8: High Profile

Ten minutes later, Su Muqing changed into a long purple dress, which perfectly outlined her stunning figure, making her even more breathtaking than a professional model.

"That hateful Shen Yifei, that annoying Shen Yifei, what right does he have to yell at *me*?!" Su Muqing gritted her teeth, her beautiful face flushed with a hint of fury, as she hurled a pillow from her bed across the room.

Under Shen Yifei's domineering insistence just now, Su Muqing had reluctantly agreed to let him accompany her, and to do so under the pretense of being her boyfriend.

Letting that guy come along would surely only bring her embarrassment! With a sullen mood, Su Muqing walked out of the room.

Just then, Shen Yifei also emerged from his bedroom.

Su Muqing had been ready to snap a few words at him, but the moment she saw Shen Yifei emerge, she froze.

Tonight, Shen Yifei seemed like a completely different person. Dressed in a perfectly fitted casual suit, a trendy checked suit from Givenchy's summer collection, it flawlessly complemented Shen Yifei's physique, making him appear like a graceful jade tree (a metaphor for a handsome, elegant man).

His deep-set eyes sparkled like distant stars, giving off an unfathomable aura. His tall, slender frame, paired with sharp, sword-like eyebrows, and finely chiseled features, carved as if by a master's blade, exuded a hint of fierceness and domineering presence. As he strode out with long, confident steps, he projected an air of carefree audacity.

Especially when the man walked past her, Su Muqing caught a faint, subtle whiff of cologne.

This... this young man with such astonishing charisma was this truly her good-for-nothing fiancé, the one who couldn't be helped even if you tried to prop him up?

Su Muqing was momentarily dazed, but quickly regained her composure. Though this guy could certainly clean up well and look decent, no matter how much he dressed up, it couldn't change his repulsive and vulgar true nature.

"Alright, woman, let's go." Shen Yifei patted Su Muqing's shoulder, his voice nonchalant.

Su Muqing turned her head away; this feeling made her uncomfortable, as if their roles had instantly swapped. Shen Yifei was the CEO, and she was just a mere woman.

"Oh, Su Muqing, how foolish you are! How could you let yourself be swayed by such a man?"

Su Muqing adjusted her mood, refusing to give Shen Yifei a pleasant look. After exiting the villa, she drove a convertible Audi A5 (a four-seater sports car) from the garage to the roadside, its elegance understated and reserved.

"Get in." Su Muqing said, her tone cool and indifferent.

Shen Yifei settled into the passenger seat.

The Audi drove out of the villa complex and headed towards the city center.

"Where did you get that Givenchy suit?" Su Muqing asked. Though the man was typically sloppy and lacked ambition, he surprisingly owned quite a few expensive clothes, piquing Su Muqing's curiosity.

"Why ask so many questions? An acquaintance gave it to me." Shen Yifei replied indifferently.

"Well, I don't even care to ask!" Su Muqing scoffed lightly.

The dining venue was Louise French Restaurant, located in the city center's most bustling district. Its exceptionally lavish interior, elegant French architectural style, and high-end sophistication made it exquisite.

It was the most exclusive French restaurant in Huahai City (a fictional Chinese city).

The parking lot was almost exclusively filled with luxury cars, making it obvious that only the wealthy frequented this establishment. Even an Audi A5 seemed a bit out of place.

Su Muqing herself had only been to such an authentically high-class French restaurant once or twice before.

After stepping out of the car, Shen Yifei extended his arm, intending to link it with Su Muqing's.

"What do you think you're doing?" Su Muqing's delicate brows furrowed.

Shen Yifei shrugged and said, "You're my fiancée. If we're meeting people and not even holding hands, what kind of fiancés would we look like?"

"Dream on!" Su Muqing's pretty face flushed slightly.

"Don't forget, you yourself agreed to let me meet your 'Brother Wenzhi' (a polite and familiar term of address for an older male acquaintance) under the guise of being your boyfriend. Promises made must be kept."

Shen Yifei unceremoniously grabbed Su Muqing's arm and commanded, "Now, properly link your arm with mine!"

"You!" Su Muqing's pretty face fluctuated between shades of green and white (indicating extreme frustration or anger). She had never been intimate with another man, much less engaged in such an affectionate gesture as linking arms with one.

Fine, she'd just consider it letting this man get away with it (a colloquial expression meaning to allow someone to take advantage, often reluctantly). After all, she had agreed.

Su Muqing gritted her teeth and linked her arm through Shen Yifei's.

A fragrance like gardenias wafted from Su Muqing, the scent of some high-end perfume.

