Chapter 29: The Trio (3)

"What? How could you not know?" Ye Ye stared at Lin Yan in astonishment. As far as she knew, the Leng family was a strictly traditional household. Dating back to the end of the Qing Dynasty, they had always been a prominent family, maintaining an aura of antiquity for generations. It was customary for a wife to wait for her husband to return, meal prepared and ready; if the husband had not yet eaten, the wife certainly would not touch her own food.

"I truly don't know, but generally speaking, he doesn't come home for dinner," Lin Yan replied with a faint, indifferent shrug.

As she walked to the entryway to change her shoes, she added, "By the way, I'm heading out. You should eat soon, too—don't overwork yourself."

"Then could you give me Brother Mohan's cell number? I'll call him and ask," Ye Ye persisted, unwilling to give up.

"There's an address book on the cabinet over there—yes, right where the phone is. You can look it up yourself. I'm leaving now," Lin Yan said, gesturing toward the cabinet against the wall beside the sofa.

Just then, a series of beeps echoed from the door, as if someone were entering a keypad code. Lin Yan turned to see the door swing open from the outside. Leng Mohan stood in the threshold, briefcase in hand. He glanced at Lin Yan and asked, "Going out?"

"Yes, Li Ran invited me to dinner. She’s paying, and since that skinflint rarely treats anyone, I’d be foolish not to go," Lin Yan said with a smile.

She walked past him toward the door as she spoke.

Leng Mohan glanced at his watch, frowning slightly. "It’s nearly dinner time. Haven't you had lunch yet?"

Lin Yan said nothing, merely waving a hand dismissively as she stepped out.

"Brother Mohan, have you eaten?" Ye Ye hurried forward, her face brightening with a smile.

"I have."

Leng Mohan tossed his briefcase onto the sofa, loosened his tie with a flick of his wrist, and began to take off his suit jacket. Ye Ye rushed forward to take it from him, but Leng Mohan looked at her, his dark, ink-like eyes deep and impenetrable. His gaze felt so piercing that it made Ye Ye feel deeply uncomfortable.

"That won't be necessary," he said coolly. He continued to loosen his tie, hung his jacket on the rack, and headed upstairs, looking disheveled.

Just as he reached the first step, he turned back and said, "It's two-thirty now. It’s long past lunch time."

Ye Ye’s heart leaped, thinking he was concerned about her missing lunch. She quickly replied, "It’s fine, I’m usually not punctual with lunch anyway."

"Brother Mohan, would you like to eat a little something?" she asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

He cast a sidelong glance at her and remarked, "You are a rather incompetent nutritionist. It’s been over two hours since lunch, and you haven't even called your client down to eat."

With that, he turned and headed upstairs, not sparing her another look.

Ye Ye stood frozen, staring at his retreating back. Her lips parted several times, but ultimately, she said nothing.

The place where Li Ran had invited Lin Yan was the famous "Wangjiang Tower" in Huaicheng. It was a Sichuan restaurant renowned for its spicy cuisine. It was named "Wangjiang Tower" (River-Viewing Tower) because it was built along the banks of the Ze River. The river was neither large nor small, but the people of Huaicheng relied on it for their livelihoods. Every year, the river produced a bounty of seafood that was shipped to other cities, providing significant income for the region and contributing to the prosperity Huaicheng enjoyed today.

By the time Lin Yan arrived, she was nearly famished. In truth, she could have eaten something at home to tide herself over, but for some reason, she never enjoyed dining in Ye Ye’s presence. Although the girl hadn't done anything wrong, Lin Yan simply couldn't bring herself to like her. Perhaps it was just a personal prejudice.