The man in a white shirt and black suit sat casually on his seat, handsome and aloof, easily attracting the attention of the opposite sex around him.
The cold and indifferent profile of his face could be etched in her memory with just a glance.
Opposite him sat a beautiful woman, with exquisite makeup, tall stature, and wearing a sexy black dress, looking very intimate.
As Shi Lin handed her the menu, she sweetly smiled and lowered her head to order.
Lin Mian subconsciously looked away.
"Oh, Dr. Shi, I was wondering why you didn't come with us for dinner, turns out you have a date with a beauty." Qin Li also noticed them and walked over teasingly.
Shi Lin lightly hooked his lips, neither confirming nor denying, "Heard you guys say this restaurant is good, so came here to try it out."
Qin Li chuckled, "This restaurant's food is light and good for your stomach, I specially brought Mian Mian here."
"Oh, it seems General Qin cares a lot for the little disciple, just to take care of her stomach, you came all the way here for dinner." Shi Lin glanced meaningfully at Lin Mian.
Lin Mian felt there was more to his words and chose not to respond.
"Of course, for my little disciple, naturally, I have to take extra care, she is the seedling I am nurturing." Qin Li blinked, handling the situation tactfully.
"Alright, I won't disturb your date anymore, each to their own meal."Shi Lin smirked, subtly retracting his gaze.
Qin Li returned to his seat, and the dishes arrived one after another, and they began to eat.
Lin Mian felt uncomfortable during the meal.
From her angle, she could see the man at the next table sneak glances at her now and then, with a hint of intentional nature.
Their eyes met a few times accidentally, and she always hastily averted her gaze.
For some reason, the more she deliberately avoided him, the more persistent he seemed to be.
It was puzzling, almost like a mystery.
"Mian Mian?"
Qin Li called out to her from across the table, and Lin Mian quickly snapped out of her thoughts.
"Do you like sweets? I noticed you almost finished that plate of dessert, their other dishes are also good, try them all."
Qin Li served her some dishes.
Lin Mian was pleasantly surprised, "Thank you, Teacher Qin."
"You've already graduated, no need to call me Teacher Qin anymore, call me by my name."Qin Li had a casual and gentle demeanor, without an ounce of pride, making people feel inexplicably close to him.
Lin Mian looked anxious, "But it's not appropriate, it's too disrespectful to address you like that. I should follow what other colleagues do and call you General Qin, right?"
She heard that's how people in the company referred to him.
"You're different, you're someone I personally trained. Let's make a distinction. How about you call me Master, it will show that we are closer?"
Qin Li suggested with a smile.
Since he put it that way, Lin Mian nodded obediently.
"Okay, Master."
In the design industry, as a newcomer, she indeed needed a good mentor to guide her.
Having the privilege of being chosen by Qin Li, she was already content and willing to acknowledge him as her mentor.
After finishing the meal, Qin Li went to pay the bill.
Lin Mian immediately got up to leave with him.
As they passed Shi Lin's table, Qin Li greeted him, and Lin Mian kept her head down, too afraid to look into the man's eyes.He had a date with another woman, and she felt guilty even if she took an extra look at him, as if she was having an affair.
After leaving the restaurant, Qin Li received an urgent phone call.
"Cotton, where do you live? Let me take you back first," Qin Li asked.
Knowing that he was in a hurry, Lin Mian sensibly replied, "I live quite far away, and it's rush hour now. It would be a waste of time for you. I'll just take the bus back."
"How can I leave you like this? I brought you out, so I should naturally take you back," Qin Li insisted.
"Really, it's not necessary. Taking the bus is quick. Matters have different degrees of urgency, and I can't delay your urgent matters," Lin Mian waved her hands.
Qin Li wanted to say something more, but another call came in.
He could only compromise for the time being, saying, "Alright then, it's a bother to you. Give me a call after you get back, just to let me know you're safe."
"Okay, got it," Lin Mian replied.
Qin Li quickly drove away.
Lin Mian checked the route and went to a nearby bus stop to wait for the bus.From a distance, she saw two figures walking out of the restaurant. The tall and slender woman got into Shi Lin's car, and as the car started, the black Land Rover drove past her.
Lin Mian instinctively lowered her head, hiding herself away.
It seemed that he had found someone new, so he probably wouldn't look for her again.
The Land Rover drove for a while, and Shi Lin suddenly stopped the car. Without changing his expression, he said to the woman, "I have something to attend to and can't drive you today. You can take a taxi, and I'll reimburse the cost."
The woman was reluctant, "Dr. Shi, you've treated me to a meal. How about I treat you to a movie at a private cinema? Can't your matter wait until after the movie?"
Shi Lin furrowed his brows, "Who said I was going to watch a movie with you? I just had dinner with you to fulfill a task given by my family. Don't overthink it."
The woman couldn't believe it, "You..."
"Get out of the car."