Vоlumе 1 Сhаpter 17: Enеmiеs Cross Рaths
Seеing Меng Yuсhuаn’s glоomу fасе, Shu Miaо felt a bit uneasу.
Вut then shе thоught, shе hаd nоthing to dо with him аnуway. Whаt businеss was it оf his if she went on а blind datе?
Instantly, she rеgainеd her соnfidencе. “Yes,” she said, сhin slightlу rаisеd, her tonе nеithеr humblе nor arrоgant, lоoking as if shе were sаying, “I met him, sо what can уоu dо abоut it?”—uttеrly fearlеss.
Mеng Yuсhuan felt а surge of аnger, his hаnds unсоnsciоusly tightening оn the steеring whееl.
The two of them remained lосked in a stalemаtе, neither spеаking. The atmosphere inside the car was extremely strange.
After a few minutes, Shu Miao noticed that Meng Yuchuan’s expression had softened considerably. The next moment, he actually smiled.
To Shu Miao, that smile seemed somewhat sinister, sending chills down her spine.
Meng Yuchuan adopted a gentle, harmless demeanor. “Are you quite satisfied with that person?”
Shu Miao grew wary. What was he up to now?
Feeling guarded, she decided to completely crush any lingering thoughts he might have. “Yes, quite satisfied.”
The smile on Meng Yuchuan’s lips deepened. His pitch-black eyes fixed intently on Shu Miao, scrutinizing her expression.
He spoke lightly, “In that case, I suppose I shouldn’t stand in the way of true love.”
Shu Miao’s eyes were filled with doubt: Did this mean he was giving up?
Meng Yuchuan continued with a smile, “Since you’ve said so, I can’t very well interfere in your relationship, can I? That would be far too immoral.”
“Besides, I wouldn’t want you to hold a grudge against me.”
Seeing his earnest expression and sincere words, Shu Miao thought he didn’t seem to be lying.
Moreover, someone of his status could have anyone he wanted. How could he possibly cling solely to her, a single tree?
She couldn’t help but marvel at how effective Pei Ran’s method had been. Meng Yuchuan had indeed given up.
Watching Shu Miao’s dark eyes darting back and forth, Meng Yuchuan knew exactly what she was thinking.
This little girl couldn’t hide anything—everything was written all over her face.
Was she really this happy that he had given up on her? What a heartless little thing.
“What does that person do for a living?”
Meng Yuchuan’s sudden question interrupted Shu Miao’s train of thought.
She looked at him, “Huh?”
Meng Yuchuan’s gaze drifted toward the windshield, as if asking casually, “I should at least know what kind of person I lost to, purely out of curiosity.”
“If you’d rather not say, that’s fine. Pretend I never asked.”
After saying this, he let out a nonchalant laugh.
Shu Miao smiled awkwardly. “County Magistrate Meng, someone as outstanding as you will surely find an excellent girlfriend.”
With Meng Yuchuan giving up, Shu Miao felt much more relaxed.
But after all, he was the county magistrate. She couldn’t afford to offend him—she still had to make a living under his authority.
She had no choice but to seize this opportunity to flatter him, hoping he would be magnanimous and not hold her minor transgressions against her.
What kind of person was Meng Yuchuan? A clumsy tactic like Shu Miao’s naturally couldn’t escape his notice.
However, he didn’t expose her, tacitly accepting her flattery instead.
Seeing that it was getting late, Shu Miao tentatively spoke up, “County Magistrate Meng, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now?”
Meng Yuchuan gave a faint “Mm.” Shu Miao said goodbye and couldn’t wait to slip away.
Watching her retreating figure vanish in a flash, Meng Yuchuan completely wiped the smile from his face, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He took out his phone and made a call.
Back home, Shu Miao flopped straight onto her bed. Having resolved a major issue, her mood was indescribably good. Lying on the bed, she hummed a cheerful tune.She eagerly took out her phone and sent Pei Ran a message about her victory.
Pei Ran replied with a “Yay” emoji.
