Ye Yuning nodded and got into the car.
Gui Xingli’s expression remained calm throughout, appearing peaceful yet also conveying a sense of deep preoccupation.
The car drove out of the garage.
Gui Xingli finally spoke, "What does Yuning like to eat?"
When Ye Yuning heard her sudden, familiar address, her eyelids twitched involuntarily, and she instinctively looked at Gui Xingli.
She didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but when Gui Xingli called her ’Yuning,’ she thought she detected a hint of indulgence in her tone.
Yuning... she called me that?
If it had to be defined, their relationship was currently just a collaboration, similar to how she referred to Gui Xingli as Young Chairman Gui.
But Gui Xingli calling her ’Yuning’... that tone carried such a deep implication.
With just a glance, Ye Yuning shifted her gaze and replied with a light smile, "Let’s go with whatever you prefer."
"It’s okay. The local specialty is quite spicy. Do you like it?"
She patiently sought Ye Yuning’s preference.
Ye Yuning responded, "I don’t mind, but you might not be used to it."
Gui Xingli persistently asked about Ye Yuning’s preference, and this insistence made Ye Yuning feel the atmosphere was a bit odd.
But still, she reluctantly nodded. "Yes, I like it!"
Of course, she liked it, but Gui Xingli was a guest from afar. As the host, she naturally had to accommodate her guest.
Gui Xingli turned to look at her. "Then shall we go for something spicy?"
"Sure, I know a place..."
"How about I take you to a place that serves delicious food?"
"Ah? She’s taking *me*?"
Throughout the process, Gui Xingli’s attitude remained very calm.
It seemed like she was asking for Ye Yuning’s opinion, yet it also felt like she was harboring some kind of expectation.
That profound and heavy emotion was suppressed beneath her calm exterior. Yet, one could acutely sense an unventable depth beneath it—a feeling that was both painful and oppressive.
Meeting Gui Xingli’s expectant gaze, Ye Yuning unconsciously nodded. "Sure."
Having taken control of the Gui Family at such a young age, her days were probably not as glamorous as they seemed.
Looking at Gui Xingli , Ye Yuning didn’t know how to comfort her.
After all, neither of their lives was easy.
「When they reached their destination.」
Ye Yuning was completely stunned.
She thought Gui Xingli would take her to a fairly nice restaurant, yet this place was just a... shed?
Although it was not small, it was indeed a shed supported by a steel frame and enclosed with blue tarpaulin.
Dressed in a long, black, slim-fit dress, Gui Xingli looked slender and elegant.
The moment they arrived, Ye Yuning felt Gui Xingli’s aura seemed to relax.
She stepped inside on high heels, walking gracefully. "The owner here makes delicious fish heads."
It was a fish head hotpot.
Ye Yuning also ate it often, but she had never been to this particular place before; she was quite particular about dining environments.
"Have you been here before?" Ye Yuning followed and asked.
Gui Xingli nodded. "I’ve been here with my boyfriend."
When Gui Xingli mentioned her boyfriend, Ye Yuning once again felt that stifling sensation emanating from deep within her.
She wasn’t a nosy person, so she didn’t pursue the topic.
Gui Xingli ordered from the owner: 1.5 kilograms of fish heads, another 1.25 kilograms of fish heads, and 1 kilogram of fish lips!
Ye Yuning looked at the large order. "Can we finish all this?"
"We can finish it," Gui Xingli nodded.
Then she looked at Ye Yuning again and said meaningfully, "Girls need to eat well."
Oh, this! Ye Yuning was at a loss for words.
She felt that Ms. Gui hadn’t brought her here to eat, but rather to reminisce about someone departed. The aura she exuded was just too heavy.
Gui Xingli seemed to really enjoy eating fish heads, so she had a particular expertise in how to eat them.
When the first fish head was placed in her bowl, Ye Yuning first picked out the eyes.
Gui Xingli immediately smiled. "Do you also make it a habit to remove the eyes first?"
Ye Yuning was silent.
Could there be someone else who shared her habit? Removing the eyes from the fish head first was quite normal, wasn’t it? After all, a cooked fish with its eyes wide open looked quite unsettling, as if it hadn’t died peacefully.
She hesitated and didn’t respond, but Gui Xingli wasn’t offended.
Especially watching Ye Yuning’s process of eating the fish head, Gui Xingli smiled, looking genuinely pleased.
Ye Yuning really didn’t understand the cause of her emotional fluctuations.
After thinking it over, she finally said, "Today, the company received three million from Simon."
"Mm, I had the finance department make the transfer."
"Actually, there’s no rush. Since the project has just begun, you could have sent a smaller initial payment. The remainder could be paid once the full manuscript is delivered and approved."
"No need for such trouble. I trust you."
Ye Yuning was speechless.
How long have we known each other? And she trusts me with three million?
She felt somewhat conflicted. Simon, whom I’ve only known for a few days, trusts me this much. Then how could the Xiao Family be so despicable after years of cooperation?
Indeed, no comparison, no pain!
Seeing her silent, Gui Xingli added, "If you encounter any trouble in the future, just let me know, and I’ll help you resolve it."
She said it generously and firmly, which baffled Ye Yuning even more.
Any trouble, and she’d help me solve it?