Wang's Pov.
The seating arrangement fell into place naturally, but not without a bit of quiet maneuvering on my part. The moment we approached the table, I grabbed Zhan's wrist and gently pulled him to sit beside me on the right. He raised a brow, amusement flickering across his sharp features, but he didn't resist. Instead, he settled into his seat with an effortless grace, his suit barely creasing as he leaned back slightly.
On my left, Lusi plopped down with a huff, still shooting me occasional side-eyes, probably still processing why I was hosting dinner. Mia followed next, choosing the seat beside Lusi, and adjusting her emerald gown as she got comfortable.
Grandma, ever composed, took the seat next to Mia, giving me a small nod as if silently approving of my choice for the evening. Beside her, Ji Li claimed his spot, looking as relaxed as ever, though his sharp gaze occasionally flickered toward Zhan with something unreadable.
Then there was Dre and his boyfriend.
Dre, always full of energy, slid easily into the seat next to Zhan, his boyfriend right beside him. From the moment he sat down, he was close to Zhan, maybe a little too close. He leaned in, his playful nature on full display as he whispered something in Zhan's ear that made him chuckle.
I frowned slightly.
Not that I had a problem with Dre he was a great guy, and his relationship with his boyfriend was solid. But the way he casually draped an arm over the back of Zhan's chair, the way he leaned in like they shared some inside joke it made something simmer under my skin.
Zhan, for his part, seemed unbothered. If anything, he looked amused by Dre's antics. He turned to him with that easy smirk of his, saying something in return that made Dre laugh.
Lusi nudged me, breaking my thoughts. "You good?"
I forced a smile. "Of course."
She followed my gaze, her lips quirking. "You sure? Because you look like you're about to throw Dre across the room."
I scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Uh-huh." She smirked. "Can we order food now?"
I rolled my eyes, grabbing my glass of water just to give myself something to do.
Meanwhile, the conversation around the table had picked up. Mia was chatting animatedly with Grandma about a book she had just finished, Ji Li was listening quietly, offering occasional comments, and Dre, Dre was still entirely too close to Zhan for my liking.
Zhan, as if sensing my gaze, suddenly turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You okay?"
I took a sip of my water before answering. "Perfectly fine."
His lips twitched as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
Damn him.
Menus were passed around, conversations buzzing as everyone decided on their meals. The waiter moved swiftly, taking each order, steaks, seafood, pasta, and exotic dishes that matched the luxury of the restaurant.
Drinks followed, wine for some, cocktails for others.
The table was set, and the night officially began.
An hour later, the food arrived, each dish plated to perfection, the rich aromas filling the air.
The steaks were seared to a flawless golden-brown crust, glistening with juices. Each cut revealed a tender, pink center, paired with buttery mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
The seafood platter was a masterpiece, succulent shrimp drizzled with garlic butter, delicate scallops resting on a bed of citrus-infused risotto, and grilled lobster tails brushed with herb butter, their shells gleaming under the soft restaurant lights.
The creamy pasta was pure indulgence, fettuccine coated in a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce, flecked with freshly cracked black pepper and grated parmesan. The dish was topped with tender grilled chicken, its smoky aroma blending with the buttery sauce.
And then, the exotic dishes artfully arranged sushi rolls with vibrant slices of fresh tuna and salmon, fragrant Moroccan tagine served in a traditional clay pot, and a fusion of flavors in a Thai curry, its thick, coconut-infused broth pooling around tender beef and crisp vegetables.
The room was quiet, save for the soft clinking of cutlery against fine china, and the occasional murmur of appreciation as everyone indulged in their meals.
The food was worth every penny, each bite rich with flavor, a perfect balance of textures and aromas.
But my attention wasn't on the meal.
I kept stealing glances at Zhan.
The way his fingers wrapped around his wine glass, the effortless grace with which he cut into his steak, the way his lips curved slightly after each bite it was impossible to look away.
And once, just once, he caught me staring.
His eyes held mine, amused yet knowing.
I smirked and took a slow sip of my drink, pretending like I hadn't been caught.
Zhan must have noticed my lingering glances because the next time our eyes met, his lips curved into something more than just amusement, it was a challenge.
He leaned slightly toward me, his voice low and smooth. "Like what you see?"
I scoffed, swirling my drink. "I'm just appreciating the view."
His smirk deepened. "So am I."
I felt the warmth rise to my neck, but before I could reply, he did something bold. Under the table, his knee brushed against mine, light at first, almost accidental. But then, it pressed more firmly, deliberately.
I raised a brow, but he only took a slow sip of his wine, eyes filled with mischief.
"You wouldn't dare," I murmured, low enough for only him to hear.
His fingers toyed with his fork, feigning innocence. "Try me."
The energy between us crackled, something playful yet intoxicating.
Then I felt his hand on my thigh.
It was subtle at first, just the weight of his palm resting there, warm through the fabric of my pants. But then, his fingers flexed slightly, as if testing my reaction.
I stiffened for half a second, my fork hovering mid-air. Zhan, the picture of ease, continued eating, his expression unreadable save for the teasing glint in his eyes.
I exhale slowly, setting my fork down. "You're playing a dangerous game," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Am I?"
His hand inched up just the slightest bit, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles.
