Zhang Zihan didn't pester Chen Xinyu. He knew it wouldn't work and would only upset her. "Okay, be sure to be happy."
Chen Xinyu put her phone away and said, "That's for sure, you don't need to give your blessings."
Zhao Qiang had already finished eating. The two paid the bill and left the hotel. Zhao Qiang did not try to pay the bill with Chen Xinyu. He let Chen Xinyu treat him to the meal so that she could express her gratitude. Zhao Qiang would naturally reciprocate. There was no need for them to be polite.
"Don't you have to work this afternoon?" Zhao Qiang asked Chen Xinyu.
Chen Xinyu said, "Well, I don't have many interviews lately. I'll go back to your hotel with you and take a look at your place in Beijing."
Chen Xinyu led Zhao Qiang by the hand towards the parking lot. Behind them, a man couldn't believe his eyes. He rubbed them hard, then looked closely and finally confirmed that the girl wearing sunglasses was indeed Chen Xinyu. His face flushed red, not from excitement at seeing Chen Xinyu, but from anger and rage. It wasn't because Chen Xinyu owed him money, but because he liked her, and now she was intimately with another man—how could he accept this?
The man quickly followed, but he was always a step too late. Chen Xinyu had already driven her Ferrari onto the road, leaving only a cloud of dust behind. The man stomped his feet in anger. He immediately took out his phone, but not to call Chen Xinyu to confront her, because he didn't have the right to do so.
"Hey Zhang Zihan, have you been in contact with Chen Xinyu lately?"
Zhang Zihan wasn't in a good mood, so his voice was somewhat arrogant: "So it's Brother Geng. What's wrong? Got too much money to spend and planning to ask me for help?" It turned out that the person who followed Chen Xinyu out of the hotel was Geng Qiuhan, who had once been Chen Xinyu's suitor.
Geng Qiuhan snorted: "Don't talk so sarcasticly. Your family has just as much money as mine. Honest and upright businessmen like us earn money through hard work, while you sit in your offices drinking tea and people deliver money to your door, begging you to accept it."
Zhang Zihan said lazily, "If you have something to say, say it. If not, I'm hanging up. I don't have time to chat with you."
"Chen Xinyu is with a man."
Zhang Zihan's voice tightened, as if she stood up from her office chair: "Where are you? I'll be right there."
Geng Qiuhan said, "I wouldn't dare trouble you, Director Zhang. I'll go find you myself."
Zhang Zihan said, "I'm in the municipal government office. You can just come in."
Geng Qiuhan didn't waste any time. He went to the parking lot, got in his car, and headed straight for the Beijing Municipal Government. He could have followed Chen Xinyu, but as a reporter, Chen Xinyu was also a shrewd person. If she discovered he was following her, it would be troublesome. Geng Qiuhan wouldn't be able to explain himself, and it would only make Chen Xinyu extremely disgusted with him, and he might even lose the opportunity to pursue her. So Geng Qiuhan wouldn't do something so foolish. When he encountered a love rival, his former love rivals became friends. Moreover, Zhang Zihan had a wider network of connections than him, so it would be a waste not to take advantage of him.
Half an hour later, Geng Qiuhan appeared in Zhang Zihan's office. Zhang Zihan politely made him a cup of tea, but Geng Qiuhan didn't even touch it. "Director Zhang, I don't believe you didn't get any prior information. You don't consider me an ally anymore, do you?"
Zhang Zihan felt a little wronged: "Brother Geng, don't you think it's a bit rash to be so arbitrary? I just called Chen Xinyu, and she said she was having dinner with guests. I asked her if she was male or female, and she got very angry. If I had known beforehand, would I still have gone to offend her?"
Geng Qiuhan said, "With your family's intelligence network, it shouldn't be difficult for you to find out about her current situation?"
Zhang Zihan said, "I have indeed been keeping an eye on Chen Xinyu's recent situation, but there's nothing unusual. She was perfectly normal until yesterday. The man you mentioned only appeared today. Given Chen Xinyu's temperament, there's no need for her to attend such social events."
Geng Qiuhan said, "That was definitely not a social occasion, because the two of them were holding hands, and Chen Xinyu looked completely infatuated."
Zhang Zihan stood up with a serious expression. He paced around the office twice: "Could it be that man from Africa? Did you take a picture of him?"
Geng Qiuhan shook his head: "There wasn't enough time, but the other party was very young, and there was nothing special about his appearance. He was just an ordinary man."
