Lin Nuan didn't have a bubbly personality like Xie Jingqian. She was envious at the sight of Xie Jingqian holding Ji Zibai's arm and resting her head on his shoulder coquettishly.
Lin Nuan wouldn't have been able to do that with her lover at home, let alone in public. She couldn't bring herself to speak and act so coquettishly.
Xie Jingqian waved her hand around proudly and sat down. "Yes! I shook my idol's hand!"
Fu Huai'an pulled out a chair for Lin Nuan in a composed and noble manner.
The ambiance was joyful with the cheerful Xie Jingqian around.
After she sat down, Xie Jingqian apologized for asking Ji Zibai's niece and her husband, as well as her third brother and his wife, along. She hoped Lin Nuan wouldn't mind.
Gazing at Xie Jingqian's big and bright eyes, Lin Nuan shook her head; she was fine with it.
"I'm sorry!" Ji Zibai apologized solemnly.
"It's fine." Fu Huai'an didn't mind.
Fu Huai'an didn't have any issues with Xie Jingqiu or Tang Xi. Even though the Kaide Corporation and Jiahe Group had business dealings, Tang Xi and Fu Huai'an didn't handle them personally, and they didn't have much interaction.
Tang Xi and You Jiaxin arrived just after the waiter served Lin Nuan and Fu Huai'an drinks.
Ji Zibai sat in his chair as he stared unhappily at a pregnant You Jiaxin.
You Jiaxin had ballooned after she got pregnant, and her figure was no longer slender. Her features were pretty, but they were now stretched and puffed up; she looked child-like.
"Uncle, you're too much! Did you just tell me to eat the soles of your shoes? Is this how you should treat a pregnant lady?"
Tang Xi held onto You Jiaxin's arm and thoughtfully pulled out a chair for her. "Order whatever you feel like eating! Don't be angry…"
Tang Xi then raised his head. His handsome features were smiley, and he casually pulled up another chair to sit beside You Jiaxin. His gaze swept across Fu Huai'an to Lin Nuan, who was seated beside him. It was evident that Tang Xi recognized Lin Nuan; after all, she was quite popular nowadays.
Lin Nuan smiled and nodded politely at Tang Xi when she saw him looking at her.
Tang Xi smiled knowingly. "Mr. Fu, the lawyer, since when have you been so gallant? You're actually able to invite this chaste lady who's willing to die for someone else to be your guest for today?"
Lin Nuan could tell that he was being flippant.
Tang Xi and Ji Zibai hadn't been on good terms. Now that Ji Zibai was his wife's uncle, Tang Xi's hands were tied, but he wasn't a man who forgave easily. It was just too bad that Fu Huai'an was good friends with Ji Zibai. Since he couldn't target Ji Zibai, Tang Xi had to aim his verbal attack at Fu Huai'an instead.
Tang Xi felt his chair shake. He held onto the table and looked down…
In between his legs, Fu Huai'an's leather shoes were pressing against the edge of his chair, as a warning.
Fu Huai'an's legs were crossed, and his long legs were stepping against the edge of the chair effortlessly. Under the simple and tasteful lighting, Fu Huai'an's eyes narrowed. His strong features and presence were terrorizing, and Tang Xi, who hadn't seen him in years, was taken aback.
The Fu Huai'an now was a different person from the invincible lawyer in the past. His deep and profound gaze was unfathomable and astute, like that of a person in a high-ranking position. The deep lines on his face and tranquil eyes were always calm and collected. However, when he stared at a person, it could be so overbearing that one felt crushed and powerless to retaliate.
Tang Xi could tell that Fu Huai'an was a changed man now. He had been hardened and refined through the years from vanquishing his business opponents. Fu Huai'an was wiser and more sophisticated than before.
His powerful aura and terrorizing presence could be innate, similar to Xie Jingqiu. Or perhaps it could be because he had been hardened through his experiences and that his endurance level was higher than that of a typical person.
"Oh, shut up!" Ji Zibai glared at him coldly with his long and narrow eyes.
"Tang Xi, don't you have anything good to say?" You Jiaxin was afraid that her uncle might be offended and gave Tang Xi the evil eye. "Can't you just keep your mouth shut and eat your food? Do you have to annoy me?"
"Tang Xi, this is Fu Huai'an's wife, Lin Nuan. Please speak respectfully!" Xie Jingqian frowned.
All of a sudden, all fingers were pointing at Tang Xi accusingly.
"Fine, fine, fine, I'll shut up!" Tang Xi didn't want to agitate You Jiaxin.
Tang Xi wasn't a person who gave in that easily. He saw Fu Huai'an's leather shoe still on the edge of his chair, and their eyes met.
Tang Xi knew what Fu Huai'an meant. Fu Huai'an was waiting for him to apologize to Lin Nuan.
Tang Xi didn't have any issues with Lin Nuan. He was merely targeting Fu Huai'an because of Ji Zibai.
"Mr. Fu, can you please put your foot somewhere else?" Tang Xi asked, pretending nothing was amiss.
Lin Nuan then realized what was going on under the table and where Fu Huai'an's foot was. She reached out and squeezed his hand.
Fu Huai'an had said earlier that Ji Zibai was a special and important friend. It was Ji Zibai's treat today, and the wedding was a happy occasion. Lin Nuan didn't want to blow things up.
"I can't bear to see my woman suffer even a tiny bit!" Fu Huai'an said in a domineering manner as he leaned back in his chair and unbuttoned the button on his blazer.
Tang Xi felt oppressed by Fu Huai'an's powerful aura and dignified air.
One could only be domineering if he had the capability to be. It was obvious that Fu Huai'an possessed the attributes and was more than qualified to be domineering.
You Jiaxin's lips quivered. "Uncle Huai'an…"
She said this in a pleading manner. You Jiaxin was aware of Tang Xi's character—arrogant, proud, and unyielding.
Tang Xi shuddered when he heard You Jiaxin refer to him as Uncle Huai'an.
The word uncle officially lowered Tang Xi's hierarchy in the family tree.
Tang Xi only had eyes for You Jiaxin and couldn't care less about the sufferings of other women. If he meant to give them cause for grievance, they had to accept it no matter what.
But today, when he heard Fu Huai'an saying that he wouldn't allow his woman to suffer any grievances… Tang Xi felt a sense of admiration emerging for Fu Huai'an, even if he was unwilling to admit it.
When others commented that Tang Xi pampered You Jiaxin too much, he would defend himself by saying that only real men knew how to love and pamper a woman.
Tang Xi was willing to apologize!
He looked at Lin Nuan. "Mrs. Fu, I'm sorry if I offended you with my words, I didn't mean it as a personal attack. I can be malicious and unpleasant, everyone in Jincheng knows how unlikeable I can be…"
Fu Huai'an retracted his foot after Tang Xi had apologized.
Lin Nuan nodded and smiled earnestly. "Well, I'm glad you know that!"
Tang Xi was speechless.
"Oops…" Xie Jingqian had just gulped some water and couldn't help but spurt some out.
You Jiaxin couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Everyone expected Lin Nuan to brush it off with an "It's okay," and that would be the end of the matter. No one had expected Lin Nuan to nod so earnestly and agree with what he said…