My greatest weakness has always been a soft heart, especially when it comes to refusing requests from women, so I called Xu Jing and invited her to dinner that evening.

Xu Jing replied, "Secretary Ma and some business friends from Liangshan are hosting a welcome dinner for me tonight. Luckily, I hadn't accepted any other invitations, otherwise, how would I explain backing out? Could you possibly pick me up? I'm not familiar with this area, and bringing others along would be inconvenient."

I said, "No problem. I'll call you when I arrive, and you can just come downstairs."

Ning Shixuan nearly hugged me in delight. "Zhao Qian, you're amazing! You managed to invite President Xu with just one phone call. I'm completely impressed. I will certainly repay you properly in the future—how about letting my son recognize you as his godfather?"

As we left the dormitory together, I chuckled. "How about we drop the 'god' part? I'm not keen on being a 'godfather'."

Ning Shixuan playfully slapped my backside. "Are you trying to take advantage of me? I'm not your wife, so how can I bear you sons?"

With a crash, the door to Secretary Liu’s opposite dormitory swung open. Secretary Liu poked his head out and laughed, "What are you two discussing that's gotten so intimate as to involve having children?"

Ning Shixuan didn't give Secretary Liu a warm reception, given that he had been spreading rumors about her and me, even alleging that I stole her underwear—what utter nonsense. "Look who it is, the great Official Liu. What brings you out today? Don't you need to wait on Secretary Ma?"

Secretary Liu held up some documents for Ning Shixuan to see. "I came back for something Secretary Ma needs urgently. Oh, right, Zhao Qian, Secretary Ma mentioned he wants to see you when you have time. He wants to discuss the specifics of the cooperation with Taohua Financial Investment Company. It’s nearly closing time now, so it’s too late for today; let’s aim for tomorrow."

Secretary Liu is a decent young man, but resorting to such despicable acts behind people's backs to achieve his goals is beneath him. I genuinely feel it’s a waste of potential. Plus, he's too much of a sycophant; we’ve been avoiding him lately. So, I just gave a noncommittal reply and headed downstairs with Ning Shixuan.

Ning Shixuan asked me, "Where are we eating? Don't pick a place that’s too low-key; I wouldn't want President Xu to have reservations. But don't make it too fancy either, or your 'sister' won't be able to afford it financially."

I replied, "There's a great place called Far East Barbecue City; they even have outdoor seating. I think that would work. Barbecue, no matter how expensive, can’t break the bank, and even wealthy people enjoy outdoor grilling."

Ning Shixuan said, "Good thinking, you're smart. Hiring you as my love consultant is an absolute bargain. You go pick up President Xu, and I’ll go secure a table first. I’ll call Lan Feng on the way to let him know. He’ll be thrilled if he finds out President Xu is joining us."

I called Xu Jing, and shortly after, she darted out of the Liangshan Hotel like a happy little bird. Her stiff, professional attire was gone, replaced by a delicate, pale pink dress. A yellow silk ribbon was casually tied at her waist, accentuating her perfectly slender figure. Her long, flowing hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her look vibrant and full of youthful energy.

The doorman was so stunned he momentarily forgot his duty, letting several guests walk into the lobby unattended. I pulled Xu Jing along. "Let's go quickly. Standing here is disrupting their normal work; the entrance will be jammed with traffic soon."

Xu Jing whispered, "Am I beautiful? I was worried you wouldn't like this."

"Beautiful, of course. How could my woman, Zhao Qian's woman, be anything but? Too many people like you now—my secretary complained that you seduced her boyfriend and demanded we sort it out."

"Who? Lan Feng? No way! Husband, you must believe me, Jingjing only likes you; no other man." Then, feigning distress, she added, "If you don't want me anymore, I'll just die!"

I grabbed her arm. "Who said I don't like you? If you don't marry me, it won't do! You also need to bear me several chubby sons."

Xu Jing happily clutched my arm, leaning against me like a small bird. Xu Wenqiang pulled up the Feilong sedan and gave me a subtle salute, addressing me as "Big Brother." I handed him the keys. "You guys can rest for a while now; I'll take care of Xu Jing’s safety."

