59: Chapter 59 Huang Yimei! Where is your reserve and pride?

Some were happy, while others were worried. At this moment, the most depressed person was undoubtedly Zhou Shihui.

He curled up on the sofa, positioned right in the shadows of the room, his face looking exceptionally gray—even darker than the look on Xu Jiang's face when he confessed in the interrogation room.

He had fallen in love with Huang Yimei at first sight—or rather, it was lust at first sight—and then he began to pursue her. He thought that with his talent, knowledge, experience, and social status, he would be quite competitive among the many suitors around Huang Yimei. This was precisely the source of his confidence to put his feelings into action.

However, after meeting Zhao Yang, he was crushed in every aspect. Judging by Huang Yimei's attitude, she clearly had a good impression of Zhao Yang, and her behavior was becoming increasingly intimate. As for him, Zhou Shihui, she wasn't cold, but she treated him with a businesslike politeness, showing at most a bit more respect for him as her Master.

Zhou Shihui felt that his only chance to turn the tables lay in Zhao Yang's financial situation.

But Bao Yueqiao's arrival directly crushed that bit of hope.

That hit online game, "the legend of mir 2," was actually developed by Zhao Yang as the main force. Even if he didn't get the full one million dollars, getting a majority would be enough to cover the cost of buying a house.

This meant he had absolutely no chance left.

In the original drama, out of politeness and respect for her Master, and considering the relationship between Zhou Shihui and Huang Zhenhua, Huang Yimei didn't flatly refuse some of Zhou Shihui's advances but maintained basic etiquette. This gave Zhou Shihui certain illusions and eventually led to his broken engagement.

But now, he had realized—there was no hope for him and Huang Yimei.

Although he didn't want to admit it, whether objectively or subjectively from Huang Yimei's perspective, he was just a nobody on the side of the road.

Loss and dejection filled Zhou Shihui's heart. While everyone else was enjoying the Bai family's lavish lunch, he was like a sleepwalker, having no idea what he was putting in his mouth.

Bai Erru noticed his abnormality and asked Huang Zhenhua in a low voice, "Nephew Huang, is your friend feeling unwell?"

Huang Zhenhua quickly tugged on Zhou Shihui. "Old Zhou! Old Zhou! Why are you just eating rice and not the dishes? What are you thinking about?"

"Huh?" Zhou Shihui was startled and blurted out, "Zhao Yang... house."

"We'll think about the plan when we get back. Eat first." Huang Zhenhua then said to Uncle Bai, "Uncle Bai, Old Zhou might be pondering the renovation plan; he gets like this once he enters that state."

Bai Erru nodded. "What a dedicated young man. Then please look after your friend."

"Sure, sure, I'll take care of him." Huang Zhenhua smiled. "Uncle Bai, don't worry about us."

The protagonist of the entire lunch was clearly Zhao Yang. With his Level 6 Art skill and Level 6 Acting ability, his interaction with the great entrepreneur Bai Erru didn't falter at all; he could even lead some of the topics.

Even Bao Yueqiao couldn't manage this. He truly regretted letting Zhao Yang go back then—if Lianzhong had such talent, the entire company would definitely have reached a higher level.

The meal was enjoyed by both guests and hosts. Zhao Yang soon offered his leave, and the three members of the Bai family saw him off in person.

Bao Yueqiao talked some business with Bai Erru and also left in the afternoon.

With no outsiders left at home, Bai Erru pulled Bai Xiaohe to his side. "Xiaohe, Zhao Yang is two years younger than you, right?"

"Mm... he's technically my junior," Bai Xiaohe said. "But he's the top dog in the Computer Science department; no one dares to call themselves his Senior Brother or Senior Sister."

"What do you think of this boy, Zhao Yang?"

"Very excellent, very talented." Bai Xiaohe paused and shook her head with a bitter smile. "I can't quite believe that such a Genius actually exists."

"So, you have a very good impression of him?"

