Evening.
Before heading to the restaurant for his appointment, Huo Zhili specifically sent a message to Xu Borui, inviting him to dinner.
However, the other party had an emergency surgery and couldn’t make it.
Upon arriving at the restaurant entrance, he didn’t go inside immediately after getting out of the car. Instead, he leaned against the car door, gazing at the setting sun on the horizon.
He then took out a cigarette and lit it, taking only two puffs before casually extinguishing it.
He remained standing in the same spot, his deep eyes fixed on the evening glow, as if he were either admiring the scenery or lost in thought.
It wasn’t until three figures approached from a distance that his attention was drawn back.
Yu Qingyu, dressed in a white Chanel suit, was holding Yu Kexin’s arm, while Lou Yunting walked beside Yu Kexin.
Huo Zhili straightened up and took a step forward: “Uncle Lou, Aunt Xin.”
Lou Yunting glanced at him indifferently and remained silent.
Yu Kexin looked at him and spoke naturally: “Zhili, what a coincidence. Are you here for a business meeting?”
Huo Zhili gave a soft “Mm” in response.
Beside them, Yu Qingyu only cast a cold glance before shifting her gaze away.
“We’ll head in first, then,” Yu Kexin said.
“Alright,” Huo Zhili replied.
Inside the car, Jiang Zhou exchanged a glance with the driver and couldn’t help but remark: “The world is so small. Even when Mr. Huo comes for a blind date, he runs into Miss Yu.”
The driver chuckled: “Even if Mr. Huo goes inside, I bet he’ll be out within ten minutes.”
Jiang Zhou turned to look at him: “You seem to understand him better than I do, and I follow him every day without figuring him out.”
“Just a wild guess,” the driver replied calmly. “Mr. Huo has always had only work on his mind.”
After watching the three enter the restaurant, Huo Zhili finally stepped inside.
Following the location Li Sheng had mentioned, he found a table where a young and beautiful woman was already seated.
He walked straight over.
“Miss Jiang?”
“That’s me, Jiang Xiwen,” she responded.
Huo Zhili took a seat opposite her and got straight to the point: “This blind date wasn’t my idea. It was arranged by my mother.”
Jiang Xiwen smiled lightly:
“Same here. I wasn’t planning to come, but when I heard it was you, I decided to show up.”
She had initially thought it would be just another ordinary playboy, but upon learning it was the renowned Huo Zhili from the business world, her interest was instantly piqued.
Now, seeing him in person, she found him even more handsome than in the photos, with a face so flawless it seemed perfect, without a single blemish.
His noble aura was etched into his very bone structure, his brows and eyes relaxed yet naturally commanding. His eyes were deep in color, calm yet sharp, exuding authority even without anger.
His skin was a cool, fair tone, the result of a life of privilege, and his fingers were long and clean, with even the tips exuding an air of refinement.
A server approached to pour tea for Huo Zhili. He lightly touched the rim of the cup with his fingertips, his demeanor composed.
Objectively speaking, Jiang Xiwen was exceptionally beautiful and came from a well-matched family background, making her an ideal marriage candidate in the eyes of others.
However, at the moment, he had no interest in romance whatsoever.
“I have no plans to date right now, nor do I have the time,” he stated bluntly.
Jiang Xiwen took a sip of her tea, a faint smile on her lips: “Oh? Could it be that Mr. Huo still hasn’t gotten over his ex-girlfriend?”
Huo Zhili’s past with Yu Qingyu was no secret in their social circle.
He lowered his head to send a message to Jiang Zhou, his tone indifferent: “That’s all in the past.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Jiang Xiwen’s eyes sparkled with a smile. “In that case, I still have a chance.”
Such an outstanding man—she wanted to pursue him and didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away.
Huo Zhili glanced up at her, his tone polite yet distant:
“Sorry, I have something else to attend to and need to leave first. I’ll take care of the bill.”
Jiang Xiwen opened her WeChat QR code and handed it to him: “Then can we add each other on WeChat?”
Huo Zhili didn’t hesitate at all and directly refused: “I rarely check WeChat, so there’s no need.”
Jiang Xiwen wasn’t embarrassed and remained composed: “It’s fine. If you don’t add me, I’ll get your WeChat through other channels. Looking forward to seeing you again.”
Huo Zhili didn’t respond further. He stood up and walked straight out.
This scene was completely witnessed by Yu Qingyu, who had just come downstairs.
She could roughly guess what was happening.
Without a moment’s pause, she turned and walked toward the bar counter.
As Huo Zhili walked out, his gaze inadvertently swept over the bar counter, catching a glimpse of that familiar figure. He only paused for a moment before striding directly out of the restaurant.
Jiang Zhou saw him from afar and couldn’t help but laugh: “Impressive, Mr. Huo really didn’t exceed ten minutes.”
As he spoke, he quickly got out of the car and hurriedly opened the rear door for him.
Huo Zhili got into the car and calmly instructed the driver: “Back to the company.”
The driver responded, “Yes.”
He then turned to Jiang Zhou and said, “Order a meal.”
“Understood.” Jiang Zhou acknowledged, then remembered what had just happened and added,
“I’ve already informed the manager. Miss Yu and her group’s expenses tonight will be charged to your account.”
Huo Zhili softly hummed in acknowledgment: “Charge the other table as well.”
Jiang Zhou responded and immediately dialed the restaurant manager’s phone number—Huo Zhili was already a member there, making the process extremely convenient.
Upon returning to the company, Huo Zhili had just placed his phone on the desk when it vibrated.
It was a call from Xu Borui, who had just finished surgery.
“Just got out of surgery. Am I still in time to join for dinner, Mr. Huo?”
Huo Zhili replied calmly: “I’m already at the company.”
Xu Borui walked toward his office while laughing helplessly:
“Why work so hard? You have enough money to last several lifetimes.”
Standing before the massive floor-to-ceiling window, Huo Zhili gazed at the dazzling light show between the towering buildings below, his tone calm: “I enjoy it.”
“Alright, as long as you enjoy it.” Xu Borui went along with it, then added,
“I have another surgery tomorrow, so I won’t come find you. Let’s meet up when we’re both free.”
Huo Zhili hummed in acknowledgment.
After hanging up, he held his phone between his fingertips, still standing motionless in place.
His dark eyes fixed on the ever-changing lights outside the window, but unexpectedly, the image of Yu Qingyu’s once bright and radiant smile surfaced in his mind—leaning against his chest, she had softly said:
“Huo Zhili, in the future when I’m angry, if you stand here with me and watch the night view, I won’t be angry anymore.”