The soft touch of her arm, and the enticing glimpse of pristine white skin (referring to the cleavage or collarbone area) at her neckline, stirred a subtle tremor in Shen Yifei's heart.

While Su Muqing might be a bit arrogant and aloof, the girl certainly had a figure to boast about.

This dinner invitation had been extended to Su Muqing by Zhang Wenzhi, her university classmate.

Zhang Wenzhi had inherited his family's enterprise last month. His family ran a business in the medical sector. In this era, hospitals and pharmaceuticals were highly profitable industries, and with it being a family enterprise, Zhang Wenzhi's family was exceedingly wealthy.

Su Muqing's Lingya International Fashion Company, on the other hand, had only developed with her grandfather's strong backing. It wasn't a very large company and lacked deep foundations (meaning it wasn't well-established or influential). Therefore, Su Muqing felt obliged to show Zhang Wenzhi some respect (literally 'give face,' meaning to acknowledge his standing or save his dignity).

Of course, Su Muqing still held some positive feelings towards Zhang Wenzhi, as they had been on good terms during their student days.

Zhang Wenzhi personally waited at the entrance of Louise Restaurant. Zhang Wenzhi, a man in his early to mid-twenties, had an ordinary appearance. However, as a 'fuerdai' (second-generation rich, referring to the children of China's newly wealthy elite), his attire was impeccable; dressed in an expensive suit, he exuded an air of refined composure.

While Shen Yifei was young and spirited, he was tall and strikingly handsome, subtly radiating a keen edge. In terms of appearance and charisma, he looked far more dashing than Zhang Wenzhi.

Watching Su Muqing approach with her arm linked through Shen Yifei's, Zhang Wenzhi's expression stiffened slightly.

"Ruoxue, you've arrived. And this is..."

Before Su Muqing could introduce them, Shen Yifei offered an elegant smile. "I'm Su Muqing's boyfriend, Shen Yifei. Nice to meet you."

"You... hello!"

Zhang Wenzhi's mouth twitched. "What the hell? Boyfriend?"

"Ru... Ruoxue, you have a boyfriend?" Zhang Wenzhi was dumbfounded.

Su Muqing's pretty face looked a bit unnatural. Though she didn't want to admit it, she still nodded and said, "Yes, he is my boyfriend."

In truth, Su Muqing had vaguely sensed Zhang Wenzhi's interest in her, especially given his overly enthusiastic invitations to dinner previously.

While Su Muqing held some positive feelings for Zhang Wenzhi, it didn't mean she was romantically interested in him. It was, in fact, a good opportunity to use Shen Yifei to clarify her status and make Zhang Wenzhi retreat gracefully (literally 'know the difficulty and retreat,' meaning to back off when faced with an obstacle).

Zhang Wenzhi's face fell slightly. Su Muqing actually had a boyfriend? Why hadn't she told him before?

This dinner had originally been set up for him to develop a relationship with Su Muqing. But now, his goddess already had a boyfriend – what was the point of even eating this damn meal?!

However, Zhang Wenzhi quickly shifted his mindset, finding his own advantage. He realized Shen Yifei was riding in Su Muqing's car, which suggested Shen Yifei likely came from an ordinary family or was perhaps even a penniless nobody.

Zhang Wenzhi glanced at Shen Yifei, a hint of malice and jealousy flashing in his eyes. "Could a goddess like her possibly be within reach of a pauper like you?"

He had already decided: he would make Shen Yifei look foolish later.

"Ruoxue, I'm truly delighted you finally deigned to grace me with your presence for dinner (literally 'give face,' meaning to condescend to honor someone with one's presence)." Zhang Wenzhi enthusiastically stepped forward, intending to shake Su Muqing's hand.

In broad daylight, a handshake was a perfectly normal gesture.

However, before Su Muqing could extend her hand, Shen Yifei's hand shot out, seizing Zhang Wenzhi's. He chuckled and said, "Hello, hello, Mr. Zhang, apologies for keeping you waiting so long."

Zhang Wenzhi had no choice but to shake Shen Yifei's hand. He forced a smile and chuckled, "Haha, no worries, no worries."

After speaking, Zhang Wenzhi was about to try and shake Su Muqing's hand again. He was already feeling a bit nervous, eager to experience the sensation of holding Su Muqing's small hand.

Shen Yifei, however, gave Zhang Wenzhi no such opportunity. He turned to Su Muqing and said, "Xiao Xue'er (a playful, affectionate diminutive of her name, Ruoxue), let's go inside."

"Xiao Xue'er?"

At that appellation, Su Muqing nearly stumbled. Her mind reeled. "How thick-skinned was this guy (literally 'how long was his face,' implying shamelessness)? How dare he address her like that?"