Chapter 130: Chapter 130

The girl said something to her companion behind her, then walked directly into the private room. She opened her mouth to speak, only to notice Shen Jianian sitting next to Fu Jichen, and was suddenly stunned.

Because of the angle, she hadn’t seen anyone else in the private room from outside the door. Now, she inevitably felt a bit awkward, her expression not quite natural: "Brother Jichen, sorry, I interrupted you."

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily swept towards Shen Jianian.

Shen Jianian had mainly come to the hospital to visit a patient today. She hadn’t put on makeup before going out, wearing a thick cotton shirt layered with a diamond-patterned knit vest, paired with jeans. She had taken off her coat and draped it over the back of the chair.

Her simple attire, clean face, and shoulder-length hair all exuded a somewhat student-like vibe.

Shen Jianian felt uncomfortable as the other girl’s gaze lingered on her face for a long time, so she lifted her eyelids and looked straight back.

The girl was about Shen Jianian’s age, dressed as exquisitely as a doll in a shop window. She had tied her black wavy hair into a high ponytail, adorned with a small black bow hair clip, wearing a fashionable outfit with knee-high boots hugging her calves, carrying a mini-sized bag.

Their eyes met, and the girl was the first to look away, casually asking Fu Jichen, "Brother Jichen, are you here to treat a client for dinner?"

She knew the girl beside Fu Jichen wasn’t a client; no client would dress like that. She assumed she was a college student clinging to a rich man and looked down on her, which was why she asked that question on purpose.

Jichen is her sister’s fiancé. Since she had encountered this situation, she had to do something to make this shameless girl retreat tactfully.

Fu Jichen’s face was cold: "Not a client. Do you have other matters?"

Xu Jingyi walked two steps closer, warmly chatting with him: "Did you know my sister is returning to the country soon? Her things have already been shipped back from abroad. Will you be going to pick her up at the airport? I can send you the flight details."

Fu Jichen said flatly: "Are you done talking?"

Xu Jingyi’s face stiffened, what was this attitude?

Even though there hadn’t been a formal engagement ceremony, and they weren’t technically engaged, the two families had discussed verbally pairing Fu Jichen with her sister Xu Youxuan.

He wouldn’t misunderstand her intentions, right?

Noticing Fu Jichen’s displeasure, Xu Jingyi felt a bit intimidated, not daring to speak any further, awkwardly laughing: "My friends are waiting for me, I won’t disturb your meal, bye bye."

Xu Jingyi playfully waved her little hand and slipped out.

Her good friends waiting in the hallway immediately surrounded her, curiously asking: "Who was that guy? He’s so handsome! Just one glance and my soul was hooked. You called him brother, but we didn’t know you have such a handsome brother."

Xu Jingyi was stifled by anger in her chest, her face looking quite unpleasant: "What kind of brother is he to me? He’s my sister’s fiancé. I’ve met him before, so I called him brother out of courtesy; I should call him brother-in-law in the future."

"Isn’t your sister studying abroad?"

"She has already finished her PhD and will return soon," Xu Jingyi said, finding it hard to explain, "When I went in, I saw him with a young girl, he said she wasn’t a client; I think he’s keeping a college student lover. It’s too despicable, where does that put my sister."

Her friend hesitated for a moment, then showed an understanding look, saying: "Worried for your sister? Successful people often play around before marriage, some will settle down and return to their family life after marriage, some don’t restrain themselves even after getting married. The family flag stays firmly planted, while colorful ones flutter outside."

Xu Jingyi fiercely knitted her brows: "I thought Brother Jichen wasn’t that type of person."

"Ha, they say a woman’s heart is hard to fathom, but a man’s heart is even more deep and scary," her friend shared her experience insightfully, "Some men don’t show anything on the surface, but deep down they’re full of bad intentions."

It’s a weekend, so the flow of customers is high, and the dishes are coming slowly.

The server first brought in a bottle of sparkling wine.

