Chapter 160: Reminder

Rong Yan’s appearance captured the attention of everyone in the restaurant within less than half a minute.

This era has never been short of handsome men and beauties, but those who are both wealthy and striking invariably draw more gazes.

The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling tempered glass offered an exceptional view. A slight tilt of the head was enough to catch sight of a sapphire-blue luxury car and its scissor doors slowly swinging open.

Where luxury cars appeared, turning heads was inevitable.

A polished black shoe stepped out of the car first, clad in impeccably tailored, high-end, smooth suit trousers. A sapphire-blue knee-length overcoat, matching the luxury vehicle, accentuated the man’s straight and slender posture.

Moving the gaze upward revealed the handsome face that had captured countless focal points.

It carried the seasoned charm of a mature man, yet his strikingly handsome features blurred his actual age.

An Tong was not someone obsessed with looks, but she had to admit that the man stepping out of the luxury car was the most stunning man she had ever laid eyes on.

Unlike Rong Shen’s rugged and resolute handsomeness, nor Xiao Mingyu’s upright and dashing air, the temperament about him blended seamlessly with the wicked smile at the corner of his lips. His facial contours were smooth yet devoid of any feminine softness, instead tinged with a dissolute, lazy, and frivolous allure.

An Tong took a brief glance before calmly withdrawing her gaze.

Across from her, however, Wen Wan was gripping her chopsticks tightly, a trace of hidden revulsion lingering in the depths of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know... he would come."

An Tong had never met Rong Yan and knew nothing of his background. Hearing Wen Wan speak thus, she asked with some confusion, "What?"

Wen Wan closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. When she lifted her eyelids once more, that sapphire-blue figure was already right before them.

She stood up, her smile forced. "Why did you come over?"

Rong Yan leisurely made his way to Wen Wan’s side. Without answering her, his gaze immediately shifted to An Tong.

It was their first encounter, and the man’s uninhibited scrutiny was somewhat off-putting. Out of politeness, An Tong put down her utensils and stood up, nodding with a calm expression and a polite greeting, "Hello."

From beginning to end, Rong Yan did not spare Wen Wan a single glance. Standing well over one hundred and eighty-five centimeters tall, his presence carried an overwhelming sense of oppression.

From the moment he appeared in the restaurant lobby, the surrounding conversations had involuntarily quieted down.

Some people were born to be the focal point, much like Rong Yan at this very moment.

The atmosphere across the table grew stiff and frozen. Wen Wan glanced at An Tong and took the initiative to introduce them, "An'an, he is my... fiancé, Sixth Brother, Rong Yan."

Rong Yan?

Had Wen Wan not added the title "Sixth Brother," An Tong would most likely never have associated him with Rong Shen.

Sixth Brother, Ninth Brother...

With a mind as meticulous as silk, An Tong naturally would not overlook such a subtle hint.

At that moment, Rong Yan tilted his head, giving Wen Wan an indifferent sweep of his gaze. "How come you didn't tell me when you came out for lunch today?"

"When I left, you were still on the phone. I left you a WeChat message, didn't you see it?"

Wen Wan’s refined voice carried a completely factual tone, entirely devoid of the intimacy and warmth expected between an engaged couple.

Rong Yan emitted a soft, low chuckle and reached out to pinch her cheek. "Looks like I wronged you then."

An Tong watched them without any change in expression. Rong Shen occasionally pinched her cheek too; it was a form of intimacy common among many lovers.

Yet when Rong Yan pinched Wen Wan’s cheek, far from conveying the closeness of a lover, it felt more like a frivolous tease.

It exuded pure gallantry and casual playfulness.

At that, Rong Yan lazily arched an eyebrow, eyeing the taciturn An Tong, took a step forward, and extended a hand. "You've been married to Little Nine for so long, and he hasn't even bothered to bring you home for a visit. Just like him, you can call me Sixth Brother."

An Tong lowered her gaze and shook his hand with practiced neutrality. "Sixth Brother."

