Feng Feng did not respond. At this moment, a staff member asked for her passport. Feng Feng took it out of her bag and handed it over. Although they were not in the same room, they were on the same floor, with adjacent rooms arranged. After getting the room cards, they both took the elevator upstairs and then parted ways to their respective rooms.
Upon returning to her room, Feng Feng tidied her luggage and sat on the sofa, lost in thought. About ten minutes later, a WeChat notification chimed. Shen Su had sent her a message, asking if she had settled in and when she would like to go for dinner.
Feng Feng replied: [I'm all set, let's go.]
Shen Su replied quickly: [Shall I come find you?]
Feng Feng: [No need, I'm coming out now.]
Feng Feng stood up, organized her bag, and carried it out. As she opened the door, she happened to see Shen Su emerging from the room next door. Upon seeing Feng Feng, Shen Su smiled and said, "The restaurant is two kilometers away. Shall we take a taxi or walk?"
Feng Feng felt a bit tired from the flight, so she said, "Let's take a taxi."
Most of the patrons at the Cantonese restaurant were Chinese. After communicating with the owner, Shen Su chose a private room on the second floor. Once the dishes were served, Shen Su poured Feng Feng a glass of wine and raised his glass.
Feng Feng also picked up her glass and clinked it with Shen Su's. They each took a sip. Afterward, Feng Feng suddenly started a conversation with Shen Su, "I have a junior schoolmate who graduated with a Master's degree from Nanda and wants to work in New York. How long do you think it would take her to find a suitable position?"
Shen Su didn't think too deeply, assuming Feng Feng was just making small talk. He put down his wine glass, squinted, and pondered for a moment. "It's not very realistic."
Feng Feng raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"
Shen Su said, "Although you haven't worked here, you're quite familiar with the situation here. It's either students from prestigious local universities or experienced professionals like yourself. For a recent graduate, unless they have some connections, it's very difficult."
Shen Su's analysis was rational and indeed reflected the industry's current state. Feng Feng toyed with her wine glass, listening quietly, and nodded in agreement, "Yes, that's what I was thinking too."
Shen Su seemed curious, "Which junior schoolmate are you referring to? Is she with the same advisor? If her abilities are comparable to yours, it's not impossible."
Feng Feng rarely discussed other people with Shen Su. If she brought someone up, it meant they were quite close. Therefore, Shen Su added, "If needed, you can give me her resume, and I can help recommend her."
Feng Feng smiled, "I didn't realize you were so warm-hearted, Mr. Shen."
After a pause of a few seconds, Feng Feng continued, "Do you often help people find jobs?"
Shen Su replied, "Not really, I don't know many fresh graduates."
Feng Feng: "Okay, I'll ask her. If she's willing, I'll give you her resume later."
Shen Su gazed at Feng Feng for a moment, teasingly, "I thought you would refuse my help."
Feng Feng shook her head, "Not at all. Such a good opportunity, any rational person wouldn't refuse. You just said you don't often help people, so I should thank you for giving me this courtesy."
It was rare for Feng Feng to speak such a long and polite sentence, and her attitude was very relaxed. Shen Su's mood improved even further. Such an exchange made their relationship seem quite special. "Your face, Ms. Feng, is very valuable to me."
Feng Feng took a sip of wine, "Hmm, I believe that."
Because of this remark, Shen Su's mood brightened even more. When he was in a good mood, he became more talkative. He was already good at conversation, and once he started chatting, there was no awkward silence throughout the meal. Feng Feng's responses were always timely, giving Shen Su the illusion that they were dating.
However, Feng Feng's state of mind was completely different from his. Although she was smiling, her mind was preoccupied with Zhang Shuang's matter.
By the time they finished their meal, it was past five o'clock. The time was a bit awkward, so Shen Su suggested going to a seaside cafe for a while. Feng Feng agreed.
After they sat down, Shen Su suddenly asked Feng Feng, "When did you find out that Li Ran was my cousin?"
Feng Feng countered, "Didn't you guess?"
Shen Su said, "My guess wasn't accurate. I wanted to hear the answer from you."
Feng Feng did not deliberately conceal it from him and answered frankly, "The night you attended the wine party together."
Shen Su chuckled, "Yes, it's about what I thought."
He then recalled his previous actions, finding them amusing yet embarrassing. "Ms. Feng, you really know how to keep your composure. Seeing me like that, were you secretly amused?"
Feng Feng remained noncommittal.
Shen Su looked into her eyes and said, "Ms. Feng, you've got me figured out, haven't you?"
Strictly speaking, this was not an accusation but a form of flirtation. Shen Su asked it in a very relaxed tone.
However, Feng Feng's expression suddenly became much more serious. The faint smile in her eyes gradually disappeared, and she looked at him somewhat sharply, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you, Shen Su?"
Not only had her expression and tone changed, but her way of addressing him had also shifted. Feng Feng's previous experiences had already told Shen Su that she only called him by his full name when she was angry. He also inferred a different meaning from Feng Feng's words.
Shen Su's heart sank a little. "Are you still angry about what happened last night?"
Feng Feng answered without directly addressing his question. She put down her coffee cup and looked him straight in the eye, "Without work experience or a study abroad background, finding a well-paying job on Wall Street in less than ten days is indeed your capability."
The topic suddenly shifted here. Shen Su was stunned for a few seconds before immediately realizing that Feng Feng was not talking about her junior schoolmate.
Thinking of a certain possibility, Shen Su's right eyelid twitched. "Feng Feng, I don't know what you mean by that."
Feng Feng smiled again, "With your quick mind and sophisticated methods, Mr. Shen, how could you not know what I mean? I'm just showing off my meager skills in front of an expert."
If his earlier thoughts were merely speculation, then Feng Feng's words had essentially confirmed Shen Su's suspicions. His eyelid twitched even more intensely. Shen Su raised his hand and rubbed his forehead.
After calming himself down, Shen Su asked Feng Feng, "When did you find out?"
He had been very discreet about Zhang Shuang's matter. Although Xing Zheng and Liang Yufeng knew, he was certain they would never leak any information. The only possibility was that Feng Feng herself had discovered a loophole somewhere.
Feng Feng still did not answer his question this time. "Zhang Shuang suddenly contacted Li Yue, coincidentally met, and got injured – that was all arranged by you, wasn't it?"
"You wanted Zhang Shuang to create conflict between me and Li Yue so that we would break up quickly." Every word she spoke was a declarative sentence, and her tone grew increasingly cold, as if she were judging him.
Shen Su could feel that Feng Feng was genuinely angry. "Wait for me to explain this to you."
Feng Feng shook her head, "No need. I think this matter is clear enough."
This refusal to communicate left Shen Su helpless. He could only say, "I didn't contact Zhang Shuang at first."