At around seven in the evening, Xuan Yang got off work.
Although the sky had already darkened when she walked out of the building, considering the time, getting off at this hour was still relatively early.
Xuan Yang thought that since she had asked Xie Xinglan to help buy the gift, she should treat her to a meal.
As she waited for a taxi by the roadside, she took out her phone to message Xie Xinglan.
But before she could finish the message, she received a call from an unfamiliar number.
Xuan Yang was in the middle of texting and didn't react in time, answering before thinking.
A strange male voice came through the phone: "Hello, is this Miss Xuan Yang?"
Xuan Yang was a bit suspicious, but afraid it might be a client from the firm, she replied politely with a smile: "This is Xuan Yang speaking. May I ask who this is?"
The man was also polite: "Hello, Miss Xuan. I am Wen Sheng, assistant to Chairman Zhou Lihai of the Zhou Group."
After introducing himself, Wen Sheng continued: "Chairman Zhou would like to invite you for a casual meal. May I ask where you are now? I'll send someone to pick you up."
Xuan Yang on the other end was stunned for a few seconds before realizing who he was and whom he represented.
She opened her mouth, looking at the busy street in front of her, her heart tightening: "Ah, I'm at Junda Law Firm, near the Zhou Group."
Xuan Yang's mind raced, calculating how to handle this.
From Assistant Wen's tone, it was clear she had to attend this meal whether she wanted to or not; there was no escape.
Zhou Dang's father gave her no option to refuse.
So Xuan Yang quickly calmed down, gave Wen Sheng her exact location, and ended the call.
She immediately sent a message to Zhou Dang to report.
This time, Zhou Dang didn't reply instantly; perhaps he was busy.
Xuan Yang thought for a few seconds and decided not to call him.
She planned to go see the situation first and try to handle it on her own.
Half an hour later, Xuan Yang was picked up by a black Rolls-Royce and taken to the central plaza of the business district.
There were many restaurants there, but the Rolls-Royce's final destination was a secluded private kitchen restaurant away from the crowd.
If she hadn't come by car, Xuan Yang would hardly have known that on the edge of the bustling commercial area, there was a private kitchen in the form of a traditional courtyard.
It was like a hidden paradise amidst the noisy world, in a secluded location, with a quiet and elegant environment, and a decor that exuded a refined and tasteful atmosphere.
It suited the status of the chairman of the Zhou Group perfectly.
When Xuan Yang arrived, Wen Sheng, who had called her earlier, came to receive her in person.
Wen Sheng was a thin man nearing fifty, wearing glasses, looking gentle and refined, and his smile gave off an approachable vibe.
But when he spoke, his cold, deep tone made him seem authoritative, and his eyes behind the lenses held a dark, shrewd, and penetrating look, as if he could see through a person at a glance.
Xuan Yang could feel the authority of an elder from him, and she couldn't help worrying whether she would be able to handle meeting Zhou Dang's father later.
"Miss Xuan, no need to be nervous. Chairman Zhou just wants to have a casual chat with you." Wen Sheng, having seen many people and possessing extraordinary insight, had already sensed Xuan Yang's anxiety.
He led her toward the private room on the upper floor, offering a gentle word of reassurance.
Xuan Yang took a deep breath, smiled faintly, and said nothing.
Soon, Wen Sheng brought her to the door of a private room.
The man in the suit stopped, stepped aside, and politely held the door open for Xuan Yang: "Please go in, Miss Xuan. Chairman Zhou has been waiting for some time."
As the door was pushed open, Xuan Yang's heart rose to her throat, and a sense of tension surged.
But since things had come to this, there was no turning back.
She took a deep breath, lifted her head, and walked into the room with her chest held high.
...
The door to the private room was gently closed by Wen Sheng.
The interior decor was antique, even the light fixtures were designed in a vintage style, with warm, soft tones.
Through the gaps in the jade bead curtain, Xuan Yang saw a figure by the window.
Even from a distance, she could clearly feel the authority and presence emanating from him—an aura of calmness and depth honed through years in the business world, making him hard to fathom or predict.
Xuan Yang couldn't help gripping the strap of her shoulder bag tighter. She lifted her chin slightly and walked over steadily.
She parted the jade bead curtain, causing a soft clinking sound.
Zhou Lihai, seated by the window, turned his head at the sound. His deep-set eyes looked at her with a naturally imposing gaze, scanning her like radar.
The weight of that gaze bore down on her, making the short walk feel heavy and difficult, the pressure immense.
Only when she was close did Xuan Yang stop, bowed her head slightly, and greeted him softly: "Hello, Uncle Zhou. I'm Xuan Yang."
Zhou Lihai was wearing a custom navy-blue suit. With years of disciplined fitness, his posture was upright and imposing. He looked well-maintained and very young for his age.
As he assessed Xuan Yang, his expression was indifferent, with a barely perceptible curve at the corner of his mouth. His demeanor was composed, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
After a long moment, Xuan Yang heard him speak calmly: "Sit down."
Xuan Yang didn't hesitate and took the seat across from him, placing her bag behind her.
She swallowed and met Zhou Lihai's calm and steady gaze: "You wanted to see me about the marriage registration between Zhou Dang and me, right?"
In this high-pressure environment, Xuan Yang didn't want to stay long, so she got straight to the point, skipping the pleasantries.
Zhou Lihai was surprised, not expecting that: "Indeed, it's about that."
Xuan Yang: "Since you chose to contact me, I assume you've already hit a wall with Zhou Dang."
Zhou Lihai raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure flashing in his dark eyes.
Xuan Yang pretended not to notice and continued: "If you're here to persuade me, you might be disappointed."