Chapter 209

Chapter 209 - 209 202 The vinegar has gone to ones head quickly coax Chapter 209: 202: The vinegar has gone to one’s head, quickly coax them! Chapter 209: 202: The vinegar has gone to one’s head, quickly coax them! Meng Wenting felt a bit slighted but still managed to say, “Sorry, Lawyer Xie, it was my oversight.” He took the initiative to introduce the person sitting next to him, “This is my daughter, Meng Duolan. She just happened to be nearby and came to join me for a meal.”

Meng Duolan stood up, dressed sharply in a suit with a short skirt, looking both beautiful and valiant. She walked over to Xie Shang and extended her hand, “I’ve long admired your reputation, Lawyer Xie.”

Xie Shang shook her hand politely and let go, then took a seat opposite Meng Wenting.

The waiter handed the menu to the lady.

“Does Lawyer Xie have any dietary restrictions?”

“No.”

Meng Duolan asked the waiter to recommend a few specialties and then turned to her father, “Dad, would you like to have a drink?”

Meng Wenting looked across the table, “Lawyer Xie, would you join me for a couple of drinks?”

Xie Shang declined politely, “Sorry, I drove here, so I won’t be drinking.”

Meng Wenting was about to press him to drink, but Meng Duolan tugged at his sleeve, and he gave up the idea and ordered a pot of tea instead. After Meng Duolan finished ordering, she passed the menu to Xie Shang’s side.

He directly gave it to the waiter.

The tea arrived first, the waiter poured tea for the guests, then silently exited, closing the door behind him.

Meng Wenting started the conversation, “About your proposal last time—”

“Lawyer Meng, today is not a good day to discuss business.”

Originally, he came to discuss business, but now with an outsider present, Xie Shang disliked mixing business with personal matters.

“Then let’s talk about personal matters.” Meng Wenting was convivial, actively steering the conversation, “What hobbies do you enjoy when you’re not busy, Lawyer Xie?”

Xie Shang took off his overcoat, placing it neatly on an empty seat beside him. His black shirt was paired with a black tie; despite such a monochromatic combination theoretically minimizing presence, this was not the case with Xie Shang. The black adorned him, adding to his gravitas and elegance. The shirt buttons were all properly fastened, signaling detachment and self-restraint, yet this made him all the more captivating.

“I don’t have any special hobbies,” Xie Shang assessed himself, “I’m a rather dull person.”

Meng Wenting naturally continued with the tone of an elder, “My daughter Duolan is the same, not much for going out. Maybe next time you can arrange to relax together, young people have more to talk about.”

Xie Shang didn’t continue the dialogue.

The waiter knocked and came in to serve the dishes.

During the meal, Meng Wenting made a few attempts at conversation, to which Xie Shang responded, but all his replies were very brief, maintaining politeness and distance.

Throughout the meal, Meng Duolan couldn’t help but glance at Xie Shang. She had heard about him a long time ago and initially imagined someone skilled in musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, and fragrance connoisseurship would carry a strong scent of books about him, like a poet engaged in painting, predominantly filled with grace. But upon meeting him at Yangguang Building, the impression Xie Shang gave her was more akin to a hunter wielding a gun, or to use an unfitting simile:

an elegant thug.

“I am thankful for your help at the Qin Family matriarch’s birthday banquet last time,” Meng Duolan lifted her cup and stood up, smoothing her skirt, “I’d like to offer you a toast with tea in place of wine.”

Xie Shang set down his chopsticks, still seated, “No need to toast me; I didn’t really help you out. I just happened to be in a bad mood that day.”

“Regardless, I’m the beneficiary.” Meng Duolan drank the tea in her cup, “Dad, you guys talk first; I’ll go to the restroom.”

Meng Wenting had something to say to Xie Shang, and Meng Duolan was a smart person. Her appearance today was her own suggestion to Meng Wenting. One meets countless people in life, but few are stunning at first sight. She did not want to miss out and wished to get to know Xie Shang formally; Meng Wenting supported her in this.

Meng Wenting decided not to beat around the bush and asked quite directly, “Lawyer Xie, what do you think of my daughter?”

