Chen Feng took the chance to ask, "Did she date anyone in college, or was she ever someone’s sugar baby?"
Jin Xinyan didn’t say anything reckless. She shook her head and replied, "She never had any of that. Back in school, many people chased after her, both inside and outside of campus, but she wasn’t interested in anyone. Also, her family is quite wealthy. Though her lifestyle wasn’t extravagant, it was better than that of an average working-class family, so it’s even less likely she’d be someone’s sugar baby."
"That’s good," Chen Feng said with some satisfaction. "Our company’s future plans include creating a pure and innocent image for her, turning her into the dream girl for countless men. It seems truthful; we’re not faking anything."
Jin Xinyan couldn’t help but smirk, "Honestly, she has nothing to do with innocence. She’s just a high-class green tea girl who’s very good at pretending."
Chen Feng, a bit displeased, said, "Alright, she’s your friend, after all. Without her, we wouldn’t know each other. You should watch your mouth."
After all, Jin Xinyan belonged to his company as a signed artist and was their key focus for future development.
Seeing Chen Feng a bit upset, Jin Xinyan sensibly refrained from mentioning Yang Wenqi any further.
The two ate for a while more; evening descended, the city lights came alive, the street bustling with traffic and dazzling lights.
Chen Feng checked the time and realized an hour had slipped by. The two had eaten just about enough and could leave.
Just then, a plump middle-aged woman who was passing by suddenly stopped, looking towards Jin Xinyan with some surprise, then glanced at Chen Feng.
"Xinyan, what are you doing here? This guy is... your friend?" The middle-aged woman had a face full of surprise and gossip.
Jin Xinyan felt a little awkward but quickly greeted her, "Aunt Chen, what a coincidence, are you here for a meal too?" Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs N()velFire.net
"Yes, my brother is treating us to a meal here. I just arrived and bumped into you, what a coincidence indeed." Aunt Chen said while her eyes kept examining Chen Feng, then she asked, "What does your friend do? How should I address him?"
Faced with this, Chen Feng had to respond with a smile, "Hello, I’m Chen Feng, I own a film company now."
Since it was someone Jin Xinyan knew, Chen Feng certainly didn’t want to claim he had no job or say he was a stock trader; that would embarrass Jin Xinyan.
"Wow, a film company boss, eh? How rare." Aunt Chen exaggeratedly said, focusing her curious eyes on Chen Feng.
"Ahem, Aunt Chen, we’ve finished eating and are about to pay and leave; let’s chat next time."
Finishing her sentence, Jin Xinyan got up immediately and signaled to Chen Feng.
Seeing this, Chen Feng also promptly stood and left the table.
"You’re leaving already? Well, see you next time then."
Aunt Chen enthusiastically waved goodbye to them.
At the front desk, Jin Xinyan insisted on paying the bill, and the two quickly left the western restaurant.
"Goodness, just ran into this nosy lady by accident."
Jin Xinyan appeared a little upset.
"Who is she to you?" Chen Feng was somewhat curious.
"She’s my mom’s friend, she loves to snoop into people’s family affairs and talk about them. Quite gossipy. This time she will definitely tell my mom about our date here; I’ll have to explain myself later. I’m afraid my mom won’t believe me."
"Why wouldn’t she? You could simply tell her I’m your friend, just a regular friend. Wouldn’t she believe that?" Chen Feng was puzzled.
Jin Xinyan explained, "I’ve never gone on a date with a guy alone before, let alone eat western food together. Now that Aunt Chen saw us with her own eyes, she’ll certainly embellish the story when she tells my mom. Do you think she’d believe when I say you’re just a regular friend?"
That is true. If it were him, he’d also be skeptical. After all, a woman inviting a man for western food alone, not a relative, appears somewhat ambiguous.
"We’ll just have to face whatever comes up then. If need be, say I am pursuing you, and it was me who invited you for the meal."
Hearing Chen Feng’s suggestion, Jin Xinyan felt slightly relieved and nodded, "That’s a good idea. If worst comes to worst, I’ll have to tell my mom that."
While talking, the two arrived at East Lake shore, walking side by side along the embankment, with a gentle breeze and the lake’s surface reflecting broken, shimmering lights. There were many tourists nearby, including many couples.
In such an atmosphere, both felt somewhat romantic, but Chen Feng, being someone with experience, wasn’t overtaken by the feeling.
Jin Xinyan appeared different; she seemed quite absorbed and sweetly engaged, taking the initiative to hold Chen Feng’s hand with a smile on her face.
At this moment, her phone rang somewhat untimely, and Jin Xinyan, a bit flustered, quickly let go of Chen Feng’s hand and moved aside to cautiously answer the call.
Chen Feng stood there watching her.
"Mom, what’s the matter?"
"Oh, he’s just a regular friend, really nothing more."
"Honestly... alright, he’s pursuing me, but I haven’t accepted yet... Yes, he’s slightly older, but he’s successful and handsome. Hmm, not from Xiu Zhou... Ah, that’s just old-fashioned thinking. What’s wrong with not being from Xiu Zhou? Does being from Xiu Zhou make one great? ... Uh, no, I’m not into him... Wait, I haven’t even agreed to let him pursue me, why would you want to meet him? Hey, Mom, hey."
Jin Xinyan put down her phone, a look of frustration on her face, she slapped her forehead and then looked apologetically at Chen Feng, slightly lowered her head and walked back to Chen Feng’s side.
"I’m sorry, my mom tricked me. She’s convinced now we’re in a relationship and wants to meet you. I told her you’re just pursuing me, I haven’t agreed to it yet. She still doesn’t believe."
Chen Feng had already guessed the situation roughly, though he felt somewhat speechless, he still nodded decisively, "Let’s meet then."
"Ah, you agree to meet my mom?" Jin Xinyan looked rather surprised; Chen Feng’s agreement to meet her parents greatly surprised her.
"Of course. Meeting isn’t a big deal."
Chen Feng is quite understanding, and it didn’t require them to officially establish a relationship, merely a meeting to satisfy Jin Xinyan’s mother.
Such things aren’t new to him; previously with Lin Yujiao, Liu Ying, and even Sun Xiaorui he had met their parents via video calls.
"Brother Feng, you’re so good to me."
Jin Xinyan was touched and took the initiative to tiptoe and give Chen Feng a peck on the cheek.
"Such shameless people!"
Suddenly hearing such a line, Chen Feng and Jin Xinyan angrily turned to look.
Under a dim streetlight not far off stood his ex-wife Shen Lin and Tang Yue.
It was Tang Yue who had cursed just now.