Faced with his words, Meng Chu was momentarily speechless.
But once the misunderstanding was cleared, she felt a wave of relief.
Turning back to the dazzling nightscape of the Bund before her, she found it truly radiant-its brilliance lighting up the entire night sky and even brightening her mood.
“Were you just now… misunderstanding something?”
Suddenly, the man beside her spoke in a lazy drawl.
Meng Chu turned her head. “Huh?”
“You didn’t think I was giving you gifts to…”
“No,” Meng Chu firmly denied before he could finish.
Even if she had entertained such thoughts earlier, she absolutely didn’t now.
Silence settled between them again.
Only the gentle breeze carried over the distant clamor from the Huangpu River.
After a while, Meng Chu spoke up.
“You’ve been out here so long-won’t your friends be waiting anxiously?”
“It’s fine. They’re used to it.”
Cheng Jinyu’s tone was indifferent.
Hearing him say such a thing so matter-of-factly, Meng Chu was taken aback.
The more she interacted with Cheng Jinyu, the more she realized he wasn’t quite the person she had imagined.
After all, like everyone else, she had only known him through the rare interviews he gave.
No wonder people said celebrity personas in the entertainment industry couldn’t be trusted.
The image presented on stage was completely different from the private reality.
Not that she was implying Cheng Jinyu had a crafted persona—perhaps those interviews were strictly about investments, focused solely on his career.
His private side had always been well-protected, never revealed to the public.
Now, it seemed she was catching a glimpse of it.
Cheng Jinyu looked at her.
“Are you in a hurry to leave?”
Meng Chu immediately shook her head.
“Not really.”
But she still explained,
“I’m practically strangers with the person today. My dad arranged this out of nowhere—it’s absurd. I couldn’t just walk away earlier, especially since he’s a direct senior from J University.”
This was her way of explaining why she had stayed despite knowing the dinner was initially set up as a blind date.
After leaving school, Meng Chu had learned to be more tactful.
Besides, Li Huaiqian wasn’t just a fellow J University alum—they were both in AI.
Even if they had no overlap now, there was always the possibility of future collaboration.
Why not handle things smoothly instead of burning bridges?
“Understandable,” Cheng Jinyu said, slipping a hand into his pocket, his tone unexpectedly amiable.
But the more magnanimous he acted, the more helpless Meng Chu felt.
She inwardly cursed her father’s terrible matchmaking instincts.
Then, Cheng Jinyu spoke again, as if casually asking, “Do you usually have many social engagements?”
This seemed to be the second time he’d asked this question.
Meng Chu paused.
She answered reflexively, “A fair amount. I’m mainly responsible for my company’s external business partnerships, so networking is unavoidable.”
Cheng Jinyu gave a nonchalant hum.
“No wonder I keep running into you at restaurants.”
You’re one to talk!
You’re always out socializing too!
Mention of restaurants reminded Meng Chu of the lobster.
“About the lobster tonight-thank you.”
This time, Cheng Jinyu didn’t respond. He simply stared at her in silence.
At first, Meng Chu tried to ignore his gaze, but his intense scrutiny made her feel like she’d said something wrong.
Patiently, she asked, “Did I say something inappropriate?”
“You’re thanking me… for that?”
Cheng Jinyu enunciated each word, as if reminding her.
Meng Chu finally realized that no matter how distant their relationship had become, this particular remark was truly unnecessary.
She chuckled lightly. “You’re right.”
Then she added casually, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Next time, it’s my treat.”
Since they both still had their own dinner engagements, they didn’t linger too long on the restaurant balcony.
Before leaving, Cheng Jinyu glanced at her and offhandedly reminded her, “Send me a message after you finish eating.” Meng Chu: “?”
Was there something else?
Cheng Jinyu raised an eyebrow. “Or would you prefer someone else to take you home?”
Only then did Meng Chu understand his meaning-he intended to see her home.
Considering the slightly awkward situation between her and Li Huaiqian tonight, she couldn’t possibly let him escort her.
She immediately denied it. “Of course not.”
“Alright,” Cheng Jinyu tilted his chin, signaling for her to go first while adding, “I’ll wait for your message.”
*
When Meng Chu returned to her table, Li Huaiqian was also on his phone, seemingly replying to messages.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Meng Chu apologized as soon as she sat down.
Li Huaiqian lifted his phone. “No worries, I was just replying to a colleague.”
Meng Chu nodded in understanding.
No matter how high-ranking the workhorse, they were still slaves to their phones-constantly replying to messages from superiors, colleagues, and subordinates alike.
After quickly handling his work matters, Li Huaiqian asked with concern, “Did you greet your friend?”
“Not a friend,” Meng Chu said.
Li Huaiqian paused.
Meng Chu told him the truth.
“Actually, it’s my partner. He happened to be dining here too. The lobster was reserved by his friend, so he sent one over for us.”
Li Huaiqian hadn’t expected such a scenario.
He immediately said, “Your boyfriend didn’t misunderstand, did he? Should I go clarify the situation?”
Meng Chu quickly declined.
“It’s fine. I already explained it to him, and he understands.”
She didn’t correct the “boyfriend” remark.
After all, she didn’t want Meng Haichuan to know about her marriage, and Li Huaiqian was ultimately part of Meng Haichuan’s circle.
“That’s good. I hope it doesn’t cause any misunderstanding between you two,” Li Huaiqian nodded.
Meanwhile, inside the restaurant’s private room, Jiang Min’an watched as Cheng Jinyu returned, looking exasperated.
“I thought you came here to eat properly. What work could’ve taken you out for so long?”
Originally, Jiang Min’an hadn’t planned anything for the evening, but he loved company.
So he’d spontaneously messaged their childhood friends’ group chat to see if anyone wanted to join him.
