The waiter led them into the private room. When Tang Wan saw the furnishings in the room, her heart skipped a beat.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Tang. This is the only private room we have left since you made your booking late. If you want a smaller private room, you may have to wait for another half an hour or so."
There was a large round table in the room, which was enough to accommodate more than ten people. How could two people sit at such a table?
"Fifth Master, look at this..." Tang Wan wanted to check if he's okay.
"I'm fine with anything. You'll decide."
The public dining area outside the restaurant was bustling with people. It was not a good place to talk. She gritted her teeth and said, "We'll take this one then."
"Please have a seat. We'll serve you right away."
Tang Wan had Jiang Jinshang sat at the center of the table.
With this seating, it would be too intimate if they sat too close, yet anything otherwise would render conversation impossible.
After hesitating, she found a seat that was a distance away from him and sat down. Because she wasn't familiar with him, the atmosphere couldn't hide the awkwardness until a waiter came in to serve tea and snacks.
"I'm not familiar with this place. You can take care of it. There's no need to order too much. Anything enough for two is fine." Jiang Jinshang pushed the menu to Tang Wan.
Tang Wan didn't hold back. She ordered shrimps, fish, meat, and some vegetables, along with a fish stew, dishes that she enjoyed very much.
"What else do you want to eat?" After Tang Wan made her order, she politely turned her head and asked for his opinion again.
When she turned her head, their eyes met. He was holding a teacup, sipping the tea while looking at her. His gaze was direct. It was cold and pale, making his pupils look even darker.
He nodded. "You decide."
Tang Wan's breathing became heavy under his gaze. She turned her head and handed the tablet back to the staff. The moment the waiter left, the atmosphere in the room instantly became strange again.
"Ms. Tang, I'm not in good health. My voice may not be that loud." Jiang Jinshang caressed the cup and sized up the distance between the two of them.
She's sitting too far away.
Tang Wan had no choice but to force herself to move two seats to his side. He still didn't make a sound, but his cold, white face was chilly and hard to get close to.
He stared at her until there were no more empty seats between the two of them. Then he lowered his head to take a sip of tea, and back up at her again.
Tang Wan's heart was beating like a drum. They were not familiar with each other and the distance between them was too close for comfort. The smell of disinfectant on the man's body was intense and carried a dangerous signal.
From the corner of her eyes, she felt something approaching. She raised her head slightly and saw that Jiang Jinshang had already reached out his hand.
"Fifth Master?"
"Don't move." His voice was gentle, but his tone was extremely unyielding.
She felt the hands pass over her face and gently brush past the top of her hair. It was as if a strand of hair had passed through her hair. His fingertips gently slid across her scalp, warm and soft.
It was like a sudden shower in the middle of summer. It was so sudden that one's breathing became chaotic.
"You hair is a little messy." Perhaps it was because of the angle, Tang Wan felt..
As if she was embraced by him.
"Ms. Tang, are you afraid of me?"
As they spoke, Jiang Jinshang had already returned to his seat.
"No." Tang Wan casually brushed her hair. Where he touched her, his warmth lingered.
The chauffeurs stood on attention nearby. As their master was in poor health, they were instructed to never stay more than a meter away from him.
When he saw the actions of his master, he was shocked.
Tang Wan's expression was still rather calm. It wasn't obvious that she was flustered or nervous, but she was obviously in awe of the Fifth Master. As Jiang Jinshang had no mercy against the mother-daughter duo at the Tangs just now, even Ms. Tang was smart enough to keep her distance from the master.
Was Fifth Master caressing her hair?
Her hair was in a mess? Was it?
Tang Wan smoothed her hair. Just as she picked up the cup and took a sip of tea, she heard a gentle voice beside her.
"Miss Tang, this is the first time we've met to say such things. It might be a little abrupt, but..."
"Do you want to marry me?"
"Ahem --" Tang Wan roughly guessed what he would say, but she never expected him to be so forthright.
Just a moment ago, she was still immersed in the palpitations of being smoothed out, but after being provoked by his words, she almost choked on her tea.
The chauffeurs looked at each other in shock.
It's great to be forthright with one's intention, but wasn't that a little too crude?
"There are only two of us in our family. You probably know my brother's situation. He has a good temper and a son. He's a serious and responsible man. My nephew is also obedient and cute."
Good temper?
Tang Wan smiled bitterly. Fifth Master Jiang really knew how to lie through his teeth!
Everyone in business knew that his brother was cold, arrogant, and eccentric.
It was said that the little guy of the Jiang family was even a character. Because his mother was unknown, the Jiang family spoiled him. He was a real little demon king and was quite overbearing. It was obvious that he was a difficult person to deal with.
However, Tang Wan still nodded her head. The corners of her mouth curled up and she put on a diplomatic smile.
Whatever you say, I will smile and not say a word.
"I am 25 this year. I have no marriage history, no history of love, no experience, and no bad habits. I don't smoke or drink. My health's the only bummer."
His tone was clear and direct, but Tang Wan felt that there was something wrong with his words. She suddenly remembered some rumors about him. It was said that because his health was not good, it was possible that in some aspects..
Tang Wan took a sip of tea. It was really pitiful for a man to go this far.
Actually, marrying Jiang Jinshang meant being a widow in the future. After a few years, after his passing, she would be able to enjoy his fortune. With money and the protection of the Jiang family, it was a carefree life. Not too bad either.
But later, she found out that rumors could not be believed, let alone a single word!
The chauffeurs looked at each other. Weren't they here to break off the engagement?
Why does this self-introduction sound like a proposal instead?
***
At this moment, the Jiang family had already finished their lunch. Madam Jiang was still sighing. "I reckon that after this meal, the daughter-in-law will not come true."
"That lady doesn't look stupid. It's a good thing to stay away from Jinshang." The big brother raised his eyebrows slightly.
While the little guy had just finished eating his carrot. "Even if she doesn't marry second uncle, she may not choose you either."
In his second uncle's words, his father was a weird middle-aged man.
Why would the lady like someone like you?
The man glanced at his son. "You didn't eat much for lunch today. Don't you have an appetite?"
"I don't." How could such unpalatable carrots possibly be appetizing.
"I heard that a lack of Vitamin B can cause a loss of appetite. Continue eating the carrots tomorrow to replenish your vitamins."
Uncle was so much better than father!