Chapter 43: Winning Over

Huo Beihan stood up from the corner and said in a deep voice, "Let's call it a day."

While the others were still puzzled, Lin Mu had already anticipated the situation. "Right, right. We've played several rounds already, and it's getting late. Besides, everyone has things to do."

He took the initiative to stand up and walk toward the exit. As he passed Huo Beihan, he gave him a meaningful glance. Noticing that the rest of the group hadn't followed, he hurriedly called back, "I need you guys for something. Hurry up."

"What is it?"

Hearing this, the others followed behind him, shoving each other as they exited.

Soon, only Huo Beihan and Su Mian were left in the private room.

"What is going on?"

Watching the departing group, Su Mian wore a puzzled expression.

Huo Beihan hesitated for a long time before speaking, "The reason I had you come over was to help you get familiar with the people around me, but I didn't expect Wen Jingyu to be so devoid of manners. Every time she comes, she says such harsh things."

"I won't let her show up again next time."

Su Mian was noticeably stunned, not expecting Huo Beihan to keep her behind specifically to say this.

She felt deeply touched. In fact, even if Huo Beihan hadn't said anything, she was certainly not someone to take things lying down; she had already fought back just now.

At the same time, she could tell that Huo Beihan was displeased.

Touched though she was, she said, "We can't do that. After all, you grew up together. You don't need to go out of your way for me."

Huo Beihan paused, just about to speak, when the door of the private room was pushed open from the outside.

Both of them looked up simultaneously, and Wen Jingyu walked in with slightly disheveled clothes.

It seemed she had heard what Su Mian had just said.

"You damned green tea bitch, have no shame at all! Since you know we grew up together in the same circle, why do you keep trying to squeeze your way in?"

"Wen Jingyu!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Huo Beihan's stern voice rang out. "Weren't the jokes you made earlier enough?"

Wen Jingyu looked extremely aggrieved.

However, Huo Beihan had no intention of letting the matter rest. Along with the reprimand, he issued a warning: "If you dare to act presumptuously again, there will be no need for you to attend any of our gatherings in the future. If you won't listen, I'll have Wen Jingbo tie you up at home."

Wen Jingyu stared at him in shock, feeling utterly wronged.

Clearly, this was Su Mian's fault, so why was he blaming her instead?

Yet, Wen Jingyu opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. After all, Huo Beihan always meant what he said.

If she really displeased him, trying to see him next time would truly be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

"I know. I just won't say things like that."

After a long while, Wen Jingyu finally uttered those words with extreme reluctance.

Su Mian, sitting nearby, found the scene quite amusing, but she said nothing, quietly watching to see what Wen Jingyu would do next.

Huo Beihan cast an extremely displeased glance at Wen Jingyu. Though he didn't speak, his meaning was crystal clear.

"Aren't you leaving yet?"

After waiting for a long time without any response from the other person, Huo Beihan had no choice but to ask first.

Wen Jingyu shook her head and, looking shy, sidled up to sit close to Huo Beihan.

Huo Beihan moved away, then stood up directly, grabbed Su Mian's wrist, and pulled her out of the private room.

Watching the retreating figures of the two, Wen Jingyu felt as though her world had collapsed.

Earlier, she had stormed off in anger and even spent a long time badmouthing Su Mian to several of her girlfriends.

She had originally planned to return after a short while; after all, it was just a game, and Su Mian couldn't possibly keep saying harsh things.

To her surprise, within just a few minutes, the others had all come out.

Yet, Huo Beihan and Su Mian were nowhere to be found in the crowd.

Unable to hold back, she had rushed back in, only to arrive at the door just in time to hear Su Mian uttering those words.

Wen Jingyu thought Su Mian was simply going too far. She herself hadn't even said much, yet Su Mian made it seem like she had committed an unforgivable crime.

She was clearly just trying to use these green tea tactics to win Huo Beihan's sympathy.

Huo Beihan, who was pulling Su Mian along, remained silent.

They walked for quite a while without him showing any sign of letting go of her hand, though his pace had slowed down significantly.

Su Mian didn't struggle either, simply letting herself be led forward by Huo Beihan.

Looking at his tall back, Su Mian couldn't help but recall what he had said in the private room.

He seemed to treat her differently, but as for how he was different, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Hand in hand, the two of them exited the building. When they reached the ground floor, Lin Mu and the others had already left.

Su Mian felt a bit anxious. Her original intention was to ask Shen Tingzhou what was going on with her friend.

Instead, she had been dragged into playing a round of games, which ultimately delayed her important business.

Just as Su Mian was about to ask Huo Beihan where everyone had gone, a hurried figure suddenly darted out from the side, startling them both.

Huo Beihan instinctively pulled Su Mian into his embrace.

With her face pressed against his clothes, Su Mian couldn't see the newcomer clearly, but she recognized the familiar voice.

"What are you two doing?"

Who could this voice belong to if not Qin Zunghao?

Hearing that voice, Su Mian's struggling motion paused, and she simply remained resting against Huo Beihan's chest without moving.

Seeing Su Mian's reaction, Qin Zunghao grew even more furious.

"What am I doing? Can't you tell?"

Compared to Qin Zunghao, who was losing his composure, Huo Beihan appeared much calmer.

He tightened his grip slightly around Su Mian, his gaze directed at Qin Zunghao filled with utter disdain.

Qin Zunghao had been nearby attending to some business when he suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. Drawing closer, he discovered to his shock that it was Huo Beihan and Su Mian.

The most absurd part was that the two of them were actually holding hands.

This was something he had least wanted to see and feared the most, so he had instinctively rushed over to pull them apart.

"But you're just relatives! Isn't acting this intimate a bit too presumptuous?"

Flames seemed to shoot from Qin Zunghao's eyes as he stepped forward, reaching out to pull Su Mian over.

Huo Beihan sidestepped, blocking him.

"Presumptuous? I'm protecting my younger sister, is there something wrong with that?"

Facing Qin Zunghao's provocation, Huo Beihan simply tightened his hold on Su Mian slightly before raising his eyes to look at him.

Qin Zunghao was boiling with anger at that look, but he shifted his gaze to Su Mian, who was tucking her head into Huo Beihan's chest.

"I came here today because I have something to tell you."

Su Mian looked up blankly, meeting Qin Zunghao's gaze.

"What is it?"

Seeing Su Mian's indifferent attitude, Qin Zunghao said through gritted teeth, "Don't forget, tomorrow is my father's birthday banquet. Send me your home address, and I'll come pick you up."

Though his words were addressed to Su Mian, his eyes were fixed on Huo Beihan beside her, filled with provocation. However, all he met was a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes.

It seemed his provocation had zero effect on the other man.

"Did you hear me?"

When Su Mian remained silent after he finished speaking, Qin Zunghao grew somewhat anxious and pressed her again.

Su Mian had certainly heard him. The reason she didn't reply was because she was deep in thought.

She remembered that just two months ago, she had still been pondering over what kind of suitable gift to prepare for Uncle Qin's upcoming birthday.