Eating with a female celebrity is one thing, but being invited to dinner? Is Zhuang Hanxue joking?
Who would believe that?
Qiu Zheyan laughed: [Are you daydreaming again?]
Last time, Zhuang Hanxue even claimed that Jiang Ruoyun was his ex-girlfriend, and they almost got married.
Zhuang Hanxue sent a photo of Jiang Ruoyun at the promotional event for her movie.
[I’m not lying. Didn’t I go see a movie today? I happened to catch their promotional roadshow.]
[She saw me and said it’s been ages. She insisted on treating me to dinner.]
[I didn’t want to go at first, but I remembered you were interested in collaborating or endorsing her. I thought I’d ask if you wanted to join. Besides, it didn’t feel right to dine with her alone.]
[What if the paparazzi caught us? What about my reputation and innocence?]
[But I’ve already agreed. If you’re not coming, I’ll go by myself.]
Zhuang Hanxue’s string of messages sounded convincing, as if it really happened.
Qiu Zheyan dropped his skepticism.
After hesitating, he asked: [You’re not joking?]
Zhuang Hanxue: [Why would I joke about this? Dress nicely, tidy yourself up, and come to XX Restaurant before 5:30. Don’t be late.]
Qiu Zheyan remained dubious but left work early, changed clothes, and drove to the restaurant Zhuang Hanxue mentioned. Zhuang Hanxue messaged that he’d arrived and was waiting in a private room, giving him the room number.
Qiu Zheyan checked himself in the rearview mirror, feeling perfectly prepared, then parked and went upstairs.
He knocked, and a stranger—a woman—opened the door.
Zhuang Hanxue was chatting animatedly with someone. He’d just told a joke, making the woman he was talking to laugh uproariously.
At that moment, Zhuang Hanxue noticed Qiu Zheyan’s arrival, looked over, and stood up. “Superstar, let me formally introduce you—this is my boyfriend.”
The woman’s smile froze slightly as she turned to look at the newcomer.
Qiu Zheyan and Jiang Ruoyun locked eyes, discreetly appraising each other. Their gazes seemed to spark like clashing swords.
A crescent-moon smile graced the woman’s face as she greeted him. “Hello, Mr. Qiu. I’ve heard so much about you from Hanxue. Meeting you in person is even better than hearing about you. You’re really handsome.”
Qiu Zheyan complimented her in return. “Miss Jiang, you’re even more beautiful in person than on screen.”
“Hehe.”
“Hehehehe.”
Qiu Zheyan thought: This woman is clearly calculating.
Jiang Ruoyun silently mused: This man looks sly and cunning.
Zhuang Hanxue seemed oblivious to the subtle tension and undercurrents between the two. He plopped down next to Qiu Zheyan and said, “I told you Jiang Ruoyun was my ex-girlfriend, right? You didn’t believe me then, but do you believe me now?”
“Hmm…” Qiu Zheyan quickly assessed Jiang Ruoyun, trying to remain composed. Despite his reluctance to admit it, this woman was indeed beautiful and charismatic. However, he couldn’t understand how Zhuang Hanxue had been with someone so stunning; they seemed like they belonged to different worlds.
Qiu Zheyan said, “You mentioned it casually before without proof. How could I believe it? Miss Jiang is a big star, and you’re an ordinary person. How did you two meet?”
As Zhuang Hanxue was about to answer, Jiang Ruoyun cut in, “When I met Zhuang Hanxue, I wasn’t famous yet. We were young, introduced by friends, and just got together.”
Behind Qiu Zheyan’s back, Zhuang Hanxue frantically signaled to her. Before Qiu Zheyan arrived, he had agreed with Jiang Ruoyun to conceal his past as a wealthy heir.
Though he wasn’t particularly ashamed, he simply didn’t want Qiu Zheyan to know about his family’s messy affairs.
Jiang Ruoyun’s eyes flickered, her gaze shifting.
Qiu Zheyan turned to Zhuang Hanxue, a fire of anger igniting within him. How dare this shameless guy flirt with another woman right in front of him?! He pinched Zhuang Hanxue’s thigh under the table.
Zhuang Hanxue was caught off guard, his face twitching in pain as he muttered a low “ouch.”
