Ning Yichen looked at the dessert and suddenly laughed, "I still remember the sweet tofu dessert you made back then, it was for He Jingyao, but I ended up benefiting from it."
At the mention of He Jingyao, Zhixi’s eyelashes trembled violently.
She clenched her hands, barely managing a smile, "That was such a long time ago, yet you still remember..."
"These years, he never believed that you had died," Ning Yichen said in a low tone, "Everything he did, whether it was shifting the focus of HI Corporation to Yangdong City or infiltrating the council with his power, was for you..."
Zhixi felt a pang in her heart and shook her head with a bitter smile, "Please, no more..."
"So, could there have been some misunderstanding between you two?" Ning Yichen persisted, "I do not think he would give up on you."
Zhixi’s lips trembled slightly as she gently shook her head, "Maybe you are right, but..."
But that also changes nothing.
Perhaps, He Jingyao simply did not want to see her in pain and tangled, so he chose this method to let her completely give up.
But thinking this way only made her heart hurt more.
"Zhixi, I can’t understand what could possibly keep you two apart," Ning Yichen frowned, "If it’s opposition from his family, with He Jingyao’s strong personality, that really couldn’t stop you two."
Zhixi pursed her lips before whispering, "No one is stopping us..."
It’s just that they were never meant to be together.
Not wanting to continue the topic, she forced a smile, "Have you finished eating? Let’s go."
Ning Yichen looked at her deeply and nodded, "Alright, I’ll take you back."
Ning Yichen went to settle the bill, and the two of them left the restaurant.
Reaching the parking lot, he subconsciously looked in a certain direction; the Maserati that had been parked there was now gone.
His gaze darkened slightly, then casually withdrew it.
They soon arrived at the hotel.
This time, Ning Yichen insisted on escorting her to the entrance of the suite.
Zhixi was helpless, "There’s no need, it’s just a few steps..."
Moreover, after Gu Bingjun’s visit that day, in order to ensure her and Xiaobao’s safety, he specially booked the entire hotel, so aside from security guards, no one could enter.
"It’s gentlemanly," he chuckled, "On our second date, I should indeed take you to your doorstep."
Zhixi speechless, "What about the third date?"
"The third date... when saying goodbye, you should hug me," Ning Yichen thought for a moment and then said, "The fourth date..."
"Stop." Zhixi took a deep breath, "Dad’s schedule ends in three days, and I think, we won’t have a fourth date."
Ning Yichen smiled, "Hence, there’s a farewell dinner the day after tomorrow, specifically hosted for your father. It will be attended by prominent figures from the political and business circles of Yangdong City. I’ll pick you up when the time comes."
Zhixi frowned slightly, instinctively a bit resistant.
However, she had heard her father mention this dinner, and since it was a farewell party, she couldn’t really not attend. So, she nodded, "Okay, then... see you the day after tomorrow?"
Ning Yichen smiled faintly, "Yes, I’ll pick you up that afternoon. If the President also comes that day, you need to cooperate with me. That is, try to be a bit more passionate towards me, to let him think there’s something between you and me, so you and your father can leave smoothly."
Zhixi nodded in understanding, "I get it."