The cap was opened, and Shen Jianian didn’t let the server help. She poured herself a glass. The bubbles danced in the liquid, rushing out and clinging to the transparent glass wall.

Shen Jianian picked up the glass and took a sip. The refreshing taste instantly made her head clear, but the alcohol content weighed down rising with a dizzying power after hitting her stomach.

Fu Jichen lifted the wine bottle to check the alcohol level, the label on the bottle showing six percent, while Shen Jianian’s cheeks had turned rosy after two sips.

He moved the bottle away, placing it at the other end of the dining table: "Drink less."

Shen Jianian, perceptive, didn’t ask about the girl’s identity or her sister, though she had some guesses, she didn’t care to confirm.

Perhaps, it wasn’t about not caring; she didn’t dare.

Fu Jichen looked at her, about to say something when the server came to serve the meal: first the soup, then the main course, finally the salad, with an extra dessert as a bonus.

Shen Jianian softly thanked them, picked up a spoon to drink cream of mushroom soup, hearing the man next to her speak gently: "That was the second daughter of the Xu Family, we’ve had meals together with both families, and seen her two or three times before."

Shen Jianian sensed he was explaining the girl’s identity, slowing her action of drinking soup, waiting quietly for him to continue.

Fu Jichen hadn’t meant to hide anything, but truly, it wasn’t worth discussing, so he spoke concisely: "Her sister is the old man’s preferred future granddaughter-in-law candidate."

Shen Jianian’s hand holding the spoon suddenly tightened, her throat feeling constricted.

"It was just mentioned briefly, nothing definitive," Fu Jichen worried she’d overthink, clarifying his stance, "The old man’s thoughts aren’t the same as mine."

Shen Jianian wasn’t greatly comforted by this. Her mind recalled hearing him last night speak sparsely about Zhou Zhizhen and his girlfriend’s story.

At first, she thought it was someone else’s story. Upon reflection, it was merely a reflection of her own.

She wasn’t so unreasonable as to argue with him over such matters, slightly curving her lips, saying: "I understand."

After speaking, Shen Jianian lowered her head, her eyes feeling cold.

If it was indeed just a brief mention, then the second daughter of the Xu Family wouldn’t have dramatically mentioned her sister’s pending return to the country, the real situation might be that both families had tacitly accepted this arranged marriage.

Shen Jianian gathered her emotions, picked up a piece of black truffle flatbread and took a big bite. The flatbread was crispy, smeared with aromatic cheese black truffle sauce, with a whole soft-boiled egg on top.

Having eaten her fill, Shen Jianian’s mind hovered between clarity and haziness, still remembering what she needed to say to Fu Jichen.

"Fu Jichen, I have something to tell you."

Fu Jichen was slightly taken aback, recalling last night. In the old house’s yard, she spoke to him seriously: Fu Jichen, I have something to ask you.

"Speak, I’m listening." Fu Jichen touched the cigarette box, recalling that smoking indoors was prohibited, he could only give up.

Shen Jianian didn’t lay much groundwork, bluntly telling him: "Our deal, let’s stop."

Fu Jichen’s hand holding the cigarette box dropped it on the table with a light sound, like his heart dropping from a height. He clearly understood her meaning but pretended not to: "What do you mean?"

Shen Jianian’s cheeks were rosy, due to the alcohol, but her eyes were determined: "I mean I don’t want revenge anymore. The Pei Family has already fallen, and they’ve paid a heavy price; I want to stop here. Does that make sense?"

Fu Jichen bit his lip, his face inch by inch turning icy: "Do you know what you’re saying?"

Shen Jianian gazed at him deeply, speaking each word with emphasis: "I’m not drunk, I’m very sober now, every word I’m saying to you is well thought out."

A sudden wave of sadness filled her heart, her tone paused for a few seconds. She still tried to express her thoughts clearly: "Sorry, all your previous efforts have been in vain. But, I’ve accompanied you for so long, can we consider it even?"