Over an hour later, Zhou Ying arrived at Jichuan Private Kitchen.
This private kitchen was hidden deep within a quiet alleyway on the west side of Taikoo Li.
The surroundings were shaded by dense ginkgo leaves.
Stepping into the courtyard, the first thing that caught her eye was a Japanese-style dry landscape garden.
Several colorful koi swam leisurely in the bluestone water channel.
From time to time, they stirred the water's surface, causing the reflections of paper lanterns to shatter.
It was like a dynamic ink wash painting.
Seeing Jiang Cheng standing by the pond watching the koi,
a brilliant smile immediately bloomed on Zhou Ying's face.
Like a cheerful little bird, she trotted toward Jiang Cheng.
"darling, why are you out here? It's so cold outside."
Jiang Cheng looked at Zhou Ying tenderly and said with a smile, "I only just arrived a moment ago. I thought you'd be here soon, so I waited for you here."
These words caused another warm current to surge through Zhou Ying's heart.
She looked up, gazing into Jiang Cheng's eyes, her own filled with emotion and happiness.
"Next time I come back, let's buy a car. It'll be much more convenient for you to get around," Jiang Cheng said suddenly.
On her way here, she had noticed that this private kitchen wasn't far from Taikoo Li, exactly within a one-kilometer radius of Wangjiang Road.
Hearing Jiang Cheng mention this, she finally understood.
It turned out Jiang Cheng had made these arrangements with her solo travel in mind.
On the way here, her mind had actually been wandering a bit.
After all, she wasn't stupid.
However, being held so tenderly by Jiang Cheng now,
Zhou Ying felt that even if this was just a beautiful illusion, she would be willing to be lost in it for a lifetime.
"No need, I don't know if I'll be able to come back often in the future."
Just as the two were walking hand-in-hand toward the private room,
Wang Xin, who was being led in by a Waitress behind them, suddenly frowned and looked at Jiang Cheng with a face full of disbelief.
Earlier at the zoo, when he had gone over to strike up a conversation with An Xin, he had clearly seen Jiang Cheng and An Xin acting intimately.
How could Jiang Cheng be holding hands with another girl in the blink of an eye?
Could this young man before him be two-timing and deceiving An Xin??
At this thought, Wang Xin's expression instantly became gloomy and cold, his eyes filled with hostility and anger.
"President Wang, President Wang, what's wrong??" The client's calls pulled Wang Xin back to reality from his daze.
He quickly snapped out of it, a warm smile appearing on his face as he said, "Oh, oh, it's nothing. This way, please, this way."
As Wang Xin spoke, he led the client toward their private room.
However, his gaze involuntarily followed Jiang Cheng, wanting to see exactly which room he entered.
Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng had already led Zhou Ying into the private room they had booked.
As the door opened, Zhou Ying's gaze was drawn to the scene before her.
An Xin was leaning elegantly on her hand against a Luohan bed by the window.
Behind her was a massive floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside, the branches of an old plum tree stretched across the view.
A waiter was currently outside pruning the withered branches of that old plum tree.
Petals like powdered snow rustled down past the window.
A few petals clung to An Xin's cashmere shawl,
looking like an unintentional embroidered pattern.
An Xin's beautiful silhouette merged with the scene outside the window.
This scene was so beautiful it was breathtaking; Zhou Ying's heart couldn't help but skip several beats.
She couldn't help but marvel inwardly, "So beautiful!"
Afterward, Zhou Ying smiled and greeted An Xin.
"Sister Xin."
"You're here."
When An Xin looked at Zhou Ying, a hint of admiration also flashed in her eyes.
Though it wasn't the first time she had seen Zhou Ying,
seeing Zhou Ying's young and pretty appearance, An Xin still had to acknowledge Jiang Cheng's taste.
Seeing An Xin stand up and walk toward the dining table, Zhou Ying spoke up.
"When we were video chatting earlier, I heard you mention you were looking for the Steinway limited edition sheet music. Our school library happens to have a replica."
