Chapter 132: Repentance

Xu Xinying’s eyes were filled with resentment. Why was it that not only could she not have Gu Zehuai, but her career was also in ruins, and now even Lu Qingli had broken ties with her?

The plan that had been brewing in the back of her mind began to resurface. Since she could not get close to Gu Zehuai, she would start with Wen Jiu.

Having added Wen Jiu on WeChat previously, Xu Xinying sent her a direct message asking to meet up.

Two hours passed, but Wen Jiu did not reply.

When Wen Jiu finally saw the message, she found it baffling. Knowing that nothing good could come from Xu Xinying reaching out, she initially wanted to ignore it, but fearing that the woman would only pester her further, she responded:

[I am sorry, Miss Xu. I don’t believe we have anything to discuss. I must decline.]

Xu Xinying was forced to look for a new breakthrough.

After finding out where Lu Qingli would be that evening, she decided to go and lie in wait. If Lu Qingli refused to see her, she would go to him herself. She did not believe he could truly be so heartless.

Lu Qingli went to the bar alone that night. Drink after drink, he felt as though he could finally, briefly, forget the troubles of reality.

Inside the private booth, he felt himself growing intoxicated.

In his hazy state, he seemed to see Xu Xinying standing before him. He tentatively reached out a hand, but as if recalling something, he suddenly pulled it back.

Before his hand could even retract, it was grasped by someone.

Lu Qingli sobered up slightly, realizing it was not a hallucination—Xu Xinying had come.

He braced himself to sit up and asked in a cold tone, "What are you doing here?"

Xu Xinying pretended to be indifferent. "Ah Li, I just happened to be passing by."

"Heh, 'passing by' and just happened to walk into my private booth?" Lu Qingli laughed mockingly.

Xu Xinying reached out to grab his arm, her voice softening. "Ah Li, let me take you to rest. You’re drunk."

Before she could pull him up, Lu Qingli brushed her hands away. "No need. I won't give you another chance to use your old tricks."

Xu Xinying’s face flushed with shame, then turned deathly pale as her intentions were laid bare.

By now, Lu Qingli was mostly sober. He stood up, not even glancing at Xu Xinying as she remained on the sofa, and issued a cold warning: "Do not harbor any schemes against anyone else."

Otherwise, I will show you what it truly means to be ruthless.

After Lu Qingli left the booth, Xu Xinying sat in her place for a long time, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Why? Why had everything turned out this way?

Only now did Xu Xinying feel a true sense of regret. But it was all too late; there was no turning back.

The Xu family did not value her. Perhaps they had in the past, having invested great effort into raising her. But when her father brought home an illegitimate son even older than her, she had lost all favor, to say nothing of the fact that she had now lost her career, rendering her entirely worthless.

Xu Xinying sat there, looking defeated, letting her tears dry upon her face.

***

On the weekend, Pei Yi organized a gathering to bring everyone together.

After posting in the group chat, Pei Yi specifically reminded Shen Mengxia to bring her boyfriend along.

[Xiaxia, bring your boyfriend along too! Not bad at all, you actually managed to land Ye Chen.]

Pei Yi, Lin Youqi, and Gu Zehuai all knew Ye Chen, but because they were only casual acquaintances—and given how busy Ye Chen was with his own startup—they rarely gathered together.

After consulting with Ye Chen, Shen Mengxia replied with an "OK" in the group.

Upon arriving at the booth, Wen Jiu noticed that Lin Lehan had already arrived and headed straight toward her.

Lin Lehan was delighted. "Sister Jiu Jiu, you're here!"

The two had endless things to talk about as soon as they sat down. Soon, Shen Mengxia and Ye Chen arrived as well.

Since they were all acquainted, Shen Mengxia simply introduced Ye Chen before turning back to chat with the others.

Shen Mengxia told Wen Jiu and Lin Lehan about how she had recently brought Ye Chen home for dinner, only to find her parents treating him as if he were their own biological son. As she spoke, she cast a glance toward where Ye Chen was sitting.

How detestable. What kind of magic did he possess that he was making her lose her standing in her own home?

Wen Jiu, knowing the personalities of Shen Mengxia's parents, found this entirely in character; after all, she had been treated the same way when she visited their home.

Thinking of this, Wen Jiu smiled and comforted her: "Xiaxia, don't be sad. Your parents surely love and care for you the most."

Lin Lehan joined in to console her, and the group soon laughed and moved on to other topics.

Shen Mengxia suddenly thought of something and asked Lin Lehan, "By the way, Hanhan, do you have a boyfriend?"

She realized that in all the times they had hung out, she had never heard Lin Lehan mention any boys.

Both Shen Mengxia and Wen Jiu thought to themselves: *Hanhan is so beautiful; she surely isn't lacking in suitors.*

Hearing the question, Lin Lehan thought of someone, but quickly shook her head. "No, I don't."

If it was destined to have no result, then it was better left unsaid.

Thinking that Lin Lehan was still in college and perhaps not yet interested in dating, the two did not press the matter further.

After a while, the group abandoned their separate seating arrangements, gathered around a round table, and began playing games.

After several rounds, everyone had had quite a bit to drink.

Shen Mengxia and Wen Jiu were fine, as Ye Chen and Gu Zehuai helped them with their drinks, and Lin Youqi helped Lin Lehan. Only Pei Yi was left alone, drinking by himself.

"I’m the only single dog here... wait, no, there’s also A-Qi."

Everyone burst into laughter. Lin Lehan raised her hand halfway, feigning injury. "I'm a single dog too. You've caught me in the crossfire, everyone."

The booth was filled with laughter once again.