Chapter 80

Lin Zixian nodded silently, lit another cigarette, and sat on the steps by the river, smiling and said, "It's good that you're going back. In our world of ordinary people, no matter how much you lower yourself, you will always feel out of place. Holding back and forcing yourself won't bring you happiness. Sometimes, matching social status isn't always about being materialistic. People from different backgrounds often find it hard to fit together. Actually, having this experience isn't a bad thing; it will help you face your life more calmly in the future. Forget about Xiaqiu; you might find that your world is more wonderful without him."

"Brother Lin, you..." Qin Yue looked at him in surprise.

Lin Zixian tilted his head and smiled, "Don't be surprised. I'm not a god who can predict the future. Your family background was told to me by Xiaqiu before he left. But I had already noticed that you weren't from an ordinary family; I just didn't want to point it out."

Qin Yue sat down silently beside him, looking at him and guessed, "Are you an ordinary person? I don't think Brother Lin is like anyone else. You sometimes show a carefree and relaxed side, as if you're playing with the world... I want to know why you can live so freely in this mundane world?"

"Maybe it's because I'm handsome and suave!" Lin Zixian teased, then looked at the Yangtze River flowing eastward, holding his cigarette and said vaguely, "I've experienced both prosperity and hardship. Being above or below others is the same to me; there's no distinction of high or low, noble or humble. But you... you don't have my experiences, and your family background doesn't allow you to be indifferent to status. You and I are from completely different worlds, so how can we compare?"

"Speaking so mysteriously, I'm really curious now." Qin Yue said with a teasing smile, "So, which world are you from? Can you reveal a little?"

Lin Zixian didn't answer her question but asked calmly, "When are you leaving? I'll take you."

Qin Yue looked at the city across the river in the twilight, feeling melancholic, "Tomorrow... tomorrow morning." Her voice still carried a hint of reluctance and sadness.

Lin Zixian glanced at her, flicked the cigarette butt away, and stood up, patting his buttocks in a very mundane way. He then grabbed Qin Yue's hand and pulled her up, saying, "Come, I'll take you somewhere."

He didn't allow her to refuse, acting very domineering. Qin Yue kept asking where they were going, but he didn't say anything, just dragged her up, pushed her into the car, and drove off.

The car weaved through the city, finally stopping at the train station. After getting out, Lin Zixian dragged her out of the car, closed the door, and pointed to the station, "I didn't want to tell you, but now I think you have the right to know. I sent Xiaqiu here, and Tian Juan accompanied him back home..."

He told her about how the Qin family had sent Tian Juan to seduce Xiaqiu. Qin Yue was on the verge of tears, deeply hurt.

"Brother Lin, if I had slept with him, would this not have happened?" Qin Yue sobbed, "If he really wanted to, he could have told me. He should have known I wouldn't refuse him."

"Cough, cough! Does this have anything to do with sleeping together?" Lin Zixian coughed, thinking, _You two are both tough, five years! You can really endure._ He paused and said, "What's done is done. Don't blame him. He's different from you. He was reaching too high, feeling inferior, under pressure, and unable to bear it, which is very normal."

"But don't I have pressure too? Doesn't he know that by doing this, he's not just giving up on himself but also on me, showing a lack of confidence in me? Five years! A woman's prime years, how many five-year periods are there? Brother Lin, I'm really sad..." Qin Yue leaned against the car.

People were coming and going at the train station, young boys and girls, older men and women, businessmen holding signs to attract customers, and many migrant workers carrying large bags for their livelihood. They envied the city dwellers' lives and looked curiously at this scene, wondering why a beautiful city woman was crying on a BMW. Maybe the man in the security uniform was a bad guy.

"By the way, Xiaqiu asked me to give you a birthday gift before he left, but I threw it away on the spot." Lin Zixian smiled and recounted what he had said to Xiaqiu, then opened the car door and pushed Qin Yue back in.

As they drove away from the train station, he said, "I threw away your birthday gift, so now I'll give you a new one. I hope you won't be angry with me."

After a short drive, the car stopped in front of a top-tier salon. Lin Zixian dragged Qin Yue inside...

When they came out, they looked completely different. Qin Yue was wearing a black off-shoulder evening gown, a long dress trailing behind her, her hair elegantly styled. She was already beautiful, and with the jewelry Lin Zixian had ordered on the spot, she looked stunning.

