Huo Zhenyang took Jiayi’s hand and led her to the car, letting her in first before walking around to the other side and bending down to enter the rear compartment.

As Jiayi settled in, the shock in her heart hadn’t completely faded. The face of Mu Qingran, shocked and despairing after hearing the truth about the past, kept resurfacing in her mind.

Huo Zhenyang noticed the trembling of her small body and reached over, holding her little hand in his palm, feeling the cold sweat in her palm.

The moment he held her hand, her reflex was to pull away, but simply because she couldn’t match his strength did she suppress the motion, lifting her head to look at him.

In the little one’s eyes, it was as if she were looking at a stranger.

"Are you afraid of me now?" he realized her nervousness, and his features quickly turned as frosty as if they were encased in ice.

She bit her lip. How could she not be afraid of a man who treated feelings as if they were a game to be toyed with?

In the past, he had used Mu Qingran as a pawn to test his stepmother...

So now, she too might be something he uses to strike at his stepmother and ingratiate himself with the old man.

She adjusted her breathing, calming down, "No, I’m not scared.

"Is that so?" He didn’t believe her, lifting his chiseled, handsome chin and squinting skeptically at her, "Then why aren’t you talking."

She steadied her flustered emotions, trying to appear calm as she looked at him, "I was just thinking that after today, several thorns in your eyes have been severely weakened. Mu Qingran will no longer be able to set foot in the Huo Family estate, the old man has developed a grudge against Yao Zhenru, and he probably won’t listen to Yao Zhenru anymore, paying even less attention to the Second Young Master, so... congratulations to you."

If the mother and son pair had any influence around Huo Tianpei before, especially Yao Zhenru as his wife, whispering in his ear could always make a difference.

But now, there’s probably no chance for them to turn things around.

Indeed, his plan had ended smoothly; he should be happy, shouldn’t he? Yet his eyes, dark and unfathomable, showed no hint of joy.

Congratulations? Ha. What polite words.

As expected, she still couldn’t break away from the pattern of a mere business relationship with him.

His finely shaped lips curled in what was technically a smile, but it was colder than anger, "So, from the moment you left the restaurant until now, have you been thinking about how to congratulate me?"

Jiayi lifted her face, her inner conflict raging, eventually mustering the courage to ask while he was in a good mood today, to probe him?

"What I mean is, with Mu Qingran’s issue resolved and Yao Zhenru and her son probably not going to have an easy time, can I... go back to H City?"

His handsome face tensed, becoming the epicenter of a storm in an instant. So she was still obsessively thinking about returning to H City.

Having seen the world outside, having been accustomed to the simple life in H City, was it really that unbearable to be with him in G City?

This little canary, having flown out once, really did have a wild heart!

He straightened up imposingly, pinching the chin of the little woman beside him with two fingers, "I think you still haven’t understood the contents of our contract upgrade. Coming back to G City with me means you can’t harbor any thoughts of leaving again. This is the basic price I pay to ensure the smooth operation of the Liang Family business and to allow your friend to undergo surgery and recuperate smoothly."

The coldness in the man’s eyes could freeze someone solid. Jiayi’s teeth chattered, and finally, she bowed her little head.

Huo Zhenyang slowly loosened his fingertips, but evidently, her sudden probe had soured his mood, and his entire handsome face darkened.

Fine. Since she insisted on treating him like a business partner, like the financier in a contract, then he’d play along with her and thoroughly enjoy the pleasures of being the financier, the Boss!

"Drive. To the French Restaurant on Millie Street."

He composed himself, banishing any displeasure from his face, and commanded George at the driver’s seat.

George got the message.

The French Restaurant on Millie Street was the Boss’ favorite French cuisine restaurant.

The owner and head chef of the restaurant were French, so the food was authentic French flavor.

The Boss had lived in France for a long time in his early years due to his studies and had grown accustomed to French cuisine. After returning to the country, this was the only French restaurant in G City that met the Boss’ standards.

George stepped on the gas, started the car, and headed straight for the road.

"Why are we going to the restaurant?" As the roadside scenery hurriedly retreated, Jiayi was surprised.

"Didn’t you just congratulate me? You cooperated very well with this matter. Since it was a pleasant collaboration, let’s celebrate," the man said casually.

Jiayi was stunned for a moment, then could only respond, "Oh..." She had just nearly angered this man, and now she should just go along with him and behave herself.

Both of them were dressed formally for the wedding they had attended today, which made it appropriate to go to a French restaurant.

When they arrived at the French Restaurant, it happened to be mealtime, and there were more customers than usual, some even waiting in line.

Jiayi could tell that this restaurant must be one of the top high-class restaurants in G City. Although it was not very large, the decoration and settings were very exquisite.

The diners were all well-dressed, mostly comprising the elite.

Even the waitstaff were all in tailcoats with white shirts and black leather shoes, a typical eighteenth-century French servant attire.

Because of Huo Zhenyang’s status, and as he was a regular of this restaurant, the waitstaff immediately notified their superiors.

The restaurant manager was a French man with dark hair and blue eyes. As soon as he heard that Young Master Huo had arrived, he hurriedly came out and greeted with a smile in standard Chinese, "Haven’t seen Young Master Huo in a while. I thought you might have found a new favorite French restaurant."

A faint smile was in Huo Zhenyang’s eyes, "Where could I find more authentic French cuisine than yours?"

The French manager’s gaze shifted to the charming young girl beside Young Master Huo, "Is this Young Master Huo’s friend? May I ask how to address you?"

Huo Zhenyang’s lips slightly curled, and he replied in French.

As his lips parted, a few French words floated out, melodic and rich, elegant and calm, filled with an enchanting magnetism.

Jiayi was startled and looked at him. He spoke in Chinese just fine, so why suddenly speak in French? What was he saying?

Although she could hum a few cliché French songs, she could hardly understand everyday French.

Huo Zhenyang was very proficient in French, it was almost his second mother tongue. He would occasionally converse with the manager in French when he dined here, and since the French manager was used to this, he wasn’t surprised to hear Young Master Huo speak in French this time. However, the way he looked at Jiayi became a bit more meaningful before he finally smiled and said, "Oh, I see."

Then turning to Jiayi, he extended his hand with a polite smile, "Hello."

Jiayi, noticing his somewhat strange smile, felt inexplicably nervous, but still stretched out her hand to shake with the French manager, "Hello."

The French manager smiled and said, "Please follow me."

Jiayi couldn’t hold back, and while walking, she asked quietly, "What did you say to that French man?"

The French man had looked at her strangely.

Huo Zhenyang slightly tilted his head to the side and glanced at her with a hint of indifference, and said in a retaliatory tone, "I told him not to address you specially, I’m just taking my little pet out for a meal."