"Mr. Huang." Wei Zijin stood up and greeted him with a polite but distant smile, her manner just right.
Huang Xueli looked at Wei Zijin, his face beaming with enthusiasm, and waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, no. Xiaoliang and I are buddies now, which makes you my buddy's girl. No need to be so formal."
As he spoke, his gaze swept back and forth between Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin, his expression carrying a somewhat exaggerated mix of surprise and understanding.
"Well, Xiaoliang, you've really got something! When I first met you, you looked so honest and unassuming that I thought you were the quiet, tongue-tied type. Who would have thought? You were hiding your talents!"
"I'm telling you, Zijin, when Old Zhou first told me you were Xiaoliang's girlfriend, my jaw nearly hit the floor! Seriously!" Huang Xueli gestured animatedly. "I thought Old Zhou was pulling my leg."
He paused, then studied them both again, his tone turning sincere. "But after getting to know you over all this time, I've realized you two really are a good match. Zijin, nicely done! You've got a good eye."
His words praised both Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin. They left Wang Xiaoliang feeling a little embarrassed.
"Of course!"
Wei Zijin, on the other hand, smiled with easy confidence. Her answer carried a double meaning: she had good taste, and Wang Xiaoliang was an outstanding man.
Zhou Qiang picked up his chopsticks and tapped the edge of a plate. "All right, enough mutual flattery. You used to be teacher and students, but now we're friends. From now on, let's have fewer pleasantries and more plain speaking."
Li Lanxiang poured tea for everyone. "Brother Qiang rarely praises anyone, really, and he doesn't have many friends either. But lately, I've heard him praise you