-009- When will you make good on that meal you owe me...
-009-
At the high-end Shangtian Mansion residential area on the South Second Ring Road, Zhou Dang was jolted awake by an insistent ringing. Frowning, he fumbled for his phone on the bedside table and answered without opening his eyes. His father's deep, steady voice came through. "Still in bed?" The cold question carried a hint of disapproval. "You're the group CEO now. Get rid of those lazy habits from before, you hear?"
Rubbing his brow, Zhou Dang took a deep breath. "Chairman Zhou, have you forgotten? I'm off today." How interesting—calling first thing in the morning to scold him.
Zhou Lihai choked for a moment but remained stern. "What happened last night? Old Master Huo said he invited you to stay over, and you refused."
Zhou Dang replied, "I have my own home. Why would I stay there?"
Zhou Lihai pressed on, "Don't you understand Old Master Huo's intentions? He wants you to spend more time with Tangtang." Both the Zhou and Huo elders knew that Huo Yuntang had feelings for Zhou Dang. When they were younger, Zhou Dang was too wild, and Old Master Huo didn't want him getting too close to her. But things were different now. Both were of marriageable age, and Zhou Dang had changed drastically in recent years—everyone in their circle could see it. He had become quite the catch among the elders. Old Master Huo was no exception; he was set on bringing the two together for a good match. But Zhou Dang just wouldn't cooperate, throwing away such a perfect opportunity last night.
Zhou Dang finally woke up fully and sat up in bed, a hint of sarcasm curling his lips. "Anyone would think the Zhou family can't survive without selling off their son to latch onto the Huo family."
Zhou Lihai nearly choked on his anger. After a long pause, he managed, "You ungrateful wretch!" The Zhou and Huo families were among the oldest prominent families in Jingbei, with closer ties than most—they were old family friends. Both families were in the medical field: the Zhou Group focused on high-tech and biomedicine, with a solid reputation in medicine and business, while the Huo family was fully dedicated to medicine, having long since withdrawn from the limelight. They were a true medical dynasty, highly respected in the field. Zhou Lihai naturally hoped that Zhou Dang would one day have the Huo family's full support in his career. But Zhou Dang was stubborn and impossible to control, which made his blood pressure spike.
On the other end, Zhou Dang yawned, his voice slightly husky and lazy. "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up." It was a rare day off, and since he was awake, he might as well do something meaningful.
Zhou Lihai stopped him. "You're free today, right? Perfect. Old Master Huo said Tangtang needs to sign with a new company now that she's back in the country. Go with her to check it out and give her your opinion." Huo Yuntang had transferred abroad before finishing high school, debuting in a girl group with her singing and dancing talent, and had made a name for herself. Although Old Master Huo often lamented that she hadn't followed the family's medical tradition, deep down he fully supported her career. Now that she was back, she needed to sign with a new agency. Old Master Huo was worried, but Huo Yuntang wouldn't listen to him, so he asked Zhou Dang to keep an eye on things. Zhou Lihai and Old Master Huo were on the same page, both hoping to set up the two young people.
Zhou Dang was too sharp not to see through it. He let out a cold laugh. "I'm not a professional. What good would my opinion be? I'm not going. I'm busy. Hanging up." And with that, he ended the call. He got out of bed, walked to the master bathroom shirtless, and started handling messages on his phone.
Chen Xingyue: [Dang Ge, my dad called me again. I did what you said and didn't pick up, but I'm afraid if this keeps up, he's going to put out a 'wanted notice' on me. Annoyed.jpg]
Chen Xingyue: [How's it going with the engagement between me and Xuan Yang? Hurry up! I'm begging you! Please.jpg]
Zhou Dang raised an eyebrow, grabbed his electric toothbrush, and slowly typed back with his other hand: [Almost there.]
Chen Xingyue replied immediately: [I'm counting on you for this. You've got to take it seriously! Poor thing.jpg]
Zhou Dang put the brush head in his mouth, a hint of a smile in his eyes: [Of course.]
After dealing with Chen Xingyue, he switched to the pinned chat to contact Xuan Yang. He saw the message recall notification and froze. A few seconds later, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he typed urgently: [What did you recall?]
