Chapter 89: Inviting Chen Luo in Wen Wan's Presence

Elena heard the gentle words and couldn’t help but let a cold smile curl at her lips. Such an unceremonious invitation was hardly different from simply telling someone to leave; the more you try to drive me away, hmph! The less inclined I am to go!

“Well, since you’re so enthusiastic, Miss Wen, I’d be remiss not to accept.”

With that, Elena strode to the table and stopped, turning to glance at Wen Wan. She lifted her hand, pointed at Chen Luo, and winked at him.

Chen Luo found her overt friendliness somewhat baffling, and instinctively shifted his gaze away. He raised his hand to help smooth Wen Wan’s hair at her back.

“Miss Wen, what’s wrong? Let’s take our seats, or you’ll let your boyfriend starve.”

A true display of reversing the roles—yet you flirt with my man right in front of me; do you think I’m just a bystander?

Wen Wan looked to Zhou Mei at her side, silently seeking clarity on the situation. Zhou Mei responded with a reassuring hand gesture, indicating everything was fine and still within the bounds of their experiment.

Fine? I asked you to intercept and investigate, but you’ve brought the enemy here to flirt with my man on my own turf! Are you really a Jiang or a Wang? Could it be that this shut-in science girl has turned traitor?

A flicker of anger sparked within her, but it wasn’t the time to lose composure in front of Chen Luo, nor in full view of everyone.

“Very well, since you honor us with your presence, Miss Ye, please be seated.”

She led Chen Luo to the seat of honor, sitting herself at his left side—a habit they’d developed during their time together.

Sitting to his left made it easier for Chen Luo to serve her dishes and ladle soup, and occasionally feed her a bite or two.

Wen Wan enjoyed this pampered feeling, especially the attentive care Chen Luo gave her.

“There’s no one sitting here, so I’ll take this seat. Miss Wen, you don’t mind, do you?”

Elena asked whether Wen Wan minded, but had already claimed the seat to Chen Luo’s right.

Hmph! With this proximity, I’ll observe and test you closely; I refuse to believe I can’t catch you slipping.

Seeing Elena sit beside Chen Luo, Wen Wan’s eyes flashed with anger. What is this heiress up to? She’s already an uninvited guest, and now she takes the seat next to Chen Luo, the one others dare not occupy.

Chen Luo, noticing this, subtly shifted his chair closer to Wen Wan.

“Miss Elena, welcome to dine with us. I hope you enjoy your meal.”

His polite yet distant words stirred a flame in Elena’s heart.

Her smile remained, but beneath the table her hand clutched her phone tightly, even trembling.

Whenever I dine with others, they’re always eager to sit as close as possible. Yet you treat me like this, even moving your chair away?

Even the most upright gentlemen would steal a glance at me—how can you so brazenly ignore me? Is it not exceedingly rude?

Am I really not as attractive as that crazy Wen Wan?

Fine! This is no longer mere curiosity. Now it’s a matter of pride! I refuse to believe anyone can ignore my charm. I will unmask your hypocritical facade!

“Mr. Chen Luo, we’ve met before, but allow me to formally introduce myself: I am Elena Ye, chairwoman of Ling Group, and a friend of Miss Wen.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “friend” and offered Chen Luo her hand, her face adorned with a sweet smile.

Wen Wan rolled her eyes internally. This woman is full of nonsense. Today’s our first meeting—what friendship?

And take that sickly sweet smile elsewhere! You’re sullying my darling’s eyes!

“Hello, Chairwoman Ye. Pleased to meet you.”

Chen Luo extended his hand, giving Elena’s a swift, light touch before quickly withdrawing.

Elena was stunned. Even if you are so devoted to Wen Wan, isn’t this a bit too cold?

Is it really so hard to hold my hand a moment longer? Would your hand rot? Would you die?

Does your virtue as a man really need to be so robust? Is it necessary?

Wen Wan, seeing Elena’s bewildered expression, couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

Heh, my darling is no ordinary man; his heart belongs only to me. How could your beauty sway him?

“All right, bring out the dishes.”

At Wen Wan’s command, a group of beautiful hotel servers entered, carrying trays.

Soon, the table was lined with seven or eight dishes—specialties of the resort, including various seafood, and a plate of hairy crab specially requested by Chen Luo.

Liu Hua, upon seeing the crab, couldn’t resist grabbing one for her bowl and began eating.

Oh? Isn’t this young lady supposed to have feelings for Chen Luo as well? Why not try to shine at the table?

In truth, Elena had no idea that on this battlefield, Liu Hua had already been defeated grandly by Wen Wan once before.

The clever do not persist in fighting on their opponent’s home ground, and Liu Hua was now gradually being boiled like a frog in warm water by Wen Wan, her very self-identity blurring.

“Miss Ye, you’re our guest, please help yourself.”

Chen Luo made a courteous gesture to Elena, who nodded and picked up her chopsticks to take a dish.

But as she looked up, she saw Zhou Mei signaling her repeatedly, reminding her not to forget the experiment they’d discussed.

Earlier, Zhou Mei had already briefed her: during the meal, she must pay close attention to Chen Luo’s dining habits, and try to glean more information at the table.

Elena truly didn’t want to cooperate with this experiment, but in the moment she also wanted to learn more about Chen Luo.

She turned to look at him, and noticed he had just picked up a piece of fish from the steamed dish.

“Oh? Mr. Chen Luo, do you usually enjoy seafood?”

“No, my liking for seafood is rather ordinary.”

Chen Luo carefully reached out his hand beneath the piece of fish, focusing on it and not looking back at Elena.

“Then why—?”

Elena eyed the piece of fish, puzzled.

Chen Luo smiled, and turned his chopsticks in another direction.

To Wen Wan’s bowl.

“Wan’er, eat more fish. You’ve been working so hard—you need to replenish your protein.”

Wen Wan gave Chen Luo a sweet smile, took the fish, and ate it with happiness written across her face.

No matter how ruined a dish was, anything Chen Luo served was a rare delicacy for Wen Wan.

After swallowing, Wen Wan arched her brow at Elena.

See? My darling serves me food. Do you have that?

Elena understood the blatant flaunting and provocation, and nearly ground her teeth to dust.

Damn it! What’s there to show off?

I simply don’t care for a boyfriend; if I put the word out, outstanding men would line up from here to the East Sea shore!

No! I won’t let this woman lead me by the nose—I must regain the upper hand!

“Mr. Chen Luo, if you’re not fond of seafood, perhaps you prefer game. I run a restaurant in Hangzhou specializing in wild dishes, not far from Hangzhou University. How about joining me there tomorrow?”

The others at the table, including Mo Lan and Mo Ye, were visibly shocked by her words.

Are you insane? You’re asking Wen Wan’s boyfriend to dine with you right in front of her?