Old Master Jian raised his teacup and declined with a faint smile. "We're drinking and chatting. What do we need the youngsters here for? Come, Sun, I'll toast you with tea instead of wine. Happy birthday!"
Sun Zhenglian shook his head with a smile. "Don't change the subject. Everyone's curious and wants to meet your granddaughter's fiancé. Why are you hiding him away like some precious treasure?"
Zhang Weimin, the former director of the Economic Restructuring Commission, chimed in. "Exactly. Jian, you're being far too cagey. Even my granddaughter has told me about the famous 'Director Zhou.' Hurry up and bring him over so we can have a look."
Beside Zhang Weimin sat Qu Suqin, a former vice chairwoman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Her stern, cold face made it clear she was not someone to cross. She urged him repeatedly, "A few looks won't hurt him. What can a bunch of old folks like us do, eat him alive? Look how scared you are!"
Unable to refuse any longer, Jian Yan turned to his secretary and told him to fetch Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi, Jian Shuyue, and Tian Tian were chatting quietly, occasionally serving one another food and soup with perfectly natural ease.
The three of them were so close and harmonious, like a family, that several people-including Gong Shixiong-watched with fury in their eyes. Yet there was nothing they could do but swallow it.
"You could toast him!" Jin Mengsha whispered, offering the men a mischievous suggestion.
Sun Haoran and Zheng Peng perked up and exchanged a glance.
Now that could work!
But before they could act, they saw Old Mr. Jian's secretary hurry over and call Zhou Yi and Jian Shuyue away.
Gazes instantly followed the pair like spotlights, tracking them until they reached the