Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Probably Just the Benefactor’s Unshakable Aura
Seeing her somewhat disgruntled expression, Jing Jihan raises an eyebrow: "Unhappy I took you away from Yi City’s embrace?"
?
It couldn’t be more wrong!
"I’m not unhappy, but being hauled out of the banquet hall like a chick, it’s hardly a cheerful thing, wouldn’t you say?" Shi Su glances at him twice, muttering softly, "I’m supposed to be the future hall-of-fame artist Mr. Jing talks about, do I have no face?"
Jing Jihan’s eyes hold a hint of a sarcastic smile: "A starving artist?"
Shi Su’s elegant brow moves, glancing at him, momentarily unsure what this lord means.
Suddenly, the two doors ahead open, Jing Jihan firmly holding her hand that’s still holding up her gown, leads her inside.
Shi Su instinctively looks in, seeing a vast and exquisitely elegant guest reception room, the center round table already arranged with dazzling gourmet foods, just by looking at the plating and the faint mist on several seafood dishes, she knows they’re expensive.
Especially noticing a few bottles of Flying Moutai and Five-Star Moutai on the table, and scanning momentarily sees several domestic and foreign jaw-droppingly priced wines and beers, while well-dressed attendants are still entering to serve the dishes.
As soon as they enter, a few seated inside immediately cast their gaze in their direction, the closest one standing up with a smile: "Mr. Jing, we’ve been waiting for quite some time!"
Looking further inside, Shi Su’s eyelid twitches.
No wonder she didn’t see the French-born CEO of Tilans’ domestic branch in the banquet hall, nor the Tilans Company executives she’s heard about, only a few advertising department heads mingling in reception downstairs.
Turns out, all these big shots are here.
"We thought Mr. Jing might be too busy to grace us with your presence tonight, but we waited, and here you are!"
"Mr. Jing, please sit, sit here!"
"Hello, Mr. Jing."
A few people stand up, greeting him formally yet politely, Mr. Mike, the Tilans French CEO, also stands to greet him, saying a phrase in French, which Shi Su understands as greetings to Jing Jihan and including her, very mannerly and cordial, like a true Frenchman.
Shi Su totally didn’t expect such a grand situation inside here but since they’ve entered, she quickly nods and replies: "Bonjour."
Mr. Mike immediately smiles and asks in not particularly fluent Chinese: "Miss Shi, you speak French?"
"Just simple greetings, anything deeper I don’t understand, ashamed, ashamed." Shi Su says while nodding to the other Tilans executives, no matter the occasion, politeness first, it’s never a bad thing.
Mr. Mike smiles and speaks a few words to his translating assistant beside him, who smiles and nods, kindly saying to Shi Su: "Since Miss Shi is with Mr. Jing, please take a seat, no need to be formal."
Not being formal means she can dine with these bigwigs?
Suddenly, Jing Jihan lightly pats her hand soothingly, in a very natural motion, saying indifferently: "Have a seat."
Shi Su hides her surprise, hesitating slightly before walking to the table, unsure where exactly she should sit, momentarily unable to discern the main seating area.
At this moment, Jing Jihan pulls back the chair beside her and gestures for her to sit there, only then does Shi Su quickly sit down, smiling again at the seated bigwigs, not expecting at all to be brought up here from the banquet hall below, utterly unprepared, forcing herself to remain composed.
Jing Jihan chooses not to sit at the main position inside, instead pulling out the chair beside her, casually sitting by her side.
Attendants continue bringing in dishes, while others deliver a sanitized towel to Shi Su.
Shi Su takes the towel and slowly wipes her hands, overhearing Jing Jihan having brief conversations with the others, mostly about the rarity of gatherings like tonight’s, but it’s clear those present hold genuine respect and politeness towards Jing Jihan.
Perhaps the aura of a powerful financial backer’s presence is so grounded, suddenly diminishing Shi Su’s tension sitting beside him.
Once the dishes seem to be fully served, and as the attendants retreat and close the doors, the bigwigs start the formal toast sequence.
Shi Su’s attention is captured by the full table of dishes, akin to the limited special reserve she’s mentioned before.
Eat?
Or not eat?
The others are toasting, but she doesn’t drink.
Having taken a seat, she can’t just stare, can she?
But is it really okay to eat...?
Shi Su is caught in an endless cycle of indecision, until suddenly a shrimp is placed on her plate, followed by a piece of crystal tofu, then a small bowl of shark fin soup in front of her, she turns to see Jing Jihan casually serving her.
This Jing BOSS, the others are waiting to toast you, yet you’re serving me food, worried I won’t stand out enough?
"Haven’t eaten all day?" Jing Jihan remains nonchalant, giving a look urging her to eat.
How does he know she hasn’t eaten?
Could it be he saw her sneak cake at the dessert stand?
What could be more embarrassing...?
Eat then.
Shi Su, in front of a table of bigwigs, picks up her utensils and eats admiringly, casually sipping the shark fin soup Jing Jihan served her.
Delicious, delicious!
Oh! Heaven’s flavor!
Wow-wow-wow, this is even better!
My gosh, amazing!
Watching Shi Su transition from cautious tasting to a sudden sparkle in her eyes, then an unconscious lick of her lips, Jing Jihan’s eyes hold slight amusement, as if the earlier cold displeasure in the banquet hall never shadowed him, elegantly turning and clinking glasses with a Tilans senior executive toasting him.
Each here is quite worldly, the scene between Jing Jihan and Shi Su is at most silently noted, recognizing Shi Su as Jing Jihan’s person, showing no surprise on their faces, not interrupting their toast, even courteously urging Shi Su to enjoy her meal.
Shi Su is neither one to ignore propriety, truly hungry, but doesn’t go overboard.
She originally intended to lightly taste this gourmet selection.
Yet, Jing Jihan continues to nonchalantly serve her dish after dish, so frequently she ends up feeling a bit stuffed.
She hurriedly tugs at his clothes under the table, quietly: "If I eat any more, I’ll start hiccuping."
Jing Jihan turns to see her hand subtly placed on her belly, a complex expression of a future hall-of-fame artist refusing to disgrace herself, he arches a clean brow: "Full?"
Shi Su nods with sincere affirmation.
Jing Jihan stops serving her and simply picks up the bowl of half-eaten shark fin soup, elegantly savoring a taste.
Shi Su: "......"