Marrying the big shot (translated novel)

21: Happy date

There's going to be a tiny mass release today. [1/3]

Note, everything in italics are thoughts 

Monnie xx ~~♥

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Although Qi Yan wasn't happy, they had all met and the four of them ate lunch together.

During the meal, Shu Zimu learnt that Jonathan was a business partner of the Qi Family. Qi Yan was planning to cooperate with the MS Company to develop a shale gas field in L Country. Johnathan had come to inspect their technology and equipment.

However, they didn't talk much about the cooperation during lunch, and Shu Zimu suspected that it was because he was an outsider. Later he found out it was because Jonathan has no interest in talking about business. After discovering that Qi Yan and Shu Zimu were to be wedded next month, Jonathan eagerly inquired about them and expressed that he would stay in China until next month to participate in their wedding. Then continued to praise China's delicacies and...beauties, saying that China was more in line with his aesthetics than L Country.

Being complimented as a 'beauty' made Shu Zimu relatively embarrassed, but due to Jonathan's chirping, even if Qi Yan's face was ugly, there was no awkward silence during the meal.

Jonathan also praised Xuexue and attempted to touch the cat many times, only to be stopped by Qi Yan.

Xu Chi looked at Qi Yan's extreme care for the cat and was stupefied enough to eat an extra bowl of rice. Like Bai Xinlan, he was aware of Qi Yan's severe obsession with cleanliness and was surprised to see he liked a thing that would shed a lot of furs. Because Qi Yan hasn't shown any interest in pets before, Xu Chi pinned Qi Yan's special attention to cats on Shu Zimu. Thinking of Qi Yan's initiative to say he and Shu Zimu would marry soon, Xu Chi felt Qi Yan treated Shu Zimu more than a marriage partner needed to fulfil his elders' wishes. By the way, wasn't this person called Xue Zimu, why did he change his surname to Shu?

Xu Chi was puzzled, but when he thought about it, he vaguely guessed it. For Qi Yan to the lead in calling him Shu Zimu, meant that he should have agreed to this change. As a friend who had got along with Qi Yan for more than a decade, it wasn't difficult for Xu Chi to find that when Jonathan looked at Shu Zimu, Qi Yan's face darkened. He tactically raised the importance of Shu Zimu by a level in his heart.

At the same time he thought of his younger brother, who had secretly inquired about Qi Yan's marriage, Xu Chi felt he should persuade him to accept reality.

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After lunch finished, Jonathan had another idea, he wanted for Qi Yan and Shu Zimu to find entertainment with him, but Qi Yan refused. Jonathan had a way out of the embarrassment, and asked after being rejected: "I almost forgot. Kevin, you're planning to have a date with Shu today. I won't intrude, how about playing together again in a few days?"

Qi Yan wanted to decline again, yet heard Jonathan sigh: "If I had a boyfriend as good-looking as Shu, I will definitely show him off to all my friends"

Qi Yan's words of refusal suddenly stopped in his throat.

He didn't want to use Shu Zimu's appearance as a bargaining chip, he found this approach very offensive. It was like his partner wasn't a cherished lover, but something used for competition. However, Jonathan's words awoke his other thoughts.

He really wanted to show Shu Zimu to his friends, not to show off his looks, but to show off...ownership?

Qi Yan got such an obscured answer in his heart and startled himself. He lightly glanced at Shu Zimu smoothing out Xuexue's fur and felt this scene was pleasing to both the eye and mind, but his heartbeat didn't accelerate much. He was relieved and believed it was nothing more than an illusion. They would soon become partners in a legal relationship, except their marriage was a little special and strictly speaking, they were cooperative partners with a 'married' title. Consequently, if he thought he owned the other party, it was over the line.

Qi Yan thought a lot in the blink of an eye, and finally gave Jonathan an ambiguous answer, "talk about it later." Jonathan didn't care either, and when the two parties separated, he ignored the cold air emitted from Qi Yan and patted him on the shoulder: "Have a happy date!" He winked.

Shu Zimu was highly astonished, didn't Qi Yan hate having physical contact with others? He didn't do anything to Jonathan, but his expression was colder. Shu Zimu wasn't afraid of seeing Qi Yan like this and only thought those rumours of Qi Yan seemed to be exaggerated.

Thinking of Qi Yan's childish action when lecturing the cat, Shu Zimu emphasised to himself that he should have less faith in rumours.

Qi Yan didn't know that after Shu Zimu discovered his character wasn't as alienating as the rumours say, he weakened his mysophobia and dislike of physical contact. The reasons why he didn't care about Jonathan touching him was because he didn't directly touch his skin, and he was a business partner. Qi Yan has always been dedicated to working, even if he hated physical contact, he would actively shake hands with others when necessary.

Looking at Shu Zimu, Qi Yan's ear continued to ring Jonathan's word, "date," and hesitated to respond. Shu Zimu had rubbed Xuexue for a while, he said: "I troubled Young Master Qi today. Young Master Qi should have something to do in the afternoon, I'll first..."

"No," Qi Yan blurted out and went stiff from his eagerness, he momentarily paused to return to a steady-state, "I'm on vacation today."

Shu Zimu looked at Qi Yan in a daze and had some doubts, he didn't know what to say. Qi Yan saw this, and for the second time, he thought he looked like Xuexue. He looked happy and cute, so the proposal he was hesitant to say came out without any hindrance: "You haven't strolled around since you came to Jing City, right? I'll go shopping with you?" Qi Yan cast another glance at the cat in Shu Zimu's arms, "Xuexue should also want to play more with you." En, this is for your sake, not for me. Qi Yan thought silently.

Shu Zimu was a bit hesitant and scratched Xuexue's ear, Xuexue comfortably "meowed."

Shu Zimu thought: Were the rumours that said Qi Yan was a workaholic also exaggerated? He just works really hard, and also want to have a break like today. Shu Zimu thought it was possible and Qi Yan was right. He was no stranger to Jing City since he has his memories from his past life, but he didn't go out much after he came to the Xue Family. He decided to nod and agree with Qi Yan's suggestion.

So Qi Yan took one person and cat for a ride.

However, due to Jing City's traffic situation, even if it wasn't peak times, it was difficult for cars to drive on the wide and uneven roads. So, Qi Yan brought Shu Zimu to the most prosperous, commercial district in Jing City.

"It's hot, let's find some indoor activities." Qi Yan parked the car and spoke with a serious expression.

Shu Zimu pretended not to notice his embarrassment, hooked his lips and asked: "Shall we go to the movies?"

Children of rich families, like Qi Yan, weren't likely to choose public places like movie theatres when they go out to play. They would rather ride horses or play golf, and the wealthier ones would choose high-end entertainment clubs with full services. However, as a low middle-class person, Shu Zimu felt that coming to the commercial district meant shopping, eating and watching movies.

Seeing that Shu Zimu didn't complain about the drive that was constantly being stopped by traffic lights, Qi Yan naturally didn't have any objections about watching movies.

However, after the two walked a few steps into the cinema, Shu Zimu stopped suddenly, lifted Xuexue to Qi Yan's eyes and frowned: "Xuexue doesn't seem to be able to enter the cinemas."