Chapter 87
Zuo Bian wanted to ask Director Li which investor was hosting the dinner, but he received a phone call, preventing her from asking.
“Did you want to ask something, Zuo Bian?” Xia Ruyun asked.
Zuo Bian shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
Seeing that Zuo Bian didn’t seem interested in continuing the conversation, Xia Ruyun excused herself and left.
【Host, you need to be wary of her. She’s clearly trying to steal your girlfriend. Although I know Qin Ai only has eyes for you.】
“Mm, I’ll be careful.” Zuo Bian also knew that Qin Ai wouldn’t be swayed by Xia Ruyun, but the thought of someone else trying to get close to Qin Ai still made her uncomfortable.
She had asked 555 about this feeling before. It was called possessiveness, and it was normal for couples to experience it.
Zuo Bian called Qin Ai and told her about the dinner hosted by the investors, apologizing for not being able to have dinner with her.
Qin Ai was silent for a moment, then said, “Qin Group is also an investor. I don’t think it’s a problem for me to join the dinner.”
Zuo Bian’s face lit up with a smile. “Mm-hmm.”
“See you tonight.”
Zuo Bian, who hadn’t planned on changing her outfit, went home and changed into a different one, even touching up her makeup.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she asked 555, ‘555, do I look good?’
【You look great!】
Little Frog hopped onto the vanity table and croaked, “You look super pretty, ribbit. Can you take me with you tonight, Xiao Bianbian, ribbit?”
Little Frog had been cooped up at home lately and was eager to go out. Even though its tiny body couldn’t run around freely, it still wanted to experience the outside world.
Zuo Bian adjusted her earrings and picked up Little Frog, smiling. “Okay, I’ll take you with me.”
“You’re the best, Xiao Bianbian, ribbit!” Little Frog rubbed its head against Zuo Bian’s finger.
It hopped into Zuo Bian’s bag and even closed the flap, very well-behaved.
555 didn’t bring a body with it this time. Its plushies were too big and conspicuous.
Besides, it didn’t want to spark another “love child” rumor.
Zuo Bian glanced at the time. It was already 5 p.m. Time to leave.
Just as she was about to head out, Qin Ai called, as if she had a sixth sense.
“I’m at your door. Want to go together?”
Zuo Bian had thought she would meet Qin Ai at the restaurant, she didn’t expect Qin Ai to pick her up.
“I’m coming out now.” Her eyes curved into a smile, her voice light, her steps quickening.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Qin Ai. Before even reaching her, a smile bloomed on Zuo Bian’s face. “Qin Ai!”
Qin Ai, leaning against the car, smiled back at her. “Did I arrive at the perfect time?”
Zuo Bian reached her side and nodded. “Mm, perfect timing.”
Qin Ai opened the car door for her, and Zuo Bian got in.
After they were both in the car, Qin Ai looked at Zuo Bian, who was fastening her seatbelt. “You look beautiful today.”
Zuo Bian instinctively touched her cheeks, a faint blush appearing, whether from joy or shyness.
“I dressed up because I’m having dinner with you tonight.”
Qin Ai smiled. “You’re always beautiful, you don’t need to dress up for me to like you.”
Zuo Bian unbuckled her seatbelt and quickly kissed Qin Ai’s lips. Qin Ai couldn’t help but chuckle at the brief touch.
Seeing Qin Ai smile, Zuo Bian smiled too.
They hadn’t had much time to spend together lately, just occasional dinners. Now that Zuo Bian had finally finished her training and had some free time, she was relaxed and happy.
As they chatted, they talked about Zuo Bian’s upcoming experience of living like the protagonist of “Twins.” It wasn’t just for fun, it was Director Li’s requirement.
To portray the soul of a character, you had to understand them inside and out. Reading the script was one thing, but it lacked a certain depth.
Especially for someone like Zuo Bian, who was practically a blank slate, firsthand experience was crucial.
However, her parents and brother were worried about her. They supported her dreams, but they didn’t want her to suffer.
Moving into a run-down apartment, with no one to take care of her meals, having to wash dishes and serve food, in their eyes, it was suffering.
Even though it was only for half a month, and it wasn’t as drastic as it sounded, they still felt心疼(xinteng, a feeling of distress and heartache) for her.
Zuo Bian had endured famine before and had faced many difficulties and dangers in her cultivation journey. This was nothing to her, so she managed to convince her family.
However, she hadn’t discussed this with Qin Ai in detail yet. She didn’t know what Qin Ai thought about it.
Zuo Bian told Qin Ai about her plan, watching her profile, waiting for her response.
