Beike Song didn't know much about this Ye family young master, but he knew Yanjing's waters ran deep. It was best not to offend people lightly. Having more friends was always better than having more enemies, especially in a place where one could be backstabbed at any moment. Therefore, he decided to express goodwill towards Ye Qiu.
Although Ye Qiu didn't know how true nobles conducted themselves, he understood that a certain level of arrogance was necessary. Being a fraud, adding a touch of arrogance might lend more credibility. Sometimes, human nature is peculiar; if you are too polite, people might suspect you.
Instead of immediately shaking Beike Song's hand, Ye Qiu turned to Tang Guo and asked, "Who is he?"
To be honest, Tang Guo didn't know much about this man who had suddenly appeared. She had gathered from his conversation with Shen Monong that his surname was Bei and that he was from Suzhou, with some connection to the Shen family.
Understanding Tang Guo's intention, Shen Monong, though she found it unnecessary, was willing to cooperate if it could definitively end Beike Song's pursuit.
Standing up, she introduced, "Ye Shao, this is Beike Song from the Bei family in Suzhou."
This scene made Beike Song feel even worse. He had been here for a while without even a sip of water, and no one had invited him to sit down. Yet, when this Ye family young master arrived, Shen Monong stood up to greet him. The comparison was infuriating.
"Oh, the Bei family. Isn't the Silk Store one of your businesses? Our old man likes silk clothing and orders a few sets from your store every year," Ye Qiu said nonchalantly, finally shaking Beike Song's hand, which had been awkwardly suspended in mid-air.
Ye Qiu wasn't lying. Though his old man was strict and frugal with him, always saying he would have plenty of opportunities to enjoy wealth in the future, he didn't skimp on his attire. He indeed ordered a few sets of robes from the Silk Store every year. Ye Qiu had handled these transactions, so he knew about the Bei family's business, which gave him an air of authenticity.
Beike Song no longer doubted him. The Silk Store did belong to the Bei family, but it catered only to high-end customers, with each set of silk garments costing tens of thousands. There were over a hundred branches worldwide, but only those of a certain status knew of its connection to the Bei family.
Moreover, he mentioned that their old man ordered a few sets every year. While "a few sets" sounded ordinary, it was the term "old man" that sparked imagination. Could he be the descendant of a big shot in Yanjing?
"Haha, thank you for your patronage, Ye Lao. It's a pleasure to meet Ye Shao. Could you leave an address so I can send the latest styles to Ye Lao as a token of respect?" Beike Song offered.
"You put me in a difficult position. Our old man doesn't like such gestures," Ye Qiu smiled and declined.
"Haha, my mistake. It's fate that we meet today. How about I host lunch for everyone?" Beike Song proposed, undeterred by the rejection. If Ye Qiu had accepted the gift immediately, it would have indicated a lack of refinement.
Ye Qiu glanced at Shen Monong for her reaction. Seeing her shaking her head slightly, he smiled and said, "Next time, I'll be the host. I have some matters to discuss with Monong today."
Hearing Ye Qiu mention his relationship with Shen Monong, Beike Song's face fell briefly. Any man would feel uncomfortable seeing the woman he likes with another man.
"In that case, I'll take my leave. I hope to have the opportunity to drink with Ye Shao in the future. Please don't refuse again," Beike Song said, regaining his composure. He couldn't act rashly without understanding his opponent. This frustration had to be endured for now.
Turning to Shen Monong, he added, "Monong, I'm leaving. Please consider my suggestion. Your parents miss you and hope you visit."
He said this to subtly hint at his relationship with Shen Monong, trying to assert his position. Without waiting for her response, he bid farewell to Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er and walked out gracefully.
Everyone followed to the door to see him off. Beike Song waved elegantly before getting into his car and driving away.
Once Beike Song's car was out of sight, the three women turned their gazes to Ye Qiu.
"What's wrong? Did I slip up?" Ye Qiu asked nervously. He had played many roles before—hero, bandit, thief, cop, nurse, and flight attendant (okay, maybe not those last two)—but this was his first time pretending to be a rich young master.
"You were amazing, Ye Qiu! Like an Oscar-winning performance. You were just like those real young masters I've seen!" Lin Bao'er exclaimed, her large eyes shining with excitement.
Indeed, playing such a role was challenging. These young masters, with their privileged backgrounds and rigorous upbringing, exuded a blend of approachability and innate arrogance, making them seem superior yet accessible. Ye Qiu had captured this perfectly, impressing even the experienced Beike Song.
"Yes, quite impressive. It was a true-to-life performance," Tang Guo, who usually found Ye Qiu annoying, even praised him.
Shen Monong walked up to Ye Qiu, stared at him for a moment, and said, "Thank you."
"No problem. I didn't really do much," Ye Qiu said modestly, feeling quite pleased with the compliments from these beautiful women.
"How did you know about the Silk Store and its connection to the Bei family?" Shen Monong suddenly asked.
"Uh?" Ye Qiu was caught off guard by the question.