It had to be said that these old-school protagonists still had very upright values.
As soon as they heard about the new group member's situation, they were all trying everything they could to help.
However, Lu Chenzhou was the Prince of the Beijing Circle, while Fang Ming was just a small fry in Rong City, and the boss had even assigned a girl to monitor him.
Saving someone required a long-term plan.
After chatting with everyone for a few more minutes, Fang Ming closed the Chat Group. When noon arrived, he found a way to get a fast food meal for 'Little White Flower'.
Well, after starving for so long, eating anything too greasy wouldn't be good.
Finally having endured until the end of the workday, Wang Meng suddenly sent a message.
[Mengzi]: "Brother Fang, off work yet? Any activities tonight?"
[Ming]: "I have a date tonight, you and Liang Zi go play by yourselves."
The reply was almost instant.
[Mengzi]: "A date? With who? A girl? Is she pretty? (Gossip.jpg)"
Fang Ming was too lazy to talk much with him.
[Ming]: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, just go play."
[Mengzi]: "Then I'll go find Liang Zi for billiards. Watch your health! (Smirk.jpg)"
Fang Ming didn't reply again and tossed his phone back onto the desk.
After handling a few urgent emails and briefly sorting through the work that needed follow-up tomorrow, Fang Ming walked out of the Qin Corporation Building.
The sunset glow dyed the sky a warm orange, and the evening breeze carried the day's heat as it brushed against his face.
At 6:50 PM, 'Yuejian' Japanese Restaurant.
This shop was located on a street at the edge of the Rong City commercial district that offered quiet amidst the noise. The storefront was a low-key, dark wood structure with a small sign that was easily missed if one didn't look closely.
But those in the know all knew that the average spending here was in the four digits, specializing in top-tier ingredients and privacy.
Fang Ming pushed open the heavy wooden door, and a waitress dressed in a kimono immediately bowed and came forward to greet him.
"Hello sir, do you have a reservation?"
"A Miss Chen booked a table."
"Please follow me."
The waitress led Fang Ming through a corridor covered in tatami mats. On both sides were private rooms separated by bamboo curtains, where one could faintly hear murmurs and the subtle sound of sake being poured into cups coming from inside.
Finally, the waitress stopped in front of the innermost room and gently pulled back the bamboo curtain.
"Mr. Fang, please."
Fang Ming stepped inside.
The room wasn't large, but the decor was extremely exquisite. In the center was a black low table surrounded by soft cushions. On the wall hung an ink painting with a far-reaching artistic mood, and a faint scent of sandalwood was wafting from an incense burner in the corner.
Chen Qian was already sitting inside.
She had changed clothes again. It was no longer the cream-colored dress from the daytime, but a wine-red slip dress that made her skin look even fairer.
The dress was a slim-fit style that perfectly outlined her shapely curves. The neckline was cut just right—not too revealing, yet enough to catch a glimpse of her collarbone and an alluring shadow.
Her long hair was pulled into a lazy low bun, with a few stray strands hanging by her ears, adding a touch of charm.
The makeup on her face was also more exquisite than during the day; her eyeliner was slightly upturned, and her lip color was a moist bean-paste red that shimmered temptingly under the warm yellow light.
It had to be said that this woman really knew what she was doing when it came to dressing herself up.
"Brother Fang, you're here~"
Seeing Fang Ming, Chen Qian immediately stood up. A cloyingly sweet smile appeared on her face, and her voice was pitched soft and sweet.
She walked over and naturally reached out to take Fang Ming's arm, her body pressing slightly closer. A warm breath mixed with perfume and feminine scent instantly enveloped Fang Ming.
"I was afraid you wouldn't be able to find the place and was just about to message you."
Fang Ming looked down at her.
This woman's acting was quite good.
The admiration and joy in her eyes were faked quite convincingly. If he weren't a different man than he used to be, he might really have been fooled by this little fangirl act.
"Miss Chen is too polite."
Fang Ming calmly withdrew his arm and walked over to sit across the low table, his tone casual. "This place is alright; it's quite quiet."
He deliberately used the title 'Miss Chen' to maintain distance while also carrying a bit of the aloofness of a superior.