The moment Xie Shang walked in and saw Meng Duolan, he understood Meng Wenting’s intentions.

“Is this your condition for collaboration?”

Meng Wenting did not want to speak too definitively as Xie Shang was a challenging individual to control and instead probed with a hint of speculation, “It’s not necessary to put it so formally; I just thought you two are of a suitable age and could get to know each other. Besides, if our cooperation could lead to a more solid relationship, it would be beneficial to both sides.”

This message could also be conveyed with a simpler term: a marriage alliance.

“Before you made this plan, you should have asked me one question,” said Xie Shang.

“Which question?”

Xie Shang replied, “Whether I am single.”

Meng Wenting smiled, trying to appear less passive, “I heard from your uncle that you’re currently unattached.”

Xie Shang corrected without hesitation, “I have a fiancée.”

Xie Shang’s goal was his father, Xie Liangjiang, a matter of great importance. Meng Wenting didn’t want to disrupt the current equilibrium without full confidence. Most importantly, he didn’t trust Xie Shang, nor did he dare to trust him, lest he end up completely devoured, since Xie Shang was no easy opponent.

If possible, Meng Wenting still hoped Xie Shang would truly join his side; binding their families through marriage was the best way, “But you are not married yet, are you?”

“Lawyer Meng, it seems you’ve misunderstood one issue, the one being chosen is you, not me.” Xie Shang didn’t want to waste any more words, “I want your answer by tonight.”

Meng Wenting’s face grew grim.

Meng Duolan had just returned and asked casually, “What are you talking about?”

Meng Wenting said, “About work.”

“Let’s not talk about work during dinner.”

Meng Duolan returned to her seat, having reapplied her makeup, and didn’t touch her chopsticks again.

Xie Shang ate very little, neither the food nor the company were to his liking. He picked up his clothes, “I have other matters to attend to, please enjoy your meal.”

Meng Duolan glanced at her father.

Meng Wenting nodded, signifying he was also finished with his meal.

Meng Duolan had already settled the bill earlier, “We’re done as well; let’s leave together.”

The restaurant was on the fourth floor, and the parking garage was on the first basement level.

While in the elevator, Meng Wenting asked Xie Shang, “Would it be convenient for you to give Duolan a lift?” He explained, “I need to get back to the law firm.”

Xie Shang stood to the far left, his body leaning back. He refused, “Sorry, it’s out of my way.” He asked Madam Meng, “Do you need help calling a taxi?”

So hard to approach, yet polite to the extent that no fault could be found.

“No need.”

The elevator reached the first basement level, and the doors opened.

Father and daughter Meng stepped out first, while Xie Shang’s steps halted for several seconds.

Meng Duolan looked back, her gaze inquisitive, “Lawyer Xie?”

He looked outside the elevator, his expression greatly altered from before; the indifferent man from moments ago now had eyes that were bright and burning. He stepped out of the elevator, moving slowly at first, then quickened his pace, heading straight forward.

However, Xie Shang’s car was parked in a spot to the left.

Meng Duolan followed his gaze, observing Xie Shang approach someone. The lighting in the parking garage was dim, making it hard to see the person clearly.

“Changling.”

Wen Changling didn’t respond.

Xie Shang asked her, “Are you waiting for someone?”

Wen Changling replied with a super indifferent tone, “Yeah.” Her glance swept across Meng Duolan dismissively, without care, “On a date?”

“No.”

Oh.

None of her business.

She casually asked again, “On a blind date?”

“No,” Xie Shang said, “It’s business.”

Business my ass.

Meng Duolan was the legal affairs director at Huaqi Technology, and there had been no recent cooperation between Huaqi Technology and KE Law Firm. Moreover, the elderly gentleman Wen Changling also recognized, was Meng Wenting, a member of the KE Management Committee. Without a doubt, he was Meng Duolan’s father.

A father accompanying his daughter to meet an eligible and marriageable man.

Business my ass.

Xie Shang was truly too annoyed.

Wen Changling had an indifferent expression, “Your ‘colleague’ is waiting for you.”

Xie Shang didn’t even glance back, his eyes focused only on Wen Changling, “Come on, I’ll take you home in my car.”

Wen Changling’s face was cold, “I’m not alone.”