The young ladies covered their faces one by one and bid farewell, choosing to flee the scene one after another.
This afternoon tea ended in a hurry.
No one wanted to upset Tan Linyuan at this critical moment and bring disaster to their own families.
However, Miss Licia did manage to keep Tan Linyuan, Qu Jiaran, and Nan Yu. She said she wanted to invite them to stay for a while alone.
The manor was quieter than before, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and plants.
As soon as they sat down, Miss Licia couldn't help gently scolding him, "Mr. Tan, who is usually kind and tolerant, why are you so persistent with a little girl today?"
"She was impolite." Tan Linyuan said calmly. He picked up the tea brewed by the servant and took a sip. "Miss Licia's manor should not invite such impolite girls."
Miss Licia pursed her lips and said with a smile, "You're not usually like this. You're being so ungentlemanly today. Is it because of Miss Nan Yu?"
Nan Yu was sitting on the chair next to them, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
It had been quite satisfying just now, but Tan Linyuan's openly protecting her in public would surely make Qu Jiaran think too much.
Even now, she could still feel Qu Jiaran's occasional glances.
Tan Linyuan smiled slightly. "I should thank Miss Nan. I've been worried recently about how to reject the Tong family's application. You know, the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce always give me a headache."
After saying that, he pretended to be very distressed and rubbed his temples, then let out a sigh of relief, as if he had finally solved a big problem that had been weighing on his mind.
At this moment, Qu Jiaran whispered, "I see."
Nan Yu also thought to herself, "So that's it."
She knew that this old fox Tan Linyuan wouldn't help her unconditionally for no reason.
It seemed that he was protecting her on the surface, but in fact, he wanted to use her to clear the obstacles in the Chamber of Commerce.
In Tan Linyuan's world, apart from occasional bouts of compassion, most things were about using people with a price tag.
There was no need to be grateful or be self - indulgent.
Apart from a momentary daze, Nan Yu sat up straighter than before.
She, Nan Yu, didn't owe Tan Linyuan anything!
Miss Licia shook her head helplessly and said with a smile, "Don't let this happen again. You're not allowed to embarrass the girls in my manor in the future."
She pretended to be angry with her beautiful features. "If there's a next time, I'll go and complain to Meng Jindong."
Meng Jindong was Miss Licia's husband, the legendary Southeast Asian tycoon who was both wealthy and loved his wife.
Tan Linyuan said with a smile, "It will never happen again."
Judging from the way he chatted with Miss Licia, Nan Yu could roughly tell that Tan Linyuan had a close relationship with this couple.
At this moment, Nan Yu once again realized the complexity and mystery of Tan Linyuan's identity.
Reincarnated god, the head of the Tan family, the leader of the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, and the close friend of a Southeast Asian tycoon...
How many more secrets did he have that were unknown to outsiders? Nan Yu didn't even dare to think about it.
No wonder he said that there were times when he was also constrained.
With such a special network of relationships and having to deal with big shots from all levels, it was not an easy thing to be comprehensive and meticulous everywhere.
Interpersonal relationships were the most exhausting.
As Nan Yu was thinking, suddenly the servant of the manor stepped forward and pushed a business card in front of her.
"Miss Nan." Miss Licia looked at her with a smile. "A friend of mine opened a record store. If you're interested, you can go and have a look."
Nan Yu was about to shake her head. She didn't want to owe her a favor. "No, I..."
Qu Jiaran took the card with a smile and put it in Nan Yu's pocket. "Yuyu, Miss Licia means well. Just take it. Maybe you'll need it someday."
Nan Yu had no choice but to purse her lips and say thank you in a flat voice.
Before, she had also considered going to a record store to record her piano scores and make them into albums for sale so that more people could hear her music.
But it took too long to make money from records, and she didn't have any connections, so it was very difficult to get a recording opportunity.
This idea had to be shelved indefinitely.
Miss Licia said that her friend's record store was short of a piano recording. If she had time, she could go and give it a try.
"I think Miss Nan has a special temperament." Miss Licia blinked and covered her lips with a smile. "She should be an excellent pianist."
...
When they came out of Miss Licia's manor, they ran into an unwelcome guest head - on.
Some young lady must have taken a photo of Nan Yu and posted it on her Moments, revealing her whereabouts. Shen Yanche was waiting for her right at the manor gate.
Before Shen Yanche could get close to Nan Yu, Qu Jiaran went on high - alert mode and directly protected Nan Yu warily, shouting, "You scumbag Shen. What do you want from Yuyu again?"
Being scolded like this out of the blue, Shen Yanche felt embarrassed, but he didn't dare to provoke Qu Jiaran. He could only grit his teeth and say, "Miss Qu, this is a private matter of the Shen family. Please don't interfere."
He looked at Nan Yu and tried to put on a gentle look. "Yuyu, I've thought it over carefully these days. I want to have a good talk with you about our future engagement."
"Future? What future do you have with Yuyu? Dream on!" Qu Jiaran was flailing her arms and pretending to swing her fist at Shen Yanche's face.
Nan Yu grabbed Qu Jiaran and shook her head at her.
Nan Yu knew clearly that if she couldn't reach an agreement with the Shen family, they would definitely keep pestering her.
Instead of that, she might as well just go along with his wishes and have an open - hearted talk.
However, before negotiating with the Shen family, she needed to confirm one thing. "After the talk, can I leave the Shen family unharmed?"
"Of course. I'm here to talk to you nicely, not to kidnap you." Shen Yanche showed a flattering smile.
Qu Jiaran didn't believe him and still said viciously, "I'll give you two hours. Jiaran and I will wait outside the Shen family villa. After two hours, I want Nan Yu to come out in one piece. Not a single hair on her head can be missing!"
"If anything happens to her, or if she's even a minute late, I'll immediately bring the bodyguards in and raze your Shen family to the ground."
Qu Jiaran crossed her arms and looked nonchalant. "Anyway, I've got a truckload of bodyguards. If you've got the guts, just try it."
Nan Yu thought that at this moment, Qu Jiaran was a bit like a tough - talking girl from the streets, and she herself was like someone who had just paid for protection.
Although it seemed a bit unserious, it was definitely reliable.
After much persuasion, they finally agreed to let Nan Yu go back to the Shen family with Shen Yanche.
Watching Nan Yu and Shen Yanche walk in, Qu Jiaran was still a bit worried while sitting in the car. "Linyuan, they won't bully Yuyu, will they?"
Tan Linyuan glanced at the departing figures and said in a flat tone, "This is her own business."
---
As soon as Nan Yu stepped into the Shen family's main gate, she felt the stifling atmosphere inside the villa.
She paused for a moment.
"Yuyu, Dad is waiting for us." Shen Yanche followed behind her and whispered, "Hurry up and go in. We don't have much time."