The eve of New Year's Day.
Chen Jinzhao invited Tao Qiyue and Wu Lingyun to dinner, and then to briefly ring in the new year.
At the dinner table.
Wu Lingyun kept scrutinizing Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue, always feeling that there was something fishy between them.
Chen Jinzhao did not explain, as any explanation would only make things worse.
Tao Qiyue felt a little embarrassed, but seeing that Chen Jinzhao did not explain, she naturally would not say much.
"Let's talk about business, have the Ji family invited you?" Chen Jinzhao asked Wu Lingyun.
Wu Lingyun withdrew her gaze and, after a hum, said, "They sent me an invitation too. I'll be attending a banquet at the Ji family's mansion at seven o'clock tomorrow evening. I wonder what the Ji family is up to. They're not looking for us early, nor late, but precisely at this time."
"Cousin, do you think the Ji family has some hidden agenda?"
Chen Jinzhao pondered for a moment, "I'm not sure, but I think if something is unusual, there must be a reason. We should just be careful."
"In my opinion, why don't we just not go? Who knows what the Ji family has in store for us," Wu Lingyun suggested.
"I plan to go and see. If the Ji family truly intends to be my enemy, then it's something I'll have to face sooner or later," Chen Jinzhao said.
Wu Lingyun hummed, "If you're going, I'll go with you."
Chen Jinzhao nodded.
"Never mind, let's not talk about this for now. We'll know what the Ji family is up to tomorrow night. Today is the eve of New Year's Day, let's talk about something happy," he changed the subject. Tao Qiyue suddenly said, "By the way, I heard there's an event at a square in Fengtian tonight. How about we go after dinner and take a look?"
"Okay, I'll listen to you," Chen Jinzhao said with a smile.
Tao Qiyue's heart felt sweet. Seeing this, Wu Lingyun raised her glass and said, "Cousin, with this glass of wine, I wish you and sister-in-law a loving relationship and to have a child soon."
"Uh..."
Chen Jinzhao was speechless. Was this girl doing it on purpose?
Tao Qiyue's face also became unnatural.
"Haha, what's going on with you two? Just pretend I misspoke," Wu Lingyun said cheerfully, which finally allowed the two to relax a little. Chen Jinzhao glanced at Wu Lingyun and then coughed, "Say less of such things in the future. I don't mind, but it concerns Qiyue's reputation, so don't speak carelessly."
Wu Lingyun stuck out her tongue, "Alright, I get it."
After dinner, the three of them left the hotel and headed towards the civic square. Not far from there, Chen Jinzhao saw a familiar figure—
Jiang Donghui.
Chen Jinzhao stopped and turned to look at Wu Lingyun.
Wu Lingyun just shook her head, with a hint of disgust in her eyes, "I don't know when he followed us. He's been pestering me these past few days, it's so annoying."
"Oh? Is that so?" Chen Jinzhao was even more surprised.
Wu Lingyun's reaction made him feel strange. The Wu Lingyun of the past was not like this.
"Cousin, can you help me deal with Jiang Donghui? Preferably to make him realize that it's impossible between me and him," Wu Lingyun said again.
Chen Jinzhao put aside his doubts and nodded, saying, "Alright, you two go ahead, I'll have a chat with Jiang Donghui alone."
Wu Lingyun and Tao Qiyue walked in front. Chen Jinzhao waved to Jiang Donghui, who immediately walked up to Chen Jinzhao.
"When did you arrive?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Jiang Donghui's gaze was fixed on Wu Lingyun ahead. After hearing Chen Jinzhao's question, he withdrew his gaze and said, "Brother Chen, I arrived the day after you reached Fengtian. I didn't tell you, you won't blame me, will you?"
"How could I?" Chen Jinzhao smiled.
In his eyes, Jiang Donghui was a person of loyalty and righteousness, worthy of deep friendship.
Jiang Donghui looked somewhat dejected. Chen Jinzhao patted him on the shoulder, "Young people shouldn't hang their heads whenever they encounter a problem. You should stand tall and face difficulties. However, I heard that you ran back to the capital some time ago. I thought you had given up."
"Brother Chen, do you have a cigarette?" Jiang Donghui asked.
Chen Jinzhao handed him a cigarette and lit it for him personally.
Jiang Donghui did not seem to smoke much. After just a few puffs, he started coughing violently, which made Chen Jinzhao chuckle.
Tao Qiyue, walking not far away, looked back at the two. Only after sensing that everything was fine did she turn back.
Only Wu Lingyun showed no intention of looking back.
Jiang Donghui finally recovered after taking a few deep breaths and said with a wry smile, "Brother Chen, am I very useless? Knowing that it's impossible between Lingyun and me, I still foolishly ran from the capital to Fengtian. Everyone in my family says I'm a simp. After thinking about it carefully, I really am a simp."
Chen Jinzhao sighed, "If you didn't truly like someone, who would be willing to be a simp?"
"If I were you, I would cut my losses promptly. But I think, you'd better follow your heart and not leave any regrets for yourself."
Jiang Donghui was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Brother Chen, I understand."
Chen Jinzhao didn't know if Jiang Donghui truly understood or if he was just getting worked up again. Since he had said so, there was no need to press for details. Everyone has their own choices, and all he could do was offer suitable advice.
The two walked a bit further. Jiang Donghui always looked as if he had something to say but hesitated.
Seeing this, Chen Jinzhao asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"
"Brother Chen, I..."
Jiang Donghui's expression was troubled, "I don't know if I should say it."
Chen Jinzhao said without hesitation, "Just say it."
Jiang Donghui hesitated for a long time, and finally said, "Brother Chen, after interacting with Lingyun for this period, I always feel that Lingyun seems different from before. Even if she didn't want to develop a romantic relationship with me, she always treated me as a friend. But during this time, Lingyun seems to treat me as a stranger, and we can't even be friends anymore."
"I don't know if this is my problem or if something is wrong with Lingyun."
After Jiang Donghui's words, Chen Jinzhao did notice that Wu Lingyun was somewhat different from before. They looked at Wu Lingyun's retreating figure in unison. After a while, Chen Jinzhao said, "Perhaps it's just your imagination. Lingyun is still the same Lingyun, she hasn't changed at all."
Jiang Donghui became even more dejected, "Then perhaps I'm overthinking it."
Chen Jinzhao patted Jiang Donghui's shoulder again, "Young man, don't be discouraged when you encounter problems. You must always look forward, understand?"
"Brother Chen, I understand." Jiang Donghui responded verbally, but whether he truly thought so was unknown.
The four of them soon arrived at the civic square.
It was already ten o'clock at night. Many vendors were selling Kongming lanterns. Looking up, one could see hundreds of Kongming lanterns drifting in the night sky, competing with the bright moon and stars. Chen Jinzhao patted Jiang Donghui's shoulder, signaling him to approach Wu Lingyun, while Chen Jinzhao himself stood before Tao Qiyue.
"It's almost New Year's Eve."
"Do you want to release a Kongming lantern too?"