Persuade With Reason

After stepping out of the car dealership, Jin Fei let go of Shi Yibai's sleeve: "Luckily, I reacted quickly, or else I would have been stuck with him."

Adjusting his glasses, which had tilted during their run, Shi Yibai asked, "Why did we run?"

"A promise is worth a thousand gold. I promised Xie Lisu's mother that I wouldn't have any involvement with him in the future, so I need to keep my distance."

Moreover, Shi Yibai had accompanied her today. How could she let an innocent person get caught up in an awkward situation between her and another man?

The two walked to the car, and Jin Fei opened the door: "Things between him and me didn't end well in the past. With so many people around, as a woman, I can't afford to make a scene in front of everyone."

The autumn breeze gently brushed the strands of hair by Jin Fei's cheeks. She casually tucked them behind her ear, her dark hair contrasting beautifully with her fair, delicate skin, like a striking ink painting.

"Between you and him..."

"There's nothing," Jin Fei refused to be tied to Xie Lisu: "We're just not compatible."

It was strange. Jin Fei considered herself a graceful and considerate woman, yet her dislike for Xie Lisu was so blatant that she didn't even try to hide it.

Though he was somewhat reckless and didn't adhere to traditional values, he was now someone else's man, and truly, he had nothing to do with her.

"It's almost noon. Let me treat you to lunch," Jin Fei glanced at the time. "Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

Shi Yibai shook his head slowly: "I'm not picky."

"That's rare," Jin Fei fastened her seatbelt.

"What's rare?" Shi Yibai's long legs curled up in the passenger seat, making him look like a well-behaved child in kindergarten trying to earn praise from the teacher.

"It's rare to find a guy like you who's so easy to please," Jin Fei drove steadily, without the thrill-seeking tendencies many young people had.

At traffic lights, she would patiently wait for the yellow light, preferring to wait three minutes rather than rush for a second.

Her composed demeanor didn't quite match her strikingly beautiful appearance.

As a twenty-nine-year-old mature man, being called a "boy" by a woman six years his junior left Shi Yibai both amused and exasperated.

"My younger brother is extremely picky, spoiled and hard to please," Jin Fei sighed. "And yet, he doesn't like me nagging him. I can't hit him, and I can't scold him."

"Younger brothers are like that," Shi Yibai smiled. "He'll grow out of it. Young boys need to have their own opinions and energy."

He could tell that despite Jin Fei's complaints about her brother, she didn't want others to speak ill of him.

After parking the car outside the restaurant, Jin Fei, as usual, opened the door for Shi Yibai: "This place was recommended by a good friend. I haven't tried it yet, but it should be good."

The restaurant had a serene ambiance, with a decor that appealed to high-income young professionals.

The waiter handed the menu to Jin Fei, who immediately passed it to Shi Yibai: "See if there's anything you like."

Taking the menu, Shi Yibai's elegant hands flipped through the pages.

"Can you handle spicy food?" he asked casually.

"I can manage, but I'm not a fan of overly sweet dishes," Jin Fei sipped her appetizer tea and glanced around, noticing many couples dining together.

After ordering, Shi Yibai picked up the teapot and refilled Jin Fei's cup: "A few days ago, I came across a list of elite talents compiled by a headhunter."

Jin Fei looked at him with interest.

"Your name was on it," Shi Yibai set down the teapot and removed his gold-rimmed glasses, revealing his deep, expressive eyes. "Do you have any career plans, Miss Jin?"

Jin Fei's hand holding the teacup stiffened slightly. The once-renowned Prince Fei had now fallen into the role of a carefree playboy, and someone had pointed it out.

Tsk, a bit embarrassing.

"With your exceptional abilities, it's important to plan your life carefully," Shi Yibai seemed oblivious to Jin Fei's discomfort. "I also run a small business. If you ever have the time, I hope you could grace us with your expertise."

Jin Fei was surprised that Shi Yibai, at such a young age, was already managing his own company: "Isn't it exhausting running a company by yourself?"

Shi Yibai paused, staring at Jin Fei for a few seconds before smiling softly: "I'm used to it."

"Being used to it doesn't mean..."

"Fei Fei." Zhao Jiuyu hadn't expected to see Jin Fei laughing and chatting with another man at a romantic restaurant. "What are you doing here?"

He glanced at Shi Yibai, who had the kind of face that girls adored, like a nobleman from a shoujo manga pursued by countless admirers.

"Zhao Jiuyu?" Jin Fei looked at him, noticing the pretty girl behind him, and immediately understood, smiling suggestively: "Xiao Yue told me the food here is good, so I brought a friend to try it."

Hearing "Xiao Yue," the young woman behind Zhao Jiuyu smiled politely at Jin Fei before turning to Zhao Jiuyu: "Mr. Zhao, who is this?"

"She's... the daughter of a family friend," Zhao Jiuyu suddenly realized he didn't know how to describe his relationship with Jin Fei. She had always been close to his younger sister but kept a polite distance from him.

"Hello, little sister," the young woman extended her hand to Jin Fei: "I'm Qin Su, a university classmate of Jiuyu's. You're really beautiful."

