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墨書 Inktalez
The person sitting at the dining table is someone she has encountered frequently lately.
Qin Xian.
Shu Ran felt a mix of emotions.
Nervous? No.
Afraid? Not at all.
She thought it was too coincidental.
When she first saw him at noon, she was surprised and remarked how small the world is.
But upon reflection, it made sense. In S City, there are very few people who could afford to build such a luxurious villa in the suburbs, and its owner just happens to have the surname Qin.
It could only be the renowned The Qin Family.
However, now she was not surprised but rather puzzled.
Even if she were foolish, she couldn't possibly believe that someone like Qin Xian would come to a blind date, especially with her as the date?
No one would believe it if she told them.
Her mind was filled with questions, and her footsteps halted as she stood at the doorway.
The nearby waiter noticed her standing still and politely asked, "Miss Shu, is everything alright?"
Shu Ran shook her head; no matter how unbelievable it was, she was still standing there.
Biting her lip, she steeled herself and walked toward the dining table.
The Peony Pavilion, true to its name, had a unique decor style that was both luxurious and not vulgar, exuding a classical yet flamboyant charm.
A crystal chandelier hung elegantly in the center of the restaurant, exquisite and magnificent.
The light it emitted spilled onto the intricately sculpted ceiling, reflecting down and creating a soft ambiance throughout the private room.
The waiter slightly bent at the waist to pull out her chair, and Shu Ran smiled in thanks, her back naturally straightening as she sat down.
She raised her gaze.
The person across from her had been keeping his head down since she entered, flipping through the documents in his hands.
His hands were clean and slender, gripping the smooth edge of the pages as he turned them one by one.
It seemed he only just noticed a gaze upon him; he lifted his head, his eyes calm as water, showing no surprise upon seeing her.
After a brief glance, his attention returned to the documents.
The atmosphere grew somewhat quiet, and Shu Ran didn't know what to say.
She turned her head; outside the wide floor-to-ceiling windows was an unobstructed view of S City’s nightscape.
The night was vibrant, with dazzling lights.
Vehicles flowed endlessly in both directions.
The stunning scenery left Shu Ran somewhat entranced.
When Shu Ran came to her senses and turned her head, she noticed that Qin Xian had already put down the documents in his hands and was looking at her with great interest.
He gazed at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and indulgence, a brilliant smile on his face.
It was the first time Shu Ran had seen him like that, as if he were a gentle big boy, devoid of any aggression.
But just for a second, the expression on his face vanished completely, leaving only indifference.
She was slightly taken aback.
Qin Xian curved his lips into a smile, but his voice was cold. "Shu Ran. 25 years old. Graduated from Q University in China, majoring in Journalism, with a Master's degree in Journalism."
He spoke halfway, looking at her with a gaze full of nuance.
Shu Ran was startled by what he said, her tone urgent as she asked, "How do you know this?"
Qin Xian did not answer. Instead, he raised his hand and pushed the documents he had just finished reading to the center of the table.
Shu Ran glanced at him and reached out to take the documents.
After just a few glances, her expression changed, and her breathing quickened.
These sheets were filled with all her information, including family background, members, educational history, and more.
She seemed unable to believe it and looked again.
Finally, she raised her head, her delicate face filled with anger as she questioned the person in front of her.
"Did you investigate me?"
Qin Xian did not deny it; he simply changed the subject lightly.
"I'm curious, your academic background is quite impressive, so why did you choose to stay at an unknown kindergarten as a Teacher after graduation?"
"And this kindergarten's educational philosophy and financial resources are far behind those of other kindergartens from the same period. In fact, it might close down this year."
Qin Xian was a thorough businessman; all he saw were the statistics of this kindergarten and whether it had any value of existence.
"This has nothing to do with you." Shu Ran always prided herself on being calm in any situation. Even if she couldn't, she would never show her negative emotions in front of outsiders.
Yet Qin Xian always easily provoked her limits. The last time was at their first meeting when he inexplicably hugged her at the restroom door.
She thought he was drunk and mistook her for someone else, so she didn't hold it against him.
But today, he held this information and pointed out aspects of her life.
Shu Ran was very angry; she was about to grab her bag and leave.
However, Qin Xian suddenly said something.
"It's because of your father, isn't it?"
Shu Ran's motion of holding the bag came to an abrupt halt, as if time had frozen for a moment.
In her heart, there has always been a hidden corner.
This place harbors the guilt, sadness, and remorse she has experienced over the years.
At the deepest part of this place lies a nickname.
This nickname is the two words that have given her the greatest sense of security since childhood.
It brought her warmth and joy, offering her something she could never obtain again.
Whenever this nickname is mentioned, everything she has tried so hard to hide comes rushing out, endlessly eroding her.
For so many years, she has been trying to conceal and suppress it.
Yet now, it has been casually brought up by him.
Qin Xian waited for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping on the table, once, twice, slowly and rhythmically.
Just like its owner, he raised an eyebrow slightly and patiently waited for her to sort out her emotions.
After a while, seeing her sitting quietly, somewhat lost in thought and not knowing what she was thinking about,
he felt his speculation shift from three parts to eight parts. Coupled with the information he had gathered from his investigation, he had roughly pieced together what had happened.
He slowly began to speak, "Your father's kindergarten is now at its wits' end and wouldn't have lasted much longer. However, if funds can be secured, educational equipment replaced, and teaching staff improved, it could hold on for a few more years."
"But as far as I know, the current principal of this kindergarten has no intention of continuing. She has already agreed to sell the land to a businessman who plans to turn it into a production factory."
"In other words, before long, you will be leaving that place filled with your father's memories. Even if you want to reminisce, all you will find upon returning is the smell of industry and the noise of machinery."
He casually dropped these words and then shifted into a comfortable sitting position, his demeanor returning to its usual languidness.
In his heart, he secretly scoffed; the bait has been cast, now just waiting for the fish to bite.
Thinking this, he picked up the coffee on the table and took a delicate sip, his posture elegant and exuding noble etiquette.
After hearing this, Shu Ran's anger diminished significantly, though a flicker of emotion still lingered in her eyes from that moment when she almost burst out.
She calmed herself and took a deep breath.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Qin Xian suddenly smiled; his originally delicate and indifferent face now held an alluring charm.
He looked at her, his eyes sharp with intelligence. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Let's discuss a deal."
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