"Thank you, Miss Bao," Zhou Yi said with a smile. "The moment I saw you, I felt an unusual sense of closeness."
Bao Baoli smiled slightly. "Please, Miss Zhou."
Lu Fang, finding no opportunity to interject, walked alongside the three, not rushing to speak.
As they entered the elevator, the onlookers began to murmur. "As expected of the eldest daughter of the Bao family. Her demeanor and appearance are truly that of a top-tier socialite."
"Heh, she's more than just a socialite. I heard she's the next heir to the Bao family."
"Is it appropriate for a woman to be in charge?"
"What's inappropriate about it? If they find a capable son-in-law, not only will the family line continue, but he'll also be more adaptable than a son."
"Haha, that's true. With a son, you have no say in what kind of person he becomes. But a son-in-law is different; if one isn't good, you can find another. At least you won't end up with a prodigal."
"Exactly! I heard that at the Haolong Gambling Stone Market in Kunming City, the eldest daughter is also in charge!"
"Oh dear, what is happening to the world these days? Women are in charge everywhere."
"Hey, you think it wasn't women in charge before? It's just that men like to brag, saying their wives obey their every word, but in reality, they're all henpecked."
"Hahaha!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
However, Fan Li could not laugh at all. Instead, his heart was filled with bitterness. If he had known Li Yang's true identity earlier, he would never have offended him.
Now, not only had he missed the chance to pursue Zhou Yi, but he had also embarrassed himself. He wondered what Mr. Li liked and if there was any possibility of repairing their relationship.
He felt that befriending Li Yang would bring him greater benefits than any woman.
"Mr. Li, Miss Zhou, please have a seat."
At the entrance to the private room, Bao Baoli smiled and said, "I forgot to introduce Miss Zhou earlier. This is Mr. Lu Fang, Boss Lu, who is from my hometown, Ruili."
"Hello, Boss Lu," Zhou Yi greeted him.
Lu Fang quickly responded, "Hello, Miss Zhou. I've heard that Jiangcheng has a supreme delicacy called Braised Perch, which is renowned throughout the land. What do you Jiangcheng people think of it?"
"It's indeed very delicious," Zhou Yi said with a smile. "Especially eating it at this restaurant; it's very authentic."
"Is that so? Then I must try it carefully," Lu Fang said with a smile.
Within a few sentences, the atmosphere between them became lively. They ate, drank, and chatted casually.
When they had eaten their fill, Lu Fang turned to Li Yang and said, "Mr. Li, when might you have some free time to visit Ruili? There's something I'd really like to ask for your help with."
"Oh? What is it?" Li Yang asked.
Lu Fang chuckled and shook his head. "I can't say for now."
"Then I'll call you as soon as I get to Ruili," Li Yang replied with a smile, not pressing him to reveal it.
Lu Fang expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Li. I'll toast you."
"Cheers."
After the drinks, everyone was in high spirits and rose to take their leave.
Standing at the restaurant entrance, watching Li Yang drive away, Bao Baoli, with a flush of wine on her cheeks, said charmingly, "Boss Lu, what do you think of this Mr. Li?"
"He's certainly very..." good!
Lu Fang was about to blurt out his admiration for Li Yang, feeling that ten thousand words wouldn't be enough to express his inner joy. But halfway through his sentence, he suddenly realized something and immediately fell silent.
"Why did you stop? Very what?" Bao Baoli looked at him.
Lu Fang took a deep breath and said, "Miss Bao, thank you for your kindness in inviting me to Jiangcheng to help. However, regarding important internal matters of the Bao family, please forgive me, but I shouldn't interfere too much."
"Especially since you're about to have a fiancé."
"Heh, do you think I asked that because I'm interested in Mr. Li and want him to be my man?" Bao Baoli glanced at him.
Lu Fang remained silent, but his expression confirmed that was precisely her meaning.
"Alright, I won't force you. Get ready, we'll return to Ruili tomorrow." Bao Baoli's expression turned somewhat dim, and she suddenly felt that everything was meaningless.
She was not satisfied with the future fiancé her family had chosen for her. It wasn't because of his family background or his appearance, but simply because the man was despicable and vulgar.
How could such a man make Bao Baoli happy?
Lu Fang nodded. "Yes, Miss Bao."
Although he wanted to speak up for Li Yang, there were some matters that were not his place to comment on.
The night deepened, and the streetlights shone as brightly as the moon in the sky.
Li Yang drove Zhou Yi to her doorstep and said with a smile, "Still living in the old place?"
"I've lived here since I was a child. I went to university in my hometown for a few years, and I still prefer living here," Zhou Yi nodded with a smile, her eyes filled with nostalgia.
Back then, her parents were very busy with work, and Li Yang and Zhao Chen often gathered at her house, playing video games, reading comics and novels, and discussing which female celebrities were beautiful and had good figures.
Li Yang smiled. "Do you still have that sexy poster of Chile hanging in your room?"
"Who hangs that nowadays?" Zhou Yi shot him a look and smiled. "Come in for a bit."
"Sure?" Li Yang opened the car door and got out. "Zhao Chen was also in Jiangcheng this afternoon. If I had known you were here then, we could have gotten together."
"He came to Jiangcheng?" Zhou Yi said in surprise. "I heard his family had some trouble. His uncle was arrested and imprisoned, which also implicated their family."
"Is that so?" Li Yang looked at her in surprise. Zhao Chen hadn't mentioned a word of this to him.
It seemed his trip back wasn't just about buying things and building connections. Otherwise, there were many antiques at Panjiayuan in Beijing. Compared to Jiangcheng, it was undoubtedly on par, if not better, as one of the earliest large antique markets in the country.
Zhou Yi had already opened the door and walked in. She turned to look at him and said, "I only heard about it, I'm not entirely sure. Since he didn't tell you, there must be a reason for him not to. Don't ask. When he needs you, he'll call."
"Aren't you coming in?"
"You're right." Li Yang immediately dismissed the thought of calling and walked towards her.
With a click, the door closed. Zhou Yi poured him a glass of water and then led him around the house.
Not many traces of the past remained.
After all, the house had been rented out to others at some point.
Zhou Yi looked at Li Yang's profile and suddenly said, "Why don't you sit on the bed? Shall we play a game of push-hands, just like when we were kids?"
"Okay," Li Yang said with a smile.