82: I haven't even finished unleashing my basic attack yet!

"Nonsense again. By that logic, wouldn't most male and female desk-mates end up as couples?"

As soon as Yan Baiwei finished speaking, she saw Chen Qiu looking at her in surprise.

"Isn't that the case?"

"Didn't the Class Monitor like me back then?"

Chen Qiu stroked his chin, feigning confusion.

"In high school, I was pretty popular, wasn't I?"

He wasn't just bragging.

Six feet tall, handsome, athletic and bright, not a boring personality, and his grades were actually decent!

In high school, he was definitely at the level of a male god.

If he had become a student-athlete back then, his mother probably wouldn't be worrying about blind dates now.

In fact, on graduation dinner day, Chen Qiu really did receive confessions from several girls.

It was just that Chen Qiu was completely bewildered at the time.

Even in a galgame, you have to increase favorability step by step; how could you just confess directly?

At this moment.

Being watched by Chen Qiu, Yan Baiwei felt her heart skip a beat.

Just as Chen Qiu said, living within twenty centimeters of each other every day for two or three years—most couples weren't even that intimate!

And for two outstanding desk-mates of opposite genders, it was highly likely for sparks of ambiguity to fly.

In Yan Baiwei's view, she really did have ambiguous feelings for Chen Qiu back then.

"So narcissistic!"

She irritably changed the subject.

"Let's talk about business."

Yan Baiwei let out a soft breath.

"My father invited you to dinner tonight because he wants to participate in the Cultural Industry Park project managed by your Group."

"So, is the Class Monitor here to act as a lobbyist for her father?"

Chen Qiu raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

Yan Baiwei was silent for a moment, then slowly lowered her head.

"I hope you can help us..."

Seeing Yan Baiwei looking somewhat dejected, a light flickered in Chen Qiu's eyes.

This was the first time he had seen Yan Baiwei show such an expression.

It seemed her family's situation was not optimistic.

"Class Monitor, do you remember that time in high school when I skipped class to go to the internet cafe, and you ended up reporting me?"

Yan Baiwei lowered her head in thought.

Of course she remembered!

And vividly so.

At that time, they were in a stage of being more than friends but less than lovers.

With her personality, she naturally wouldn't take the initiative.

But she didn't expect Chen Qiu to have even less awareness of it.

Calling her 'Class Monitor' every other word, then turning around to go to the internet cafe.

He thought he could buy her off with just a few snacks; it made her so angry... Just then, Yan Baiwei vaguely realized something.

She looked up at the same Chen Qiu as always.

He was even more outstanding than he had been back then!

Facing this man with whom she once had an ambiguous relationship, she remembered her emotions when they reunited a while ago.

Joy!

That joy, suppressed deep in her heart and hidden away, yet constantly pounding against her chest!

Was she going to make the same mistake again?

She took a slow, deep breath, and before Chen Qiu could speak, she said in a firm voice.

"Chen Qiu, I liked you before!"

Chen Qiu, who was about to speak, was suddenly caught between laughter and tears.

Wait, why are you playing the emotional card so soon?

I haven't even finished what I was saying!

"I know!"

Chen Qiu nodded, only to see Yan Baiwei's beautiful eyes staring at him unblinkingly.

She took a step forward, her red lips parting slightly.

"I still do."

As soon as she finished, Yan Baiwei stepped closer, a faint, elegant fragrance wafting into his nose.

Her warm, soft, yet slightly cool lips slowly pressed against his.

Chen Qiu looked at Yan Baiwei's slightly trembling eyelashes, his eyes full of shock.

Wait, I haven't even finished my auto-attacks yet?

And you've already used your ultimate?

...Half an hour later, in front of the restaurant.

"This is my father, Yan Li."

When Yan Li saw Chen Qiu and his daughter appearing together, he vaguely felt something was off.

Wasn't he the one who invited Chen Qiu to dinner?

However, he didn't dwell on it, instead stepping forward with a touch of respect to shake Chen Qiu's hand, keeping his posture very humble.

"President Chen, I've heard so much about you. Seeing you today, you truly are young and promising!"

"I was quite shocked when I heard that Weiwei was President Chen's high school classmate!"

Chen Qiu shook his head with a light smile.

This was the first time he had met Yan Baiwei's father.

Although they were desk-mates back then, Yan Baiwei's parents were in the middle of their career ascent and almost never attended parent-teacher meetings.

"Uncle Yan, you're joking. I'm just lucky."

"Uncle Yan, you are a senior. The Tengfei Engineering you built single-handedly is quite famous here in Gannan."

Hearing how Chen Qiu addressed him, Yan Li was startled.

This didn't match the conversation he had imagined.

Since Chen Qiu knew he was the boss of Tengfei Engineering, he must have guessed the meaning behind today's dinner invitation!

Yet he called him Uncle Yan; Yan Li had a bad premonition.

Thinking positively, it could be that Chen Qiu had a good relationship with his daughter, so he lowered his stance and was willing to call him 'Uncle.'

But, judging from his daughter's previous behavior, her relationship with Chen Qiu seemed to be just that of ordinary classmates.

Thinking negatively, it could be that Chen Qiu had guessed the purpose of his visit.

Calling him 'Uncle' meant he was attending the banquet simply as Weiwei's classmate, not as the President of the Cultural Industry Group... If that were the case, then no matter how he talked today, it would be in vain!

Despite his swirling thoughts, Yan Li didn't let it show.

He had finally managed to invite the President of the Cultural Industry Group today; he had to try as hard as possible!

Yan Li maintained his humble posture, inviting Chen Qiu into the private room with smiles and conversation.

After taking their seats, Yan Baiwei sat next to Yan Li.

Yan Li opened a bottle of Feitian liquor.

He poured some for himself and Chen Qiu.

"First, let me toast President Chen. To become the Chief Planner of the Cultural Industry Park at such a young age—your future is limitless!"

Yan Li drained his glass in one go, his expression not changing in the slightest.

Seeing this, Chen Qiu's eyebrows raised slightly.

Among those in the engineering business, who hadn't fought their way through the drinking table?

If they really started drinking, he wouldn't be able to handle it!

"Uncle Yan, let's just have a light drink!"

"I've been busy all day; let's not talk about work during dinner."

Hearing this, Yan Li's hand holding the wine glass froze in mid-air, and his heart sank to the bottom.

Not talk about work?

Then what should they talk about?

My daughter?

"Dad, listen to Chen Qiu. You should drink less too. The food is here."

Yan Li's glass was pressed down by Yan Baiwei, and he sighed inwardly.

Weiwei, you're being foolish!

How can we get things done without drinking!

But since Chen Qiu had said so, he could only swallow his frustration and say cheerfully with an unchanged expression.

"Then let's eat first!"

"We can talk while we eat!"

Subsequently, at the table, although they said they wouldn't talk about work, Yan Li still tried to probe persistently.

Chen Qiu would respond casually, but those superficial answers made Yan Li's heart grow colder and colder.