Those words finally let Zhu Yan and Jiang Cheng taste a hint of the real intent.
When Jiang Cheng looked at her again, Zhang Yihan couldn't stop a surge of glee inside.
She batted her lashes at Jiang Cheng once more, eyes brimming with expectation and invitation.
Only now, seeing Jiang Cheng up close, did Zhang Yihan truly understand what "tall-rich-handsome" meant.
The Second-generation rich she'd met before were, at best, only rich; many couldn't even clear the "tall" bar, let alone "handsome."
But the man in front of her had sword-straight brows, star-bright eyes, a tall sturdy frame, and chiseled features.
Under that gorgeous shell he was even draped in head-to-toe designer—love at first sight.
Noticing Zhu Yan's faint frown, Jiang Cheng asked deliberately, "Why would she be jealous?"
A teasing lilt of doubt colored his voice.
Sensing the perfect moment to ruin things, Zhang Yihan nudged Wang Jing with her elbow, signaling her to go on.
With Jiang Cheng's eyes on them, Wang Jing plucked up her courage. "I—I shouldn't really say. I'm not someone who gossips behind backs; I only heard it from colleagues during breaks. Zhu Yan, if what they say isn't true, don't be mad. Maybe you visited too often and people got the wrong idea."
After that she gave Zhu Yan a sarcastic half-smile.
Zhu Yan saw through their game completely.
Yet she didn't bother with their snide remarks; instead she stared at them with icy indifference.
After all, Jiang Cheng already knew about her and Xu Lei—no need to explain such absurd rumors.
Zhang Yihan pressed on, "I heard that before I joined, Bank Manager Xu gave you a huge deal that bumped you up two levels. I'm so envious—old-timers here haven't climbed as fast as you."
Envy and jealousy flashed across her face, and her gaze at Jiang Cheng burned even hotter.
Wang Jing piled on, "Yeah, I'm killing myself pulling business and cold-calling, yet my numbers are still in the red. Honest work's tough these days—not like you, having it so easy."
She didn't really want to offend Zhu Yan.
But right now the hidden big client, Jiang Cheng, was within arm's reach.
She couldn't suppress the urge to seize this rare chance.
In their line of work, politics and silent rivalry were the norm.
If you couldn't land clients, good relations meant nothing.
To win customers she spent every day dialing calls.
On average she made well over a hundred a day.
Each pick-up was an attempt to coax someone into a loan.
All day she heard the merciless click of phones being hung up.
It was even tougher than when she'd been a corporate teller.
The teller salary had been lower, but at least it hadn't been this exhausting.
Her current role sounded nice—relationship manager—but in truth she was just a sales rep.
No business meant demotion.
Pressure every single day.
Watching the two women sing in duet, Jiang Cheng shook his head with a chuckle.
If he hadn't already known Zhu Yan's connection to Xu Lei, Wang Jing's words would have made him suspicious.
He glanced at the green tea in Zhu Yan's hand and reminded gently, "It's cold out—go easy on the green tea."
Zhu Yan burst into laughter.
She teased, "Hah, worried about me? But mine's iced green tea—sounds freezing, right?"
She even playfully shook the bottle.
Then she dropped her silence.
Turning, she proudly flaunted to Wang Jing and Zhang Yihan, "Your numbers aren't hitting target? How tragic. Lucky for me, Bank Manager Xu landed me a super client—oh, the very Mr. Jiang here. With his deal I'm exempt from review this quarter. Such luck."
Jiang Cheng nodded and sighed, "A good uncle really saves you a lot of detours."
Zhu Yan didn't bristle at that.
She agreed openly, "Exactly—so grateful my uncle introduced you. Without him I might be miserably cold-calling for loans like everyone else."
Wang Jing's face twitched in panic; Zhang Yihan clearly didn't buy it.
Just as Zhang Yihan was about to brew more tea, Xu Lei strode in, suited and brisk.
Ignoring Wang Jing and Zhang Yihan's greetings, he walked straight to Jiang Cheng and offered his hand. "Good afternoon, Mr. Jiang. Zhu Yan is too inconsiderate, choosing a place like this. Let me arrange somewhere better by the Bund—there's a restaurant—"
He finished with a slight bow, hands at his sides, respect written on his face.
Jiang Cheng stayed seated and waved casually. "Old Xu, no need for trouble. I picked this place myself—it's fine."
Xu Lei answered at once, "Great. When I heard Zhu Yan invited you here I came right over. If you like homestyle food, sometime let Zhu Yan bring you to my place; I'll cook dinner myself."
Zhu Yan chimed in, "Auntie's cooking is excellent—she trained for it; her fish dishes are amazing."
Jiang Cheng feigned surprise. "Then I'll have to try it sometime."
Xu Lei knew it was courtesy and smiled. "You're welcome anytime; it would be our honor."
Wang Jing and Zhang Yihan listened, their faces so awkward they could've carved a three-bedroom flat out of the air.
They hadn't expected Zhu Yan really was Xu Lei's niece.
If only Zhu Yan had said it, they might still have doubted.
But Xu Lei had invited Jiang Cheng and Zhu Yan to his home.
Could that be faked?
Would you invite a mistress to family dinner?
They exchanged a glance and saw panic mirrored in each other's eyes.
Both silently cursed themselves for rushing over to provoke Zhu Yan.
Now they hadn't embarrassed her; they'd trapped themselves.
They prayed Zhu Yan wouldn't hold a grudge—otherwise life at the bank would get very difficult.
After more small talk Xu Lei made an excuse to leave.
He'd only come to show his attitude.
The place was near his branch after all.
Dropping in on such a big client was only proper.
Had Zhu Yan been treating Jiang Cheng, he'd have stayed to play host.
But today's meal was Jiang Cheng's invitation to Zhu Yan.
Hanging around would have been inappropriate.
As he turned to go he finally noticed Wang Jing and Zhang Yihan.
"You two?" A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes as he sized them up, wondering how they related to Jiang Cheng.