Xu Wenqiang replied, "We aren't tired, Big Brother. We missed you; all hundred-plus of our brothers are hoping you return to the capital soon."

"I will. I'll be transferred back to Beijing soon. You should find a place to eat too."

Xu Wenqiang nodded and backed away. I turned to Xu Jing. "Let me take this car for a spin. You sit in the passenger seat."

There were few cars on the Liangshan roads, and this Feilong handled wonderfully. Not only was the engine silent, but the acceleration far surpassed a Mercedes. The in-car intelligence system was also incredible, with hundreds of complex functions. Fortunately, I wasn't entirely inept, and with Xu Jing’s guidance, I mastered all the essentials before arriving at Far East Barbecue City.

I casually parked the car and, linking arms with Xu Jing, walked toward the table Ning Shixuan had saved. Lan Feng was already seated next to her, his wide eyes fixed on us. Dusk had settled, and though the street wasn't crowded, the barbecue plaza was busy. Xu Jing’s appearance immediately drew gasps of admiration; I was certain a beauty of her caliber had never been seen in Liangshan before.

Ning Shixuan’s entrance earlier had already garnered attention, but her beauty didn't match the sheer stunning impact of Xu Jing’s, especially the elegant temperament Xu Jing exuded, which Ning Shixuan couldn't rival at this stage. Coupled with her perfectly tailored dress showcasing her flawless S-curve, I bet many men felt an unbearable throbbing sensation.

"President Xu, you are truly beautiful," Ning Shixuan said involuntarily.

Xu Jing smiled faintly, sparking further fantasies among the surrounding men. "You say that because you haven't met girls prettier than me. I'm the ugliest one among them."

Ning Shixuan asked with curiosity, "Them? Hehe, President Xu must have a wide social circle, so having a few beautiful friends wouldn't be surprising. But I doubt many reach your level. Please, sit down quickly. It's such an honor to have a leader of your stature grace us with your presence for dinner; I don't know how to express my gratitude."

Xu Jing replied to Ning Shixuan, "I should be the one thanking you for inviting me to dinner. Let's drop the formalities; we're all friends here, so relax."

Lan Feng chimed in, "Exactly, we’re all friends! President Xu, please sit here."

Lan Feng pulled out the seat next to him. If she sat there, Ning Shixuan and Xu Jing would be flanking him on either side. Not only did Ning Shixuan object, but Xu Jing did too. She gave a slight nod and settled tightly beside me. It was clear Lan Feng’s eyes were filled with disappointment, and his gaze toward me held a hint of resentment and jealousy. It seemed Ning Shixuan’s romantic situation was truly problematic.

With everyone present, there was no need for more chatter. Skewers of grilled meat and other items were brought out, and several bottles of ice-cold beer were opened. Lan Feng personally filled Xu Jing’s glass. "President Xu, thank you for honoring us with your presence. I must offer this first toast to you."

Xu Jing gently touched her forehead. I spoke up for Lan Feng. "Jingjing had a bit too much at lunch and has a slight headache; I'll drink on her behalf."

Lan Feng’s face paled slightly, and the glass in his hand trembled. He commented, "It seems Director Zhao and President Xu's relationship is more than just that of ordinary classmates."

Ning Shixuan seized the opportunity. "You're only realizing that now, Lan Feng? Back in school, Zhao Qian was relentlessly pursuing President Xu. At the time, President Xu was completely focused on her studies and didn't notice our director's deep affection. Now, the two have finally reunited in the lovely small city of Liangshan—it must be fate! Let’s offer them our sincere blessings."

Xu Jing, thinking I had said something similar to Ning Shixuan, felt compelled to correct the record, despite it being a fabricated story to fit the situation; violating her principles was difficult. "Little Ning, don't listen to Zhao Qian's nonsense. Actually, I was the one pursuing him. Back then, he was entirely dedicated to his studies and had no time for romance. Now it’s wonderful that we can finally be together. Regardless, thank you for your blessings."

