Shen Lingxing opened his mouth, wanting to stop her, but before he could say anything, Mi Jing had already stood up and hurried towards the direction of the water dispenser.
He just wanted to catch her attention and chat with her to avoid neglecting her. He really didn't expect her to react like this. Shen Lingxing pursed his lips, watching Mi Jing's figure with her back to him, eyes deep and unfathomable, wondering what he was thinking.
"Have some water." Mi Jing walked to Shen Lingxing with a water cup in hand, saying as she handed the cup to him.
Shen Lingxing silently took the cup, took a symbolic sip, and smiled, saying, "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Seeing he was no longer coughing, Mi Jing moved back to her original seat and sat down, her expression calm, no longer hurried.
This was her subconscious reaction; her father often choked while eating, so Mi Jing frequently poured tea and water for him, making her nerve reflexes exceptionally sensitive over time. Whenever she heard coughing, her first reaction was to pour water.
"Have you seen Chen already?"
After the brief interlude, silence fell between the two again. Shen Lingxing saw Mi Jing starting to daydream again and thus broke the silence.
"Yes." Mi Jing nodded, then took out the bright red property deed and pushed it in front of him, saying, "This is too valuable, I can't accept it, please take it back."
"This is Chen's gift to you, keep it, no need to return it to me." Shen Lingxing frowned and said.
"He said you paid for it, so I accepted it..." Although they were husband and wife, they had no emotional basis. Mi Jing couldn't bring herself to accept such a valuable thing without feeling uneasy.
"It seems you still haven't recognized our relationship." Shen Lingxing looked at Mi Jing expressionlessly, his voice turning cold.
"No, it's really because this is too valuable." Mi Jing hurriedly explained.
"We are husband and wife, what is mine is yours." Shen Lingxing emphasized seriously, his face stern.
"..."
Mi Jing lowered her eyelids, looking at the property deed being pushed back, unable to find any words to argue.
"Keep it well, don't give it back to me or Chen again."
Shen Lingxing's words were firm. Mi Jing glanced at him, feeling a chill on her scalp, stunned by his seriousness.
"Then I can only respectfully comply."
Mi Jing stuffed the property deed into her bag, wanting to lighten the stiff atmosphere she had created, she changed the topic. "I agreed to treat Chu Chen to dinner tonight. Do you know where he usually likes to dine?"
"He's not picky, choose a place you prefer."
"Is that okay?" Inviting someone to dinner, of course, you should cater to their preference, otherwise it seems insincere.
"No problem." Shen Lingxing said indifferently. Thinking to himself, his wife invited him to dinner, he dare not be picky. Even if invited to eat his least favorite durian, he would stomach it with disgust.
At this moment, Chu Chen sitting in his general manager's office reviewing documents, suddenly sneezed. If he knew Shen Lingxing's thoughts, he would feel like crying. Spending a huge amount of money, not only getting no benefit but nearly facing the disaster of being forced to eat durian? Too tragic!
"Since that's the case, let's choose Provence. I'll reserve a table and message you, then you contact Chu Chen." With the decision made, Mi Jing began to tidy up the lunchboxes on the table. Suddenly remembering she hadn't formally invited Shen Lingxing, she added, "You come too! Thanks for helping me with that big favor."
Provence is a renowned French restaurant in Jin City, very popular and particularly hard to get a reservation. Generally, people must book two weeks in advance to have a chance to dine there. Mi Jing chose this place because the restaurant's head chef is her father's friend; a phone call can secure a reservation.
In the evening, Shen Lingxing and Mi Jing arrived first, waiting for nearly ten minutes before Chu Chen arrived.
"Traffic jam, sorry for being late." This was directed at Mi Jing.
"No problem, have a seat and see what you'd like to eat?" Mi Jing smiled and greeted Chu Chen, then handed him the menu.
Chu Chen didn't stand on ceremony, ordering two dishes according to his taste, and then playfully smiling at Shen Lingxing, said, "Fourth brother, how about a bottle of Lafite?"
Alcohol can incite passions, a good roll in the sheets undoubtedly brings the couple closer quickly. Chu Chen jokingly hinted to Shen Lingxing.
Growing up together as friends, Shen Lingxing understood Chu Chen's implication but didn't appreciate it, replying flatly, "Got to drive, can't drink."
"Your tolerance is good, a bit of red wine won't hurt. Today is sister-in-law's treat, not drinking wouldn't be enjoyable!" Chu Chen was undeterred, even bringing Mi Jing into it.
Upon hearing this, Shen Lingxing no longer opposed. He called the waiter to open a bottle of red wine, and poured a big glass for Chu Chen, saying, "By rules, three penalty drinks first."
Their rule among brothers is latecomers must drink penalty shots.
"Fourth brother, I need to drive too, you know my tolerance, not great." Joking aside, drinking three big glasses of red wine on an empty stomach, if not drunk, his stomach would suffer. Chu Chen showed a pitiful face, acting cute.
"Not wanting to enjoy?" Shen Lingxing raised his eyebrows, staring at Chu Chen.
"Definitely want! But enjoyment doesn't necessarily need alcohol, right sister-in-law?" To save his stomach, Chu Chen smiled.
"Yes, you both need to drive, better not drink." Mi Jing nodded, agreeing with Chu Chen's words, expressing her own opinion.
Hence, Shen Lingxing didn't press Chu Chen to drink. He knew Chu Chen's physical condition well. Normally, he wouldn't mind his antics, but Chu Chen had an important surgery tomorrow, so no drinking.
The dishes quickly arrived, the three started eating, Shen Lingxing and Chu Chen chatted while eating intermittently, Mi Jing occasionally chimed in.
La...
Suddenly, the melodious sound of a violin began. Mi Jing's attention was attracted to the music, turning her head, she saw a young girl in a black evening dress elegantly playing the violin. Beside her, a man knelt on one knee, holding a box with a diamond ring, looking passionately at the woman before him, lips moving, saying something.
"Wow, so romantic!"
"That woman is so lucky."
"..."
The women in the restaurant witnessing this scene sighed with envy one after another. But Mi Jing found it grating, her eyes filled with anger, lips pressed into a straight line.
The magnificent crystal chandelier cast a beam of light on the couple, surrounding them with bright lights, instantly making them the highlight of the restaurant.