-004- Is Xuan Yang Willing to Accept an Arranged Marriage?
A week before returning to China, Xuan Yang submitted her resume to Junda Law Firm. On Singles' Day, she received a call from the firm confirming that she had advanced to the written test stage.
For a Red Circle law firm like Junda, the hiring process was always complicated, with written tests and interviews essential to ensure that only high-quality candidates made it through. The entire process typically took one to two months, which gave her enough time to handle the marriage matter.
Chen Xingyue still hadn't accepted her friend request. Even Xie Xinglan was getting anxious for her. But Xuan Yang herself remained quite calm. Over the past two days, she had someone compile all of Chen Xingyue's scandals over the years, waiting for him to return from Germany.
That evening, Xuan Yang had planned to have dinner with Xie Xinglan. Just as they met at the designated spot, she received word that Chen Xingyue was back. Forgetting about dinner, she hurried over to Lanyan Bar. Xie Xinglan, not wanting her to go alone, followed along.
At around 9 PM, Lanyan Bar was packed, with music blaring and young people dancing closely everywhere. Xuan Yang and Xie Xinglan made their way through the dance floor, clearly out of place. They scanned the area, looking for Chen Xingyue. Finally, Xie Xinglan spotted Zhou Dang sitting at the bar, and then noticed Chen Xingyue beside him.
"Yangyang, over at the bar!" Xie Xinglan patted Xuan Yang on the shoulder from behind. Xuan Yang looked in the direction she indicated and first recognized Zhou Dang. She paused for a moment, then shifted her gaze to the man with the fluffy curly hair beside him. She was almost certain that was Chen Xingyue.
Xie Xinglan followed her through the dance floor toward the bar. "I didn't expect Zhou Dang to be here. Is it okay for him to hear what you and Chen Xingyue discuss?"
Xuan Yang thought for a moment and glanced at Xie Xinglan. Xie Xinglan immediately gave her an "OK" sign. "Got it. I'll handle Zhou Dang."
Xuan Yang smiled at their rapport, then turned and walked over with her head high and brows raised. Her determined demeanor made Zhou Dang unconsciously sit back down on the bar stool. Beside him, Chen Xingyue, who had been desperately trying to keep him there, thought his pleas had moved him. He was almost teary. "Dang Ge, you're my real brother!"
Zhou Dang finally spared him a glance, a faint curve on his thin lips, his expression unreadable.
Chen Xingyue looked at him suspiciously, not understanding that look. Then a slender figure stopped in front of him.
Xuan Yang held the strap of her black shiny handbag in front of her, standing gracefully. She smiled at Zhou Dang, then spoke to Chen Xingyue, who still hadn't noticed her. "Mr. Chen, I'm Xuan Yang. Could we have a private word?"
Her gentle, polite voice had a clear, penetrating quality, instantly making the background music seem wild and noisy, losing its appeal.
Chen Xingyue turned to look at her, shocked and flustered. He instinctively hid behind Zhou Dang, who was still sitting calmly on the bar stool, and stammered, "Wh-what are you doing here!"
Although it had been nine years since they last met, he still remembered her distinctive beautiful face. Over the years, her appearance hadn't changed much—fair skin with a faint pink blush, willow-shaped brows, and almond-shaped eyes. She had a clear, refined beauty, combining a girl's innocence with a lady's grace. She was truly a rare beauty.
Honestly, if it were just about looks, Chen Xingyue would have been a hundred percent willing to marry Xuan Yang. But as soon as her cool, gentle gaze fell on him, he immediately dismissed that idea!
Xuan Yang glanced at Zhou Dang again, her smile still in place. She spoke to Chen Xingyue in her usual gentle tone. "I sent you a friend request on WeChat earlier, but you must have been too busy, as you never accepted it. But I do have something urgent to discuss. I heard you were here, so I came over."
She looked around and chose a quiet corner not far away, pointing her fair finger. "Mr. Chen, let's talk over there for a bit."
Zhou Dang had been watching her the whole time, especially her lips as she spoke—petite and rosy, delicate and beautiful. Her eyes had a full shape, with dark pupils that, under the bar lights, showed a faint blue tinge in the whites, shimmering and gentle, exuding an indescribable charm.
Her appearance was still as refined as ever. From her face to her figure, even her black curly hair tied in a low ponytail, everything exuded intellect and gentleness.
