CHAPTER 390: 375 ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

Wenxiu’s room was next to Meng Shuyan’s, and Ye Binyi had already asked Aunt Zhang to clean it up. This made Tian Sangsang uneasy. She had already fallen out with Wenxiu openly, even though the rest of the family was unaware. She was worried it might implicate Meng Shuyan.

She had to prevent Wenxiu from becoming another Shui Lian.

After the incident with Shui Lian, she became increasingly concerned for her son’s safety. It was fine as long as she didn’t think about it, but once it came up, she realized she couldn’t forget, especially as that sense of insecurity crept back in. Back then, why had she believed Jiang Jinghuai could protect them? The main reason was that he had rescued her from Hua Jun’s captivity, and she had been so overwhelmed with gratitude that she subconsciously forgot the harm he had once caused her son.

Tian Sangsang slapped her forehead, trying her best to suppress the thought. At the same time, a strong sense of guilt welled up in her heart. It was terrifying – how could she doubt the person who shared her bed? After sleeping side by side for so long, shouldn’t she understand his character? But to be honest, she didn’t really know him well enough.

"Yanyan." She spoke solemnly to Meng Shuyan, "From now on, when you sleep alone, you must lock the door. If someone knocks, you have to ask who it is before opening the door. Do you understand?" After all, Wenxiu’s room was just next door.

Meng Shuyan nodded obediently, "Okay, Mom."

**

The next day, Tian Sangsang didn’t forget her appointment with Hua Zifeng.

When she arrived in front of the food factory, Hua Zifeng happened to be driving a car out. The car wasn’t as intimidating as those of domineering presidents in later eras, but it was still quite impressive. Even in Beijing, not many people could afford to drive one.

Hua Zifeng got out of the car, smiling gracefully, "Miss Tian, I’ve already drafted the contract. Let’s find a place to discuss it properly."

Tian Sangsang asked mildly, "Can’t we discuss it at the factory?"

"I’d like to treat you to a meal."

"There’s no need... I just had a meal before coming here."

Hua Zifeng still smiled, "Well then, can I at least treat you to some afternoon tea? You treated me to such delicious instant noodles yesterday. Surely you won’t deny me this small courtesy. We’re business partners, after all."

After a moment of deliberation, Tian Sangsang decided to go with him. She could sense that Hua Zifeng was a rather frivolous person – one collaboration was enough, and it was better not to deal with him in the future if she could avoid it. He didn’t seem like a decent person, yet he knew how to do business. On the other hand, when it came to business, he didn’t seem like a proper businessman.

Hua Zifeng brought her to a western restaurant in Beijing. This restaurant wasn’t as transparent or modern as the ones in later times, but it still carried a strong sense of the era, especially with its Soviet-style influences.

Tian Sangsang hadn’t expected to see a western restaurant in this era. She sat down at the table, feeling a bit dazed. The tablecloth was embroidered with strange geometric patterns, a vase sat in the center, and the arrangement of the cutlery was very Western. The customers inside all looked quite fashionable.

"Miss Tian, order whatever you’d like to eat or drink." Hua Zifeng spoke generously.

Tian Sangsang accepted the menu from the waiter and ordered pudding and steak.

Hua Zifeng, ever the romantic, ordered a bottle of red wine.

Tian Sangsang couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. This didn’t seem like a place for a business discussion – it felt more like a dating venue.

Hua Zifeng poured the wine and pushed a contract over to her, his earlier playful demeanor gone.

"I can help you get the permits you want, but the braised beef noodle recipe must be unconditionally handed over to us. We won’t give you any share of the profits or royalties. Miss Tian, you’d better think clearly. Also, once we start producing the braised beef noodles, you can’t sell the recipe to other businesses or use it for your own sales efforts."

In other words, the braised beef noodle recipe would belong entirely to them.

Tian Sangsang had no intention of asking for a profit share or royalties. Even if the braised beef noodle recipe was hers, she wouldn’t go as far as starting an instant noodle company. "Don’t worry, Mr. Hua. I understand the principles of being a decent person. I won’t ask for any cut of the profits and will personally teach your staff how to make it. But for my factory, I’d prefer not to have the authorities breathing down my neck halfway through its operation."

"Don’t worry. As long as I’m around, the factory will remain yours."

"But what happens if you’re not around?"

Hua Zifeng was taken aback, raising an eyebrow. "It’ll still be yours."

Tian Sangsang glanced at the contract, while Hua Zifeng’s gaze on the other side kept unsettling her.

After reviewing the contract, she raised her eyes lightly.

Hua Zifeng asked, "Are you that Zhou Yun?"

"The one I portrayed, yes." Tian Sangsang nimbly picked up the knife and fork, cutting a piece of steak.

Hua Zifeng’s eyes flicked to her movements, his gaze deepening. "Miss Tian truly lives up to being my brother-in-law’s wife. You’re quite cultured—not only do you handle Western cutlery with ease, but you also make beauty products. My mother can’t stop praising your skincare line, especially the essential oils."

A hint of wariness flickered in Tian Sangsang’s heart. "Mr. Hua surely knows a lot."

Hua Zifeng smiled. "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will always win."

"Pardon me for asking, what exactly do you mean by your ’brother-in-law’s wife’ comment?"

"My sister has been coveting your husband, Jiang Jinghuai, for quite some time now." Hua Zifeng wore an amused expression. "You might want to watch out."

"Your sister Hua Jun?" Tian Sangsang asked.

"Seems like you’ve met."

She replied faintly, "What’s mine is mine. What isn’t won’t stay mine even if I hide it."

Hua Zifeng took a sip of red wine and said, "That’s not necessarily true. Many things in this world can be taken away. People included. Everyone loves to take what isn’t theirs."

"I won’t actively fight for things, but at the very least, I’ll guard what’s mine. Living in this world, that’s probably the only thing I can do—protect what belongs to me." Tian Sangsang raised her glass. "Thank you for the reminder."

Hua Zifeng clinked glasses with her. "If you really want to thank me, you can give me any future recipes you come up with. Whatever permits you need, I can get them for you. But Miss Tian, you’re still too gentle. Just guarding isn’t enough—when dealing with bad people, you have to fight back."

Tian Sangsang smiled without responding.

On the way back, Tian Sangsang was deep in thought. She’d merely made some instant noodles, and Hua Zifeng had already gone to investigate her? Then, in her previous time living with Jiang Jinghuai, when she’d occasionally let slip anachronistic words or hummed unfamiliar songs, could he have investigated her as well?

This thought, once planted, grew wildly. If someone like Hua Zifeng, an ordinary person, could develop suspicions, then Jiang Jinghuai, as a soldier with sharper insight, surely would. Yet he had never probed... No, that wasn’t true. He had asked before. But he made it seem so casual, always using a light tone that disarmed any sense of vigilance. So, either he wasn’t suspicious, or he was hiding his intentions too well.

How could that be? He was her husband. Tian Sangsang shook her head, trying to dispel the thought, yet it kept resurfacing bit by bit. She carefully reflected on her time since transmigrating, her life with Jiang Jinghuai—had she given anything away?

She hadn’t meant to draw attention to herself. But then, had she really been low-key? A man with no guilt becomes a target holding onto a treasure. She should have been more cautious. For the first time, she realized that this new life was like a red-hot potato in her hands.