Chарtеr 9: Наving a Late-Night Snасk Togеther
Xu Jinhuаn frоwnеd slightlу, sоmеwhat рuzzlеd.
“Ноw could thаt be? How cоuld уou роssiblу hаvе no friеnds?”
Sоmеone аs оutstanding аs Mr. Wen must havе beеn a camрus heаrtthrob during his sсhоol daуs, and even nоw, hе shоuld bе the cеntеr оf аttention аt variоus gatherings, with сountless рeoрle eagеr tо gеt to knоw him.
Нow could hе havе nо friends?
Xu Jinhuаn couldn’t undеrstand it.
Wеn Yu rерlied сalmly, “Вusiness pаrtnеrs аre not friends.”
Hearing this, Xu Jinhuan sееmed to grasp thе idеa a little.
Wеаlthy people tend to draw a clear line between interests and personal relationships. Those they interact with for work or business might join them for a round of golf, but they likely wouldn’t sit around chatting about everyday life.
She smiled, “Actually, I don’t have many friends either. You’re the first one.”
Grandma Liu and the neighbors around her were all very kind, but they were all much older, and everyone was busy—including herself.
Most of the time, she was preoccupied with making a living, with little time to spare for anything beyond earning money.
Let alone making friends.
Wen Yu smiled, “I’m honored.”
“After work today, would you be free to join me for dinner?”
…
Nine o’clock, a night market barbecue stall.
Xu Jinhuan never imagined she would one day sit by the roadside eating barbecue with the CEO of the Wen Group.
The stall was an ordinary barbecue joint, with even the chairs made of plastic.
The surroundings were noisy and bustling, with occasional gusts of warm wind carrying the scent of cumin and spices.
It all felt like a dream.
“I said I’d treat you, but why did you choose a place like this?” Xu Jinhuan couldn’t help but ask.
Living in such an ordinary yet lively environment, Xu Jinhuan didn’t feel out of place.
But sitting across from Wen Yu now, she still found it somewhat unbelievable.
In Xu Jinhuan’s imagination, Mr. Wen should be the type to frequent high-end restaurants, listening to melodious piano music and enjoying a refined lifestyle of red wine paired with steak.
Why would he choose to come to a barbecue stall, and the most ordinary kind at that?
Wen Yu asked, “Don’t you like it?”
Xu Jinhuan stammered, “It’s not that, I just thought…”
Wen Yu smiled and very naturally wiped away the uncleaned grease stains on the table in front of her with a napkin.
“Little friend, although I come from a privileged background, I’m not always perched at the top of the pyramid.”
“I don’t think eating steak is inherently elegant, nor do I feel that sitting by the roadside with you now is beneath my status. As long as it’s with the right person, any place is fine.”
“And,” Wen Yu continued, “I did my research beforehand. This place may not have the best environment, but the food is excellent.”
Hearing the first part, Xu Jinhuan was impressed by Wen Yu’s open-mindedness and grace.
In fact, the wealthier people were, the more humble and low-key they tended to be in their daily lives, rarely displaying an air of arrogance or entitlement.
Mr. Wen was like that, and so was that beautiful lady from a few days ago.
But hearing the last part, she couldn’t help but feel curious and surprised.
“You even research food recommendations?!”
A CEO like Mr. Wen would actually look up recommendations just to eat barbecue?
Wow, that’s so down-to-earth…
This made Xu Jinhuan genuinely feel that he wasn’t as unattainable as the rumors made him out to be.
Wen Yu smiled, “Food is the essence of life. I’m no exception to that.”
Besides, to pursue a little friend, doing a bit of research wasn’t unusual. He treated it like a project proposal.
Though this might be the cheapest proposal Wen, the great CEO, had ever handled.
As they spoke, the barbecue they had ordered arrived at the table.”Take your time, it’s a bit hot.”
Xu Jinhuan nodded, “Mm, you eat too.”
With the first bite, she knew Mr. Wen’s research had been spot-on.
The grilled meat was incredibly tender, and beneath the curling smoke, she could still feel the richness of its juices, bringing a satisfying sense of plumpness and sweetness.
For a moment, Xu Jinhuan felt truly alive.
As long as she didn’t think about those troublesome matters, just looking at the scenery before her and savoring the delicious food could bring happiness.
“Mr. Wen, thank you.”
“Hm?”
Xu Jinhuan raised the skewer in her hand, her eyes curving into a smile. “Thank you for choosing such a delicious restaurant.”
Wen Yu smiled, with a hint of indulgence. “Mm.”
After finishing the barbecue, neither of them was in a hurry to go home. They took a walk along the riverbank.
The nights in City B were always so enchanting, with brilliant lights and bustling crowds. Along the way, they even encountered quite a few night photography enthusiasts.
When the clock struck eleven, the Maybach stopped in front of the “Yi Huan” dessert shop.
Xu Jinhuan pushed the door open to get out but was softly called back by Wen Yu. “Huanhuan.”
“Hm?”
Wen Yu said, “If anything happens, you can always call me.”
“Whether it’s something happy or sad, you can share it with… a friend. I’m always available.”
Perhaps it was the gentle night breeze, but Xu Jinhuan actually sensed a hint of doting in his tone.
Thinking that Mr. Wen also didn’t have many friends and wouldn’t know who to turn to when something happened, she quickly nodded.
“I’ll remember that. You too, I’d be happy to listen as well.”
Xu Jinhuan waved at Wen Yu, her smile sweet and gentle. “You should head back now, drive safely.”
“Mm.”
Wen Yu leaned against the car, watching the lights on the second floor slowly turn on before driving away.
As for Ke Er, he had been dragged along for a walk and then taken back again.
He had contributed greatly to his owner’s pursuit of love.
…
Back home, Xu Jinhuan took a shower first.
Her hair curled even more when wet, softly clinging to her forehead, making her look like a harmless little lamb.
“Meow~” As soon as Xu Jinhuan sat down by the bed, Xiao Xiao jumped onto her lap, rubbing his head against her hand.
Just as she was about to pet him back, Xiao Xiao walked away with his tail held high, too proud to be touched.
Xu Jinhuan was already used to this and didn’t mind.
As usual, she recorded the day’s revenue on her old computer before turning on her phone.
When the screen lit up, the harassing messages she had ignored were still there.
[You unfilial btch, Grandma is so sick and you still won’t come back to see her…]**
[Fang Niandi, you damn btch, how dare you block me? I should’ve just fcked you back then, you fcking…]**
Xu Jinhuan expressionlessly blocked a few numbers and opened the chat with Wen Yu.
Mr. Wen’s WeChat profile picture was a crescent moon, giving off a romantic, autumn-cool feeling.
She had originally planned to send a “good night,” but just as she was about to type, Wen Yu had already sent a message first.
[Mr. Wen: Good night.]
Just two simple words, yet they stirred an indescribable soft ache and a sense of comfort in Xu Jinhuan’s heart.
Hesitating for a moment, she deleted the words she had already typed and instead searched for a cute “good night” sticker to send to Wen Yu.
Xiao Xiao on the bed was already purring softly. After blow-drying her hair, Xu Jinhuan got into bed, closed her eyes, and tried not to think too much.
But in the middle of the night, she suddenly woke up, her sleepiness completely gone.Mr. Wen, did you call her Huanhuan…