The manager’s words made everyone in the private room a bit puzzled—

Who could it be, with such influence, to clear the place?

However, Bo Xichen and Zhou Yunchen were easygoing and didn’t want to make things difficult for the manager, so they stood up: "Alright, then we’ll go downstairs to eat."

Gu Anxi and Song Jia were indifferent too, but Chen Ming, being straightforward and holding a position, couldn’t stand seeing some people show off everywhere, so he said to the manager, "Who’s coming, isn’t this too much?"

The manager couldn’t say it clearly, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and smiled sincerely.

People like the manager may seem simple, but he’s actually very shrewd. Those coming are not to be offended, but these few here aren’t to be offended either. Although they seem gentle, their attire, manners, and demeanor are different from others—they are definitely powerful and influential in Beicheng.

So, the manager smiled: "I’m really sorry for the inconvenience. In the future, you’ll all get a 20% discount here."

Bo Xichen smiled, and Zhou Yunchen, with a cigarette in his mouth, patted Chen Ming’s shoulder: "Alright, since it’s a big shot, we won’t trouble the manager. It’s not easy doing business these days."

Chen Ming didn’t insist further but still muttered, "It’s probably some nouveau riche."

Just as he finished speaking, someone came up from the elevator. It was no other than Wang Jingchuan.

Chen Ming’s words reached his ears, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere, but Secretary Wang, being a charming person, smoothly diverted the topic: "What a coincidence, it turns out to be Mr. Zhou and Professor Bo, and Chen Ming is here too!"

He walked over and put his arm around Chen Ming’s shoulder: "Mr. Wang was just talking about you, and now we’ve bumped into each other. Why don’t we have a meal together?"

Chen Ming was dumbfounded.

How, how is it Mr. Wang?

No one mentioned it before.

He looked at Wang Jingchuan: "Why is Mr. Wang here?"

Secretary Wang smiled mysteriously: "It’s probably due to boredom or a bad mood; going home, there’s no one to accompany him."

Chen Ming chuckled awkwardly and didn’t say another word, just glancing at Zhou Yunchen and the others.

Secretary Wang also looked at Zhou Yunchen. In fact, among those here, Zhou Yunchen should have the most grievances with Mr. Wang. Little Gu’s issues with Mr. Wang are trivial, just occasional spats, but Mr. Zhou has really been skinned this time, losing both face and position. With Mr. Wang’s stance here, there’s no place for Zhou Yunchen in Beicheng’s circle of elites in the future. Although wealthy from business, it’s still quite different from the original path. He used to be someone who could become a figure like Mr. Wang. Although no one mentions the reason, someone as astute as Secretary Wang naturally has some guesses...

Secretary Wang’s gaze was earnest, and Zhou Yunchen understood his intention, smiling gently: "I won’t disturb Mr. Wang, what do you say, Xichen and Anxi?"

Bo Xichen gazed at Gu Anxi, but his words were directed at Zhou Yunchen: "We came together, so let’s eat together downstairs. Besides, Mr. Wang might have guests; it might not be convenient for us to stay."

With these words, Secretary Wang felt slightly guilty since there were indeed guests.

Jiang Chaoge.

Not only Jiang Chaoge, but also William, the son of the founder of Huaer Laboratory. This dinner was also put together at the last minute, and Secretary Wang was indeed being polite earlier; saying yes to all would create an awkward atmosphere later.

He understood Mr. Wang’s thoughts, making dual preparations—if things don’t work out with Professor Bo, he still needs to work hard with Jiang Chaoge.

Now, with Bo Xichen’s refusal, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and still smiled: "Alright, then I won’t insist. Mr. Wang will be here later."

Gu Anxi lazily said: "Okay, we’ll make way for the old gentleman."

Secretary Wang internally sighed—

There it is again!

There it is again!

Head-to-head again!

After finishing, Gu Anxi took the stairs, unknowingly followed by Song Jia, who walked beside her. Gu Anxi understood she had no good intentions, glanced at her, and said nothing.

Song Jia played with her nails, "Feeling uneasy, right? Someone who used to spoil you so much suddenly doesn’t care about you anymore. And for a teacher of painting, is it worth it?"

Gu Anxi understood she probably didn’t know anything, perhaps because Zhou Yunchen didn’t say anything to protect her, so she calmly responded: "For some things and people, even if you don’t want to, you must protect them. Song Jia, at times, you’re actually quite lucky."

Song Jia looked at her, while Gu Anxi had already descended the stairs. She deliberately wanted to avoid Wang Jingyao, not knowing that recently Old Wang was deliberately taking the passageway in an attempt to lose weight, accompanied by a beauty, and running into her in the process.

Gu Anxi paused for a moment, then continued down the stairs nonchalantly, hopping with each step, seemingly having fun, while Song Jia closely followed, pretending not to notice Wang Jingyao.

Wang Jingyao was infuriated, but held back his words. Then Jiang Chaoge beside him chuckled softly: "Anxi, long time no see."

Gu Anxi didn’t stop, lazily saying: "I see Dr. Jiang in the newspapers every day."

Jiang Chaoge appeared generous: "Really, maybe it’s because I’ve just returned to the country."

She wanted to say something more to express her advantage from being in an upper position, but that little sprite had already slipped down the stairs...

Jiang Chaoge’s mouth twitched, then she calmly said to Old Wang: "Anxi seems to increasingly not take you seriously; it looks like you’ve been spoiling her too much."

Wang Jingyao snorted coldly: "More or less, I have nothing to do with her anymore."

Jiang Chaoge smiled subtly, without showing any emotion.

At this moment, Wang Jingchuan came over and noticed that the foreigner wasn’t there, so he spoke in a lowered voice: "I just found out the private room was occupied by Professor Bo and his companions."

Ugh, now everyone felt even less happy.

Wang Jingyao sneered: "I just saw her, and she didn’t look unhappy. Indeed, she lives happily every day, doing whatever she wants. No one can upset her—it’s lucky if she doesn’t anger others to death. Even if she falls into dire straits, she’d still be cheerful sleeping on the roadside."

Secretary Wang sighed again—

There it is again!

It’s happening again!

*

Downstairs, Bo Xichen and Zhou Yunchen picked a spot to sit; Gu Anxi and Song Jia came down afterward. After taking a seat, Zhou Yunchen glanced upstairs and smiled: "Did you bump into them?"

Gu Anxi held a cup of tea and smiled: "Yeah, came across them. And Jiang Chaoge too. If I’m not mistaken, there was a foreigner taking the elevator."

Chen Ming was impressed: "Anxi, you’re really sharp. Indeed, a foreigner just went up."

Gu Anxi smiled and then looked over at Bo Xichen...