Who did you kiss last night?
One had to admit, Fu Huaizhou was skilled at shifting blame.
Although Pei Yan had initiated the flirtation, he was the one who had taken the initiative to kiss her.
He showed no trace of guilt for twisting the facts.
“Ahem, ahem…”
Pei Yan nearly spat out her water, but swallowed it just in time to avoid embarrassment.
As a result, a small amount of warm water went down the wrong pipe, sending her into a fit of violent coughing.
Fu Huaizhou handed her a custom tissue from the table: “My apologies, are you alright, Miss Pei?”
Pei Yan lifted her gaze and instinctively looked at his pale, jade-like lips.
A moment later, she felt her cheeks grow warm.
“I, I…”
Ah! She was going crazy. How could this Fu Huaizhou be so tactless?
Why did he have to make things so awkward with one sentence?
Why did he still remember this drunken indiscretion?
And even if he remembered, why did he have to bring it up in front of the person involved?
All while maintaining such a composed demeanor and speaking in such an unruffled tone.
The most frustrating part was that she remembered everything, every single detail!
Seeing her expression shift through a range of emotions, Fu Huaizhou found it quite entertaining. Adopting a flirtatious manner, he chuckled lightly: “Miss Pei, who nearly got married, I never thought your first kiss would end up with me. I’m honored.”
His directness nearly gave Pei Yan another heart attack. She instinctively played dumb and retorted:
“Who said it was my first kiss? Pfft, I had plenty of fun abroad. This is nothing.”
“Oh? So you frequently went to nightclubs overseas and asked people to kiss you when you were drunk?”
Pei Yan’s face was practically steaming. She feigned composure and nodded: “That’s right.”
If not for his excellent self-control, Fu Huaizhou would have laughed out loud.
“Well then…” Fu Huaizhou deliberately paused, making Pei Yan watch him nervously, “Does Miss Pei not plan to take responsibility for me?”
“It’s j-just a kiss. Are you a blushing bride on her wedding sedan for the first time? You want me to take responsibility?”
By the end of her sentence, Pei Yan’s voice had risen, adopting the expression of a heartless woman who takes advantage and refuses to acknowledge it.
Fu Huaizhou took a sip of water and said, “Although I often go to Moonlight, I only drink there.”
Since they moved in the same circles, Pei Yan had genuinely never heard any gossip about Fu Huaizhou. She thought to herself: Could he really be experiencing this for the first time?
Pei Yan decided to take the initiative: “Just say it. How much money do you want?”
Fu Huaizhou was taken aback, then laughed after a moment: “Does Second Young Lady really think I’m selling myself?”
Pei Yan felt embarrassed: “That’s not what I meant. I just want to compensate you.”
Fu Huaizhou: “It’s fine, no compensation needed. Although it was indeed my first time being kissed, I just lost a night’s sleep. I’ll take some medicine when I get home tonight, and it’ll be fine.”
Pei Yan: “…”
What? Was being kissed by her that terrifying?
“Um, I’d still like to compensate you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Huaizhou immediately responded: “Alright, how do you plan to compensate me?”
“…”
Having to take medicine to sleep tonight—how much damage had she caused?
Pei Yan took a deep breath and declared tragically: “You name it. As long as I can do it, I’ll agree.”
Fu Huaizhou seized the opportunity: “Well, then promise me one thing.”
Pei Yan agreed readily: “Fine, name it.”
“I haven’t thought of anything specific yet,” Fu Huaizhou said. “Can I save it for later?”
Pei Yan hesitated: “What if you…”
“I won’t.” Fu Huaizhou’s brow twitched slightly. “I won’t ask you to do anything illegal or against moral principles.”
Pei Yan pondered for a moment before nodding. “Alright, I agree.”
A faint curve lifted the corner of Fu Huaizhou’s lips, a trace of cunning flashing in his deep, dark eyes.
A restaurant staff member knocked on the private room’s door.
Dishes were brought to the table one after another.
Pei Yan changed the subject. “Mr. Fu, please give them a try.”
Fu Huaizhou gave a slight nod and lowered his gaze to begin his meal.
The two didn’t discuss business while eating. Since it was their first time dining face-to-face, Pei Yan felt somewhat reserved.
She ate very little, mainly because a sandwich and coffee had already filled her stomach.
Fu Huaizhou ate with refined manners, his etiquette impeccable.
After about half an hour, he set down his chopsticks.
Pei Yan glanced at her wrist—she only had half an hour left.
She decided to get straight to the point. “Mr. Fu, may I ask what you meant earlier by ‘Golden Jade Match’?”
Fu Huaizhou smiled faintly. “I’d like to ask Miss Pei, what are your thoughts on the saying ‘Fine jade needs no gold setting, and gold-set jade is never fine’?”
