“Okay.”
Putting that aside, there was no denying that this restaurant was quite impressive.
Privacy, service, and flavor all done very well.
She already had plenty of secret recipes on hand; in the future, she might even be able to create a higher-end product.
Once they had almost finished eating, Lu Xiuyuan stood up:
“Mom, you two rest a bit more. I’ll be right back.”
With that, he strode toward the end of the corridor.
“Did you find out?”
As soon as he entered the room, he asked Chen Fangyuan directly.
Chen Fangyuan set down the bottle of alcohol in his hand:
“I’ve been waiting for you for ages, and you just show up. The waiter said you brought a beautiful woman could it be your wife? Didn’t you say you were getting a divorce?”
Lu Xiuyuan sighed:
“You’re a man how can you be so nosy?”
“All right, all right, I’m nosy. If I wasn’t, I’d have to check for you. Fine, I’m done joking. What did you find?”
Chen Fangyuan straightened his posture.
Lu Xiuyuan frowned:
“So, what’s the situation?”
“So far, we only found that Bai Xiuhe was once with Xu Shuisheng. Whether Bai Jingya is his child still needs further investigation.”
Suddenly, a sound came from outside the door:
“Comrade, are you going in?”
Xu Zhixia stood outside, her face slightly flushed. When asked, a few strands of hair fell from her curls, leaving the waiter momentarily stunned.
A soft, delicate voice said:
“I’m here to see my husband. I’ll just wait here for him.”
Lu Xiuyuan’s senses were sharper than most he immediately recognized Xu Zhixia’s voice.
He was slightly surprised.
Just as he was about to open the door, Chen Fangyuan inside laughed:
“Could it be that sister-in-law is checking on him? Even when he steps away, she can’t relax.”
Lu Xiuyuan’s expression tightened slightly, the suspicion tickling him inwardly, though he didn’t show it.
He added coldly:
“Don’t say anything reckless.”
The next second, he opened the door.
Xu Zhixia stood outside, a light blush on her cheeks, like the finest rouge spreading across her face.
Behind her, the magnolia blossoms outside the window didn’t compare.
Seeing him come out, she smiled:
“I noticed the flowers outside are in full bloom, so I thought I’d wait for you here.”
Lu Xiuyuan’s face softened inexplicably.
His heart melted, and he forgot the harsh words he had spoken earlier:
“I’ll plant your favorite flowers at home too.”
Xu Zhixia’s eyes sparkled:
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Chen Fangyuan, watching from inside, felt a pang of envy. He couldn’t help but lean out and tease:
“I thought sister-in-law was here to check on him. Don’t worry, everything is in order you better leave.”
The last time he saw Xu Zhixia, she was wearing a mess of clothes.
Now, she looked clean and polished, even more radiant than the camellias outside.
Suddenly, he understood why his brother didn’t want a divorce the shell hid such beauty inside.
Xu Zhixia felt as if he had hit her point. Her ears reddened even further, though she tried to remain composed:
“So the designer is male, huh? I thought someone so clever with the design had to be a woman.”
Chen Fangyuan laughed heartily:
“The designer is female, but sister-in-law, you really do care about our Lu family.”
Xu Zhixia quickly glanced at Lu Xiuyuan and saw him smiling, clearly pleased.
She quietly exhaled.
Today she realized that no matter what she did, this man always assumed the worst.
Might as well do something silly.
Like now, letting him think she was jealous enough to follow him.
Judging by Lu Xiuyuan’s expression, he was definitely enjoying it.
When Lu Xiuyuan led Xu Zhixia to the department store, he was in a good mood.
She seemed serious about him otherwise, she wouldn’t care whether the boss was male or female just because of jealousy.
He didn’t say a word, but his steps were noticeably lighter.
“Women’s clothing is on the second floor. Mom, you two go up first; I’ll join once I park the car.”
“Okay.”
Xu Zhixia linked arms with her mother as they went upstairs. This was the capital’s largest department store.
Four full floors, and after the reform, the women’s clothing section occupied an entire floor.
Various brands competed, from affordable to high-end.
Xu Zhixia quickly found styles she liked.
Her mother was pleased with her taste the fabrics looked comfortable, and the designs were fresh.
The sales clerk, shedding the typical 1970s attitude, immediately approached:
“Hello! Feel free to try anything you like. These are all this year’s styles, very popular in the south.”
Xu Zhixia was in a good mood, browsed the store, and pointed at her favorite piece:
“Could you bring me the right size for this one?”
The clerk examined it and said quickly:
“You have great taste! This piece sells very well, and this is the last one perfect size for you.”
The clerk picked up the clothing to retrieve it from the wall.
Suddenly, a female voice rang out:
“I want it. I’ll pay.”
The clerk froze, unsure who to serve first.
She forced a smile and said to the person behind:
“Comrade, would you mind waiting for the next batch?”
“I don’t want to wait. I want this one.”
Xu Zhixia turned her head and saw Li Ling, accompanied by Bai Jingya, standing there aggressively, looking to cause trouble.
She furrowed her brow:
“Mom, did we forget to check the calendar today? How did we step in dog poop?”
Li Ling snapped:
“Who are you calling dog poop?”
“Obviously, whoever claims it. Isn’t that right?”
Li Ling, instead of being angry, laughed:
“Oh, some people’s character is worse than dog poop. Forcing their father to throw a weak woman out, what rotten hearts.”
Xu Zhixia glanced at Bai Jingya behind, looking fragile and helpless.
Understood.
They were here to avenge a friend.
“You like her? Take her home, let your dad and brother cherish her.”
Li Ling didn’t expect Xu Zhixia to strike back so sharply, leaving her momentarily stunned:
“You… you…”
She hesitated, glancing at Bai Jingya.
Bai Jingya started crying:
“Sister Xiaxia, I’ve treated you well, but how can you say that about me?”
Her body trembled, feeling faint.
Li Ling finally reacted, furious:
“You wanted a divorce. You couldn’t keep your man, and now you’re taking it out on Jingya. You can’t even accompany her shopping.”
Xu Zhixia smirked:
“Hiding under my bed? You know everything. Whether I’m in a relationship is none of your business.”
The sales clerk held the clothing, thinking they were big customers didn’t expect a quarrel to break out.
Li Ling, feeling she hit a nerve, scoffed:
“You’re close with your man why didn’t he accompany you shopping?”
“Maybe because he’s not as idle as you. Instead of gossiping, he should be making more money.”
She glanced at Bai Jingya behind and smiled:
“Little sister Jingya, what if you lose your job again?”
Bai Jingya shivered, suspecting a threat.
Mrs. Xu watched the girls bickering and didn’t feel right to intervene.
Seeing the argument dragging on, she added:
“Bai Jingya, we’ve treated you well these past few years. If you’re ungrateful, you might as well just give us the money.”
Then a male voice rang out:
“Wrap these pieces for me. Here’s the money.”
Xu Zhixia felt her waist tighten as a strong, firm arm blocked her.