Outside the big private room of the specialty food stall, dozens of people from Vio Capital and Junsheng Law Firm stood on both sides, the scene like two armies facing off before a battle.
The atmosphere was equally tense.
The two waiters who led the two teams were standing at the front. They looked at each other awkwardly and innocently for a few seconds, then turned around to ask the managers of their respective companies behind them.
At Vio Capital, the waiter carefully observed Chu Xiangbin's expression and said, "Mr. Chu, this is the only large private room we have reserved in our store. Please see..."
Before Chu Xiangbin could say anything, Luan Qiaoqing beside him came back to her senses and smiled, "It's okay, don't get me wrong. The law firm across the street is our partner. We have a very good relationship - we're like brothers!"
When she said the last sentence, Luan Qiaoqing seemed to be afraid that Qin Lou hadn't heard it, and she turned around to look at Qin Lou and Song Shu who were at the end of the team.
The sweat on the heads of the Vio employees who were affected by the sound waves suddenly fell.
Song Shu couldn't help but want to hold his forehead.
Even though she had never defeated the little lunatic beside her over the years, Luan Qiaoqing always spared no effort in provoking and angering Qin Lou... just to her own death.
Chu Xiangbin also wanted to sigh.
He raised his arm and casually pushed Luan Qiaoqing into the door of the box, "Go in and arrange seats for everyone." Before Luan Qiaoqing could refuse, Chu Xiangbin pushed her out of Qin Lou's hateful field of vision. Chu Xiangbin himself put on a smile and walked straight towards the people from Junsheng Law Firm a few steps away.
Yu Qisheng was always much more rational in this regard, and his expression did not change much at this time. Seeing Chu Xiangbin coming over, he turned around and said a few words to the assistant who followed him, and the assistant brought the people from Junsheng Law Firm into the box.
Chu Xiangbin stopped in front of Yu Qisheng and extended his hand.
"Mr. Yu, I've heard a lot about you."
"No, no," Yu Qisheng said with a polite smile, "I have long heard of Mr. Chu's name, but I never had the chance to meet him. I didn't expect to meet him here today. It seems like we are destined to meet."
"It's not just our fate, it's also the fate of our two companies to be partners." Chu Xiangbin raised his chin, "You are also here to reward employees for the New Year's Eve event, right?"
Yu Qisheng nodded, "That's right. Is Mr. Chu having dinner with several departments under him?"
"Almost. Just accompany them to relax."
"Since we are here to eat, and we have the chance to go into a private room, why don't we just stand outside the door and go in together?"
"Please come in, Mr. Yu."
“… … ”
Before and after entering the box, Chu Xiangbin exchanged a few polite words with Yu Qisheng.
It was not until he accidentally saw the seating arrangement on both sides that Chu Xiangbin stopped walking and the smile on his face froze.
The store did have a screen in the middle of the two sides, but perhaps because there were too many tables and chairs, there were not enough screens in the store and they were not able to completely separate the two sides. The tables and chairs on both sides near the door were visible to each other, and there was no obstruction in the middle.
At Vio Capital, Luan Qiaoqing arranged the seats. Qin Lou and Song Shu were at the end of the line again. The employees went in and walked to the back, lining up from the inside to the outside. When they got to Qin Lou and Song Shu's side, there were only the main seats near the door left on both sides of the long table.
Unfortunately, the seat reserved for Yu Qisheng next door is also on this side.
Qin Lou and Song Shu were already standing beside the table. As Yu Qisheng and Chu Xiangbin came in, the air fell into a subtle silence again.
The staff on both sides didn't dare to speak loudly, only those leaning inside dared to talk in a low voice.
"Is this the legendary Shura Field?"
"I feel embarrassed for Mr. Yu. One is his ex-fiancée, and the other is his rival who stole his ex-fiancée away. How can he eat this New Year's Eve dinner tonight?"
"I thought I could watch a New Year's Eve show at the food stalls, but now I don't need to. This show is much more realistic and exciting than any other New Year's Eve show on any TV station."
"There won't be a fight later, will there?"
"That's hard to say."
"If I had known, I would have gone home with my girlfriend. I will have indigestion after eating this meal."
"… "
In the room, whether it was the staff of Vio or the employees of Junsheng Law Firm, their eyes were still focused on Qin Lou and Song Shu.
Qin Lou turned a blind eye, reached out to pull out a chair for Song Shu, then looked up at her.
