After a few bites, An Xin elegantly put down her chopsticks, gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, then looked up and smiled at Zhou Ying.
"I know the Artistic Director of the competition zone. If you need... I can introduce you."
Her voice was soft and gentle, as if the words were spoken casually, but Zhou Ying immediately grasped the deeper meaning.
A look of obvious surprise appeared on Zhou Ying's face.
This opportunity was undoubtedly rare for ordinary contestants.
Before they become famous, the most important thing for them is to accumulate trophies from various competitions.
To increase their visibility and competitiveness.
And if they could build a good relationship with the Artistic Director, the probability of advancing would definitely be higher.
Zhou Ying's eyelashes fluttered slightly like startled butterfly wings. She was clearly tempted by the offer, but also seemed to be hesitating about something.
An Xin took in Zhou Ying's reaction, and a hidden smile involuntarily surfaced at the corner of her mouth.
Sure enough, no matter how composed and calm a young person was, they could hardly escape the temptation of fame and fortune.
However, just when An Xin thought Zhou Ying would gladly accept her offer.
Zhou Ying suddenly put down her chopsticks and whispered, "No need, Sister Xin, thank you for your kindness. I want to try it myself this year first. If it doesn't work out, I'll have to ask you to introduce me for next year's competition..." After speaking, Zhou Ying playfully stuck out her tongue.
Hearing Zhou Ying's reply, a hint of admiration couldn't help but rise in An Xin's eyes again.
Compared to her own rebellious eighteen years, Zhou Ying was clearly very natural, both when speaking and when refusing others.
She possessed a rare talent that could soften all sharp relationships into moonlight.
This girl seemed to harbor a mature soul far exceeding her age.
Seeing Jiang Cheng affectionately stroke Zhou Ying's hair beside her.
A complex expression immediately arose on An Xin's face.
She didn't know if Zhou Ying's refusal of the introduction was sincere or merely to gain Jiang Cheng's admiration and affection.
But An Xin had to admit that Zhou Ying's refusal made even her look at the girl in a higher regard.
One must know that an ordinary person who received such an opportunity at a dinner party would have excitedly agreed immediately.
After all, this could save them so many detours.
Since entering earlier, Zhou Ying had noticed that Xin's gaze often lingered on Jiang Cheng.
An Xin seemed to pay special attention to Jiang Cheng.
The people here were happily enjoying the food, yet in another private room, Wang Xin, who had just met Jiang Cheng, was preoccupied and restless.
Although Wang Xin was slightly older, he was also one of An Xin's many suitors.
Earlier at the zoo, seeing An Xin being charmed by a handsome young man had already filled him with rage.
And now, he actually discovered that this boy was so brazen as to dare to two-time!
Wang Xin was determined to seize this opportunity and film this scene.
Then find a suitable time to show it to An Xin.
He wanted An Xin to see this young man's true colors and realize how wrong her choice was.
After exchanging pleasantries with a few clients, Wang Xin used the excuse of going to the restroom and quickly left his private room.
He hurried towards the "Plum" private room.
Leather shoes clicked heavily on the wooden floor of the corridor.
Listening to the sound, Wang Xin's heart rate accelerated, as if he could hear his own heart pounding madly in his chest.
If he could really film it, perhaps An Xin would look upon him more favorably.
If he could really marry into An Sheng, he wouldn't have to struggle for the rest of his life.
Thinking this, Wang Xin was so excited that he even trembled all over.
This trembling immediately made him feel like he needed to pee.
After clenching the muscles on the inside of his thighs, Wang Xin quickly headed towards the Plum Private Room.
However, when he reached the corner, a Waitress in uniform, stationed in the corner ready to provide service, blocked his path.
"Sir, may I help you?"
Seeing this, Wang Xin immediately put on the air of a business elite.
He casually adjusted the collar of his Armani suit, then replied in a confident yet slightly arrogant tone: "I'm from the 'Bamboo' private room, and I know the guest inside the 'Plum' private room. I already spoke to him on the phone and arranged to discuss a very important matter."
Hearing Wang Xin say this, the Waitress did not try to stop him further.
She immediately nodded, indicating understanding.
Then, smiling, she gestured for Wang Xin to enter, indicating he could proceed.
