Getting Married? I Thought we Were Sworn Enemies - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The impeccably dressed Qi Zhongjing withdrew his unrestrained gaze, breaking the awkward atmosphere. After a pause, he said softly, “Let’s eat first; we can talk about the cooperation later.”

“Mhm, fine.” As a guest, Meng Lingyao followed the host’s lead and agreed. It was too strange to stare at each other, so he moved his gaze out the window to avoid a deadlock of eyes.

The person who looks away first loses.

Fine, he admits defeat.

This must be a show of authority!

It was as if an invisible rule had formed between the two, though unfortunately, this rule was known only to Meng Lingyao.

The location the other party chose was indeed the best; the scenery outside the window had a unique flavor.

The view was pleasant—the lighting and landscaping were excellent, fully displaying the prosperity of City Y. There were countless urban buildings, beautifully and appropriately designed lights…

It was beautiful, but unfortunately, he couldn’t settle his mind to appreciate it.

On the other hand, seeing Meng Lingyao move his gaze away, Qi Zhongjing felt a sense of loss. He wanted the other party’s attention to stay on him for a little longer, and longer, and longer still.

It would be best if… he kept looking at him like that forever.

He had been trembling all over from the other’s stare; his whole body felt as if it were soaking in warm, sunny water.

He’s looking at me. He’s gazing at me deeply.

So happy!

Ah… why isn’t he looking at me anymore?

the moment the other party moved his gaze, Qi Zhongjing felt extreme disappointment, and all the bubbles of beauty rising within him were popped.

Talking about cooperation—why choose a Western restaurant? So strange.

He felt like there were needles in his back; he was restless and uneasy…

Realizing this, they had been in their seats for quite a while. The waiter brought all the food out, and a pleasant piano melody began to play, accompanied by violin music.

“I didn’t know your tastes, so I ordered a few things randomly,” Qi Zhongjing said.

Meng Lingyao glanced at them casually. The “random” dishes did indeed match his past tastes; it seemed a bit coincidental, but he had no heart for eating. He replied offhandedly, “Anything is fine for me.”

The lights dimmed, and the candles on the candelabra atop the table flickered. The entire atmosphere inexplicably became ripple-like and romantic.

?????

Does Qi Zhongjing… have some kind of problem?!

Two men talking about cooperation choose a Western restaurant and book an entire floor.

Meng Lingyao gripped his steak knife, feeling slightly at a loss, while the other party appeared perfectly normal, unhurriedly cutting his steak with elegant posture. It didn’t look like eating so much as a performance.

How did he end up having a candlelight dinner with this guy?

Is Qi Zhongjing trying to gross him out? It must be that.

Otherwise, why would two grown men eat a candlelight dinner to discuss cooperation? Who are they trying to disgust?

“Don’t like the taste?” Qi Zhongjing, who was watching the other party at every moment, noticed Meng Lingyao absentmindedly scraping his plate, making a somewhat ear-piercing sound with the knife, and asked.

Meng Lingyao looked up, trying hard to discern that extremely normal expression. Seeing a gaze that seemed to lack malice, he agreed, pursing his lips and forcing a faint smile. “It’s not bad.”

It was indeed not bad; whether in terms of the meat quality or the flavor, it was excellent. If one were to judge strictly by taste, it was surprisingly to his liking—even the doneness of the steak was perfectly calibrated to his preferred texture.

But now, he simply found the food tasteless.

He took a sip of the red wine on the side to cut through the greasiness of the meat. The mouthfeel as it entered his mouth made him raise an eyebrow and look at the other party. This wine… was somewhat unusual.

This man… is really putting down a lot of capital.

What are all these actions meant to show him?

Meng Lingyao didn’t see it, but his lips, having sipped the wine, were moistened with a layer of mist. Seeing this, Qi Zhongjing’s pupils constricted, and his gaze deepened.

Such… beautiful eyes. If only those eyes held only my reflection, how good would that be?

“I’m finished.” Meng Lingyao hadn’t even finished a single piece of steak. He was restless in this incredibly strange atmosphere; he had no appetite.

He wanted to know what medicine Qi Zhongjing was selling in his gourd (what his hidden agenda was).

Of course, by being so unable to keep his cool, he had already lost the initiative.

Or so Meng Lingyao believed.

“President Qi, you didn’t invite me just for a simple meal.”

Qi Zhongjing was acting too normal, as if they were two friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time having a casual dinner.

