Chapter 33

Although Xu Zhihong was clearly trying to please Lin Ruoxi, when it came to business, he was both cautious and aggressive, appropriately conceding where he should and not missing any opportunity to fight for his interests.

In fact, Xu Zhihong was very clear that with someone like Lin Ruoxi, mere flattery would not work. As a businessman, he needed to have the means to convince her. If a man would abandon his career for a woman, how could he win the favor of a strong woman like Lin Ruoxi?

Similarly, once the formal meeting began, Lin Ruoxi became more talkative. Although she was not good at socializing, when it came to business, this exceptionally beautiful woman had a bit of a "gossipy" flair, often arguing based on reason to secure the best possible benefits.

As a result, for about an hour, Yang Chen, who was bored, could only stare at the billiard ball beside him, who was also doing nothing.

The billiard ball clearly had some interest in Yang Chen, occasionally giving him a few provocative glances.

Yang Chen, to be honest, did not like this unkempt, muscular man. Although from the first glance, Yang Chen could tell that this guy was a capable international mercenary, probably a Navy SEAL instructor level in the military. However, such a level of fighter could only be considered "ordinary" and did not reach the level of a "warrior" in Yang Chen's eyes.

Therefore, when the billiard ball gave him a "teasing" and "contemptuous" look, Yang Chen had a strong urge to slap him awake. But thinking that he was now a white-collar worker, he decided not to hit people casually, for the sake of his wife's business.

So, Yang Chen sat in the chair, took out the phone Lin Ruoxi had given him, and downloaded a "Bubble Dragon" game, playing it seriously.

"Alright, I hope Mr. Xu will keep his promise. This year's autumn fashion show, with your company's stage design, will surely bring a broader market prospect for our autumn collection." Lin Ruoxi finally signed the revised contract. Her cheeks were flushed from speaking for a long time, showing a rare gentleness.

Xu Zhihong, seeing this, stared for a moment before nodding solemnly, "Certainly, I hope our cooperation is pleasant."

After exchanging the documents, they finally finished the business, which was already around 7 PM.

"Business done, I think you must be hungry, Ruoxi. Let's order the dishes now."

Lin Ruoxi was indeed hungry. Like other women, she only ate a small sandwich for lunch to maintain her figure. After working so late, she was starving and nodded lightly.

Xu Zhihong clapped his hands, and the waiters at the door immediately began to work with a smile.

The dinner was a formal Western meal. When a full set of Western dining utensils was placed on the table, Lin Ruoxi looked at Yang Chen with some concern. Clearly, the sudden change to a Western meal was meant to embarrass Yang Chen.

"May I ask the gentleman's surname?" Xu Zhihong asked with a smile.

"Surname Yang, name Chen," Yang Chen yawned. He was both tired and hungry, and seeing that it was a Western meal, he thought it was not as practical as a bowl of ramen.

"Mr. Yang, it's our first meeting, and I don't have any good gifts. I specially ordered a bottle of 1992 Nebbiolo. I hope Mr. Yang will appreciate it." He then signaled the waiter to bring a beautifully packaged bottle of red wine.

Yang Chen inwardly sneered but did not say much. He lightly lifted the wine glass with three fingers and let the waiter pour the sweet red wine into the glass.

The waiter only poured a little and stopped.

Yang Chen, not surprised, took the glass back, gently swirled it, and smelled it before sipping a small mouthful, letting the wine rest on his tongue.

Seeing this, Lin Ruoxi, who had been tense, relaxed. She was relieved. Yes, this rascal had grown up in America and would definitely know how to eat a formal Western meal. She just hoped he knew about famous wines like Nebbiolo. She didn't want him to make a fool of himself.

Xu Zhihong's eyes flashed with surprise and he asked with a smile, "How does Mr. Yang find it?"

"The main ingredients of Nebbiolo come from the Piedmont, Barolo, and Barbaresco regions of Italy. If we talk about the highest level, it's comparable to ordinary French Margaux Bordeaux red wine, which is not particularly outstanding. However, this wine has the aroma of cloves, pepper, licorice, plums, dried plums, and roses, and more importantly, a taste of bitter chocolate, making it quite unique," Yang Chen narrated calmly, as if he had made the wine himself.

Xu Zhihong was clearly surprised. In fact, even though he often drank this wine, he could not provide such detailed information. He did not believe that Yang Chen just happened to know these details, especially since every action of Yang Chen's was in line with the standard etiquette of a gentleman in high society.

"Mr. Yang is indeed well-versed. No wonder Ruoxi asked you to accompany her," Xu Zhihong said with a forced smile.

"Average," Yang Chen, who had no interest in talking much to this hypocritical man, said bluntly, "Without some skills, how could I be Ruoxi's husband? Right, honey?" He then looked at Lin Ruoxi with an ambiguous expression.

Lin Ruoxi's sweet cheeks instantly turned bright red. Although she knew Yang Chen was helping her fend off Xu Zhihong's advances, being called "honey" in such a setting made her heart race, and she nodded stiffly, barely audible, "Mm," before pretending to be calm and lowering her head to sip the red wine, hiding her embarrassment.

Xu Zhihong never expected that this man, who sold lamb skewers, would dare to face him directly and act with Lin Ruoxi to dodge his advances. He gripped the crystal glass tightly, his veins bulging, and forced a smile, "I see, you two are already married. I apologize... I was too abrupt."

"No, no," Yang Chen said with a carefree laugh, "I know, with my character, being able to marry Ruoxi is like a fresh cow dung. It's normal that Mr. Xu didn't see it. I don't care much about these things. I was worried about not having enough money to take my wife out for a good meal, but it's great that Mr. Xu is treating us. You're really considerate." His words implied that Xu Zhihong was just a money-spending fool.

Xu Zhihong, suppressing his anger, took a sip of red wine and smiled, "Mr. Yang is joking. How could someone who has won Ruoxi's favor lack money? Let's order the dishes now."

"Sure, let's order the dishes." Yang Chen, seemingly oblivious to Xu Zhihong's fiery gaze, picked up the knife and fork with a grin, and had the waiter place the appetizers on the table, starting to eat on his own.

Lin Ruoxi, hearing the anger in Xu Zhihong's words, felt uneasy. But seeing Yang Chen eating and drinking without a care, she found it somewhat amusing.

This man was unpredictable. He was clearly well-versed in Western dining and culture, yet he deliberately made an unrefined appearance, which was quite baffling...

Gradually, Lin Ruoxi's worries dissipated. She decided to take things one step at a time. Feeling very hungry, she also started to use her knife and fork.

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