Meng Yuan looked at him. He seemed to be watching her cautiously, afraid she would refuse.
She had dated before, but it was always her who put in the effort. As for watching movies, she hadn't actually watched one with Shu Cheng.
She was too busy, and Shu Cheng hadn't invited her to see a movie. Come to think of it, her relationship with Shu Cheng was truly a joke.
Meng Yuan took a deep look at him and said casually, "Young Master He, watching a movie is only fun with a girlfriend."
A cold glint flashed in He Mingrun's eyes. "Have you watched one with your boyfriend?"
Meng Yuan shook her head slightly. Sensing his coldness, she felt this man was also difficult to please.
"No, I was blind when it came to him. I don't think that will happen again, will it?"
Hearing this, He Mingrun's somber mood improved considerably.
"Who says you can only watch movies with your boyfriend? You can go with friends, can't you? We're friends, so it's good to watch a movie together, isn't it?"
He Mingrun regretted his words as soon as he said them. He might as well have told Meng Yuan directly that he wanted to pursue her.
But he was afraid that Meng Yuan would then avoid him, making the pursuit counterproductive.
In front of other women, he might have been confident.
In front of Meng Yuan, he lacked that confidence. Meng Yuan didn't seek wealth; she only wanted sincere love.
He could give it, but he needed Meng Yuan to understand him.
Meng Yuan thought about it and agreed. Most importantly, He Mingrun was handsome, pleasing to the eye from any angle, and looking at him made her feel good.
Meng Yuan pointed to a newly released movie. "Let's watch this one."
"My Love Life" was a romance film about a protagonist with a straightforward personality who pursued her own happiness.
He Mingrun smiled and nodded. "Alright, after dinner, we'll go watch the movie."
Meng Yuan glanced at the ticket sales. "This romance film is quite popular, and tickets for the next few showings are sold out. How about Friday?"
He Mingrun seriously considered his schedule. He had a banquet to attend on Saturday.
He had a dinner engagement on Friday, which he could skip, sending his assistant instead.
"Yuan Yuan, then let's go on Friday." He Mingrun was eager, wishing tomorrow were already Friday.
"Okay." It would be great, as she also planned to deal with that cheating couple, Shu Cheng and his mistress, on Friday.
"Alright, after dinner, we'll watch the movie together. It'll be a good way to celebrate my newfound single status." Meng Yuan found chatting with He Mingrun very comfortable. That was what she valued in a friend: this sense of ease.
Upon hearing this, He Mingrun's joy grew.
The dishes were served quickly. Once everything was on the table, He Mingrun placed a piece of sweet and sour pork onto Meng Yuan's plate.
"Thank you!" Meng Yuan lowered her head and took a bite.
The taste was delightfully sour and sweet.
"Wuwuwu..." Meng Yuan looked at He Mingrun excitedly.
"Young Master He, this is delicious. You should eat some too." Meng Yuan then picked up a piece for He Mingrun, but as she was about to place it in his bowl, she quickly took it back and ate it herself.
He Mingrun: "..."
Meng Yuan offered an apologetic smile and then picked up the serving chopsticks, placing a piece of sweet and sour pork onto He Mingrun's plate.
These young masters were usually served by dedicated staff. Would he mind if she used her own chopsticks to pick up food for him?
He Mingrun instantly grew annoyed. "Yuan Yuan, I don't mind. Aren't we friends?"
Meng Yuan was taken aback by his sudden anger.
"I'm sorry, I haven't had much experience interacting with wealthy people. I thought you all preferred using serving chopsticks."
Although she had a fearless demeanor, she tried to be mindful of details. Even though she found He Mingrun very easygoing, they weren't close enough for her to be completely unreserved.
He Mingrun shook his head slightly. Seeing her nervousness, he smiled. "Yuan Yuan, we've met several times already. Do you still think we're just ordinary friends?"
Meng Yuan smiled and remained silent.
"Yuan Yuan, since we're friends, then from now on, don't be so formal with me about anything." He Mingrun placed another piece of sweet and sour pork on her plate.
"Eat quickly, it won't taste as good when it gets cold."
"Okay, you eat too." This time, Meng Yuan used her own chopsticks to pick up food for He Mingrun.
He Mingrun's expression brightened considerably.
Because he liked her and cared about her, even the smallest things could affect his emotions.
He Mingrun glanced at the dishes. Their specialty, five-spice beef, hadn't been served yet.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and a server entered with the five-spice beef.
"Oh! Young Master He, you're here too!" a surprised voice called out from the doorway.
He Mingrun looked over and saw Yan Xin.
He Mingrun's face darkened. At this moment, he didn't want anyone to interrupt them.
Meng Yuan also glanced at Yan Xin but didn't recognize her.
She had no intention of greeting her and was about to lower her head to eat when she saw the woman swaying her hips as she walked in.
"Young Master He, it's rare to see you. Let's eat together." Yan Xin spoke familiarly, standing next to Meng Yuan and blocking half of her view.
Meng Yuan immediately understood that this woman had designs on He Mingrun.
It was natural for many women to flock to someone like He Mingrun.
He Mingrun's expression was displeased. He looked up, his gaze indifferent and distant, at Yan Xin.
"I'm sorry, but my friend is treating me today, and I only wish to dine with my friend. Please leave." His voice was distant, devoid of any warmth.
This was the first time Meng Yuan had seen He Mingrun like this – indifferent and aloof, yet still elegant and striking.
Yan Xin's face turned pale. He Mingrun had rejected her.
And he had done so in front of this woman.
Last time, she had asked Lin Su to investigate this woman's identity, but Lin Su hadn't taken it seriously. She still didn't know who this woman was.
However, judging by her attire, she seemed to be an ordinary girl.
Yan Xin took a slight step back and looked at Meng Yuan beside her. "Miss, I'm alone. I don't mind..."
"I do," He Mingrun interrupted Meng Yuan coldly.
Yan Xin's face suddenly turned pale, a wave of humiliation washing over her.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you." She also had her pride. It was only after putting her pride aside that she had spoken to the woman next to her.
Yan Xin turned and left, closing the private room door behind her.
The atmosphere in the private room became somewhat stifled and tense.
Meng Yuan looked at He Mingrun. "She..."
"It's fine. She's irrelevant. There's no need to pay attention," He Mingrun interrupted her with a smile.
Meng Yuan also smiled. Since the person was not important, she no longer felt any guilt.
The two continued their meal happily.
Yan Xin reached the ground floor, tears welling up in her eyes from anger.
She, Yan Xin, was also a beautiful woman admired by many. Yet, in front of He Mingrun, she was treated with utter disdain.
No matter how she thought about it, she felt wronged. Yan Xin stood by the roadside, crying, unwilling to accept He Mingrun's rejection so easily.
If there were someone suitable to mediate their relationship, she could also be having such a pleasant meal with He Mingrun.
Yan Xin pondered for a moment, eventually deciding that Lin Su's sister, Lin Yan, would be a more suitable intermediary.
Although the Lin family had suffered greatly this time, Mu Jiuchen hadn't pursued them ruthlessly.
Moreover, Lin Yan was even more composed than Lin Su.
It had been so long since the Lin family's downfall, yet Lin Yan hadn't uttered a single word.
Once her plan was clear, Yan Xin hailed a taxi and went directly to find Lin Yan.