Shen Qi came to her senses before rubbing her nose and taking a couple steps backward.
“I am sorry, Linhan. I didn’t expect you to stop so suddenly.”
Ye Linhan turned to glance at her tenderly before answering with a gentle voice. “No worries, it’s fine as long as you aren’t hurt.”
Of course I’m not hurt.
After the two of them sat down, Ye Linhan ordered a bunch of things she enjoyed eating.
Just when Shen Qi lamented how gentle and considerate the man in front of her was, she started feeling guilty because somehow, she felt as if she shouldn’t have agreed to have a meal with Ye Linhan.
However, they were just having a meal after all, and she didn’t have any other motives, so she shouldn’t feel guilty at all.
Her thoughts vanished completely the moment they were served with the spicy boiled fish.
Shen Qi enjoyed boiled fish, but she didn’t have anyone to share this dish with, and she wouldn’t be able to finish the dish alone. So, when she caught a whiff of that familiar fragrance of the dish, Shen Qi recalled with a start that she hadn’t had this dish for many years.
She picked a piece of fish into a bowl before bursting into fits of giggles. “I’ve not had this dish for ages. By the way, Linhan, are you able to stomach spicy food? Are you sure you’d be fine if you have this dish with me?”
The steam from the dish shrouded over Ye Linhan’s handsome facial features, and it only softened his prominent and sharp eyes. “I’m fine. I enjoy all sorts of food,” he answered with an indifferent smile.
Shen Qi asked because most people couldn’t handle the spiciness, let alone this type of peppery spiciness. This was especially true for such a freshly prepared dish whereby it tasted both spicy and sour; hence, Shen Qi was afraid that his stomach couldn’t take it.
“Linhan, if you can’t eat it, don’t force yourself.”
Ye Linhan answered her calmly, “Go ahead and enjoy the dish, Shen Qi. I’ll be fine.”
Shen Qi felt relieved, and in the beginning, she started eating tentatively while observing the person opposite her intermittently. After she confirmed that he was focused on picking the bones out, only did she enjoy the dish freely.
Meanwhile, Han Xueyou and several socialites entered the same shop as well.
After asking for a private room, they accompanied Han Xueyou and headed upstairs.
Han Group was well known in North City, and since Han Xueyou was the wealthy daughter who was lost and found again, everyone knew that family members of the Han family doted on her. Hence, they were always happy to fawn over Han Xueyou.
For instance, the second daughter of Jiang Group clung onto Han Xueyou’s arm while speaking to her softly. “Xueyou, this restaurant’s boiled fish is especially famous. I wonder if you’ve had a meal here before? It’s my treat today, so please go ahead and order anything you like.”
It was most probably due to the fact that Han Xueyou was used to the difficult and challenging days in the past. Thus, despite the fact that she was now a Young Miss of a wealthy family, she still felt as though others were mocking her when she heard such remarks, so she smirked in response. “Are you saying that I had never had a meal here in the past? Are you mocking the sorry state I was in before I was known as the Young Miss of the Han family?”
That woman looked panic-stricken straightaway, and she explained hastily in a quiet voice, “Xueyou, that’s not what I meant at all.”
“Who gave you the permission to say my name? Are you even worthy of uttering it?”
Han Xueyou only acted like a normal person around Shen Qi, but she acted arrogant and unreasonable when she faced these people—she was a completely different person basically.
That woman was so shocked that she kept quiet immediately.
Another girl came forward with a snort. “Miss Han, let’s ignore her. Her family is going to go bankrupt soon, so she is most probably just trying to get in your good books. Let’s have our meal on the second floor.”
With that, they left the first girl, and everyone else headed to the second floor.
Han Xueyou was still upset about it because she was annoyed and worried ever since she read through the information that day. She had a quick temper to begin with, and it had worsened now.
When they passed by a private room, Han Xueyou saw a familiar figure in there by chance.
She came to a halt before peeking in.
Oh, it’s Shen Qi. Just as Han Xueyou was about to take a step forward, someone beside her ask suddenly, “Miss Han, what is wrong?”
Han Xueyou came to her senses when she heard that before shaking her head. “Nothing, let’s go.”
She entered a private room with the rest of the group, but she seemed to have recalled something the moment she sat down. The person seated opposite Shen Qi seems to be a man…
In fact, he looks rather familiar.
Who was that? Who is the man having boiled fish with Shen Qi here?
Han Xueyou decided to find out about it when she thought about it, so she stood up while addressing the rest of the group. “You guys hang out for a bit, I’ll be back after using the restroom.”
“Xueyou, let me accompany you.”
“No, don’t follow me.”
Han Xueyou glared at the person before leaving the private room.
After she left, the group started discussing about her angrily.
“Does she really think that she’s a wealthy young miss? She looks like a bully more than anything else, and I’m so disgusted with her.”
“That’s right. If it weren’t for the fact that she’s the daughter of the Han family, I wouldn’t even be bothered with her.”
“Once an opportunity presents itself in the future, we’ll have to trip her up to warn her that she should think twice before offending us.”
“Enough, you guys. You were all fawning over her earlier despite her horrible personality. Now that she’s gone, you condemn her behind her back. Perhaps you should take a look at yourselves first.”
…
Naturally, Han Xueyou was oblivious to their discussion because after leaving her private room, she went straight for the private room she noticed just now.
The room door was not closed, so she instantly saw Shen Qi who was seated inside.
This time, she managed to identify the man seated opposite her.
It is Ye Linhan.
Why is Qi with Ye Linhan? Han Xueyou was puzzled when suddenly, Ye Linhan poured a glass of fruit juice and placed it in front of Shen Qi. “You’ve had so much spicy food. Drink this to help with the spiciness.”
He appeared rather gentle and considerate, and Han Xueyou immediately sensed that something was not quite right here.
Could it be possible that Ye Linhan fancies Qi? Is he targeting his own sister-in-law?
Han Xueyou’s expression soured when she thought about that, and just as she was about to barge in to drag Shen Qi away, an idea formed in her head silently, and it stopped her in her tracks.
After pondering for a while, Han Xueyou took a step backward, and she blinked several times.
If Ye Linhan fancies Shen Qi, isn’t it great if they stay together? Besides…
An idea slowly formed in Han Xueyou’s mind.
In that case, I can tell Shen Qi that the suit actually belongs to Ye Linhan, and I would be blessing the both of them!
Once the vague idea took shape, Han Xueyou couldn’t stop herself as she whipped her phone out and aimed her camera at the two of them. She snapped a shot of them at the right timing before pocketing her phone and hiding in the corner of the wall.
Her heart started thumping against her chest, and Han Xueyou shut her eyes slowly.
Qi, please don’t blame me. I’m just doing this for your sake.
Ye Moxuan is a moody person and disabled. This is your second marriage, and I’m sure that he wouldn’t be able to treat you well. On the other hand, it would be better for you if you end up with Ye Linhan.
Han Xueyou tried convincing herself in silence while muttering reasons she was doing that for the sake of Shen Qi. Soon, she felt much better about herself.
She couldn’t help it because she stole Shen Qi’s identity, so Shen Qi was the only person she would feel guilty for.
After the end of this matter, I swear that I will treat Shen Qi even better.
With that, Han Xueyou phoned her friends from earlier, while informing them to enjoy the meal because she wouldn’t be back.
After that, Han Xueyou requested a server to prepare a private room adjacent to Shen Qi’s before taking a seat as if she was waiting for something.
