CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: A MARK! AND YOU SAY THERE’S NO TRICKERY!!

Old He chuckled. "This scene really needs to be shown to Old Bo! Let’s see if his son is still incapable of feeling emotions! Then again, that boy of his is certainly useful. He might be a bit foul-tempered and eccentric, but damn, is he handsome! Hehe, it turns out Xichen isn’t averse to beautiful women; it’s just that the ones before weren’t good-looking enough!"

Bo Xichen focused on driving. When he stopped at a red light ahead, he turned his head and said, "Anxi, get a bottle of water for Old He."

Gu Anxi paused for a moment, then said, "Oh," as she found a bottle of water and passed it back to Old He. Old He’s attention, however, was caught by the way Bo Xichen addressed her. This young couple is progressing quite quickly, he thought with satisfaction.

An hour later, Bo Xichen parked the car in the lot of a private restaurant. ’Zhen Yuan’ was the most high-end restaurant in Qingcheng. Adorned with elegant corridors and waterside pavilions, it was well-suited to Old He’s status.

By the time they alighted from the car, it had grown dark, and a fine rain had begun to fall. Bo Xichen handed an umbrella to Old He, who, always interested in elegant things, leisurely strolled inside first.

From the passenger seat, Gu Anxi had just opened her door when a black trench coat, carrying a familiar scent, was draped over her shoulders.

She looked up. Bo Xichen offered a faint smile. "Let’s go in."

As he spoke, he lightly placed a hand on her shoulder, as if gently urging her forward.

Gu Anxi found herself involuntarily following him inside. It was about 200 meters from there to the private room, the path flanked by pleasant scenery all the way. Gu Anxi was walking beside Bo Xichen when she suddenly heard him ask, "Cold?"

Before Gu Anxi could react, he had already put his arm around her shoulder. His touch was gentle yet slightly assertive. She found herself unable to struggle free for that moment. It was only for about a minute, and once they reached a brightly lit area, Bo Xichen let her go.

Gu Anxi wanted to take off the coat and give it back to him, but Bo Xichen ruffled her hair, saying, "It’s a bit chilly. Keep it on."

With that, he led the way into the private room. Gu Anxi didn’t insist, especially since it really was a little cold.

Inside the elegant private room, Old He was already seated. He was holding a matchbox, squinting as he examined the beautiful woman depicted on its cover, and greeted them with a wave as they entered.

Bo Xichen sat next to Old He, and had Gu Anxi sit beside himself. He and Old He chatted about topics common in their circles, and soon both the older man and the younger one were smoking.

This was the first time Gu Anxi had seen Bo Xichen smoke. He held the cigarette between two long, slender fingers. The way he casually handled it, with light and unhurried movements, exuded a deeply alluring masculine charm.

Suddenly, as if sensing her gaze, he turned his head. "What is it?"

Gu Anxi bit her lower lip lightly. "Nothing!"

Bo Xichen seemed to chuckle softly, then resumed his conversation with Old He. During their talk, Old He shot a subtle, meaningful glance at his beloved disciple—

And they still say there’s nothing going on between them!

Bo Xichen shared a few light drinks with Old He. Gu Anxi was surprised; she hadn’t realized that someone who usually seemed so aloof could be so engaging and talkative with an elder.

The atmosphere in the private room was warm and pleasant, but outside, it was a different world.

It was a rainy night in October, and the air was bitingly cold.

Shen Wanqing stood with Qin Siyuan in a corridor of ’Zhen Yuan,’ clutching a painting. She wore only a white knitted dress and was shivering uncontrollably from the cold.

Qin Siyuan stood beside her, looking down. "Why don’t we wait in the car? Professor Gao said Old He’s dinner party will end around ten."

But Shen Wanqing was determined. Despite shivering from the cold, she persisted, "Let’s just wait here. Maybe Old He’s dinner will end early."

Qin Siyuan didn’t know what else to say, so he could only continue to wait with his girlfriend. Time seemed to pass exceptionally slowly. The damp, cold air made him feel thoroughly miserable.