CHAPTER 229: CHAPTER 229: ETERNAL BACHELOR

Zhang Miaoyan doesn’t really like Yang Chenmin’s bluntness, which makes her feel disrespected. She spoke a bit coldly, "I can’t compare to the company’s artists."

Yang Chenmin could see her detachment and reminded himself not to rush. He started chatting about some relaxed topics.

Zhang Miaoyan’s attitude improved slightly, and the atmosphere began to turn for the better.

While waiting for the dishes, Zhang Miaoyan received a message from An Junxi saying that today’s meeting was very successful and that she would be starting at Youli Entertainment tomorrow.

Zhang Miaoyan internally sighed at Jun Xi’s extraordinary capability, managing to achieve her goal within an afternoon despite You Lifen being so difficult.

It seemed that accompanying Yang Chenmin for this meal was not a loss after all.

Yang Chenmin thoughtfully cut the steak for Zhang Miaoyan and said, "I often come to this restaurant. The chef is quite good. If you don’t like the food, we can order something else."

Zhang Miaoyan initially didn’t want him to do it, as it felt too intimate, but Yang Chenmin didn’t give her the chance to refuse. He constantly introduced how delicious the dishes were, occasionally cracking jokes to prevent her from saying anything awkward.

After cutting the steak, Yang Chenmin pushed it to her and said, "Try it."

"Thank you."

Zhang Miaoyan took a few bites and genuinely found it quite good, slightly better than the one at Yue Xiaoyang’s family hotel.

She asked casually, "Is this restaurant foreign-owned?"

"No, it’s opened by a friend of our boss, whom you also know—Young Master Yue."

Zhang Miaoyan was somewhat surprised, not knowing how many restaurants and hotels Yue Xiaoyang’s family owned.

Yang Chenmin tentatively asked, "You seem pretty familiar with Mr. Yue."

Zhang Miaoyan replied, "We’ve been friends for several years."

Yang Chenmin asked, "I see. Then you must know his girlfriend too."

"Indeed, I do. His girlfriend is very nice."

Upon hearing this, Yang Chenmin felt completely at ease, confirming that they were just ordinary friends.

Secretly pleased, he realized he had no stronger competitors other than Yue Xiaoyang, giving him a hopeful prospect.

Zhang Miaoyan inquired about Wanling Entertainment, "The event is about to begin soon. I heard many business celebrities will be attending. How’s Manager Yang’s preparation going?"

Since she was here, she wanted to gather some useful information to help Jun Xi.

Yang Chenmin said, "Just call me by my name, Yang Chenmin, instead of Manager Yang. It’s too formal."

Zhang Miaoyan slightly smiled and said, "Chenmin."

Seeing her interest in the event, Yang Chenmin, eager to win a smile, shared a few more details, thinking that Zhang Miaoyan, being from the HR department, wouldn’t conflict with their entertainment company and thus shouldn’t pose any concerns.

Zhang Miaoyan listened attentively, carefully noting every word he said.

As dinner was about to end, Zhang Miaoyan received a call from Xie Yuchen. He asked, "Where are you? Are there many people at the gathering? I’ll come pick you up."

Covering the phone with her hand, Zhang Miaoyan slightly turned her body and said, "There are quite a lot of people here. No need to pick me up. My colleague will take me home."

Xie Yuchen’s voice grew colder, "Which colleague? The general manager of Wanling Entertainment?"

Zhang Miaoyan felt a sense of impending doom. She glanced around and saw him with Yue Xiaoyang standing under the corridor to the right. Yue Xiaoyang spread his hands, looking helpless.

Xie Yuchen watched her from afar, his face hidden in the dim light, making it hard for Zhang Miaoyan to discern his expression.

She thought she had gotten herself into trouble.

Noticing Zhang Miaoyan’s movements, Yang Chenmin looked over and asked, "Is that Young Master Xie from Wansu Technology? Wait, Miao Yan, you are friends with him too?" How could he overlook Xie Yuchen? A grave miscalculation.

Zhang Miaoyan murmured, "I guess you could call us friends."

She realized the call was still connected, meaning Xie Yuchen had likely heard her.

Xie Yuchen’s face darkened—"I guess you could call us friends?"

That’s how she saw his role in her heart?

Without a word, he hung up the phone and strode away.

Zhang Miaoyan suddenly felt a bit panicky. Why was he angry? Did she say something wrong? Or was he upset that she lied? She just didn’t want to explain too much and casually mentioned it was a gathering with colleagues, not doing anything wrong.

Yue Xiaoyang came over to greet them and insisted on waiving their bill: "This is my place, consider it my treat to you both."

Initially wanting to showcase himself before Zhang Miaoyan, Yang Chenmin felt utterly defeated by not being able to pay the bill, falling far short of his intentions.

Seizing the last bit of opportunity, he said, "Miao Yan, I’ll take you home."

Yue Xiaoyang pulled Zhang Miaoyan over, "I’m going in the same direction. I’ll take her. Manager Yang, have a good night."

Feeling quite aggrieved, Yang Chenmin couldn’t help but accept Yue Xiaoyang’s earnest and sincere offer. If he insisted further, he would appear petty.

He said, "See you at the company tomorrow, then."

Zhang Miaoyan bid him goodbye. After he left, Yue Xiaoyang nudged Zhang Miaoyan’s head, "Why did you lie to Yu Chen and even get caught?"

Zhang Miaoyan asked, "Is he very angry?"

"What do you think?"

Zhang Miaoyan felt a bit innocent, "I didn’t do anything wrong. Why is he angry?"

Yue Xiaoyang almost laughed in frustration. These two people were truly awkward.

He could see that Yu Chen liked her and that Miao Yan also cared too much about Yu Chen, but he didn’t plan to help them out. In fact, he wanted to create some obstacles for them. Otherwise, it’d be too boring.

Recalling Xie Yuchen’s past boastful claims of enjoying single life, saying his eyes and heart belonged only to work—bullshit! Now he’s willingly entangled in Zhang Miaoyan’s love web, unable to extricate himself?

Seeing this eternal bachelor finally show emotions, Yue Xiaoyang certainly didn’t want Xie Yuchen’s path to be too smooth.

With a sinister smile, Yue Xiaoyang responded to Zhang Miaoyan’s suspicious gaze, "What devious plan would I have? Come on, let’s go home."

Zhang Miaoyan grabbed her bag and followed him out. Her purchased apartment was by the Summer Coast, a small one-bedroom place. Unable to bear the exorbitant prices of that area, Yue Xiaoyang took charge and made the down payment for her, allowing her to repay him slowly when she had the funds.

He told her, "If you can’t get married in the future, at least you have an aunt’s apartment for retirement, avoiding a desolate old age."

Since Gong Xiaoyu didn’t seem displeased, Zhang Miaoyan accepted his kindness, "Thank you, Young Master Yue, for thinking about my retirement."

Yue Xiaoyang smugly said, "You’re welcome."

Purchasing the apartment indeed gave Zhang Miaoyan a greater sense of security. Previously, returning home felt like going to someone else’s place. Now returning home felt like truly going to her own place, a completely different feeling.

Xie Yuchen sped back to his suburban home, slammed his car door, and walked into the house with a grim face.

Deng Rou rarely saw her son come back. She said, "Yu Chen, I stewed..."

Xie Yuchen didn’t even glance at his mother, quickly climbing the stairs and shutting the door with a loud "bang," the sound echoing throughout the house.

In a daze, Deng Rou asked the maid beside her, "What’s going on with Young Master? I’ve never seen him so angry."