I immediately threw off the covers and sat up in bed. It seemed there was an important dinner tonight, important enough that Shen Yi was invited.

But one thing was clear: Pei Shi Yu inviting both me and Wang Rui meant she respected me enough.

I drove directly to Wang Rui's company, arriving right around lunchtime. I hadn't called her ahead of time; I only left her a message on WeChat when I got downstairs.

Sitting in the car, I craned my neck to look at the rather imposing building. This was what Old Wang had worked for most of his life. I wondered how much effort and dedication it had taken to accumulate such an achievement.

Wang Rui didn't reply. About fifteen minutes later, I saw her come out of the building. She spotted my car at once and walked briskly over, resting a hand on the window. "A surprise visit? I'm not as fragile as you think. What are you doing here?"

She'd misunderstood. She thought I'd come to see her after what she'd said last night. Her reminder made me observe her closely. She'd sounded quite miserable yesterday, but today there wasn't a trace of heartbreak on her face.

"Pei Shi Yu is treating you to dinner tonight," I said after a moment.

"Why is she treating me to dinner?" Wang Rui asked in surprise.

"No reason. Since she's offering, don't be polite."

"Did you tell her about my breakup?"

"No. I haven't even seen her today."

"Couldn't you have said it over the phone?" Wang Rui asked suspiciously.

"Really, no. She's inviting some foreigners to dinner and specifically asked me to bring you along."

"I'm not going." A firm refusal.

"Come on, we're all family now. Pei Shi Yu is a good person. You're just not very familiar with her yet."

"That's why I don't want to go, because I'm not familiar with her."

"You keep avoiding her. How can you get to know her that way? She's giving you such a good platform, and you're not even taking it."

"We don't have a common language."

"Aren't you supposed to be eloquent? Come on, I already promised Pei Shi Yu."

"Where are we eating?" Wang Rui finally relented.

"She told me to find a place. Do you have any recommendations? A bit expensive is fine."

"Of course, it's fine!"

"Don't be so argumentative."

Wang Rui glanced at her watch, then said to me, "Let's go. I'll take you there now. We can have lunch there and book it at the same time. Saves time and effort."

"Okay, get in." I opened the car door for her.

The weather today was just as I'd guessed last night: a bright, sunny day. The temperature had suddenly risen. I took off my suit jacket, revealing a pink shirt underneath. Wang Rui immediately teased, "Why are you wearing such a girly color?"

"To match my current mood."

"You actually look pretty good in a pink shirt."

"I'm handsome. I look good in anything."

"A little narcissistic, but it's true."

"Tell me where to drive."

"Go to Qianjiang New City. I'll take you to the most upscale hotel."

As soon as Wang Rui said that, I immediately asked in a confirming tone, "Conrad Hotel?"

"Have you eaten there before?"

"No, but the foreigners stayed there last night. Pei Shi Yu and I took them there."

I drove Wang Rui straight to Qianjiang New City. On the way, Wang Rui was much quieter than usual, sitting properly in the passenger seat next to me, her eyes fixed on the road.

"When is Youxiang coming back?" I asked, trying to divert her attention.

"I'll give him a call."

"Now?"

"Right now."

Wang Rui did as she said and immediately dialed Youxiang's number. She put it on speakerphone, and I heard a warm voice from the other end of the line. "Sis."

"Hey, your brother asked when you're coming back."

Her words made me immediately look at her, gesturing with my hand for her not to mention me in their conversation.

Wang Rui ignored me and handed the phone directly to me...

I had no choice but to make small talk. "This is Lin Che."

"Bro, are you with my sister?"

"Yes, we're having lunch together. When are you coming back?"

"As soon as possible. I heard from Mom last time that you're getting engaged. I might be able to make it."

Youxiang's personality was completely different from mine. His conversation with me always maintained a sense of warmth, which was what made him so likable.

"Great, we'll wait for you to come back. Your sister has something to tell you." I immediately returned the phone to Wang Rui.

"Youxiang, your sister's heartbroken again. Hurry up and comfort me," Wang Rui said in a light tone.

"Just find another one in a minute."

"I want to grow old alone."

"Don't! Aren't men lining up for you to pick?"

"Don't be cheeky with me. Your brother's about to become a father."

"Really? Then congratulations to my brother."

"Don't congratulate him. He's about to float away."

"My brother is pretty steady. Unlike you, picking and choosing. Dad's going to be worried about you again."

"I haven't told him yet. Don't let it slip."

"He'll find out sooner or later. Can you keep it a secret?"

"A few more days. I'll look around in the meantime," Wang Rui replied with a smile.

"Don't rush. If fate comes, you can't stop it. It just means the previous one wasn't your true love."

"True love? I'm just looking for someone who's good enough."

"Don't think like that, or I won't approve."

Wang Rui smiled and began to wrap things up impatiently. "Go get busy. Talk to you when we meet."

"Okay, I'm pretty busy anyway."

"Bye."

Wang Rui said "Bye," but she hung up faster than Youxiang. I watched her relieved action and said, "Does hanging up first give you more face?"

"I'm the older sister. How dare he hang up before me?"

During the conversation, the car quickly arrived in Qianjiang New City. I immediately turned the car around, following the direction of the hotel. The imposing building was now fully displayed in front of us. It looked different at night and during the day. Last night, the lights had obscured the view, but now I could see everything. This should be considered Hangzhou's landmark building, and the surrounding houses all looked very modern.

"I came here with my dad last time."

"You didn't bring me. I'm definitely not your biological brother," I said jokingly.

"For entertaining clients. The food inside is okay."

"Can such a high-end hotel be bad? I'm treating today," I promised Wang Rui generously.

"Of course, you're treating. I didn't even bring my wallet."

"That's an excuse. You have an e-wallet."

"Already overdrawn," Wang Rui pointed to her phone and said.

"You don't have enough money to spend?" I asked, puzzled.

"The old man's money is for Youxiang, Mom's money is for you. What am I in the middle?"

I knew Wang Rui was talking nonsense. If I accepted my mom's money, the restaurant would probably be mine. It would be difficult to cash out. She's usually very amiable, but her attitude changes as soon as money is mentioned.