Chapter Sixty-One: Dining with Three Beautiful Women

At noon, Susan returned with a strikingly attractive woman and introduced her to Qin Jing, “This is Yuan Na, my college classmate. She’s now working in interior design.”

Yuan Na was a year older than Susan and, in terms of appearance, not quite as refined. Upon meeting Qin Jing, she teased, “Well, Susan, it’s only been a few months, and you’ve already landed such a handsome guy. Impressive, truly impressive.”

From Susan’s introduction, Qin Jing immediately understood that this was the designer Susan had found for the renovations. Susan came from the Phoenix Society at Hathaway—publicly known as the Phoenix Group—a major conglomerate in Lenghai. Anyone Susan brought in could be trusted.

Qin Jing suggested they go out for lunch and discuss the renovation over the meal.

Yuan Na took charge at once, “Are these the two shops you want done? Leave it to me. The firm I work for, Minghai Design, is one of the top companies in Lenghai. Our proposals and workmanship will definitely satisfy you. Of course, we charge a bit more than the competition, but with Susan here, you’ll never be taken advantage of.”

There was nothing really wrong with her words, though she did sound somewhat proud. Qin Jing simply smiled and said nothing.

Susan, however, felt a twinge of anxiety. She guessed at Yuan Na’s meaning—seeing that Qin Jing just ran a pawnshop, she probably thought he wasn’t on Susan’s level, and thus looked down on her boyfriend. But dear cousin, this is the very man who’s been supporting me.

She shot Yuan Na a fierce glare and quickly explained to Qin Jing, “Jing, Nana’s always been blunt. Don’t mind her.”

Now Yuan Na was quite surprised. In her mind, Susan was goddess material—if she was willing to date someone like Qin Jing, he should be fawning all over her. Yet from the looks of it, something was amiss.

Qin Jing was half amused, half exasperated. He joked lightly, “Xiao Shan, look at how shocked your friend is—clearly you’re too aloof in daily life, making people think you’re difficult to get along with.”

He deliberately steered the conversation away, and Susan realized her own attitude had been too humble, which could arouse suspicion. She smiled and replied, “See, only you would fail to cherish me.”

As their banter continued, Qin Jing shut the door and prepared to take the two women out for lunch. Unexpectedly, they ran into Yan Yizhen.

“What a coincidence. Heading out?”

Yan Yizhen was the picture of a privileged beauty today, dressed more plainly than usual. Her light-colored outfit and subtle makeup lent her an air of fresh naturalness. As she spoke, she glanced at the two women behind Qin Jing—Susan and Yuan Na, both quite attractive, impossible not to draw attention.

“We were just about to get lunch. Care to join us?” Qin Jing called to her without any introductions, leading the way.

The three women said nothing, but the air was tinged with awkwardness.

Susan felt uneasy: This woman looks young and beautiful—could she be Qin Jing’s girlfriend?

Yan Yizhen wondered as well: Is Susan Qin Jing’s girlfriend? He just broke up with Chen Hua, and already has someone new?

Yuan Na elbowed Susan sharply and muttered, “What’s your real relationship with Qin Jing? That woman seems to have something going on with him.”

Susan glared back, “Nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Look at this awkward atmosphere. Hmph, you’d better make sure what kind of boyfriend you have—maybe he’s a player.”

“Nana, let me be clear—I’m not with Qin Jing, not like that.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I was transferred here by the company…”

At that moment, Qin Jing found a small restaurant and led them inside.

The place wasn’t large, but it was clean, right at the entrance to Erdaozi Alley, bustling with people at the lunchtime rush. Inside, the restaurant was lively and full.

Yuan Na wrinkled her nose, unimpressed with the place’s standard, but she was well-mannered and said nothing.

Qin Jing, a seasoned judge of people, sensed her mild displeasure. Once seated, he smiled, “Don’t let the size fool you—this place serves excellent food. And it has a special charm…”

Without glancing at the menu, he ordered several dishes from the waiter, all featuring rare wild game and vegetables.

“They still have wild pheasant these days?” Yan Yizhen asked in surprise when she heard one of the dishes.

“Yes, but it’s rare now. Most wild game is farmed these days. This place is pretty good, though—even if it’s farmed, the birds are mostly free-range. You won’t find dishes like this near Lenghai Art School.”

He casually explained the origins of a few dishes, and the mood at the table eased somewhat. Even Yuan Na had to admit that, though the restaurant looked ordinary, it had its own unique flavor, and Qin Jing was generous with the ordering.

“Let me introduce everyone. This is Yan Yizhen, the campus belle at Lenghai Art School and my regular business partner. She handles shipments and procurement at the school. This is my new staff member, Susan. And this is…”

Qin Jing didn’t say Susan was his girlfriend—they weren’t at that stage.

Yuan Na remained silent. On the way over, Susan had explained in detail that the company had transferred her here, and that Qin Jing was a “small boss.” Still, Yuan Na couldn’t shake the sense that things between Susan and Qin Jing were oddly ambiguous.

They were all young people. As they grew comfortable at the table, conversation flowed and everyone relaxed.

Yan Yizhen teased Qin Jing, “Yuan Na, you’ve landed quite a job. Don’t underestimate Qin Jing just because he runs a small shop—his annual income is anything but low. This time he made a cool ten million in one go. How much of it you can get out of him depends on your skill.”

“Ten million?” Yuan Na exclaimed, “You really are loaded. Qin Jing, that’s not fair—you’d better tell us how much work you’re giving us!”

Susan jumped in playfully, “Are you taking jobs that involve warming the bed?”

Yuan Na smacked her, feigning annoyance. “Some friend you are, teasing me like that.”

Susan shot back, “Look at yourself—when you heard ten million, your eyes almost popped out of your head.”

“You’re impossible!”

The girls bantered back and forth. Qin Jing kept his head down, eating. It wasn’t that he had nothing to say; it was just that, in this atmosphere, it wasn’t his place to chime in. After all, his relationship with Susan wasn’t as simple as it appeared.

Yan Yizhen, however, wouldn’t let him off so easily. She tapped him on the shoulder, laughing, “Why’s the big spender so silent?”

Qin Jing grinned, “You all seem to be having fun. What’s the point of me butting in?”

“Tsk, you wish! You think you can just butt in?”

Yan Yizhen’s words nearly made Qin Jing choke on his food. She quickly clarified, “I mean, butt into the conversation.”

“Got it, got it, no need to explain.”

Qin Jing laughed.

“I… honestly…” Yan Yizhen was at a loss, but then remembered something. “By the way, I’ve set up the Green Recycling Club at school. We just need to hold a recycling event now. Do you have time soon? I need you, the professional, to come and lend some credibility.”