Chapter 230

Chapter 230: He and I Are Just Ordinary Friends That evening, Qin Yan invited them to dine at a very famous private kitchen restaurant. The restaurant was located within a classical Chinese garden. Flagstone-paved paths stretched beneath their feet. Pavilions with upturned eaves and curved corners were scattered elegantly throughout the courtyard, and at its center lay a verdant pond. A few pinkish-white water lilies floated on the surface, while the occasional koi fish swam leisurely among them, stirring delicate ripples in the water. A small, exquisite stone arch bridge spanned the pond. By the time their group arrived, it was already dusk. The sun was setting in the west, its golden afterglow spilling across the entire courtyard, casting a soft radiance over the ancient, picturesque garden. "Brother Qin Yan really knows how to pick a place—it's so beautiful here." Zhou Xueluo said with a smile. Qin Yan: "This place is run by a friend of mine. It's not open to the public." Chen Yuanyuan shot Qin Yan a chilly glance. "Another one of your female friends?" Qin Yan quickly explained, "What female friends? His name is Zhang Tingyi—he's a guy." "He's back in the country?" Zhou Zheng'an asked. Qin Yan replied, "Yeah, he just returned and opened this private kitchen restaurant. Huaiyang cuisine—the food's great." The group crossed the stone arch bridge and walked through the garden, chatting as they went. The estate was large, a Chinese courtyard designed after the style of Suzhou gardens—beautifully rustic and elegant, with scenery that was stunning and captivating. "You've eaten here before? Who did you come with?" Chen Yuanyuan shot him a sharp look, the jealousy in her tone unmistakable. The corners of Qin Yan's mouth couldn't help but curl upward. He loved seeing her jealous—she looked so charming and adorable that it made his heart itch. "I've been here once, just me and Zhang Tingyi. No women—even the waiters serving the food were all male." That answer satisfied Chen Yuanyuan. "Brother Zheng'an, you know Zhang Tingyi too?" Chen Yuanyuan looked at Zhou Zheng'an. "I've never heard of this guy." "I know him, but not very well," Zhou Zheng'an replied. "He was Qin Yan's college classmate, same year as us. He went abroad for further studies after graduation." "Oh." The group arrived at a pavilion where dishes had already been laid out on the table. "I called ahead and pre-ordered the food—these are all the signature dishes here," Qin Yan said. "I figured you'd all be tired and hungry after a day of fun, so you could eat right away without waiting." "Good boy, you know how to think ahead." Chen Yuanyuan pulled out a chair and sat down. Zhou Xueluo said with a smile, "Brother Qin Yan is so thoughtful." Zhou Zheng'an pulled out a chair for his girlfriend, and Shao Yufei sat down next to Zhou Xueluo. Zhou Zheng'an sat on Shao Yufei's other side. Jiang Shixu and Chu Tang sat down next to each other. Qin Yan was still standing. "Wait, the food's all here but where's that guy? Let me give him a call." The dishes on the table were still steaming, looking like they'd just been served moments ago. After making the call, an unfamiliar man walked over and called out, "Qin Yan." "Let me introduce everyone—this is my college classmate Zhang Tingyi, and also the owner of this private kitchen restaurant." Qin Yan introduced him to the group. Zhang Tingyi stood about 185 centimeters tall, dressed in casual wear—a simple white T-shirt paired with dark gray straight-leg jeans. He had short, tousled hair, handsome features, and deep, defined contours—a textbook sunny, handsome guy. Chen Yuanyuan's eyes lit up. "Ooh, a handsome hunk." The next second, Qin Yan quickly spoke up: "Tingyi, this is my girlfriend, Chen Yuanyuan." Zhang Tingyi teased with a laugh, "Man, you're that eager to stake your claim? Hahaha, she gives me one compliment and you're already jealous?" Qin Yan shrugged. "What can I say? She's got me wrapped around her finger." Qin Yan then introduced Jiang