed fitting to give Tian Yaru a glimpse of what her young people were up to now. (To be continued. If you enjoy this novel, please visit Qidian to vote with recomndations or monthly tickets. Your support ans the world to ! Mobile users can access content via m.qidian.)
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