Even after Chen Jianyu's reassurance, Nana was still very uncomfortable about the whole thing. She cannot imagine herself as a part of that world. Their lifestyle, their mannerisms, the rules are so different.
Never once in her life, she thought that she would come across people of that social strata, or even come remotely in contact with them.
But then again, she thought she might have sounded a little harsh. They might genuinely mean well.
"I am sorry, Mr. Chen Jianyu, for offending you. It might have sounded like I'm biased." Nana said apologetically.
"No, please. You don't have to apologize. I understand your point, as well." Jianyu said.
Chen Jianyu was surprised to see her reaction. He thought that she would be over the moon to know his identity. She would become giddy with the realization that she has won a jackpot. But it was the exact opposite. She denied taking this any further which meant that status and wealth was something she genuinely wasn't interested in.
"Miss Nana, you don't have to worry. We are not that strict with any rules. We won't expect you to change yourself. So you can be at ease." He smiled. "Let's give it a try anyway. Okay?"
"Okay." Nana smiled. There is no harm in giving a chance. Maybe I will really learn something from it.
"Alright. Let's order. You must be hungry with all this talk."
They quickly placed the order and meanwhile talked about many different things. His business and family, her restaurant, and the twins. She shared some hilarious tricks the twins had used to annoy their neighbors. He laughed.
They quickly found themselves at ease.
The lunch arrived just in time, and as expected by Nana, it was truly delicious. As a cook and owner, she couldn't help herself but examine the dishes in detail.
Jianyu's phone then beeped a text.
He read it and frowned.
Nana noticed this and asked, "Is everything alright?"
"Oh, yes, yes. Nothing. It was my cousin. Being bossy as always." He sighed.
"Oh.."
"There is an important collaboration coming up, and he wants to see the presentation." He shook his head, helplessly, "Why can't he be half as polite as you? Seriously, that man only smiles when he is with his wife."
Soon the lunch was over, and Jianyu paid the bill. Nana still insisted on bearing some part of it, but he refused.
Instead, he said,
"You can give me a free treat when I come to Natsukashi next time."
I think even ten of those free treats cannot come close to it, she thought.
"Alright..", she smiled weakly.
---
Outside.
"I will drop you."
"Oh, no. I'm fine. My place is in the opposite direction of your company. It will take you a lot of time."
"Its no problem. Really. I will be at ease to see you reach safely."
She thought and nodded.
Just as she got in his car, a girl from not so far away pointed at her and asked,
"Hey Suyin, isn't he Chen Jianyu?"
Suyin froze.
She slowly raised her head to look where she pointed at. And she was stunned.
Jianyu. He is really Jianyu
"But who is that girl with him?"
She came back from her daze.
Girl?
Her eyes caught the sight of her. He was escorting her in his car.
She was really very beautiful. Perhaps they are dating?
I see..so he has moved on.
Unknowingly, she clenched her fists.
"Suyin, are you there? I am asking you. Do you know her?" her friend Mo Ya asked, shaking her shoulder.
"Huh? No..I don't know her.."
"I know, right? I wonder which family is she from. I have never seen her." She then glanced at Suyin, "Do you think they are dating?"
"I don't know, Yaya. Anyways let's go. We are getting late", she said, getting annoyed.
"Is that the only reaction? He is your ex and right now the most eligible bachelor. Don't you feel anything towards him now?"
"He is my ex. What is there anything to feel?" She said that, but her heart was betraying her words. "Alright, that's enough. I'm going. You decide if you want to come with me or not."
From a distance, she saw his car drive away.
"Why are you getting angry?" she pouted.
"I'm not getting angry. You are not dropping the subject."
"Fine. As you say. I will stop.", she gave up.
Suyin finally felt relieved that Mo Ya stopped. But she still couldn't stop herself from thinking about him.
---
"Thank you for lunch, Mr. Chen Jianyu. And also for the ride back", she smiled.
"My pleasure. And please call me only Chen Jianyu. We are friends now, aren't we?"
Nana got embarrassed.
"Ah..okay, Chen Jianyu. But you will also have to stop calling me Miss. Just Nana is fine. We are friends now, aren't we?" she asked back.
He laughed. "Okay. Nana."