Zhang Zihan said, "Based on our understanding of Chen Xinyu, it's impossible for her to be intimate with a man just for social reasons. So I'm certain that this person is the one who stole Chen Xinyu's heart in Africa. We need to find out about him quickly. I never expected that he would dare to come to our territory to seduce Chen Xinyu. This is simply a slap in our face."
Geng Qiuhan said, "It seems this task will have to be handed over to Director Zhang. After we drive away our common enemy, we can have a final showdown."
Zhang Zihan smiled and said, "I'd be happy to oblige."
Geng Qiuhan asked with some concern, "Are you sure Chen Xinyu is still a virgin?"
Zhang Zihan said, "Well... I can't say, because I haven't seen her in a long time. I was planning to invite her to dinner tonight, but she refused. By the way, which direction did you see their car drive in? I'll have someone find out where she is right away."
Geng Qiuhan said sourly, "I'm afraid they went to a hotel. When you're well-fed and warm, you think of lustful desires. It's infuriating!"
Based on the general location provided by Geng Qiuhan, Zhang Zihan began checking hotels one by one, asking friends and hiring people to investigate. Surprisingly, he received a reply. After listening to Zhang Zihan's phone call, Geng Qiuhan, without waiting for him to ask, said bluntly, "They really did book a room. It turns out the guy's name is Zhao Qiang. We need to go stop them."
Zhang Zihan was even more worried about Chen Xinyu's innocence than Geng Qiuhan. These days, it's not easy to find a virgin, especially a beautiful one. If they found one only to discover that another man had taken her before them, these two would be so angry they'd throw themselves into the Yangtze River.
Chen Xinyu entered Zhao Qiang's room and looked around. "It's not that great. You can move to my place tonight."
Zhao Qiang said, "Aren't you afraid your parents will find out?"
Chen Xinyu said, "Just say you're my friend. My guest rooms are better than this place, and my mom's cooking is delicious."
Zhao Qiang objected, saying, "It's more convenient to stay here. I feel constrained when I stay at someone else's house."
Chen Xinyu shook Zhao Qiang's arm: "If Yang Shiqi and the others find out that I left you alone outside, they will definitely be angry. You don't want me to be scolded by them, right? Besides, it's convenient for me to stay at my house. My parents are both at work, so no one is home during the day. At night, I can also sneak into your room..." Chen Xinyu was starting to use seduction.
Zhao Qiang didn't want to disappoint Chen Xinyu: "Okay, but there's no rush now. We still have an afternoon to spare."
Chen Xinyu blushed and lowered her head: "Well, whatever you say goes, I wouldn't dare to resist."
Zhao Qiang shouted, "Take off your clothes." He really did look like a slave owner.
Chen Xinyu shyly took off her outer clothes, then crawled into Zhao Qiang's blanket, only peeking out with her eyes as she looked at Zhao Qiang, appearing pitiful and adorable.
In fact, Zhao Qiang couldn't have acted recklessly in the hotel during the day, especially since the two of them had just been intimate not long ago. Zhao Qiang was just teasing Chen Xinyu. The two hugged on the bed for a while before getting dressed. Chen Xinyu accompanied Zhao Qiang to the hotel front desk to check out. The two moved their suitcases into the Ferrari, and then Chen Xinyu drove Zhao Qiang home. This time, it was all out in the open.
Shortly after the two left the hotel, Zhang Zihan and Geng Qiuhan rushed over. They were sweating profusely from the sweltering heat. They both knew about the changes in Chen Xinyu after she returned from Africa. If Zhao Qiang was indeed the reason for Chen Xinyu's change of heart in Africa, then their worries were not unfounded. So they dared not take it lightly.
Zhang Zihan took out his work ID and showed it to the front desk staff. How could the staff member dare to hide anything from the important officials of the municipal government? He immediately pulled up the record: "I'm sorry, Director Zhang, the guest named Zhao Qiang checked out half an hour ago."
Zhang Zihan was taken aback: "Checking out? What's the reason?"
The staff member said, "They didn't say anything, and it's not convenient for us to ask about such things. The man named Zhao Qiang booked the room himself, but a woman came to check out. She was wearing sunglasses in the room, so we couldn't see what she looked like. However, all signs indicate that they seemed to have been intimate in the room."
