Su Xi, who had always had a straightforward personality,
actually became unusually bashful when faced with Zhou Xing's question.
"It's nothing much... it's just that since that incident happened last time, and the responsibility was all mine, I've been feeling quite guilty."
Su Xi stammered, "I just wanted to ask if you have any time, Boss. If you do... I'd like to invite you to my home for a meal to apologize to you. My grandfather also happened to hear about you and wants to meet you and get to know you."
Seeing Su Xi like this, Zhou Xing understood immediately.
After the Li Guoxing incident,
Zhou Xing had chosen to reveal his background to everyone in Shanghai.
The result of doing so,
besides avoiding flies like Li Guoxing coming to look for trouble,
would inevitably attract many people trying to curry favor.
All of this was within Zhou Xing's expectations.
But what surprised Zhou Xing was that the first person to come knocking was actually Su Xi's grandfather.
And looking at Su Xi's shy appearance,
it was likely related to the content of her conversation with her grandfather.
It probably wasn't as simple as just having a meal.
None of the leaders behind the companies that could establish themselves and grow strong in Shanghai were easy to deal with.
Between businessmen... things have always been this direct and utilitarian.
"There's no need for an apology."
Zhou Xing said indifferently, "Regarding the last incident, although it started because of you and I was innocently caught in the crossfire, it's already in the past. Besides, the fault doesn't lie with you; Li Guoxing brought it upon himself."
"Since the matter has been perfectly resolved and I wasn't harmed, let's not mention it again."
"I had Zhang Yan tell you that you don't need to feel guilty or take it to heart."
Zhou Xing pondered for a moment. "As for the meal... let's talk about it next time. I can't get away for the time being."
"If there's a chance, I'll visit your grandfather at your home."
Su Xi nodded upon hearing this. "Oh... okay."
She could naturally hear the rejection in Zhou Xing's words.
After being rejected,
she first felt a sense of relief.
Recalling what her grandfather had said made her cheeks turn slightly red.
The matter between Zhou Xing and Li Guoxing
had essentially spread throughout all of Shanghai.
Just a small conflict had caused such a massive sensation.
When they learned of Zhou Xing's identity,
every single one of them couldn't help but gasp.
The young master of two major entrepreneurs from Jianghan Heavy Industry Group and Junhe Law Firm.
And he even had a grandfather far away in Kyoto.
Any one of these three things would be enough to leave people shocked.
Yet Zhou Xing possessed all three halos at once.
Whether it was status, position, or wealth, he was a flawless existence.
Her grandfather had naturally received the news as well.
Especially knowing that this matter had started because of Su Xi.
He had taken the initiative to find Su Xi to understand the situation, then suggested inviting him home for a meal, with his words even faintly hinting at wanting to set the two of them up.
This made Su Xi's face turn bright red. She told her grandfather directly that he had a girlfriend and that... Zhou Xing was only eighteen, so the age difference between them was a bit too large.
Her grandfather, however, thought nothing of it.
Especially after learning about Zhang Yan's identity,
he cared even less.
Having a girlfriend was one thing, but whether they could actually end up together was another matter entirely.
If Su Xi could board Zhou Xing's great ship,
then the entire Su Family would benefit from their fortune and achieve a qualitative leap.
Su Xi had the looks,
and she had the family background.
Her competitiveness was clearly not on the same level as Zhang Yan's.
But to Su Xi, wasn't this stealing someone else's man? She couldn't bring herself to do such a thing.
Her grandfather, however, tried to persuade her with earnest words.
Men were all philanderers.
They all had quite a few women outside, but was that important? As long as his heart was still at home, it didn't matter; she could just turn a blind eye.
Su Xi fell silent; she knew that what her grandfather said was the truth.
From childhood to adulthood,
she had almost never seen a slightly successful entrepreneur who stayed with only one woman.
But she still couldn't get past her own conscience.
In the end, unable to withstand her grandfather's persuasion, she could only agree to try inviting Zhou Xing home for a meal and ignore everything else.
After her grandfather agreed,
Su Xi finally spoke up today.
She wasn't surprised.
Zhou Xing had also heard the extraordinary meaning contained in the invitation to have a meal at home.
So he declined directly.
Su Xi felt a wave of relief, no longer having to have a headache over this matter or struggle with her grandfather's persuasion to do something immoral.
But alongside the relief,
there was a faint sense of disappointment in her heart.
From childhood to adulthood,
she had always been the most dazzling one in the family.
Her looks, figure, personality... among girls, she was among the best.
And yet, a girl like her
had taken the initiative to invite Zhou Xing home for a meal, only for him to refuse.
Thinking back... when Zhou Xing treated her, it was always strictly business, never crossing the line by a single step.
He never showed any expression of being inclined toward her.
Most of the time, it was just appreciation.
"Could it be... because of my age, I no longer have my former charm?"
Su Xi suddenly felt a sense of defeat in her heart.
Logically speaking,
at eighteen, Zhou Xing was at the age when his energy was most vigorous and his desire for the opposite sex was strongest.
She had appeared before Zhou Xing,
yet he wasn't interested.
Other than her not being charming to Zhou Xing, she couldn't think of any other possibility.
"Boss, then I won't disturb you any further."
Su Xi walked out of the office somewhat dejectedly and happened to see Zhang Yan in her professional attire. She made a confused comparison and realized she wasn't inferior to Zhang Yan.
In terms of figure, she was even slightly superior.
So where exactly was the problem?
She had much on her mind... while Zhou Xing didn't have the time and didn't notice Su Xi's abnormality.
After glancing at the wristwatch on his arm,
he got up and left the company.
He went to the underground garage.
Driving the Lamborghini Big Bull, he drove out of the Central Mansion.
He went straight onto the highway.
Not long after,
he arrived at the airport parking lot.
After parking the car,
Zhou Xing got out and walked toward the exit.
A moment later,
a Flight Attendant wearing an aviation uniform came out dragging a small suitcase. When she saw Zhou Xing, her eyes instantly lit up and a smile appeared on her face.
She dropped the suitcase directly.
She ran straight toward Zhou Xing.
She threw herself into Zhou Xing's arms.
Like a kitten, she kept nuzzling against Zhou Xing's chest.
After quite a while,
she finally looked up and pouted at Zhou Xing with a look of grievance. "Hubby, I missed you so much."