78: Chapter 78 Approaching

University City is located on the easternmost side of Qiantang City.

However, it is very lively here at night.

Not only are there university students, but many residents also flock here to eat.

It is a high-quality, low-cost food paradise.

Su Nange led the way. "President Zhou, don't mind the environment. If you want delicious food and a down-to-earth atmosphere, you have to come to a place like this."

Zhou Wanqing replied, "It's fine, I'm not picky."

However, Zhou Wanqing was dressed in a royal blue suit, and combined with her elegant bearing, she still seemed somewhat out of place here.

Yet, Zhou Wanqing was indeed a bit different from Liu Yuan.

As she looked at the various eateries in the urban village, she truly showed no expression of disdain.

She followed wherever Su Nange led her.

A large part of the reason, however, was that Zhou Wanqing understood things perfectly in her heart.

Since Su Nange chose to bring her here, he must have his reasons.

As long as a person isn't out of their mind, they wouldn't play some kind of prank.

The psychological drive to recommend things is very strong; if one recommends something bad, they would feel embarrassed themselves.

Of course, there was another reason Zhou Wanqing wouldn't say out loud: today was her birthday.

She didn't want to go back to her cold, empty house. The liveliness here was quite nice.

Zhou Wanqing elegantly smoothed her skirt and sat down at a plastic dining table.

Su Nange brought over a pot of hot water and scalded the utensils for both of them.

The chicken feet pot here was simply a masterpiece.

Cleaned chicken feet were stewed in broth until tender and then marinated with spices.

They were neatly arranged in a basin layered with lettuce, potatoes, and rice cake slices.

Then, rich soup was poured over them, followed by a sprinkling of chopped green onions, chili powder, and pepper.

With a ladle of hot oil poured over it, the aroma was completely released. Both the smell and the sight were enough to whet anyone's appetite.

Su Nange gestured for Zhou Wanqing to try it.

Zhou Wanqing rarely ate such things, but since she hadn't really eaten her fill at dinner, she picked up a chicken foot.

She took a graceful little bite. Hmm? It was not only soft enough to fall off the bone, but also very flavorful.

The chili powder looked intense, but it didn't feel burdensome on the tongue at all.

Truth be told, grand hotels really couldn't produce something with such a down-to-earth flavor.

Zhou Wanqing had indeed not misplaced her trust in the man before her.

Su Nange poured Zhou Wanqing a glass of "I Drank This Since I Was Little" coconut milk, while he poured himself a glass of orange-yellow soda.

Zhou Wanqing looked at it. "I want that one too."

Su Nange sighed inwardly.

Are you two biological sisters? Was I your servant in a past life or something?

Su Nange's stubborn streak surfaced. "The carbonation will make the alcohol go to your head. I'm not giving you any!"

Zhou Wanqing smiled faintly. "Actually, it's good that you came today. I happen to have some things I want to say to you."

"Firstly, I really do regret it a bit. I admit I was impulsive back then. If you had stayed at the City Investment Company, perhaps together with Su Yao, you could have helped me do many things."

"Secondly, I also want to thank you. I know you secretly helped me gather a lot of information!"

"Thirdly, Su Yao is a very good girl; I like her very much. Regardless of how you handle things with your ex-girlfriend, if you ever let Su Yao down, I'll make you pay."

Being lectured made Su Nange feel rather uncomfortable. He took a sip of soda. "Are you finished?"

Zhou Wanqing also looked up, her eyes—which shouldn't belong to a woman and seemed capable of seeing through everything—stared intently at Su Nange.

This opponent is very strong! Su Nange only felt it now.

Su Nange could be said to be a changed man now, yet facing Zhou Wanqing's gaze, he actually still felt a sense of pressure!

Is this the confidence that comes from a high-ranking family?

Even Liu Yuan never had such moments that made it hard to breathe.

Su Nange chuckled inwardly; now was not the time to have a falling out with her.

So, he spoke up, "President Zhou, I can understand why you like Su Yao; after all, she is like an angel."

"Therefore, I am willing to compete fairly with you! I will also help you keep this secret."

Damn you! No matter how cultured Zhou Wanqing was, she almost fell under the table!

How could Su Yao fall for this guy who talks such nonsense? It seemed she would have to find Su Yao for a good talk.

While some were eating late-night snacks, others hadn't even had dinner and were currently munching on bananas to stave off hunger.

Liu Yuan sat in her club, suddenly craving fried skewers again.

That damned guy. She gave him time off, and he didn't even make a single concerned phone call.

At that moment, the two men in suits who had gone to chase after Ye Tingting returned to report.

"Eldest Miss, we tracked her to an old residential area in the north of the city. We only found out where the girl lives after asking around. But she refused to accept the money. This is the two hundred thousand; we've brought it back to you."

Liu Yuan looked up. Refused to accept it again? Is the moral character of young people these days really this high?

They don't even want money when it's given to them?

First Su Nange, and now this girl?