Jiang Ruoyun pressed her lips together and said, “Mr. Qiu, you don’t need to be jealous. My history with Zhuang Hanxue is ancient history; we broke up over eight years ago.”
Zhuang Hanxue rubbed his pinched thigh and softly echoed, “That’s right, that’s right.”
Still daring to play along with this woman?! As Qiu Zheyan’s hand touched Zhuang Hanxue’s thigh again, Zhuang Hanxue quickly caught it, palm to palm, intertwining their fingers. Qiu Zheyan’s anger dissipated at this playful gesture.
After all, he just wanted Zhuang Hanxue to show where he stood.
Qiu Zheyan calmed considerably.
What was he even angry about?
A knock on the door interrupted the tense atmosphere.
The waiter arrived with the dishes.
Zhuang Hanxue changed the subject, “I saw your movie today. You acted brilliantly. After this film, will you rest for a while, or do you have other work? Are you busy in the near future?”
Under the table, he tugged at Qiu Zheyan’s clothes, hinting at mentioning the endorsement. Qiu Zheyan remained unresponsive, frustrating Zhuang Hanxue. He found it strange; Qiu Zheyan was usually quite smart, so why was he being so dense now? This opportunity wouldn’t come again.
Jiang Ruoyun said, “I’ll celebrate the New Year first, then join a new production in March.”
Zhuang Hanxue clicked his tongue. “You’re working hard.” He tugged at Qiu Zheyan again.
Jiang Ruoyun asked curiously, “How old are you, Mr. Qiu? How did you two meet? I’m quite curious. You used to be so straight, Hanxue, changing girlfriends frequently. How did you suddenly end up with a man?”
At the table full of seafood, Qiu Zheyan methodically peeled crab meat with tools. As Zhuang Hanxue was about to speak, Qiu Zheyan held the meat to his mouth. Distracted by the delicacy, Zhuang Hanxue forgot what he was going to say and instinctively ate it.
Zhuang Hanxue smacked his lips. “It’s not as fatty as before, this crab is just average.”
Qiu Zheyan answered on his behalf, “I’m twenty-seven this year and run my own company. I can’t compare to Miss Jiang’s success; I’m just making a living. As for us, I pursued Hanxue. We met six months ago and started dating officially two months ago, with marriage as the goal. We’ve already met each other’s parents.”
Zhuang Hanxue frowned slightly, glancing at him: It’s you who had marriage in mind, not me.
But he wasn’t foolish enough to contradict Qiu Zheyan now, so he kept quiet.
Jiang Ruoyun’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise. “Zhuang Hanxue, you wouldn’t marry a woman when your parents wanted you to, but now you’re marrying a man?”
Zhuang Hanxue stammered, “It’s… it’s not set yet. Don’t make it sound like I’m getting married tomorrow. Aren’t you… I saw online that you and that actor have a popular CP. There are rumors you’re getting married.”
Jiang Ruoyun said coolly, “That’s just hype from the variety show. You’re overthinking it.”
Zhuang Hanxue was shocked and said with disappointment. “Really? Just hype? I saw your clips online, you looked so sweet together. I thought you were really dating.”
Jiang Ruoyun laughed. “No, we’re not.”
Qiu Zheyan remained silent, peeling another shrimp to feed Zhuang Hanxue.
Zhuang Hanxue naturally accepted one mouthful after another, not even realizing it—this was their usual routine at home.
He was lazy, Qiu Zheyan was diligent. Qiu Zheyan just had that caring, can’t-sit-still personality, and Zhuang Hanxue accepted it without guilt.
Jiang Ruoyun felt like rolling her eyes at this display of affection.
She truly hadn’t expected Zhuang Hanxue to end up liking men. During their years together, there hadn’t been any signs. Even now, although Zhuang Hanxue still seemed lazy and nonchalant, he didn’t seem particularly gay.
It made her somewhat nostalgic for her early career days. Compared to the past, she had changed dramatically, while Zhuang Hanxue, apart from a few more laugh lines, still had a youthful temperament, as if he hadn’t grown up.
If only they could have stayed in those good times.
Jiang Ruoyun went to the restroom.
Zhuang Hanxue glanced at the female manager sitting opposite, then urgently whispered to Qiu Zheyan, “Hurry up and discuss the collaboration with her.”