A flash of displeasure crossed Chen Qian's eyes, but she quickly hid it. She sat down opposite him, resting her chin in her hands, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Fang Ming.
"I'm glad Brother Fang likes it. I also heard about it from a friend's recommendation, saying the environment here is good and the ingredients are fresh. It's most suitable for... two people to eat slowly and chat slowly~"
She deliberately dragged out the words "two people" and "chat slowly" with an obvious hint.
Fang Ming sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he cooperated by showing a somewhat playful smile.
"It seems Miss Chen comes to such places often?"
"No way!"
Chen Qian pouted, putting on a wronged look. "I used to come with my best friends. This is the first time I've come alone with a guy."
Fang Ming raised an eyebrow, picked up the sake pot on the table, and poured himself a cup. "Then wouldn't I be taking advantage of Miss Chen?"
"Brother Fang!~"
Chen Qian gave a coy cry, a blush appearing perfectly on her cheeks. She reached out to snatch the sake pot. "Let me pour, let me pour~ Brother Fang, you're a man who does great things; just let me handle small matters like this."
As she spoke, she attentively filled Fang Ming's cup, then poured one for herself and raised her glass.
"Brother Fang, let me toast you. In the future, I'll have to trouble you to take more care of me at work."
Fang Ming picked up his glass, clinked it with hers, and downed it in one go.
The sake had been chilled; it was refreshing on the palate with a light rice aroma, but it had a strong aftertaste.
"Miss Chen must be joking."
Fang Ming set down his glass, his gaze sweeping over Chen Qian, lingering without concealment on the snowy skin of her collarbone and chest with an appreciative look that any man would understand.
"Since Young Master Qin let you follow me, then you're one of my own from now on. If you need any help, just speak up."
As Fang Ming spoke, he seemingly casually patted the back of Chen Qian's hand which was resting on the table.
The movement was very natural, and it didn't stay long—about two seconds—but it was enough to convey a signal: I am interested in you.
Chen Qian's hand trembled slightly, and her instinct was almost to pull it back, but she forced herself to endure it.
The smile on her face remained unchanged, even carrying a bit of shyness as she allowed Fang Ming's hand to rest on the back of hers.
"Brother Fang, you're so good!~"
She lightly squeezed Fang Ming's hand in return before pulling it back as if nothing had happened and picking up the menu.
"Let's order first. Brother Fang, what do you like to eat? The bluefin tuna otoro here is very good, and there's also sea urchin..."
The time that followed was spent in an atmosphere that seemed harmonious but was actually filled with ulterior motives.
Chen Qian pulled out all the stops.
At times she would serve Fang Ming food with gentle and considerate movements. At other times she would tell interesting stories she'd heard in their social circles, her voice charming and lively. And at times she would look at Fang Ming with those flirtatious eyes full of affection, as if he were the most remarkable man in the world.
Occasionally, she would inadvertently lean over to pick something up, letting the low neckline of her dress reveal a glimpse of spring. Or she would pretend to be choked by the wasabi, coughing lightly with tears in her eyes, looking pitiful and vulnerable.
She was testing, she was seducing, and she was trying to use her beauty and methods to bit by bit dismantle Fang Ming's defenses, making him let down his guard and feel light-headed with pride.
And Fang Ming's response was a textbook example of a petty man getting his way.
He enjoyed Chen Qian's attentiveness, accepting all the food she served and drinking the sake she poured.
Regarding her flirting and hints, Fang Ming not only accepted them all but would even occasionally take the initiative to strike—for instance, when she leaned over, his gaze would linger on that patch of white without any avoidance. Or when she told a joke, he would naturally reach out to put an arm around her waist, feeling those soft curves.
The meal lasted for nearly two hours.
Not much of the food on the table had been touched, but two pots of sake had been emptied.
A clear flush had already surfaced on Chen Qian's face, and her eyes had taken on a bit of a dazed look; it was unclear whether she was truly drunk or just faking it.
"Brother Fang, it's still early... where are we going next?"
Her body leaned softly against the edge of the table, one hand propping up her chin while the other unconsciously toyed with a stray strand of hair, her voice soft and seductive.
Fang Ming looked at her and spoke with a smile, "Going anywhere else is a waste of time. Let's just go straight to the hotel."