Following the Waitress's instructions, Wang Xin walked into the corridor around the corner.
After confirming the Waitress couldn't see him.
Wang Xin started peering inside furtively.
Through the carved glass on the private room door, Wang Xin finally saw the scene he wanted to witness.
He saw Jiang Cheng picking up something with his chopsticks and handing it to the woman next to him.
Seeing this, a cold sneer involuntarily appeared at the corner of Wang Xin's mouth.
He quickly pulled out his phone and clicked the video recording function.
As the screen began recording the scene, a surge of ecstasy welling up in Wang Xin's heart.
He felt that the video he was currently shooting would be enough to become his bargaining chip for a comeback.
As a down-on-his-luck building materials supplier who had divorced and split his assets.
At forty-five, he was still bowing and scraping for orders from the An Group.
Thinking of the look An Xin gave Jiang Cheng, a bitter, rusty taste rose in his throat.
After recording for a few seconds, he zoomed in on the footage, carefully observing the scene on the screen.
However, zooming in completely stunned Wang Xin.
He widened his eyes, looking incredulously at the person on the screen, his heart filled with doubt and shock.
"Wait, isn't that An Xin?" Wang Xin muttered to himself. He was extremely familiar with An Xin's face.
But how could Jiang Cheng be eating with An Xin?
Then, where was the other woman he had seen earlier?
Wang Xin immediately moved closer, lowered his head slightly, and peered inside through the window.
At this sight, his eyes instantly widened even more.
The scene he witnessed was completely incomprehensible to him.
Not only were An Xin and Annie in the room, but also the young girl he had seen earlier.
What surprised him even more was that the young girl was chatting and laughing with Annie, and their relationship seemed very close.
At this moment, the young girl was occasionally feeding Annie with a spoon.
This picture was blindingly harmonious.
Why was this happening??
Connecting this to the scene he had just filmed of Jiang Cheng serving food to An Xin, a grand drama automatically played out in Wang Xin's mind, like a movie.
No way! No, no, no!!
Could it be??
No, it must be!!
At this moment, he felt as if he had uncovered an earth-shattering Big Secret.
It must be that Jiang Cheng and the young girl were having an affair right under An Xin's nose.
This thought caused Wang Xin's heart rate to suddenly accelerate.
"What a show..." Wang Xin sneered, alcohol and fury surging through his veins.
On the surface, both of them were trying to curry favor with An Xin, but secretly they were hooking up behind her back.
Hmph! It must be this way!!
How despicable! Young people nowadays rely on their looks to try and latch onto rich women.
It's one thing for them to latch onto rich women and steal jobs from middle-aged men like him.
But they also have no professional ethics.
Wang Xin quickly and aggressively rushed into the private room.
"President An!" Accompanied by this shout, the private room door was violently pushed open, making a loud "bang."
Wang Xin was clearly overly agitated, his breathing even becoming somewhat rapid.
His carefully combed side-parted hairstyle was now a bit messy, with a few strands of hair falling disobediently across his forehead.
Seeing Wang Xin suddenly appear, except for Annie who remained expressionless, the other three people all turned their heads to stare intently at the sudden intruder, Wang Xin.
An Xin slightly furrowed her brows, and the smile that had been on her lips instantly cooled.
"President Wang," An Xin's voice was icy and devoid of warmth. "I made myself very clear at the zoo earlier. Regarding the project, the company will hold a meeting internally to discuss and make a decision. Chasing me here like this is completely useless."
Zhou Ying, who was nearby, was seeing An Xin look so stern for the first time, and the powerful pressure made her feel slightly stunned.
Wang Xin was also somewhat flustered, but then he remembered that he was here to expose Jiang Cheng.
He straightened his body and struck what he thought was a handsome pose toward An Xin.
"No, President An, there is something I believe you must know."
After speaking, Wang Xin's gaze immediately swept towards Jiang Cheng beside him.
Seeing Jiang Cheng staring at him, Wang Xin shook his head disdainfully.
His expression seemed to say: "Young man, you'll know how to cry soon enough."
However, when his gaze shifted to Zhou Ying's face, Wang Xin's angry eyes instantly froze in shock.