Song Shu hesitated.
"Qin Qing" has a special identity. At least in the eyes of everyone, he and Yu Qisheng should be enemies. Although Qin Lou did not say anything, Song Shu could feel that Qin Lou had been emotionally tense since Yu Qisheng appeared - obviously he still minded the acquaintance and engagement between Song Shu and Yu Qisheng, even if it was just fake.
Song Shu could only look at Yu Qisheng apologetically.
Even though they were close friends, she and Yu Qisheng could not have any communication at this time - that would be inappropriate both publicly and privately.
And the most selfish thing is: if Song Shu compares anyone in this world to Qin Lou, she will choose Qin Lou. She can be sorry to anyone, but she can't make Qin Lou feel uneasy.
Song Shu retracted his gaze and sat down in the chair where Qin Lou held the back with one hand.
Qin Lou pulled out the chair next to her and was about to sit down - at this moment, Yu Qisheng took the initiative to walk over.
The slightly relaxed atmosphere froze again.
Chu Xiangbin shook his head with a headache. Seeing that the situation was out of control, he was too lazy to care about what was happening between the three people and simply stopped there.
“…Boss Qin.” Yu Qisheng walked up to Qin Lou and greeted him, “Long time no see.”
Qin Lou's lips curled up when he heard that, and he glanced at him with a half-smile, his eyes were cold without any smile: "I think it's good not to run into him. It would be embarrassing if we ran into him, right?"
"… "
The already tense atmosphere almost dropped ten degrees after Qin Lou's words.
The fake smile on Yu Qisheng's face disappeared.
Luan Qiaoqing slipped to Chu Xiangbin's side from somewhere, and watched the show from the side while suppressing the urge to laugh. "Hey, he cut off his own and others' escape routes with just one sentence - my brother really is a madman."
"..." Chu Xiangbin glanced at her helplessly, "Are you just watching the fun and not afraid of getting into trouble?"
"No matter how big the problem is, it's not my business. What should I be afraid of?" Luan Qiaoqing pouted. "Besides, who asked Qin Lou to torment me all day long?"
"So, you stand with Yu Qisheng?"
Luan Qiaoqing thought about it and shook her head. "I don't agree with Qin Lou, let alone Yu Qisheng. He just met my sister. At most, he got a great advantage by having the right time, place and people. Otherwise, how could he be qualified to stand by my sister's side?"
Chu Xiangbin: "… Then who is qualified?"
Luan Qiaoqing said confidently, "Of course no one is qualified."
Chu Xiangbin was silent for a few seconds, then sighed and leaned towards Luan Qiaoqing in a low voice, "Does Song Shu know that you are such a serious addict?"
"Bah, you are the toxic one."
"… "
While the two of them were discussing in low voices, the tension between Qin Lou and Yu Qisheng's eye contact was growing stronger and stronger.
And no one of them was willing to speak first, without even blinking an eye - each of them had a career on their hands, and was young and promising, but at this moment they were as childish as two children.
Yu Qisheng was much more rational than Qin Lou after all. Perhaps he felt the increasingly subtle gazes of the employees, so he lowered his eyelids and looked away.
"Qin Qing, we haven't seen each other for a while. How have you been lately?"
Song Shu: “…”
Song Shu deeply suspected that Yu Qisheng was "taking revenge" on her - even if he wanted to reminisce about the past, there was no need to do so in front of so many employees of Vio and Junsheng Law Firm, right? What's more, there was a flammable and explosive little lunatic staring at her covetously
But Yu Qisheng had already spoken, so it was inappropriate for Song Shu to pretend to be dumb and not know him. She could only stand up from the chair while Qin Lou Luo was looking at her.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Yu. Vio's working environment is as comfortable as Junsheng's. I am fine."
While saying this, Song Shu's gaze did not look at Yu Qisheng, but fell chillily on Luan Qiaoqing, who was watching the show while cracking a handful of melon seeds.
Luan Qiaoqing's smile froze.
Song Shu in her sight gestured lightly behind him.
Luan Qiaoqing sighed dejectedly.
Chu Xiangbin noticed the interaction between the two sisters and turned back to look at Luan Qiaoqing, "What's wrong?"
"My sister asked us to warm up the atmosphere and divert their attention."
"…You can read minds?"
