flstandardbreds Chapter 176 Come for a walk with me
Chapter 176 Come for a walk with me
"Dad, do I look good in this outfit?"
Inside the room, a poised and elegant girl was looking in front of a full-length mirror, constantly changing her clothes, but she was never satisfied with any of them.
Today is Secretary Zou's 60th birthday. Due to his status, he couldn't have a lavish celebration, so he set up a few tables at a low-key hotel in the west of the city and invited some friends to dinner.
The usually serious Zou Dehai looked at his daughter with an unprecedented sense of helplessness. "When have you ever looked bad? And what's with this makeup? Anyone who didn't know better would think it was your birthday today."
Zou Yating covered her mouth and laughed, "I just wanted to support you! If I dress up nicely, you'll feel proud, won't you?"
Zou Dehai gave a haughty snort, "Smooth talker!"
However, he clearly couldn't offer any advice on his youngest daughter's clothing and appearance, so Zou Yating went to her friends for advice.
As evening approached, a group of guests arrived at the hotel entrance.
Once you reach Zou Dehai's position, there are practically no more purely social occasions. Most of the guests are high-ranking officials and dignitaries, and the area outside his low-key private hotel is always packed with luxury cars.
In the small banquet hall, people were constantly toasting and clinking glasses with him. Zou Yating stood beside Zou Dehai, well-behaved and graceful, with beautiful features and fair skin, clearly a lady from a well-to-do family.
After exchanging a few words with Zou Dehai, an older man looked at her and said, "Is this Yating? You've grown into a beautiful young woman. Do you still remember me?"
Zou Yating smiled sweetly and replied politely, "Of course I remember, hello Uncle Zhang."
Seeing this, Zou Dehai was quite pleased.
Ya-ting will graduate next year. If she wants to pursue a career in politics, it would be beneficial for her to show her face in front of his old friends now. That's why he invited so many guests today.
During a break, Zou Yating went to the bathroom to touch up her makeup. Looking at her perfectly made-up self in the mirror, her expression suddenly fell.
She took out her phone and carefully checked her father's invitation list over and over again. When she saw a certain name, she couldn't help but purse her lips in grievance.
Dad clearly sent Shen Yan an invitation, but why didn't he come?
It's a good thing she dressed up so nicely today.
With a sigh, Zou Yating returned to the banquet hall. She glanced listlessly at the crowd, paused for a moment, then perked up and her eyes lit up.
The sound of the cane tapping on the marble broke the whispers. Zou Yating's fingers tightened and loosened around the champagne glass. Her gaze swept over his slender figure wrapped in a trench coat, finally settling on the tip of the black cane—where his strong, pale hand was.
The veins on the back of my hand are hidden beneath the thin skin, as if you could smell the scent of cedar if you got close.
"Mr. Shen."
Zou Dehai's assistant was the first to greet him, smiling very politely, "You've arrived."
"Sorry I'm late, there's a bit of traffic in the city."
Shen Yan apologized in a low voice, neither humble nor arrogant, his attitude leaving no room for criticism.
Unbeknownst to them, the surrounding gazes seemed to drift over, and some whispered among themselves, "Is this Mr. Shen from Future Group? I've never seen him before, he looks very young."
"Isn't it said that the CEO of Future Group is a bald old man? Could this be the CEO's son?"
"No way, I heard he's disabled, it looks like he must be the real deal."
"..."
Putting aside these little whispers, Zou Dehai waved his hand generously, "It's alright, it's alright, please sit wherever you like. Today is just a casual meal for everyone, no need to be reserved."
Some time ago, Secretary Zou signed a contract with Future Real Estate on behalf of the Beicheng government, which allowed him to buy the land for building the airport from Shen Yan at a relatively favorable price. Therefore, he had to be polite to Shen Yan both morally and logically.
While they were talking, Zou Yating walked over. Her face was slightly flushed as she looked at Shen Yan and extended her hand. "Hello, Mr. Shen, my name is Zou Yating. We've met before."
The girl had fair skin and bright eyes. Her blue fishtail dress accentuated her curvaceous figure, and her hair was pulled back, making her look gentle and reserved. She was exceptionally ladylike and graceful, clearly a wealthy heiress.
