98: You're beautiful too!

"President Xie, you're too polite."

Seeing this, Lin Chao immediately smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Sister Mengya, are you here for dinner too?"

His tone was natural, as if he had just bumped into an ordinary friend.

"Would you like to join us?"

Xie Mengya let go of her hand, her gaze falling back onto Lin Chao, that half-smile deepening slightly.

"No."

"I have an appointment with a client in a private room inside."

As she spoke, she used her long, slender fingers painted with crimson polish to point toward the back of the restaurant.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she let out a soft chuckle.

There was a hint of playfulness in that laughter, a kind of teasing that only Lin Chao could understand.

"This time, there's no need to wait for me."

These words were like an extremely fine needle, gently pricking Yan Qiaoqiao's heart.

What does she mean by... 'this time'?

What about before?

Lin Chao's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained fixed with that perfectly composed, gentle smile.

"Then give me a call whenever you need me, Sister Mengya."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of both women present.

It was both a promise and a clever response.

Xie Mengya curled her lips in satisfaction, gave him a deep look, and then glanced at the thoughtful Yan Qiaoqiao beside him.

"Alright, you guys go ahead and eat."

With that, she turned around and walked toward the private rooms, her figure swaying atop seven-centimeter high heels.

The crisp sound of her heels clicking against the floor felt like each step was landing right on Yan Qiaoqiao's heartstrings.

It wasn't until that glamorous silhouette completely disappeared around the corner that Yan Qiaoqiao finally deflated like a punctured balloon, her whole body relaxing.

She looked at Lin Chao impatiently, lowering her voice with a hint of urgency.

"Is she... is this President Xie a client of yours?"

Lin Chao picked up his teacup and took a slow sip before finally speaking unhurriedly.

"In a way."

"She can also be considered a relatively good friend."

This answer was too vague.

Yan Qiaoqiao pursed her lips, her clear eyes staring intently at him.

"She's so beautiful."

This wasn't a simple compliment; there was a sourness in her words that she hadn't even noticed herself.

And a hint of inescapable self-consciousness.

Yes, she was too beautiful.

That kind of beauty was the confidence, composure, and powerful aura that radiated from her bones.

Back at school, she was hailed as the campus belle and was always the center of attention.

But just now in front of Xie Mengya, she felt like an ugly duckling that hadn't grown up yet, standing next to a proud black swan with her own feathers looking dull and gray.

Lin Chao was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected Yan Qiaoqiao to care about this.

Then, he laughed, the tenderness in his eyes almost melting into water.

"You are very beautiful too."

His tone was sincere, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness.

But this bit of comfort failed to brighten Yan Qiaoqiao's mood.

She shook her head gently, her voice sounding a bit muffled.

"It's not the same."

"The temperament... is completely different."

That kind of mature woman's charm, that posture of being in total control, was something she couldn't match even if she tried her hardest right now.

She couldn't help but ask the question that had been circling in her mind for a long time.

"How... how did you two meet?"

Actually, what she really wanted to ask was: what exactly is your relationship?

The way Xie Mengya looked at Lin Chao just now was too unusual.

That was definitely not the look an ordinary client or a 'big sister' gives a 'little brother'; there were too many things hidden in there, too complex.

Lin Chao acted as if he didn't hear the probing in her words, his expression calm.

"We met through selling massagers."

"She tried our product, thought it was good, and placed quite a few orders."

"After a few interactions, we became friends."

He explained nonchalantly, as if it were nothing more than a common business interaction.

Seeing that Yan Qiaoqiao still looked thoughtful, Lin Chao added with a smile.

"She introduced many clients to me!"

"A big part of why I could be promoted to Supervisor so quickly is thanks to her."

This explanation was logical and reasonable, attributing everything to business and gratitude.

Yan Qiaoqiao couldn't find anything to refute.

But for some reason, that unpleasant feeling in her heart didn't disappear; instead, it grew even stronger.

The atmosphere for the rest of the meal was somewhat subtle.

After finishing the meal, Lin Chao drove Yan Qiaoqiao home.

The car stopped downstairs at the residential complex where she rented an apartment.

Lin Chao pulled a paper bag from the back seat and handed it to her.

"This is the medicine I got for you, three doses."

"Follow the instructions I wrote; brew one dose every night before bed. Remember to use a clay pot."

Yan Qiaoqiao took the warm paper bag. The rough texture of the medicinal herbs against her fingertips finally calmed her chaotic thoughts a little.

"Thank you."

"Go on up and get some rest early."

Lin Chao didn't get out of the car, merely offering a reminder.

Yan Qiaoqiao unbuckled her seatbelt, pushed open the car door, and then looked back at him.

"Aren't you... coming up for a bit?"

Lin Chao shook his head, his smile gentle but carrying a sense of distance that brooked no argument.

"No, it's too late."

"I have work tomorrow, and you should sleep early too."

That gentle smile now seemed like an invisible wall to Yan Qiaoqiao.

It blocked out all of her expectations and attempts to probe.

Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, and a wave of indescribable embarrassment surged in her heart.

"Oh... okay."

She practically fled as she pushed open the door and scrambled out of the car.

"Then... be careful on the road."

Her voice was as tiny as a mosquito's hum.

"Mm."

Lin Chao just nodded without any further words.

Yan Qiaoqiao gripped the bag of medicine tightly as if it were her last lifeline and walked toward the entrance of the complex without looking back.

She didn't dare to look back.

She was afraid of seeing even the slightest hint of contempt or impatience in Lin Chao's eyes.

Behind her came the sound of the engine starting.

Then, the soft sound of wheels rolling over the pavement.

The sound grew further and further away, finally disappearing completely into the night.

Only then did Yan Qiaoqiao stop her pace and slowly turn around.

Under the streetlights, it was empty.

The black car, along with the man inside who made her feel so unsettled, had vanished without a trace.

It was as if everything just now had been a dream.

She looked down at the Chinese medicine in her hand; the warm touch reminded her that it was all real.

A wave of inexplicable grievance and frustration instantly flooded her heart.

She stomped her foot hard and cursed at the air with resentment.

"Yan Qiaoqiao, oh Yan Qiaoqiao, what on earth are you thinking!"

"Where is your reserve? Have you eaten all your girlish reserve?"

...The black car drove steadily through the city night.

Outside the window, neon lights flashed in a kaleidoscope of colors.

The gentle smile on Lin Chao's face had long since faded, replaced by a bottomless calm.

He held the steering wheel with one hand and picked up his phone with the other.

Without the slightest hesitation, he tapped on that familiar number and dialed.

Ring... ring... The call was answered almost immediately.

"Hello?"

Xie Mengya's slightly lazy voice came through the receiver, with the faint sound of clinking glasses in the background.