They stopped at a red light. Qin Ai turned to look at Zuo Bian, but she didn’t speak immediately.
“Is it a bad idea?” Zuo Bian asked, her eyes pleading.
Finally, Qin Ai said, “I feel bad for you.”
“It’s not that bad, it’s not as difficult as you think. At least Director Li found me a job, I don’t have to look for one myself.” Zuo Bian smiled.
She was an optimist. She had once watched a drama about a middle-aged man experiencing a midlife crisis. His wife divorced him, his son failed his college entrance exams, he was laid off, and he couldn’t find a new job because he was too old. That was true suffering.
Qin Ai suddenly smiled, resting her hand on the steering wheel and leaning back.
“Mm, that sounds like you. Do you want me to come over and cook for you?”
Zuo Bian’s heart skipped a beat. She had only tasted Qin Ai’s noodles, she had never tried her cooking before. She was tempted, but it felt wrong.
“But wouldn’t that be cheating? Director Li said I have to live alone and do everything myself.” Zuo Bian was confused.
Qin Ai tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. “As your fiancée, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with cooking for you. Is that not allowed?”
Zuo Bian thought Qin Ai’s logic was sound. She nodded. “It seems… reasonable.”
“Then it’s settled. It’s been a while since I last cooked, I want to try it out and see if my skills have deteriorated.”
“Can I choose the dishes?” Zuo Bian asked, her eyes sparkling.
The red light turned green. Qin Ai started the car and glanced at Zuo Bian. “Didn’t you just say it was a bad idea? Why are you already choosing dishes?”
Zuo Bian said confidently, “Because you said you would cook for me, and I don’t want to waste this opportunity.”
Qin Ai nodded. “Then choose the dishes, I’ll try my best to fulfill your requests.”
Zuo Bian smiled happily and ordered three dishes without hesitation. “Is that okay?” she asked.
Qin Ai, of course, said yes. She would agree to any request Zuo Bian made. She had just been teasing her.
Time flew by as they chatted, and soon they arrived at the restaurant.
They were just in time. Some people had already arrived, but not everyone was there yet.
Qin Ai had informed the director and producer beforehand, so her appearance didn’t surprise them.
Director Li greeted Qin Ai with a smile. Logically, someone like him, who was proud and dedicated to his craft, shouldn’t be so polite to investors who only cared about profits. But the four investors for this project were all very easygoing. They not only provided ample funding, but they also didn’t interfere with the casting or the production.
After exchanging pleasantries with Director Li, Qin Ai took Zuo Bian to the private room.
It was a large room, and several people were already seated inside, including Xia Ruyun.
Seeing Zuo Bian and Qin Ai enter, Xia Ruyun immediately smiled and walked towards them.
“Zuo Bian, this must be your fiancée. She’s even more beautiful than in the videos.” However, her smile didn’t last long. She seemed to remember something, her brows furrowing, her expression pained.
Based on her understanding of the Green Tea Handbook, Zuo Bian could guess what she was going to say.
—Miss Zuo, didn’t you say your fiancée was busy? Ah, sorry, I guess I overstepped my boundaries.
Xia Ruyun’s smile was strained, her voice filled with grievance. “I’ve been wanting to meet Miss Qin, but Miss Zuo said she was too busy, so…” She stopped abruptly, as if realizing what she had said.
“Sorry, I think I misunderstood my relationship with Miss Zuo.” She forced a nonchalant smile.
The implication was that Zuo Bian was being overly protective, paranoid even. Why would she make up an excuse to avoid a simple meeting? Qin Ai clearly wasn’t busy.
Zuo Bian hadn’t even thought about that. She had forgotten what she had said to Xia Ruyun that afternoon. She had been too happy knowing that Qin Ai would be having dinner with her that night.
555, in Zuo Bian’s mind, urged her to fight back. Zuo Bian said, “Miss Xia, you did misunderstand. We just met today. I think it’s better to be cautious when talking to strangers.”
Qin Ai put her arm around Zuo Bian’s waist, her expression polite, her gaze distant, her smile perfectly measured.
“Of course, I don’t have time to meet strangers. My time is precious, I need to spend it with important people and on important matters.” She then led Zuo Bian to their seats.
Xia Ruyun was still standing there, her back facing them, but there wasn’t much disappointment on her face.
After all, her goal was to quickly climb the social ladder. If she couldn’t get through to Zuo Bian, she would find another target.
Soon, everyone arrived, except for the investor who was hosting the dinner.
Then the long-awaited protagonist finally arrived. The moment the door opened, Zuo Bian’s pupils constricted.
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