They surrounded me right after the breakup.

After returning to her office, Shen Qingning immediately dialed Xia Yutong's number.

Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner.

Which one?

"That trendy restaurant you mentioned last time that you wanted to eat at."

"OK."

After Xia Yutong was discharged from the hospital, she took a very long vacation.

According to Jiang Han, Xia's efforts deserve paid leave.

At 6:30 p.m., Shen Qingning arrived at the restaurant ahead of schedule.

She chose a window seat so she could enjoy the twilight outside.

Shen Qingning changed into a dark green velvet slip dress.

The skirt hem falls above the knee and has a side slit.

Her long, smooth hair was casually draped over her shoulders.

It covered half of her delicate collarbone.

10 minute later.

Xia Yutong pushed the door open and came in.

Several tables of guests couldn't help but turn to hit him.

She wore a beige knitted cardigan over a white T-shirt.

She wore dark blue wide-leg pants and white canvas shoes.

She wasn't wearing makeup, just a layer of lip balm.

My complexion is much better than when I was hospitalized.

Xia Yutong hung the canvas bag on the back of the chair.

The bag strap still had a cartoon cat keychain that Lin Yaoyao had given her.

The person hadn't even sat down yet.

He first reached out and took the osmanthus oolong tea in front of Shen Qingning and took a sip.

"I'm so thirsty, I've been stuck in traffic on the Third Ring Road for forty minutes."

"You look much better."

"How could I not feel better after lying at home for so long? All I do is eat and sleep, and I've even gained two pounds!"

"I get fed bird's nest porridge by Yaoyao and chicken soup by Mengjie every day."

"If things don't get better, I'll have let them down."

Shen Qingning pushed the menu over.

"Order whatever you like, it's on me today."

"Inviting a beautiful lawyer to a beautiful meal—perfect for the occasion!"

Xia Yutong flipped through the menu, her eyes darting between several signature dishes.

Shen Qingning poured her a new cup of osmanthus oolong tea.

She took a small sip of the glass and then pushed it back.

"I mentioned Pretty Rice because I saw their food presentation on Douyin last time."

"It's not because it tastes good."

Shen Qingning noticed.

When Xia Yutong flips through the menu, she still subconsciously supports her right elbow with her left hand.

Her actions were exactly the same as those she displayed during the court hearing.

It appears to be a professional action developed over a long period of work.

The indwelling needle puncture site on my wrist still shows faint red dots.

Xia Yutong flipped through the menu for a long time, but finally handed it back.

"You order, I'm not picky."

Shen Qingning did not refuse again.

Pick up the menu and look at the shop's signboard.

I rattled off seven or eight dishes to the waiter in one go.

Signature dishes include black truffle Wagyu beef fried rice, lobster baked with sea urchin sauce, truffle oil mushroom salad, slow-cooked red wine oxtail, and crème brûlée with raspberry sorbet...

Each dish was presented with exquisite detail.

The fried rice was served in a small copper pot, no bigger than the palm of your hand, with steam still rising from the rim.

The lobster shells were cleaned thoroughly.

Cut the shrimp meat into equal pieces and arrange them on the bottom of the plate.

It was topped with a thick layer of golden sea urchin sauce.

Xia Yutong tried a little of everything.

A satisfied smile, the kind that only appears when enjoying delicious food.

She suddenly stopped eating the lobster with sea urchin sauce.

"Qingning, you have no idea how much Lin Yaoyao has been telling me about her healthy diet every day lately!"

"It's bland and tasteless! I've really had enough!"

Xia Yutong looked up at Shen Qingning and stuffed another large piece of meat into her mouth.

"Unhealthy meat dishes still taste better!"

Shen Qingning smiled and squinted her eyes.

He pushed the lobster with sea urchin sauce in front of him to the other side.

The two ate and chatted.

The conversation ranged from legal contracts at the film studio to Xiao Xiao's newly purchased scarf.

The candlelight by the window flickered.

For a while, no one spoke.

Shen Qingning watched as Xia Yutong poked the caramel pudding in front of her with a spoon.

Break the top layer of caramel into small pieces and eat it with a fork.

Finally, use the back of a spoon to crush the caramel crumbs into powder.

Mix it into the pudding at the bottom.

She looks exactly the same as when we first met ten years ago.

Yes!

The two best friends have known each other for a full 10 years.

From campus to graduation, from entering society to gradually maturing.

Shen Qingning stared at Xia Yutong, as if she saw her own hesitant self in the past.

She put down her cutlery and slowly began to speak.

"The box office figures for Nezha have already been released."

"Any progress on the bet between you two?"

Xia Yutong's spoon stopped in mid-air.

The caramel on the fork slipped off the edge and fell onto the tablecloth.

Xia Yutong did not expect the topic to change so quickly.

It's even smoother than Dove chocolate.

Her neck suddenly turned red.

The reddish skin spread upwards from the collarbone, inch by inch, across the throat.

Gradually, her entire cheeks turned a very light pink.

The two are about the same age.

In terms of romantic relationships, Shen Qingning only had one more relationship with Jiang Han.

But the variety of skills and tricks she had seen and tried were far beyond what Xia Yutong, a mere novice, could compare to.

He told me to rest more, and didn't mention anything else.

Shen Qingning looked at Xia Yutong's shy expression.

I picked up the osmanthus oolong tea and took a small sip.

Understood.

I just came out of the hospital, and my physical condition was already weak.

The blood and qi haven't been replenished.

How could they withstand the firepower of the Jianghan Plain?

We definitely need to nourish our essence and blood, and make full preparations before the battle.

My husband certainly knows how to handle things.

When it's time to be ruthless, don't hesitate.

They are gentle and caring when needed.

"Next week, you'll accompany Jiang Han on a business trip to Shanghai."

Xia Yutong looked up, the blush on her face still lingering.

"On business trip?"

"There's a film investment summit, and also negotiations on the copyright of The Three-Body Problem."

"I need your help to review the contract terms."

Xia Yutong isn't stupid.

It started when Shen Qingning said she had seen the contents of the bet.

She guessed what the other person was planning.

"it is good."

Xia Yutong agreed readily.

"Shouldn't we ask who else would go?"

"Didn't you already tell me?"

Shen Qingning smiled.

I picked up my phone and sent a message to Jiang Han.

Then, she bent down and picked up her delicate little bag from the seat next to her.

The black silk fabric is adorned with tiny pearls at the zipper.

Shen Qingning took it in her hand and solemnly handed it to Xia Yutong.

Like the passing down of knowledge among sisters in a master's school.

"This is for you."

Wishing you a safe and successful business trip!

Xia Yutong took the small bag.

The black silk fabric gleamed faintly in the candlelight.

It feels cool to the touch and has a wonderful texture.

She pinched the zipper and gently pulled it open.

I looked down and glanced inside.

Then, the expression on his face underwent an extremely fascinating change.

From curiosity to confusion.

He was instantly turned bright red from shock.

Xia Yutong zipped up the bag and hugged it tightly to her chest.

"Qing Ning, you, you, you..."

"These are all necessities."

Shen Qingning smiled gently.

"It's perfectly normal for close friends to exchange intimate apparel."

"I've been through this before, I won't hurt you."

Several pairs of black stockings were neatly folded inside the small bag.

Different thicknesses result in different gloss levels.

Ultra-thin, highly transparent, matte.

Several boxes of small umbrellas were pressed under the stockings.

Extra large cup.

There are also small bottles of Vaseline.

Xia Yutong's mind was buzzing.

She was holding the black silk bread.

"How could you... have these things..."