Chapter 89: Not Quite Acquainted

At this moment, Xie Jinchuan and Shen Qingli had already placed their order and were sitting at their table, waiting for the waiter to bring their food. The decor of the restaurant matched its name—flowers everywhere, though all were artificial, sprayed with floral fragrances. The scents mingled into a chaotic yet strangely pleasant aroma. Even Shen Qingli felt a fleeting sense of intoxication.

“What do you want to talk about?” Shen Qingli sat across from Xie Jinchuan, her demeanor impeccably proper, showing none of the coquettishness she once displayed before him.

A pang shot through Xie Jinchuan’s heart. He pressed his lips together and replied, “I just want to know about the follow-up for this program.”

Their divorce had been tumultuous and public, sparking a frenzy on social platforms, though the truth behind the rumors was uncertain. Someone had snapped pictures of them and posted them online, propelling their story back into the trending topics. There was simply no escaping it—both possessed stunning looks, and the netizens were eager to know which arms the celestial beauty and the handsome gentleman would ultimately fall into. Some speculated it might simply be internal affairs.

“Certainly, I’ll send you an electronic document first, then explain it to you step by step.” Her tone was strictly business, never touching on personal matters, which made Xie Jinchuan uneasy, though he comforted himself that even this was progress.

Though they spoke only of work, Shen Qingli was at least willing to talk to him, which was a good sign. Thinking of how Shen Qingli had lately been inseparable from Gu Qingming, Xie Jinchuan felt himself on the verge of madness.

“We’re planning to proceed like this…” Shen Qingli placed her phone screen before Xie Jinchuan, explaining the details point by point as he occasionally compared it with the document, his eyes growing brighter. He’d joined the project on a whim, but the competition’s rules turned out to be genuinely intriguing.

Caught up in their discussion, the two nearly forgot themselves.

“Shen Qingli!” Rong Qiaoyi’s voice rang out loudly, her celebrity status drawing immediate attention. She strode purposefully toward Xie Jinchuan and Shen Qingli, and the crowd—already alert—began snapping photos and recording videos.

A celebrity confronting two company presidents; the gossip was explosive. Moreover, Shen Qingli and Xie Jinchuan had divorced, yet Xie Jinchuan was also linked to Rong Qiaoyi.

Could Rong Qiaoyi be the other woman? And what were these two meeting for today?

Ordinarily, the staff would have ushered the intruder out immediately, but the drama was too tempting. Everyone pretended not to notice, going about their tasks while casting furtive glances.

Shen Qingli seemed to have anticipated Rong Qiaoyi’s arrival. She smirked, crossed her arms, leaned back in her chair, and looked at Xie Jinchuan with a half-smile, clearly curious about how he would handle the situation.

Green Cilantro watched the scene, scalp tingling. Even the legendary battle of gods and demons hadn’t felt as daunting, but this spectacle eclipsed it.

Xie Jinchuan frowned, uncertain of Rong Qiaoyi’s intentions. He’d already divorced Shen Qingli per Rong Qiaoyi’s demands—did she now intend to restrict his social circle?

Rong Qiaoyi faced Shen Qingli, her tone arrogant: “Why are you with Jinchuan?”

Jinchuan? The familiarity suggested a close relationship.

Sympathy flickered in the gazes directed at Shen Qingli; some women were even angered, canceling their social media follows on the spot.

“What’s the problem? I have work to discuss with President Xie. Is that not allowed?” Shen Qingli looked up at her, her eyes full of irony.

Though Rong Qiaoyi was physically looking down on Shen Qingli, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being looked down upon herself. She bit her lip, then adopted a fragile demeanor. “Is it really just work? I’m sorry, Jinchuan hasn’t had much time for me lately, so I’ve been a bit sensitive. If I misunderstood you, I apologize.”

Everyone watched Rong Qiaoyi’s act and their faces showed clear disdain.

Shen Qingli was baffled—was Rong Qiaoyi simply clueless, or was she deliberately provoking? Didn’t she realize that her words only made bystanders dislike her more?

Shen Qingli’s gaze toward Rong Qiaoyi was that of someone regarding a lunatic, making Rong Qiaoyi uncomfortable. She turned to Xie Jinchuan and asked sweetly, “Jinchuan, are you finished discussing work? If not, may I listen in?”

“No, I’m afraid not. We’ve signed confidentiality agreements for this project, so I must apologize, Miss Rong.” Compared to Rong Qiaoyi, Shen Qingli was far more gracious, winning the favor of many onlookers. Her tactful handling made no one feel awkward.

But Rong Qiaoyi saw it differently, convinced Shen Qingli was deliberately shutting her out. She responded with a sarcastic tone, “Is that so? Well, in that case, I’ll leave, so you two can talk freely.”

“No one invited you in the first place,” Shen Qingli replied.

Shen Qingli gave Rong Qiaoyi a perplexed look—how could she speak as if they’d invited her?

Rong Qiaoyi fell silent, and laughter rippled through the crowd. Online, the topic was already ablaze. After all, a famous actress as the other woman was a rare spectacle.

Rong Qiaoyi looked at Shen Qingli, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She just didn’t want to leave a bad impression on Xie Jinchuan; otherwise, Shen Qingli wouldn’t have it so easy.

“If there’s nothing else, Miss Rong, please leave. If you wish to dine with us, we’ll have to postpone the work discussion.” Her strictly professional tone left Rong Qiaoyi with no leverage.

“I’ll pass. I have other things to do. You two carry on.” Rong Qiaoyi would never allow them another chance to meet.

She wanted to leave, but Xie Jinchuan wouldn’t let her. He had no intention of being misunderstood by others, especially if it would displease Shen Qingli.

“Wait.”

Rong Qiaoyi’s heart leapt at Xie Jinchuan’s voice, her joy impossible to hide. “Jinchuan, were you calling me?”

Many people wore expressions of contempt. They had believed Shen Qingli and Xie Jinchuan were a good match—tsk. Shen Qingli should fly solo; Xie Jinchuan must be deranged, tolerating the other woman’s antics in front of his ex-wife.

So even being a president is worthless if your morals are rotten and your mind unsound.

“Miss Rong, there is nothing between you and me. I don’t understand why you came to us today and said these things. We’re not as familiar as you suggest. If possible, please address me as President Xie,” Xie Jinchuan said.

Someone snickered first, then laughter erupted.

Everyone understood all too well now. Xie Jinchuan and Shen Qingli’s divorce wasn’t caused by Rong Qiaoyi—something they hadn’t known.

But Rong Qiaoyi fancied Xie Jinchuan, and today, she came in acting overly intimate, even directly calling out to Shen Qingli. Anyone unaware might have thought she and Xie Jinchuan were about to register their marriage.