He had no idea when Xuan Yang had sent the message or why she'd recalled it. Now he was burning with curiosity. It took a long while for Xuan Yang to reply, and when she did, it was only a casual line: [Sorry, wrong number.]
Zhou Dang: [...]
He went to the walk-in closet to pick out a casual outfit for the day, but Xuan Yang still hadn't replied. So he took the initiative to ask again: [When are you going to make good on that meal you owe me?]
Xuan Yang took a long time to reply again: [We'll see.]
Zhou Dang: [?]
Even through the screen, he could feel her coldness, as if the distance between them had grown further than it was last night. What was going on? He couldn't figure it out, but her aloofness made him frown.
Meanwhile, Xuan Yang was at the art training school Xie Xinglan had set up, waiting for her to finish up. Xuan Yang also had a small stake in this school, so Xie Xinglan took the opportunity to hand her a few contracts to review and suggest any necessary additions. The contracts were drafted by the school's legal team for agreements with students, teachers, and partner institutions. The previous enrollment and employment contracts had some loopholes, so Xie Xinglan had new ones drawn up to minimize risks. When Zhou Dang sent his messages, Xuan Yang was reviewing the contracts, so her replies were naturally brief.
Xie Xinglan was at the principal's desk handling work, occasionally hearing Xuan Yang's phone notifications. Curiosity got the better of her. "Who keeps messaging you?" After high school, Xuan Yang had been sent abroad and had little contact with people at home, only Xie Xinglan. So Xie Xinglan was curious who would be looking for her at this hour. "Is it your adoptive parents, or did something come up with Junda?"
Xuan Yang was sitting on the sofa in the reception area, marking up the contract terms with a red pen, not even looking up. "Neither. It's Zhou Dang."
Xie Xinglan said, "Oh, him." She stopped working and rested her chin on her hand, grinning meaningfully at Xuan Yang. "Spill it. What's going on between you two?" Last night, Xuan Yang had asked her what she thought about trying for a marriage alliance with Zhou Dang. Xie Xinglan thought it was a good idea—after all, Zhou Dang was the next head of the Zhou family, now on the board and serving as group CEO. He was definitely a hundred times better than that loser Chen Xingyue. Xie Xinglan was all for it.
"Nothing's going on," Xuan Yang said flatly, ignoring her gossipy gaze. "He's probably going to marry Huo Yuntang."
Xie Xinglan's grin vanished instantly. She frowned and let out a disappointed, "Ahhh... How could it be like that?" But after thinking it over, it made sense. The Zhou and Huo families were old friends, a perfect match in status. "Do you have any other candidates?"
At this, Xuan Yang temporarily set down the contracts. Holding the red pen between her slender fingers, she rested her hands on her knees and tapped it absently as she thought. After a long moment, she hummed in agreement. "I've actually been thinking of a few candidates over the past couple of days. I was going to ask for your opinion."
Xie Xinglan's interest piqued, her eyes lighting up. "Let's hear it!"
Xuan Yang listed them: "Qu Tingyu from the Qu family, He Shen from the He family, Zhou Lin from the Zhou family, and also He Chen."
"He Chen?" Xie Xinglan shot him down first. "Don't even think about him. My grandpa already has his eye on him."
A flash of surprise crossed Xuan Yang's eyes, and she suddenly understood why Xie Xinglan had been He Chen's date last night. "So that's how it is." She smiled. "Then I won't take someone else's beloved."
Xie Xinglan glared at her. "Who loves him? He's cold, proud, and acts like he's all that."
Xuan Yang didn't press further. Returning to the topic, she said, "Then out of the remaining three, help me choose."
Xie Xinglan rested her forehead on her hand, seriously mulling it over. "Qu Tingyu is a spoiled 'family pride,' even worse than Chen Xingyue. He's out first. Between He Shen and Zhou Lin, I personally lean toward He Shen. He's the head of the He family now. Sure, he's a bit older, but he's mature, steady, has substance, and holds real power. He's better than Zhou Lin."
Xuan Yang nodded, having already decided the same in her mind. But Xie Xinglan's analysis gave her some reassurance.
