Black Bellied President Dotes on Wife Chapter 5: The Perfect Man

Was that the same car Amelia had spotted parked outside her building earlier today?

Very few individuals drove Aston Martins in City A, so it was unlikely she could have mistaken it. However, her attention had been too occupied with the trucks and construction equipment to note the license plate. Now, she noticed it was 12345.

So, that gentleman was here for dinner as well. He might possibly be a friend of Vivian’s.

Amelia donned her coat, took her handbag, and entered Victorian Steakhouse.

It was dinnertime, and the restaurant was bustling with patrons seated at various tables. Amelia scanned the room but couldn’t find the man she’d encountered that morning.

Vivian had been eagerly awaiting Amelia’s arrival. The moment Amelia entered, Vivian practically flew towards her. Vivian’s sudden and overwhelming enthusiasm made Amelia feel a bit uneasy. Amelia began to suspect that her comment about being “for sale” yesterday might not have been an accidental slip of the tongue.

“My brother just got here! He’s waiting in the VIP room called ‘Romantic.’ Hurry! Oh, and he doesn’t know I own this restaurant, so whatever you do, don’t mention it during our chat, okay? By the way, I really picked a great name for the VIP room, didn’t I?”

Vivian had changed the subject multiple times in such a short span. Amelia couldn’t help but chuckle.

Teasingly, Amelia remarked, “The names most people choose are quite ordinary, you know.”

Vivian placed her hands on her hips and shot Amelia a glare, looking as though she was on the verge of losing her temper. Startled, Amelia quickly ascended to the second floor.

Seeing Amelia heading upstairs, Chloe breathed a sigh of relief, though a pang of guilt resonated within her heart.

Unfortunately, this was the only viable plan she had. The entirety of her savings had been poured into this Western restaurant. Her monthly allowance was a substantial 100,000 yuan, but her salary as a teacher was meager in comparison. She had no alternative but to resort to this rather drastic scheme. Her mother had once told her that if she could introduce a suitable girlfriend to her brother, she would receive double her current monthly allowance.

That was truly an irresistible temptation, leaving her with no choice but to sacrifice her best friend.

However, if this lovely lady could genuinely capture her brother’s heart, every member of their family, young and old, would undoubtedly express their gratitude. Her brother was already 32 years old and showed absolutely no inclination towards finding a girlfriend, which had driven the entire family to the brink of madness!

Furthermore, her brother was both exceptionally talented and incredibly handsome. The beauty would not only lose nothing but would also gain a great deal in the process.

It was truly a win-win situation. Oh heavens, she was utterly amazed by her own brilliance.

Amelia made her way to the second floor and reached the VIP room named ‘Romantic.’ She gently pushed the door open.

Seated on a classic European-style armchair, upholstered in a rich wine-red fabric, was a man clad in a sharp grey suit. He was on his phone but looked up as he heard the door swing open.

His expression was stern, and his thin lips were pressed together in a slight line. His eyes, sharp and piercing, held a distant gaze. The man’s entire demeanor seemed to exude a chilling, aloof aura.

Yet, none of these qualities could diminish his inherent radiance. He possessed a pair of deep brown eyes, a long, well-defined nose, lips with perfect contours, and a meticulously sculpted face. He was, quite simply, breathtakingly handsome. Even the most popular male television stars would appear to pale in comparison when standing beside him.

His suit was evidently tailor-made, fitting him so impeccably that his magnificent physique was flawlessly showcased. The suit itself appeared to be crafted from the finest materials, displaying exceptional workmanship and exuding an air of nobility. He looked both distinguished and elegant.

He possessed a mysteriously alluring charisma that, despite his cold exterior, effortlessly drew people in.

Amelia was momentarily taken aback.

Truly, Chloe hadn’t exaggerated in the slightest. Her brother was indeed “the kind of man who could captivate any female, from eight to eighty.”

But Amelia quickly grounded herself.

She was, and always had been, immune to handsome men.

Sean was a genuinely good-looking man. He had been the subject of much campus gossip in the past, which was precisely why Rachel had gone to such lengths to win him over.

She observed him, aware that he was appraising her just as intently.

Julian had only agreed to this blind date because his sister had issued an ultimatum.

