Hearing Sheng Hanxia’s words, Xavier Quinn halted in his tracks, his tone growing chilly. "And what does that have to do with you?"

"It has nothing to do with me," Sheng Hanxia replied, her gaze unwavering. "But do you know who Mrs. Qiao is having dinner with right now?" Sheng Hanxia was certain that Xavier Quinn had no idea Nina Shaw was also at this very restaurant. His reaction gave it away.

Actually, Nina Shaw had messaged him earlier to say she was meeting a friend for dinner tonight. He knew she didn’t have many friends in Hong Kong, so he could easily guess who she meant.

But hearing it come from Sheng Hanxia’s mouth put a bad taste in his mouth.

"I think my wife’s comings and goings are no concern of yours, Miss Sheng. You’d do better to mind your own affairs."

With that, Xavier Quinn strode off. But he hadn’t gone far when he spotted Nina Shaw sitting not too far away, laughing and chatting with Cheng Wen.

The temperature around him seemed to drop a few degrees instantly.

Sheng Hanxia watched the scene, her eyes sparkling with mischief, clearly enjoying the drama. She was curious to see what Xavier Quinn would do next.

Nina Shaw looked up and saw him too, giving him a small wave.

When Nina Shaw caught sight of Sheng Hanxia behind him, her expression darkened a shade. He said he had dinner plans tonight—was he meeting with Sheng Hanxia?

Cheng Wen followed her gaze and saw Xavier Quinn striding over, cold as ice, his gaze especially sharp as he looked their way.

As Xavier Quinn drew near, Nina Shaw didn't seem to notice his displeasure. Instead, she gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes and said, "Didn’t you say you had work tonight?" She’d originally thought he’d come just to find her, but seeing Sheng Hanxia, she felt uneasy.

Xavier Quinn gave her a gentle smile. "I’m having dinner here tonight too."

So, that’s how it is. Looks like she was overthinking it. Just now, she’d thought he’d come especially to see her.

Cheng Wen said nothing, simply watching Xavier Quinn in silence. Xavier Quinn met his gaze.

The two men stood silent, tension thick in the air.

Nina Shaw, seeing the standoff, introduced them. "This is my university classmate, Cheng Wen. You met him last time."

Xavier Quinn’s face betrayed no emotion. Cheng Wen composed himself, reached out politely, and said, "Hello, President Qiao."

Xavier Quinn merely glanced at him, shook his hand perfunctorily, then sat down right beside Nina Shaw.

Nina Shaw was surprised to see him sit next to her; she leaned over and whispered, "Didn’t you say you had dinner plans?"

She meant, if he had business, he should go take care of it so as not to hold him up.

But when those words fell on Xavier Quinn’s ears, the meaning shifted entirely.

"Do you think I’m in the way here, bothering you two?" Xavier Quinn’s tone was dripping with jealousy.

Nina Shaw, oblivious, blinked in confusion. "No, but didn’t you say you had work to handle tonight? Wouldn’t sitting here just delay you?"

Nina Shaw was always a bit slow to catch on when it came to romantic matters. Xavier Quinn was practically turning green with jealousy, and she still hadn’t noticed.

Watching Xavier Quinn and Nina Shaw go on without a trace of a lovers’ spat, Sheng Hanxia stomped her foot angrily and stalked off to a private room.

"No," Xavier Quinn replied, his mood cloudier than ever. He stayed right by Nina Shaw’s side, not intending to leave at all; he even called a waiter over to bring another set of dishes and chopsticks.

Nina Shaw was thoroughly baffled, but if he wanted to stay, let him stay. It didn’t get in the way of her eating, after all.

But what happened next left her even more confused.

"Darling, eat more of this. It’s good for the baby," Xavier Quinn cooed with a syrupy sweetness she’d never heard from him before. Nina Shaw wondered if he’d gone insane.

Staring at the food piled into her bowl, Nina Shaw grimaced. "I can’t eat this much."

"Eat more. Look at you, getting so thin lately. It breaks your hubby’s heart," Xavier Quinn said, and reached over to pinch her waist.

Nina Shaw: "..."

Had Xavier Quinn lost his mind? This was just way too out of character.

Across the table, Cheng Wen cleared his throat awkwardly. The two of them didn’t care at all about how others felt. Right now, he felt like he should just leave.

He’d had his fill of their public displays of affection and lost his appetite for dinner.

"I just remembered I’ve got something to take care of, so I’ll let you two eat," Cheng Wen said to Nina Shaw, then practically bolted from the table.

Once Cheng Wen left, Nina Shaw gritted her teeth and glared at Xavier Quinn. "You did that on purpose, didn’t you?"

Xavier Quinn just smiled ambiguously, his warm hand dropping to rest on her waist. Even through her clothes, she could feel the heat of his palm.

"Ning, I’m jealous. Can’t you tell?"

His voice was low and a little hoarse, his gaze fixed on her, full of tenderness. Nina Shaw stared at him in a daze, not quite processing what he’d said.

Wait, what did he just say? He said he was jealous? Why would he be jealous? Of whom?

Nina Shaw’s eyes were full of bewilderment, looping herself into circles until she was dizzy.

There’s a saying that a woman gets forgetful for three years after getting pregnant—now, Nina Shaw was living proof, looking adorably lost.

Xavier Quinn could only sigh in resignation. Oh well, this woman just doesn’t get it.

After dinner, Nina Shaw sat in Xavier Quinn’s car as they drove home in silence.

She could sense he was in a bad mood tonight.

But she wasn’t feeling great either, so she simply said nothing. That was fine too—she didn’t feel like talking anyway.

Nina Shaw never did figure out what Xavier Quinn meant by those words. When they got home, she went straight into the bathroom.

Xavier Quinn had a video meeting to attend anyway, so she took a shower while he got set up in the study.

After her shower, Nina Shaw found that Xavier Quinn wasn’t in their bedroom.

She couldn’t help but grumble under her breath, "Seriously? Is he really so petty he'd sleep in another room just because of this?"

She thought he must be mad and had run off to the study to sleep—how childish.

She called Lauren Shaw to complain about Xavier Quinn’s odd behavior, intending to vent. But to her surprise, Lauren Shaw laughed meaningfully. "Brother-in-law’s just jealous! Sis, you’ve got to coax him."

"How do I coax him?" Nina Shaw was at a loss. She’d heard of men coaxing women, but never the other way around.

"Just kiss him!" Lauren Shaw chuckled, clearly enjoying her role as matchmaker. "Men get mad—just give them a little sweet talk, easy as pie."

Good thing Yancy Shaw didn’t overhear that, or Lauren Shaw would be in for it tonight.

After hanging up, Nina Shaw mulled over Lauren Shaw’s advice, then made up her mind and pushed open the study door.

Xavier Quinn had no idea she’d come in; he was busy reading through some documents, and Nina Shaw didn’t know he was in a video call.

She tiptoed over, wringing her hands nervously, and asked, "Um... are you still mad?" She was testing the waters.

Xavier Quinn stiffened, turned to look at her, and for a moment, looked genuinely surprised.