After placing the food order, the two of them did not seem to know what to say. In order to avoid awkwardness, Shen Chuchu picked up the tea on the table and began to drink it. Although she wanted to explain things clearly with Han Xingyan this time, she did not know where to start. While she struggled, Han Xingyan took the lead.

Han Xingyan seemed to understand something and looked at Shen Chuchu, “Miss Shen, I’ll take the liberty to inquire about the misunderstanding you indicated in your text message?”

When Shen Chuchu heard this, she felt even more awkward. She had not anticipated that Han Xingyan would ask outright. The other party appeared to be able to read her thoughts. Just how should she answer such a question? She took another sip of tea and glanced at the man sitting in front of her. Surprisingly, the individual was staring at her with searing eyes at this point, as if he expected her to respond.

Shen Chuchu silently struggled for a while and put down her tea, “It’s nothing really. I was only saying that I felt some of your actions may cause misunderstandings. For example, if you already have a girlfriend and she finds out that you have made secret contacts with other female celebrities, she will be furious. I owe you two meals, but I suppose you can bring your girlfriend next time.”

Finally, Shen Chuchu said what she had wanted to say. She felt a large stone fall to the ground after she finished but without reason, she felt even more upset. She really had no idea where this mood had come from. She was irritated, so she took a sip of the cold tea on the table and relaxed.

After setting down the cup and staring at the other person with a dazed expression, she felt the words she had just said were a little too strong. She also felt like an ungrateful villain when she considered Han Xingyan’s assistance to her and their history.

“CEO Han, please don’t misunderstand. I said these remarks for no other reason than to express myself. If you require my assistance in the future, just let me know. I’m not trying to cross the river or take down the bridge…”

Han Xingyan muttered as though he had been jolted awake by a switch, “Girlfriend? Mine?”

Shen Chuchu thought to herself as she listened to Han Xingyan. At least the other party’s focus was different from her own and did not mistake her as an ungrateful villain.

She slowly nodded, “Yes, isn’t Qin Yingran your girlfriend? I think you should consider her feelings more.”

Han Xingyan felt that he was abnormal. He used to have a sick feeling in his stomach whenever he heard Qin Yingran’s name. But just now, a glimmer of delight arose in his heart when the girl across the room mentioned the name.

So, did the other party truly misunderstand him and Qin Yingran’s relationship? Secretary Wang was dead on with his prediction. It must, however, be clarified when the time comes.

Han Xingyan suddenly had an idea just as he was ready to say something.

“Miss Shen, with all due respect, do you worry about my relationship with Miss Qin?”

What kind of question is this? After hearing this, Shen Chuchu quickly explained, “Why is that? Mr. Han’s connection with Yingran is none of my concern, so why should I worry? Mr. Han, you are overthinking things.”

Han Xingyan said sternly, “Miss Shen may have misread something, I believe. I am currently single and do not have a so-called girlfriend. As a result, Miss Qin isn’t my girlfriend.”

When Shen Chuchu heard this, she was not only unconvinced but also felt a chill in her heart. Naturally, how could someone with a background like him easily confess that a female celebrity is their girlfriend? Should I have said, female partner? Or female companion instead?

Han Xingyan could not figure out what was wrong with Shen Chuchu’s expression. He felt after the explanation, she seemed even more dissatisfied. What was the reason for this?

After ten seconds or maybe a minute later, Shen Chuchu stated dryly, “Oh, whether Qin Yingran is your girlfriend or not, meeting together in secret like this is always unpleasant for her.”

After hearing what Shen Chuchu said, Han Xingyan’s frown deepened even more. Why is the other party still misunderstanding when he has already explained it?

“Miss Shen, perhaps you misunderstood what I just said?” Han Xingyan pondered the situation then added, “Do I need to explain it to you again?”

Shen Chuchu was irritated after hearing Han Xingyan’s words and remarked ironically, “Naturally I understood. Despite the fact that you and Miss Qin are not a couple, aren’t you friends? So she can be counted as your female companion right?”

Shen Chuchu’s voice was a little sharp as she said these remarks which made the moment exceedingly embarrassing for a while. However, she thought that she was correct considering the previous scandal between them and the joy of Qin Yingran that she had just witnessed.

Han Xingyan frowned slightly when he heard the word “female companion”. Although he had never had a “female companion”, this did not dismiss the possibility that one of his friends did. Many people in their circle had one female companion today and another female companion tomorrow. Some people had girlfriends, and some had “female companions” even after they got married.

