My Ares Son-in-Law

Jiang Xuanxuan smiled and waved her hand, saying:

"Haha, I was just kidding! If you had that kind of ability, you could get Chaotianque to make an exception and book the whole venue, and you could publicly teach those snobs a lesson. Keying would already be the First Lady of our provincial capital. Why would she need to work so hard on projects?"

Zhou Keying laughed along, but her smile lacked the pure teasing of Jiang Xuanxuan's; instead, it carried an indescribable complexity, with a hint of confusion and inquiry in her eyes.

She subconsciously recalled that day at the club banquet, when Xiao Chen calmly walked towards Shen Yingying, and Shen Yingying's respectful demeanor was completely unlike how she would treat an ordinary acquaintance.
She recalled that day in the corridor, when the usually haughty Old Mrs. Zhou disregarded her dignity and chased after her, pleading desperately, her words filled with awe for Xiao Chen.

She also recalled Shen Yingying's meaningful words on the phone, "This is the chairman's intention"... At the time, she didn't think much of it, but now, looking back, there were suspicious points everywhere.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on Xiao Chen's face, the face she had spent every day with and was extremely familiar with, but now it looked somewhat strange and mysterious, as if she had never truly understood this man.

How many secrets is he hiding? Are those seemingly coincidental events really just coincidences?
"Keying? Keying, what are you daydreaming about?" Jiang Xuanxuan's voice rang out softly, pulling Zhou Keying back to reality from her wandering thoughts. "I'm talking to you, why aren't you responding?"

Zhou Keying snapped back to reality, quickly concealing the complex emotions in her eyes. She forced a smile, shook her head, and said:

"It's nothing, I was just spacing out. By the way, you said this happened three days ago, so isn't that the same day we came here to eat today?"

Jiang Xuanxuan froze, her smile instantly turning to shock. Then, as if realizing something, her eyes widened in disbelief, and she murmured instinctively, "That's right! Three days ago! Three days before today! That means..."

Her words trailed off as her gaze slowly swept across the lotus pond outside the window, over the exquisite waterfront private room, and then over the entire Chaotianque Palace. A bold guess flashed through her mind, and her heart began to pound.

"No...no way..." She opened her mouth, her voice trembling slightly, unable to believe her own guess.

Zhou Keying was also stunned by this coincidence. The smile on her face disappeared completely, and her eyes were full of disbelief. She and Jiang Xuanxuan looked at each other and saw the same doubt and shock in each other's eyes.

The next second, they instinctively turned their heads at the same time, their eyes falling on Xiao Chen, staring intently at him, trying to find a flaw in his face.

Xiao Chen, however, seemed completely oblivious to their strange looks. He picked up his chopsticks and slowly took a piece of food, his movements elegant and composed, his expression still calm and serene, as if their speculations and shock had nothing to do with him.

Noticing their gazes, he slowly raised his head, a perfectly measured hint of confusion on his face, and asked in a calm tone, "Why are you looking at me? Hurry up and eat, the food is getting cold."

Zhou Keying and Jiang Xuanxuan exchanged a glance but didn't say anything. They silently looked away, picked up their chopsticks, but had no appetite and were both feeling turbulent inside.

But simultaneously, the same thought arose in both of their minds… Could it really be such a coincidence? Could that mysterious big shot really be Xiao Chen? But he clearly just seems like an unemployed, ordinary person…

After several rounds of dishes and drinks, the atmosphere at the table gradually became lively. Jiang Xuanxuan put down her chopsticks, and suddenly seemed to remember something. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to look at Zhou Keying.

"By the way, Keying, aren't several of our high school classmates developing their careers in the provincial capital?" she asked eagerly, her eyes full of anticipation.

Zhou Keying put down her teacup, thought carefully for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Yes, there are a few. Zhang Ziren, Li Xiao, and Wang Feifei. They all seem to have settled in the provincial capital, and we keep in touch occasionally." Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuanxuan's face immediately lit up with a joyful smile. She took Zhou Keying's hand and said in a coquettish tone:

"How about we have a class reunion? I just arrived in the provincial capital, and you're here too. We haven't seen each other in ages. It would be great to get together, chat, and have a meal!"

Zhou Keying hesitated for a moment, frowned slightly, and said with some difficulty, "This... isn't a good idea. I'm too busy with my projects lately, working overtime every day, and I simply can't find the time."

"What's there to be so busy about? Even if you're busy, you still need to eat and rest!"

Jiang Xuanxuan persisted, gently shaking her hand with a hint of grievance in her voice.

"Just keep me company. I've just arrived in the provincial capital, and I don't know anyone here except you."

Besides, let's bring Xiao Chen along too, so all our classmates can see how handsome and outstanding Keying's boyfriend is. Let those who used to be envious of you be truly jealous!

Zhou Keying's cheeks flushed slightly, a sweet feeling washing over her. She subconsciously turned to look at Xiao Chen, her eyes filled with a questioning look, wanting to hear his thoughts.

Xiao Chen was holding a soup bowl, slowly sipping his soup with unhurried movements. Hearing Jiang Xuanxuan's words, he slowly raised his head, his face expressionless.

"I think I'll pass," he said calmly. "It's a class reunion for you all, and everyone here knows each other. It wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider like me to go, and it would make everyone feel uncomfortable."

"What's inappropriate about it?" Jiang Xuanxuan glared at him immediately, her tone somewhat forceful.

"You're Keying's boyfriend, how can you be considered an outsider? It's a good opportunity to show those classmates what a perfect match they are, and to slap those gossiping people in the face!"

Zhou Keying looked at Xiao Chen, then at Jiang Xuanxuan's determined expression, and hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "If Xiao Chen doesn't want to go, don't force him. I know you've been quite busy lately."

Xiao Chen's gaze fell on Zhou Keying's face, and he clearly saw a hint of expectation in her eyes... Although she said she wouldn't force her, she probably hoped that he could go with her.

He glanced at Jiang Xuanxuan's assertive "you must go" expression and sighed softly in his heart. In the end, he couldn't bear to disappoint Zhou Keying.

"Alright then." He nodded slowly, his tone softening. "We'll see when the time comes. If I'm free, I'll go with you."

When Jiang Xuanxuan saw that he agreed, she immediately beamed and clapped her hands, saying, "That's right! It would have been so much better if you had said this earlier. I guarantee you would have gotten some exposure!"

As they were talking, Zhou Keying and Jiang Xuanxuan's phones both rang almost simultaneously—it was a WeChat message notification. (End of Chapter)