"You've been intimate?" Zhang Zihan and Geng Qiuhan were shocked. Could it be that the last beautiful virgin had already been disposed of?
Fearing the couple wouldn't believe him, the staff member explained further: "Yes, I processed their paperwork. They were holding hands as they came down the stairs, their conversation and behavior were intimate, and the woman's face was flushed, clearly they'd been intimate. The cleaning lady came back from the room saying the bedding was crumpled up, so they probably did it inside. Unfortunately, there were no marks on the sheets; maybe they used toilet paper. If you check the trash can, you might find some evidence..."
Volume 2 [551] Please have some self-respect in the future
【551】Please have some self-respect in the future.
The trash can might contain used condoms or tissues used to wipe away liquids. Thinking of this, Zhang Zihan gritted her teeth. Geng Qiuhan snapped her folding phone in half. Listening to the staff's description, the two seemed to vividly see Zhao Qiang holding the naked Chen Xinyu on the bed, making love to her. Chen Xinyu moaned and writhed beneath the man, her fingers digging deeply into his flesh, her skin glowing with an unusual luster from excitement.
"Ah!" Geng Qiuhan shouted, startling the staff into immediately shutting up. Zhang Zihan glared at Geng Qiuhan, signaling him to mind his image; even if they demolished the hotel right now, it wouldn't change anything.
“Let’s go after her,” Geng Qiuhan said.
Zhang Zihan said, "Do you know where they went? Let me make a call and ask. Don't get agitated. This may not be the truth. Don't get angry, or you'll fail even more miserably."
In the Ferrari, Chen Xinyu asked Zhao Qiang, "What would you do if my mom mistook you for my boyfriend?"
Zhao Qiang said, "What else can I do? I've already taken advantage of it, so I'll just accept it."
Chen Xinyu said anxiously, "But what if they let us get married?"
Zhao Qiang was in a dilemma. The government hadn't approved him to marry multiple women, otherwise the matter would have been much easier to resolve. But Xu Xiaoya had already claimed him, so the later women had no legal standing.
Fortunately, Chen Xinyu's phone rang at that moment, so Zhao Qiang didn't have to answer this difficult question for the time being.
Chen Xinyu answered the phone with some impatience: "I told you I don't have time tonight."
Zhang Zihan asked cautiously, "No, no, I'm not asking you to have dinner tonight. I think I saw you coming out of the hotel just now, but I'm not sure if it was you, so I'm asking where you are now."
Chen Xinyu was surprised that Zhang Zihan had seen her, but it didn't matter. She said, "Let's go home."
Zhang Zihan asked, "Who is that man next to you?"
Chen Xinyu didn't answer and simply put the phone away. She believed that Zhang Zihan's problem had gone beyond what a friend should be concerned about.
Zhao Qiang heard everything clearly, and Chen Xinyu didn't hide anything from him, honestly confessing: "He's the guy I almost approved of becoming my boyfriend before. He just saw us coming out of the hotel and asked about the situation. He's such a busybody."
Zhao Qiang nodded: "It's okay, I'm not jealous."
Chen Xinyu said, "I've already told him the truth, but he's still persistent and keeps bothering me. It's so annoying."
Zhao Qiang said, "This shows you're charming, and I'll cherish you."
Chen Xinyu smiled and didn't press Zhao Qiang further about whether her mother wanted them to get married.
On the way, Zhao Qiang wanted to buy some gifts, but Chen Xinyu disagreed with buying expensive items. In the end, the two bought a large bag of fruit, and Chen Xinyu insisted on paying for it. Zhao Qiang carried it and followed Chen Xinyu upstairs. This was the second time they had come today, except that the last time was in the morning and this time it was in the afternoon. Judging from the time, Chen Xinyu's mother should have gone home from get off work.
Chen Xinyu took out her key and opened the door. She was a little stunned when she saw the people inside. Her mother was sitting in the living room chatting with Zhang Zihan. It seemed that Zhang Zihan had rushed over before her after making the phone call.
Zhao Qiang was also a little embarrassed, unsure whether to come in or leave. Fortunately, Chen Xinyu quickly greeted him, taking out disposable paper slippers from the shoe cabinet. "Zhao Qiang, come in. Put the fruit aside for now."
Chen's mother hurriedly stood up to greet her: "Welcome! And you are...?"
Chen Xinyu said, "Mom, this is my friend Zhao Qiang. It's not easy for him to come all the way to Beijing, and he even came here specifically to see you."
