7 PM.
Inside a teppanyaki restaurant.
At this moment, Zhao Heng felt a tinge of nervousness, alongside a hint of anticipation.
He couldn't help but glance at Song Chen, who was sitting beside him in a relaxed manner, which made him loosen up a bit.
Actually, during his school days, Zhao Heng was quite handsome, naturally attracting women.
He had experienced two campus romances, both of which ended fruitlessly. One was due to incompatible personalities, while in the other, they were compatible but broke up before graduation.
The reason for these breakups isn't worth sharing with outsiders.
"What's wrong? Are you nervous about having a meal with me?"
Song Chen glanced at Zhao Heng and said with a sweet smile.
Sitting so close, Song Chen naturally sensed a trace of Zhao Heng's nervousness.
"Since graduation, I haven't had a meal alone with a girl."
Zhao Heng responded honestly.
Though he was handsome, in a place like North City, looks weren't of much value.
Perhaps being a bit more handsome offers an advantage in sales or service industries, but beyond that, there's little else.
In the current world, it's not attractive looks that's lacking, it's money.
"Really? I think you're quite handsome. How could no girls like you?"
Upon hearing Zhao Heng's words, Song Chen expressed her surprise.
Even though she wasn't part of the appearance club, she knew that most people in the world judge friendships based on appearance.
"Senior, in places like North City, handsome guys are too common, and they're not worth much."
Zhao Heng sighed as he spoke.
"You're right, it's unexpected that someone so young would have such deep insight. But let me ask you, being so handsome, haven't you thought of taking shortcuts?"
Song Chen asked, giving Zhao Heng a playful glance.
"Senior, I would consider it, but there's no such opportunity."
Zhao Heng replied, half-jokingly.
He was confident in his looks and felt that eating a meal off someone else wasn't out of the question; yet the opportunity never arose.
Attractive, good-natured wealthy women are only seen on television.
In reality, wealthy women tend to be unattractive and play the field.
"I do know quite a few wealthy women, maybe I can introduce you to one?"
Song Chen continued in an even more exaggerated manner.
"I'd rather not. This small body is probably not up for that kind of thing."
Though he knew Song Chen was joking, Zhao Heng still politely declined.
"Haha, you're quite amusing."
Song Chen suddenly found Zhao Heng's natural demeanor to be very intriguing.
She had encountered many young people, but the impression Zhao Heng left was indeed special.
An interesting soul combined with good looks is more than enough.
Though he was somewhat poor, he could still strive and improve.
Unexpectedly, Song Chen couldn't help but think this to herself.
"I saw you chatting and laughing with Xu Man Ni the other day. Are you familiar with her?"
After a pause, Song Chen suddenly asked.
"Sister Xu? Not very familiar, just did a surgery together once, and had more contact when assisting with equipment setup before."
Zhao Heng didn't know why Song Chen asked this, but answered truthfully.
"Good to hear. Xu Man Ni's pool is vast; I was worried you might not be clear-headed and fall in."
Song Chen nodded as she spoke.
The matter of Xu Man Ni keeping a pool of admirers was well-known at Eastern Hospital.
But as she was a local of North City, strikingly beautiful, wealthy, and well-connected at the hospital, socializing like that was quite normal.
"Has this ever happened before?"
Curious, Zhao Heng asked, knowing Song Chen's comment wasn't baseless and there were probably real examples behind it.
"Of course, several men were toyed with emotionally by Xu Man Ni, and one or two even got a psychological shadow from it."
Song Chen said, pursing her lips.
Though she, along with Xu Man Ni, was among the top beauties of Eastern Hospital, she didn't share Xu Man Ni's penchant for indiscriminate wide-net socializing.
"Is she a female player then?"
Zhao Heng asked cautiously.
"Not exactly a female player. As far as I know, Xu Man Ni maintains her dignity, but frankly she likes keeping people hanging. Maybe she enjoys the thrill of manipulating men like pawns."
Song Chen contemplated before speaking.
"What about you, Senior? What do you like, besides work?"
Suddenly, Zhao Heng asked.
"What's this? Already probing my secrets?"
Song Chen smiled meaningfully, glancing at Zhao Heng as she spoke.
"Someone as exceptional as Senior must have high standards for a partner."
Zhao Heng didn't respond, instead spoke his own thoughts.
He could tell that Song Chen's vibe towards him was distinctly different than Xu Man Ni's.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't caught Xu Man Ni's eye, so Zhao Heng assumed he wasn't one of the men in Xu Man Ni's pool.
While chatting with Xu Man Ni, she never intentionally steered the conversation that way.
But Song Chen's attitude was somewhat ambiguous towards him.
"I have standards, but they're not what you'd think."
Song Chen answered directly.
For some reason, spending time with Zhao Heng prompted her to share her feelings a bit, allowing brief venting.
Moreover, she was competent, having bought a house early in North City, with an annual income over fifty thousand.
Regarding a partner's finances, she didn't care much, frankly put, she didn't lack anything herself.
"Hmm... so what is it then?"
Zhao Heng was curious to learn what Song Chen's criteria for a partner were.
"Why? Want to see if you meet the criteria after finding out?"
Song Chen said with a charming smile.
Regarding Zhao Heng, she felt he was decent, but not anywhere near her expectations.
Someone like her, strong-minded and highly capable, wasn't easily swayed by others.
"Senior, everyone needs to have dreams."
Zhao Heng didn't deny his intentions.
He understood the gap between himself and Song Chen was significant, but to not even dare express it would be overly timid.
Having a perfect beauty right in front of him, especially since she was the type he liked most, a mature woman— having no thoughts at all would be abnormal for any man.
"Well, honestly, I don't have explicit standards in my heart. It's all about feelings, but at the very least, you don't possess anything I dislike."
Song Chen responded ambiguously.
Seeing Zhao Heng subtly acknowledge those intentions made Song Chen view him even more favorably. If he were too timid to express it, she'd surely never consider him.
"Senior, I understand."
Zhao Heng nodded, indicating his comprehension.
Both were smart people, knowing certain things didn't need to be overly detailed.
However, for Zhao Heng, this definitely counted as a pleasant surprise.
Having nothing disliked meant at least not being held in contempt, or perhaps having a semblance of goodwill.
Yet, Zhao Heng recognized this faint goodwill still had a long way to go.
On this point, Song Chen had subtly conveyed it.
Between intelligent individuals, a conversation just needed to touch the surface.