“Listen, if you come to Z City, you absolutely have to try the late-night snacks at Deng Ji,” Ying Shu insisted over the phone. “Not going is like not coming at all. Qin Chu and I are heading over now. Assistant Zhao is downstairs waiting for you. Come down with him once you’re ready.”

Yan Zhen changed, applied light makeup, and went down to the hotel lobby.

Assistant Zhao, the same young man who had picked them up earlier, was waiting. Despite his youth, he was incredibly insistent on carrying Yan Zhen’s bag. Unable to refuse, she handed it over, and they headed to the restaurant together.

Meanwhile, in another car, a lively discussion was underway.

Chen Huaixu, leading his core team from Hexia, had been on a business trip for the better part of a week. Their time had been spent between the hotel and the office, without even a proper glimpse of Z City. Finally having some free time, someone suggested trying the famous Deng Ji late-night snacks.

As their boss, Chen Huaixu felt it was a good opportunity to treat his hard-working employees, offering to cover the bill.

The Hexia team was relatively young and the atmosphere relaxed. Uninhibited by Chen Huaixu’s presence, they immediately began plotting how to “milk him dry” once they were in the car.

He gazed out the window, listening to their boisterous chatter, his thoughts drifting to someone else who also enjoyed playfully threatening to empty his wallet.

He glanced at his phone. An hour ago, Yan Zhen had finally replied: "Out and about today."

His finger lingered on the screen, contemplating a response, when the excited voices in the car pulled him back. “We’re here! Time to eat!”

The car stopped in front of a building with a bright, retro sign. The popular restaurant was bustling with activity, cars jostled for space, people streamed in and out, and waiters bustled about.

Chen Huaixu got out of the car, then froze.

“Boss, what’s wrong?” Mo Cheng, trailing behind him, asked, bewildered.

He didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on Yan Zhen, who was just getting out of a car a short distance away. She moved with an easy grace. Naturally beautiful with a striking figure, even without much effort, she drew the attention of every man around.

So, he hadn't been mistaken earlier.

She really was in Z City, and she hadn't told him.

As Chen Huaixu started forward, another young man emerged from the same car. His face was unclear, but he carried Yan Zhen’s bag and followed her into the restaurant.

Mo Cheng suddenly felt the temperature plummet.

“…Boss?”

He sensed something was amiss.

“It’s nothing,” Chen Huaixu replied, his voice calm yet icy. “Let’s go in.”

Inside a private room, Qin Chu and Ying Shu were huddled together, quickly separating when Yan Zhen entered.

She rolled her eyes. “You two could have come alone. Why make me a third wheel?”

“We couldn’t leave you alone in your room,” Ying Shu said, linking arms with her. “I’m not the type to forget my friends when I have a boyfriend.”

Qin Chu smiled quietly beside them.

He was completely different offstage. Onstage, he was unrestrained and flamboyant, but in private, he was somewhat introverted. Around the same age as Yan Zhen, he seemed like a big kid.

After they had eaten for a while, Yan Zhen excused herself to use the restroom, giving the couple some privacy. Wandering through the restaurant, she rounded a quiet corner and unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure.

It was Chen Huaixu.

He stood by the emergency exit, a cigarette between his fingers, about to light it.

Surprised to see him there, Yan Zhen froze.

Chen Huaixu, noticing the movement, turned and saw her. He didn’t speak, but tossed the cigarette into a nearby trash can.

Her beautiful eyes met his, then quickly darted away.

Still, she didn’t move.

After a silent standoff, Yan Zhen broke the silence. “…What a coincidence. Are you here for dinner too?”

He didn’t reply.

Feeling awkward, Yan Zhen continued, “Why are you smoking out here alone?”

He remained silent, his eyes fixed on her.

“Fine, ignore me then.”

Annoyed, she turned to leave, but stopped when she heard Chen Huaixu’s voice behind her. “Who was that man?”

“Huh?” She looked back, confused. “Which man?”

“Who did you come here with?”

“Ying Shu…” Yan Zhen found his tone strange. “What’s wrong?”

“I saw you get out of a car with a man at the entrance,” Chen Huaixu said, lowering his gaze. “Who was he?”