Chapter 4, Encounter

Xiao Yiyi did not respond, and Lin Xu seemed unconcerned, self-deprecatingly laughing as he said: "This is the first time I've ever had someone leave money for me; I wonder if it is a recognition of me or a denial."

Liang Yuchen returned on Thursday and called Xiao Yiyi the night before

On Saturday morning, Xiao Yiyi took Liang Qianya to accompany Xiao Mu Yang to basketball class, which was held at the B University gymnasium not far from home

Mom! After Yangyang finishes class, let's go out to eat, no need to go home. My dad said he would come to pick us up later. Liang Qianya sat down next to Xiao Yiyi, pretending not to notice Lin Xu, who was beside her mother.

Xiao Yiyi said: "Just take it as a joke."

The mother and daughter both laughed heartily. Liang Qianya lowered her head to select the most beautiful photo of Xiao Yiyi, along with the video she had just taken of Xiao Mu Yang, and sent them both to Liang Yuchen.

Do not eat there

The man laughed and said, "I bet you have already forgotten my name."

Is everything alright? Liang Fu has not been in good health for a while, and Liang Yuchen went directly to his father after getting off the plane, which inevitably made Xiao Yiyi think more.

The transgression of that night stemmed merely from the melancholy and anxiety of approaching thirty-five; it was not regrettable, yet it felt somewhat absurd and tedious upon reflection. At this moment, she only wished to draw a clear line with the person before her, treating each other as if they had never met, as if they were strangers, especially as she saw Liang Qianya push the small door open and walk towards her.

Hi! Suddenly, someone sat down next to her and greeted her

Let me introduce myself again, my name is Lin Xu. Xiao Jing is probably not your real name either

Liang's family, like hers, started from scratch during her father's generation. In the eyes of an average middle-class family, they are considered "wealthy," but they are still far from being true tycoons. Liang's father is generally referred to as a private entrepreneur, while her father and her uncle can never escape the label of "contractor," being defined as nouveau riche.

During class, Xiao Yiyi was chatting and scrolling through her phone with Liang Qianya sitting on the sidelines. Liang Qianya recorded several video clips for her younger brother with her phone, and then she pulled Xiao Yiyi in for a selfie. The mother and daughter struck a cute pose and took several pictures.

Liang Qianya held her phone up for Xiao Yiyi to see. After looking at it, Xiao Yiyi exclaimed, "Oh dear, you still look so young. Just look at your face full of collagen, your little face is so tender..."

Watching Liang Qianya glance at Lin Xu's departing figure, Xiao Yiyi finally mustered the courage to ask: "Is your father really back?"

Aren't you going to play ball

Xiao Yiyi smiled

Xiao Yiyi smiled and said, "Clever little devil"

I haven't seen you before, are you here with a friend? I just saw you chatting with a young girl, is she your sister?

No

Liang Qianya said: "If you take this photo out and say you are twenty-two, it might be a bit exaggerated, but you are definitely at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Do you believe it? I showed it to my classmates, and many of them said you look like my sister."

Liang Qianya exclaimed: "Why don't you compare yourself to Yang Yang instead of Twelve?"

It's nothing, just a business matter

Xiao Yiyi said: "No need, it's late at night, and no one can eat much of the big fish and meat. He has probably been eating this every day while he has been out. Let's make dumplings. You can buy some fennel at the vegetable market tomorrow, the kind with fennel and eggs; he loves to eat that."

Over time, there were gradually voices predicting the decline of the real estate industry. The Liang family, being outsiders, naturally did not dare to take risks. Moreover, due to Liang's father's poor health, they have rarely ventured into real estate in recent years, focusing entirely on their own catering business

Oh, good. Xiao Yiyi took out her phone, intending to scan the WeChat QR code presented by the man, when she noticed his playful smile. Only then did she realize, feeling somewhat embarrassed, that she put her phone away.

Xiao Yiyi sensed a hint of fatigue in Liang Yuchen's tone, unsure if it was due to an unsuccessful business negotiation. However, she had never inquired about his work matters even during their marriage, and Liang Yuchen rarely brought them up himself, making it even less necessary for her to concern herself now. Nevertheless, due to the good relationship between their families, she often heard about the Liang family's business affairs from her father or Liu Xin.

Liang Qianya saw a man sitting next to her mother chatting with her from a distance. Judging by her mother's indifferent expression, it was likely that he had approached her to flirt, so she approached with utmost vigilance.

Is that your niece?

Good

Then will you come over after you finish eating there

Her heart raced like a thief caught red-handed, having committed this one "bad deed" in her life, believing that no one would know, only to find herself in this situation.

