A sudden sound interrupts Shen Lan's speech, causing her breath to hitch.
She involuntarily looks toward the source of the sound, only to find no one there!
Could this be an illusion?
Cheng Yanqing, sitting next to her, notices her reaction. As he attempts to say something, Chen Yan is already heading towards them, "Have you chosen a seat yet?"
Shen Lan nods, her thoughts regathering, "The spot next to the window is nice. Let's sit there."
In step with this, she naturally loops her arm through Cheng Yanqing's.
Her actions leave Cheng Yanqing somewhat stunned. However, when she hands him her phone, he can't help but chuckle.
The screen displays the process of adding a friend on WeChat, and Cheng Yanqing understands her intention.
He personally takes Shen Lan's phone, enters his own phone number, and his WeChat contact details pop up. His avatar is black, the single character name: Cheng. Shen Lan touches the screen to add him.
In doing this, she tugs on him slightly. Just before seating, Cheng Yanqing accepts her request, as if he's taking part in some covert operation.
Two menus are handed by Cheng Yanqing to Shen Lan and Chen Yan, "Choose whatever you'd like."
Shen Lan sends Cheng Yanqing 1000 RMB via WeChat while she inspects the menu.
Cheng Yanqing hears the notification sound and reflexively glances at his device.
He has received a WeChat transfer. This is a first for him.
Recalling Shen Lan's previous words, his heart sinks somewhat.
Watching as Shen Lan deftly chose several moderately priced dishes with generous portion sizes, Chen Yan was impressed. As for Cheng Yanqing, seeing the total bill less than 200 RMB, it seemed he struggled to comprehend it.
"You don't need anything else?"
Even though Shen Lan transferred money to him, he had no intention of using it. In fact, he had yet to accept the money at all.
Chen Yan felt a little uneasy about letting him bear the entire cost.
Shen Lan shakes her head, "We've made our selections. Order anything else you'd like."
With that, Cheng Yanqing summoned a waiter and ordered several specialty dishes, causing Chen Yan to gasp internally.
She remembered those specialty dishes each started at 200 RMB, and he ordered several...
Instantly, she flashed Shen Lan a discreet thumbs up.
This husband she'd found wasn't just handsome, but also generous!
Throughout the meal, Chen Yan was treated extremely well.
Every dish was first offered to Chen Yan, and even Cheng Yanqing asked thoughtfully, "How's the taste?"
Even though he asked, the food was first placed in Shen Lan's bowl.
This warmhearted attitude was simply off the charts!
Not long after they started eating, Cheng Yanqing's phone rang.
He excuses himself politely, "Sorry, I need to take this call. You two continue eating."
Once he's gone, Chen Yan leans in to whisper to Shen Lan, "From what I can tell, he's quite good. How did you two negotiate before getting married?"
"Non-interference. But just now...I think I heard Ji Changhe calling for me."
That previous call of "Lan Lan" was like a huge boulder heavily pressing on her heart.
She was sure it wasn't an illusion.
On her first dinner with Cheng Yanqing, this event occurred. Perhaps Cheng Yanqing had spotted that despicable man even before her!
When Chen Yan heard Shen Lan say 'Ji Changhe', her heart tensed, "Ah? Lan, you aren't seeing things, are you? Ji Changhe hasn't appeared in such a long time."
Shen Lan shakes her head, "It happened when you went to the restroom and I was preparing to order with Cheng Yanqing. I was stunned. When I looked back, there was no one."
Shen Lan doesn't look well.
Ji Changhe has been missing from her life for a long time.
His sudden appearance now indicates the situation is not as simple as it seems.
Especially considering the way Cheng Yanqing looked at her just a moment ago...
Seeing Shen Lan's expression, Chen Yan pats her shoulder, "What's there to fear? It's not like we've done anything wrong. If it's not an illusion, we say it as it is. Besides, didn't you agree on non-interference when you got married?"
Shen Lan can understand Chen Yan's viewpoint.
However, this makes her seem like...
Just as she's about to say something, Cheng Yanqing returns.
He apologizes profusely, "I'm sorry, a sudden matter came up at work and I have to leave. Take your time eating. I've already paid the bill. Call me if anything comes up."
Seeing this, Shen Lan has no choice but to remind him, "Then be careful on the road."
"Alright."
After responding to Shen Lan, Cheng Yanqing departs.
Having retrieved his car from the parking lot and started the engine, he places a call to his assistant, Lu Xun.
Lu Xun picks up promptly. His spoken words are extremely respectful, "President Cheng, what do you need?"
Thinking of the man he had recently crossed paths with, Cheng Yanqing's face darkens, "I want the identity of the man who appeared at the entrance of the restaurant half an hour ago."
This presents a challenge for Lu Xun; Shise is a well-known restaurant.
Within half an hour...
With people constantly coming and going, knowing which man had appeared half an hour ago was difficult.
Lu Xun was anxiously thinking about how to find out when Cheng Yanqing's ominous voice sounds in his ear, "The man who was less than two meters away from me."