Their meals arrived swiftly, and Gu Xiaoer silently gnawed through the less-than-tasty Western cuisine amidst an awkward silence and internal struggle.
Sometimes she wanted to alleviate the stifling atmosphere between them, but every time she looked up and saw the man opposite her immersed and indifferent, with his bland and unemotional features, she wisely shut her mouth again.
Minister Bai was handsome, all right, but oh so aloof. She had no idea what to talk about with him and felt like any attempt at conversation would only add to the chill in the air, leaving her restless throughout the meal.
Thinking about it, her Da Luoluo was so much better. He never let her feel out of place and always acted so spontaneously. Around him, even if he didn't talk much himself, he would look at her babbling incessantly, occasionally interjecting to express his thoughts.
Turns out, not every handsome guy is comfortable to be around.
"Minister Bai, you know Da Luoluo!" the woman searched for a topic...
"He told you about that?" Bai Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow, finally giving Gu Xiaoer some sort of response.
"Yes, yes, he said it was thanks to your help that I could clear my name!"
"I did what I had to. Shenghan has zero tolerance for plagiarism. Whatever industry you work in or whatever plans you design in the future, remember that plagiarism is a big taboo."
Bai Xiaoyu actually spoke at length, which made Gu Xiaoer feel honored. She nodded with teary eyes - it was not easy at all!
"Thank you for the reminder, Minister Bai. I'll bear it in mind."
When they were nearly done eating, Bai Xiaoyu took a sip of water, wiped his mouth with a tissue gently, and then called a waiter over to pay the bill.
The sight of the man reaching for his wallet left Gu Xiaoer feeling puzzled again, but she didn't dare presume too much and quickly stood up to get her bag.
Rummaging through her bag, she was certain she had brought her bank card with her. The balance wasn't much, but surely enough to cover a meal.
In her small purse, she could see straight to the bottom and unexpectedly touched a black, rigid card.
"What's this?" She couldn't recall owning such a thing. Turning it over and examining it, aside from the UnionPay and other symbols, there was no excessive decoration, yet the card felt extraordinarily high-quality in her hand.
Then she remembered; this was Han Luoli's Black Card used to flaunt wealth, reportedly able to purchase a club worth a hundred million! It was a bluffing prop. Why had he left it with her? Pretending was one thing, but using it to pay was out of the question!
Looking attractive but impractical, she tossed it casually on the table and continued to search her wallet.
"Stop looking." Bai Xiaoyu's gaze moved away from the Black Card. His pale, long fingers were already passing the card to the waiter.
Gu Xiaoer certainly didn't agree—she had intended to treat him to the meal. "No need, no need, I've found my card. Minister Bai, I insist on treating you!"
The man shook his head, clearly not about to let a girl pay for his meal. It was just a matter of deceiving her into joining him for a simple lunch.
"Minister Bai, please give me this chance to do a good deed!" With that, she shoved her own card at the waiter and returned Bai Xiaoyu's to him.
Perhaps due to nerves or an overly vigorous gesture, her hand accidentally struck the water glass on the table as she withdrew it.
"Splash!" The glass tipped over with the noise.
"Ah!" She covered her eyes in panic, resembling an adorable little otter.
She opened her index finger a little, then a little more, and saw the equally flustered and baffled waiter.
Opening her hand further, she saw the reticent man staring at his own legs, his fair and indifferent face finally beginning to show an expression...