seven

Song Zimo seemed to have anticipated that the visitor was her, showing no signs of surprise from the moment she entered until she handed over the sample drawing. He picked up the jade carving sample from the table and examined it page by page.

Li Xintong had never realized that Song Zimo was such a sharp-tongued and acerbic person, capable of rendering her speechless with every word. Her eloquence crumbled before Song Zimo. In a fit of anger, Li Xintong unbuckled her seatbelt, exited the car ahead of Song Zimo, and confidently made her way straight to the Duji Fish Ball Noodle Shop.

The proprietress's eyes lit up as she sharply scanned the room, finally locking her gaze on Li Xintong, who stood behind Song Zimo. Curiously, she looked her up and down, then gave Song Zimo a knowing glance before placing her order. When the proprietress handed the receipt to Song Zimo, she said with a mischievous smile, "Today, it's my treat"

Song Zimo was also not polite and said calmly: "Thank you"

Li Xintong, standing behind Song Zimo, felt as if she were being traded illegally, sensing that their behavior was quite abnormal

Song Zimo replied with a smile: "Two bowls"

Forced into prostitution, the prostitute cannot resist, and will suffocate you with resentment

If she were to breach the contract, Li Xintong would only be able to receive a mere 0.1% of the total, which amounts to less than 50,000 yuan, while the aftermath she has to deal with far exceeds this sum. Li Xintong suppressed her inner displeasure, tacitly agreeing to dine with him, but her eyes were filled with an intense anger.

Li Xintong's lips trembled slightly as she picked up a spoon and selected a tender white fish ball from her bowl, placing it into Song Zimo's bowl. Song Zimo seemed to appreciate this scene, a smile that he could not control spreading across his lips as he watched her seriously picking out fish balls for him

Li Xintong was taken aback, looking at him with some disbelief. Did he think he was someone to her now? Did he still think she was the same person as she was back then? Like a pug, excitedly jumping around with its tongue out and tail wagging just because he was having a meal with her? In the end, Li Xintong replied with great arrogance: "Sorry, that's not possible. Goodbye"

Song Zimo gazed at her with an inscrutable expression, resting his elbows on the table, his hands clasped near his lips, a hint of allure appearing in his faint smile: "I know you harbor a great 'mole' in your heart, are you sure we are not familiar with each other?"

"If you are so afraid of rekindling old feelings for me, you can keep your distance." Song Zimo slightly tilted his head and expressed his thoughts淡淡地.

Li Xintong would never think that Song Zimo brought her here to reminisce about the past together. Those memories were both beautiful and cruel for Li Xintong. However, for Song Zimo, they were merely a not-so-good dream, easily forgotten upon waking.

Li Xintong stared at him in disbelief, her mouth agape: "Do you have no compassion?"

Perhaps Song Zimo understood Li Xintong too well, and indeed, because of his words, Li Xintong directly stood beside him. The corners of Song Zimo's mouth slightly lifted, and his usually serious face looked very attractive when he smiled. Unfortunately, Li Xintong did not notice that the smile she had once been most fascinated by was now blooming for her.

"Diarrhea and a contract, which is more important? Hmm?" Song Zimo directly asked her to choose.

The taste of the fish ball noodles has not changed in the slightest compared to five years ago. Whether it is the bowls and chopsticks used, the soup base, or even the position where she sits, everything remains the same. Song Zimo brought his portion to her side without saying a word, just staring at her eagerly. Li Xintong felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze and asked with disgust, "What are you doing?"

Hmm. Song Zimo nodded

Li Xintong also buried herself in eating. During the summer vacation years ago, she worked in City A. She knew that Song Zimo loved fish ball noodles, but she was picky and didn't really like fish ball noodles. However, she always wanted to cling to him. So every time she came with him to eat Duji fish ball noodles, she would always pick out the fish balls for him, claiming that it was to let him eat more of what he loved. But Song Zimo, with his keen insight, always pointed out her shortcomings, knowing that she was giving him what she didn't like to eat.

Du Ji Fish Ball Noodles continues to thrive, with a steady stream of customers coming and going. The storefront has been renovated and is now twice the size it was during Li Xintong's last visit five years ago. The proprietress standing at the cash register seems to recognize Song Zimo and warmly waves at him: "You’re here! One bowl of fish ball noodles, right?"

