This guy.
His tone was terrible.
Did the two of them have a history?
But that didn't make sense. Lin Yizhou had been developing his career abroad; what chance would he have had to offend this big shot?
Jiang Liuyue replied, "We just met today."
Song Hanzheng's eyes darkened a bit.
He looked her up and down.
"A new friend?"
"Not really a friend, just a classmate I exchanged a few words with," Jiang Liuyue corrected him again.
Seeing this, Song Hanzheng finally nodded.
He said in a domineering tone:
"Delete him."
Jiang Liuyue fell silent: "..."
Then she looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
Full of confusion.
"Song Han, did you guys know each other before?"
"Who knows him." Song Hanzheng decisively denied it, but hearing her call his name, he realized something.
In front of her, he wasn't the dictatorial corporate CEO.
He was just an ordinary guy, Song Han.
"Anyway, since you treat me as a friend."
"Then you can't have any contact with him," he said.
These words were quite overbearing.
Where was the logic in not being able to be friends with others just because she was friends with him?
However, looking at Song Hanzheng's strange attitude.
Jiang Liuyue sensed that the relationship between the two men was definitely not simple, and right now, she needed to humor him.
She smiled sweetly and said:
"Of course, you are my friend in need."
"Him, I just met him once today."
"Deleted."
Saying that, she opened her contacts and deleted the friend right in front of Song Hanzheng.
The coldness in Song Hanzheng's eyes gradually dissipated.
He instructed the driver: "Keep driving."
The car merged back into the traffic. This time, Jiang Liuyue didn't dare to further test his bottom line.
She took the initiative to start a conversation.
"What good food are you taking me to eat today?"
"I'll broaden your horizons," Song Hanzheng said.
Jiang Liuyue paused for a moment before tentatively asking: "...Is it very expensive?"
Song Hanzheng didn't say anything.
Jiang Liuyue lowered her head and started digging through her purse.
"What are you doing?" Song Hanzheng turned to look at her.
Jiang Liuyue didn't look up, saying as she rummaged:
"This won't do. You rented such an expensive car today, and now you're treating me to an expensive restaurant. You'll go broke."
"I have a credit card with some limit left; we can go Dutch."
Song Hanzheng couldn't hold back.
He laughed out loud.
Jiang Liuyue finally looked up at him.
With a confused face, she asked: "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing." Song Hanzheng paused and said: "Actually, I'm very rich."
Jiang Liuyue looked at him with an expression that said, 'Do you think I believe that?'
"Really," Song Hanzheng added.
The car came to a stop.
Coincidentally, they had arrived at the restaurant.
The driver got off and came over to open the car door.
Song Hanzheng stepped out first, then turned around and looked at her.
"We're here."
Jiang Liuyue naturally reached out her hand to him and said:
"Pull me up, my legs fell a bit asleep."
While Song Hanzheng was hesitating.
Jiang Liuyue proactively grabbed his wrist and used the leverage to hop out of the car.
A warm sensation transmitted from the touch of their skin.
But they separated just as quickly.
Then he quickly pulled his hand back, lowering his eyes, his expression unreadable.
Jiang Liuyue pretended not to notice.
The two walked forward, one behind the other.
This was a reservation-only private restaurant.
The receptionist recognized Song Hanzheng. Her eyes lit up upon seeing him, and she was about to greet him.
Song Hanzheng shot her a glance.
She immediately understood, merely bowing slightly without saying a word.
She led the two into a private room.
Then, the dishes were served one after another.
Norwegian scallops with black truffle, signature braised pork with fresh abalone, traditional deep-sea tiger grouper, matsutake Longjing chrysanthemum soup, and seasonal sweet green rice balls.
The names sounded very long.
In reality, the portion of each dish was very small, placed in the center of a pristine white plate and garnished with green leaves.
The dishes were served in portions for two.
Only after one dish was tasted would the next be brought out.
At this moment, Jiang Liuyue wasn't thinking about how expensive these dishes were.
Instead, she was wondering if Song Hanzheng couldn't hold back anymore.
Was he going to reveal his true identity to her?
Seeing her staring silently, Song Hanzheng thought it was her first time in such a setting.
"Taste it," he said.
Jiang Liuyue took a bite.
It tasted great.
She nodded.
Only then did she look at him and slowly speak:
"Are you really a rich man?"
Song Hanzheng nodded.
He didn't like to continue playing the poor boy game either.
Playing it once was enough.
Jiang Liuyue forced a smile; she didn't seem happy after learning about this.
Song Hanzheng found it strange.
Jiang Liuyue sighed softly, looked at him, and said:
"I'm afraid my friend will suffer, but I'm also afraid my friend will drive a Range Rover."
Song Hanzheng's mouth twitched.
However.
She wasn't wrong.
"Eat more," he thought for a moment and said.
The meal was actually eaten in silence.
Exquisitely plated precious ingredients were cooked by the chef and presented one after another.
Finish one, change to the next.
Appetizer, main course, soup, dessert.
Song Hanzheng noticed it too.
This was different from when they ate earth-pot chicken, where their chopsticks almost fought in the pot.
The environment was more upscale.
But the two were separated by a long table.
The distance was further.
After finishing the meal.
Jiang Liuyue wiped the corners of her lips, appearing even more silent.
Song Hanzheng finally spoke up:
"Do you think it doesn't taste good?"
"It's delicious."
"Then why aren't you happy?"
"I am happy." Jiang Liuyue pulled a smile, but it looked a bit fake.
She knew it herself.
It was intentional.
Sure enough, Song Hanzheng saw it and said: "You're smiling so falsely."
"Yeah," Jiang Liuyue nodded and explained: "I'm a little tired."
"Tired? What's wrong?"
Song Hanzheng actually already knew what had happened on the set.
He also knew that it was Li Feile throwing a tantrum with the executive director, which left her with no scenes to shoot when she was supposed to be filming, forcing her to pitifully attend acting classes.
He hadn't actually planned to stand up for her.
However, seeing her dejected look.
Song Hanzheng felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart.
Jiang Liuyue suddenly stood up, her chair making a harsh scraping sound as it moved back.
She looked at the scenery outside the window.
This restaurant was located in the most prosperous area, offering a perfect view of the city's lake and the night view of the buildings.
A trace of confusion appeared in her eyes.
"You are a rich man."
"Then..." Jiang Liuyue turned to look at him and said: "Did you really help me get the second female lead role in 'The Legend of Linu'?"
Song Hanzheng originally didn't want to show his face.
That was why he had the agent, Amy, handle this matter on his behalf.
But since Jiang Liuyue asked.
He admitted it.
"Yes."
"Thank you." Jiang Liuyue looked at him, thanking him very seriously.
Song Hanzheng's lips curled up slightly, and he said: "It's nothing."
Jiang Liuyue continued: "So... the Maybach parked outside isn't rented either, it's yours?"
Song Hanzheng nodded.
"Could it be that on that day, I actually mistook you for the rented boyfriend, and you were just passing by?"
Jiang Liuyue straightforwardly laid it all out, frowning as she guessed.
Song Hanzheng: "Right."
"Ah, so that's how it is." Jiang Liuyue smiled.
Her smile carried a bit of bitterness.
Song Hanzheng found it very strange.
Yes, strange.
Her attitude.
The meal ended, and he drove Jiang Liuyue home.
During the journey, he didn't hear her take the initiative to mention the bullying and grievances she suffered on set.
Until she got out of the car.
She waved, smiling just as brightly as the first time they met.
"Bye," she said.
