In the open-air restaurant.
Xia Yan sat next to Xiao Han, eating together.
Xiao Han had casually pointed to this place, and Lu Zhengting hadn't objected, so they came in.
Lu Zhengting sat right across from her, making Xia Yan feel a bit uneasy.
Xia Yan lifted her eyes to glance at Lu Zhengting on the other side; he was picking up food for Xiao Han.
This was different from what she usually learned about him from the news media. Rumors said he was cold and ruthless, with deep schemes and ruthless tactics in the business world, and some older folks even claimed he was arrogant and looked down on everyone.
But the man before her didn't seem like that at all. Xiao Han made so many unreasonable demands, yet he never got harsh. And, he had even helped her out a few times.
"Xia Yan? What are you doing here?" A female voice came from behind.
Xia Yan recognized the voice immediately—it was her friend Lin Xujia. She glanced at Lu Zhengting across the table and felt a headache coming on.
Lin Xujia walked over and saw Lu Zhengting and his son. They looked familiar, and she grew a bit puzzled. "Xia Yan, who are they? Aren't you..."
"He's... a friend I just met." Xia Yan's scalp tingled as she stammered out the words.
Lin Xujia grew even more confused. "Didn't you go home for a blind date that night? Could it be him?"
"Cough, no, no." Xia Yan nearly spat out the soup she had just drunk. It seemed her friend hadn't recognized Lu Zhengting yet. "Are you here to eat?"
"Oh, I'm done." Lin Xujia was full of curiosity, her eyes darting between Lu Zhengting and Xiao Han.
Xia Yan was worried she might recognize Lu Zhengting and cause a bigger misunderstanding. Just as she was getting anxious, Xiao Han suddenly looked up, his eyes wide. "Sister Yan, why are you going on a blind date? Isn't my dad good enough?"
"Uh, Xiao Han, you've got it wrong." Xia Yan almost choked on her own saliva.
"Your dad? Him?" Lin Xujia's eyes lit up as she pointed at Lu Zhengting. "Well, he's not bad, but where's his mom?"
Xia Yan's cheeks flushed. She quickly stood up and pushed her. "Don't talk nonsense. Go back first. I'll tell you the rest when I get back to school."
Lin Xujia was pushed a couple of steps to the side by Xia Yan and reluctantly left.
Back in her seat, Xia Yan cautiously glanced at Lu Zhengting. Seeing his indifferent expression, she carefully explained, "She was talking about that night. I'll explain it to her when I get back to school. I won't let anyone misunderstand."
"It's fine." Lu Zhengting replied flatly.
Xia Yan was taken aback. Right, for a man, this kind of thing meant nothing—just a bit of gossip about a romantic interest.
But she cared. If word got back to school that she had something unclear with Lu Zhengting, who knew what kind of storm it would stir up.
She hated this kind of thing. Similar incidents had happened at school before.
As Xia Yan was lost in thought, Xiao Han tilted his head and studied her. "Do you not like my dad?"
Xia Yan froze, then glared at him. "Kids shouldn't talk nonsense."
She looked back at Lu Zhengting and met his gaze. His dark eyes were deep and unreadable, and she always felt like she was being watched.
She grew even more uncomfortable. She shouldn't have come to eat with them today at all.
"Xia Yan, I forgot to tell you something." A voice came from behind.
Lin Xujia had come back, walking over excitedly, her gaze subtly lingering on Lu Zhengting.
Having someone else around could ease the awkwardness, and Xia Yan no longer felt as resistant to Lin Xujia as before.
She turned around and saw Lin Xujia's flickering eyes, guessing she had recognized Lu Zhengting. "What is it? How about we go back to school together?"
Lin Xujia's eyes were barely hiding her excitement, still fixed on Lu Zhengting, and she didn't catch what Xia Yan said. "Uh, I need to talk to you about something."
"Then let's head back to school together?" Xia Yan asked again.
"Sure, no wait..." Lin Xujia snapped out of it and pulled her gaze away. "I wanted to ask if you can come to my birthday party next week. My dad specially arranged it."
After speaking, she glanced at Lu Zhengting again.
"Your dad arranged a birthday party for you?" Xia Yan asked, puzzled.
She had known Lin Xujia for years—they were classmates in high school and roommates in college. She knew Lin Xujia's family situation. Though it was a bit better than hers, Lin Xujia was still the eldest daughter of the Lin family. But she had a stepmother at home and often suffered under her. Now, a birthday party?
Something about this seemed off.
Lin Xujia seemed very happy. "Yeah, you have to come. My dad said since I'm about to graduate, I can invite classmates to join in the fun."
"I might not have time." Xia Yan instinctively refused.
"What? Are we even friends? You won't even come to my birthday party." Lin Xujia shook Xia Yan's hand, hinting, "Could it be that you're busy with Mr. Lu?"
So she had indeed recognized Lu Zhengting. Xia Yan quickly said, "No, forget it. I'll go back to school with you now."
She stood up. "Mr. Lu, I'll be going now. Xiao Han, I'll make you a cake another day."
Without waiting for Lu Zhengting's response, she grabbed Lin Xujia and headed out.
She had to explain things to Lin Xujia. She didn't want her classmates at school to misunderstand that she was with Lu Zhengting.
Xiao Han pouted, twisting in his chair as if he wanted to get down, but a look from Lu Zhengting made him stop.
He stared discontentedly at Xia Yan's retreating figure, then turned his little head to Lu Zhengting. "Do you like her?"
Lu Zhengting glanced at him without saying a word.
"Too bad she doesn't like you." Xiao Han shook his little head, pretending to sigh regretfully. "I heard Sister Yan is really popular at school. Maybe someone who likes her will be at the birthday party too."
He looked at Lu Zhengting, his eyes darting around. "If I go too, I can definitely keep an eye on her for you."