Chapter 20: Promise Not to Come Looking for You Again

"You can't let my son get beaten for nothing!" Wu Feng blurted out angrily, then realized this wasn't the place for him to lose his temper, and forced a smile: "I know, but Young Master Jiang, our two families both have standing in Sijiucheng. Compared to a mere bar patron, we ought to be closer, shouldn't we?"

"That's true, but I'm a businessman. To me, what matters most isn't whether we're close or not." His expression faded as he softly uttered the last word: "Money."

Wu Feng really wanted to flip the table and curse, but he lacked the ability. Things that happened on Jiang Jibai's turf, even though many onlookers saw them, didn't dare leak a word out of fear of the Jiang Family, so he couldn't investigate even if he tried.

He steadied his emotions, gritted his teeth, and said: "I can let you have that plot of land I just secured recently. I hope Young Master Jiang will consider it."

Jiang Jibai almost laughed; he did indeed want that plot of land, but the person beside him, who from time to time gave off a cold aura, made him dare not even think of switching.

Zhou Yinhe had not spoken a word since entering, but upon hearing this he spoke expressionlessly: "Fine. Prepare the transfer agreement, and come for the surveillance after signing."

Wu Feng only felt the pinch, but since the words were already out, regretting them was useless, so he stood and said: "I'll go back now to prepare."

Jiang Jibai personally saw the person into the car, then strolled back slowly. Seeing Zhou Yinhe sitting motionless in the same spot, he smiled faintly and said: "How about it? You really going to give it?"

Zhou Yinhe didn't even look up, his finger still tapping the screen, and casually said: "Cut off the front part and send me the segment where I make a move."

Jiang Jibai was made to laugh by Zhou Yinhe's shamelessness, leaning on the counter and bent over with laughter.

Since arriving in Sijiucheng, Wen Ling hadn't had a good night's sleep, but now with Hehe by her side—whose fur she'd carefully tended didn't shed—she simply hugged Hehe and slept through the night.

Indeed, after waking she felt refreshed all over; she rubbed Hehe's head, went to the bathroom to wash up, and since she had nothing to do today, she planned to run into Zhou Yinhe at his company.

Spring weather is changeable; the previous day had been bright and sunny, but this morning a light rain fell, and Sijiucheng grew cold again.

After breakfast she waited for the stylist to put together an outfit, then changed and had the stylist fix her hair; by the time she left, it was nearly noon.

Wen Ling had the driver drop her off at the foot of Zhou Yinhe's company building, then sat by the window at a nearby café, propping her chin and listlessly watching the passersby.

At lunchtime, office workers streamed out of the buildings; Wen Ling pulled out her phone from her bag, bit her lip, thought it over, and still sent Zhou Yinhe a message.

Zhou Yinhe wasn't at the office; after leaving the Jiang Family's residence last night, his eldest brother had forcibly called him home, and he was now having lunch with his parents and his elder brother and sister-in-law.

When his phone rang, he was being lectured by his father, resting his forehead on his hand and letting the lecture go in one ear and out the other; hearing the phone chime, he glanced at it.

Zhou Shuanglin's words paused, and she stared wide-eyed as Zhou Yinhe's expression shifted from bored irritation to uneasy anxiety.

"Xiao Wu, if there's an emergency at the office, go there first," Ning Qing said, also exasperated with her husband to the point of intolerance, but unable to retort in front of her son and daughter-in-law; seeing Zhou Yinhe like that, she made up an excuse for him to leave.

Zhou Shuanglin gave her son a faint glance, snorted, and said: "Hurry up and go."

Zhou Yinhe pressed his lips, put down his phone, and said: "Nothing urgent—let's eat first."

He picked up his chopsticks and began eating; the other four were just about to do the same when they heard a "pa" sound, all looked up to see Zhou Yinhe already standing, absentmindedly saying: "Mom, Dad, elder brother and sister-in-law, you go ahead and eat—I'm heading back to the office."

Having said that, he strode off; Ning Qing gave her eldest son a look, and Zhou Yanqiu nodded, not stopping him.

Wen Ling finished her coffee out of boredom, then half‑lay on the table, swinging her legs and gazing outside.

Seeing the person approaching not far away, Wen Ling's eyes lit up; she grabbed her purse and ran out, only when she reached him did she lightly catch her breath and say: "You're not at the office, are you? I thought you were, which is why I messaged you."

Zhou Yinhe lowered his gaze to her, his voice low: "You weren't having someone follow me, were you?"

"Ah." Wen Ling hadn't expected him to know; she avoided his gaze, unable to meet his eyes, and said awkwardly: "I've already stopped having them follow me—I only had them tail me for a few days."

Zhou Yinhe stared coldly and said flatly: "Didn't I tell you not to come looking for me?"

"I really don't know anyone in Sijiucheng; I have no one to share a meal with, so I had to turn to you." Wen Ling blinked, stretched out her slender, fair hand, pinched the cuff of Zhou Yinhe's shirt, and involuntarily cooed: "I'm hungry."

She knew how to play the weakling; Zhou Yinhe understood that every word Wen Ling spoke now was luring him in, so he withdrew his cuff from her grasp, stepped back, and said: "I have no time to keep you company for a meal; if no one in Sijiucheng can accompany you, you can go back to M Country."

Wen Ling lowered her head, feeling wronged, and bit her lip with some force.

Zhou Yinhe refused to look again, turned his gaze aside, and said coldly: "Wasn't it because you thought M Country had your grandfather, your childhood sweetheart, and your friends that you left?"

He furrowed his brows, the joints of his fingers whitening as he gripped them, and said, word by word: "Then what are you still doing in Sijiucheng? Just to toy with me again?"

Wen Ling's nose soured, her eye sockets gradually reddening; those eyes that seemed able to speak were now brimming with tears as she stepped forward, took his hand lightly, as if making a firm decision.

"Have a meal with me just once; after I eat, I'll return to M Country and promise not to come looking for you again."

Upon hearing that, Zhou Yinhe's chest clenched tight—so much that his face paled—he withdrew his hand, collected himself, and said: "Come on, remember what you said."

Wen Ling blinked, then hurried after him at a light jog and said softly: "Are you willing to have lunch with me now?"

"Mm." Zhou Yinhe gave a faint affirmative.

Wen Ling smiled, eyes crinkling, tears still unshed in her sockets, looking both pitiful and adorable.

Zhou Yinhe took her to a nearby private Chinese restaurant; the owner personally came forward to greet him, and upon seeing a woman beside Zhou Yinhe, his gaze instinctively went to Wen Ling—once he got a clear look at her face, he found he couldn't look away.

Zhou Yinhe narrowed his eyes, took a slight step to block the owner's view, his expression turning somewhat dangerous.

The restaurant owner coughed awkwardly twice, led them to a private room, and asked with a smile: "The usual?"

From the moment she entered, Wen Ling kept curiously scanning the surroundings, so much that she didn't even notice the pair's little gestures just moments before.

Only upon hearing the owner's words did she realize that this Chinese restaurant was Zhou Yinhe's usual haunt.

"Mm, hurry up." Zhou Yinhe sounded a bit impatient.

Wen Ling pressed her lips, apparently wanting to finish eating quickly so she could be sent on her way.