101: Chen Yuqing with mixed feelings

Lin Zifeng and Chen Yuqing were having a very pleasant conversation; both were top students from prestigious universities, equally knowledgeable and insightful.

After their exchange, both felt a sense of mutual appreciation.

Just then, Boss Yu and a waiter walked into the Private Room, carrying the dishes.

After the food was served, Boss Yu smiled and said, "Secretary, if you need anything at all, just give a shout. Please, don't stand on ceremony."

"Thank you, Boss Yu. With such attentive and thoughtful service, I certainly won't stand on ceremony."

Hearing his reply, Boss Yu happily withdrew with the waiter.

"Are you keeping me company with just plain boiled water? Why don't you have some wine, and I'll keep you company with water, how about that?"

He shook his head and said, "Forget it. I don't really have much of a craving for alcohol; it's just that some occasions require it, and I have no choice but to drink. Drinking plain boiled water is quite good—it's healthy and good for you."

He declined Chen Yuqing's suggestion, and the two continued to eat and chat.

"Zifeng, are you dating my sister?"

Lin Zifeng had just put down his chopsticks and taken a sip of water when he heard Chen Yuqing's words. He immediately sprayed the water he had just swallowed onto the wall, choking and coughing violently.

Chen Yuqing quickly stood up and came to his side, patting his back to help him breathe, while saying, "Is such a big reaction necessary? I was just asking casually. Does it really surprise you that much?"

Lin Zifeng waved his hand to signal that she didn't need to pat him anymore. Once Chen Yuqing sat back down, he straightened up and said, "It's not that my reaction is big; it's that what you said was too surprising! How could you think that I'm dating your sister?"

Because of Chen Yuxi's warning, he couldn't admit to it, so he asked tentatively.

"Didn't I say? I was just asking casually. Actually, I didn't ask this question without any basis."

"Because ever since Yufei came to Heping Town with me last time, she has smiled more and more brightly since returning. She also answers calls behind my back, which she never did before. That's why I started thinking in that direction."

Chen Yuqing explained the reason, and only then did Lin Zifeng relax. He thought to himself, 'So she only had a slight suspicion! That scared me; I thought I had accidentally exposed myself!'

Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "Your guess is a bit far-fetched. Do you think it's possible for me and your sister?"

There was a hint of probing in his words.

"The man is unmarried and the woman is unmarried, so what's impossible about it? Many things in this world turn from impossible to possible. Unless you already have a girlfriend or someone you like, otherwise, anything is possible. Don't worry, even if it really turns out as I guessed in the future, I won't oppose it."

Chen Yuqing's emotions were a bit complex when she said this.

Lin Zifeng couldn't guess her thoughts and couldn't help but think, 'What does she mean by this? Things like that have already happened between me and both sisters; does she really not mind me being with Yuxi at all?'

Was she testing him? Or did she have another motive?

Puzzled, Lin Zifeng couldn't help but ask, "Yuqing, if—I say if, mind you!—if one day in the future I really end up with Yuxi, would you really not mind at all?"

"Do you want to hear the truth, or do you want to hear a lie?"

Chen Yuqing met his gaze without flinching.

"Of course the truth."

Chen Yuqing hesitated for a moment before answering, "The truth is, my feelings for you are quite complex. I don't want you to be with other women in the future. But I have long made up my mind that I will never marry in this life; I want to be a lifelong non-marriage advocate. If the girl you marry in the future is Yuxi, I would be more willing to accept it."

After saying this, Chen Yuqing thought to herself, 'If the father of my child could become his Maternal Aunts Husband in the future, it would be much easier to meet and interact.'

'Yuxi also knows about this, so it's much easier to handle than with other women.'

'I will never marry, but Zifeng is in the political arena and can't do that. His rank is still low now, so the impact of family is almost zero.'

'But once he reaches a certain level, having a harmonious family and a stable, loving partner will be an indispensable part of promotion and appointment.'

'Since I can't do it, considering all aspects, Yuxi being with him is the best result for me.'

Hearing what Chen Yuqing said, Lin Zifeng was stunned for a moment, but immediately realized what she meant.

He was now very certain that Chen Yuqing also had romantic feelings for him.

It was just that she was a non-marriage advocate, which was why she didn't want to develop things further with him.

Having reached this conclusion, Lin Zifeng's mood was very complex. What man wouldn't hope to win the heart of a great beauty like Chen Yuqing?

As an ordinary man, he was no exception.

However, while he was secretly pleased, he couldn't accept her feelings because she was the sister of his current girlfriend.

But to just end their relationship like this left him feeling very unwilling, after all, he also had feelings for Chen Yuqing in his heart.

So he called out affectionately, "Yuqing." With a conflicted expression, he didn't know what to say.

Seeing his expression now, Chen Yuqing guessed his general thoughts, and couldn't help feeling a surge of joy in her heart.

She forcibly suppressed her emotions, deliberately putting on an indifferent look, and smiled, saying, "I've said everything I wanted to say today; I feel much better."

"Alright, you don't need to overthink it. Thinking too much about some things will only bring you trouble."

"Thank you for treating me to dinner today. As a reward for this dinner, how about I give you Yuxi's phone number?"

"If you and Yuxi really have a chance to develop in the future, I can even help you out. It will definitely make your efforts twice as effective."

Although he had already had all of Chen Yuxi's contact information, he still pretended to hesitate for a moment before accepting her 'kindness!'

Afterwards, the two walked out of the Private Room together. The boss wanted to continue to persuade Lin Zifeng to let them have the meal for free, but Lin Zifeng sternly refused.

After paying the bill, the two walked out of the restaurant together, chatting and laughing as they headed towards the hotel.

He didn't stop until he had walked Chen Yuqing to the entrance of the hotel.

"Yuqing, when you go abroad, remember to notify me in advance. If I don't have anything particularly important, I will go to the provincial capital to see you off."

"You'll be abroad for over a year this time. If I can't be there to see you off, it will be a regret of mine."

"Okay, I will definitely notify you in advance. If you have important work, you don't need to come to the provincial capital; we can just say goodbye over the phone, it's the same."

Chen Yuqing agreed readily.

Seeing him nod with a smile, she turned and walked into the hotel.