Upon arriving at the restaurant, Rong Ci's face remained an emotionless mask as she watched the members of the Lin and Sun families approach.
Yu Moxun, however, let out a low curse. "Just my luck. It's a small world."
In contrast, the Lin and Sun families seemed delighted to see Yu Moxun.
"President Yu, we meet again," Lin Lihai said with a beaming smile.
Yu Moxun offered a faint, perfunctory smile. "Indeed. Again."
Lin Lihai chuckled. "Since we've run into each other, why don't we dine together?"
Lin Lihai had already tried calling Yu Moxun earlier that afternoon to invite him to dinner. Now that they had crossed paths, he naturally didn't want to let the opportunity slip away.
"No, thank you," Yu Moxun replied. "This is my private time. Perhaps another day."
"Ah... I see. Very well, next time then."
Since Yu Moxun had put it that way, Lin Lihai found it difficult to push the matter.
Yu Moxun nodded and turned to Rong Ci. "Let's go."
Rong Ci gave a small nod, not sparing a single glance at the Lin or Sun families as she followed him upstairs.
Watching their departing backs, Lin Lilan furrowed her brows. "I heard from Xiao Wu that Yu Moxun's attitude toward her has always been lukewarm because of Rong Ci. Do you think he'll refuse to consider us for the Changmo project because of her?"
Given Yu Moxun's cold treatment of them just now, it was a distinct possibility.
Sun Yueqing spoke calmly, "There is still time before the bidding for those two Changmo projects begins. Nothing is set in stone yet, so anything is possible."
Sun Manshan agreed with a smile. "Quite right. Xiao Wu and Tingshen's situation was stalled for so long because of Old Madam Feng's interference, and hasn't it suddenly taken a turn for the better? We shouldn't lose heart; there is still a chance."
The "turn for the better" Sun Manshan referred to was, of course, the divorce between Feng Tingshen and Rong Ci.
At the mention of this, Old Madam Sun's mood improved visibly.
They and Xiao Wu hadn't known about it originally. It was only when Qi Yuming accidentally mentioned it to Xiao Wu that they found out.
Later, they learned that the divorce certificate couldn't be issued immediately. Feng Tingshen hadn't wanted Xiao Wu to worry about the process and intended to surprise her once the papers were finalized.
Thinking of this, Old Madam Sun smiled. "Tingshen has wanted this divorce for a long time. Now that Xiao Wu was injured saving his life, he's determined to go through with it despite Old Madam Feng's opposition. Tingshen truly has a heart for our Xiao Wu."
"Indeed. Her long wait hasn't been in vain. Xiao Wu's bright future is finally coming."
"Yes, it is."
Sun Yueqing and Lin Lihai both wore satisfied smiles.
However, looking in the direction where Rong Ci and Yu Moxun had disappeared, Old Madam Sun's smile faded slightly. "That girl Rong Ci surely won't be willing to divorce. Is it possible... that it won't actually happen in the end?"
Sun Yueqing's eyes were cold. "I heard from Xiao Wu that Tingshen makes his own decisions. He didn't divorce before only because he was looking for the right opportunity and didn't want to break Old Madam Feng's heart.
Tingshen has always been devoted to Xiao Wu, and now that she almost died for him, he sought the divorce without a word to anyone else. It shows he's finished letting Xiao Wu suffer for the sake of his grandmother. He has made up his mind. The success rate of this divorce is very high."
"I don't doubt Tingshen's resolve," Old Madam Sun said quietly. "My fear is that Rong Ci will pull some sort of stunt to force Tingshen to compromise."
She turned to Old Madam Lin and Lin Lihai. "Perhaps the two of you should go and have a talk with her."
Lin Lihai and Old Madam Lin were already of the same mind.
Yu Moxun and Rong Ci were oblivious to the schemes of the two families. They stepped out of the elevator and were heading toward their private room when three tall figures approached them.
Yu Moxun went silent.
Had he forgotten to check the almanac before leaving the house today? Why was he running into every annoying person in the city?
Rong Ci glanced at them.
Ren Jifeng, Yao Xinbo, and one other... He looked familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen him.
The three men took the initiative to greet Yu Moxun.
"Young Master Yu, what a coincidence."
Yu Moxun gave a strained smile. "...Coincidence indeed."
Ren Jifeng had also called Yu Moxun that afternoon to request a dinner meeting to discuss cooperation, only to be rejected. Encountering him now, Ren Jifeng essentially ignored Rong Ci and said, "Since we've bumped into each other, care to join us?"
Yao Xinbo added with a smile, "Exactly. Come to think of it, we haven't shared a meal in a long time."
"I'm afraid not," Yu Moxun replied smoothly. "I have matters to attend to here; it's not convenient."
He then looked at the third man. "Young Master Ji, how is it you have free time today?"
Ji Qingyue's handsome face remained expressionless. "I'm taking a few days off."
Yu Moxun nodded. He had no desire for small talk. "Let's do dinner another time. We have business, so we'll head in first."
Ji Qingyue nodded in return.
Yu Moxun and Rong Ci took the lead and entered their private room.
Once they were out of earshot, Ji Qingyue asked, "Which of you offended him?"
Though Yu Moxun hadn't been overtly hostile, his posture made it clear he wanted nothing to do with them.
Yao Xinbo looked bewildered. "None of us, surely?"
Ren Jifeng frowned but said nothing.
Inside their own room, Yao Xinbo took a sip of tea and remarked, "Say what you will, but Yu Moxun is impressive. If those two projects actually succeed, his net worth is going to skyrocket."
Ji Qingyue added indifferently, "He's been brilliant since he was a child, and his mentor was Nan Zhizhi. The field he studied happened to coincide perfectly with the current trends of the era. Combine that with his outstanding ability, and his success is only natural."
He paused, glancing at Ren Jifeng. "I heard from Xinbo that you once had feelings for the girl Yu Moxun keeps around, but you moved on quickly. Moving on is one thing, but why do you seem to despise her now? Did she do something wrong?"
Earlier, Ren Jifeng hadn't even deigned to look Rong Ci in the eye. His dislike was so palpable it was impossible to ignore.
Ren Jifeng didn't want anyone mentioning how he had once been captivated by Rong Ci's face and aura. It disgusted him now.
He knit his brows and snapped, "Can we not talk about her? Just order the food."
Ji Qingyue shrugged and dropped the subject.
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