"When I arrived, I heard from the clubhouse staff that you were here too. They suggested I go over and say hello. But by the time I got there, they’d already said you’d left the table. I didn’t expect you to come by. Mr. Zhong and Mr. Rong know each other?"

Zhong Yuye glanced back at Rong Yan. His handsome features remained neutral yet carried a hint of familiarity. "Hmm, we’re friends."

Rong Yan’s expression was marked by unmistakable surprise, her gaze giving the impression she was reevaluating him. After a moment, Zhong Yuye remarked with a touch of emotion, "Didn’t expect Mr. Rong’s network to be this broad. Truly accomplished at such a young age, very impressive."

She knew both of the most influential men in Capital City.

Moreover, Zhong Yuye had made a special trip here. If someone claimed this wasn’t an act of giving Rong Yan face, he’d bet his head could be chopped off and used as a soccer ball.

Li Shengxiao aside, Zhong Yuye was notoriously rebellious and carefree within his circles. Even he respected Rong Yan enough to make an appearance, which further confirmed that this collaboration was the right choice.

With someone so well-connected at the helm, their Lemon venture couldn’t possibly lose money!

...

The meal ended with host and guests completely satisfied.

Ai Wen had originally booked this meal here hoping to try his luck—maybe he could meet the mysterious boss behind the venue and build some rapport. Make himself remembered.

Unexpectedly, he hadn’t managed to find the person he’d sought, but through sheer coincidence, he met Mr. Zhong in a box room during a business meal.

With both Zhong Yuye and Su Xiansui, heirs to top financial empires, present, Lemon tactfully refrained from employing those typical business tactics of excessive drinking.

For the remaining hour, Rong Yan felt truly relaxed while eating. She simply listened as Ai Wen and Wang Ying eagerly tried to engage Zhong Yuye in conversation, occasionally inserting a line to maintain the lively atmosphere in the box room. As for the lingering gaze that often fell on her, she acted as though she didn’t notice it, completely ignoring it.

At 2:30 in the afternoon, the nearly three-hour meal finally came to an end.

Rong Yan and Ai Wen parted ways at the clubhouse entrance. Supporting a flushed and slightly unsteady figure, she asked with concern, "Estelle, are you alright?"

Estelle’s temples throbbed violently, and her stomach felt like it was on fire—deeply uncomfortable. Leaning slightly against Rong Yan, she relaxed her shoulders a bit and shook her head, replying, "I’m fine."

"Let me take you home first. Take the rest of the day off, don’t go to the office. Go back, get some sleep, then have a cup of honey water—it’ll help your stomach feel better."

Her earlobes and neck were flushed red, but her face was as pale as paper, clearly pushing herself despite her physical discomfort. There was no way she was ’fine.’

Estelle braced her forehead with one hand and shook her head. "Just take me to the office. There’s a sofa in my office. I’ll lie down there for a while."

Rong Yan tugged down her hand and retorted, exasperated, "Drinking and then sitting in air conditioning will only make it worse! Anyway, the biggest project is already settled, and there’s nothing urgent right now. I’m the boss, and I make the decisions! You have to listen to me! Half a day off today—it’s decided!"

"I already said I’d be fine just lying on the sofa for a bit... Ah..." Estelle couldn’t argue with her. "Alright, I’ll go back and sleep. The documents I didn’t finish today, I’ll catch up on them tomorrow after hours."

Bright Starry Sky had just started up, and there were few capable hands to rely on. She had to personally handle most tasks and oversee everything herself. Her daily schedule was packed tight; what couldn’t be completed today would just have to wait until tomorrow.