"This is called tacit understanding, what do you know?" Luan Qiaoqing curled her lips and admitted unwillingly, "Besides, what my sister and I have is nothing at all - you haven't seen her and Qin Lou, they are simply perverted. If you stay with them for a long time, you will feel that you are not a person, but a decoration. They can go a whole day without saying a word, but always keep in sync, and fully understand what the other is going to do next second... perverted."
While muttering to herself, Luan Qiaoqing took the initiative to bypass the "three-person battlefield" and walked towards the employees of Vio Capital.
Under her leadership, the employees of Vio Capital were very cooperative, and the atmosphere in this half of the room began to liven up. The people at Junsheng Law Firm were not fools either - unless they didn't want to do the job anymore, it would be best for no one to witness the embarrassing scene of their boss.
The lively atmosphere in the room broke the awkward silence between the three people.
Song Shu heaved a sigh of relief, with a faint smile on her face. She looked up at Yu Qisheng and asked, "Uncle, is he feeling well?"
"Well, he keeps talking about wanting to see you." Yu Qisheng said calmly, "Although the engagement is cancelled, we shouldn't have gone to the point where he won't come over, right?"
Song Shu paused.
Qin Lou beside him sneered, turned around, and looked at him coldly, "Did you write a marriage certificate or give a betrothal gift? How come I don't know that you have a formal marriage contract? I can tolerate your verbal advantage, but Mr. Yu, please don't come and touch my little clam directly, okay?"
Yu Qisheng turned to Qin Lou.
"Mr. Yu, I was just joking." Song Shu reached out and hooked Qin Lou's hand, then lightly tickled his palm.
Qin Lou paused, and all the fierce aggressiveness on his face was suppressed. He looked back at her with a bit of frustration.
Song Shu was relieved to see that she had succeeded in calming him down. She did not let go of Qin Lou's hand, but smiled faintly and turned to Yu Qisheng, "I was too busy before the New Year and have not been able to find a suitable opportunity. After the New Year, I will go to visit my uncle with Qin Lou."
The alienation between the two sides of the conversation is self-evident.
Yu Qisheng's eyes dimmed. He lowered his gaze and saw Qin Lou and Song Shu holding hands.
Yu Qisheng curled his lips in self-mockery, "I remember when we were abroad, you hated physical contact with others the most, and you would feel uncomfortable if someone came a little closer."
Song Shu's eyes flickered slightly, and then she smiled, "Really? I forgot everything."
Yu Qisheng looked up at her.
Song Shu said softly, "I lived like a walking corpse during those years. When I think back, I only remember endless cases and files. Now that everything is over, I want to forget them. Mr. Yu should forget them too."
Yu Qisheng was silent for a long time, then smiled sadly, "You may think I am selfish and mean if I say this, but those years are the time I cherish very much. I even hope that you will always be just 'Qin Qing', so I will not forget. It's just that—"
Yu Qisheng withdrew his gaze from the two people's interlocked fingers, and he turned and left.
"But I won't mention it again."
Song Shu's eyes flickered slightly.
"Happy New Year, Mr. Yu."
"Yeah. Happy New Year... Qin Qing."
Qin Lou is extremely jealous - Song Shu has always been very clear about this.
This person has been like this since he was a child. He has lost too much, and he will never forgive or look back at those who have abandoned him or hurt him. He is so stubborn by nature.
After Qin Liang took him back to the Qin family, he wanted to give him all the good things, but Qin Lou just played with them. He didn't like any of them. At most, he was interested in them for a while, but soon he got bored with them and destroyed or threw them away.
The only exception was the "doll" that suddenly came to the Qin family that year, and it has always been an exception.
—He didn't care about anything, and concentrated all his possessiveness and desire on Song Shu alone.
At that time, they were each other's lifeline, holding on tightly, leaning on each other, neither of them willing to let go. After getting used to it, they found that they were connected by the roots and could not be separated - pulling them apart would be heartbreaking.
Bai Song's matter forced them to separate, just as Qin Lou said later, he had died with her once.
That incident also forced Song Shu to grow up and change, to accept things that were not in the world of the two of them before, and to adapt to new rules and relationships. But Qin Lou was the only one who stayed where he was. In that world of the two of them, he stood there stubbornly and stubbornly, not moving.
There was still only Song Shu in his world, and he still only allowed Song Shu to get close to him. If Song Shu didn't hold his hand and lead him forward, he would probably be trapped there until his death.
Song Shu understood this too well. She wanted to help him open the suffocating door, little by little, carefully, and as if walking on thin ice.
