Chapter 26: Get Ready and Go Gather Wild Greens

"How could she not know that the Radiant Feast is not exactly a respectable social gathering? Yet she deliberately asked you if you wanted to go," Qi Zhan said, gritting his teeth.

Zhou Yinhe glanced at him with displeasure. "Can you stop being so malicious toward her? She hasn't been to China in three years; how could she know these things? Besides, she was invited by someone else."

Qi Zhan found it truly incredible. A person who had been so sharp since childhood—how could he be so easily deceived? A few words from her were enough to leave him completely disoriented, and he even looked ready to count the money for her.

He released Zhou Yinhe’s arm and said earnestly, "You're beyond saving. Just pack up your things and go dig for wild herbs in the mountains."

Zhou Yinhe wore an expression of disdain, adjusted his sleeves, and shuffled back to his original position, inching even closer to Wen Ling than he had been before.

Qi Zhan was so infuriated by his pathetic display that he felt like he needed to pinch his own philtrum to stay conscious.

Jiang Jibai laughed as he poured him a drink, advising, "Do not interfere with others' fates. Being deceived by Wen Ling is simply Zhou Xiao-Wu's destiny."

Ke Chengyu couldn't help but laugh.

Zhou Yinhe didn't have any particular agenda; he simply found himself involuntarily wanting to be close to Wen Ling, yet he didn't want to reconcile. This was precisely why he felt so heavy-hearted from time to time.

Seeing him sit back down, Wen Ling couldn't resist pushing her luck.

"Zhou Yinhe, could you accompany me to the restroom?"

Zhou Yinhe was almost incredulous, but then he heard Wen Ling say in a wronged tone, "Last time at Nys, I was almost bullied by that young master of the Wu family while going to the restroom, which caused trouble for Young Master Jiang. This time, I'm afraid of running into..."

Zhou Yinhe pursed his lips. "Wu Xuan is still in the hospital; he won't be getting out anytime soon."

"But, what if there's someone else? I'm scared." Wen Ling bit her lip lightly, looking at Zhou Yinhe with an aggrieved expression. She added understandingly, "It's alright, I can go by myself. It’s just that if I don't return for a long time, please remember to come find me, or have someone else look for me."

Zhou Yinhe couldn't even bring himself to accept the premise of what Wen Ling was suggesting; the mere thought made his chest ache. Within seconds, he went from hesitation to compromise. He stood up, looked down at Wen Ling, and said, "Let's go."

Wen Ling’s eyes curved into bright crescents as she smiled and gave a crisp, affirmative nod.

The two walked out of the private room one after the other. Zhao Xingtang, having watched the entire scene, couldn't help but applaud in admiration. "With this tactic of feigning retreat to advance, and possessing a face like that, you really can't blame Xiao-Wu for being soft-hearted."

The others were also speechless. Ke Chengyu had reached a point of deep admiration for Wen Ling and agreed with Zhao Xingtang. "Wen Ling's craft is too profound; Xiao-Wu is no match for her. It looks like it won't be long before Xiao-Wu is hooked by her again."

Jiang Jibai curled his lips. "It's a good thing Xiao-Wu has such a difficult personality, otherwise he would have reconciled with her the moment she landed in China."

Qi Zhan was so angry he no longer wanted to speak. Ke Chengyu crossed his legs and said leisurely, "Then we must be thankful that Xiao-Wu has this foul temper."

"I’ll say it again: respect the fate of others," Jiang Jibai said with a shrug and a laugh.

Zhou Yinhe had no idea what they were discussing after he left the room. He stood outside the restroom, looking somewhat awkward. With his model-like features, the clothes he wore, and the watch on his wrist, he served as a constant reminder to any curious onlooker of his noble and golden status.

Inside, Wen Ling stood before the mirror, tidying her clothes in a leisurely manner. She touched up her lipstick, pressed her lips together, and smiled softly at her reflection.