Lan Feng’s face turned even whiter. "You... you aren't joking, are you? I never heard that President Xu had a boyfriend, and besides, President Xu's status and..." He trailed off, but everyone understood his implication regarding her stature.

Xu Jing responded, "It’s true I didn't have a boyfriend before, because I hadn't met Zhao Qian yet. Now that we've met, of course, I still have to pursue him! And I don't accept the status you mentioned. In front of Zhao Qian, I am just a woman; all pretense and superficial appearance are meaningless." Lan Feng didn't know much about Xu Jing’s past; in fact, some people knew I had been dating her even when she was the CEO of Baixing Shopping Group.

"Director Zhao, you are truly lucky," Lan Feng said after a long pause, his tone laced with a disappointment so palpable even Ning Shixuan noticed it.

I replied to Lan Feng, "You're lucky too. Little Ning is a wonderful girl—outgoing, lively, and kind-hearted. You need to treat her well in the future, or I, as her superior, won't let you off easily."

Lan Feng offered a slight defense in his words. "My feelings for Little Ning haven't developed to the extent you imagine. Career is my top priority in life; I believe in establishing oneself professionally before settling down. Only a more successful career can bring greater happiness to the one you love, right?"

Xu Jing countered, "I believe love and career shouldn't conflict. By the time you achieve great success, your prime years may have passed, and seeking love then might be impossible."

Lan Feng said, "President Xu is a role model for me. Since you could wait until your career was successful before pursuing your love, why can't I? I am young, and I have ability; I believe I can achieve it too. Don't you agree, Director Zhao? I believe every man thinks this way, unless he lacks ambition, unless he doesn't want to bring happiness to the one he loves."

I decided to play along. "Yes, I currently feel a vast gap between myself and Jingjing, which is why I’ve been working hard, hoping to close that divergence."

Xu Jing certainly wouldn't expose my veiled statements, but she proved her love for me with an action. A small hand slipped out from under the table and firmly grasped mine. Feeling bold, I discreetly stroked her thigh. Xu Jing didn't resist and quietly allowed my touch, though a visible blush bloomed on her cheeks.

However, this blush was completely misinterpreted by Lan Feng; he thought Xu Jing was embarrassed to be with a boyfriend so seemingly beneath her. This solidified his conviction, and he became even more detached from Ning Shixuan.

Ning Shixuan watched coldly for a long time before biting her lip and suddenly asking Lan Feng in an unexpectedly calm tone, "Lan Feng, does what you're saying mean our relationship is over?"

Lan Feng looked genuinely shocked. "Little Ning, how could you think that! I just said I can't let romance distract me from my career for the time being. Didn't I say this afternoon? Once my career is established, I will settle down here in Liangshan."

That was a lie only a fool would believe; given Lan Feng’s character, would he really settle in a place like Liangshan after achieving success? Ning Shixuan’s expression darkened for a moment but quickly recovered. She let out a long breath. "Lan Feng, actually, there's something I've been hiding from you, and I apologize. After I started working in Liangshan, I got a boyfriend. You noticed that I barely called or texted you recently. I’ve thought it over carefully: we aren't suitable for each other. Perhaps I was too naive before, always believing love was superior to everything, but after coming to Liangshan and truly experiencing real life, I realized love is just about daily necessities—it's pragmatic and harsh. There's only one thing I need to say: you don't need to worry about anything. I have my own life and my own love now. You can focus wholeheartedly on your career; I will wish you the best. Cheers!"

Ning Shixuan downed a large glass of ice beer in one gulp. As her love consultant, I was well aware of whether she had a boyfriend in Liangshan or not. In fact, cutting off contact with Lan Feng was my suggestion—I wanted to test the strength of Lan Feng's desire to see her. Now, regardless of Lan Feng's reasons for avoiding Ning Shixuan's affection, she couldn't accept it. Perhaps she'd watched too many movies; it was better to dump him first than to be dumped, which would save face.

Lan Feng looked extremely awkward. "Little Ning, I don't believe you. You don't have a boyfriend; I know you love me. But we are too young right now. Let’s just calm down and focus on our careers before love, okay?"

