Rebirth: CEO's Sweetheart Reaches the Life Pinnacle!-Chapter 168 - 165: Long Time No See

Zhou Rou found an excuse today to thank Yin Xian and invited him out for dinner.

Yin Xian had been entangled by Ye Duowei lately, and his mood was entirely foul no matter where he went. Later, he received Zhou Rou’s phone call. Her delicate and vulnerable image suddenly flashed in his mind, and thinking about how she’d gotten beaten and lost her job because of Weiwei, he felt guilty and agreed to her invitation.

Zhou Rou carefully selected an elegant Western restaurant for their meeting. When Yin Xian arrived, the two exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere felt somewhat awkward.

Their encounter that night had stretched until deep into the night, and although they’d met in North City once before, he hadn’t gotten a clear look at her!

Now, under the natural daylight, Zhou Rou had deliberately put on light makeup and perfume, her entire being radiating a pure and gentle charm.

Yin Xian’s eyes briefly flickered with astonishment, but upon closer inspection, he realized her style was entirely different from Weiwei’s.

How could he describe it? A fragile little woman.

Zhou Rou, being more bold, was the first to lift her wine glass and said, "Brother Yin, thank you for that night! Let me offer you a toast!"

"Sigh, if it weren’t because of me, you wouldn’t... Anyway, the one who should apologize is me!" Yin Xian finished the red wine already poured before him in one gulp, adjusted his emotions, and asked with concern, "How have you been?"

He noticed that the corner of Zhou Rou’s mouth on the right side was still a bit swollen, likely from Weiwei’s heavy-handed slap during the incident.

Zhou Rou shyly touched her cheek and raised her head, her eyes reflecting regret. "Brother Yin, please don’t think that way. I know your girlfriend had just had too much to drink at the time—that’s all!

Otherwise, on the surface, she seems like a truly wonderful girl! Sigh, I was at fault for speaking out of turn! She hasn’t been angry with you anymore, has she?"

"No! Miss Zhou, right? The New Year is around the corner. When will you be returning to your hometown?"

Yin Xian sighed, thinking about how Li Si’s friend was so understanding, then comparing her with Weiwei. Lately, he often regretted his engagement to Weiwei, especially the things that shouldn’t have happened due to drinking.

Above all, with the Ye Family pulling strings and dragging his own household into their mess, the Yin Family’s business had suffered as well. The house was now filled with grievances; Mrs. Yin no longer liked Ye Duowei as she had before, now only blaming herself for trying so hard to arrange things and ending up creating resentment from everyone around her.

Zhou Rou bitterly smiled. "This year, I won’t be going back! The crowds during the Spring Festival travel season are overwhelming! Too cramped! I’ll wait until next year instead!" She spoke, though her eyes betrayed yearning to return home alongside evident reluctance.

Yin Xian immediately suspected it might be due to her losing her job—she perhaps didn’t have enough money for the trip—but as a fellow girl, she wouldn’t admit it outright, so he refrained from asking directly.

"I seem to recall you mentioning you had an older brother. Will he be going home?"

Zhou Rou evasively avoided his sincere gaze, lowered her head, and twisted her fingers nervously while replying, "He’ll definitely go back! My family situation isn’t great. My father passed away due to illness, leaving behind a lot of debts. My mom is the only one left in the hometown. If neither my brother nor I return, how could my mother possibly have a good New Year?"

Yin Xian felt this girl not only had a mature understanding but also a strong sense of filial loyalty. His impression of her significantly improved. Reflecting on their first meeting, he figured he might’ve misunderstood her back then—likely, her enthusiasm stemmed from her close relationship with Li Si.

"By the way, Miss Zhou, regarding how my girlfriend caused you to lose your job, I’ve prepared some money as compensation. I hope you’ll forgive her! That night was rushed, and it was very late, so I couldn’t give this to you then."

Yin Xian finished speaking and pulled two stacks of RMB out of his bag, placing them on the dining table. He wasn’t sure how to offer her compensation properly; on his way here, he passed by a bank and withdrew some cash, worried that if he gave her too much, she might not accept it.

Considering his connection to Li Si, he didn’t want Li Si to someday find out about this incident and think poorly of him.

