Chapter 217

Suddenly, Jing Yi found herself unprepared for what was happening. The lead singer was dragged off the stage by a group of people, and the rest of the band was quickly ushered away as well.

The patrons in the bar seemed a bit surprised, but their gazes only lingered on the group for a few seconds before they moved on, as if they were used to such occurrences.

Soon, another band took the stage, and the music resumed.

“Marso…”

Jing Yi felt a bit uncomfortable with the other person's gaze, but was it really necessary to act so quickly?

“It's fine to be a little playful usually, but today is a special occasion. He was being too arrogant.”

Marso had never expected loyalty from the other person, just as Chloe had found someone else, but it was crossing the line to involve her friends.

“Jing, see? None of these men are any good. You must remember that…”

Marso didn't think there was anything wrong with saying this in front of the two men. She was seizing every opportunity to give Jing Yi a lesson.

Jing Yi's eyes flickered with a hint of helplessness. How much did they worry about her being deceived? Was her face really that deceptive?

No, something felt off. Even if Marso was concerned, she wouldn't lecture so frequently. So, had something happened? Or did they know something?

Jing Yi couldn't figure it out.

Ross placed the wine bottle against his lips, a casual smile playing on his lips, as if he was hiding some great achievement.

The downside of being in the same industry was that, to keep track of other companies' progress, some important changes couldn't be hidden.

For instance, the Huarui Group, which had recently risen to the top of the market—was it led by Shen Huaichu?

He had to make sure Jing Yi was more cautious.

…

“Chen Yisi!”

Shen Xi ran towards the person not far away with a bright smile.

Chen Yisi smiled back, but the smile quickly faded. If it were any other day, seeing his girlfriend would have made him happy.

But today, there was an extra 'baggage.'Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Shen Xi only noticed the person behind him when she reached him. Her round eyes widened, and she saw Chen Yisi's apologetic expression.

She stopped in her tracks, ready to turn and run, but the person behind Chen Yisi didn't let her get away. He quickly stepped forward and grabbed her.

“Little niece, where are you going?”

Yes, the person was Gu Lin.

Seeing Gu Lin's rough actions, Chen Yisi stepped forward to shield Shen Xi, “Go easy on her.” Gu Lin rolled his eyes. He couldn't escape the stench of love wherever he went.

Shen Xi hid behind Chen Yisi, clutching the front of his shirt, peeking at Gu Lin with wary eyes.

Gu Lin stuffed his hands in his pockets, glaring at the two who were clearly on guard against him.

“Hey, hey, hey, aren't you guys a bit too ungrateful? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had the chance to meet. Now you're treating me like a ghost?”

Not even a thank-you dinner, and now they looked at him as if he were a monster.

Shen Xi did feel a bit guilty. She slowly stepped out from behind Chen Yisi, her fingers twisting together, “Little cousin, I won't pass on any messages for you.”

She was a bit sorry, but she had to stand by her friend.

Gu Lin sighed, “Who said I wanted you to pass on a message?” Then, his tone turned serious, “Sorry, last time was my fault. It won't happen again.”

After being lectured by Shen Tu, Gu Lin had finally understood. Even if he was a bit dense, he realized his previous actions were inappropriate.

Hearing Gu Lin say that, Shen Xi breathed a sigh of relief, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I thought you were using Chen Yisi to lure me here!" Chen Yisi paused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness.

Gu Lin unconsciously raised an eyebrow. While it wasn't entirely wrong to say that, it was true that after their last meeting, she had treated him like a plague.

However, his purpose today was simple, “So, shouldn't you treat me to a meal as a matchmaker?”

Chen Yisi smiled warmly, holding Shen Xi's hand and explaining, “Lin insisted on tagging along today, saying he deserved a meal for being our matchmaker.” His eyes carried an apology, “I should have told you earlier. I'm sorry.”

Gu Lin had forbidden him from giving any prior notice, claiming he wanted to give Shen Xi a 'surprise.'

Gu Lin complained, “What do you mean by 'tagging along'? You're really ungrateful. Don't you remember what you…” Chen Yisi shot him a warning look, and Gu Lin raised an eyebrow, not continuing.

Shen Xi didn't care about these details. As long as Gu Lin wasn't here to pry into Jing Yi's affairs, everything was fine.

However, hearing Gu Lin's unfinished words piqued her curiosity, “What happened before?”

Chen Yisi looked down at the person beside him, the gentle smile spreading across his eyebrows, “Don't you remember how I asked him to arrange our meeting?” Gu Lin's eyes held a meaningful look.

It wasn't entirely wrong, but he certainly didn't mention how he had carefully led the little lamb into his trap.

Gu Lin was the first to know about Chen Yisi's feelings. He was quite surprised and nearly knocked over his coffee.

“You ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍really like my little niece?!”

Chen Yisi gracefully handed him a tissue, “It's better not to call her that. Otherwise, I always feel like a…” Yes, that's the word you're thinking of.

After all, Gu Lin's little niece was already in her twenties, old enough to date.

Gu Lin took the tissue, still shocked and a bit puzzled, “So, what do you want to know from me?” He felt his friend was going to be disappointed. He didn't know Shen Xi much longer than Chen Yisi.

Chen Yisi shook his head with a smile, “I just wanted to know if she doesn't like…” He frowned, thinking for a few seconds, then continued, “If she doesn't like it when someone expresses their feelings for her.”

The statement was a bit strange, but it was the conclusion Chen Yisi had drawn after several meetings and had been confirmed by Gu Lin.

Everything after that went smoothly. Unlike what Jing Yi had thought, it wasn't that he disliked Shen Xi, but rather that he deliberately avoided the type of people Shen Xi disliked. Step by step, patiently, he brought her into his own world.

Gu Lin had originally thought his friend was the 'little lamb,' since he had never seen him with a girlfriend before. But he was wrong—once Chen Yisi set his sights on a target, he moved quickly.

In contrast, the 'little vixen' Shen Xi, who he had thought was experienced, turned out to be a blank slate. All her previous rejections had been in vain.

Gu Lin sighed and shook his head. But in the end, it was the same result—a big bad wolf had caught his little lamb.

“Let's go. You can't escape this meal.” Since his brother had guests to entertain, he had nothing to do and was determined to make the most of this opportunity to dine with the couple.

Shen Xi puffed out her cheeks, “Fine, I'll treat you. I wasn't trying to escape.” She was just being teased for 'corrupting' his good friend, and it was a bit much.

Chen Yisi held Shen Xi's hand, his eyes filled with a gentle smile. Only he knew that Gu Lin's words were directed at him.