Ning Shixuan gulped down another large glass of ice beer in front of me, then said with a slightly dazed expression, "Who says I don't have a boyfriend? He’s sitting right in front of you."

Lan Feng forced an unnatural laugh. "Little Ning, stop drinking; you’re drunk. Isn't Director Zhao President Xu's boyfriend? Don't joke around like this in front of President Xu."

"Who says I’m joking? In fact, Xu Jing is only here to cover up our relationship, to make you feel at ease, to let you know without fear that Ning Shixuan and Zhao Qian have already crossed the line. He promised to marry me; we are truly in love. Now that the truth is out, you can leave."

Lan Feng was speechless, glancing from me to Ning Shixuan, then to the inscrutable Xu Jing beside them. Seeing that Lan Feng refused to believe her, Ning Shixuan suddenly stood up, cupped my face, and kissed me. "Darling, since it's come to this, let's stop the act. If he won't leave, then we will."

Lan Feng stammered, turning to Xu Jing, "Pr-President Xu, do you believe her?"

Xu Jing smiled faintly. "I believe it. It’s the most normal thing in the world."

Lan Feng looked somewhat surprised. He asked Xu Jing, "Then your relationship with Zhao Qian is fake?"

Xu Jing countered, "Who said it was fake? I love Zhao Qian, and Zhao Qian loves me. Little Ning loves Zhao Qian, and Zhao Qian loves her too. It’s that simple."

Seeing Lan Feng standing there, mouth agape in disbelief, Xu Jing suddenly leaned in and kissed my other cheek. "Darling, are we going back to your dormitory or the hotel? As long as Little Ning doesn't mind, we can both keep you company tonight."

Smash. The glass in Lan Feng's hand dropped to the floor, shattering into pieces. He could perhaps dismiss Ning Shixuan's words, and even her kiss, but Xu Jing’s kiss was unacceptable. Who was Xu Jing? The head of Taohua Financial Investment Company, controlling immense global capital and known for her close ties with companies like Huanyu Communications and Dadi Tongyuan. For her to behave this way and say such things, she must truly love the man before her, or she would never risk ruining her reputation.

However, the most awkward person in the scene was probably me. While I wasn't worried about Xu Jing having misgivings—she wouldn't get jealous even if she wanted to—I was the innocent victim here! When had I ever touched Ning Shixuan? Even when I gave her a ride on my bike, she was the one who clung to my waist.

With two women on either side—though Ning Shixuan wasn't as stunning as Xu Jing, she was still county-beauty material—I brazenly wrapped my arms around both of them. Since Lan Feng was already misled, I might as well take full advantage.

"Big Brother Zhao, you all..." A clear voice broke the tension. Ning Shixuan and I both jumped. It was Yun Yao! No matter what chaos we were creating now, involving Yun Yao would be troublesome. Given her temperament, she might spiral into obsession.

Yun Yao had appeared behind us at some point, her face tear-streaked, looking at me with both arms around the two women in disbelief. She immediately turned and ran, while Secretary Liu, lurking in a corner, was chuckling. He thought I hadn't noticed, but my eyes were sharper than an electronic scanner; that little maneuver didn't escape my notice. It seemed Secretary Liu had seen me and Ning Shixuan leave the building and immediately notified Yun Yao. That guy was truly despicable.

I shrugged helplessly at the two women. "Things have gotten complicated now. What should we do?"

Ning Shixuan knew this whole mess started because of her. Though she was hurting inside, she said, "I'll go chase Yun Yao and explain everything. Don't worry; I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

Xu Jing chuckled. "Hehe, you handle this messy situation yourself. I, for one, have no objections."

I knew Yun Yao had nowhere else to go but back to her dormitory. I pulled Xu Jing. "Let’s go to my dorm tonight. I'll explain this entire mess to you slowly. It’s so complicated it's giving me a headache."

The gathering dispersed just as quickly. All that remained were the bewildered Lan Feng and the secretly smirking Secretary Liu.