I can support you.

Zhao Mingyang tightened his grip on the phone, his knuckles turning white.

He stood at the corner of the corridor outside the box, hesitating for a full half minute before turning on the screen and dialing Liu Zhiyi's number.

The moment the phone was connected, Liu Zhiyi's gentle voice came over:

"Hey, Mingyang, have you had dinner with your sister?"

Zhao Mingyang's throat moved, and he smiled first, trying to make his tone more relaxed:

"Not yet, we're still in the restaurant!"

"Then why are you calling me now? Did something happen?"

"Nothing, just... just..."

Liu Zhiyi laughed out loud on the other end:

"What's wrong with you? You're still hesitating."

Zhao Mingyang took a deep breath and finally got to the point.

"Actually...it's nothing. My sister-in-law wants to invite you to have dinner together."

Zhao Mingyang paused, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the phone.

"Is it convenient for you?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds. Liu Zhiyi seemed stunned for a moment before she asked softly:

"Now? Or..."

"Now is best, but if you don't have time, tomorrow will be fine. She's going back to City Z the day after tomorrow and wants to see you before she leaves."

Zhao Mingyang hurriedly explained, fearing that she would feel abrupt,

"It's okay if it's inconvenient for you. I'll just tell her. Don't force it."

"It's not that it's inconvenient, it's just... a little sudden."

Liu Zhiyi's voice was lower, with a little girl's restraint.

"I'm not ready yet... to meet your family."

"It's okay. I'll ask my parents to leave first. Is it okay for just the three of us, Sister Pianpian?"

Zhao Mingyang quickly added, but when the words reached his lips, he felt that there was something he had to make clear. He bit his lip and finally spoke:

"Zhiyi, Sister Pianpian is the chairman of the Haoting Group, the one with assets exceeding hundreds of billions."

"What? She's the chairman of Haoting Group?"

Liu Zhiyi was shocked.

"Are you so awesome at fucking your sister?"

"Yeah! I just found out about it today. She also said she wanted to connect our company with the Haoting Group and get them to collaborate!"

Zhao Mingyang's tone unconsciously carried a hint of arrogance.

"Mingyang, right? I'm Zhiyi's father, Liu Wenbin."

A male voice suddenly came from the other end of the phone, and Zhao Mingyang was startled.

But it was only a moment before he quickly understood. His hand holding the phone stiffened, and his ears turned red. The wind from the corridor blew in through the carved window lattice, making the back of his neck feel cold, and his voice became a half-inch lower than before:

"Uncle, hello... I'm Zhao Mingyang."

Liu Wenbin on the other end of the phone smiled. His voice sounded gentle, yet carried the calmness typical of an elder.

"It's okay. I just came out of the study and heard Zhiyi on the phone, so I came over to listen. Is your sister Xue Pianpian, Xue Dong?"

"Yes...yes uncle, she is my godsister."

Zhao Mingyang swallowed his saliva, his heart pounding. How could Zhiyi's father know Xue Pianpian? Did they have business dealings? He gripped his phone even tighter.

"She's going back to City Z the day after tomorrow and said she wants to meet Zhiyi and have dinner together. She doesn't mean anything else, it's just... Zhiyi and I are dating, and as her older sister, she wants to check in on me."

He deliberately downplayed the word "check" for fear that Liu Wenbin would find it abrupt.

Liu Wenbin's tone became more gentle.

"Mingyang, Zhiyi must have told you that my company is in the real estate business and has a lot of business cooperation with the Haoting Group.

I met Director Xue once at the Shen family banquet a few days ago, but there were too many people there and I didn't have a chance to say anything.

Since Director Xue wants to meet Zhiyi, as a parent, I will accompany her to show my appreciation for this meeting."

After a pause, Liu Wenbin continued,

"The main reason is that Zhiyi is a shy girl. I'm worried. You should understand, right? Mingyang."

Zhao Mingyang's eyes lit up, and he almost didn't react:

"Ah? Uncle, are you coming too?"

"What, you're not welcome?"

Liu Wenbin smiled.

"I've always told your aunt that when Zhiyi starts dating someone, we need to meet the man's family. Your godsister isn't my biological sister, but she's still half family, so it's only natural for us to meet her. Besides, I'd love to hear more business advice from Director Xue."

"Welcome! Of course you are welcome!"

Zhao Mingyang waved his hands quickly, then remembered that the other party couldn't see, and quickly added,

"Then I'll send the restaurant address to Zhiyi on WeChat right now. We're in the 'Songyun' box on the second floor, or I'll go downstairs to pick you up!"

