Reborn as the Harem King-Chapter 139 Tension at the BBQ Stall

In Kong Huaijin's life, she had rarely faced rejection from anyone.

Most of the time, others were the ones begging or coaxing her. Those whom she actively invited were no ordinary individuals.

That day, Kong Huaijin had already added Zhou Yi on WeChat. She opened his Moments to take a look but found it set to "visible for the last three days," with nothing posted.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

A bit mysterious.

It was almost impossible to glean any information about him from his sparse posts.

Zhou Yi often managed to deduce plenty of details from other people's social media updates, yet he made sure not to leave himself open to such scrutiny.

He rarely shared anything unless he wanted to attract attention—especially from beautiful women—or needed to craft a specific image.

Kong Huaijin sent him a message:

[Kong Huaijin: Zhou Yi, are you free next Wednesday? I'd like to treat you to dinner.]

At that moment, Zhou Yi was treating Jiang Ruolan to barbecue.

He hadn't eaten much during their earlier meal, and knowing Jiang Ruolan hadn't either while waiting for him outside, they decided to head to a barbecue joint instead.

He peeled a crab for her with thoughtful care.

When his phone lit up with a notification, he didn't immediately check it. A quick glance, then his attention returned to Jiang Ruolan.

"Thank you, President Zhou. You've gotten your hands dirty," Jiang Ruolan said softly before asking the waiter for a hot towel.

"Let me clean them for you," she offered gently, extending her hand. Zhou Yi complied, letting her hold his wrist as she wiped away the grease.

Their eyes met briefly, and an unmistakable sense of intimacy settled between them once again.

The bustling October evening at the barbecue shop contrasted sharply with the two figures dressed in formal suits, clearly out of place among the lively crowd.

Many drunken men openly stared at Jiang Ruolan, their gazes lingering far too long.

Zhou Yi frowned slightly and suggested, "Why don't we pack these skewers and eat by the roadside? It'll be quieter there."

Jiang Ruolan smiled contentedly. "Sure, though it's quite the hassle for President Zhou to dine by the road with me."

"It's fine, really. Let's go."

They packed up the food and carried it to a quieter spot along the roadside nearby. With fewer cars and pedestrians passing by, the area felt perfect for a relaxed evening stroll—or perhaps something more intimate.

"Sitting here eating barbecue with you reminds me of my college days. It feels like I'm reliving those youthful years," Jiang Ruolan mused aloud.

"Next time, come visit my university. Though the cafeteria at Huaihai University doesn't compare to A University's," Zhou Yi replied casually, maintaining a grounded demeanor in front of her.

She chuckled lightly. "Alright."

She sighed, reflecting, "I never imagined I'd one day sit by the roadside eating barbecue with my boss."

"Bosses are human too. Not all of us sit in fancy Western restaurants savoring steaks and haute cuisine. Sometimes, I just prefer something simpler—more down-to-earth and enjoyable."

"That's why, in my eyes, President Zhou is different from other bosses."

Jiang Ruolan's fondness for Zhou Yi continued to grow.

She admired his unique side—the parts of him that only she seemed privy to. This exclusivity tugged at her heartstrings even more.

Sometimes, men are drawn to contrasts in women; similarly, women feel the same way about men.

As Zhou Yi chatted with Jiang Ruolan, Kong Huaijin's message went unnoticed. She waited patiently but received no reply.

Could he be asleep?

Without hesitation, she sent another message.

[Kong Huaijin: Are you asleep?]

Kong Huaijin wasn't the shy or reserved type. When dealing with men, she was always direct and straightforward.

Zhou Yi's phone lit up again, prompting him to finally check the messages.

Kong Huaijin actively inviting him? That didn't seem like her usual style.

Based on their brief interaction earlier, her feelings toward him weren't strong enough to warrant such eagerness. There had to be another reason—whether related to his medical expertise or some potential collaboration, he couldn't say for sure.

Noticing his silence, Jiang Ruolan asked curiously, "Who's messaging you so late?"

"Guess who," Zhou Yi teased lightly.

"I wouldn't know. President Zhou has so many friends—I don't recognize everyone."

"It's Miss Kong, the young lady from today."

This revelation surprised Jiang Ruolan. Could President Zhou's charm truly extend this far? Even someone as career-focused as Miss Kong appeared smitten.

"So what does she want at this hour...?" Jiang Ruolan probed gently.

"She says she wants to treat me to dinner next Wednesday."

For a fleeting moment, Jiang Ruolan's expression dimmed.

Of course. It wasn't surprising that someone would fall for President Zhou.

"But I don't plan to go," Zhou Yi added.

His words reignited a spark in Jiang Ruolan's eyes.

[Jiang Ruolan Affection Level +5]

If it were anyone else, receiving an invitation from a woman like Kong Huaijin—the heir to the Kong family—would have been impossible to refuse. Any man would find it hard to turn down such an opportunity.

Yet President Zhou dismissed it without a second thought.

Regardless of Kong Huaijin's intentions, if Jiang Ruolan were in his shoes, she doubted she could have refused.

"Why not go? Building a good relationship with Miss Kong could make things easier for you in Huaihai," she reasoned.

"If I don't have feelings for her, there's no point using her. And besides, would you be happy if I went?"

Zhou Yi's gaze lingered on Jiang Ruolan as he spoke, his tone carrying a subtle hint of flirtation.

It was clear he cared about her opinion.

Jiang Ruolan's expression softened further. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling inexplicably pleased.

"That's President Zhou's decision. As your assistant, I wouldn't dare interfere," she teased lightly, her tone playful.

In the past, Jiang Ruolan wouldn't have joked around with Zhou Yi like this. Her seemingly petulant remark revealed her true emotions. Sometimes, women speak indirectly because they secretly hope to be coaxed into happiness.

Zhou Yi opened a can of cola and handed it to her. "How could I think of you as merely an assistant?"

Jiang Ruolan's heart skipped a beat. Taking the cola from him, she asked hesitantly, "Then what am I to you?"

Their eyes locked once more. Her fingers brushed against his as she accepted the drink, neither pulling away.

She waited nervously for his response.

Zhou Yi suddenly smiled. "What do you hope you are to me?"

He deftly turned the question back to her.

Their subtle push-and-pull began anew.

"Does it work that way? Just because I hope for something doesn't mean it'll happen," she countered.

"Maybe. But how will I know unless you tell me what you're thinking?"

"What if I say it, and it's not what you expect?"

"You won't know until you try."

Zhou Yi's words caused Jiang Ruolan's fingers to tighten around the cola can. She hesitated, contemplating whether to break through this invisible barrier between them. The sound of the can crinkling under pressure filled the air.

Both flinched as if struck by electricity, quickly withdrawing their hands. The cola fell to the ground, shattering the previously charged atmosphere.