Chapter 178 - 178: Don’t Tell Me That Yon Are Interested In Me
The Substitute Bride: Indulged by the Obsessive CEO
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
When Teacher Zhang heard Tang Beibeiâs question about salary for joining her song and dance ensemble, she was stunned and amused.
âNot much, but when we perform, we are paid higher than the average office worker.â
âThen Iâll think about it.â Tang Bethel said.
âAlright, but you canât tell Fu Jin about this. If I poach dancers from here, he will definitely quarrel with me.â Teacher Zhang said with a smile.
âI wonât tell him. Thank you, Teacher!â
Tang Beibei took the reading list and turned to leave. She was shocked to find Ye Lan standing outside the office.
Ye Lan saw her panic and mocked her in a low voice, âAre you shocked because youâve done something wrong?â
âWhat nonsense! Ye Lan, you thought wrong. Iâ¦â
Ye Lan didnât have the patience to listen to Tang Beibeiâs explanation. She just turned and left.
Tang Beibei was stunned, and her brows furrowed. Ruan Qi was right. Ye Lan was not easy to get along with.
She went to find Ruan Qi. The two of them waited outside the dance studio for Song Zhou to pick them up.
When he got out of the car and opened the door for Tang Beibei, he saw Ruan Qi limping as she walked. He asked worriedly what happened, and Tang Beibei whispered that Ruan Qi had fallen.
Song Zhou looked at Ruan Qiâs knees and reached out to help her to the front passenger seat. He did not immediately go to the driver s seat but asked, âCan I see your new battle scars?â
Ruan Qi did not know whether to laugh or cry at his teasing. She waved her hand nonchalantly. âIâm fine. Please drive.â
Seeing that she was unwilling, Song Zhou did not force her and went over to start the car.
In the backseat, Jiang Jingchen, who also came, asked Tang Beibei if she was injured.
Tang Beibei replied excitedly, âIâm fine. Both Qiqi and I got Aâs and passed the test. We can go our for some rest and relaxation tomorrow!â
Jiang Jingchen was also happy for her. He lowered his head and kissed her on the lips. âMy Beibei is amazing!â
Tang Beibei blushed at his praise and whispered, âItâs all thanks to you. If it wasnât for your advice, my story and Qiqiâs would not be so interesting. The rhythmic things you told us were also very useful. Even the teacher praised us.â Jiang Jingchen didnât claim credit. âThis is because my Beibei is very capable. She can portray even imaginary things.â
Ruan Qi listened to their conversation and felt goosebumps all over her body.
She clicked her tongue and said, âMr. Jiang, Song Zhou and 1 are still here.â âSo?â Jiang Jingchen asked.
Ruan Qi was speechless. Could the two of them be more considerate of the single people in the car?
Song Zhou looked at her deflated expression and held back his laughter. âSo, to celebrate the girlsâ passing of the test, Young Master, shall we have a big meal tonight?â
Jiang Jingchen asked Tang Beibei, âWould you like to have a feast tonight?â âFeast? Is it going to be very expensive? If it s very expensive, no.â
Song Zhou quickly said, âItâs not expensive. The restaurant is closed today. I happen to know the head chef there. Iâll buy the ingredients and asked him to cook. We just need to pay him for his efforts.â
âThen letâs go buy some groceries.â
Song Zhou chuckled. âYoung Madam, people order groceries online now. Iâve already ordered the ingredients on my phone and sent them to the restaurant. The food will be ready soon.â
âSong Zhou is still the most efficient. Alright, letâs go have a feast.â Tang Beibei said with a smile.
Ruan Qi looked at Song Zhou suspiciously. Why did the whole thing sound so suspicious?
Did they really just order ingredients and ask a head chef to cook for them?
Song Zhou noticed her gaze and cocked an eyebrow ar her as a warning.
A good friend would not expose a white lie even when she knew the truth.
Ruan Qi chuckled.
When they arrived at the five-star restaurant, Ruan Qi got out of the car and the corner of her eyes twitched.
Why would a restaurant like this be closed for no reason?
She didnât believe it for a minute!
Jiang Jingchen was very generous. He had booked the entire place just to bring his wife out for a meal. Tsk, tsk, this meal probably cost more than a hundred thousand yuan.
