"It's not that I can't tell you, it's just that there really isn't anything to say," Zhou Jiajia replied seriously and solemnly.
"There must be something, you just refuse to say it," An Qi still didn't believe her, so she asked, "Did the big lecher threaten you and your parents?"
"No, I really did fall down by accident; if Mr. Lin had been responsible, based on my dad and mom's personalities, they would've reported to the police already. Do you think they're actually afraid of Mr. Lin?" Zhou Jiajia responded.
"Are you really not lying to me? Please look into my eyes and answer me seriously," An Qi demanded.
Zhou Jiajia turned to face her, staring into An Qi's eyes, and then sincerely said, "I'm really not lying to you."
Seeing that Zhou Jiajia's eyes did not shift, as if she was indeed telling the truth, An Qi half-believed the explanation at this point.
After a while, Lin Yifan came back with the antiseptic, cotton swabs, and band-aids needed for treating wounds.
Having seen Zhou Jiajia's knees covered in wounds, he felt very distressed, so he bought two additional items.
"The big lecher is really thoughtful, thumbs up for you!" An Qi raised her thumb in praise.
She had only asked Lin Yifan to buy band-aids, so seeing that he had also bought antiseptic and cotton swabs, she felt he was very attentive and caring.
Afterward, Lin Yifan continued driving to the company; meanwhile, An Qi, sitting in the back seat, was treating Zhou Jiajia's wounds.
At ten o'clock in the morning, Zhao Ritian, whose injuries had healed, arrived at the company; as soon as he entered, he headed straight for An Qi's office.
Shortly thereafter, he emerged, arrogantly leading a group of people away. Before leaving, he even cast a glance at Lin Yifan sitting on the sofa, with a subtle, sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Feeling that hostile gaze, Lin Yifan scorned, "Damn! What a psycho."
In the evening, after work, An Qi sat in the car and had Lin Yifan drive to a place—the Seaside Grand Restaurant.
"Director An! Why are we going to the Seaside Grand Restaurant?" Lin Yifan asked.
Usually, An Qi would go straight home after work, so why suddenly head to the Seaside Grand Restaurant today?
"Zhao Ritian has just recovered from a serious illness and wants to hold a celebration banquet, so, as his contracted fiancée, I guess I have to put up with it," An Qi replied, her face full of resignation.
"Oh! I see," Lin Yifan muttered thoughtfully.
Recalling the sinister smile Zhao Ritian wore when he left that morning, he suspected that there would be trouble tonight; as for what exactly, he did not know.
"Let's hope it's not a trap," Lin Yifan prayed.
In fact, he was very afraid that Zhao Ritian would bring people from the Knife Club to help; because in his estimation, the Chief of the Knife Club's Realm might be higher than his, which would be problematic.
With an anxious heart, they drove to the Seaside Grand Restaurant; Lin Yifan parked the car, and then he, along with Zhou Jiajia and An Qi, entered the restaurant.
As soon as they reached the entrance, the Grand Hall Manager of the Seaside Grand Restaurant came out to greet them; he bowed humbly, welcoming them with a smile, "Miss An! This way, please!"
Taking the elevator up, when they reached the thirty-fifth floor, the elevator came to a halt.
Under the guidance of the Grand Hall Manager, they turned left and right, then arrived at a large private room.
This large private room was luxuriously decorated, and one could see the beautiful night view in the distance; usually, only provincial or municipal leaders, or big company bosses, were privileged enough to enjoy such treatment.
"Master Zhao! Miss An has already been brought over," the hall manager stood at the door, seeking permission.
"Let them in quickly," Zhao Ritian spoke.
"Yes! Miss An, please!" The hall manager gestured courteously, allowing An Qi and the others to enter.
"Hmph! It's just a meal, is there a need to be this extravagant?" An Qi scoffed and then led Zhou Jiajia and Lin Yifan inside.
"Having just recovered from a serious illness, of course, the occasion needs to have a bit of grandeur, otherwise, how can we sweep away the bad luck?" Zhao Ritian answered as he approached, and on saying the last sentence, he gave Lin Yifan a specific look, as if there was another meaning.
Lin Yifan responded with a smile, unbothered.
"Future daughter-in-law, please take a seat!" Zhao Ritian displayed gentlemanly manners, pulling out a seat for An Qi.
An Qi originally wanted to refuse, but since he had already offered so politely, she felt it would be rude to spurn his gesture in front of everyone, so she sat down.
"Miss Zhou, please take a seat as well," Zhao Ritian said to Zhou Jiajia.
Looking at Zhou Jiajia's mature body, he actually harbored some wicked thoughts, but due to An Qi's presence, he didn't dare to express too much.
"Hmph! In a moment, you two will both be mine," Zhao Ritian thought with a greedy sneer.
Then, in order to achieve his goal, he also invited Lin Yifan to sit down: "Mr. Lin, please join us for the meal as well."
"No, I am a bodyguard, it's not appropriate for me to dine with everyone," Lin Yifan declined.
This banquet was a trap, so he couldn't fall for the adversary's plan.
"It doesn't matter, we're all old friends here, just indulge me this once and take a seat," Zhao Ritian continued to persuade him.
The success or failure depended on whether he could pull Lin Yifan into the scheme; he was determined to succeed at this point.
"You know each other?" An Qi asked curiously.
One a working-class man, the other a lofty young master; they shouldn't have any connection. How could they know each other?
"It's more than just knowing each other; the 'friendship' is quite deep. Right, Brother Lin?" Zhao Ritian said while patting Lin Yifan's shoulder.
Hearing this news, both An Qi and Zhou Jiajia were shocked; in their eyes, Lin Yifan and Zhao Ritian simply weren't the same kind of people.
"Could it be that the big pervert and Zhao Ritian are in cahoots?" An Qi speculated. If that was true, then she was done for.
Afterward, she looked at Lin Yifan with an angry gaze, hoping for a reasonable explanation.
Feeling a jolt from that resentful look, Lin Yifan immediately responded to Zhao Ritian's remark: "Mm-hmm! Exactly! If it weren't for me, I don't think Master Zhao would have the chance to hold this banquet."
After Lin Yifan's explanation, An Qi and Zhou Jiajia finally relaxed; it turned out Zhao Ritian was injured by Lin Yifan, indeed a "deep friendship."
Old wounds were being exposed publicly, and in front of his fiancée, no less, which made Zhao Ritian extremely angry, feeling a loss of face. However, a man who aims to achieve great things shouldn't get caught up in minor details; thus, he suppressed the rage in his heart and managed a forced smile in response, "Brother Lin is right, so to thank Brother Lin for this 'kindness,' I earnestly request Brother Lin honor us by sitting down and enjoying a sumptuous dinner together."
"It seems he won't rest until I sit down. He's relentless," Lin Yifan thought with an inward sneer.