Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Didn't We Agree Not to Tell Uncle and My Mom? Beside them, Lu Shuci's grandmother—Lin Man's mother—was growing fonder of the young couple across from her the longer she looked at them. The elderly woman leaned over and mentioned to her youngest daughter, "Lawyer Ruan and Shuci really make a perfect match. I wonder if Lawyer Ruan has a boyfriend?" Lin Man smiled. "Mom, don't worry. I've already asked around—Lawyer Ruan is single." Hearing this, the old lady beamed from ear to ear. "That's good, that's really good." Lu Shuci's grandfather was eighty-three this year, but his body was still hale and hearty. The old man was spirited and vigorous, pushing the menu toward Ruan Chutang with a cheerful smile. "Lawyer Ruan, order whatever you like." As the guest, Ruan Chutang didn't stand on ceremony. She took the menu graciously and said with a smile, "Then I won't be polite." The restaurant was a Chinese eatery, and glancing through the menu, Chutang saw that most of the dishes were Cantonese cuisine. Chutang ordered a few moderately priced dishes—light and flavorful, suitable for both the elderly and children. After ordering, she handed the menu back to the old man and said politely, "Grandpa, I'm done. Please go ahead." That "Grandpa" delighted the old man immensely. He looked at Chutang as if she were already his grandson's wife. "Eh, alright, alright." The old man took the menu, grinning from ear to ear. Gu Tingyao watched it all, his expression unchanged. Aside from his initial words of thanks to Chutang, he hadn't spoken a single word since. He knew Jiang Shixu. His company had business dealings with Jiangshi Group. He had also attended Jiang Shixu's engagement ceremony last year. The Jiang Family had invited him and Lin Man to the engagement, but Lin Man had been on a business trip to Europe at the time and couldn't attend. So she had no idea that Ruan Chutang was once Jiang Shixu's fiancée. When Gu Tingchen first saw Ruan Chutang, he was indeed surprised for a moment. But he had always been someone who kept his emotions off his face—even his surprise didn't show. He could tell that the Lin family, especially his wife Lin Man, was eager to play matchmaker between Lu Shuci and Ruan Chutang. But Ruan Chutang and Jiang Shixu... Gu Tingyao thought he'd need to find a moment after the meal to clarify to Lin Man the relationship between Ruan Chutang and Jiang Shixu. The meal passed pleasantly enough. Lu Shuci and Ruan Chutang chatted about some of the difficult cases the firm had recently taken on. After the meal, everyone walked out of the private room chatting and laughing. Lin Man shot Lu Shuci another meaningful look. Lu Shuci caught on quickly. He said to Ruan Chutang, "Lawyer Ruan, let me give you a ride." Ruan Chutang declined. "No need, Lawyer Lu. I drove here myself, and I didn't drink, so I'm fine to drive." Lu Shuci gave a slight nod. "Alright." The elevator descended to the first floor. The doors opened, and Ruan Chutang came face to face with Qin Yan and Chen Yuanyuan. Outside the elevator, the man and woman who had been clinging to each other parted like they'd been electrocuted. Chen Yuanyuan's face flushed bright red in an instant. She stammered, "Tang—Tangtang, you—what are you doing here?" Chutang stepped out and nodded. Her expression was grave. Qin Yan, meanwhile, shot Lu Shuci a meaningful glance. Ruan Chutang pulled Chen Yuanyuan aside, then turned to Lu Shuci and said, "Lawyer Lu, you all go ahead. I'll chat with my friend for a bit." Lu Shuci: "Alright." Lin Man said with a beaming smile, "Then we'll be off, Lawyer Ruan. Let's meet again sometime. Tiantian, say goodbye to Sister." Gu Tian was very obedient, saying in her soft little voice, "Goodbye, Sister Chutang." Gu Tingyao gave Chutang a nod as a greeting. The two elderly folks said their goodbyes to Ruan Chutang. The old lady said cheerfully, "Tangtang, come visit us at home sometime when you get the chance." Not wanting to dampen the old lady's spirits, Chutang politely humored her. "Alright, I will next time." The old lady took her at her word and beamed from ear to ear. "Then it's settled! See you next time. We're off now. Goodbye." Chutang smiled and waved. "Goodbye." Only after Lu Shuci and his party had walked far away did Chutang turn to look at her best friend Chen Yuanyuan beside her. She crossed her arms, her gaze scrutinizing. "Spill it. What's going on between you two?" Chen Yuanyuan swallowed hard, her face red, biting her lip. "Tangtang, I..." "Can't say it?" Chutang turned and shot a sharp glare at Qin Yan. "Brother Qin Yan, you explain." "Tangtang, don't look at me like that." Qin Yan rubbed the tip of his nose. "That look of yours is pretty terrifying." Chutang said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go somewhere else." Qin Yan said awkwardly, "Well, I was just about to take Yuanyuan to dinner—I booked a private room upstairs. Want to come up together?" "Sure." Chutang followed Chen Yuanyuan and Qin Yan back into the elevator. Her mood was complicated. She had known Qin Yan for a very long time. In her heart, Qin Yan had always been like an older brother to her. Later, Qin Yan's father married Chen Yuanyuan's mother, making Chen Yuanyuan Qin Yan's stepsister. From initially finding her annoying to later taking Chen Yuanyuan everywhere he went, in her eyes, they were simply siblings with a close bond. She never imagined that one day, the two of them would... They arrived at the private room. Chutang's brows furrowed. This private room was even a couple's room. It was decorated beautifully. Roses were placed in a vase on the table, scattered rose petals lay across the glass tabletop, and candlelight flickered warmly—as romantic as it could possibly be. Chu Tang let out a sigh and pulled out a chair without any ceremony, sitting down. "When did this start?" It wasn't her fault she had a bad attitude. Chen Yuanyuan was closer to her than a biological sister. She used to think of Qin Yan as an older brother, and now he'd gone and gotten with her best friend! Chu Tang's feelings were complicated. It was like watching her own cabbage get rooted up by a pig. That said, Qin Yan was handsome and came from a good family, so he wasn't entirely unworthy, but Chu Tang still felt a strange tightness in her chest. Chen Yuanyuan didn't dare meet Chu Tang's eyes. Her gaze darted around as she stared down at her own feet, mumbling, "It's... it hasn't been that long." Chu Tang asked, "Not that long is how long?" Chen Yuanyuan bit her lip. "It was that time at the bar, when I said I'd order you some male models. Qin Yan got jealous, and after we got home, he just..." Chu Tang was furious. She shot a sharp glare at Qin Yan. "Forced it on her? Non-consensual love?" Qin Yan scratched his head awkwardly. "Something like that, but Yuanyuan has feelings for me too—I didn't force her!" Chu Tang turned back to Chen Yuanyuan. "Hm?" "That's how it was." Chen Yuanyuan's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Chu Tang rubbed her temples in frustration. "How did the two of you end up like this? Aren't you afraid of Uncle and Auntie finding out?" Qin Yan's expression turned serious. "They don't know yet. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility." "You'll take responsibility?" Chu Tang was both angry and anxious. "Rumors and gossip can crush a person, you know that? How are you going to handle that? What will people say—that Yuanyuan doesn't know shame, seducing her own brother..." At that point, Chu Tang couldn't continue. What those gossiping tongues would say was far worse than that. She didn't want to see her best friend fall into a situation where everyone spat on her. Qin Yan lowered his gaze, pain flashing in his eyes. "I know. I'll find a time to talk things through properly with my dad and Auntie." "Qin Yan?" Chen Yuanyuan looked up at him in disbelief. "Didn't we agree not to tell Uncle and my mom?"