Chapter 48: If You’re Going to Act, Play the Part to the End

It was a rare occurrence for Li Jingche to agree to attend a business dinner like this. Du Yu had arrived early to greet everyone in the private room. He and Li Jingche were representing the client side; today was a chance to meet those interested in bidding and get acquainted beforehand.

Around the large round table, every seat except the one at the head—reserved for Li Jingche—was already taken. The cold dishes were gradually being set out, but no one dared to pick up their chopsticks. All were waiting for the final decision-maker.

Before long, the door to the private room opened and Li Jingche entered with Qin Jin. Everyone at the table stood to greet them, only taking their seats after Li Jingche had sat down himself.

His phone vibrated. Li Jingche glanced at the screen, a fleeting and unreadable emotion passing across his brow, before he placed the phone face-down on the table and turned to look at Du Yu.

“Why didn’t you book at Haiyu?”

While pouring wine for Li Jingche, Du Yu explained, “You often go to Haiyu. I thought we could try something different for a change.”

Something about this didn’t sound right to Li Jingche. Just moments ago, he’d received a report from his “informant” that Jian Qing was also dining here tonight. The fact that Du Yu had chosen this restaurant seemed a little too coincidental—his intention as transparent as Sima Zhao’s.

Li Jingche’s grip tightened on his wine glass, and his expression soured as he withdrew his gaze from Du Yu. “I heard you took a lady with you to Jingjiang City today?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. I bought her a bag so she’d have something for your birthday dinner in two days.”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“Something like that.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room grew a few degrees colder. Li Jingche held his wine glass aloft, and those around him followed suit. Yet he made no move to drink the first toast, leaving some with arms numb from waiting, but none dared to speak.

Li Jingche let out a soft laugh. “When did you start dating? You never thought to introduce her to us?”

“In two days. I’ll definitely bring her then.”

Without another word, Li Jingche downed the fiery liquor in his glass in one gulp, set his cup back on the table, and sent a message to Shen Yueli.

“President Li,” After the first drink was done, the eldest at the table, Xiao Yuncheng’s father Xiao Nan, stood up and respectfully approached Li Jingche with his glass. “We’ve heard that your company is about to open bidding, but… but our Xiao Group still hasn’t received an invitation. We truly value our partnership with your family. Might you consider giving us this opportunity?”

Xiao Nan was a veteran of the construction materials industry. Speaking to Li Jingche so deferentially was already giving him considerable face, especially given that he was old enough to be Li Jingche’s father.

Li Jingche rose slowly, glass in hand. Du Yu filled it for him, but he didn’t rush to clink glasses, instead letting out a slow breath.

“Xiao Group was once a leader in the construction materials industry. But recently, there have been some unsavory rumors about Xiao Yuncheng’s engagement. I imagine you’ve heard them. Xiao Yuncheng’s new fiancée, Ren Yishan, is suspected of theft. Regardless of whether it’s true, we cannot collaborate with companies tainted by negative publicity.”

Xiao Nan’s face went pale at once. He shook his head repeatedly. “I don’t go online much and hadn’t heard this news. Thank you for the warning, President Li. But my son Xiao Yuncheng’s fiancée is Jian Qing from the Jian family. As for this Ren Yishan…”

Seeing Xiao Nan’s eagerness to distance himself from the matter, Li Jingche understood at once. “Perhaps you should discuss it further with your son. At the very least, you won’t get past my approval.”

His words were unyielding.

After he sat down, a reply came in from Shen Yueli to the message he’d sent minutes earlier: “There was a client here just now, but now it’s just me and my classmate, boss.”

Li Jingche’s gaze softened. Sitting here was pointless; he might as well go find Jian Qing.

He stood up to leave.

“Jingche, you’re leaving already?” Du Yu called out, but before he could get an answer, Li Jingche responded, “Just something to take care of. I’ll see your girlfriend in two days.”

With that, he strode out.

Du Yu couldn’t shake the feeling that Li Jingche was acting strangely today. His business prospects in the country depended heavily on their partnership, so he hurried out, hoping to get some answers. But as soon as he reached the hallway, Li Jingche was nowhere to be seen. Turning around, he spotted Jian Qing coming out of the restroom.

“President Du?” Jian Qing noticed Du Yu seemed to be looking for someone. She hadn’t planned to greet him, but their eyes met, and it felt awkward not to say something.

Du Yu nodded politely. “Miss Jian.”

They weren’t exactly close—more like temporary allies, having agreed to look out for each other at Li Jingche’s upcoming birthday party.

Jian Qing was about to leave when Xiao Nan emerged from the private room, hurriedly trying to call Xiao Yuncheng, and spotted her.

His gaze flicked between Jian Qing and Du Yu before he finally addressed Jian Qing. “Qingqing, you’re here too? Do you know President Du?”

Jian Qing nodded, unsure what to say. Du Yu had promised to pretend to be her boyfriend at Li Jingche’s birthday banquet if Ren Yishan tried to cause trouble, in exchange for her help finding someone for him. But now, with Xiao Nan asking, she wasn’t sure if Du Yu would still play along.

It was possible Xiao Nan would be attending the birthday dinner too—he was, after all, Xiao Yuncheng’s father.

Jian Qing dared not speak rashly.

But Du Yu stepped forward, stood behind Jian Qing, and took her hand.

“This is my girlfriend, Mr. Xiao.”

Xiao Nan’s expression was priceless. Just moments before, he'd tried to pretend ignorance regarding Xiao Yuncheng and Ren Yishan’s situation in front of Li Jingche, but now that Du Yu claimed to be dating Jian Qing, he was clearly flustered.

“Qingqing, you are… truly fortunate. I’ll go have a smoke. You young people carry on.”

Once Xiao Nan had left, Jian Qing let out a sigh of relief and looked up at Du Yu. “Thank you.”

Du Yu shook his head. “If you’re not busy, would you come sit in our private room for a while? Jingche just asked about my girlfriend. Since we’re putting on a show, we might as well make it convincing. Let me introduce you to him in advance.”

Not giving Jian Qing a chance to refuse, Du Yu wheeled her into the private room, placing her in the seat between himself and Li Jingche. He introduced her to everyone present, “This is my girlfriend, Jian Qing.”

Naturally, everyone rose to offer their congratulations and played their parts to perfection. Jian Qing accompanied them for a couple of drinks, her cheeks reddening.

Before long, Xiao Nan returned, and this time, he brought someone with him—Xiao Yuncheng.

The entire dinner was on the verge of unraveling.

The moment he saw Jian Qing, Xiao Yuncheng froze, unsure if he should greet her.

Du Yu found this amusing and glanced at Jian Qing, who rolled her eyes at Xiao Yuncheng, clearly unwilling to acknowledge him.

“Yuncheng, now that Qingqing has found herself a good match, go and toast her—offer your congratulations,” Xiao Nan said, patting his son’s back.

Stiffly, Xiao Yuncheng picked up his wine glass and walked over to Jian Qing.

Her head didn’t move, but her eyes followed him the whole way until he was beside her. Leaning down, he spoke in a low voice.

“Jian Qing, I never thought you’d be the kind of woman to jump from one man to the next. You broke up with that male model and now you’re climbing up to Du Yu?”

Jian Qing’s smile was cold and empty, her eyes full of disdain. “Xiao Yuncheng, I have a clear conscience about how I treated you. What about you? Even a dog deserves a loving owner. I suggest you and Ren Yishan stop bothering me. Let’s go our separate ways.”

Du Yu, listening from the side, raised an eyebrow at the mention of “male model.”

Creak—

Just then, the door opened again, and someone else entered.