Guess who I saw?

Ling Jiuzhe didn't lift his head, his eyes quickly scanning the documents in his hands with an air of dignified aloofness. He exuded a cold, distant aura—definitely not someone approachable.

Ling Yinuo turned her head and smiled. "Su Xi, are you here to be a tutor?"

She knew Su Xi lived in the East Suburb and came from a less affluent family. Since this area was a wealthy district, she naturally assumed Su Xi was here to work as a tutor.

Su Xi smiled lightly. "It's a good thing I ran into you."

How could she have forgotten? Ling Yinuo was the daughter of Ling Jiuzhe's older brother—his niece.

They hadn't met in nearly three years, but now, in just one week, they had run into each other three times. Su Xi couldn't help but wonder if the matchmaker had just woken up from a nap.

Ling Yinuo turned back and introduced, "This is my second uncle!"

Su Xi pretended not to recognize him, nodding. "Mr. Ling."

Ling Jiuzhe, hearing the familiar voice, looked up with a hint of surprise, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Su Xi gripped her umbrella tightly, keeping her face calm while her mind raced. She reminded herself that he probably only knew her as a student from Jiang University. Why panic?

Ling Yinuo, ever enthusiastic, initiated a conversation with Su Xi. "Is Zhou Ting chasing after Qiao Yu?"

Su Xi thought of yesterday and a coldness flickered in her eyes. She answered flatly, "I think so."

Ling Yinuo sneered. "Everyone at school knows Qiao Yu has liked you for three years. You two are so close. How could he be interested in Zhou Ting?"

Su Xi instinctively glanced at Ling Jiuzhe, then smiled lightly. "Qiao Yu and I are just ordinary classmates. Who he's with has nothing to do with me."

Ling Yinuo gave her a look as if saying "keep pretending." Su Xi could only mentally protest, feeling wronged. Regardless of whether her marriage was an agreement, she was married now!

When they got back to the city, there was an accident up ahead and traffic was jammed. Ling Yinuo, holding her stomach, said, "When will the road clear? I'm so hungry. How about we go eat?"

Su Xi immediately said, "I'll get off here. I'll go back to school on my own."

"Back to school? It's already noon. Let's go eat together," Ling Yinuo decided firmly.

The entire ride was silent, but Ling Jiuzhe glanced at his watch and instructed Ming Zuo, "Pull over."

They stopped at a French restaurant, and the three of them went inside. Ling Yinuo, concerned that Su Xi might not have been to such a high-end restaurant before, asked for her preferences and ordered for her.

After they finished ordering, Ling Yinuo went to the restroom, leaving only Ling Jiuzhe and Su Xi at the table.

Ling Jiuzhe leaned against the sofa in a relaxed posture, his eyes half-lidded as he looked at his phone, his handsome features making it hard to look away.

Su Xi's gaze landed on his striking face, and she momentarily recalled that night—he had been gentle and fierce, his movements intense, so different from the elegant, composed man before her.

She had been angry for a long time after returning that night. Losing her virginity was one thing, but why had she also paid him a hundred dollars? Had she been out of her mind with anger?

But now, sitting here and looking at the man across from her, she felt some comfort. The hundred dollars hadn't been a waste after all!

Sensing her gaze, Ling Jiuzhe furrowed his brow slightly and looked up at her.

Su Xi quickly averted her gaze and looked out the window, her ears burning. It was a crime to have such thoughts in broad daylight!

Ling Jiuzhe's eyes darkened with a hint of curiosity, and his lips parted slightly. "What's your name?"

Su Xi's back stiffened as she met his ink-black gaze. She softly replied, "Su Xi."

His handsome face remained unchanged, and his eyes showed no surprise. Clearly, he didn't remember her at all.

Su Xi thought to herself, as expected, he doesn't even remember the name of the person he's married to.

At that moment, a server brought out desserts, and Su Xi's phone buzzed with a new message. The conversation between her and Ling Jiuzhe was interrupted.

She opened WeChat, and it was from Sheng Yangyang.

[Xi Baoer, guess who I saw? Ling Jiuzhe! He's having a meal with a woman. I couldn't see her face, but looks like he's dating someone right after returning to the country. Does he even remember he's married?]

Su Xi stared at her phone, feeling mixed emotions. After a long pause, she typed back:

[Sorry, I am that "vixen."]

Sheng Yangyang was her best friend, the only one besides her father, Su Zhengrong, who knew about her marriage to Ling Jiuzhe.

Yangyang quickly replied with a shocked emoji, then another message:

[How did you end up with Ling Jiuzhe? Did you two recognize each other as husband and wife?]

"Recognize each other as husband and wife?" Su Xi stared at the words and felt a little speechless. She glanced at the man across from her before replying:

[No, just a coincidence. I'll explain later.]

Sheng Yangyang, ever the gossip, wasn't about to give up. She replied quickly:

[I'm on the third floor. I'll come down to find you.]

Su Xi's eyebrows twitched. She quickly typed:

[Stay there, don't move!]

Yangyang sent a sad emoji, but Su Xi ignored it, closing her phone. Just then, she noticed a faint fragrance in the air.

A woman wearing a GK spring beige suit walked up to the table and directly sat next to Ling Jiuzhe. Her makeup was flawless, and her elegance was apparent. She glanced at Su Xi before addressing Ling Jiuzhe with a playful tone, "I called you this morning to invite you for lunch, but you said you were busy. Looks like you made other plans."

Ling Jiuzhe's expression remained indifferent as he replied, "There's always a first-come, first-served rule."

The woman chuckled lightly and turned to Su Xi, her gaze sharp. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Han Xiao. May I ask your name?"

Su Xi sensed the hostility in the woman's gaze and was about to respond when Ling Jiuzhe suddenly pushed the dessert toward her. His voice was still cold but had an undertone of subtle affection. "Don't you like raspberry mousse? Go ahead and have some."

Su Xi didn't particularly like raspberry mousse, but she obediently picked up a spoon.

Han Xiao's expression darkened, but she maintained her smile, curling her lips. "Why protect her so much? It's just a name. Are you afraid I'll eat her up?"

Ling Jiuzhe showed no sign of joy or anger, replying indifferently, "She's timid and shy."

Su Xi almost choked on the mousse she was eating, barely managing to swallow.

Han Xiao's face turned darker. She sneered, "Timid? I think some young women are very bold. Relying on their looks, casting their nets everywhere. Jiuzhe, you need to be careful."

Ling Jiuzhe crossed his legs, a hint of indifference on his lips. "As long as she's good-looking, I don't need anything else."

Su Xi's hand holding the spoon trembled slightly. She couldn't finish her cake. It felt like a battle between gods, but couldn't they consider the feelings of mere mortals?

Han Xiao's face grew even darker as she clearly sensed Ling Jiuzhe's protectiveness toward the girl. Her chest tightened with frustration, but she didn't dare express her anger in front of him. Still, she had no right to feel jealous. Their families were close, and her father had been trying to arrange a match, but Ling Jiuzhe had never shown any interest.

Knowing that it was crucial not to lose her composure at this moment, Han Xiao stood up, smiling gracefully. "I won't disturb your meal. I'll visit your mother another day."

Ling Jiuzhe responded with a nonchalant "Mm."

Han Xiao walked away, her high heels clicking on the floor, clearly holding back the bitterness inside.

Su Xi, having only eaten half of the cake on her plate, immediately set down the spoon once the woman left.

Ling Jiuzhe glanced over and his voice returned to its usual aloofness. "Don't misunderstand what I said earlier."

Su Xi remained calm. "I understand. You're treating me to a meal. I'll help you with something. We're even now."