Xue An didn't dare to be careless. He steeled himself and replied, "Sister Jiang Li made an appointment with General Manager Chen at 'Horizon' at 2 p.m. They're probably going to talk about this scandal."
Xiao Yanzhi nodded. "Got it."
He wasn't surprised that the two of them would be together now.
"But..." Xue An hesitated. Should he continue? "Horizon is a very special tea - house."
Special?
Xiao Yanzhi frowned.
He lazily raised his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Get the car ready. We'll go there now too."
Xue An paused for a few seconds.
"General Manager Xiao, I'm afraid that's not possible," he said with a pained look on his face. "It might not be suitable for the two of us to go to that restaurant."
Xiao Yanzhi thought for a few seconds, and his voice grew low. "Is it a restaurant that's not open to the public? Then make a phone call to make a reservation now."
Xue An: "..."
He didn't know how to hint to his boss that "Horizon" was actually a tea - house with a couple theme, with a great romantic atmosphere for dates.
But since the order was given, no matter how reluctant he was, he had to bite the bullet and do it.
That's just what it's like to be a worker. There's no human rights.
So—
Xiao Yanzhi and Xue An were sitting face - to - face at a heart - shaped table.
The restaurant was filled with all kinds of pink balloons, and even the music playing was about love.
Even the air smelled of sweet perfume.
No wonder it was a dating destination with a 100% success rate for confessions. It seemed that its reputation was well - deserved.
In such a warm, romantic and ambiguous atmosphere, there were these two out - of - place men.
"General Manager Xiao, how about we..." Xue An was trembling with fear and wanted to find an excuse to leave.
It was so strange.
It was really strange!
He never dreamed that one day he would come to a couple - themed restaurant... on a date with his own boss.
Xiao Yanzhi's face had turned as black as coal, but he still simply said two words: "It's okay."
At this moment, a cute waitress in a tutu princess dress came over with the menu, smiling sweetly. "Gentlemen, our signature dish is the 'Passionate Lover's Cake'. It's very suitable for couples. Would you like to order one?"
This restaurant was very open - minded and also welcomed same - sex couples. Obviously, they had been regarded as a couple.
Xiao Yanzhi had been looking gloomy since he walked in. It was hard to imagine his current mental state.
Xue An's hair stood on end.
"Um... Miss, just bring us two random drinks," Xue An didn't dare to say much and just wanted to get rid of the waitress quickly.
The girl in the tutu got even more enthusiastic. "Then I highly recommend the 'Missing You Every Day Jasmine Milk Green' and the 'Loving You All the Time Snow - topped Oolong'. These two are our best - sellers!"
...
Xue An was so embarrassed that he felt like his toes were digging into the ground. He didn't even dare to look at Xiao Yanzhi.
He was afraid that his boss's look would kill him.
They were just jasmine milk green and snow - topped oolong. Why did they have such strange names!
"... Just, just these," Xue An stammered. He only felt that the stone pressing on his chest had finally been lifted a bit after the girl in the tutu walked away with small steps.
Finally, it was quiet.
"Why did they choose to meet here?" Xiao Yanzhi's voice was unexpectedly calm. "This doesn't seem like a place to discuss business."
Xue An quickly replied, "The public opinion online is in favor of the two of them. If they met somewhere else, their conversation might be overheard. It's better to show up openly in a couple's place."
"In this way, even if someone with ill intentions wants to spy or inquire about information, when they see the two of them meeting in such a place, any negative rumors that come out later will naturally fall apart."
Xue An had learned before that this strategy was called "turning one's scheme against oneself".
Hearing this, Xiao Yanzhi calmed down a bit.
It did seem to make sense.
Just then, the door of the tea - house was pushed open. The magpie wind chimes hanging at the door collided, making a clear sound.
Jiang Li and Chen Siqi walked in side by side. Although they weren't holding hands, they kept a very close distance.
They were like a newly - formed couple, still a bit shy and awkward.
Even though Jiang Li was wearing sunglasses, Xiao Yanzhi could recognize her at a glance. Then he quickly lowered his head and shifted his gaze, obviously not wanting Jiang Li to notice him.
Xue An: ...
He thought his boss was really being self - indulgent. From the moment Jiang Li walked in until she sat down, she didn't even glance in their direction.
It was still the same waitress in the tutu princess dress, still with those sweet and cloying product recommendations.
"Then bring us a serving of the 'Passionate Lover's Cake' and two glasses of sweet - and - sour lemon tea."
The voice was neither too loud nor too soft. And since the distance wasn't far, their conversation could just be heard by Xiao Yanzhi and Xue An sitting diagonally across from them.
Xue An always felt that it was really inappropriate for him to come with his boss to eavesdrop on others' conversation today.
Someone recognized Jiang Li and couldn't help whispering. Looking at the two on a date, everyone had a smile on their face.
"Just after their old relationship was exposed, they openly come out on a date. This relationship is so sweet!"
"The two of them must be true lovers. Otherwise, I'll eat this plate!"
"I never thought I'd meet a big star here. Will it affect their relationship if I go to ask for an autograph now?"
"Sister is so beautiful. She's even more beautiful when in love. She has a little girl's shyness. Did you see that? Oh, I'm going to faint..."
Xiao Yanzhi's expression was suppressed.
He felt for the first time that the gossiping voices were so annoying that he wished he could send someone right away to clear the place.
Xue An was actually a bit curious about what the "Passionate Lover's Cake" was, so he couldn't help stretching his neck to take a look.
After the waitress served it, Xue An retracted his head with a look of disappointment.
It was just red bean cake.
"If you're so interested, why don't you order one too?"
Xiao Yanzhi was expressionless, and his voice was scarily gloomy.
Xue An immediately lowered his head, looking at the straw of the "Loving You All the Time Snow - topped Oolong" with his eyes fixed on his nose.
It's really like walking on thin ice when serving a boss.
Compared with the depressing atmosphere at their table, the table diagonally across seemed extremely relaxed and natural, and their chatting topics were also very casual.
Xiao Yanzhi was sitting in a position where he could just see Jiang Li.
He didn't know what Chen Siqi said on the other side, but a faint smile appeared on Jiang Li's face. It was obviously so bright and beautiful, but he found it especially dazzling.
That smile was very familiar.
That smile was very perfunctory.
It was just like in those countless days and nights before, she had also smiled at him like that.
He had thought it was sincere.
He sat there silently, lowering his head to take a sip of the drink. Then he frowned and pushed it away. "It's sour."
He really had never drunk such a sour drink. It was sour all the way down to the back of his throat.
"Sour?" Xue An didn't think much and pushed his own glass towards Xiao Yanzhi. "Then you drink mine. Mine is sweet."
Xiao Yanzhi: ...