"Jin Fei," Jin Fei sensed a subtle, faint hostility from Qin Su. She glanced at Zhao Jiuyu and shook Qin Su's hand: "Thank you for the compliment. Though people around me often say that, it's still nice to hear it from you, sister."

Qin Su: "..."

She hadn't expected Jin Fei to accept the compliment so boldly.

Releasing their hands, Qin Su turned her gaze to Shi Yibai, pausing slightly when she saw his face: "Your boyfriend is very handsome. You two make a great pair."

Shi Yibai put on his glasses and glanced at Qin Su but remained silent.

"Miss Qin, you're joking," Jin Fei said seriously. "Mr. Shi is a good man. It's not appropriate to call him my boyfriend so casually. A man's reputation is important."

Qin Su's expression stiffened. She turned to Zhao Jiuyu, hoping he would ease the tension, only to find his attention entirely focused on Jin Fei.

She tightened her grip on her handbag: "Jiuyu, since Miss Jin and this gentleman are dining, we shouldn't disturb them. Let's go."

Zhao Jiuyu gave Jin Fei a long look before turning to follow Qin Su to their reserved table.

Jin Fei happily finished the last spoonful of soup in her bowl, wiped her mouth, and set down her chopsticks. Zhao Yue might not excel in many areas, but she never missed the mark when it came to food and entertainment.

After paying the bill, the two walked out of the restaurant, where a child was selling flowers. Seeing Jin Fei and Shi Yibai, the child approached with a bright smile.

"Uncle, buy a flower for the pretty lady," the child said.

"Little one," Jin Fei crouched down to the child's level. "If you call him 'uncle,' then calling me 'sister' isn't quite right, is it?"

The child blinked his big eyes.

"Call him 'big brother,'" Jin Fei said with a teasing smile. "And I'll buy your flower."

"Handsome big brother," the child quickly corrected himself under the influence of potential profit.

Jin Fei picked a bouquet and handed it to Shi Yibai: "Kids don't know any better. You're still young."

She pointed at the flowers: "Fresher than these blooms."

Shi Yibai looked at the bouquet in his arms and chuckled: "Thank you."

At his age, being called "uncle" by a child would have been more appropriate.

"I'm six years older than you. When I was a freshman in college, you were still a little girl in sixth grade," Shi Yibai held the flowers in his arms. "Even if you called me 'uncle,' it would be fitting."

"Mr. Shi," Jin Fei looked at him with deep suspicion. "Are you trying to take advantage of me?"

Shi Yibai was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"You're still young. Don't think about being an elder just yet," Jin Fei opened the car door and tilted her chin. "Come on, young big brother, I'll drive you home."

After dropping Shi Yibai off, Jin Fei received a message from Zhao Yue.

**[Zhao Yue: Tonight, at the entertainment club. You know the drill.]**

**[Prince Fei: Got it.]**

Back at home, Shi Yibai placed the bouquet on the table.

"Mr. Shi," the housekeeper noticed the flowers. "Should I dispose of them?"

The bouquet was clumsily arranged, with no artistic flair whatsoever. Even the wrapping paper was made of cheap, colorful plastic, hardly matching Shi Yibai's refined taste.

"No need," Shi Yibai glanced at the flowers. "I'll handle it myself."

"Alright," the housekeeper replied, a hint of confusion in her voice. Mr. Shi seemed a bit off today.

"Boss, Mr. Fu is here to see you."

As soon as the bodyguard finished speaking, a cheerful male voice rang out from the doorway: "Yibai, where have you been today? You're usually home reading on this day of the week."

Fu Yuchuan strode into the room and, without waiting for an invitation, took a seat. "A few of the old gang are getting together tonight, and they insisted I drag you along. So here I am, running errands."

"I won't go," Shi Yibai stood up, fetched a vase and flower scissors, and began unwrapping the bouquet to arrange the flowers.

"Come on, we've known each other since we were kids. If you don't show up, it won't be the same," Fu Yuchuan placed a hand on Shi Yibai's shoulder but quickly withdrew it, remembering his friend's aversion to physical contact. "Old Kang's been out of town for half a year. Tonight's gathering is to welcome him back."

"Fine," Shi Yibai agreed without looking up, meticulously trimming the excess leaves from the flower stems.

"Did you sort things out with that guy who hit your car?" Fu Yuchuan picked up a flower and twirled it between his fingers. "Honestly, people like him can't handle losing. They don't even understand the rules of the game in business."

"I trust the law," Shi Yibai took the flower back from Fu Yuchuan's hand.

"That legal team of yours could make anyone tremble if they stepped in," Fu Yuchuan chuckled. "By the way, I heard something interesting about your nephew."

Shi Yibai ignored him.

"Xie Lisu's fiancée isn't exactly on the same page as him," Fu Yuchuan lowered his voice. "Rumor has it she's actually interested in his ex-girlfriend. Girls these days sure know how to have fun."

*Snip.*

A stem was cut. Shi Yibai looked up at Fu Yuchuan. "Don't joke about the young lady."

"You didn't even bother showing up to Lin Xiaoxiao and Xie Lisu's engagement party. Why are you defending gossip now...?"

"The young lady I'm referring to is Xie Lisu's ex-girlfriend."

Fu Yuchuan: ???

What on earth?!