I clenched my jaw, stealing a sip of my drink to steady myself. Across the table, one of the guys shot me a curious look, as if sensing something was up.
Zhan smirked, completely unbothered.
I turned to him, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear. "Immensely."
A thrill shot down my spine.
Some had finished eating, their plates wiped clean, leaning back in their chairs with satisfied sighs. Conversations picked up, laughter bubbling around the table.
Others, like me, were still playing with our food, though, in my case, my attention was barely on my plate.
Zhan hadn't moved his hand. If anything, his fingers traced light, teasing patterns, a silent dare that made it impossible to focus on anything else.
I stabbed a piece of steak, chewing slowly, pretending to be unaffected.
Zhan chuckled under his breath. "You're not as composed as you think."
I smirked, nudging his foot under the table. "Neither are you."
His eyes darkened, but before he could respond, Mia clinked her glass, pulling everyone's attention away.
Just as Mia clinked her glass, drawing everyone's attention, Zhan chose that exact moment to escalate his torment.
His hand, which had been resting innocently on my thigh, moved with slow, deliberate intent, fingers tracing higher until they brushed against me in a way that sent a sharp jolt through my entire body.
I inhaled sharply, masking it with a sip of my drink, though the ice clinked against the glass, betraying the slight tremor in my hand.
Zhan, the devil himself, didn't even look at me. His focus remained on Mia, his expression the picture of nonchalance as if he weren't currently testing every ounce of my self-control.
"I just want to say," she began, smiling warmly, "thank you for putting together such a beautiful dinner. It's not just about the food or the setting, it's about being surrounded by such amazing, lovely people."
There were murmurs of agreement, glasses lifting in silent cheers.
Mia kept the toast short, which I appreciated. I wasn't in the mood for long speeches or drawn-out sentiments.
I nodded at her in thanks, raising my glass in return.
I clenched my jaw, gripping my fork tighter. "You're playing with fire," I murmured, barely moving my lips.
He finally turned his head, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. "And yet, you haven't stopped me."
Damn him.
Across the table, Dre narrowed his eyes slightly, as if sensing something was up, but he didn't say anything.
I shifted slightly, trying to dislodge Zhan's hand, but all it did was encourage him. His fingers pressed a little more firmly, his movements agonizingly slow, deliberate.
I exhaled through my nose, forcing a smirk onto my lips. Two could play this game.
I slid my hand under the table, gripping his wrist firmly, stopping his teasing movements. Then, leaning in close, I whispered against his ear, "You're going to regret this later."
Zhan's smirk only grew. "I look forward to it."
"What's the real occasion?" one of my friends, David, asked as the waiter poured wine into his glass. Pulling my attention away from Zhan, and it annoyed me slightly. Right now, he was all I wanted to focus on.
I smiled, tapping my fingers against my glass, controlling my breath, "Like I said, a celebration of life."
Jackson gave me a pointed look. "Wang, you're being vague. You never throw random dinners."
I sighed, swirling the wine in my glass before taking a sip. "Fine. If you must know... I got married." It slipped out before I even realized it.
Zhan blushed, a soft, rosy hue, completely opposite of the reaction I expected.
Silence.
Then—
"What?" Lusi's voice cut through the air, her shock evident.
David and a few other guys nearly choked on their drinks, while the others exchanged glances, waiting for me to say I was joking.
But I wasn't.
"You heard him," Dre said, setting his glass down. "He is getting married."
Mark blinked rapidly. "To who?"
I tilted my head. "Does it matter?"
"Yes, it does!" Lusi snapped. "You can't just drop something like this on me and expect me to be okay with it."
David cleared his throat. "You're serious?"
"Very."
One of the guys leaned forward. "You do realize marriage isn't a joke, right?"
I smirked. "I'm aware."
Lusi was still staring at me like I had grown another head. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
"I'm telling you now. I thought girls liked surprises like this. You don't look happy... maybe we should call it off," I said, watching Zhan.
She shook her head in disbelief. "This is insane."
"Maybe," I admitted. "But it's happening."
David sighed, running a hand down his face. "Okay... When's the wedding?"
"Soon."
"Who is she?" Mark asked again.
I smiled but didn't answer.
Dre, ever the peacekeeper, smirked as he leaned back in his chair. "Lusi won't stop talking about her engagement and how much she loves Wang." He shot me a pointed look as if subtly diffusing the tension.
Lusi rolled her eyes but grinned. "Can you blame me? I'm in love."
The table hummed with murmurs of congratulations, the attention shifting to her, giving me a much-needed moment to breathe.
Zhan, however, leaned in again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Saved by the bell."
I shot him a look. For now.
As the table was cleared and fresh drinks arrived, the conversation flowed effortlessly, shifting between lighthearted jokes and deeper discussions. But no matter how animated everyone seemed, I could feel Lusi's eyes on me the entire time.
She was watching—closely.
I didn't have to look at her to know she had questions. Lusi wasn't the type to let things slide, and I knew, without a doubt, that she was waiting for the right moment to pounce.
I took a slow sip of my drink, acting unbothered. But when I finally glanced her way, she arched a brow, lips pressed together in that knowing way of hers.
Yeah. She definitely wasn't letting this go.