Liang Yuchen returned to the country not long ago and gradually took over the family business. Liang's father, fearing damage to his reputation, resolutely refused to engage in franchising and has only developed the business within the city for many years. After taking over the family business, Liang Yuchen not only steadily expanded the catering business to other provinces and cities but also leveraged the industrialization of the catering sector to develop fast food. Starting from local supermarkets, he gradually expanded to the surrounding northern markets. In ten years, he has established a foothold for himself and has been eyeing a southern expansion for the past one to two years, although it has reportedly not gone very smoothly. This trip to City H is likely for this purpose.

Xiao Yiyi's face turned red in embarrassment, and without thinking, she blurted out: "I’m sorry, I’m not trying to default on my payment. I only brought 800 yuan in cash that day, and I will give it to you now." As she spoke, she took her wallet out of her bag

Lin Xu listened to the conversation between the two, unable to hide his astonishment. After a long while, he could not utter a single word, ultimately revealing a ghostly smile before getting up and leaving

After Xiao Yiyi hung up the phone, she went downstairs to inform Sister Ding that Liang Yuchen would come over for dinner tomorrow. Xiao Mu Yang, upon hearing this, was so delighted that he jumped up and down, shouting that he wanted to show his father the battle car team he and his sister had assembled together

Xiao Yiyi forced herself to remain calm: "Are you sure you have the right person?"

Xiao Yiyi turned her head, and suddenly felt a tightness in her heart. The young man sitting beside her, smiling at her, was indeed the one from that night of passion.

Xiao Yiyi enrolled Xiao Mu Yang in basketball classes primarily to encourage him to engage in more physical activity. Coincidentally, one of his good friends from kindergarten is attending classes at a training institution called Century Star. After hearing the recommendation from the friend's parents, she decided to enroll her son as well, with classes held once a week. Xiao Mu Yang is four years old and does not possess a well-developed athletic ability; he struggles with dribbling the ball. However, he is very happy to play with peers of the same age.

Xiao Yiyi responded with a noncommittal smile, turned her head to look at the venue, and ignored him

No need, I will go pick her up. I haven't seen Yangyang for many days either

I have been watching you from a distance for quite some time, observing you talking with the young girl, and I did not dare to come over and interrupt. What a coincidence. The young man wore a smile on his face, dressed in sports attire, and it seemed likely that he lived nearby and came here to play sports.

After sending the message, Liang Qianya stood up to go to the restroom. Xiao Yiyi offered to accompany her, but she declined. Xiao Yiyi did not insist further, and as she watched Liang Qianya leave the room, she lowered her head to look at her phone

Xiao Yiyi was momentarily taken aback: "Your father is back?"

Sister Ding said, "Then I will go to the vegetable market tomorrow to buy a fish and stew some pork ribs"

It is not easy to encounter you again; I fear that if I turn my head, you will run away again

Lin Xu smiled wryly: "Is this a joke? Being a gigolo for a beauty I fell in love with at first sight, how does it feel more like a tragedy to me?"

The young man slightly furrowed his brows, pretended to scrutinize her, and said with a smile: "I can't be mistaken, it's definitely you; you still owe me 200 yuan, I won't forget that."

Liang Qianya replied: "If I don't say it that way, can that person leave"

I just called him and said that Yangyang is almost done with class

Xiao Yiyi revealed some of the awkwardness in her words

Xiao Yiyi gazed intently at the venue, believing that the other party should understand her intention to send him off. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be an experienced individual, likely surrounded by many young and beautiful girls, so he probably would not pursue her. It was likely that he found it amusing to have been left money that day and wanted to tease her a little.

Xiao Yiyi nodded in satisfaction and said, "I believe this."

If there are no other commitments, come over for a meal

Liang Yuchen's father, Liang Jianye, started with affordable Chinese fast food and gradually expanded to multiple branches, establishing a well-known chain brand in the city. At the same time, he ventured into mid-to-high-end dining, and after more than a decade of effort, he built a renowned restaurant group in the city. However, it was the real estate sector that truly multiplied the Liang family's assets. During the booming years of real estate, Liang's father decided to test the waters, and while the real estate tycoons reaped substantial profits, the Liang family and smaller players like the Xiao family were content with the scraps left behind, which were still enough for them to profit.

If you are busy, just let Yaya stay here with me tomorrow, or I can take her back tomorrow evening, so you won't have to come pick her up

The plane is scheduled to arrive around 3 PM, but I need to make a trip to my father's place first. As for Yaya, I will let her go to your place after school, and I will pick her up around 6 or 7 PM

The young man couldn't help but chuckle, cleared his throat lightly, and took out his phone: "No need for cash, just add me on WeChat and transfer it to me directly."