I’ll Pamper You More Next Time

The foundational work for the Cultural Tourism City project had officially broken ground.

To celebrate a smooth start and lay a solid foundation for future collaboration, Su Nanxing hosted a banquet at the prestigious Yundingxuan Hotel in the capital.

He invited Manager He and her team from the Qin Group, aiming to strengthen their relationship and pave the way for subsequent cooperation.

When Su Nanxing arrived with Lu Ran at the hotel, Manager He and the others from Qin Group were already there.

After polite exchanges, everyone took their seats.

Su Nanxing naturally sat to the right of the host’s seat, but when he looked up, he noticed that Manager He hadn’t taken the host’s seat as usual.

Instead, she chose the seat on the left.

Surprised, Su Nanxing asked, “Sister He, is someone else coming?”

Manager He was about a dozen years older than Su Nanxing and had always treated him well.

They addressed each other like siblings in private.

Though Su Nanxing was cold toward most people, he never refused to show respect to those who genuinely befriended him.

Manager He nodded, her tone serious. “Yes, President Qin will be coming too.”

Su Nanxing’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was puzzled.

The Cultural Tourism City project wasn’t significant enough to require Qin Shifeng’s personal involvement, and this small celebration certainly didn’t warrant his presence.

He wasn’t the only one confused.

Manager He was equally perplexed, but President Qin’s assistant had made it clear—Qin Shifeng would attend.

The door to the private room gently opened, and a cool night breeze mingled with light and shadow flowed in.

Qin Shifeng entered slowly, dressed in a well-tailored dark gray suit that accentuated his tall, slender figure.

“President Qin.”

Manager He was the first to react, rising quickly to greet him.

The other executives from Qin Group followed suit, standing respectfully.

Out of politeness, Su Nanxing also stood up.

A warm smile played at the corners of Qin Shifeng’s mouth as he strode calmly past the others, his gaze landing on Su Nanxing.

“President Su, I happened to have a dinner party next door. Manager He mentioned you were here, so I thought I’d stop by. I hope I’m not intruding.”

Su Nanxing’s face showed no emotion as he responded with just the right amount of courtesy, “Not at all. It’s my honor to have you here, President Qin. Please, have a seat.”

Once Qin Shifeng sat down, the room fell into a brief silence.

He picked up his teacup and took a light sip, then turned his warm gaze to Su Nanxing.

“President Su, how is the infrastructure project for the Cultural Tourism City coming along? Smoothly, I hope?”

Su Nanxing’s fingertips brushed the rim of his cup, his tone distant and detached.

“Thank you for your concern, President Qin. Everything is on schedule and proceeding well.”

Qin Shifeng smiled and asked casually, “You’ve been based in Jiangcheng for a long time. Now that you’re stationed in the capital, are you getting used to the climate and food here?”

“Thanks for asking, President Qin. It’s manageable.”

Su Nanxing gave a slight nod, offering no further words.

Qin Shifeng stayed in the private room for about thirty minutes before leaving.

With Qin Shifeng gone, the atmosphere at the table became more relaxed.

The banquet continued until the end, with the mood remaining cordial.

Lu Ran had drunk a lot to shield Su Nanxing from toasts and was somewhat tipsy.

Su Nanxing asked the driver to take Lu Ran home first, planning to hail a taxi for himself.

After standing at the hotel entrance for about five minutes, a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of him.

The rear window rolled down slowly, revealing Qin Shifeng leaning back against the soft leather seat.

His features were gentle. “President Su, it’s hard to get a cab this late. Let me give you a ride.”

Su Nanxing stepped back slightly. “No need to trouble you, President Qin. I’ll call a car myself.”

“It’s no trouble. I’m heading that way anyway.”

A faint smile curved at the corner of Qin Shifeng’s lips. “You wouldn’t refuse me, would you, President Su?”

Su Nanxing got into the car.

If he refused again, it would seem disrespectful.

After all, Qin Shifeng had helped him out of a difficult situation at the Qin Group building when Liang Ping had tried to cause trouble.

He had also arranged for Manager He to work with him.

Su Nanxing owed him a favor.

Qin Shifeng was curious—why did Gu Yanzhou help the Su family?

Could it really be because he had accidentally discovered Su Nanxing’s excellent design work?

“President Su, do you know Gu Yanzhou, the president of Hengrui Group?”

Su Nanxing’s expression remained calm, but his heart tightened.

His relationship with Gu Yanzhou was known only to Gu Yanzhou’s own people, no one else.

And Qin Shifeng and Gu Yanzhou were strictly business associates.

Feigning nonchalance, Su Nanxing replied, “I know of him, but he probably doesn’t know me.”

Qin Shifeng raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Su Nanxing added, “I’ve seen many of his interviews in financial news.”

Qin Shifeng gave a knowing smile, casting a meaningful glance at Su Nanxing but asking no further questions.

The car remained silent until it stopped outside Su Nanxing’s apartment building.

As Su Nanxing was about to open the door and get out, Qin Shifeng called out to him.

“There’s a charity gala at Hualian this Saturday. Would you like to join me, President Su?”

Su Nanxing knew that such charity events were perfect opportunities to make a public appearance.

If the Su family could establish a foothold in the capital, Su Bingtian would trust him even more.

He was also well aware that Qin Shifeng wouldn’t help him for no reason, so he asked directly.

“President Qin, why me?”

Qin Shifeng’s gaze was honest, his tone calm.

“I simply admire your talent, and I feel we could become friends.”

His eyes were clear and open, devoid of the probing and sizing-up from their first meeting.

Instead, they held a hint of sincerity.

Su Nanxing silently reflected on the past month—he had visited Qin Group many times for work, but had never once had a deliberate ‘coincidental’ encounter.

Qin Shifeng had neither actively approached him nor overstepped any boundaries.

Even tonight’s meeting seemed accidental.

Perhaps he had been too guarded, misjudging a gentleman’s intentions.

With that realization, when Su Nanxing looked up again, the cold detachment on his face softened.

His brows relaxed, and a faint smile appeared, pure and brilliant. “If that’s the case, then I’m honored.”

That fleeting smile, like a pear blossom suddenly blooming in the cold night, was both refreshing and moving.

A flicker of admiration flashed through Qin Shifeng’s eyes, but he quickly masked it, returning to his usual warmth.

“Then I’ll send you the address and time?”

Su Nanxing nodded, taking out his phone to exchange WeChat contacts.

After seeing Qin Shifeng off, Su Nanxing glanced at the top contact on his list: Z.

Their chat history still stopped at a message from a month ago, on the second night after he had left Yanshan Residence.

Back then, with a touch of petulance, he had sent a message.

[It hurts!]

He had also attached a photo of the clear tooth mark on his neck.

The reply had been brief.

[Be good! I’ll take care of you next time.]

He typed and deleted, deleted and typed, over and over again in the chat box.

Not until the elevator rose slowly and stopped at the 12th floor did he step into his home.

The light in the foyer flicked on, but he still couldn’t figure out what to say.

In the end, he gave up and exited the chat.

Another message popped up.

Qin Shifeng: [Here are the time and address for the gala. Do you need me to pick you up?]

Su Nanxing: [No need, I’ll go on my own.]

Qin Shifeng: [Alright, see you Saturday.]

Su Nanxing stared at his phone screen for a long time, then leaned gently against the foyer cabinet, gazing at the dazzling nightscape of the capital outside the window.

His eyes were filled with complex, unreadable emotions.