Li Xintong, who was left aside, casually glanced over and inadvertently noticed a shiny ring on the ring finger of his left hand. In her heart, Li Xintong scoffed, recalling that her cousin Susan had mentioned that Song Zimo and Jia Ling had already divorced, yet he still wore a wedding ring ostentatiously, clearly intending to rekindle their relationship. During their first meeting, the intimacy between Jia Ling and Song Zimo hardly resembled that of a couple who had divorced due to emotional discord.

Two people left the president's office, one in front and the other behind. When they reached the elevator entrance, Li Xintong stopped at a place three feet away from Song Zimo

She walked towards him with poise, smiling politely yet distantly: "Hello, Mr. Allen, I am Li Xintong, representing the jade carving purchased by your company. Here is the sample, please have a look." Li Xintong placed the sample in front of him, maintaining a businesslike demeanor.

After finishing the fish ball noodles, Li Xintong asked, "I am full now, can we leave?"

Song Zimo then began to eat fish ball noodles

Alright, if our company has the goods in stock, we will deliver them immediately. Mr. Allen, please continue with your work, I apologize for the interruption. Li Xintong smiled politely at him, as she wanted to conclude this order swiftly. Firstly, she was in urgent need of money, and secondly, she did not wish to have any further dealings with Song Zimo.

Pushed.

Li Xintong suppressed her anger, furrowing her brows and staring at him intently, as if she could reduce him to ashes with her gaze. She made a concerted effort to control her emotions and spoke to Song Zimo in a calm and composed manner: "I sincerely apologize, but I already have an appointment"

Song Zimo gazed at her with a gentle look, causing her to be unable to meet his eyes, ultimately choosing to ignore him

Just as she was about to turn and leave, Song Zimo called out to her from behind: "Tongtong, let's have a meal together."

Li Xintong then picked up the bag on the table and said, "Thank you, Mr. Allen, for your hospitality. I will take my leave now. The delivery time for the jade carving will be notified separately."

Li Xintong, upon hearing this, stamped her foot and forced a self-deprecating and helpless smile. She found it utterly absurd. Li Xintong turned to look at Song Zimo, who was sitting in the backlight, and said: "Mr. Allen, could you refrain from being so familiar? It seems we are not very well acquainted."

What benefits can compassion bring me?" Song Zimo retorted

Song Zimo did not try to keep her and let her leave on her own. In fact, Li Xintong thought he would offer her a ride, but his lack of retention was not necessarily a bad thing; there would be no further interactions in the future. For her, this was the best outcome possible.

Is Senior Song going to take me to eat Duji Fish Ball Noodles? Eating that will give me diarrhea. And the stinky tofu by the roadside, if I eat that, I will also have diarrhea. Li Xintong does not want to go with him to reminisce about the "flavors of the past"

In a fleeting moment of disappointment, Song Zimo's expression returned to normal without revealing any emotion, as he indifferently gazed at the fish balls in her bowl: "Transfer all your fish balls into my bowl."

When the elevator descended to the B1 underground parking lot, Li Xintong followed Song Zimo to a luxury car, feeling quite complicated inside. Perhaps it was right for Song Zimo to leave her? At least, if he hadn't left back then, he would not have been able to attain such financial resources and status, sitting in a high position, looking down on others

Li Xintong originally thought that Song Zimo would take her to a restaurant like the Water Pavilion, but when the car arrived at the snack street in the northern district, her eyelids began to twitch violently. The car indeed stopped at the entrance of the snack street. Song Zimo unfastened his seatbelt and intended to get out of the car, but seeing that Li Xintong remained firmly seated, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Aren't you getting out?"

Are you sure?" He toyed with the jade carving sample in his hand, "If the contract is breached, the compensation would be ten percent, right?"

However, Song Zimo seems to never treat her gently

One second before entering, Li Xintong thought that she must treat Song Zimo just like she treated other clients.

"Let's go with this fish leaping over the dragon gate." Song Zimo pulled out the sample he had chosen and looked up at Li Xintong.

Alright. Li Xintong handed his portion to him.