Chapter 99: The Scene of Embraces

On Christmas Eve, many businesses have created a festive atmosphere. Bigger ones have put up Christmas trees, Santas, sleighs, and have their staff wear Christmas hats. Smaller ones have stuck pictures of Santas and Christmas trees on glass doors and windows and hung bells.

Walking down the street, you’re likely to bump into young couples. Some walk together shyly, some hold hands, and some embrace. No matter what, they all have smiles on their faces.

Li Yan watched these scenes and couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile. It turned out that Christmas was also an excuse for young people to date and a trendy occasion for outings. They are the main consumer group for movies! No wonder the domestic film market has developed like Celestial Continent over the years. The holiday season from Christmas to New Year’s is the highest-grossing period. On cold days, what else can dating couples do besides eat? It’s too early and too bold to book a room, so of course, they go to the movies! It’s not about the film anymore; it’s about the atmosphere.

Considering a bit of entertainment afterward and not knowing how long dining would take, Li Yan set the appointment a bit early, asking them to gather at seven. This basically meant each got ready to come after work.

He arrived early, chose a seat, and waited for them to come. They were all girls, punctual in work, but meeting for dinner like this, they might need time, right?

Li Yan wasn’t in a rush, waiting patiently.

At ten past seven, Wen Qianyi arrived. She was still a commanding queen, immediately drawing attention when she appeared at the entrance of the hot pot restaurant, with some male waiters eagerly coming forward to greet her.

Wen Qianyi scanned the surroundings with a smile, saw Li Yan, and walked over to him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"So early? I thought you’d be late," Li Yan said with a smile.

"Wow... how could I dare be late when the great Li Yan is treating us? If I hadn’t had trouble finding a parking spot, I would’ve been on time," she replied with a sly smile. "Where’s your little Ying Ying?"

"..." Li Yan broke out in a cold sweat, a bit embarrassed, "Don’t talk nonsense, what do you mean ’my little Ying... Ying’. Huang Ying is shy, don’t scare her away, she respects you a lot."

"Oh! She’s not here yet, and you’re already defending her from my jokes?" Wen Qianyi looked at him, half-smiling. "Could it be I hit the nail on the head?"

Li Yan rolled his eyes at her, "Let’s see what to eat first. Today’s on me, don’t hold back!"

"Bah! Eating hot pot, at worst how much can we eat? You stingy guy, why wouldn’t you treat us to a big meal if you’re truly not holding back?" Wen Qianyi took off her coat and placed it over the chair, exuding charm with every move. Without the coat, her fitted sweater revealed her perfect figure even more.

Li Yan felt someone looking at him and glanced toward the entrance. Sure enough, it was Hai Fu. She hadn’t changed her clothes and deliberately made no modifications, still wearing her big, old-fashioned black-rimmed glasses. After entering, she casually found a seat and sat down.

"What are you looking at? Is Huang Ying here?" Wen Qianyi was adept in all directions and noticed his distraction, looking in the same direction.

"It seems like... Master Extinction," Li Yan whispered.

Wen Qianyi gave him a look and softly said, "Don’t talk about her like that!"

With talent and charisma, a figure and face on par with Zhang Yurong, admired as one of the unparalleled beauties in the company, she had absolute confidence. She joined as a business manager and was now a business director, never having been "bullied" or "scolded" by Hai Fu, so had no prejudice against her. Previously unfamiliar, she now knew more through company high-level meetings and personal encounters, so didn’t have that "Master" feeling other staff did.

Li Yan purposely asked, "After work, should I go say hi? If I do, will she think I’m trying to curry favor?"

Wen Qianyi couldn’t help laughing, "You! Overthinking it. Based on your logic, when she sees me with you, will she think you’re trying to curry favor with me?"

"That’s different; we’re old flames..." Seeing her sharp gaze, Li Yan chuckled and corrected himself, "We’re old friends, what I meant by ’old flames’. It’s not the same with General Hai."

To others, it might sound like he claimed not to be "old friends" with Hai Fu, but in reality, he was merely saying "not the same as you," which also implies "old friends," and even more genuinely, "old flames" with a history.

"Hmph! Whatever, I’ll go say hi." Wen Qianyi said, getting up and gracefully walking towards Hai Fu.

...

"General Hai, what a coincidence."

"Director Wen? You... you’re also here... to eat?" Seeing Wen Qianyi approach, Hai Fu showed a hint of embarrassment, adjusting her glasses.

Wen Qianyi smiled and sat across from her, "I’m with some former colleagues, look! Over there, Li Yan, you know him. Another girl hasn’t arrived yet."

"Oh." Hai Fu nodded.

"And you? Waiting for friends?"

"Hmm." Hai Fu nodded, then shook her head. Seeing Wen Qianyi hadn’t left, she chuckled lightly, "Alright, don’t laugh at me. I originally planned to have dinner with some colleagues. But they all have boyfriends, and considering how they view me, they’d probably be on edge dining with me. I didn’t want to go home too early, and was looking for a restaurant. Seeing couples everywhere, I thought couples usually don’t come here, but then I saw you guys... no worries, enjoy your meal, I’ll manage quickly."