With that, Shi Lian then snapped out of her thoughts, furrowing her brows as Zhang Ren ordered way more than when she ate with Shu Xian and her driver, commenting on what Zhang Ren had done.
"Why did you order so much? I only have less money on me and—"
"You don't have to worry," Zhang Ren interrupted, already revealing a black card from his pocket as his expression turned smug, giving Shi Lian a wink at the same time. "I can treat you myself. Our little secret, yeah?"
With that said, Shi Lian really couldn't help but widen her eyes at him, pointing at the black card that he was holding.
"Th-that legendary card."
"What legendary card?" Zhang Ren feigned ignorance, already keeping his black card back in place. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"B-b-but… people rarely have black cards! My older brother has, but you… you…."
Shi Lian couldn't help but point at Zhang Ren as if she was accusing him of something. With him laughing as he shook his head, Shi Lian remembered how one could have a black card.
There are three ways to get qualified, specifically, having an invitation, based on the credit score, and then the annual spending.
With the lady suddenly remembering the talk that they had earlier in the car, it made Shi Lian narrow her eyes at him, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she spoke softly, only enough for them to hear.
"So you… turned out to be hiding something after all."
"Hmm… you could say that," Zhang Ren nodded, "I just couldn't tell you guys since I don't want people to be, you know… so judging of what I have."
Shi Lian arched a brow at him, "How do you have it, anyway? And…" Shi Lian narrowed her eyes at him again. "How were you able to become a student assistant if you have this black card?"
Zhang Ren grinned, shaking his head as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Soon after, he whispered, enough for Shi Lian to hear that made her lean on the table so she could hear what he said.
"It is a secret~!"
"Oooh!"
Shi Lian groaned, already slumping on her seat as she pouted, ever-the-more curious.
"Why must it be a secret?"
"We just met each other recently," Zhang Ren answered, smiling at Shi Lian. "But don't worry, I will tell you guys eventually. Once you get my trust."
Shi Lian raised her index finger, acting cute as she tucked her hair behind her ear with her other free hand.
"Just a tip, please?" she asked, "You said I'm pretty, anyway~!"
Zhang Ren couldn't help but laugh. With what Shi Lian had said, he couldn't help but bite his bottom lip, stifling his laughter as he made a comment.
"You can be shameless at times, no? This is why you're my type. Like you, no one has dared to act this way towards me," he said, making Shi Lian blush.
"O-oh… I didn't expect that," she mumbled, the food already being served in front of them.
As the food was being set in front of them, both of them went silent for a while. The moment the waiter left, Zhang Ren looked at Shi Lian straight in the eyes, giving her a smug grin as well.
"If you have managed to take my heart away, I'm willing to tell you everything about me."
"Wha—"
"For now," Zhang Ren interrupted Shi Lian, "Let's eat. And then keep this black card a secret, yeah?"
With that, Zhang Ren got his cutlery then started eating, Shi Lian, frozen on her seat as she stared at the man before him, what he said of making him fall for her still ringing in her ear.
***
Before everyone knew it, it was already the following day. It was the weekend so Shu Xian did her chores, and then had done her assignments.
Since she was done with her assignments, she had taken Wan Wan out for a short walk and the moment she returned back inside, she saw Pan An in the living room, sitting on the floor as he was starting to check the papers Shu Xian helped him carry.
Wan Wan laid beside Pan An. The moment she did, Pan An patted her as he scanned on the paper, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Do you need any help?" Shu Xian asked as she sat on the couch behind him, Pan An, nodding as he requested something from her.
"Maybe a massage on the shoulders would do?"
Shu Xian playfully rolled her eyes then gave him a massage. However, before Shu Xian could further continue, her phone suddenly rang on the table, already seeing who the caller is.
It was Cai Li, Pan An's mother.
"Hmm… pick it up… she might be coming to pick you up earlier," he commented, Shu Xian standing up from the couch as she got the phone and then answered the call, already going to the kitchen.
"Hello, Ma'am Cai Li. Is something the matter?"
"Hello, my dearie~! I just want to tell you that I will be picking you up earlier—I am already outside the house with the driver."
Hearing this, Shu Xian's eyes widened in surprise. With that said, she immediately ran to her room, the door closing surprising Wan Wan as Pan An scoffed, already guessing right.
"Oh, mother," he mumbled to himself, "Always doing your best to startle those poor ladies."
The moment Shu Xian was already in her room, she put the phone on loud speaker as she immediately got an appropriate dress from her wardrobe, quickly undressing herself.
"M-Ma'am Cai Li, I'm sorry, can you wait for five minutes? I was surprised that you came earlier—I thought it would be at a later time."
"Oh, it's alright dear," Cai Li said, letting out a sigh. "I just… thought that I need more time to talk to you since an issue has arisen."
With that heard, it had actually caught Shu Xian's attention. The moment she put her dress on, she sat down on the bed, her phone beside her as she combed her hair, asking her a question.
"Oh, what is it? I will do my best to help," Shu Xian asked and said, what Cai Li gave her as an answer making her stop what she was doing, surprised.
"I'll get straight to the point. You see, Ruo Xi is back… and I don't want Pan An to know that she is back."