Zhou Dang was a bit distracted until Chen Xingyue grabbed his left arm and pulled hard. "Dang Ge, save me..."
Chen Xingyue's voice was low, his eyes evasive, not daring to look at Xuan Yang. He clearly refused to talk to her alone.
Zhou Dang finally shifted his gaze from Xuan Yang's rosy lips to Chen Xingyue and said ruthlessly, "Miss Xuan isn't going to eat you."
Then he turned to Xuan Yang, speaking reasonably, "You two talk. I'll go to the restroom."
Xuan Yang said, "Thank you."
Chen Xingyue: "?"
Zhou Dang mercilessly pulled his arm free from Chen Xingyue's grip, draped his suit jacket over the back of the bar stool, and slowly walked away from the "battlefield."
Chen Xingyue thought about making an excuse to go to the restroom as well, but Xuan Yang stepped in front of him. "Mr. Chen, I only need ten minutes."
Chen Xingyue looked at her clear, sincere eyes and had no choice. "You said... just ten minutes."
When Zhou Dang returned from the restroom, Xuan Yang and Chen Xingyue were no longer at the bar. But Xie Xinglan, who had come with Xuan Yang, was still there, sitting on the empty stool next to him, chatting with the bartender. Seeing Zhou Dang return, she gave him a sideways smile. "Third Cousin, you're pretty close with Chen Xingyue, huh?"
The Xie and Zhou families had once been connected through marriage. By that relationship and seniority, Xie Xinglan was supposed to call Zhou Dang "cousin."
Zhou Dang sat back down and casually replied, "Not bad." He looked around and asked Xie Xinglan, "Where are they?"
Xie Xinglan tilted her chin toward the second floor. "They went to a private room upstairs to talk. It's too noisy down here." She ordered a drink, propped her chin on her hand, and openly admired Zhou Dang's looks with a slight smile. "Third Cousin, I heard you've officially taken over as President of Zhou Group. Congratulations."
Zhou Dang met her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Thanks."
Xie Xinglan then started asking about his family pressuring him to marry. Zhou Dang answered her questions methodically, but his gaze kept drifting toward the second floor, a bit distracted.
Ten minutes later, Xuan Yang and Chen Xingyue came down from the private room one after another. Before parting, Xuan Yang turned to Chen Xingyue and said, "Mr. Chen, regarding the two agreements I gave you, please read them carefully when you get back. If you have any questions, message me on WeChat." She paused and added, "Of course, if you're not comfortable with the agreements I drafted, you can find a lawyer you trust to advise you."
With that, Xuan Yang signaled to Xie Xinglan that it was time to go. Then she said to Chen Xingyue for the last time, "I hope you'll give it serious consideration and give me your answer within three days."
Chen Xingyue frowned, holding a document folder in his arms, looking unusually solemn. He nodded at Xuan Yang but said nothing.
On her part, Xuan Yang also politely greeted Zhou Dang. "Well then, President Zhou, Mr. Chen, we won't disturb you any longer."
She walked over to Xie Xinglan and familiarly linked arms with her.
Xie Xinglan waved at the two. "We're off. Bye, Third Cousin."
Zhou Dang had learned from Xie Xinglan that they had planned to have dinner together that evening and had come to Lanyan Bar specifically to catch Chen Xingyue. Now that business was done, they would naturally go find a place to eat. He said nothing, simply raised his hand from the bar stool as a farewell.
Watching them leave along the same path they came, Zhou Dang's tense posture relaxed a little. He turned to look at the now taciturn Chen Xingyue. "What did you talk about?"
It seemed that after their conversation, the usually cheerful and talkative Chen Xingyue had become a bit withdrawn.
Chen Xingyue looked up with mournful eyes, both angry and worried. "Not much. She just gave me two agreements and told me to read them carefully."
Actually, Xuan Yang had said a few things in the private room.
First: "The marriage was arranged by my parents. They never asked for my opinion. To be honest, Mr. Chen, you're not my type."
Second: "My criteria for a partner are very clear: young, handsome, successful in career, emotionally stable, and good at communication. But obviously, aside from 'young,' you don't quite meet the others."
Third: "Most importantly, I don't accept a marriage where the woman is older than the man. You're younger than me, and I've always seen you as a younger brother."