He, on the other hand, was not such a person.

What made this sad was that despite the fact that he was not such a person, it had caused others to believe that he was. So when he emphasised that she was not his girlfriend, it had instead irritated the other party more?

“Miss Shen, I believe you have misunderstood me. I am not that kind of person. I simply said I don’t have a girlfriend and I actually really don’t have one. As for a so-called female companion, there is no such thing.” When he finished, Han Xingyan paused, then added, “Does Miss Shen comprehend my explanation?” 

Shen Chuchu’s heart began to beat quicker unintentionally as Han Xingyan’s stern eyes stared at her. “Yes, I understand,” she murmured. Her lips were a little dry and her throat a little tight.

Han Xingyan exhaled a sigh of relief and remarked, maybe self-deprecatingly, “I recognise that having such a misunderstanding is not Miss Shen’s fault, rather, it is the perception that our circle gives off. Miss Shen’s view is understandable.”

After hearing Han Xingyan’s personal explanation, Shen Chuchu reddened slightly.

Given how much Shen Chuchu cared for Qin Yingran right now, Han Xingyan decided it was in his best interests to clear up any misunderstandings between the two.

“Miss Shen, I actually wanted to explain to you why we ended up trending on Weibo. It’s just that you weren’t at home at the time and I didn’t get the opportunity to say it. The reason why I sent Miss Qin home that day was that she had hurt her foot as she had stopped my car at the door so I sent her back home. I was bored while waiting for you in the car today, so I got out of the car and wandered away. As a result, I ran into Miss Qin again. I remembered Miss Qin after the incident on Weibo last time so I didn’t give her much attention.”

Shen Chuchu instantly understood the origin and effect of the issue after hearing Han Xingyan’s explanations. As Chen Xili predicted, what transpired in the last hot search was brought on by Qin Yingran herself, which was afterwards taken down by Han Xingyan. And this time, Qin Yingran and Han Xingyan happened to cross paths by chance. Han Xingyan’s true mission was…

Shen Chuchu raised her head and cast a glance towards Han Xingyan as she pondered this. Only to see that his face remained expressionless.

Shen Chuchu felt hotter and hotter as she thought about his explanation and her face turned crimson. So, why did he explain so much to her?

While the two of them were dumbfounded, the waiter began serving the dishes. Shen Chuchu took advantage of the occasion to speak in a low voice, “Ok, I understand.”

Han Xingyan looked nervously and perplexedly at Shen Chuchu who was staring at the food with a serious expression. The corners of his lips turned up but he did not continue the conversation. Shen Chuchu, on the other hand, did not witness this scene.

Because she was glancing intently at the food being served.

She was merely glancing at these dishes just to deflect attention. However, upon closer inspection, she felt irritated. These meals appeared to be a little too heavy in calories and there were not many options for her.

As they ate, Han Xingyan saw that Shen Chuchu’s appetite seemed to be much smaller. When he noticed this, he gave a little frown and inquired attentively, “What’s wrong, is the food unappetizing?” Or perhaps, she was still bothered by the issue earlier? Did he not explain clearly enough?

Shen Chuchu shook her head as Han Xingyan’s mind spun a thousand different reasons, “No, no, CEO Han. Please don’t misunderstand. I just recently have a smaller appetite.”

When Han Xingyan heard this, he laid down his chopsticks and inquired with concern, “Are you not feeling well? It’s been a cold spell recently. Keep an eye on your health and don’t shoot too late.”

Shen Chu Chu shook her head silently, sighed, then whispered, “No, the director advised me to control my weight. Being too fat would not be appropriate for the role of the character.”

Shen Chuchu felt as if her face was about to burst into fire when she finished.

Han Xingyan’s brows arched out after hearing this and said, “I see. It seems that Miss Shen’s work is really hard. You often have to film in other places and can’t eat well either.”

Han Xingyan drove Shen Chuchu home after the meal, and neither of them uttered a word. Shen Chuchu did not get out of the car for a long time after waiting for the car to come to a complete halt at the back door. Shen Chuchu raised her head to gaze at Han Xingyan. After a minute of looking at him, she inquired, “CEO Han, what brought you to Hengdian? Is it for work?”

Chapter 55 | Index | Chapter 57