After that day, Meng Yuchuan didn’t contact Shu Miao again. Shu Miao went about her daily routine of going to work and returning home, living a comfortable and pleasant life.
Occasionally, she went out to eat and chat with Hu Weijie. The two hadn’t fully defined their relationship yet and were just treating each other as friends.
Shu Miao didn’t let him spend too much money either. Every time Hu Weijie treated her to a meal, she would find another way to return the favor.
Hu Weijie had feelings for Shu Miao, and she could sense it. At this point, she couldn’t say she liked him, but she didn’t dislike him either.
She decided to spend a little more time together. If she still felt nothing, she would have to make things clear with Hu Weijie.
After all, he was a few years older than her, and she didn’t want to waste his time.
One Saturday, Hu Weijie invited Shu Miao out for lunch and took her to a restaurant in the northern part of the city.
The restaurant had just opened recently, and the environment was excellent. It had private dining rooms, making it very quiet.
Shu Miao had heard about this place from Jiang Qing. Her husband had taken her there once, and she said the food was delicious.
Hu Weijie had reserved a table in advance, so they went straight to their private room upon entering the restaurant.
After spending time together over this period, Shu Miao no longer felt the initial nervousness and awkwardness. She felt much more at ease around Hu Weijie.
In fact, after observing him, Shu Miao thought Hu Weijie was indeed a good candidate for marriage.
He had an excellent education, a respectable and stable job, and was good-looking—gentle and refined, giving off a very comfortable vibe.
He was truly the ideal son-in-law in the eyes of many parents, no wonder her mother had been urging her to give him a chance earlier.
During their conversations, Shu Miao had heard him mention that his father worked at a bank as a department head, and his mother worked at the Women’s Federation.
When Pei Ran heard about his background, she clicked her tongue several times, telling Shu Miao to seize the opportunity and not let it slip away.
Shu Miao also felt that Hu Weijie’s conditions were excellent in every aspect.
However, she still didn’t have any romantic feelings for him at the moment.
They ordered four dishes and a soup. After tasting them, Shu Miao thought the food was indeed very good.
She couldn’t help but praise, “The food here is really delicious. No wonder Sister Jiang from my office recommended I come here to eat.”
Seeing that she enjoyed the food, a hint of delight appeared on Hu Weijie’s face. “I’m glad you like it. I’ll bring you here more often in the future.”
His words were cleverly phrased, but Shu Miao didn’t pay too much attention to them.
Hu Weijie served her a bowl of soup, and Shu Miao scooped a spoonful into her mouth.
“Have you eaten here before?”
Hu Weijie smiled. “Yes, I came with my family when it first opened.”
Shu Miao nodded in understanding.
After finishing the soup, Shu Miao picked up a wet wipe to wipe her mouth. Seeing her put down the spoon, Hu Weijie asked, “Are you full?”
Shu Miao nodded. “Yes.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Hu Weijie opened the door, and the two walked through the hallway and downstairs together.
Hu Weijie went to the front desk to pay the bill, while Shu Miao stood nearby waiting for him, glancing down at her phone.
“Comrade Xiao Shu?”
A familiar male voice called out. Shu Miao looked up in the direction of the voice.
She was somewhat shocked: Secretary Xiang, why was he here too?
He was Meng Yuchuan’s secretary. If he was here, then what about Meng Yuchuan?
Before she could finish the thought, she saw Meng Yuchuan leisurely walking down the stairs, his gaze toward her cold and unsettling.
Shu Miao suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
Secretary Xiang walked up to her with a smile and greeted her, “Comrade Xiao Shu, you’re here to eat too?”Shu Miao smiled politely and replied, “Yes.”
Seeing Meng Yuchuan, who had already descended the stairs and was standing not far from her, she greeted, “County Magistrate Meng, hello.”
Meng Yuchuan did not respond, only staring at her, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.
Shu Miao felt uneasy under his scrutiny, her whole body growing restless.
Since the day the two had cleared the air, she had not seen him again. She never expected to run into him while having a meal on a weekend.
She must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today—truly, enemies are bound to cross paths.