Chapter Sixty: Little Sunflower Bar

At first, Jian Yanzhi hadn’t really wanted to agree, but seeing how uncharacteristically excited she was, he nodded.
“We can go, but we still need to eat something. We can’t just drink.”
Ruan Mianmian pursed her lips. “Then let’s just order something to eat in the bar.”
Jian Yanzhi shook his head in resignation, then focused on driving.
The scenery outside the window slipped by, and the curve of Ruan Mianmian’s lips grew ever more pronounced.
This friend of Jian Yanzhi’s, named Chen Ci, was the owner of a bar, though that was only his side business. In reality, he was the heir to the Chen Group.
But Ruan Mianmian didn’t know much about him. Despite his distinguished background, in this novel he was merely a friend of Jian Yanzhi’s, making the occasional cameo.
However, Ruan Mianmian remembered that the author once said Chen Ci was actually the protagonist of another book, and was just making a guest appearance here. So she very much looked forward to meeting him.
Beyond that anticipation, Ruan Mianmian had also prepared a little surprise for Jian Yanzhi!
Soon, the Little Sunflower Bar was just ahead. This bar, located in the city center, occupied a vast area; rumor had it only members with a VIP gold card could come and go freely.
Ruan Mianmian eyed the elegant and grand façade, but the sign bore the cartoonish letters spelling “Little Sunflower,” giving her an inexplicable sense that she’d come to the wrong place.
“Why would a perfectly good bar be called Little Sunflower? It sounds so odd.”
Jian Yanzhi, hearing her remark, explained, “His fiancée’s name is Xiang Kui, so he named the bar after her.”
So that’s the story?
Ruan Mianmian’s eyes sparkled. “I like it!”
Jian Yanzhi shook his head and led Ruan Mianmian to the entrance.
He was a regular here; the doorman, upon seeing him, greeted him almost as if seeing his own boss.
“Mr. Jian, long time no see! It’s been a while since you were last here!”
“Yes, work’s been busy lately.”
The doorman led them inside, smiling obsequiously. “You could have let us know you were coming, so we could have come out to greet you!”
“What for? We’re all friends here.”
Jian Yanzhi smiled politely. “That’s enough, you go on with your work. I’ll find my way.”
“Of course, Mr. Jian, please enjoy yourself.”
Ruan Mianmian ignored the pleasantries, her attention wholly absorbed in observing the bar.
Though called a bar, most of the patrons were dressed in business-casual attire, with an air that set them apart from the ordinary, just like the so-called successful people of legend.
Soft folk music was playing on a loop. Following the music, she saw a few men and women on stage, singing together with guitars in their arms.
All in all, the atmosphere was quite different from what she’d imagined.

It didn’t feel like a bar, but rather like a nostalgic little shop.
“Yanzhi! The doorman told me you’d arrived. Why didn’t you let me know beforehand?”
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so I didn’t. Besides, we’re old friends—no need for such formality.”
Ruan Mianmian’s thoughts were interrupted by the voice. She looked in its direction.
Beside Jian Yanzhi now stood a tall, striking figure, who carried a similar air.
But Chen Ci had an extra layer of gravitas about him; in conversation, he seemed much more mature than Jian Yanzhi.
“And this is…”
Chen Ci looked at Ruan Mianmian, eyes tinged with genuine admiration—not the frivolous type, but a true, objective reaction.
“Hello, I’m Ruan Mianmian.”
She stepped forward to introduce herself.
Jian Yanzhi rarely brought anyone else here, so Chen Ci’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment.
Then Jian Yanzhi continued, “She’s the new director at my company, and also a childhood friend. We’re all friends, no need to be formal.”
“Of course!”
Chen Ci smiled knowingly, then invited them to sit.
He deliberately hung back a step, then turned to Jian Yanzhi with a teasing tone:
“Didn’t you say last time you’d bring your girlfriend? Why is she a childhood friend now? Did you get anywhere with her or not?”
Jian Yanzhi shot him a look, realizing Chen Ci had misunderstood.
Ruan Mianmian and the girl he’d mentioned last time were not the same person at all.
Chen Ci, seeing he didn’t reply, assumed he’d had no luck, and his gaze grew suggestive.
“Alright, I get it.”
He patted Jian Yanzhi’s shoulder, then hurried after Ruan Mianmian.
“Miss Ruan, you’re so young and already a director—truly outstanding!”
Such platitudes she’d only ever heard from elders in conversation, never expecting one day to be on the receiving end herself.
She gave an awkward laugh and replied, “Not so much outstanding as relying on connections—I’m the company’s largest shareholder.”
This answer caught everyone off guard; Chen Ci was stunned for a moment.
“Miss Ruan, you’re quite the character!”
He winked at Jian Yanzhi, as if to ask, where did you find such an interesting girl?

Jian Yanzhi couldn’t be bothered to respond, so he bypassed Chen Ci and came to Ruan Mianmian, reminding her,
“Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Eat something first.”
Seeing how attentive he was, Chen Ci’s gaze grew more ambiguous.
“So you haven’t eaten yet? In that case, let me have the kitchen prepare something.”
With that, Chen Ci took a menu from a passing waiter and pointed at one of the dishes:
“This is our latest couple’s set. Would you two like to try it?”
The implication was obvious!
Jian Yanzhi said nothing, looking straight at Ruan Mianmian.
But when she heard “couple’s set,” Ruan Mianmian immediately frowned.
“No thanks—who wants to share a couple’s dinner with him.”
With that, she snatched the menu from Chen Ci and began to browse.
Now Chen Ci understood: this wasn’t a matter of will-they-won’t-they, but rather a case of wishful thinking on one side and indifference on the other.
“Really, Yanzhi, what’s the matter with you? Still nothing after all this?” Chen Ci suppressed a laugh, lowering his voice.
Jian Yanzhi shot him a glare. “No one would think you were mute if you kept quiet.”
Alright then!
Chen Ci obediently kept silent, happy to watch the show.
In the end, Ruan Mianmian didn’t order much—just a dessert to tide her over.
She wasn’t really hungry; she hadn’t even intended to eat here.
While Jian Yanzhi and Chen Ci were talking, Ruan Mianmian got up and quietly asked a passing waiter,
“Do you have someone named Wu Ketian working here?”
The waiter glanced at her, recognized her as Mr. Jian’s guest, and dared not be negligent.
“Yes, yes, she’s one of our part-time staff!”
Ruan Mianmian’s almond-shaped eyes curved as she smiled. “Could you call her over? Ever since our Mr. Jian met her last time, she’s been on his mind…”
She didn’t finish her sentence, trusting the waiter would understand.
To her delight, his eyes lit up and he smiled. “Of course, I’ll bring her right over.”