Chapter Three: Seafood Allergy

Tuesday afternoon, Wen Gianan and Xiao Jiang arrived at Quinten once again.

The receptionist led them to a small meeting room, brought them tea, and then left.

It was Xiao Jiang’s first time participating in such work, and she was a bit nervous. Wen Gianan gently patted her arm in silent reassurance.

“Thank you, Sister Nan.”

Just as she spoke, footsteps approached outside the meeting room.

Wen Gianan stood up.

Meeting Cheng He’s startled gaze, she smiled softly and introduced herself again, “Director Cheng, hello. I’m Wen Gianan, team leader of the client department at Feidu Advertising.”

Cheng He caught on, his expression shifting slightly. He gestured for his assistant to leave, then entered and took a seat.

Noticing Cheng He’s scrutinizing look, Wen Gianan took the initiative to explain, “Director Cheng, I’m here on behalf of my company to discuss project cooperation, nothing else.”

Cheng He raised an eyebrow. “Project? Wen team leader, are you referring to Quinten’s latest product project?”

Wen Gianan nodded.

Quinten was highly renowned abroad and had risen to prominence in the tech world a couple of years ago. However, its domestic branch was only established last year. The project Wen Gianan wished to discuss wasn’t the first new product from Quinten’s headquarters but the first from its domestic branch, carrying great significance.

Many companies were eyeing this opportunity. If they could secure and execute it well, their company could rise several levels in the advertising industry.

Yet, to Wen Gianan’s hopeful gaze, Cheng He mercilessly declined, “This can’t be discussed.”

Wen Gianan suddenly tensed. “Why? Can you give me a reason?”

“The reason is, I’m no longer responsible for this project. It’s useless to come to me.”

Caught off guard by this, Wen Gianan was unprepared.

Cheng He seemed to see through something and asked meaningfully, “So when you said you were interested in me the other day, it was because of this project?”

Wen Gianan was embarrassed and after a moment, explained faintly, “Not exactly.”

The implication was clear.

Cheng He’s expression softened again. “Alright, I have other matters. I won’t see you out.”

His footsteps were swift. Wen Gianan was about to mention the call from his aunt yesterday, but he had already disappeared.

Turning back, Xiao Jiang looked helpless. “Sister Nan, what do we do now?”

Wen Gianan felt even more helpless, realizing she had forgotten to ask Cheng He who was now in charge of the project.

Before leaving Quinten, she asked the receptionist, but the receptionist didn’t know.

With no other options, Wen Gianan sent a message to Cheng He on WeChat.

Perhaps he was very busy; she didn’t get a reply by the end of the workday.

Wen Gianan, troubled at the hotel, sent another message asking if he knew about the dinner on Friday night.

Still no response.

Fortunately, Qin Wei sent a message at that time.

Her company had technical cooperation with Quinten, so Wen Gianan had asked her to inquire after leaving Quinten that afternoon.

“There’s someone I know in Quinten’s upper management. After asking around, it seems the Asia-Pacific head is very attentive to this project and insists on overseeing it personally.”

The Asia-Pacific head was that elusive Simon, the chief engineer of Quinten Technology.

Wen Gianan grew even more anxious and weakly asked, “Is there any way to get in touch with him?”

Qin Wei replied, “Highly unlikely.”

Not wanting to trouble her further, Wen Gianan thanked her and hung up.

Cheng He still didn’t reply. With no other choice, Wen Gianan returned to Quinten, but the receptionist said the person in charge only accepted appointments through their assistant.

She tried to find and contact the assistant. By the time she got the contact, it was already Friday.

Wen Gianan added the assistant on WeChat. After some communication, the assistant relented but the news wasn’t promising.

The head’s schedule was fully booked until next week. Wen Gianan would have to wait at least a week to meet.

They had already been out for a week. She had expected this to be a tough nut to crack but never this tough.

Her superiors had started getting anxious these past days, and Wen Gianan was under immense pressure.

After some thought, she asked the assistant to arrange a meeting.

Wen Gianan went to Quinten every day these past few days but never saw Cheng He again. He hadn’t replied to her WeChat messages since last time.

She was determined to attend the dinner tonight.

She wanted to ask him if he could help her jump the queue with the person in charge.