Xie Xinglan continued, "But He Shen is a workaholic. Even if we're in the same circle, it's hard to see him on a normal day. How are you going to get in front of him and discuss this?"
He Shen was thirty-five, eight years older than Xuan Yang and Xie Xinglan. Because he had taken control of the He family early, even though they were of the same generation by seniority, he always gave off an elder-like vibe. That was why Xie Xinglan thought He Shen could stand up to Xuan Yang's adoptive parents and protect her. However, over the years, many heiresses in their circle had tried to latch onto He Shen. The position of Mrs. He remained vacant to this day, which just showed how hard it was to catch his eye. Xie Xinglan worried that the path Xuan Yang had chosen was too difficult and that she didn't have enough time. But Xuan Yang had already planned ahead. "In two days, it's the anniversary of Jingbei No. 1 High School. I heard He Shen has been invited by the school to give a speech."
Xie Xinglan said, "That is an opportunity." Before returning to China, Xuan Yang had also received an invitation from the school to attend as an outstanding alumna. She would definitely be able to talk to He Shen there.
-
Two days later, the 80th anniversary of Jingbei No. 1 High School. Xuan Yang showed up as promised and, as she had hoped, met He Shen at the event. But she was caught off guard when she found that Zhou Dang had also been invited. Moreover, when He Shen was giving his speech on stage, her seat in the audience was right next to Zhou Dang's. In the dimly lit auditorium, the spotlight shone on He Shen, making him radiant and dazzling on stage. Below, Xuan Yang sat upright, just like the good student she used to be, completely ignoring the impeccably dressed man beside her. Zhou Dang, on the other hand, lounged in his chair with his legs crossed, propping his head up and staring at her sideways, his striking features hidden in the darkness, concealing a tumult of emotions.
He couldn't understand her coldness. She still owed him a meal, and knowing her personality, she wouldn't normally keep putting it off and being rude. But when they met today, he tried to remind her, yet she kept changing the subject. Clearly, Xuan Yang was trying to weasel out of it. Zhou Dang was baffled, feeling like she was deliberately keeping her distance, which wasn't what he had expected.
Xuan Yang was focused on the steady, composed He Shen on stage, so she paid no attention to anything else. As soon as his speech ended, she immediately rose from her seat, clutching the bouquet she had prepared, and headed toward the backstage lounge. But just as she stood up, a hand grabbed her arm and tugged her back. Zhou Dang's voice came from the shadows, cold and knowing: "The event isn't over yet, Miss Xuan. Where are you off to?"
With so many people around, Xuan Yang didn't want to cause a scene. She turned and frowned. "That's none of your business, President Zhou." She tried to pull her arm away, but his grip was too strong. "Can you let go now?"
He didn't. Instead, he pulled her back down into her seat. Startled, Xuan Yang felt a moment of panic as the lazy man straightened up, his cold, handsome face emerging from the dim light, suddenly too close. His narrow eyes, clear and sharp, stared at her without a word.
Her heart raced from the shock, her pupils dilated. After a moment of standoff, she said angrily, "What do you want?"
His raven-like lashes drooped slightly, his light-colored eyes deep and suddenly oppressive. "I should be asking you that. You're trying to get close to He Shen. What do you want?"
Xuan Yang was stunned, her heart pounding. After a long while, she closed her eyes, resigned. "I'm looking for a more suitable marriage alliance partner. Is that answer enough for you, President Zhou?"
Zhou Dang's grip on her arm tightened. "You want He Shen."
Xuan Yang didn't deny it.
Zhou Dang said, "He's thirty-five, an old man. Where's the suitability?"
Xuan Yang was taken aback, not understanding why Zhou Dang was suddenly criticizing He Shen's age. "He's mature, steady, has substance, and respects women. He fits my criteria for a marriage alliance partner perfectly."
Zhou Dang let out a cold 'oh,' raising an eyebrow without expression. "I'm pretty mature, steady, have substance, and respect women too. I also fit your criteria quite well."
Xuan Yang: "..."
Xuan Yang: "??"
Author's note:
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President Zhou: He's thirty-five, an old man. Where's the suitability? [Angry]
He Shen: ??? [In pieces]