Volume One, Chapter 15: Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Zhou Yu’an lifted his eyelids and glanced at him. “You sure have a quick tongue.”

“Good news should be shared with everyone,” Guan Hanzhong said, crossing his legs and pulling a cigarette from his pocket. With a sharp flick, he lit it, took a drag, and asked with interest, “This little girl, aside from being pretty, has no status or background. Yet you gave her such a large sum of money. Are you really moved this time?”

“Nonsense!” Zhou Yu’an glanced at the report on his computer and retorted, “When I look for a girlfriend, don’t I look for someone I like?”

Guan Hanzhong chuckled and reminded him, “Your uncle and aunt don’t know yet, right? Aunt Pei is famously demanding when it comes to daughters-in-law in our circle. Do you really think she’d approve of your Yinyin?”

Zhou Yu’an was busy with his work and paid little heed to Guan Hanzhong’s words, replying dismissively, “She has her standards, I have mine. Yinyin will be living with me, not with her. Whether she approves or not is irrelevant.”

“You defended your last one the same way, but what was the outcome? She still dumped you,” Guan Hanzhong bluntly exposed his past.

Zhou Yu’an paused his typing for a moment, then corrected himself, “Jishu and I parted on good terms.”

“Besides, as long as grandma likes Yinyin, that’s all that matters,” he added.

Guan Hanzhong raised his eyebrows and said, “Oh? Have you met grandma? Does she like her?”

“I gave her that jade plaque,” Zhou Yu’an replied.

“Wow!” Guan Hanzhong slapped his thigh excitedly. “Your girl’s got some skills, huh? How did she win the old lady’s favor?”

Zhou Yu’an smiled faintly, “Maybe it’s just a matter of mutual affection.”

“With that jade plaque in her hands, it’s basically in yours too. That makes things so much easier for you,” Guan Hanzhong said, unable to hide his excitement.

Leaning back with his arms crossed, Zhou Yu’an mused, “Honestly, I didn’t expect grandma to hand over the plaque to Yinyin. Wouldn’t she find it inappropriate? My second uncle and aunt were there that day; I doubt this can be kept secret.”

Guan Hanzhong nodded in agreement. “That shouldn’t be. Grandma wouldn’t do anything to bring trouble. Maybe she has other plans she hasn’t shared with you.”

“But no matter what, the plaque is with us now, adding an extra layer of security.”

Guan Hanzhong stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and whispered, “Let’s wait and see.”

Time passed quickly, and it was almost lunchtime.

After finishing his meeting, Zhou Yu’an returned to the office and saw Guan Hanzhong still lying on the sofa, asleep. He asked, “Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I like the quiet here,” Guan Hanzhong said, turning over.

Zhou Yu’an nudged him, “Get up. Don’t disturb Yinyin and me while we eat.”

“Huh? Sister-in-law’s coming up later? Perfect, the three of us can eat together,” Guan Hanzhong stretched.

Zhou Yu’an frowned, “Who wants to eat with you? Eat with me tonight if you want. Now go, you’re making Yinyin uneasy.”

Guan Hanzhong looked up, feigning hurt, hand on his chest. “You’re kicking me out? You’d choose a woman over a friend!”

“Cut the act and get going,” Zhou Yu’an rolled his eyes and pulled him up by the arm.

Rubbing his face, Guan Hanzhong resignedly said, “Fine, I’ll go. Don’t want to scare your Yinyin anymore.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Xia Xiyin pushed it open.

Seeing Guan Hanzhong, she paused. “Oh, a guest. You two chat; I won’t disturb you.” She turned to leave.

“Wait,” Zhou Yu’an called with a smile. “Why are you leaving? Hanzhong’s about to go.”

Guan Hanzhong complained like a scorned woman, “I don’t deserve to have a meal here anyway, so I won’t bother you two.”

Xia Xiyin laughed softly and said, “Mr. Guan, join us.”

“Thanks for the offer, sister-in-law, but I’ll skip lunch. See you at the dinner tonight,” Guan Hanzhong replied. “I’m off, no need to see me out.”

Zhou Yu’an didn’t intend to see him off and reminded, “Mr. Guan, don’t forget to close the door behind you.”

Guan Hanzhong chuckled and left.

Secretary Chen brought the lunch, and the two sat on the sofa, ready to eat.

“Just now Mr. Guan said we’d meet at the dinner tonight. Are you taking me to a social event?” Xia Xiyin asked curiously.

Zhou Yu’an said, “Some friends have arranged a gathering tonight. They know I have a girlfriend now and specifically asked me to bring you so they can meet you.”

“Oh, I see.” Xia Xiyin thought for a moment and took a bite.

Seeing her hesitation, Zhou Yu’an gently asked, “Not too eager to go?”

“Not really,” she said, offering him a dish. “Just a bit nervous.”

“Don’t be nervous. They’re all nice people,” Zhou Yu’an reassured her. “Look at Hanzhong—he’s goofy, right?”

Xia Xiyin realized her nervousness stemmed from the difference in their social status. But then she reconsidered—she was not lacking either: beautiful, kind, capable. Zhou Yu’an liked her, so there was no reason to feel inferior.

With that thought, she relaxed and smiled, nodding, “Yeah, with you by my side, I won’t be nervous.”

“That’s more like it. My girlfriend has always been confident.”

After lunch, they lingered on the sofa for a while before Xia Xiyin got up to leave.

“How’s the project going?” he asked.

“Thanks to your guidance, President Zhou, the existing problems have been resolved,” Xia Xiyin said proudly, arching an eyebrow. “By the way, I have to work late tonight. When does the dinner start?”

Zhou Yu’an replied, “You focus on your work. No rush. Call me when you’re done.”

“Okay.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll get back to it. See you tonight.”

Watching her flutter out of the office like a little bird, Zhou Yu’an’s mood lifted. He touched his cheek, a smile spreading across his lips.

Back in the department, Xia Xiyin sat happily at her desk.

Yang Lele teased her, “Hey, girl, your lipstick’s smudged. Didn’t anyone notice on the way back?”

“Huh? No way,” Xia Xiyin exclaimed, grabbing a mirror. “I touched up before coming out.”

She looked in the mirror; her lipstick was intact.

“You’re just teasing me,” she said, lightly swatting her.

At that moment, Zhou Minghao came out of his office and called, “Xia Xiyin, come here.”

“Oh, coming.” Xia Xiyin exchanged a glance with Yang Lele and stood up to walk toward Zhou Minghao’s office.