"No need to answer it, we'll just navigate there. It'll be there in twenty minutes, so we won't delay your meal."

After Liu Wenbin finished speaking, he shouted again,

"Zhiyi, say a few words to Mingyang."

There was a rustling sound from the other end of the phone, followed by Liu Zhiyi's shy voice:

"Mingyang...my dad just likes to join in the fun, don't mind me. I...can I wear that light blue skirt? Is it too casual?"

"Not casually, you look good in anything."

Zhao Mingyang's heart softened all of a sudden, and most of the tension he had just felt dissipated.

"I'll be waiting for you at the door of the box, don't worry."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Mingyang was stunned for a few seconds before he realized that this thing had actually happened and even Zhiyi's father was coming.

He touched his burning ears, turned around and ran to the private room. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Xue Pianpian talking to Chen Mengjun about their feelings about the food in this restaurant.

"Dad, Mom, Sister,"

He gasped and shouted, his eyes shining brightly.

"Zhiyi will be here soon! Her dad is coming too! He said he wants to talk to me about business matters."

Chen Mengjun was surprised.

"Her dad is coming too? What's going on?"

Xue Pianpian raised her eyes and smiled, then wiped her hands with a tissue:

"This is a good thing! If the parents of both sides meet sooner, maybe Mingyang's marriage can be put on the agenda sooner."

Zhao Wenqi pushed his glasses and looked at Zhao Mingyang:

"What are you panicking about? Sit down. When you meet your elders later, be polite and don't act rashly."

"Got it, Dad."

Zhao Mingyang sat down, but he had no appetite. He tapped his fingers on the tablecloth, feeling both excited and nervous. Would Zhiyi be embarrassed when she arrived? Would her father's business conversation with her sister be awkward?

As she was pondering, there were two gentle knocks on the door of the box. Xue Pianpian raised her eyes:

"Are you here? Mingyang, go open the door."

Zhao Mingyang stood up suddenly, walked quickly to the door, took a deep breath and opened the door - Liu Zhiyi was standing at the door. She was indeed wearing that light blue dress, with her long hair flowing softly, a small leather bag in her hand, and her cheeks were rosy.

Standing behind her was a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a light-colored shirt. He had an elegant demeanor. He should be the Liu Wenbin who had just called her.

"Zhiyi, uncle."

Zhao Mingyang quickly stepped aside to let them in.

Liu Zhiyi looked up at him, then quickly lowered her head and whispered:

"Mingyang."

Liu Wenbin smiled and patted Zhao Mingyang on the shoulder:

"The young man is handsome and good-looking, no wonder our Yi Yi is worried about him all the time.

Hello, Mr. Xue, Mr. Zhao, Mrs. Zhao, sorry to bother you."

Xue Pianpian stood up and stretched out her hand to shake hands with Liu Wenbin:

"Mr. Liu, you're welcome. Please take a seat. We should have met a few days ago, right?"

Liu Wenbin was respectful.

"Yes, Director Xue, I greeted you and Mr. Ye at the Shen family dinner."

Chen Mengjun also took Liu Zhiyi's hand and sat down, looking at her with a smile:

"Yiyi is always so beautiful, everyone likes her when they see her. Come on, sit down, take a look at what you want to eat, and order it yourself."

Liu Zhiyi's face turned even redder after being praised. She secretly glanced at Zhao Mingyang and saw that he was smiling at her. The nervousness in her heart suddenly eased a lot.

The warm light in the box fell on everyone, and the reservedness that had been hidden just now was slowly softened by the lively atmosphere.

As Liu Wenbin sat down, his eyes swept over the furnishings in the private room without leaving any trace - a mahogany round table with green-glazed porcelain bowls, and an ink painting of orchids hanging on the wall. It looked simple and elegant, but every detail was exquisite. He smiled and handed over the words to Xue Pianpian:

"Does Director Xue come here often? The dishes are really authentic, especially the soft-shelled eel, which is so fresh it'll make your eyebrows drop."

Xue Pianpian had just refilled Chen Mengjun's tea when she raised her eyebrows:

"Mr. Liu also likes Huaiyang cuisine? This is my first time here. Godmother should come here often. I just came here to try it."

Liu Wenbin took the opportunity to continue the conversation:

"I've been here once too, with a friend. I have a good idea of ​​what dishes Director Xue likes. Next time Director Xue comes, I can take you to try some new dishes."

Xue Pianpian smiled and said:

"Really? That's great. Thank you, Mr. Liu. I am indeed interested in food."