Under the bright lights, Shen Yan's high brow bone cast a shadow under his eyes, making him appear inscrutable. He looked at Zou Yating's outfit and reached out his hand.
"Long time no see, Miss Zou."
Upon hearing this, Zou Yating was overjoyed, and her face was full of undisguised happiness as she shook hands with Shen Yan.
Seeing that Shen Yan seemed to remember her, Zou Yating suggested, "Um, Mr. Shen, how about we sit over there?"
She pointed to the sofa in the corner, which was next to a large floor-to-ceiling window with a view of the courtyard outside, a beautiful and undisturbed space.
Shen Yan sensed that some people around him seemed to want to get to know him, and he frowned almost imperceptibly before nodding.
Seeing this, Zou Dehai was also helpless. He couldn't care less about the corner and could only instruct, "Xiaoting, entertain Mr. Shen well for your father."
"Don't worry, I'm sure!"
Watching her practically skip and hop as she led Shen Yan toward the sofa, Zou Dehai's expression darkened.
No wonder Xiaoting spent the whole day getting ready, wearing a dress that didn't suit her style. A young girl who hasn't even graduated yet dressed so maturely—it turns out she had a clear purpose and someone she liked.
He had no idea when his daughter had developed such thoughts!
Seeing his pale face, the assistant asked him a couple of questions. Zou Dehai lowered his voice and asked, "Did you sense anything just now?"
The assistant answered honestly, "Miss Xiaoting seems to really like Mr. Shen?"
"..."
Zou Dehai had a headache.
Although he hadn't had much contact with Shen Yan, having only met a few times to discuss contracts, Zou Dehai had already summarized Shen Yan's characteristics from those few interactions.
Unpredictable moods, sharp eyes, and especially capricious.
Shen Yan is a first-rate businessman and an excellent business partner, but he is definitely not a good son-in-law. Xiao Ting simply cannot handle a man of this caliber.
Zou Dehai sighed, thinking that he would have to have a good talk with him when he got home.
Beside the floor-to-ceiling window, Zou Yating stared blankly at the man opposite her, lost in thought.
As dusk fell, the lights in the corner were not very bright. In the dim environment, the man's superior bone structure was clearly defined, like a knife blade.
Shen Yan's trench coat was draped to one side, and his white shirt was buttoned up to the top. Not a single inch of flesh was exposed on his body, and even the buttons on his cuffs were fastened meticulously, making him look exceptionally ascetic.
He pulled his hair back, his features were sharp and his eyes were aggressive, making him stand out from the crowd. His handsomeness was unforgettable at first glance.
"Miss Zou, is there something on my face?"
A deep voice rang out, and Zou Yating snapped back to reality, realizing that she had been so infatuated with the character that she immediately blushed and apologized, "No, no, I was daydreaming."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan nodded without looking up at her. He casually picked up a magazine and began to read it, without even touching his tea.
He wasn't planning to come today; he's only here to go through the motions. He'll stay for half an hour and then make an excuse to leave, which can be seen as an apology for his abrupt departure when he signed the contract last time.
Sensing Shen Yan's coldness, Zou Yating started making conversation, talking about the weather, the hotel's food, and how beautiful the courtyard was.
Shen Yan frowned slightly at her incessant chatter and finally looked up at the window.
The courtyard was just outside their first-floor apartment. The view outside the window was bathed in the golden twilight. The vines of the wisteria trellis hung down, and the evening breeze made the tender buds tremble and brush a few petals onto the bluestone path.
Several people sat on the carved wrought iron bench in the courtyard, and two or three double-petaled camellias floated in the fountain pool. The rising moonlight shattered the golden ripples on the surface of the pool.
It is truly breathtaking.
"Didn't Secretary Zou book the entire venue?"
Zou Yating was taken aback by the sudden question, but she understood when she followed Shen Yan's gaze.
There were people taking a walk in the courtyard outside, indicating that the hotel was still operating normally.
"Yes, my dad said not to be extravagant. Booking a whole hall is enough. The windows in the banquet hall are all one-way, so you don't need to worry about privacy."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan looked at the two people sitting together outside the courtyard and suddenly narrowed his eyes.
He then smiled, gentle and gentlemanly.
"Miss Zou, would you like to go for a walk with me?"