Chapter 277 She Looks Down on You

Even though Song Ni had hurried to find Tan Zheng quickly, the man still noticed Ian. He reached out, grabbed Song Ni, and pulled her onto his lap. "Krist, you're quite the charmer." It was the first time Song Ni had heard Tan Zheng call her by her English name. She raised her hand and pinched her earlobe, feeling a mix of strangeness and novelty. "I didn't speak to him." Tan Zheng glanced at the bar counter. Upon seeing Ian's appraising gaze, he narrowed his eyes slightly and looked away. "Hmm, it's all because Krist is too charming, always attracting those who overestimate themselves." Hearing this, Song Ni felt a prickle on her back, an unsettling feeling. She fidgeted restlessly. "Can you stop calling me by my English name?" Every time she heard it, it felt stranger. It was like... flirting. Tan Zheng placed his hand on Song Ni's waist, steadying her. Ian walked over, holding a drink. "Is this the renowned head of GN Group, Zheng? I wonder if I might have the honor of a drink with you?" He spoke courteably, a smile on his lips, but his eyes held the superiority of a born aristocrat. Oh, yes, these British nobles had always looked down on Chinese people. In their eyes, Tan Zheng was just someone with a bit of money who had encroached on their market. They carried that ridiculous noble blood in their veins. If Song Ni had merely disliked the flamboyant type at first, now, after seeing the look in Ian's eyes, she disliked him as a person. She was about to speak, but Tan Zheng beat her to it. "I don't want to drink today." Ian paused, looking at the glasses on the table, and gradually his smile faded. He had never been treated this way since childhood; no one dared to slight him. "I am Shen..." Tan Zheng turned his head to look at Song Ni. "You should go back and rest, or your headache will return." Song Ni had only come to fulfill Vivian's wish. Now that she had met the person, had the conversation, and had a drink, there was indeed no need to stay any longer. "Alright, I'll go tell Vivian." With that, Song Ni got off Tan Zheng's lap, not sparing Ian a second glance throughout the entire process. This posture, however, made Ian stare at them for a long time. Tan Zheng had always hated it when people coveted what was his. He idly played with his wine glass. "The crown prince of the Shen Group seems to be nothing more than this." Ian narrowed his eyes slightly and curved his lips into a smile. "Beautiful things are always desirable." Tan Zheng's hand movements stopped. With a thud, he placed the wine glass back on the table. He raised his eyes to look at Ian and laughed mockingly. "Do you think you can even catch her eye?" Ian had expected Tan Zheng to assert his dominance in the most common way men did, but he hadn't expected Tan Zheng to disdain even that, simply stating that Song Ni wasn't interested in him. Ian sat down opposite Tan Zheng, crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair with an air of superiority, and swirled his wine glass. "How do you know Krist isn't interested in me?" "Don't you already know?" Song Ni had already clarified things with Vivian. Tan Zheng stood up and casually flicked at his clothes. His gaze instantly turned sharp. "She's mine. I'd advise you not to get any ideas." With that, Tan Zheng walked directly to Song Ni's side. Song Ni glanced at Ian. "What were you just talking about?" Tan Zheng familiarly wrapped his arm around Song Ni's waist. "Telling him not to have ideas about you." Song Ni's eyebrows twitched. She found Tan Zheng's expression rather cute at the moment. "I don't even want to talk to him. Are you jealous of this?" Tan Zheng raised his hand and pinched Song Ni's cheek. "Not jealous, I'm just unhappy." Song Ni understood. Just like how Tan Zheng had completely forgotten Bai Xiyuan back then, she still found it disgusting. After the two of them left, Ian remained in his seat. Vivian walked over when she saw this. "Hey, Krist's husband is so handsome, I'm so envious." Ian let out a cold laugh and finished the wine in his glass. "Your taste is too low." Vivian was long accustomed to Ian's self-righteous demeanor. "Could it be that your eyes are the problem?" Ian: ... "A man so handsome, capable, and thoughtful, it's no wonder Krist likes her husband. If your eyes are blind, just go home and rest, don't keep holding up my design drafts." Ian put down his wine glass and adjusted his suit jacket. "It's just GN, and you think it can compare to Shen?" Vivian wasn't sure if it could, but she kindly reminded him. "Krist's family is very influential in China. Your family has found you a fiancée. It's a well-matched union. Krist's husband's family is definitely not lacking." Ian leaned over and kissed Vivian's cheek. "Then I'll have to see who's more capable, me or him." With that, Ian stood up and left the bar. Vivian rubbed her cheek with disgust and cursed, "You lunatic." ... Song Ni was scheduled to start studying in two days. On her last day of rest, after confirming she had fully recovered, Tan Zheng took her to the headquarters of GN Group. Sheng Jiang and Huai Yuan, among others, had arrived the previous night and were currently staying in an apartment next to the company. Unlike the towering skyscrapers in China, GN Group's UK headquarters was a five-story building. The entire design bore a striking resemblance to Tan Zheng's Yu Long Villa. However, the sports cars were displayed on the fourth floor. "Wasn't this also designed by Cheng Jing?" Tan Zheng responded with a hum. The atmosphere at GN Group's UK headquarters was more lively than in China. When they saw Tan Zheng walk into the building with Song Ni, all the employees left their workstations and ran down. Some whistled, and some used candy from the snack bar as confetti. "Zheng! You're finally back!" "Wow! Zheng, you're amazing! Is this your wife? She's incredibly beautiful!" No one here called him Mr. Tan; they all addressed him by his name. Song Ni was infected by the atmosphere. A boy in a yellow hoodie ran up to Song Ni. He took Song Ni's hand and was about to kiss her hand when Tan Zheng stopped him. "N, don't be so grabby." The boy called N shrugged and turned back to Song Ni. "Beautiful lady, what's your name?" Song Ni chuckled. N was one of the three assistants Su Qing had mentioned. When Tan Zheng was away, he was the one stationed in the UK. "Krist." "Wow, what a beautiful name." Song Ni liked N's lively personality. "Su Qing said she's waiting for you in China and has prepared a lot of delicious food." N clasped his hands together in front of his chest. "Although I really want to visit China, with such a beautiful lady here, I'm truly reluctant to leave." Tan Zheng let out a snort. "If I recall correctly, the day I arrived in London two days ago, you asked me to return to the company quickly. Now you're reluctant to leave?" "How was I to know you'd bring your wife?" "You have a flight this afternoon." N: ... "Zheng! You're so annoying." With that, N looked at Song Ni. "Krist, shall I give you a tour? I have a lot of stories about Zheng to tell you." He winked at Song Ni. Stories about Tan Zheng? Song Ni glanced at the man beside her. With the competition imminent, Tan Zheng needed to check on the children at the club. "Go ahead." With permission granted, N reached out to take Song Ni's hand but was stopped by a look from Tan Zheng. N: ... Zheng is too stingy, not even allowing a hand-hold.