Tan Linyuan was as busy as usual with the chamber of commerce affairs. Meetings and social engagements popped up from time to time, which was inevitable.
He had a cooperation project to discuss tonight, and the duration was uncertain. Considering it would be inconvenient for Nan Yu to stay at home alone, he took her with him.
When Nan Yu was carried into the car by him, she was still pleading with him, "I can stay at home by myself."
Tan Linyuan ignored her plea. After buckling up her seat - belt, he closed the car door.
Ever since the last time Nan Yu tried to cook by herself, accidentally broke a plate and almost cut her finger, Tan Linyuan had directly deprived her of the right to stay at home alone.
Once in the car, Tan Linyuan drove towards their destination.
Autumn in Jiangcheng was always rainy. It had rained all day long and only stopped in the evening.
The ground was still wet. Rolling down the car window, one could smell the breath of rain in the air, mixed with the fragrance of the earth.
Nan Yu hadn't been out for several days. Now breathing in the fresh air, she felt refreshed.
She turned to him and asked, "What's the event tonight?"
"Discussing a business cooperation with a company from out - of - town," Tan Linyuan didn't explain much. "The other party just got off the plane. We're going to give them a welcome dinner."
Nan Yu was just asking casually. Seeing that he didn't elaborate, she nodded and turned her head back to the window to enjoy the night view outside.
Since that day, Nan Yu no longer asked any questions proactively. She just did as Tan Linyuan said.
She wanted to retreat to a safe zone.
When they arrived at the hotel, there was a receptionist waiting at the door. Tan Linyuan got out of the car first and took out a wheelchair from the trunk.
He carried Nan Yu out of the car and put her in the wheelchair.
Although Nan Yu's condition wasn't so serious that she had to use a wheelchair, it was easier than using crutches.
The hotel receptionist didn't expect Tan Linyuan to bring a lady with him. Professionally, he asked, "Do you need me to assign an assistant for this lady?"
"Later," Tan Linyuan replied. "When the guests arrive, you take care of Nan Yu."
The receptionist understood and then made a "please" gesture, inviting them both in.
They were led all the way to the main lobby of the hotel. Tan Linyuan pushed Nan Yu from behind into the pre - prepared lounge.
"Later, a waiter will come. Order whatever you like. If you need anything, just tell them."
Tan Linyuan was dressed extremely formally today. His black suit and waistcoat were very neat, showing a kind of noble business sense.
It was obvious that tonight's meeting was very important.
Tan Linyuan told her that he would go and talk to the business partners later. Nan Yu told him to just focus on his work.
"Mr. Tan, the honored guests have arrived at the door," the hotel receptionist knocked on the door and came in to inform him in a hurry.
Tan Linyuan nodded, told Nan Yu to wait for him in the room, and then quickly followed the receptionist towards the lobby entrance.
Judging from his attitude, this was an extremely important business meeting.
...
It was really boring in the lounge. Nan Yu was sitting in the wheelchair with nothing to do. She wanted to go to the hotel lobby to get some fresh air.
Tan Linyuan had instructed in advance that they should take good care of the young lady in the room and meet all her requests.
When the waiter saw her wheeling out, he immediately asked if she needed any help.
"Thank you. I'll just take a stroll by myself," Nan Yu declined his kindness. "I'll be back later."
Even so, the waiter still wheeled her to the tea area in the hotel lobby and served her a meal.
The lounge was too quiet. It was so quiet that she felt like she was growing hair. There was more fun here.
Nan Yu didn't know where Tan Linyuan was, but she guessed he should be negotiating the cooperation in the executive lounge of the hotel.
Bored, she noticed a log - colored piano in the lobby and asked the waiter if she could play it.
"Of course!"
The waiter usually served those pampered young ladies. She had a good impression of a quiet and polite lady like Nan Yu. She smiled and agreed, wheeling Nan Yu to the piano. "Hardly anyone plays this piano. It's almost become a decoration."
Nan Yu had a delicate face. She only wore light makeup tonight and her hair was pulled into a low bun, exuding a gentle and serene aura.
She stood up from the wheelchair and, with the waiter's support, sat on the piano bench.
The hotel lobby had sheet music. The waiter fetched it for her and placed it on the music stand.
Nan Yu randomly flipped through a piece and started playing.
She was just killing time, so she chose some popular piano pieces. After playing a few, she stopped.
The waiter enthusiastically praised her. She politely and modestly accepted it and then asked, "Is Mr. Tan done with his business?"
"Not yet," the waiter shook his head. "The guests tonight are from Jingbei. Mr. Tan must be entertaining them."
No wonder he was taking it so seriously.
Just as she sat back in the wheelchair, a strange man came over to chat with her.
"Hey, gorgeous!"
The young man had a typical northern look, with a high nose and three - dimensional features. He spoke with a strong Beijing accent. "You played the piano really well just now."
Nan Yu was taken aback for a moment. She recognized that his accent wasn't local. "Thank you."
Noticing that she was sitting in a wheelchair, he couldn't help but sigh, "Oh, girl, are you having trouble with your legs? It's such a pity."
Nan Yu explained that it was just a temporary sprain and she wasn't disabled. Only then did the man breathe a sigh of relief. "That's good."
"I just got off the plane. I've only been here for a little while and I'm not familiar with the place. Leave me your contact information, okay?"
...
Nan Yu chatted with him for a few minutes and learned that the gentleman's name was Li Nan. He had come with his elders to discuss a big business deal.
"Is your business partner surnamed Tan?" Nan Yu thought for a long time and finally asked.
"Yeah. Do you know him, gorgeous?" Li Nan was a bit surprised and joked with a smile, "You're not ordinary. You've been hiding your light."
"Which room are you staying in? I'll take you back." Li Nan was very kind - hearted. Nan Yu told him that she was waiting for someone in the lounge.
Li Nan said he was going to the executive lounge. They were on the same way, so he could take her back.
...
Tan Linyuan came out of the business meeting room. Roughly estimating the time, he wondered how long Nan Yu had been waiting for him.
He originally planned to take her out for dinner, but due to issues regarding the supply source and investment, he had to negotiate with the other party for a while.
Looking up, he saw Nan Yu being wheeled towards him by a man. They were chatting and laughing.
Tan Linyuan paused slightly, then simply stood there, crossing his arms and waiting calmly for them to come over.
"...When we have a chance in the future, come to my place. I'll definitely treat you to good food and drinks."
Tan Linyuan leisurely blocked the way of the wheelchair.
Nan Yu looked up and saw Tan Linyuan's cold and handsome face without any expression.
He said slowly, his tone calm, "Where are you heading?"