Nanyu didn't know how to answer this question.
After all, she had no idea how Tan Linyuan would react when he received this ring. It was very likely that, just as Qu Jiaran had said, he wouldn't even wear it.
The significance of a ring was simply too special.
Fortunately, Qu Jiaran didn't really expect an answer from her. After just a few minutes of deep thought, she quickly came up with an idea: "How about I propose to Linyuan?"
Propose.
The word caught Nanyu off guard. She was dazed for a few seconds before asking, "Isn't it a bit too sudden?"
"Not really, is it?"
Unlike Nanyu's reaction, Qu Jiaran herself didn't think there was anything out of the ordinary. Proposing seemed to be as normal as eating and sleeping to her. "I've been dating Linyuan for quite a while, you know."
Three months? Could that be considered a long time?
Before this topic could continue, the car had already arrived at their destination, Moli Zhai.
"This is a vegetarian restaurant. Linyuan often comes here," Qu Jiaran winked. "Oh, right. It seems to be one of his businesses."
Nanyu nodded, looking at the signboard of the restaurant.
Moli.
Fragments of memories flashed through her mind, but they were rather hazy.
At this moment, however, she had no mood to dwell on such trivial details.
All that was left in her mind was one thought: Qu Jiaran was going to propose to Tan Linyuan.
When?
Tomorrow? The day after? Next week? Or next month?
In any case, once Qu Jiaran had said it, she would surely follow through.
The only commendable virtue about her was that she always kept her word.
And she was extremely decisive.
...
When Tan Linyuan showed up, he looked exhausted, as if he had just come from a long and serious meeting. Fatigue was evident in his eyes.
Nanyu noticed that he had changed his clothes. It was a business suit, completely different from what he had worn at the book signing in the afternoon.
It was so strange. Just this afternoon, she had been happy to see him at the signing, but now her heart felt as heavy as if it were sinking.
"Linyuan, you're finally here!" The moment Qu Jiaran saw him, her eyes lit up. She waved at him. "Come and sit down quickly. I've been waiting for you for ages."
Her voice was full of excitement. "I've ordered the dishes in advance. Take a look and see if there's anything else you'd like."
Tan Linyuan responded absent - mindedly. His eyes swept over Nanyu, who was sitting silently beside them. For a moment, he hesitated.
He sensed that her mood was off.
Was it because the signing had been too busy today? Or was she not getting along well with Qu Jiaran?
Tan Linyuan didn't have time to think more. As soon as he pulled out a chair and sat down, Qu Jiaran leaned over with a smile and asked, "Linyuan, are you tired today? Do you want me to give you a shoulder massage?"
"No, thanks," Tan Linyuan replied politely, subtly rejecting any physical contact with her.
"Alright. I just learned how to massage. I was looking forward to showing you my skills," Qu Jiaran said, sounding a bit disappointed. "Let's talk about it later. There will surely be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Tan Linyuan gave a non - committal "hmm".
Qu Jiaran chattered on as usual. Tan Linyuan's arrival had made her even more excited. She described in great detail how Nanyu had been at the signing today.
She painted such a vivid picture that she was afraid Tan Linyuan wouldn't be able to feel it. "It's a pity you weren't there today. You have no idea how popular Yuyu was."
As soon as Qu Jiaran finished speaking, Tan Linyuan put down the cup in his hand and said slowly, "I went there today. It was really good."
Qu Jiaran was stunned for a moment. Then she turned to look at Nanyu, looking confused. "Linyuan was there today? Yuyu didn't tell me."
Nanyu was also stunned for a few seconds, surprised by Tan Linyuan's honesty.
But soon she came to her senses. It was just a book signing, nothing to hide. She really didn't need to keep it from Qu Jiaran.
She had been too guilty. Even things that were perfectly normal seemed like secrets to her.
Tan Linyuan smoothly changed the topic. "I didn't stay long. I had to deal with some matters related to Jingbei today."
"I know!" Qu Jiaran quickly answered. "My dad told me about it yesterday. They won the bid. Are you planning to start the project after the New Year?"
"More or less," Tan Linyuan replied.
Qu Jiaran winked at Tan Linyuan and began to take credit. "Linyuan, you should thank me. I mentioned this cooperation to my dad before, and he said he could help make the connection. Otherwise, you would have had a hard time."
"Thanks," Tan Linyuan said, going along with her.
Nanyu watched their conversation silently, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.
To be fair, Qu Jiaran was indeed a suitable candidate for a marriage of alliance.
In terms of personality, she was outgoing and lively. She could build a close relationship without even having to make an effort.
In terms of family background, the Qu family could provide a great deal of resources and connections, which would surely help Tan Linyuan achieve great success.
Anyone could see that it would be a perfect match.
The restaurant served a plate of oranges, cut into small pieces and arranged neatly on the plate. They looked juicy.
Nanyu picked up a piece and put it into her mouth. The sour and bitter taste made her frown.
"Is it very sour?" Qu Jiaran asked curiously, leaning over.
Nanyu didn't know how to answer.
--
As the meal was coming to an end, Tan Linyuan got up to go to the restroom and pay the bill.
While Nanyu was wiping her mouth with a tissue, she glanced over and saw Qu Jiaran rummaging through something.
Nanyu's heart skipped a beat.
"Why can't I find it? It was right here just now..." Qu Jiaran lowered her head, sweating profusely as she searched everywhere.
The longer she searched, the more anxious Nanyu became.
Finally, Qu Jiaran gave up. She looked at Nanyu with a sad expression. "What should I do? I can't find it..."
Nanyu was now certain that she was talking about the ring.
She tried to sound as calm as possible. "Did you leave it in the car?"
Qu Jiaran shook her head. "Impossible. I put it in my bag. I might have lost it on the way here." As she said this, she called over a waiter and asked if they had seen a jewelry box.
The waiter went to the front desk to check but unfortunately reported that no one in the restaurant had found it.
"Alright. It seems today just isn't a good day," Qu Jiaran said, giving up and shrugging helplessly. "I'll propose to Linyuan after I find the ring."
Nanyu didn't want to admit it, but when she heard this, she felt a sense of relief, as if she had survived a disaster.
At least, it wasn't going to happen today.
A few minutes later, Tan Linyuan came back after paying the bill. Qu Jiaran got up happily, rushed over and hooked her arm around Tan Linyuan's. She walked out with him, saying, "Linyuan, I feel so dizzy. Am I drunk?"
"You ordered a beverage," Tan Linyuan reminded her.
"Then the waiter must have made a mistake and served fruit wine instead of juice," Qu Jiaran said, pressing her temples and putting on a weak expression. She acted coquettishly. "Could you please take me home, Linyuan? I don't want the bodyguard to take me."
Tan Linyuan didn't refuse. He just turned to look at Nanyu and said calmly, "Aren't you leaving?"
Qu Jiaran also turned around and smiled at Nanyu. "Yuyu, did you drink too much? Oh, right. Could you help me carry my bag?"
Nanyu agreed and reached out to pick up the bag hanging on the back of the chair.
Qu Jiaran was always careless. The zipper of her bag was wide open.
Nanyu was about to zip it up when her finger suddenly touched the corner of a box -
It was the black velvet jewelry box that held the ring. It was lying intact in Qu Jiaran's bag.
She suddenly looked up and met Qu Jiaran's smiling face.