Tang Yuanyue was such a scumbag.

He had a fiancée yet sent flowers to her.

And even said he wanted to pursue her.

Following the usual script, she should have jumped up to slap Tang Yuanyue and run away crying while covering her face.

But forget it – she couldn’t act out such a drama, and besides, such actions wouldn’t let her take away the delicious steak.

Xia Xiaolan also stood up, “Hello, I’m Xia Xiaolan, the designer from Hong Kong invited by President Tang. Nice to meet you. If you don’t mind, would you like to join us?”

The pretty woman with short hair was taken aback but graciously sat down, along with her female friend.

The dinner for two became a dinner for four.

Tang Yuanyue’s expression remained unchanged, “This is He Zhitong. Her family has been close friends with the Tang family for many years. Zhitong and I have known each other since childhood, and our elders arranged our engagement. Zhitong, this is Designer Xia from the mainland. She’s very talented – the hotel that Meihua has invested in at the Special Zone was designed by Miss Xia. I’ve invited her here to do some interior design work for me.”

The South China Hotel was already officially open for business.

He Zhitong’s smile grew wider, “Miss Xia is truly accomplished at such a young age.”

Tang Yuanyue inviting a beautiful female designer to such a romantic place for dinner surely had other intentions. But Xia Xiaolan was tactful, and Tang Yuanyue didn’t seem serious, so He Zhitong wouldn’t pursue the matter.

It was normal for men to have casual flirtations outside, and He Zhitong had grown up accepting this as commonplace.

Such matters weren’t worth fighting over – her appearance today was already a warning to Tang Yuanyue.

He Zhitong sat down with her friend, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t feel uncomfortable at all… She was clear in her heart and not only didn’t feel humiliated but was grateful for He Zhitong’s arrival. At least now she could eat in peace and discuss business with Tang Yuanyue.

They might not discuss costs, but at least she needed to understand Tang Yuanyue’s preferences.

He Zhitong also participated in the discussion.

As expected of a young lady from a wealthy family – while she might not care about home decoration, she could speak knowledgeably about architectural styles.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t some country bumpkin and easily handled He Zhitong’s inquiries.

Throughout the meal, Tang Yuanyue showed no signs of displeasure.

After the meal, when Xia Xiaolan suggested leaving, He Zhitong proactively said, “Miss Xia, since you’re new to Hong Kong, let Yuanyue drive you back to your hotel.”

Xia Xiaolan firmly declined, “I can take a taxi!”

Tang Yuanyue still accompanied her downstairs.

Though only he and Xia Xiaolan had left together, somehow Bai Zhenzhu had appeared and was crouching by the roadside eating a char siu bao.

“The engagement with Zhitong was arranged by our elders, and I didn’t object at the time because I hadn’t yet met someone who moved my heart,” Tang Yuanyue said frankly, while Bai Zhenzhu watched from the side eating her bun, completely ruining the atmosphere.

Xia Xiaolan shrugged, “Then I’m luckier than President Tang – I’ve already met the man who moves my heart. Goodbye, President Tang!”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Tang Yuanyue, experienced in matters of love, wasn’t discouraged at all.

Watching him go back upstairs, Bai Zhenzhu swallowed her bun and said, “These rich Hong Kong people are strange – having a fiancée but still daring to pursue you.”

Xia Xiaolan sneered, “His fiancée is already used to it, which shows I’m not the first one he’s pursued. Let’s go – I’ll take you all for a late-night snack at the hotel.”

Her appetite, while not as big as female colleagues who did physical labor, couldn’t be satisfied by the small portion she’d just eaten.

Enjoying fine food, and being 70% full was just right.

However, that 70% fullness was by rich young ladies’ standards – for Xia Xiaolan, it was barely half full.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Tang Yuanyue returned to find He Zhitong and her friend had opened another bottle of wine.

“This is your punishment, I’m adding it to your bill,” He Zhitong said.

Her friend laughed heartily, “Zhitong, you’re calm. Young Master Tang’s taste is quite good this time.”

Men playing around outside was common enough to joke about.

Tang Yuanyue picked up his wine glass, “No, this time is different.”

He Zhitong’s friend tossed her wavy hair back, “She is very beautiful – even I, as a woman, couldn’t help but look twice. You’re being so serious, that Zhitong might get angry. One bottle of wine won’t be enough to make up for it then.”

While her friend tried to lighten the mood, He Zhitong’s smile gradually faded:

“Tang Yuanyue, I gave you face, yet you make me lose face in front of my friend? I don’t care if you play with women outside, but taking her to see the night view, sitting at the exclusive table – aren’t you going too far?”

Tang Yuanyue finished his glass of wine: “I didn’t want to say this so soon, but you’ve noticed the difference, otherwise you wouldn’t have appeared so coincidentally today. Zhitong, I will talk to the family about breaking off the engagement.”

He Zhitong flung her hand, splashing half a glass of wine on Tang Yuanyue’s face:

“You’re drunk. Sober up. Let’s go.”

Was he drunk?

Tang Yuanyue did feel a bit tipsy.

So he drank some more.

He had laughed at Du Zhaohui for being naive, yet here he was proposing to break off his engagement.

Of course, being older than Du Zhaohui, his methods were more sophisticated.

He could wait, bring up breaking the engagement after Xia Xiaolan left Hong Kong… but then, how would Xia Xiaolan know about his determination?

…

Xia Xiaolan and Bai Zhenzhu returned to the hotel and invited Wang Houlin and Gong Yang for a late-night snack.

They had wanted to eat at a dai pai dong, but considering Hong Kong’s safety, they settled for curry beef brisket nearby.

The menu was comprehensible – the only difference was between traditional and simplified Chinese characters. Simplified characters were just traditional ones with fewer strokes, though the prices made Wang Houlin’s heartache.

He and Gong Yang were considered high-income earners in mainland China.

Whether compared to private business owners or other salary workers, few people earned more than them.

But this money still felt insufficient when spending in Hong Kong.

While the hotel was arranged by Tang Yuanyue at no cost, they had to pay for their meals.

Wang Houlin stuffed beef into his mouth, “Boss Xia, let’s finish the work quickly and head back.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “I have some personal matters to handle in Hong Kong. After we complete the design drawings, you and Gong Yang can leave first.”

After tonight’s dinner when Tang Yuanyue’s fiancée suddenly appeared, Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to stay entangled with Tang Yuanyue. Creating design drawings, meeting Wu Daonan, registering a company in Hong Kong… these were her tasks in Hong Kong.

The latter two could be done while working on the design drawings.

But it might take a few days, which is why Xia Xiaolan told Wang Houlin and Gong Yang to leave after completing their work.

Of course, she wouldn’t stay alone – Bai Zhenzhu would remain with her, so there was no lack of security.

After finishing their late-night snack and leaving the shop, Xia Xiaolan bumped right into someone.

The person looked up, and saw Xia Xiaolan’s face, and their expression filled with surprise:

“…It’s you!”