Chen's mother took the fruit from Zhao Qiang's hand: "You're here, why did you bring anything else?"
At this moment, Zhang Zihan also stood up and looked at Zhao Qiang at the door. Unlike a typical rival in love who would hurl a hateful snort, he smiled and faced him, unlike a spoiled brat who would immediately ask, "How much money do you have? Are you worthy to associate with Chen Xinyu?"
Chen's mother placed the fruit Zhao Qiang brought on the living room table. Only then did Zhao Qiang notice that there were already two large boxes of gifts with foreign writing on them. They must have been brought by Zhang Zihan when she came, and their price was probably no less than a thousand yuan. In contrast, Zhao Qiang's fruit only cost less than a hundred yuan. It was obvious who was more important. Even if no one else did anything, Zhao Qiang himself felt a little embarrassed. A man should have some sense of pride. He really shouldn't have listened to Chen Xinyu and only bought some fruit.
"What are you doing at my house?" Chen Xinyu asked Zhang Zihan in a curt tone. Even if he brought a gift worth 10,000 yuan, it wouldn't change Chen Xinyu's opinion of him.
Zhang Zihan said, "Oh, I was just passing by your house and realized I hadn't talked to your aunt in a long time, so I came up to check on you. This friend's name is Zhao Qiang, right? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before?"
Zhang Zihan extended her hand, and Zhao Qiang had no choice but to accept it. The two shook hands briefly, and Zhao Qiang said, "Really? I'm not some celebrity."
Zhang Zihan said, "Since you are Xinyu's friend, you must be right. May I ask where Mr. Zhao works?"
Zhao Qiang said, "It's nothing special, just a repairman."
Zhang Zihan chuckled: "Mr. Zhao, you're joking. A repairman? How could I possibly believe that?"
Chen's mother also said, "Little Zhao, you really know how to joke. What are you repairing?"
Zhao Qiang said, "It's a mess, they're fixing everything."
Seeing her mother asking so many questions, Chen Xinyu was worried that something might have upset Zhao Qiang, so she interrupted her: "Mom, shouldn't you be cooking? It's Zhao Qiang's first time here, aren't you going to entertain him?"
Mother Chen said, "Of course we should entertain him. Xiao Zhang, you should stay for dinner too. Your Uncle Chen will be off work soon. It's been a long time since we sat down and chatted. Have a couple of drinks with him tonight."
Zhang Zihan said politely, "Then I'll have to bother you, Auntie."
While changing her shoes, Chen's mother said, "Don't be so polite. We're happy to have guests. Otherwise, it would be lonely for just the three of us to eat. You guys have fun first, I'll go downstairs to buy some groceries."
Chen's mother closed the security door and went downstairs, making the atmosphere in the living room a bit awkward. Zhang Zihan looked at Chen Xinyu with a smile on his face, unlike other men who would question her about her relationship with Zhao Qiang. But the more he didn't say anything, the more Chen Xinyu felt that he was despicable. He had come to her house without saying a word. Did he even respect her privacy?
Zhao Qiang plopped down in the leather sofa. Seeing a fruit plate on the coffee table with several kinds of fruit, he grabbed a large banana, peeled it, and popped it into his mouth, gesturing to Zhang Zihan, "Mr. Zhang, won't you have one?"
Zhang Zihan was furious. How could this person be even more shameless than herself, eating fruit without the owner's permission? Didn't she have any manners at all?
Chen Xinyu said coldly to Zhang Zihan, "You can leave now."
Zhang Zihan looked completely innocent: "Xinyu, did I make you angry? Then I sincerely apologize to you. I know I shouldn't have inquired about your private matters. I won't meddle in other people's business in the future. Just watch my performance."
Chen Xinyu wanted to continue driving Zhang Zihan away, but Zhang Zihan didn't face her directly. Instead, she sat down next to Zhao Qiang and started chatting first, leaving Chen Xinyu no chance to speak.
"Zhao Qiang, right? You're from Donghai City?" Zhang Zihan grabbed an apple and started eating without any politeness, as if his polite words were outdone by Zhao Qiang's. The more casual one was here, the more it showed their status in Chen Xinyu's heart.
Zhao Qiang said, "Yes, I'm here in Beijing on a business trip."
Zhang Zihan asked, "On official business?"
Zhao Qiang said, "No, it was a private business trip, and no one will reimburse me."