Shixu, Ruan Chutang, Zhou Zheng'an, Zhou Xueluo, and Shao Yufei in turn before taking his seat. After the group finished their meal with laughter and chatter, Chen Yuanyuan suggested moving on to a bar for drinks. Zhou Zheng'an spoke up: "Yufei doesn't drink, and her dorm has a curfew. It's getting late, so I need to take her back to school." Chen Yuanyuan waved her hand. "Alright, you two go ahead." "Goodbye, bro. Goodbye, Miss Shao." Zhou Xueluo waved them off. Zhou Zheng'an suddenly said, "Why call her Miss Shao? That's so formal. Xueluo, call her sister-in-law." Zhou Xueluo was taken aback. Not just her—everyone else was stunned for a moment too. "Sister-in-law." Zhou Xueluo obediently called out. Shao Yufei's face flushed all the way to her ears. She grew shy, nervously pressing her lips together. "It's fine, you can call me anything." "That won't do." Zhou Zheng'an pulled her into his arms. "Let's go, babe. I'll take you back." Shao Yufei blushed and murmured, "Mm." After they left, Chen Yuanyuan clicked her tongue twice and gossiped, "Xueluo, I can tell your brother's serious this time." Zhou Xueluo agreed: "Brother really does treat Yufei differently from the women before." Chen Yuanyuan grabbed Chu Tang. "Come on, come on, let's go drink! Let's hit up my girlfriend's bar and get wild!" Zhou Xueluo said, "You guys go ahead—I need to head home." Zhou Xueluo was a good girl who didn't drink, so Chen Yuanyuan didn't insist on keeping her. She just said, "Alright, then you head back." "Tangtang, Brother Shixu, are you two coming?" Chen Yuanyuan asked. Jiang Shixu looked at Chu Tang, silently asking. If she went, he would go. If she didn't, he wouldn't. Chu Tang understood the meaning in Jiang Shixu's eyes. Deep down, she actually wanted to go, wanted to spend more time with him. But she couldn't hold her liquor. Last time she went to a bar, she got drunk after just a little alcohol, passed out completely, and even said nonsense while taking advantage of Jiang Shixu. It was so embarrassing. Back then, they were a couple. It was only natural for him to carry her home when she was drunk, and taking advantage was beyond reproach. But things were different now. She couldn't let herself collapse drunk in his arms. With that thought, Chu Tang declined. "I'm a bit tired. I won't go." Chen Yuanyuan let out a disappointed "Ah." "Sigh, if neither of you is going, there's no point in me going either. Forget it, I'll head back too." ...... The next day, Chu Tang returned to the Ruan family for dinner. At the dinner table, Ruan Shaodong casually asked, "Tangtang, how are things going with that Lawyer Lu lately?" Chu Tang paused mid-bite with her chopsticks. "What do you mean? He and I are just ordinary friends." Yang Xuelian smiled and said, "Ordinary friends? Come on, child, can't you see how Xiao Lu feels about you?" Ruan Shaodong said calmly, "I have a decent impression of him." "Dad, Auntie." Chu Tang laughed helplessly. "Where are you two getting this from? There's nothing between Lu Shuci and me. I don't know what his feelings toward me are, but I can assure you I have absolutely no romantic interest in him." Ruan Shaodong took a sip of soup and said in a mild tone, "Tangtang, you're twenty-seven this year. It's time you started thinking about settling down." And there it was—the marriage pressure. Chu Tang gave a bitter smile. "Dad, right now I just want to grow my law firm bigger and stronger. I don't have the headspace to think about romance." Yang Xuelian looked at Chu Tang, seeming to want to say something but holding back. After all, she was only a stepmother. It wasn't her place to push marriage. Ruan Shaodong said calmly, "Career and marriage don't have to conflict. You can get married first and think about having children later." "No." Chu Tang said coldly. "I have my own plans. Dating isn't on my radar right now." Ruan Shaodong glanced at Chu Tang and said amiably, "As long as you have your own arrangements, that's fine. I'm just offering a suggestion. Let's eat."