Zhou Hechen looked over and saw Ye Wanlan and Quan Zhaoning sitting face to face, fury swelling in his chest.
He could let it slide that someone else had snatched the opportunity from him earlier, but on what grounds did Ye Wanlan use his name to swindle and deceive?
Xu Li was nervous, "Brother Hechen, calm down."
"I am calm," Zhou Hechen scoffed, "I won't lose my composure in front of President Quan."
A few minutes later, while Quan Zhaoning was in the restroom, he finally pushed the door open and entered.
"Enough," Zhou Hechen looked down at the girl, "To this point, I must admit, your tactics have been very effective."
Deliberately playing hard to get, then intentionally appearing before him.
Smarter than before, but not by much.
Ye Wanlan simply glanced at him, then withdrew her gaze and continued to look at the menu.
All things considered, this was her first face-to-face encounter with Zhou Hechen since she had taken back her body.
Zhou Hechen's heart sank, and he pursed his lips tightly.
"Ye Wanlan, this is too much," Xu Li spoke up, "Last time you said you wouldn't use Brother Hechen, so why are you still using the name of his girlfriend to cozy up to President Quan today? Without Brother Hechen, would President Quan sit down to have a meal with you?"
"I take back my words, your brother is slightly smarter compared to you," Ye Wanlan finally spoke, "But it doesn't make much difference, both are fools."
Xu Li became annoyed, "Ye Wanlan, what do you mean? You—"
At this moment, a waiter approached, "Miss, please step into the private room, the remaining matters will be handled by our staff."
"Thank you." Ye Wanlan closed the menu, from beginning to end, she did not give Zhou Hechen another glance.
Zhou Hechen's jaw clenched, his fingers curled into fists.
Xu Li was quite angry, "Brother Hechen, she—"
"Let's go," Zhou Hechen turned away indifferently, "This afternoon I'll have a talk with President Quan myself."
He would tell Quan Zhaoning that Ye Wanlan was not his girlfriend at all, and that her character was despicable.
Xu Li always followed Zhou Hechen's lead; as soon as Hechen took a step, he hurried to follow him out.
Peninsula Restaurant, within the private room.
"Miss Ye, please sit. It was my oversight," Quan Zhaoning frowned, "I originally thought that Zhou Hechen had some ability, otherwise Zhou Corporation wouldn't have been so successful these years. I didn't expect him to be a dog that bullies women!"
She too was a woman, and she would definitely not cooperate with Zhou Corporation.
Ye Wanlan didn't respond but instead pushed forward a package of traditional Chinese medicine, "This is the antidote, taken three times a day, after meals, and in seven days it should clear the toxins from your body."
Quan Zhaoning was surprised, "You can practice medicine?"
Ye Wanlan hummed an acknowledgment, "Somewhat familiar."
In her previous life, when she was Princess Yongning, she was too ill to study medicine.
But in this life, she had a healthy body, and within the 999 years of the time loop, she naturally wouldn't fall behind in medical skills.
Whether in times of chaos or peace, doctors were essential.
"You..." Quan Zhaoning's heart was still trembling, "How on earth did you know that I've been drinking slow-acting poison for three months, and how did you know where my gun was placed?"
Ye Wanlan clasped her hands together, smiling slightly, "Since I am to talk business with President Quan, I have to show what I'm capable of."
"Miss Ye, a hero among the youth, indeed very capable," Quan Zhaoning sighed deeply, "I'll call Xiao Lin over too, let's talk together."
Ye Wanlan nodded.
She seemed to notice something and suddenly turned to look out the window.
Bing He's pupils shrank, and he hurriedly ran off, patting his chest.
He was almost discovered.
Returning to Yan Tingfeng's side, Bing He reported, "Young Master, Miss Ye and Quan Zhaoning are dining at Peninsula Restaurant and haven't been hurt."
Yan Tingfeng didn't say a word.
"However, Young Master, Quan Zhaoning is Jiang Xulin's maternal aunt, and Jiang Xulin is an orphan," Bing He counted on his fingers, "So if we round it up, doesn't it mean that Miss Ye's having a meal with Quan Zhaoning today is the same as meeting the parents? Look at them, they're enjoying each other's company. Could they be preparing to get engaged right away?"
Yan Tingfeng gently flicked a flower petal off his shoulder; his tone was slow and casual, "And that concerns you?"
Bing He shrank his neck, "Not at all, I'm just..."
He still didn't dare speak the words "gossiping" out loud, for he suddenly felt a murderous aura.
Bing He cautiously looked around.
Yan Tingfeng was still quietly watching the falling flowers, his eyes brimming with a smile, seemingly without any emotional change.
His silver hair scattered in the sunlight was unspeakably beautiful.
Bing He approached Tie Ma with trepidation and whispered, "Tietie, I feel like the Young Master has been a bit off lately."
Tie Ma replied, "Don't call me Tietie."
Bing He, "Ah?"
Tie Ma disdainfully said, "Also, keep your distance. I'm afraid you'll lower my IQ, and then how will I understand the Young Master's commands?"
Bing He, "..."
He did all the dirty and tiring work, yet why did he have no status at all!
**
During lunchtime, Sheng Yunyi received a call from Zhou Hechen, "Okay, Hechen, I'll wait for you. I'm having lunch with Qingya, I'll see you in a bit."
"Is it Brother Hechen? Yunyi, really, I don't understand what Brother Hechen is thinking, insisting on choosing a fake," Fang Qingya said, "Isn't he just trying to provoke you on purpose?"
Sheng Yunyi simply smiled softly, "I trust him. There must be some compelling reason."
"I know you trust him, and I believe Brother Hechen is devoted to you," Fang Qingya sighed, "I mean that fake, better safe than sorry, don't forget, had it not been for your good fortune, your hand would have been useless now."
She, after all, was a witness.
Thankfully, Sheng Yunyi only sustained a thin cut, without damaging any nerves, for if the injury had been any worse, no hundred Ye Wanlans could make up for the loss of a prodigious artist.
"Let's not talk about this anymore," Sheng Yunyi asked, "How have uncle and aunt been feeling lately?"
"My dad and mom are in good spirits, it's just that my second brother has gone crazy," Fang Qingya pursed her lips, "He insists, even if it means digging three feet into the ground in Jiangcheng, he will find that racing woman. He thinks he's some domineering CEO or something."
Sheng Yunyi spoke gently, "Qingye has a passion for racing, so it's understandable that he's excited about meeting someone he likes."
"That's impossible. My parents would never allow a racing woman into the Fang Family. Yunyi, you're so lucky. Brother Hechen has always been cold-hearted, but his heart is warm only toward you," Fang Qingya envied her, "The two of you are also a perfect match, while I can only marry for the sake of the family alliance."
She joked, "Yunyi, I heard that Brother Hechen fell in love with you at first sight when he was eight years old. Tell me, how did you descend from the heavens to save him, making him unable to live without you?"
Sheng Yunyi just smiled without saying a word.
Of course, she would not tell anyone that Ye Wanlan had not hurt her.
And she would never tell anyone that she had never been to South City, nor had she saved Zhou Hechen.
The one who saved Zhou Hechen was...