It was just that the space, the music, and the atmospheric arrangement reminded him of a candlelight dinner between a couple.

With his “fight to the death” relationship with Qi Zhongjing, was it possible to sit down so peacefully for a dinner?

Thinking of this, Meng Lingyao only felt a chill rise from his toes to the top of his head.

Precisely because he couldn’t grasp Qi Zhongjing’s meaning, this ambiguous attitude made Meng Lingyao completely unable to tell what Qi Zhongjing actually wanted to do. He decided to settle things quickly.

“President Qi, if you have something to say, just say it straight. I can’t guess through twists and turns, and you know exactly what situation I’m in right now.”

Whether it was to humiliate him or help him, he’d see what Qi Zhongjing had to say.

Qi Zhongjing put down his knife and fork, feeling a bit of regret. Having dinner with the other person, using the other’s presence as a “side dish” accompanied by music, had given him a great appetite and made his heart bubble with joy.

Such peaceful times were always short-lived.

He summoned the waiter to clear the tableware. Qi Zhongjing took out several contracts and handed them to the other party, signaling for him to look at the documents before they talked.

Not knowing the reason, Meng Lingyao took the documents. Compared to half a year ago when he knew nothing, after half a year of being “forced to inherit the business,” Meng Lingyao wouldn’t boast about what else he had learned, but he could clearly see whether a document had any word traps or specific clauses.

After reading the documents for nearly twenty minutes, he closed them. To be honest, Meng Lingyao’s brow furrowed, and then his gaze became somewhat bizarre. He looked at the other party and spoke with some difficulty, addressing him by his full name: “Qi Zhongjing, what kind of joke are you playing!”

His first reaction: Meng Lingyao thought he had misread.

Second reaction: Meng Lingyao thought Qi Zhongjing was playing him.

Third reaction: Meng Lingyao thought Qi Zhongjing was insane.

For as long as the other party had been reading, Qi Zhongjing had been admiring his beauty. The way he looked while slightly lowering his head and seriously flipping through documents was truly beautiful.

“As long as you sign, it can take effect immediately.” Qi Zhongjing gave a shallow smile. He didn’t respond directly but pushed over a fountain pen.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Obviously, these documents were like a meat pie falling from the sky.

How could Meng Lingyao not understand this principle?

Not only was the other party willing to provide capital to fill the shortage in his company’s cash flow, but he had also brought several guaranteed-profit, mature projects that didn’t need outsiders to intervene at all. It was as if the other party were rushing to give him money, fearing he didn’t have enough to fill the holes.

“Are you serious?” Meng Lingyao might not understand business, but he wasn’t an idiot. He asked again, his gaze suspiciously scanning the other man.

He didn’t see anything wrong with Qi Zhongjing; he looked very sober. Why did it feel like his brain was broken?

There’s no free lunch in this world, especially given the years of grudges between them.

Furthermore, Qi Zhongjing’s performance in the business world proved he wasn’t a fool.

Then things became bizarre. The other party bringing out these documents—it was as if he had been hit by a curse.

Where did this peerless philanthropist come from? This act of “repaying grievance with virtue” made Meng Lingyao shocked, incredulous, and a bit at a loss—even somewhat bewildered.

Meng Lingyao even had the illusion that he held some fatal leverage over the other party, or that he had somehow cursed him without knowing it; otherwise, where did these benefits come from?

Is the other party some kind of Great Merciful philanthropist? Being such a “Holy Mother” toward his own arch-nemesis—it was truly soul-stirring.

“The documents are in your hand, and the pen is here.” Qi Zhongjing’s finger joints tapped the tabletop as he said unhurriedly, his tone deep, even carrying a hint of urging and seduction. “Sign it.”

“And the price?” Meng Lingyao, who couldn’t help but be tempted, didn’t believe in Qi Zhongjing’s “Great Philanthropist” act. He could only say that the man must be brewing a bigger conspiracy in the background.

What did he want to do? What was the goal?

All of this made Meng Lingyao waver. He felt that Qi Zhongjing was plotting for a lot; he felt like he was walking on a cable over a cliff—one slight move and he’d be dead without a place for burial.

“Given our relationship, it’s not worth such a huge cost for you to help a company that is about to be dragged down by me. I don’t believe it. Qi Zhongjing, whatever your purpose is, it’s better to just say it straight.” It was the same sentence: Qi Zhongjing wasn’t a fool, and neither was he.