So in the eyes of "outsiders" like Luan Qiaoqing and An Xingyun who didn't understand, they thought she was too indulgent to Qin Lou.
Only Song Shu knew it was not the case.
She was the one who left first, so she had no right to ask Qin Lou to change. She had to go back, whether to accompany him or bring him out together - she had to go back to him.
So she indulged in everything Qin Lou did.
Including his jealous nature that day.
It was not too late when the group separated at the food stall, as people preparing for the New Year's Eve had just started to gather on the street - but no matter how lively the atmosphere in the private room was tonight, it was hard to stir up.
Especially on their Vio side, the boss had a sinister smile and a mad look and was drinking like crazy, which scared everyone who was preparing to toast him so much that no one dared to step forward.
In such an atmosphere, it was natural that the party had to end early.
The consequence of drinking all night was that he was undoubtedly drunk. When the company car came to pick him up, Qin Lou was still making trouble.
The door had been opened by the nearest staff, but Qin Lou refused to get in the car. He hugged the cold door and shouted "little clam shell".
When everyone was discussing who "Little Clam Shell" was, Luan Qiaoqing, who was accompanying Chu Xiangbin to pay the bill, came out with a headache, "Don't ask, it's my sister, where is my sister Qin Qingren?"
Someone said, "Assistant Qin's parents seemed to call, and she went to answer the phone."
"..." Luan Qiaoqing suddenly felt overwhelmed.
"Minister Luan, Mr. Qin refuses to get in the car. What should we do?"
"How would I know what to do?" Luan Qiaoqing muttered, and walked forward tentatively, "—Brother?"
The tall, long-legged young man lying on the car door raised his eyelids lazily, and after a long while he managed to utter a laugh full of contempt, mockery and disgust, "Who are you?"
Luan Qiaoqing almost died of anger on the spot.
She took a deep breath, held it in, and forced a smile: "I, Luan Qiaoqing."
Qin Lou glanced at her from head to toe, then sneered and lay back down: "I don't know her."
Luan Qiaoqing: “…”
Luan Qiaoqing gritted her teeth and said, "Do you know Song Shu?"
“—”
For a moment, Luan Qiaoqing almost felt that the newly dyed black hair on Qin Lou's head stood up straight as his owner's attention changed.
She saw Qin Lou slowly raise his head, "Is Little Clam Shell here?"
The tone was cautious.
"… "
Luan Qiaoqing felt inexplicably sad.
A few seconds later, Luan Qiaoqing smiled and pointed inside the car, "It's already been brought in, would you like to go in and take a look?"
"… "
"… "
Qin Lou's eyes slowly darkened, then he turned away and snorted coldly, "You lied to me."
Luan Qiaoqing's temples throbbed violently, "You didn't even take a look, how do you know I lied to you?"
Qin Lou squinted at her with a look that said, "Don't be a fool, do you?" Then he stretched out his hand to measure the door in front of him, and said in a serious tone—
"I've had the net open for a long time, watching it the whole time, but the little clam hasn't gotten in yet."
Luan Qiaoqing: “…”
Luan Qiaoqing wiped her face and turned back to look at the stunned staff, "I can't do it anymore. Send someone to call Qin Qing right now - tell her that Qin Lou got drunk and started to act like a demon. Tell her to call back later and take this lunatic back first."
The staff were used to Qin Lou's moody behavior, so they were horrified to see him like this - normally he was a madman if he had some rationality left, and now it was even more terrifying that no one knew what he would do in the next second.
Before Song Shu could finish a phone call, he was dragged to the side of the road by his colleagues.
She looked at Qin Lou who was lying on the door, and turned back helplessly, "Then the affairs here will be handed over to you and Chu Xiangbin?"
Luan Qiaoqing nodded quickly, "You don't need to do anything else, just take him away quickly - do you need help? If not, knock him out and carry him to the car?"
Song Shu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "No need."
After Song Shu finished speaking, she walked to the car. Everyone was curious about what she was going to do, but they saw that "Assistant Qin" did nothing.
—She bent down and got into the car herself.
Everyone was stunned.
Just when someone was about to say something, the man who was still drunk and asleep in front of the car door suddenly looked up as if he had noticed something.
As if smelling the scent of a clam caught in a net, Qin Lou got into the car without hesitation.
Everyone: “… ?”
Author has something to say: Bait: Clam shell*1
Successfully captured: Qin Lou*1