Pei Yan replied, “Well, how should I put it? In the Hetian jade market, there is indeed the saying ‘fine jade needs no setting.’ This is mainly because high-quality jade is precious, and if the setting technique is inadequate, it can damage its integrity, thereby reducing its value.”
“Moreover, the gold-inlaid jade market is chaotic. People often mistakenly believe that ‘jade with flaws is set in gold,’ without considering what kind of gold-inlaid jade can be bought for a few hundred or thousand yuan.”
Fu Huaizhou nodded in agreement.
“Another reason is the inherent beauty of jade itself. Setting it with other materials can alter its natural color and charm.”
“However, with the development of modern setting techniques and evolving aesthetics, many people now appreciate the classical yet fashionable appeal of combining gold and jade.”
Fu Huaizhou hummed in acknowledgment. “Indeed, ‘Golden Jade Match,’ ‘Golden Branch Jade Leaf,’ ‘gold and jade brocade’—since ancient times, these two have been considered a heavenly match.”
A flicker of curiosity appeared in Pei Yan’s eyes. “Mr. Fu, may I ask why you’re inquiring about this?”
Fu Huaizhou explained, “Some years ago, I acquired a fine piece of seed jade, which I intend to use as a betrothal gift in the future. But a friend advised that fine jade shouldn’t be set, so I thought to ask you.”
As the saying goes, gold has a price, but jade is priceless. For Fu Huaizhou to consider it as a betrothal gift, this piece of jade must be of the highest quality.
Pei Yan suddenly grew interested. “So, what are your thoughts on the matter?”
Fu Huaizhou said, “I don’t understand jade, nor do I care about whether it depreciates in value. I only care about four words…”
Noticing his pause, Pei Yan tilted her head slightly, waiting for him to continue.
“Golden Jade Match,” Fu Huaizhou uttered softly yet firmly.
Pei Yan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. “Then your future wife is truly fortunate. Our Fuyao master studio has mature setting techniques. Perhaps you’d like to consider it, Mr. Fu?”
Fu Huaizhou chuckled. “Even during a meal, you don’t forget to discuss business for your family.”
“Not at all,” Pei Yan laughed. “When Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, the Empress Dowager angrily threw the imperial seal, breaking off a corner. Craftsmen repaired it with gold, proving that setting techniques were already advanced back then. Gold-inlaid jade continued to develop, reaching its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In modern times, the thin-body gold and silver wire inlay technique with gemstones, created by the northern jade artist Pan Bingheng, remains unmatched.”
“Gold-inlaid jade originated in our country. And as the largest gold jewelry group, Mr. Fu, could you find a better setting master than us?”
Fu Huaizhou said, “I quite agree with you, Miss Pei. Since I’ve enjoyed this meal with you, I’ll take on this business deal.”
Pei Yan raised her teacup. “Splendid. Let me toast you with tea instead of wine. From now on, we are friends.”
Fu Huaizhou smiled dotingly, “Alright.”
Pei Yan said, “Current techniques can completely remove the gold while preserving the seed jade. Proper mounting only enhances the artistic value of jade—it all depends on who’s doing it. But for someone like you, Mr. Fu, since this is a betrothal gift, there’s no need to dismantle it anyway.”
Fu Huaizhou chuckled softly and said, “I hope she’ll like it.”
Seeing his radiant expression, Pei Yan felt a sudden urge to gossip, but before she could voice her question, her assistant called again.
Pei Yan quickly stood up and said, “I have matters to attend to at my studio. I apologize for the inadequate hospitality, but I must take my leave now.”
Fu Huaizhou rose and escorted her to the private room’s entrance. Pei Yan promptly declined, saying, “The tea here is quite good. Since you’re constantly occupied with important matters, Mr. Fu, you might as well take a short rest.”
Not wanting to disregard her thoughtful suggestion, Fu Huaizhou remained. After Pei Yan left, the restaurant owner respectfully entered Orchid Hall.
“Mr. Fu.”
“Hmm.” Fu Huaizhou lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. “The dishes were quite good.”
“Thank you, Mr. Fu. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead.”
“This restaurant was originally opened for Miss Pei. She enjoys Cantonese cuisine, but our policy of serving only thirty reservations per day and requiring advance bookings has made it even more sought-after. I was wondering if we should relax the rules somewhat?”
Fu Huaizhou laughed lightly. “No need. In fact, we should raise the prices. I initially prepared for losses, but if customers are eager to pay, why shouldn’t we accept it?”
At Yihe Pavilion, it seemed only Pei Yan could have a customized menu. Other patrons dined without menus, paying a fixed price per person and eating whatever the restaurant served.
The owner could only acquiesce: “Understood.”
Fu Huaizhou said, “You may leave now. I need to make a call.”
He took out his phone and called home, dropping a bombshell:
“I’ve already met someone I’m interested in. Stop obsessing over my marital status. If I can win her over within a year, you can start preparing the betrothal gifts.”