Chapter 23: Do You Think You Can Escape Me?

Song Xixi bit her lip, suppressing the anger rising within her, and responded coldly, "Mr. Qin, I'm afraid I cannot afford such 'fate' as yours. Let’s stick to our own meals and spare ourselves the trip down memory lane."

Qin Ze, seemingly ignoring her rejection, let out a boisterous laugh.

"What is that supposed to mean, Miss Song? Are you still angry with me? Isn't that a bit petty?"

As he spoke, he leaned in closer to her, his shameless and overbearing nature on full display.

Song Xixi instinctively shifted away and turned to look at Shen Anzhi, hoping he would help her out of the situation.

Shen Anzhi felt even more annoyed. He found Qin Ze’s behavior utterly lacking in decorum, and his expression turned several degrees colder.

"Mr. Qin," he said in a flat tone, "we are here primarily to discuss the project. We didn't plan on having many people present, fearing it might become too tedious, but looking at you now..."

Qin Ze waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off.

"Mr. Shen, don't be so formal. I’m not an outsider. I can listen in on your project discussion; who knows, I might even be able to offer a suggestion or two, don't you think?"

With that, he cast a provocative glance at Shen Anzhi. He was determined to stay put.

Shen Anzhi shook his head, speechless. He truly hadn't expected Qin Ze to be capable of such brazen behavior. It seemed there was some history between him and Song Xixi—and it wasn't simple.

Just then, the waiter began serving the dishes. Qin Ze picked up a piece of meat, placed it slowly into his mouth, and wore a mocking expression.

"Did you know that this was the same place we used to order takeout from?"

He gave a malicious smile. Song Xixi’s expression changed instantly. She glared at him fiercely. That bastard, saying such things in front of a third party! What was his goal in exposing their intimate past? Was it just to humiliate her?

A moment later, Shen Anzhi nodded. "Mr. Qin, do you really think I wouldn't be able to tell?" He gave a hearty laugh.

As the words fell, Song Xixi’s ears burned. Was she overthinking it, or was he doing this on purpose? In the past, they would often spend weekends in their apartment, "fighting" day and night, too lazy to go out and relying entirely on takeout. But did this high-end restaurant really offer takeout?

"Mr. Shen has a great memory!" Qin Ze replied nonchalantly, though his eyes darted toward Song Xixi. This woman, it seemed, had taken it to heart. Otherwise, her ears wouldn't be flushing red.

Qin Ze twirled his pasta with a fork. His movements appeared leisurely, but his fingertips were trembling slightly. With a smile on his face, he looked at Shen Anzhi and asked, pretending to be casual, "Mr. Shen, listening to you talk about the project, I’m quite curious—where exactly are you planning to focus your efforts?"

As he spoke, his eyes kept drifting toward Song Xixi.

Shen Anzhi raised an eyebrow and did not hide anything. "Mr. Qin, the project focuses on information technology innovation to improve digital operational efficiency. Miss Song is an expert; most of the key planning is led by her."

Hearing this, Qin Ze nearly dropped his wine glass. He was filled with shock and disbelief. He stared intently at Song Xixi, trying to find some sign of change. Song Xixi noticed his gaze, her brows furrowed in annoyance, and she turned away to avoid him.

Qin Ze could not reconcile the woman before him—a person so highly regarded by Shen Anzhi—with the woman he had lived with for three years. His mind drifted, and memories flooded back. A fresh graduate collaborating with the Dake Group? Furthermore, this woman had majored in Sinology.

"This is truly interesting," he thought. "Song Xixi, how much more have you been hiding?"

He forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile, gripping his wine glass so hard his knuckles turned white.

The lunch finally ended in an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere. Feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, Song Xixi stood up quickly. "Mr. Shen, I’m going to the restroom. I'll see you at the office; I need to organize the materials for this afternoon's meeting."

Shen Anzhi nodded, glanced at Qin Ze, who was still sitting there, and after a brief farewell, got up to return to the office. He didn't want to offend Qin Ze, nor did he want to alienate the expert he had gone to such lengths to recruit. Thus, there was no need to get involved in this mess.

Song Xixi hurried into the restroom. She stood before the sink, turned on the faucet, and let the cold water run over her hands. Facing the mirror, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. But the thought of Qin Ze’s shameless and snide demeanor made her feel deeply agitated.

However, just as she stepped out, she was yanked back with force. With a "bang," she was pulled into the baby-care restroom. Qin Ze loomed over her.

His roguish look made Song Xixi furious. "Qin Ze, this is a restroom! Have you no shame?"

Qin Ze ignored her, his lips curling into a smirk. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Then, he blew a puff of smoke gently into her face. The swirling mist blurred Song Xixi’s vision and made her cough uncontrollably.

"What do you want? We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Stop this harassment!"

Qin Ze sneered, his eyes filled with complex emotions—unwillingness mixed with a flicker of jealousy. He leaned in close to Song Xixi and whispered, "Song Xixi, I never imagined that after three years with me, you were hiding such a talent—actually capable of collaborating with the Dake Group."

He took another drag of his cigarette. "What, were you intentionally playing it low-key in front of me, or did you think I wasn't worthy of knowing your capabilities?"

Song Xixi was trembling with anger at his unreasonable behavior. She pushed him away hard. "Don't go too far. Who I am is my own business; it has nothing to do with you. Stop provoking me."

Qin Ze stumbled back a few steps, his smile vanishing. His eyes turned fierce as he stepped forward again, grabbing Song Xixi’s wrist in a tight grip. He leaned in, attempting to seal her angry lips with his own.

Song Xixi turned her head to the side, and his cold touch brushed against her cheek. Qin Ze froze, a trace of disappointment appearing in his eyes. He said coldly, "Baby, do you think you can escape me? Things from the past aren't over yet. It won't be easy for you to have smooth sailing at the Dake Group."

Song Xixi struggled, her wrist aching from his grip. Yet, she glared at him defiantly. "Qin Ze, let me go! I rely on my own abilities. If you dare to play any dirty tricks, I won't be afraid of you. Let's see what happens!"

Just as they were locked in a stalemate, the restroom door was knocked on again. A female employee’s voice came from outside: "Is anyone in there?"

Hearing the sound, Song Xixi’s heart tightened. She instinctively looked toward the door. Seizing the moment of her distraction, Qin Ze wore a cunning and greedy smile. He leaned forward, tilted his head slightly, and pressed his lips firmly onto hers.

"Mmph!"

Song Xixi’s eyes widened in shock.