Lin Zixian also looked very presentable in a silver-gray suit, his usually messy hair neatly combed back, giving him an air of nobility. His every move exuded pure aristocratic charm, leaving Qin Yue speechless.

Even the stylists were surprised. Was this the same security guard? They could change a person's appearance, but not their demeanor. The stylists themselves were unsure if they had created this transformation, wondering how their skills had suddenly improved so much.

Another customer in the salon had seen the security guard come in and now saw a dashing nobleman walk out, feeling very stimulated. He immediately pointed at the stylist who had worked on Lin Zixian, "What kind of lousy skills are these... You, yes, you, I want you to redo my look."

"Brother Lin, what are we doing?" Qin Yue was still confused, looking out the car window, "Why are we dressed like this? Where are we going?"

"Rest assured, I won't sell you." Lin Zixian smiled.

The Arc de Triomphe Restaurant, the most authentic French restaurant in Donghai, was a place where French people in Donghai usually dined. It was essentially a restaurant for French people, and to avoid it becoming a noisy place, the restaurant screened its guests. Not just anyone could pay to dine here.

It operated on a membership system, or you had to speak fluent French, otherwise, they would say it was full.

Qin Yue, who was walking with Lin Zixian, knew about this place and was worried if they could get in, but seeing Lin Zixian's calm demeanor, she didn't say anything.

When they entered, a polite foreign waiter greeted them, looked at their appearance, and asked in slightly broken Chinese, "Do you have a reservation?"

Although there were clearly empty seats, if they didn't have a membership card, he would have to apologize and say all the seats were reserved, it was full.

Lin Zixian replied in fluent French, "No reservation, but please find a table for me and this beautiful lady."

Qin Yue was slightly surprised, not expecting him to speak French.

The waiter's scrutinizing gaze immediately turned warm, and he switched to French, gesturing, "Please follow me."

After they were seated and ordered food, the waiter left, and Qin Yue couldn't help but ask, "You speak French?"

"Well, a little, just enough to get by." Lin Zixian nodded toward the French diners around them, "No choice, French people have a pathological sense of pride and national pride. To them, everything French is the best. Speaking a few words of French when talking to them will make them very friendly, otherwise, they won't let you in!"

Qin Yue couldn't help but laugh, "Didn't you say you washed dishes in America? I never heard you speak English, but now you're speaking French."

"Uh..." Lin Zixian blinked, "One of my colleagues who washed dishes with me was French, and I learned a few phrases from him."

Qin Yue smiled and shook her head. Since he was intentionally hiding something, she didn't press further.

The restaurant had two levels, with a circular layout. A band played in the center, and soothing light music flowed through the restaurant. On the second floor, some crystal curtains hung, and Qiao Yun and Zheng Longqing were dining there. Although they didn't speak French, their status made membership a non-issue.

If Lin Zixian had known these two were dining here, he probably wouldn't have come. Out of sight, out of mind!

However, the crystal curtains made it hard to see clearly from below, and Qiao Yun and Zheng Longqing didn't notice Lin Zixian below. With Lin Zixian's new appearance, they might not have recognized him even if they looked closely.

The food was soon served, and the waiter poured champagne for them and left. They clinked glasses and took a sip. Qin Yue said with a mix of amusement and frustration, "Coming here to pretend to be sophisticated is your birthday gift to me?"

"What do you mean 'pretend to be sophisticated'? It's about spending money to be sophisticated, right? Uh... don't women like this?" Lin Zixian was taken aback, "Are you not satisfied?"

Qin Yue smiled without answering, saying nothing, and took a bite of foie gras.

Lin Zixian felt a bit depressed, thinking it was indeed a bit excessive for Qin Yue.

They ate in silence until they were half full. Midway through, Lin Zixian went to the restroom. When he returned and saw the band in the center, his eyes lit up. He gestured to the waiter, who came over. Lin Zixian pointed to the band and spoke to the waiter in French.

Qin Yue didn't understand French and didn't know what he was up to. The waiter went to the band and spoke to them, then nodded back at Lin Zixian.

The light music in the restaurant suddenly stopped, and the diners looked up. Lin Zixian, holding a bottle of champagne in one hand and two empty glasses in the other, walked toward the band...