Chapter 69 Someone Touched My Phone?

"An'an, are you alright?"

Tang Jin appeared genuinely concerned for Xue Shengnan on the surface, but in truth, his attention was fixed on Xu An'an. He was convinced that her absent-mindedness was entirely due to his influence.

Well, after all, with a man as outstanding as himself, what woman could resist? Especially a little journalist like Xu An'an. If he simply exuded a bit of masculine charm, how could he possibly fail to win her over?

If Xu An'an ever learned what Tang Jin thought of her, she’d have slapped him across the face on the spot. She was well aware that when precious gems are close at hand, mere stones simply can't compare.

Xu An'an shook her head and continued her meal quietly. She wasn’t sure if it was because she’d grown accustomed to Jiang Lie’s strikingly handsome and flamboyant face, but now, looking around, not a single man could catch her eye.

That thought filled her with a sense of despair. If she could never find a man more handsome than Jiang Lie, would she end up alone forever? Perhaps it would be best to see less of Jiang Lie in the future.

Alas, Tang Jin was not one to read the room. He looked at Xue Shengnan and asked, "Shengnan, did An'an have some trouble at the magazine? She doesn't seem herself tonight."

Xue Shengnan briefly recounted the situation at the magazine for Tang Jin and then reassured Xu An'an, "Though things went their way this time, several of the higher-ups are quite displeased. They likely won't dare try anything like it again."

After all, Xu An'an would be at the magazine for a long while yet—it was best to lay the groundwork for what was to come. That, too, was why she’d chosen to compromise at the meeting.

Xu An'an nodded. "I understand, Director Xue."

"I was just thinking about my little cat—it loves to run off," she said.

Tang Jin seized the opportunity. "What kind of cat? I know several cat lovers. They have their own group, and maybe they could help."

Xu An'an truly had no desire to owe Tang Jin any favors. "No rush. Let’s wait and see. Maybe it’ll come back soon."

But Tang Jin disagreed. "Lately, I’ve heard a lot of stray cats are being rounded up and sent for humane euthanasia. What if they mistake your cat for a stray?"

Even Xue Shengnan nodded in agreement. "I’ve seen news about that, too."

That made Xu An'an uneasy. After a moment’s thought, she decided to call Jiang Lie. She remembered he’d said that even after being discharged, he'd arrange for someone to stay at the hospital, watching his old ward in case the fat cat returned.

Ring, ring, ring...

After a long while, the call was finally answered by a pleasant female voice: "Hello?"

Xu An'an's pupils contracted—she blurted out, "Sorry, wrong number," and quickly hung up, terrified she’d interrupted Jiang Lie and his lover in the middle of some intimate discussion. No doubt Jiang Lie would come after her later.

"An'an, what's wrong?" Xue Shengnan noticed that Xu An'an seemed even more downcast after the call and grew worried.

Xu An'an forced a smile, but inside she was filled with bitterness. "Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’ll head out first."

Tang Jin immediately stood as well. "Let me take you."

Xu An'an waved him off. "No need. I’ve already called a car."

Before she finished speaking, she hurried away, afraid Tang Jin would catch up.

Tang Jin sat back down in exasperation. "Shengnan, what on earth did I do wrong? Or did I offend your colleague somehow, for her to be so scared of me? Here I was, thinking I could help her make her fortune. Instead, my good intentions are being thrown in my face."

Xue Shengnan was puzzled as well. "Don’t blame her. Anyone would be in a foul mood after what happened at work."

"Still, she doesn’t have to take it out on me, does she?"

"She’s not. I only let my own sweetheart take things out on me."

"You—" Xue Shengnan blushed.

...

Xu An'an was nearly out of Private Kitchen No. 1, but as she crossed the scenic little bridge, she caught sight of a familiar silhouette illuminated by lantern light—it was Jiang Lie.

She could never mistake him; the mere outline of that bold, domineering figure was unmistakable. There was only one man in all of Shanghai who could carry himself like that.

Thinking of the woman who had answered the phone, Xu An'an couldn’t restrain her curiosity and crept closer to eavesdrop.

This place was secluded—an ideal spot for a clandestine rendezvous.

"Second Master, I'm feeling a bit tired. Why don't we go to a room?" the woman’s gaze was coy, her movements graceful and seductive, enough to make any man’s heart race.

But Jiang Lie’s handsome face remained cold, his dark eyes utterly unperturbed.

"Get lost," he said.

Jiang Lie had come here with a few friends for dinner. His companions had not only brought women but had even found one for him. He’d refused her advances from the start. Once their business was concluded, he’d left early—only to realize he’d forgotten his phone and had to return.

The woman had mistakenly thought he was coming back to give her a chance.

"Jiang Lie, it’s not that we doubt your preferences, but how come there’s never a woman here who suits your taste? You don't secretly like guys, do you?" One of his friends, already quite drunk, teased him.

The others laughed. "Don’t let all of us get married and start families while you’re still alone."

Jiang Lie finally found his phone in a corner, though he hadn’t sat there before. How did it end up here?

"Did someone touch my phone?"

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks; none of them had been paying attention.

Jiang Lie glanced over at the woman trying to cling to him and noticed she seemed flustered—a realization dawned on him. He said nothing then, but after leaving, he sent a message to the friend who’d organized the gathering.

Whoever dared tamper with his phone would have to pay the price.

His friend sobered up immediately upon receiving Jiang Lie’s message. He grabbed a nearby wine bottle and hurled it at the woman who was trying to sneak away.

Crash!

The bottle shattered at her feet, startling everyone.

"What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?" someone shouted.

"Me? Maybe you should ask this woman. She’s got some nerve—she actually dared to touch Jiang Lie’s private phone."

Once they understood, no one sided with the woman. Some even looked ready to lay hands on her.

Hiding in the distance, Xu An'an couldn’t make out what was being said. She hadn’t even seen where Jiang Lie had gone and muttered quietly, "What on earth are these people up to?"

"And that bastard Jiang Lie—your woman’s being bullied and you’re not even coming back to protect her."

It was only after she said this that Xu An'an realized how foolish she was being, sneaking around like this. Shaking her head, she hurried toward the main entrance, only to run straight into Tang Jin. She tried to avoid him, but he spotted her.

Tang Jin hurried over, surprise lighting his face. "An'an, you’re still here? Didn’t you already call a car? Let me take you—I've got something urgent anyway, no sense wasting money."

"So you’re just leaving Director Xue behind?" Xu An'an was shocked, but mostly angry.

She turned to go back for Xue Shengnan, but Tang Jin blocked her way.