Watching the two figures gradually fade into the distance, she tightened her grip on the glass, then let go and carelessly tossed it onto the table. Rising to her feet, she quietly trailed after them.
The dim lights in the bar were a blur. Without familiarity or close scrutiny, it was hard to make out who was following just a short distance away.
Ling Qianchen tailed them like this, eager to overhear their conversation. But the blaring DJ music made it impossible to catch a word. Growing impatient, he took a few more steps forward.
Getting closer, Yuan Meng, ever vigilant, immediately noticed. Turning around, she saw Ling Qianchen standing just three or four steps behind her.
With a polite smile on her face, she waved at Ling Qianchen. Knowing he'd been spotted, Ling Qianchen didn't hesitate and walked over.
"Hey, are you into stalking now? This doesn't seem like something a big shot like you, Mr. Ling, would do!" she quipped with a teasing smile.
Ling Qianchen glanced at the man and then at Yuan Meng, a smile playing on his lips. "What do you think I should be like? Sometimes, you can't judge me by my usual self."
Just as he was about to say more, his phone rang in his pocket. He took it out and answered. After listening to what was said on the other end, he hung up, a hint of regret on his face. "I've got some business to attend to back at the company. I'll have to leave first. Don't stay here too long. And rest assured, I will give you an answer about some things."
After saying that, though Ling Qianchen was a bit reluctant, thinking of the company matters, he walked away without looking back.
Give me an answer? Yuan Meng repeated the words in her mind a few times. She couldn't help but roll her eyes mentally. Dude, who needs your answer? Do you think I care about you?
Putting that thought aside, Yuan Meng turned to the man beside her. "Let's go somewhere quieter. This place isn't suitable for a chat."
The man's name was Han Wen. He was Yuan Meng's senior when she was in school. He'd always been a gentle soul. Back then, his family's financial situation was just average, but now, he'd become the CEO of a listed company.
The two had run into each other here by chance. They hadn't seen each other for years. And since Han Wen had been kind to her during school days, Yuan Meng had chatted with him a bit longer. Little did she expect Ling Qianchen to have seen them.
Han Wen was refined, wearing a pair of gold - rimmed glasses. Hearing her words, he nodded, his expression looking a bit odd.
Once they reached the private room, the deafening music and the noisy chaos were all left outside. After Han Wen sat down, he looked up at Yuan Meng, hesitating to speak.
"Senior, what's up?"
After a moment of hesitation, Han Wen finally asked, "That guy just now, he likes you, doesn't he?"
"Seems so. Why do you ask?" Yuan Meng was curious. Her senior had never been one to meddle in others' affairs. Why was he bringing this up today?
"I don't think he's right for you." Han Wen got straight to the point. "I only caught a glimpse of him just now, but based on my experience of sizing people up, he's not a good match for you. I don't know what your relationship is with him now, but as your senior, for your own good, I have to advise you not to get involved with him."
What a load of nonsense! Yuan Meng was a bit dazed. Han Wen kept on persuading her earnestly, basically saying that he thought Ling Qianchen was unreliable and that for her own sake, she should stay far away from him and definitely not develop any romantic feelings for him.
Yuan Meng was speechless. She let out a scoff and interrupted Han Wen. "Senior, you're overthinking. I don't like this type, so I won't be with him. You can rest assured."
Actually, Ling Qianchen wasn't a bad catch. He was rich, good - looking, and tall, with excellent conditions in every aspect.
But she just didn't want to be nagged at and hoped Han Wen would drop the subject, so she gave him this perfunctory answer.
Han Wen seemed to see through her perfunctory attitude. He sighed and continued to persuade her. "Don't lie to me. Guys like him are very popular among girls like you. It's normal if you have feelings for him. But it's just my intuition as a man that he doesn't seem like a good husband material for you. I'm your senior. Technically, I shouldn't say so much, but I can't just watch you jump into the fire pit. I just hope you'll think more about the people who like you in this world and look at others. Don't be blinded by just one person."
Yuan Meng's heart sank slightly. Ever since the day Han Wen met her, his heart had been completely occupied by this girl.
Yuan Meng thought he was just being kind to her as a senior to a junior. In fact, it was all out of his own volition.
Back in school, his family was just average. Yuan Meng clearly came from a well - off family. Maybe due to his inferiority complex, he never dared, and was even afraid that Yuan Meng would find out his feelings for her.
He was scared. Scared that if Yuan Meng knew, she would look down on him, think he was a social climber. Moreover, he didn't have the ability to give her a home and make her happy.
So after graduation, he worked extremely hard to build his own company, gradually turning it into what it was today.
Yuan Meng didn't want to continue this topic. After giving a few more perfunctory responses, she changed the subject and quickly ended the meeting.
After Han Wen left, Yuan Meng was alone in the private room. She felt a bit tired. Opening the door of the private room, she was about to go upstairs to rest.
Just then, her phone rang. She took it out and was a bit stunned when she saw the name on the screen. Then she answered.
"Hello, hubby..."
"Where are you? It's this late. Hurry back!" Ling Qianchen's cold voice came through the receiver. "Don't tell me you're not coming back. If you do, you'll never be allowed back."
It was a blatant threat. So what? Did he think she'd be scared? No way. She wasn't the least bit intimidated. But still, she had to go back.
After all, she'd made a bet with someone. The one - year bet wasn't over yet. It would be so embarrassing if she lost because of this.
On the other end, Ling Qianchen, who had already hung up the phone, stared at his phone, recalling the music he'd heard when the call was first answered.
Strange. Why did the sound seem so familiar? It was as if it was the DJ music from the Blue Note Bar. But Yuan Meng never went to such places. What was going on? Could it be that...