Ge Baitao put on a look of surprise. "Ah, why? We haven't even talked yet, how do you know we're not suitable?"
Zhou Shao lifted his chin haughtily. "I've always respected Elder Ge, and I know the prestige of your Ge family in City A. But when I date, I don't look at family background. It's mainly about chemistry."
Ge Baitao was hurt, and whimpered, "I think... I have pretty good chemistry with you. Don't worry, I won't look down on your Zhou family. If it really comes to it, I can talk to Grandpa and let you be a live-in son-in-law..."
This statement struck a blow to the man's pride.
Zhou Shao slammed the table. "Live-in son-in-law?! What do you take my Zhou family for! I'll tell you the truth, Miss Ge, with your looks, even if you paid me to marry you, I wouldn't. Live-in son-in-law, you can dream on! Take a look in the mirror, who would want to marry someone like you? You have no self-awareness whatsoever!"
Sensing the eyes of those around him, Zhou Shao cleared his throat and adjusted his expensive suit. "That's all for today. I hate clingy, persistent women the most. I hope Miss Ge won't waste her time on me. You and I, it's impossible. Goodbye!"
"Wait!" Ge Baitao grabbed his coat hem.
"I said, stop pestering me!"
"The coffee money, you haven't paid." Ge Baitao reminded him, "Don't tell me, Young Master Zhou, a woman has to pay for you?"
Zhou Shao's nostrils flared with rage. He snorted, pulled out two hundred yuan, threw it on the table, and stormed off. However, before he even reached the door, a leg suddenly stretched out and tripped him.
Bang!
He fell face-first onto the ground, landing in a heap. Laughter erupted from all around.
"Who is it!" Zhou Shao, furious, got up. But when he turned around, the leg had already retracted.
Unable to find the culprit, he could only turn away resentfully, his back radiating extreme anger.
"Two hundred yuan?"
Ge Baitao looked at the two bills on the table and found it utterly absurd.
Ignoring the gazes of others, she remained calm and unhurried, leisurely sipping the coffee that had been served.
"Mmm... fragrant."
Grandpa really had poor judgment in people. This kind of trash was worthy of being set up with her? He wasn't even fit to carry her shoes!
However, now that she had chased the guy away, Grandpa would surely lecture her when she got back. She needed to think of a way.
"Miss. Is anyone sitting here?"
The tabletop was suddenly tapped twice. The bone-distinct fingers looked slender and pale, a pleasure to behold.
Ge Baitao curiously looked up.
The man's features were refined and noble. The corners of his lips were turned up, giving him a slightly roguish air, yet his demeanor was steady and approachable.
This conflicting sense of familiarity, Ge Baitao had only seen in one person, and that was—
"Duan Xiu? When did you get back?"
Duan Xiu sat down opposite her, then picked up the two hundred yuan, folded it, and placed a cup of coffee on top of it.
"Not long ago."
Duan Xiu looked at the makeup on her face and smiled. "Is this what's popular in China now? It's quite different from abroad."
Ge Baitao finally remembered that she looked like a ghost. She covered her face. "Don't look."
Duan Xiu said, "What's there to not look at? As long as you like it."
Why was he still so dense, just like in school.
Ge Baitao stopped caring. She took a sip of coffee and said, "How was your time abroad these past few years? Are you leaving again this time? Did you go to see Lou—"
Her voice abruptly stopped.
Ge Baitao's expression immediately turned disgusted. "Tsk, don't mention him."
"What happened? Weren't you on good terms with Uncle Lou before?"
"Him?" Ge Baitao scoffed. "He's a despicable scoundrel now!"
A hint of displeasure flickered in Duan Xiu's eyes. If it were anyone else, he would have gotten angry long ago. But Ge Baitao had treated him well in high school. If he had to say he had friends, then Ge Baitao was one, since he had no other friends.
Ge Baitao felt no reservations with Duan Xiu and hadn't seen him in a long time. She immediately poured out her troubles, telling him all about Lou Yuming's plan to acquire her company.
After listening, Duan Xiu looked puzzled. "There are so many companies in City A. If he wanted to acquire one, he could do it with a wave of his hand. But why would he specifically want to acquire your company?"
"It must be because of Xixi!"
"...Xixi? Who is that?"