At six in the evening, Wen Gianan arrived punctually at the Cheng residence, carrying gifts for the Cheng family and a replacement phone to compensate for Cheng He’s lost one.

The Cheng family members were all familiar and easy to get along with.

After some introductions, they were even more pleased with Wen Gianan’s polite and proper demeanor.

Cheng He hadn’t returned yet. Cheng’s mother smiled, “It’s rush hour; maybe there’s traffic. I’ll call and check.”

“No worries, Auntie,” Wen Gianan said.

Cheng’s mother went to call, and shortly after, the sound of an engine turning off came from outside.

The group in the living room glanced toward the sound, seeing Cheng He casually walk in carrying his suit, followed by someone else.

It was Liang Yuxiu.

Why was he here too?

Wen Gianan’s face suddenly paled, and she clenched her fists tightly.

The Cheng family seemed surprised as well, hesitating for a moment.

Cheng He hadn’t expected Wen Gianan to be there either. Seeing his aunt too, he understood.

“Mom, Dad, I brought A Xiu along to dinner,” Cheng He said with a smile, politely greeting the Cheng family.

Since he was a guest, the Cheng parents didn’t object.

During the meal, Wen Gianan didn’t dare to meet Liang Yuxiu’s eyes. Her mind was occupied with finding a chance to speak to Cheng He.

Fortunately, the others’ attention wasn’t on her.

Noticing Wen Gianan’s discomfort, Aunt Cheng guided Cheng He’s attention toward her: “Xiao He, serve Nan Nan some shrimp. Can’t you see she can’t pick it up?”

Cheng He glanced at Wen Gianan and was about to reach for the chopsticks when Wen Gianan spoke first.

“No need, I’m allergic to seafood.”

This statement surprised not only the Cheng family but also caused Liang Yuxiu to raise an eyebrow, looking at Wen Gianan with a cryptic expression.

Aunt Cheng awkwardly tried to smooth things over. “Sorry, Nan Nan, we didn’t know.”

Wen Gianan nodded understandingly.

It was just a small hiccup quickly passed over.

After the meal, Wen Gianan excused herself to the restroom, then messaged Cheng He asking him to come over; she had something to discuss.

But when she stepped out of the restroom, she saw Liang Yuxiu.

He stood not too far away, not too close, leaning casually against the corner, one hand in his pocket, the other fiddling with his phone as if busy.

His tall figure was dressed in a shirt, trousers, and a long coat—not as formal and rigid as before but with a touch of casual charm, very attractive.

His hair was longer now, slicked back, making him look more mature.

Wen Gianan studied him carefully, and when she snapped back to reality, she realized he was also watching her.

She quickly averted her eyes and stepped to leave.

At that moment, Liang Yuxiu spoke in a deep, puzzled tone, “Since when did you become allergic to seafood?”

Wen Gianan’s eyelashes twitched imperceptibly.

She smiled faintly and looked at him as if kindly answering, “Always have been.”

Liang Yuxiu was stunned. A gap opened in his mind, flooding with memories of every family banquet where she had specially prepared a grand seafood feast.

Yet she never said anything...

He was momentarily speechless. When he opened his mouth to say something else, she was already walking away.

Returning to the living room, Wen Gianan found Cheng He absent and learned he had stepped out to take a call. She followed him outside immediately.

Cheng He finished the call and turned, somewhat surprised. “What is it?”

Wen Gianan handed him a new phone she had bought last time. “Don’t refuse. It’s my fault. I have to take responsibility.”

Cheng He glanced at it, raised an eyebrow, and smiled lightly. “You agreed to come to dinner at my aunt’s not just to compensate for my phone, right?”

At this age, after years in the workplace, everyone was sharp. Wen Gianan didn’t want to hide her purpose and told him frankly.

“I know it’s wrong, but I had no choice. You’ve been nowhere to be found these past few days. I sent you messages, but you didn’t reply. I had to come find you here.”

“You sent me messages? Since when did I add you?”

Cheng He’s words stunned Wen Gianan, who quickly opened the chat page. “Isn’t this you?”

Cheng He looked and was even more stunned.

Wen Gianan got her answer. Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly. “Then... who is this?”