This woman should be Amelia, the “stunner” his sister had spoken so highly of.

Dressed in a delicate, milky-white gown, Amelia’s long, dark hair cascaded down, and she wore no makeup. She looked refined and fresh, possessing a pair of remarkably expressive eyes. She seemed to exude an aura of intellectual grace, one that somehow put people at ease. He surmised she must be an exceptionally well-behaved young lady. He made these judgments within the first glance.

Most importantly, she carried no trace of perfume, emitting instead a subtle, delightful fragrance.

A flicker of surprise crossed Jing Yichen’s eyes. Excellent, this wouldn't be an ordinary date after all.

After concluding the call, he rose with gentlemanly grace and offered a polite greeting, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Shangguan."

Though his tone held a certain distance, his voice was low and melodious, capable of stirring the soul like the most moving melody in existence.

For reasons unknown, Shangguan Ning’s heart gave a sudden flutter, a sensation that swiftly dissipated.

Paying it little mind, she offered a slight, courteous smile and responded, "Likewise, Mr. Zhao."

Jing Yichen was briefly taken aback but quickly inferred that Shangguan Ning likely wasn't aware of the familial connection between Anan and himself. She must have mistaken him for her actual brother.

"Please, have a seat," he invited, his tone gentle, opting not to clarify the misunderstanding.

While some might perceive Jing Yichen as aloof, Shangguan Ning found herself surprisingly at ease in his presence, feeling an unburdened freedom.

She proceeded to hang her coat and handbag on a nearby hook before settling into a luxurious chair, then began to sip the warm lemon water.

A series of emails began populating Jing Yichen’s phone. A quick glance revealed they were all matters requiring his attention the following day, prompting him to review each one deliberately.

A soft knock preceded the entrance of a waitress, who promptly withdrew after the pair placed their orders.

Within the tastefully decorated room, candles arranged by Anan cast a quiet glow, and a bouquet of white orchids exuded a signature cool elegance.

For a span of time, silence settled between them.

Gazing out the window, Shangguan Ning’s thoughts began to wander.

Her past had been a tumultuous and chaotic affair, yet now, everything appeared to be aligning towards a more orderly path. From this day forward, she was determined to embrace a better life, distancing herself from the people and circumstances that had inflicted such anguish.

"Be careful!"

His deep, pleasant voice fractured her reverie, immediately followed by a sharp, intense pain on her hand.

Somehow, she had inadvertently brushed against a candle, and hot wax had dripped onto the delicate skin of her hand, leaving a distinct red, swollen patch.

A involuntary cry escaped her lips as she instinctively tried to pull her hand away in a state of panic.

Yet, another hand moved with greater speed, already enclosing her injured hand. A white silk handkerchief was placed upon it, and its owner began carefully peeling away the solidified wax.

His hands were broad and warm, featuring distinct knuckles and slender, long fingers – a remarkably aesthetic sight. They possessed a certain masculine beauty that spoke of innate strength.

Shangguan Ning was unaccustomed to such a degree of physical intimacy. It was unprecedented for her hand to be held by a man in this particular manner.

Just as she started to withdraw her hand, Jing Yichen spoke in a low tone, "Don't move. It's becoming more inflamed. We need to apply some ice."

As he spoke, he retrieved some ice cubes from the red wine bucket, wrapped them in his handkerchief, and gently placed the bundle against the back of her hand. His touch felt professional, his full concentration fixed on her injury.

Shangguan Ning looked up, stealing a glance at his handsome features. Though his expression remained cool and somewhat distant, she perceived an underlying warmth.

She strenuously attempted to suppress the peculiar sensation stirring within her heart, striving to regain her composure. Fortunately, the throbbing pain in her hand and the cool sensation provided significant distraction.

Approximately ten minutes later, Jing Yichen removed the ice pack.

While the affected area on the back of her hand remained visibly red, the discomfort had substantially subsided.

Shangguan Ning expressed her gratitude sincerely, "Thank you."

Jing Yichen offered a slight nod. "You're welcome. Just exercise more caution in the future."

Despite the brevity of his words, Shangguan Ning detected a subtle shift in his demeanor. He seemed to project an even greater degree of coldness than before.