As this was her first interaction with Rong Yan, she could not yet read any underlying motives. Her impression of him remained fixed on his stunning first impression and his dissolute second glance.

Neither did she miss the reality that this engaged couple appeared united in appearance only, while deeply estranged in spirit.

It was worth noting that Rong Yan clearly recognized her, whereas An Tong was certain she had never met him before.

Wen Wan loved Ninth Brother, yet she was engaged to Rong Yan.

The whole affair was, to say the least, rather peculiar.

Soon, Rong Yan pulled out a chair and prepared to seat himself, apparently intending to dine at their table.

And anyone with eyes could tell that Rong Yan’s interest in An Tong far surpassed his interest in Wen Wan.

"Number Six!"

Abruptly, a crisp, low cry rang out from slightly behind and to the side.

Rong Yan paused while adjusting his cuffs and looked back. Catching sight of the familiar face, he laughed lazily, "I have no idea what day it is today. Normally none of you are anywhere to be found, yet you all manage to gather in a dingy little restaurant."

Rong Xian stepped over in high heels and came to An Tong’s side, lightly brushing past her shoulder to subtly shield her behind her. "Why don't I recall you ever looking for me?"

"Third Sister loves to joke." Rong Yan unbuttoned his coat, slipped it off, and draped it over the back of his chair, revealing the black shirt beneath. "People who are noble and important easily forget things—that describes you to a tee."

According to the Rong family genealogy, Rong Xian ranked third in the family.

However, Rong Jinghuai had moved down south to Zhanzhou very early on, and Rong Xian had not lived in the Rong family mansion for long, resulting in distant and lukewarm relations with her various siblings.

Rong Xian couldn't be bothered to trade barbs with Rong Yan. There was no real conflict between them; they simply found each other utterly grating.

Her purpose in coming over was solely to take An Tong away.

Rong Yan was not necessarily a terrible person, but he certainly couldn't be called a good one either.

Yet it was precisely this unorthodox and morally ambiguous style of his—often taking unorthodox shortcuts—that made him impossible to guard against.

Now that Little Nine was out of the country, Rong Yan happened to appear in Zhanzhou at this exact moment, and heaven knew what scheme he was hatching.

Rong Xian did not reply further, instead looking at An Tong by her side. "I'm almost done over on my side. How much longer do you need?"

"I've already finished eating."

As An Tong spoke, she looked at Wen Wan. The latter immediately caught on and smiled, "The two of us were planning to leave anyway. Since Sister Xian is here, why don't you go back with her, An'an? We can get together again when we have time."

Every word out of Wen Wan’s mouth conveyed an intent to have An Tong leave as quickly as possible, and her protective stance was unmistakable.

Meanwhile, Rong Yan sat back in the high-backed chair, pressing his thumb against his temple, and looked at Rong Xian with a half-smile. "Third Sister, we've finally managed to see each other, and you're already planning to leave?"

"Otherwise..." Rong Xian took An Tong by the wrist, stepping slightly to the side, and chuckled softly. "Should we sit down and listen to your tales of romantic exploits?"

Who in Xiangjiang didn't know that Rong Yan was strikingly handsome yet extraordinarily romantic and fickle? As long as his eyes landed on someone, there was no woman he couldn't win over.

From sexy, sultry mature women to pure and innocent schoolgirls, if one were to lay out his romantic history, it could go on for three days and three nights without a single repetition.

Rong Xian’s sarcasm was utterly merciless, especially since his nominal fiancée was sitting right here.

Rong Yan shrugged, laughing with an air of arrogant indifference. "If Third Sister wants to listen, or if there's a particular chapter you're curious about, just say the word and I'll enlighten you."

What a lunatic.

A classic example of shameless pride.

Rong Xian cast a look of utter disdain in his direction, exchanged pleasantries with Wen Wan, and pulled An Tong toward the exit.

Rong Yan watched them impassively for several seconds before turning his head toward the side and back.

Just now, when Rong Xian had stood up and walked over, he had caught a casual glimpse of her dining with a man.