Wu Taotao still took Ye Ningwan and Zhan Hanjue to the western restaurant where Senior Brother Wei had previously taken Ye Ningwan.
After all, it’s close to the school, and Wu Taotao still has classes in the afternoon, so she can’t go too far.
If it weren’t for Zhan Hanjue being present, she would have preferred to go for spicy hot pot with Ye Ningwan.
"Why not have spicy hot pot?"
Sure enough, Ye Ningwan inquired softly.
Wu Taotao lowered her voice and asked, "Do you think Mr. Zhan from your family is suited to appear at a spicy hot pot table?"
Ye Ningwan glanced at Zhan Hanjue, whose suit was neatly pressed without a single wrinkle.
She knew his clothes were all handmade in Italy, with the latest styles air-freighted every month.
As they say, clothes make the man. When dressed appropriately, one appears several times more vibrant.
What’s more, Zhan Hanjue is naturally quite handsome.
His smooth, fair face exuded a precisely chiseled cold sharpness. His arched, elegant brows concealed piercing black eyes, his thin, lightly pressed lips projecting a detached arrogance yet an imposing presence.
With such a face matched with this attire, he seemed nothing less than wealthy or noble at first glance. It indeed felt out of place for someone like that to sit in a small shop eating spicy hot pot.
"Mr. Zhan, order whatever you want." Wu Taotao diligently handed over the menu.
Zhan Hanjue didn’t even look, casting a sideways glance, "Ningning, you order."
The two words "Ningning" made Ye Ningwan’s hair stand on end, her eyes widening, "Who gave you permission to call me that?"
"She can, why can’t I?" Zhan Hanjue asked coldly.
Wu Taotao saw the two about to argue and hurriedly acted as a peacemaker: "Of course you can, Mr. Zhan, call her what you like. As long as you’re happy."
Saying this, she winked conspiratorially at Ye Ningwan.
"For Taotao’s sake, I won’t argue with you." Ye Ningwan didn’t want to make things difficult for Wu Taotao, so she complied.
"Let’s order, us two." Wu Taotao held the menu and placed the order with Ye Ningwan.
The food at this restaurant was quite good. Although the foie gras wasn’t authentic, the steak was quite genuine.
Zhan Hanjue took one bite of the foie gras and didn’t eat any more, but he ate more than half of the steak.
Ye Ningwan noticed Zhan Hanjue’s dining movements were refined and elegant, as if not eating a meal but performing a highly sophisticated act of art.
She couldn’t help but whisper to Ye Ningwan, teasing, "Does he always eat ?"
Ye Ningwan lowered her voice to reply, "He always does."
"No wonder you haven’t gained weight in the wealthy family. Facing someone like that every day would indeed ruin your appetite," Wu Taotao whispered, poking fun.
Suddenly, Zhan Hanjue’s cold eyes swept over them both.
Wu Taotao got so scared she immediately shut up and shoved a piece of steak into her mouth.
After the meal, Wu Taotao called the waiter for the bill.
She confidently told Zhan Hanjue, "Mr. Zhan, I know you have money. But I must treat you this time. I’m very grateful you gave me that painting. You don’t understand how important that painting is to me."
Zhan Hanjue remained silent.
Wu Taotao thought he consented, so when the waiter came over, she took out her phone to pay.
To her surprise, the waiter said, "Miss, the bill for your table has already been paid."
Wu Taotao was taken aback.
Zhan Hanjue said, "You’re Ningning’s friend. It’s just a painting. No need to be concerned over it."
"People who can spend a fortune on a bracelet send you a painting; there’s truly no need to mind," Ye Ningwan said.
With that, she stood up, grabbing the dazed Wu Taotao to head to the restroom, leaving Zhan Hanjue alone there.
And once Zhan Hanjue saw her leave, he slightly furrowed his brows. He seemed to... maybe... know why she was upset.
"Ningning, what’s going on with you? It feels like you’re bickering with Mr. Zhan?"
In the restroom, Wu Taotao asked.
Ye Ningwan snorted coldly, "Why would I bicker with him? You’re overthinking. I’m so busy, where do I find the time to quarrel with him."
"What’s with the fortune-on-the-bracelet thing?" Wu Taotao asked.
Ye Ningwan’s expression turned awkward.
Wu Taotao said, "Don’t think you can hide it from me. We’ve grown up together since childhood. I can still read your mind."
"At an auction, his late wife’s bracelet was bought back by him for tens of millions. What do you think that’s about?" Ye Ningwan asked, her face cold.
Wu Taotao stuck out her tongue, "Lingering affections?"
Ye Ningwan snorted, "Since he still has lingering affections for his late wife, why should I flatter someone like that?"
"Ningning, I know you’re mad. Anyone in your position would be mad. But living people shouldn’t compare themselves to the dead; she’s gone, why compete with her?" Wu Taotao advised.
Ye Ningwan said, "I’m not competing; I simply..."
"Simply care, right? Ningning, have you really fallen for Zhan Hanjue? If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t be bothered," Wu Taotao directly pointed out.
Ye Ningwan immediately denied, "Impossible, you’re overthinking."
"Whether I’m overthinking, you know in your heart. Young lady, you need to understand your own feelings," Wu Taotao poked at her chest.
Ye Ningwan frowned, pushing her hand away.
The two came out of the restroom and returned to their seats, only to see someone occupying their place.
"Senior Brother Leng," Wu Taotao excitedly greeted.
Both she and Ye Ningwan recognized these two people.
One was Leng Ziqing, and the other was Leng Linglong.
However, Wu Taotao didn’t recognize Leng Linglong.
Seeing a sweet-looking girl sitting next to Leng Ziqing filled her with jealousy.
"Miss Ye, you’re here too?" Leng Linglong stood up happily to greet Ye Ningwan.
Ye Ningwan smiled, "We’ve just finished eating. Are you here for a meal as well?"
"Yes, I heard this restaurant is good, so I had my brother bring me over," Leng Linglong said.
"Brother? Ningning, aren’t you going to introduce me?" Wu Taotao asked excitedly.
Ye Ningwan introduced, "This is Miss Leng Linglong, Zhan... Hanjue’s cousin."
"Hello, are you Miss Ye’s friend? You look really cute," Leng Linglong said.
Wu Taotao was overjoyed to find out she was just Leng Ziqing’s sister.
"You’re cute too, both pretty and cute."
"Hanjue, she complimented me for being cute," Leng Linglong proudly told Zhan Hanjue.
Zhan Hanjue nodded, stood up, and asked Ye Ningwan, "Shall we go?"
Leng Linglong pouted in dissatisfaction, "Hanjue, don’t rush off, I’ve just arrived and you’re leaving."
"Linglong, if they don’t want to see you, why insist on tagging along?" Leng Ziqing snorted coldly.
Leng Linglong’s eyes turned red with grievance, almost on the verge of tears.
But despite this, she still spoke up for Zhan Hanjue.
"Brother, don’t say that about Hanjue. He doesn’t want to treat me this way, he likes me, right?"
After speaking, Leng Linglong looked at Zhan Hanjue with earnest eyes filled with expectation.