Qiu Zheyan replied nonchalantly, “It’s fine. I’ve decided not to collaborate with her.”
Zhuang Hanxue was stunned, asking confusedly, “Huh? … Then why did you come?”
Qiu Zheyan chuckled. “To observe my love rival. To see in person what the woman who nearly made you marry looks like.”
Zhuang Hanxue explained frustratedly, “I’ve explained many times, I wasn’t going to marry her. Didn’t we break up because I didn’t want to get married?”
Eight years ago… Qiu Zheyan calculated the ages and remarked sourly, “You were 26 then, and she was 22. Both in your prime, weren’t you?”
Zhuang Hanxue seemed oblivious to Qiu Zheyan’s jealousy and whispered, “She changed her age, made herself two years younger. I’m telling you this in secret, so don’t let it slip out.”
Qiu Zheyan: “…”
During this meal, Zhuang Hanxue was the only one who could still eat, and not just eat, but he stuffed himself to the point of bursting.
Usually, Qiu Zheyan wouldn’t allow him to eat so many crabs, worried that he’d get sick from overeating. He’d normally limit Zhuang Hanxue to two crabs at most, but today, wanting to show off his affection, he peeled four crabs for him in one go! Zhuang Hanxue quickly took the chance to indulge.
Since Qiu Zheyan wasn’t planning to discuss collaboration with Jiang Ruoyun, they might as well wrap things up and head home.
Zhuang Hanxue said cheerfully, “Thank you for treating me to dinner today.”
Jiang Ruoyun seemed to remember something, her starry eyes sparkling. “No need to thank me. You treated me to many delicious meals back then. We had such fun times, you were always taking me to various restaurants. At today’s meet-and-greet, you even remembered my first film from ten years ago. I was quite surprised, I thought you’d forgotten long ago.”
Qiu Zheyan glanced sideways.
Zhuang Hanxue grinned foolishly, “Hehe, I can’t remember my studies, but I remember movies and fun things like eating and drinking very well.”
He said, “…Actually, I’ve always wanted to say, I’m quite sorry about back then.”
Jiang Ruoyun’s eyes dimmed. She asked, “So you know you’ve wronged me? Tell me, how exactly did you wrong me?”
Zhuang Hanxue glanced at Qiu Zheyan, seeing he hadn’t exploded yet, then said to Jiang Ruoyun, “Well… I wasted several years of your life. That was the best time for a girl. I should have made it clear earlier that I didn’t plan to marry you.”
Jiang Ruoyun leaned back, sat up straight, and took a deep breath. She didn’t answer immediately, instead taking out an elegant silver cigarette case from her bag. She offered a cigarette, asking Zhuang Hanxue and Qiu Zheyan, “Want one? Mild Seven.”
Zhuang Hanxue waved his hand, “I don’t smoke ladies’ cigarettes.”
Qiu Zheyan: “I don’t smoke.”
“This is still the cigarette case you gave me. I’ve used it for so many years, and it’s still good.” Jiang Ruoyun smiled, “I remember you liked Yuxi1Brand of cigarette. Mind if I smoke?”
Zhuang Hanxue: “Not at all.”
Mint-flavored smoke curled from her red lips, adding a touch of allure, mingling a hint of beauty with a touch of danger. She said, “It’s fine, you don’t need to apologize. What was there to waste? I was young then, obsessed with love, almost ruining my future by rushing into marriage. If you hadn’t broken up with me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I should thank you, really.”
Zhuang Hanxue chuckled foolishly, “Hehe, well, no need to thank me.”
Qiu Zheyan was exasperated with him. Did he think she was praising him?
They said goodbye to Jiang Ruoyun.
Qiu Zheyan held his hand tightly as they walked home, waiting until they were far away before asking, “What were you chatting about so happily with her before I arrived? Reminiscing about old times?”
Zhuang Hanxue shook his head, “No, she just asked about you and me. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with telling her, so I explained how we got together. She asked a lot…”
Zhuang Hanxue hesitated, then said mischievously, “I suspect… she wants to be my sugar mommy.”
Qiu Zheyan stopped, held his breath, and his face darkened, “…?”
Zhuang Hanxue said, “She asked how much allowance you give me per month. I said 8,000. She joked that she’d give me 80,000 a month, asking if I wanted to change ‘owners’.”
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