Whatever purpose Qi Zhongjing had, he should lay it out.

“I don’t believe you, President Qi. Have you become a peerless philanthropist now, able to repay an enemy like me with virtue?” Meng Lingyao gave a self-mocking laugh, pointing at himself and then looking at the other party.

Seeing Meng Lingyao show the same attitude as before, Qi Zhongjing was actually somewhat happy. This version of him was more dazzling.

The so-called cooperation—perhaps “betrothal gift” was more appropriate.

“There is indeed one condition,” Qi Zhongjing said unhurriedly, his tone flat.

In a sense, Meng Lingyao had guessed Qi Zhongjing’s character correctly; he was indeed kicking someone while they were down. However, the event was not as Meng Lingyao imagined.

“Marry me. Get married to me.”

Seven words. Qi Zhongjing’s articulation was very clear. Meng Lingyao listened intently and could hear them clearly.

Qi Zhongjing finished those seven words looking relaxed, but secretly he was extremely nervous—a kind of tension like waiting for a lottery draw. He stared at Meng Lingyao’s every reaction.

Meng Lingyao’s brow furrowed. Those seven words had entered his ears, yet seemed not to have entered at all.

He realized the meaning after a delay. After processing what the other party intended, his pupils widened significantly. The first thing to emerge was rage. His hands clenched into fists, as if in the next moment he would punch the other man’s detestable face.

“Are you crazy?!”

The other party was completely at ease, lightly spitting out such a sentence with a tone that reeked of nonchalance. That posture was high and mighty, as if admiring his pathetic state.

He even held his wine glass, taking a relaxed and cozy sip. Those features, which were exceptionally outstanding in the eyes of outsiders, watched him, admiring his anger.

Meng Lingyao: (╬◣д◢)

Seeing Meng Lingyao’s expression, which for a moment looked like a bristling Pekingese, and thinking of the attitude Meng Lingyao usually had toward him, Qi Zhongjing nervously took a sip of red wine to calm his nerves.

Excitement outweighed fear; alcohol bolsters a coward’s courage.

He had still been too blunt, making it impossible for Meng Lingyao to accept.

However, now was the best opportunity to achieve his desire. If he wanted to be with this person, this was the only chance. With a golden opportunity laid before him, Qi Zhongjing would not let it go.

This was the person he had desired for over twenty years!

Taking advantage of a crisis, kicking someone while they’re down, seizing the moment of another’s peril…

Perhaps that was exactly how the other party thought of him right now.

That didn’t matter. What mattered was that he used any means necessary to reach his dream goal—that was enough.

The gaze falling on Meng Lingyao was too unrestrained and carried an aggressive air, letting Meng Lingyao see a sense of “determined to win.”

“You—are you playing me!” After a few deep breaths, Meng Lingyao narrowed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he stared deathly at Qi Zhongjing, squeezing the words from the gaps in his teeth.

That expression looked as if the teeth he was grinding were Qi Zhongjing’s flesh, and what he was gnashing was Qi Zhongjing’s blood and bone.

What “marry”? Wasn’t it just wanting him to be the other party’s… lover? Or perhaps even that word was too good; it would be an even lowlier existence.

Clear and blatant humiliation—it fit Qi Zhongjing’s usual style. Or perhaps from the moment he stepped in here, his actions had fallen into the trap the other had woven for him.

Hehe. He sneered in his heart, mocked himself again, and the fire of anger in his eyes suddenly diminished by more than half.

After all, Meng Lingyao no longer had the confidence of his former arrogance. That once-unbridled young master who had parents to protect him had finally grown during the six months of sudden misfortune.

In the past, if Qi Zhongjing had dared to say something he considered an insult, he would have thrown a punch long ago. As for the consequences, they wouldn’t be within his consideration—hit first, talk later.

Now was different. He had nothing to lean on.

The environment had changed his character.

How pathetic, to be so humiliated by his arch-nemesis.

Qi Zhongjing’s deep eyes fell on him with an evaluative look, as if scrutinizing a fresh toy that was about to be acquired.

He was certain he would consider it, and even certain he would agree. That “determined to win” expression carried the arrogance of someone in a superior position.

This feeling of being naturally at a disadvantage—the feeling of being someone who comes when called and goes when waved away, naturally inferior—made Meng Lingyao feel far too much humiliation.