It seemed she really wasn't Li Runfa's mistress. She had misjudged her.

Liu Yuan nodded. "Take this money and distribute it among your brothers."

The two bodyguards were full of joy. Eldest Miss really is the best boss in the world!

As they were about to leave, Liu Yuan called them back and asked a question.

"Did you ask what that girl's name is?"

In their excitement, the two almost forgot to say. One of them immediately nodded and said, "Replying to Eldest Miss, we did. She said her name is Ye Tingting."

Liu Yuan looked shocked and stood up abruptly, startling the bodyguards.

"Eldest Miss, what's wrong?"

"Say that again, what is her name?"

"Her name is Ye Tingting!" The bodyguard was bewildered. Could this be a long-lost sister of the Eldest Miss's family?

Could it be that TV dramas are all true?

Liu Yuan waved her hand, signaling for the two to leave.

She sat back down, propping her head up with her hand.

Now, it could finally be understood. You two really are cut from the same cloth! Your tempers and personalities are so similar.

So what should she do? Get rid of this competitor?

No, if Su Nange found out, who could guarantee he wouldn't go crazy?

But leave her be? That didn't seem right either. As a mere bank clerk, how could she be a match for Li Runfa?

If she really got ruined by that old lecher, wouldn't Su Nange go even crazier?

Sigh, this is really worrying me to death! You two are like my ancestors! I, Liu Yuan, really owe you both."

Su Nange dropped Zhou Wanqing off downstairs.

Zhou Wanqing got out of the car, and after a moment's thought, Su Nange got out as well.

Neither of them would lack the necessary courtesies.

"Thank you for today. Regarding the underground utility tunnel project you mentioned, I will look into it."

Su Nange also gave a polite smile. "Then, I'll take my leave, President Zhou."

After saying that, he started the car, made a U-turn, and left.

Zhou Wanqing inadvertently looked back and caught a glimpse of the silver letters LS600h on the back of Su Nange's large executive sedan.

Huh, this model... does it seem like I've heard someone mention it somewhere?

Unable to recall it for the moment, Zhou Wanqing continued walking inside.

Early the next morning, Su Yao received a text message: "Are you free at noon? I want to talk to you."

Su Yao sent back an "Okay."

It was the same coffee shop as last time. Ye Tingting was waiting there early and had already bought coffee for Su Yao.

Once again, the two beauties in uniforms sat side-by-side, attracting many gazes from the people passing by.

"Why did you look for me so suddenly? I'll tell you first, I went with him to Lu City."

"You! He never even took me back there!"

Su Yao pursed her lips. "You were the one who left him."

"I didn't! Alright, what I want to talk to you about today isn't that."

Ye Tingting also felt bitter in her heart.

She wanted someone to talk to, and after looking through her entire contact list, she found that this girl she had only met once was actually the most reliable.

She hadn't even contacted her best friend, Xu Min.

Ye Tingting believed that Su Yao was a person without hidden motives. And the fact that Su Yao said such a thing right away was enough to prove her straightforwardness.

Ye Tingting sighed. "I know what kind of person that Li Runfa is now."

Su Yao was a bit nervous. "What did he do to you?"

Ye Tingting sensed the other's concern, and her heart warmed slightly. "No, it's just that by chance, I found out about some of his beastly actions."

"Originally, I thought he was just unfaithful to his wife. But now I've discovered he's practically committing crimes!"

Su Yao was puzzled. "Then why haven't you quickly cut off all contact with him?"

Ye Tingting felt dejected again and repeated her need to earn money and the pressures of her life.

Su Yao was even more puzzled. "Then Nange can help you; he definitely would. If you keep being this stubborn, you can't blame me!"

Ye Tingting began to cry in front of Su Yao again.

Su Yao didn't understand how she had become a 'Dear Abby' figure.

So, she handed over tissues and offered comfort.

However, after hearing more of Tingting's troubles, Su Yao also felt a mix of emotions in her heart.

Ye Tingting didn't want to look for Su Nange, and it wasn't entirely because of stubbornness.

She was born into a family that wasn't well-off. Just like in a cliché TV drama, she had an incompetent younger brother and parents who favored boys over girls.

Now, even her brother's college tuition and living expenses were being demanded from Ye Tingting.

Therefore, Ye Tingting herself was afraid of becoming a burden to Su Nange.

A large part of the reason she had almost gone down a path of no return before was the pressure from her own family.

But she had never mentioned any of this to Su Nange. Instead, she told Su Yao.

But even though Su Yao was a top student, what she studied wasn't the subject of family disputes.

What could Su Yao do? Should she call the Qiantang Old Mediator to come and settle things?

And end up exposing a drama where the original wife becomes the mistress?

Heavens! Su Yao was startled by her own thoughts.

At that moment, Ye Tingting's phone rang.

It was an unknown number; she thought it might be a client.

But the voice on the other end gave Ye Tingting a fright too.

"Hello, I am Liu Yuan. I'm at your branch. Where are you? I have something to discuss with you."