Regretful Beijing Marriage

Just as Jiang Yining was about to explain, Zhou Xubai reached out his hand first.

"Zhou Xubai, Ningning's friend, has long admired Miss Ji."

Ji Shu shook hands with him, then turned back to look at Jiang Yining, her eyes practically overflowing with gossip.

Jiang Yining forced herself to explain.

"The new friend I met helped me a lot."

Ji Shu responded with an "oh".

That "oh" was delayed by eight beats.

The expression on his face clearly said, "Do you think I'm blind?"

She has always been very accurate in judging people.

This week, Xu Bai's every thought was written all over his face.

Ji Shu scanned Zhou Xubai from head to toe again.

In terms of both looks and temperament, she is no less than Fu Huaiyan.

The most crucial thing is to look at Jiang Yining's eyes.

He's miles ahead of Fu Huaiyan.

It seems he's completely different from his taciturn uncle.

Then the two of them can compete fairly, and we'll see who her best friend chooses.

Jiang Yining could tell from Ji Shu's dreamy expression that she was overthinking things again.

He raised his hand and gently tapped her forehead.

"Don't overthink it, we're just about to go out for dinner, want to come along?"

"Go! We have to go!"

Ji Shu immediately responded and touched her empty stomach.

"I'm starving, so I came here specifically to find you for a meal."

After she finished speaking, she turned to look at Zhou Xubai.

"Mr. Zhou, you wouldn't mind if I joined you, would you?"

Zhou Xubai's lips curled up slightly, his smile gentle.

"Of course I don't mind, it's an honor."

Zhou Xubai drove them to the Xingyue Hotel in the center of Jiangcheng.

The waiter came to greet him as soon as he saw him.

We walked through the lobby and went up to the top floor.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, the entire night view of Jiangcheng was displayed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lights stretched to the horizon.

The waiter led the three people to a table by the window.

A rose sits on the table, directly opposite the floor-to-ceiling window.

Ji Shu looked at the perfect spot by the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes filled with an even stronger sense of ambiguity.

She knew this spot all too well; it was a famous lovers' seat in Jiangcheng.

There was only one table in the entire hotel.

Appointments are booked up for six months from now.

The hotel will set off fireworks for the people sitting at this table at 9:58 sharp.

It's said that this was a rule the boss set when he proposed to his wife.

Later, it became an exclusive perk for this table of guests.

Ji Shu leaned closer and whispered a joke.

"That's great, Mr. Zhou. Did you specifically book this spot?"

"These rooftop river view seats are extremely difficult to book; even if you have money, you might not be able to get one."

Zhou Xubai responded indifferently.

"It was just a coincidence. I'm a regular VIP at this hotel, and there just happened to be an empty seat."

Jiang Yining was completely oblivious to the meaning behind Ji Shu's words.

"It's just a casual meal; it doesn't matter where you sit."

Ji Shu smiled but did not reply.

Zhou Xubai's actions were not a coincidence, but clearly a deliberate arrangement.

Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone!

Ji Shu cleared her throat, a playful smile on her face.

"It is indeed a superb location; Mr. Zhou is so thoughtful."

Zhou Xubai smiled slightly, a gentle smile playing on his lips, offering no further explanation.

He then pushed the menu in front of the two of them.

"Take a look and see what you like, just pick whatever you like."

Ji Shu was not polite at all.

Open the menu and select only the most expensive items.

French M5 Wagyu tomahawk steak.

Steamed Boston lobster with aged Shaoxing wine.

Caviar-flavored abalone slices...

Jiang Yining's brow twitched as she looked at her, and she quickly reached out to hold her down.

"Shushu, that's enough. There are just the three of us, we can't possibly finish it all."

"It's alright, the portions here are small and won't fill you up."

"I happen to have a good appetite today, so I can finish it."

Ji Shuchong and Jiang Yining gave An Xin a look, then turned to look at Zhou Xubai with a frank smile.

"Mr. Zhou, do you mind if I order a little more?"

Zhou Xubai's smile remained unchanged.

"Miss Ji, please order whatever you like. The most important thing is to enjoy your meal."

Ji Shu nodded in satisfaction.

Compared to a tightwad like Fu Huaiyan, the difference is obvious.

In the first few years after Ning married into the Fu family, she couldn't even afford to buy Japanese food.

What's the point of keeping a man who won't even spend money on his wife?

Ji Shuli handed the menu to the waiter and immediately began questioning him.

"Mr. Zhou, where are you from? What is your main occupation? How many people are in your family? What is your approximate monthly income?"

A barrage of questions came down at Zhou Xubai, but he responded calmly to each one.

"I'm from the south of the city, my profile says I'm a lawyer, I'm currently an only child, and as for my monthly income..."

Seeing that Zhou Xubai was actually responding, Jiang Yining quickly interrupted.

"Shushu, what are you doing? Checking my household registration?"

"Of course we need to find out!"

Ji Shu was perfectly justified.

"Don't end up with someone like Fu Huaiyan, all looks and no substance..."

Before he could finish speaking, the voice of a waiter from the next table came over.

"Mr. Fu, Ms. Shen, this way please."

Jiang Yining paused for a moment as she held the cup.

Fu Huaiyan and Shen Miaoyin walked side by side.

Jiang Yining didn't turn her head, but caught a glimpse of a dark gray figure passing by her side out of the corner of her eye.

He walked slowly and deliberately to the seat at the table next to him.

Her high heels clicked along beside her, and Shen Miaoyin's perfume wafted over, cloyingly sweet.

I happened to be sitting right next to them.

It was separated by the distance of a potted green plant.

Jiang Yining could see Fu Huaiyan's face with just a slight glance.

She put down her cup, and the little bit of appetite in her stomach instantly disappeared.

Shen Miaoyin had obviously seen them as well.

When she sat down, she deliberately took Fu Huaiyan's arm, leaned her body towards him, and spoke in a voice so soft it was almost dripping with sweetness.

"Brother Huaiyan, you're so thoughtful to have reserved such a great spot for me."

Ji Shu rolled her eyes and whispered in Jiang Yining's ear.

"A pair of ignorant, uncultured people."

Jiang Yining nudged her with her knee, signaling her to stop fooling around.

She knew in her heart that Ji Shu was impulsive and straightforward.

If Fu Huaiyan is truly angered, given his methods, it's inevitable that the Ji family and Ji Shu will be implicated.

She couldn't let her best friend suffer an undeserved misfortune because of her.

Ji Shu ignored him completely, turned to face Zhou Xubai, and deliberately raised her voice a few decibels.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for specially reserving a window seat for Ningning. The view is truly expansive, with the entire city of Jiangcheng in sight."

Zhou Xubai glanced at Jiang Yining, the curve of his lips deepening slightly.

"I'm glad you like it. Just mention my name next time you come."

"I'm not going to join in the fun."

Ji Shu cooperated fully, exaggerating his emotions.

"There are so few good men like Mr. Zhou these days! My best friend is so lucky."