Zhou Rou didn’t need to inspect the bills closely to know they were two stacks of crisp hundred-yuan notes. Clearly, it amounted to twenty thousand RMB. She swallowed a gulp of saliva in excitement. This was truly an unexpected gift today. Originally, she’d considered drugging him, making something happen, and then extorting him.

To her surprise, the man wasn’t half bad—he’d actually come offering money today. With this twenty thousand RMB, at least she could afford to return to North City for a decent New Year celebration. Thinking this through, she decided to change her approach toward him.

"Brother Yin, I really can’t accept this money. Please take it back!" She pushed the money back toward him, her eyes glistening with tears. "Although I lost my job because of your girlfriend, if I took this money, what would it make me look like? Wouldn’t I come across as someone who cares only about money?"

Yin Xian’s impression of her improved further. He pushed the money back toward her once again and said, "Miss Zhou, I have no other intentions—just to offer appropriate compensation. I sincerely hope you’ll accept it! After all, you lost your job because of us! Moreover, if for no other reason, then at least out of respect for Li Si, you should agree to take it!"

His hand accidentally brushed against hers during this exchange. For some reason, he suddenly felt his mouth dry, whole body flushed.

When he looked at Zhou Rou more carefully, he felt her entire demeanor exuded a mesmerizing allure.

A hint of understanding surfaced in Zhou Rou’s eyes—she knew the drug was beginning to take effect. Feigning concern, she asked, "Brother Yin, what’s wrong?" At the same time, she glanced around; seeing no one paying attention to them, she reassuringly grabbed hold of his large hand.

Yin Xian’s rational mind prompted him to quickly let go, but his body remained stiff, forcing out, "Nothing’s wrong! Miss Zhou, I have something to tend to, so I’ll be taking my leave! Please keep the money—don’t think too much of it!" With those simple words, he seemed to summon every last bit of his willpower.

"Brother Yin, you don’t seem well. Why don’t I take you somewhere to rest for a bit?"

Zhou Rou suggested, picking this location deliberately because a hotel was conveniently located just downstairs. Everything was ready—all that remained was his cooperation.

Yin Xian’s mind was blurry, struggling to process the implications of her words. He merely nodded in agreement.

Zhou Rou, showing a victorious expression, stuffed the money into her bag. Supporting his arm over her shoulder, she quickly paid the bill and aimed to take him to a room downstairs via the elevator.

Unexpectedly, while waiting for the elevator, Li Si, Leng Mochen, and Mrs. Leng appeared.

Both Zhou Rou and Li Si froze on the spot upon seeing each other, neither expecting such a meeting under these circumstances.

Li Si instantly noticed Yin Xian’s flushed face and closed eyes, his body practically slumped over Zhou Rou’s shoulder. These two people, who barely had any connection—how had they ended up together?

"Well, Li Si, it’s been a while!"

Zhou Rou glanced at the newly radiant Li Si, dressed in a short black leather jacket paired with jeans and knee-high boots. Internally anxious, her face nonetheless displayed an artificial smile. Especially upon seeing Leng Mochen’s icy demeanor, her heart shrank with discomfort.

How could such an exceptional man choose Li Si? What qualities did she have?

Looking at the dignified Mrs. Leng standing behind them alongside him, it was apparent she was an elder from their family. Certainly, Li Si had no relatives with such poise.

No matter what, things had already progressed this far, and there was no turning back. After today, she might successfully establish ties with Yin Xian, so no one could stop her.

"Why are you with Yin Xian?" Li Si hadn’t planned on interfering but immediately spotted something off with Yin Xian. Knowing Zhou Rou was a typical white lotus type, who knew what she had planned secretly?

Mrs. Leng studied Yin Xian closely before hearing his name and confirmed this was indeed Ye Cheng’s son-in-law. Not long ago, she and Li Si had attended his engagement party.

Furthermore, just earlier Tian Yaru had been bragging endlessly about how well the Yin Family treated her daughter Weiwei. It seemed fitting to give Tian Yaru a glimpse of what her young people were up to now. (To be continued. If you enjoy this novel, please visit Qidian.com to vote with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support means the world to me! Mobile users can access content via m.qidian.com.)

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