Romantic Collaboration

Part 4

8

Ji Ming Chen chose local cuisine, and he was the one who ordered the dishes.
After hearing his selections, I was surprised to realize that, since our last meal, Ji Ming Chen had already figured out my taste preferences.

Ji Ming Chen, however, remained quite calm about it: "It's nothing, really. If you pay attention, you can remember it all."

I took a sip of wine to conceal my emotions.

I had never received such thoughtful care from Bai Ze. Since I was older, I was used to making the decisions when it came to ordering food.

Our conversation during the meal was just as engaging, which reassured me that neither of us was deliberately accommodating the other.
Whether it was our outlook on life or our interests, Ji Ming Chen and I were very much in sync.

We talked about everything from Nintendo to work, and once again, Ji Ming Chen surprised me with how well he knew my current work situation.

"I thought you weren't interested in fashion design."

I felt a bit guilty, as I hadn't really paid much attention to Ji Ming Chen's work.

"Not to brag," Ji Ming Chen clinked his glass with mine and smiled, "but I have pretty good taste."

That was true—judging by his style in clothing, his choice of flowers, and the restaurants he picked, Ji Ming Chen's aesthetic sense could definitely be considered refined.

The meal was thoroughly enjoyable, and after dinner, Ji Ming Chen handed me a small blue brocade box: "I bought this during a business trip. I thought it would suit you. I hope you like it."

When I opened it, there was a sapphire bracelet, gleaming brilliantly under the light.

I put it on in front of Ji Ming Chen, but the clasp was intricately designed, so Ji Ming Chen leaned in to help me fasten it.
I smiled and looped my arm through his. "Thank you, I absolutely love it."

Ji Ming Chen chuckled softly, revealing a dimple on his right cheek.

Even after we got off the elevator, I was still raising my hand, admiring the bracelet. Ji Ming Chen, somewhat regretfully, said, "If I had known you'd like it this much, I should have bought a matching necklace too."

Before I could respond, a woman's surprised voice suddenly came from ahead: "Ming Chen?"

Next to me, Ji Ming Chen froze for a moment, then quickly composed himself, his smile fading.

"Miss Lin."

9

Lin Yao had a petite figure, delicate features, and wore a gray suit, exuding a sharp and professional aura.

She was someone who appeared quite charming.

However, the smile on her face quickly vanished when she saw me holding Ji Ming Chen's arm, but she soon raised a polite smile again.

She looked at me and asked, "And who might this be?"

I raised my eyebrow—interesting. Instead of exchanging pleasantries, she directly asked who I was.

Lin Yao's behavior didn't quite match the rumors of her being cold and distant during their breakup. It seemed she still had feelings for Ji Ming Chen.
My wrist, which was holding onto Ji Ming Chen's arm, relaxed slightly, causing the sapphire bracelet to slip down. I smiled and said, "Hello, I'm Wen Dong, Brother Chen's fiancée."

Lin Yao's smile completely vanished. She stared at Ji Ming Chen in disbelief, her voice rising in both volume and sharpness, "You're engaged?"

Ji Ming Chen responded with a simple "Yes," and added, "The engagement is next month. We'll need more time to prepare for the wedding since it's a big event."

I tugged on Ji Ming Chen's sleeve—he was playing along well.

Lin Yao lowered her head, brushing her hair back. When she looked up again, her expression was somewhat unnatural, but still managed to remain composed.

"Is that so?" she asked softly. "Are you here for a meal? I still remember how we used to love the food here. It's been a long time since I've been, so I'm not sure if the taste has changed."

I couldn't help but chuckle. Ji Ming Chen glanced at me, and, as if to comfort me, gently squeezed my wrist that rested on his arm.

"I come here often with friends. I'm so used to the food here that I haven't noticed if the taste has changed," Ji Ming Chen replied warmly. "But the local dishes here are quite good. My fiancée is a local, and she prefers spicy food. She just returned to the country not long ago, so I thought I'd bring her here to make her happy."

As soon as he finished speaking, I looked at Lin Yao and finally understood that a person's face could indeed lose all color.

"Then we won't disturb you any further." Ji Ming Chen nodded politely, "We'll be leaving now."