He casually snapped a photo of the Bund’s night view outside the restaurant and asked if anyone was free.
Unsurprisingly, even the most active members in the group stayed silent-clearly, everyone was busy.
Jiang Min’an had already resigned himself to dining alone when, a few minutes later, someone who rarely spoke in the group replied. Cheng Jinyu: Send the address.
But now, Jiang Min’an suddenly snapped out of his thoughts. “Bro, I’m genuinely touched.”
Cheng Jinyu lifted his gaze, looking at him with confusion, as if to say, What nonsense are you spouting now?
“You’re so busy, yet you made time just to have dinner with me. My bad for misunderstanding earlier,” Jiang Min’an shook his head.
“Tell me, how can I thank you?”
Cheng Jinyu replied nonchalantly, “If you really want to thank me, thank the photo you took.”
Photo?
Jiang Min’an didn’t quite get it.
He pulled up the photo he’d sent in the group earlier.
It was just a casual photo he took at the entrance, capturing the restaurant’s interior.
But he’d actually framed the shot to focus on the Bund’s night view.
People were already seated by the window, though he hadn’t paid them any mind when snapping the picture.
He’d invited them over, counting on the decent night view to accompany him for dinner.
Could it be because this photo captured the night scenery particularly well?
What Jiang Min’an failed to notice was the person sitting by the window-head slightly bowed, long hair cascading down, partially obscuring their profile.
Yet Cheng Jinyu recognized her at first glance.
That was Meng Chu.
*
The dinner didn’t last long, with Li Huaiqian eventually being the one to suggest leaving.
When he summoned the waiter to settle the bill, Meng Chu quickly intervened.
Before they could resolve their polite dispute, the waiter informed them the meal had already been paid for.
Both immediately understood who had taken care of it.
As Li Huaiqian prepared to leave, he asked courteously, “How are you getting back? Is your boyfriend seeing you home?”
“Yes,” Meng Chu nodded.
Li Huaiqian: “Then I won’t disturb you two any longer.”
Only after he’d left did Meng Chu finally relax completely.
Had they met under different circumstances, Li Huaiqian would have actually made for excellent company-maintaining perfect composure throughout, never once blaming her for tonight’s awkward misunderstanding.
She then sent Cheng Jinyu a WeChat message.
Meng Chu: [I’m done here.]
Meng Chu: [Where should I wait for you?]
Cheng Jinyu’s reply came so fast it caught her off guard.
With a soft chime, a white message bubble appeared beneath hers.
Cheng Jinyu: [Wait at the entrance.]
After reading this, Meng Chu prepared to leave.
But glancing at the barely touched Australian lobster on the table, she called the waiter over.
“Could you pack this for me, please?”
The waiter worked efficiently, swiftly boxing up the lobster in takeaway containers.
He even thoughtfully asked, “Miss, would you like the lobster head as well?”
Meng Chu eyed the massive crustacean head and shook her head.
“No need.”
Carrying the takeout box outside, she spotted Cheng Jinyu waiting by the entrance-head slightly lowered, hands in pockets, watching the traffic flow by.
“I thought you’d gone to get the car.”
Meng Chu hurried over, offering an apologetic explanation.
Had she known he was waiting right outside, she wouldn’t have bothered with the takeaway.
Cheng Jinyu turned to look at her.
“Parking’s difficult here.”
Of course this was the Bund.
Even the most impressive cars couldn’t just park roadside here.
Meng Chu mentally chided herself for the oversight.
“Let’s go.”
With that, he started walking toward the parking area.
Given the Bund’s premium real estate, parking spaces were scarce.
They walked quite a distance before reaching the car.
Only when Cheng Jinyu led her to a vehicle did Meng Chu realize it wasn’t his usual Maybach-this time it was a coupe.
It wasn’t until they were both inside that it dawned on her.
This might actually be the first time she’d ridden in a car Cheng Jinyu was driving himself.
During their limited pre-marriage interactions and all post-marriage meetings, even when sharing a vehicle, there’d always been a chauffeur.
They’d sit side by side in the backseat.
But now-him driving, her in the passenger seat-it felt distinctly different.
After fastening her seatbelt, she placed the takeaway box containing the Australian lobster on her lap.
“What’s that?”
Cheng Jinyu, who had just buckled up as well, turned his head and noticed the box on her legs.
Meng Chu replied, “It’s the Australian lobster you gave us. We barely touched it, so I packed it to bring back.”
Perhaps because the lobster was a gift from Cheng Jinyu, Li Huaiqian hadn’t taken a single bite-likely out of politeness.
Meng Chu hadn’t eaten much either, so most of it remained untouched.
As Cheng Jinyu started the car, the engine hummed softly before his calm voice broke the silence. “Didn’t you like it?”
“No, it was just too expensive,” Meng Chu answered.
Cheng Jinyu paused briefly before speaking again, “Is seafood still safe to eat after being left overnight?”
Oh, that?
She supposed it should be fine.
But considering the privileged background of the man beside her, he probably had never eaten leftovers in his life.
Meng Chu replied lightly, “It should be okay.”
The traffic light ahead had already changed, the red blinking to green.
Yet, with so many cars on the road, even a sports car could only inch forward slowly.
“Besides, no matter what, it was a gift from you.”
No sooner had she spoken than the car came to a sudden stop.
They had barely entered the main road when they hit another red light.
Cheng Jinyu kept one hand on the steering wheel but tilted his face slightly toward the passenger seat.
Beneath his slightly thin eyelids, those usually direct and indifferent dark eyes seemed less severe now, especially as the corners of his lips lifted in a faint smile.
“Even if it was from me, you don’t have to go this far.”
His tone was gentle, filled with well-meaning concern—as if worried she would disregard her health just to eat something he had given her.
Meng Chu: “…”