But she was eating for free today. She would be a fool if she exposed him!
Tang Beibei got out of the car. She wanted to help Ruan Qi, but Jiang Jingchen took her hand and asked Song Zhou to help Ruan Qi.
Song Zhou walked to Ruan Qiâs side and extended his hand to her like a gentleman. âMiss Ruan, let me help you.â
His posture seemed to be inviting her to dance. Ruan Qi smiled and placed her hand on his palm.
âThank you, Mr. Song.â
âYouâre welcome.â
Song Zhou draped her arm around his shoulders. He did not help her up.
Instead, he bent down and scooped her up.
Ruan Qi looked at him in surprise. âMr. Song, you donât have to do this. A bridal carry?â
Song Zhou nodded. âAre you not used to it? Sorry if Iâve offended you, but youâre walking too slowly and 1 have to go and arrange things for my young master. Sorry to make you compromise.â
Ruan Qi was indeed not used to it. She had never been so close to a man before, let alone being carried like a bride.
She could see the man s side profile when she turned her head. She could even smell the orange blossom fragrance on him, which gave her a sense of warmth. She felt so shy!
They went to the second floor of the restaurant. Four seats had been set up at two separate tables.
It was obvious that Jiang Jingchen didnât want others to disturb his time with his wife, so the other two seats were on a separate table.
After Jiang Jingchen and Beibei were seated, Song Zhou put Ruan Qi down and got up to ask the kitchen to serve the dishes. He also called the band to play music.
Tang Beibei looked around at the romantic decorations and couldnât help but praise the place.
It was super romantic!
Ruan Qi rested her chin on her hand and thought in silence. A place where a meal usually cost several thousand yuan was a place of taste and luxury. Of course, it would be praiseworthy.
Tang Beibei looked at the band and asked in confusion, âIsnât this place closed today? Why are they still working?â
Song Zhou explained as he served the dishes, âThey charge two hundred yuan a performance. So, 1 let them play to make the meal more fun. Young Madam, you wonât blame me for wasting money, right?â
âWhy would I? Itâs quite romantic. Iâve never heard a live performance before. 1 can experience it once for 200 yuan all thanks to you.â Tang Beibei thought that the band needed gigs too and didnât make things difficult for Song Zhou.
Song Zhou then looked at Jiang Jingchen and said respectfully, âThankyou. Young Madam, Iâll bring the rest of rhe dishes.â
Since the restaurant was closed, there would be no waiters and Song Zhou would have to do all this.
Ruan Qi looked at the manâs busy back and then at the elegant Jiang Jingchen, complaining in her heart.
It was so easy for him to deceive his wife because he married an innocent woman.
However, Jiang Jingchen worked so hard to protect Tang Beibeiâs self-esteem and her inherent values. His efforts were truly commendable.
Song Zhou was finally done with his work. He brought over a small cake and handed it to Ruan Qi.
âMiss Ruan, this is a small reward for your new battle scars.â
He was still teasing her.
Ruan Qi did not know whether to laugh or cry but she would not be shy.
She used a spoon and took a bite of the cake. It was so delicious that she wanted to scream. âWhatâs this cake? Itâs so delicious. Sweet but not cloying. And itâs my favorite mango flavor. Song Zhou, youâre too awesome!â
Song Zhou was amused by her exaggerated expression.
He said, âThis is made by a Michelin dessert chef. I asked her to make two portions. One of strawberry flavor for Tang Beibei, and this one for you. This dessert costs more than 500 yuan.â
âGlugâ¦â
Ruan Qi looked at the small cake in front of her and gulped.
Was she eating gold?
âBut how did you know that 1 like mangoes?â
Song Zhou pointed at his eyes. âThrough observation.â
âHuh? Where?â
Could observations skills really tell someone what fruit another person liked?
âOn your bag hangs a trinket with a cartoon mango character. And on your keychain, there is also a picture of a little mango. Itâs obvious that you like mangoes.â
âThe clothes you wear are also of warm colors, and most of them contain yellow. You also have a pair of sneakers with mango motif. Those things make me even more certain that you will like this flavor.â
Ruan Qi gave him a thumbs up. âYouâre really observant.â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âHowever, youâve been observing me so carefully.. Donât tell me that you are interested in me!â