After saying this, Zhou Ying pulled a USB drive from her bag. "However, the book can't be borrowed for long, so I scanned the inner pages. The high-definition electronic version is in here."
An Xin was somewhat surprised as she took the USB drive from Zhou Ying. She had only mentioned it in passing during their video chat.
She hadn't expected Zhou Ying to remember it like this.
"Thank you, Zhou Ying. I've put you to too much trouble."
As soon as An Xin spoke, Zhou Ying felt a sense of elegance and poise.
This temperament wasn't forced but flowed naturally, making one couldn't help but be captivated.
"It's no trouble. When you mentioned it, I vaguely remembered seeing it in the books I borrowed, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't dare say anything then. I just looked for it, and there it was. It's all fate," Zhou Ying said with a slight smile and a relaxed tone.
When Jiang Cheng had walked in holding Zhou Ying's hand earlier,
An Xin had actually felt a slight twinge of discomfort in her heart.
But now, Zhou Ying's attitude when mentioning the music on the USB drive surprised An Xin.
There wasn't the slightest hint of showing off or seeking credit in her words; instead, it was as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
Though she was smiling all the while, every movement appeared very natural.
She was neither affected nor did she make one feel she was deliberately trying to curry favor.
Everywhere she showed a composed manner that was neither humble nor arrogant.
This demeanor made it impossible for An Xin to feel any discomfort; she even began to feel some goodwill toward her.
Even Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He had originally thought their meeting would be very awkward.
But he hadn't expected Zhou Ying to be so generous and appropriate, making the scene very harmonious.
A woman like Zhou Ying gave a man a lot of face with her charm when taken out, and she was also very capable in social interactions.
Jiang Cheng recalled a certain Peng Auto launch event.
The remarks made by that car brand owner's wife were awkward and suffocating.
Not only did she fail to show the poise expected of a business owner's wife, but she was even publicly humiliated by the response from a certain Dong owner's wife.
So, sometimes being beautiful isn't the most important thing; emotional intelligence is also a skill.
In just one round of questions, the Peng wife was severely slapped in the face by the Dong wife.
Seeing this, An Xin immediately showed a warm smile and gestured to Zhou Ying, "Come, sit down quickly."
Zhou Ying nodded, then handed the gift she was carrying to Annie.
Seeing Zhou Ying buy her a gift, Annie said somewhat pridefully,
"You even bought me a gift? What is it??"
Seeing Annie reach out to look at the contents of the bag,
An Xin immediately spoke up with a stern face: "Annie, eat first. Open the gift when we get home."
Hearing this, although Annie didn't throw a tantrum, her little mouth couldn't help but pout.
Seeing this, Zhou Ying said, "It's fine, Sister Xin."
After saying that, Zhou Ying crouched down beside Annie.
As she helped her take the gift out of the bag, she continued with a smile.
"I saw a very cute shop on the roadside when I was coming over. When I saw this shop, I thought of you. I was just in a bit of a hurry, so I don't know if Annie will like it."
After saying that, Zhou Ying crouched down and gently took out the gift to show Annie.
"Come, look, I bought this for you."
Seeing Zhou Ying present the item like a treasure before her eyes, Annie's expression was very happy.
However, the happiness lasted less than three seconds before Annie's face instantly fell.
"Huh?? A learning machine?? You bought me a learning machine??"
Annie's voice was full of disbelief, as if this gift were the thing she wanted least.
Looking at Annie's bitter expression, Jiang Cheng finally couldn't help it and let out a "pfft" of laughter.
Even the usually dignified An Xin couldn't help but be amused by Annie's reaction.
The corners of her mouth curled up slightly into a faint smile.
Even An Xin couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
Zhou Ying had clearly predicted Annie's reaction long ago.
She put on a serious face.
"Yes, this learning machine is very pretty. It's pink, and I think it suits you very well."
Although Annie was usually very clever, her age was still a factor.
Her face fell completely as she refused, "I don't want it. I have a learning machine at home. I don't like studying."
Zhou Ying seemed to have guessed this as well and pulled another gift out of the bag beside her.
"Then what about this one?"