"Dad, what... are you trying to say?" Bai Xiaohe looked wary. "I have a boyfriend! And didn't you see that the relationship between him and Huang Yimei is not simple?"

"I'm trying to say—" Bai Erru's tone was gentle. "Because of our family background, you haven't had many friends you could talk to since you were a child. Zhao Yang is so outstanding and handsome; you two could become friends."

"Friends?" Bai Xiaohe still frowned. "Dad, do you have some other motive?"

"What motive could I have?" Bai Erru looked innocent.

Bai Xiaohe's brows furrowed slightly. After thinking for a while, she smiled in realization. "I see! You sly dad! You're eyeing Zhao Yang's paintings! You want to go through me to ask him to paint a few more for you, right?"

Bai Erru was taken aback, but he thought this was also good—at least it would greatly increase the chances of them interacting. So he nodded. "Daughter, are you going to help with this or not?"

"Fine, I'll help!"

"Then it's a deal!" Bai Erru curled his index finger and solemnly instructed, "Be more frequent in your inquiries. Once you learn that Zhao Yang has a new work, notify me immediately. Don't worry, Dad can definitely afford the price and won't let you take the blame!"

"Alright, alright, alright!" Bai Xiaohe was a bit helpless, but she knew her father loved paintings as much as his own life, so she readily agreed.

After Bai Xiaohe returned to her room, Yang Jingqiu pulled Bai Erru into the garden and asked in a low voice, "What? Have you taken a liking to that boy, Zhao Yang?"

"What do you think?"

Yang Jingqiu sighed. "If it could work out, let alone Xiaohe, it would be a huge blessing for our family. But I'm worried Xiaohe still can't get over that hurdle."

"Regardless, let Xiaohe have more contact with Zhao Yang first. She's so devoted to that boy because I think she's met too few outstanding young men." Bai Erru paused and continued, "I've also investigated that boy; he's decent, but his ambition is to change his hometown! He definitely won't stay in the Imperial Capital! Xiaohe's ambition is scientific research! How could the two of them possibly end up together?"

Seeing Bai Erru getting more and more excited, Yang Jingqiu quickly said, "Keep your voice down, don't let Xiaohe hear. I'm also very satisfied with Zhao Yang. When Xiaohe isn't home, we'll discuss properly how to persuade her. But today, that girl Huang Yimei seems to like Zhao Yang too."

"Actually, I don't insist on Xiaohe and Zhao Yang working out. I just want her to broaden her horizons and realize that there are choices in relationships. Otherwise, I'm really worried she'll be stuck in this for the rest of her life."

...

After Zhao Yang and the others left Xishan Villa, Zhou Shihui got out of the car early on the pretext of having things to do. He stood by the roadside, watching the Audi drive away, his face dark, remaining motionless for a long time...

The three of them drove directly to the Shuimu staff quarters.

As they were getting out of the car, Huang Yimei asked, "Brother Yang, are you going to the Concert tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm going to check it out too."

"Will you be in the VIP section too?"

Zhao Yang shook his head and smiled. "I'm not in the VIP section; I'm going directly backstage."

Huang Yimei's eyes lit up. "Backstage? Can I go backstage to take a look?"

"Rose!" Huang Zhenhua said in a low voice, "Zhao Yang definitely has things to do. Don't trouble him!"

Huang Yimei puffed out her cheeks at him to show her dissatisfaction, then looked at Zhao Yang expectantly.

Zhao Yang smiled. "How about this? We'll go over together and enter directly from backstage. Once the Concert starts, you guys can go to the VIP section to listen to the songs. How's that?"

"Awesome! Hahaha!" Huang Yimei danced with joy. "Thank you, Brother Yang! Brother Yang is the best!"

Huang Zhenhua rolled his eyes with a look of disdain—Huang Yimei, oh Huang Yimei, you've switched to calling him Brother Yang so quickly. Where is your reserve? Where is your pride?