Holy crap, she's too beautiful!
Her skin was as fair as snow, soft and moist like white mutton-fat jade.
Her face full of collagen made her look incredibly youthful, and her large, clear, lively eyes, like those of a fawn, made people fall for her instantly.
Where on earth did this guy find such a gorgeous beauty?
Not only was her face beautiful, but her figure was incredibly stunning, with curves that made one's heart race.
Seeing Zhou Ying at this moment, Wang Xin suddenly felt that Jiang Cheng losing control wasn't so hard to understand anymore.
Faced with such a stunning beauty, what man could remain completely indifferent?
Just as Wang Xin was staring blankly at Zhou Ying, Jiang Cheng's face instantly fell.
"Damn it, is there something wrong with your eyes?"
As soon as Jiang Cheng spoke, Wang Xin immediately snapped out of his daze.
Damn, this kid actually dared to swear at him.
If it weren't for An Xin being present, he would definitely have cursed back using the Three Character Classic.
Wang Xin was furious, but constrained by An Xin's presence, he suppressed his anger and tried hard to maintain his composure.
He quickly adjusted his clothes, presenting himself as a gentle and refined gentleman.
The corner of his mouth curled slightly, revealing a hint of undetectable smugness.
"Hmph, President Wang, when I came in through the door just now, I personally saw this guy holding this beauty's hand, and their behavior was very intimate." Wang Xin's words carried a clear provocative tone.
After speaking, he looked at Jiang Cheng with a gloating expression.
He thought that after he finished speaking, Jiang Cheng would panic, and An Xin would definitely fly into a rage.
However, what Wang Xin didn't expect was that Jiang Cheng not only showed no panic but stared at him with the look one gives an idiot.
"So what?" Jiang Cheng asked unhurriedly, his tone so calm that it seemed he hadn't taken Wang Xin's words to heart at all.
"What exactly are you trying to say? Is there a problem with this?"
After speaking, Jiang Cheng even casually took Zhou Ying's hand beside him.
Jiang Cheng's composure baffled Wang Xin.
He hadn't expected Jiang Cheng to be so calm, even openly displaying affection.
Looking at Jiang Cheng's calm and collected appearance, Wang Xin's heart sank, and an ominous feeling rose within him.
Wait, what's going on?
Looking at Zhou Ying, she merely frowned slightly, appearing to be deep in thought.
As for An Xin, her expression remained undisturbed throughout.
Seeing this, Wang Xin became increasingly flustered. The stream of words he had prepared was now stuck in his throat as if he had been paralyzed, unable to utter a single syllable.
He could only stare blankly at An Xin, a dry sound escaping his throat: "B-but... President An, aren't you angry?"
Hearing this sentence, a hint of undetectable panic finally flashed across An Xin's face.
She quickly figured out the motivation behind Wang Xin's actions.
So Wang Xin must have seen her holding hands with Jiang Cheng back at the zoo.
An Xin subconsciously glanced at Zhou Ying, then took a deep breath, steadied herself, and slowly replied, "Why should I be angry? Zhou Ying is Jiang Cheng's girlfriend. What's wrong with them holding hands?"
This calm counter-question struck Wang Xin like a bolt of lightning.
He felt like his brain suddenly stopped working.
An Xin knew?? Then why did she hold hands with Jiang Cheng at the zoo earlier??
Could it be? Zhou Ying isn't the mistress.
The real mistress is An Xin.
Wang Xin's Adam's apple bobbed violently. He suddenly realized he had made a fatal mistake.
As his mind raced, he couldn't help but gape.
No way! The dignified daughter of the An Group, being someone else's mistress??
Seeing Wang Xin's expression, An Xin seemed afraid he might say something inappropriate.
"President Wang, did you rush here just to say these things?? Private matters like this shouldn't concern you, should they??"
Wang Xin now didn't know what was appropriate to say.
He looked at Jiang Cheng with disbelief.
Seeing this, Jiang Cheng's mouth curled slightly, revealing a half-smile.
"Uncle, this little drama of catching adulterers you're putting on..." Jiang Cheng's tone was drawn out, pausing deliberately as he watched cold sweat break out on Wang Xin's forehead, then continued: "Did you get the wrong script?"