She understood Zhou Yinhe too well—he would always be stubborn with his words but soft-hearted in his actions. Beneath the surface, besides feeling a flicker of being moved, she also felt a sense of appreciation for her own methods.

She winked at her reflection before stepping out of the restroom. Seeing Zhou Yinhe standing not far away, leaning lazily against the wall with a gloomy face, she said with slight embarrassment, "Sorry, did I keep you waiting too long?"

Zhou Yinhe stood up straight and said calmly, "It's fine. Let's go."

Wen Ling nodded. Just as she took a step, she tripped on something and pitched forward.

Zhou Yinhe stepped forward instinctively to catch her. Wen Ling’s fingers clutched tightly at the fabric of his clothes in front of him, and she said in a trembling, coquettish voice, "You scared me to death."

Zhou Yinhe’s heart was pounding as well. He even forgot that he was holding her in his arms, and his grip on her only tightened.

Wen Ling looked up at him, stood on tiptoes, and leaned her face slowly toward his, her lips nearly brushing against his.

Zhou Yinhe suddenly snapped back to reality and turned his head to dodge. Wen Ling’s lips landed directly on his cheek, leaving a vivid red lipstick mark against his cool, pale skin.

Zhou Yinhe instinctively pulled his hands back and retreated a step. A flush of red spread from his face down to his neck, showing signs of traveling even further.

He clenched his fists, his heart hammering so hard it made it difficult for him to breathe.

"I'm sorry." Wen Ling also flushed, lowering her head in embarrassment as she bit her lip and whispered, "I just couldn't help myself for a moment. Please forgive me."

Seeing this, Zhou Yinhe swallowed the words of reproach he had been about to utter and said stiffly, "Let's go. Keep up."

As they neared the private room, Zhou Yinhe suddenly asked, "There was a restroom inside the room. Why did you have to come out here?"

What could be the reason? It was only to tease Zhou Yinhe. Wen Ling had to scramble for an excuse: "The restroom inside must be used mostly by men. The one outside is at least only for women."

Zhou Yinhe gave a grunt of acknowledgment. He pushed open the door to the private room and walked in, not forgetting to hold the door for Wen Ling.

When he sat back in his original seat, Qi Zhan happened to catch the red mark on his cheek. Meeting Wen Ling’s provocative gaze, he felt as if his world had gone black.

"Oh, heavens..." Qi Zhan leaned back into the sofa, looking up at the ceiling in resignation.

Wen Ling smiled inwardly. She retracted the provocative look in her eyes and, with an innocent expression, pulled out a tissue. She leaned in close to Zhou Yinhe and slowly wiped the lipstick mark from his cheek.

Their faces were so close they could feel each other's breath. Zhou Yinhe stared blankly at her profile—a dazed expression rarely seen by those who had grown up with him.

After she finished wiping it, Wen Ling’s fingers lightly brushed his cheek. She whispered, "Sorry, I left a lipstick mark on your face. I forgot I had just reapplied it."

Zhou Yinhe turned his face away to avoid looking at her. His ears were burning red, yet his tone remained composed. "It's nothing."

Wen Ling smiled, picked up a drink, poured a glass for Zhou Yinhe, and gently clinked her glass against his.

Zhou Yinhe took it and finished it in one go. Only as the cold alcohol entered his system did he feel the heat throughout his body begin to cool slightly.

Seeing that it was getting late and that Zhou Yinhe had been teased enough, Wen Ling smiled and bid farewell to the group. As she left, she gave Zhou Yinhe one last lingering, reluctant look.

Zhou Yinhe stood up and said to the others, "I'm leaving too. You all carry on."

With that, he followed Wen Ling out of the room. He stood in place for a long time after she had bid him a soft goodbye and departed in her car. He ruffled his hair in frustration before finally returning to the Yunshang Club, asking the manager to arrange a driver to take him to his own residence.

Once inside her car, Wen Ling finally allowed a triumphant smile to show.