On the weekend, Wen Xiaoyue invited You Xinghai and Fu Dongxue to dinner, choosing a high-end restaurant with a significant reputation in the city.
When the Eldest Miss offers to treat and pick up the tab, there is no reason not to go. To show her respect, You Xinghai specifically changed into the most presentable dress in her wardrobe.
The straps sat below the shoulders, perfectly showcasing the wearer’s beautiful collarbones. The fabric was smooth and elastic with excellent texture. The patterns were exquisite without being overly complex, extending all the way to the hem at the calves. The style of the entire dress embodied an old internet phrase: low-key, luxurious, and meaningful!
There were a few similar items in her closet, likely bought by the original owner after striking it rich overnight to keep up appearances.
Since arriving in this world, You Xinghai had only added a few pieces of casual clothing. While they were not exactly three items for twenty yuan from a bargain site, their unit prices were mostly in the double digits. Even the cleaning lady could not bear to watch, quietly asking Butler Wang if the young lady had already squandered the entire inheritance.
When You Xinghai arrived at the private room on the top floor of the restaurant wearing her low-key luxury dress, Wen Xiaoyue was already there.
The Eldest Miss was wearing quite simple clothes, looking no better than the double-digit items in You Xinghai’s wardrobe.
She scrutinized You Xinghai with great curiosity. “You dressed up so formally.”
Wen Xiaoyue thought to herself, Does You Xinghai value eating with me this much? I am actually a bit moved.
You Xinghai thought: Damn.
If she had known, she would have dressed more simply too. At least then she would not have to worry about oil splashes!
Her awkwardness did not last long because Fu Dongxue soon arrived on the battlefield.
The literary girl, Fu Dongxue, wore a beret adorned with pure white bird feathers and gold-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of her nose. Her makeup was clearly well-designed, neither heavy nor garish, but perfectly concealing even the most microscopic of flaws.
Watching her struggle to walk under the weight of her magnificent formal attire, You Xinghai said with satisfaction, “It seems we both have great respect for our host.”
Wen Xiaoyue thought: Are you taking a dig at me?
Fu Dongxue sat down tremulously and helplessly removed the pearl necklace from her neck, which weighed nearly two pounds. “As soon as my family heard Miss Wen invited me to dinner, they immediately called in a team of stylists to fix me up. In this state, I can barely even drink water.”
Wen Xiaoyue folded her arms. Her habitual cold sneer had turned into a genuine laugh. “Fortunately, I know your habits well and brought several sets of clothes. Go to the cloakroom and change.”
High-end restaurants even have cloakrooms? Are the facilities a bit too complete?
Once they had changed and reseated themselves, Wen Xiaoyue ordered with great familiarity, occasionally looking up to ask the other two about their preferences and dietary restrictions.
After ordering, she suddenly noticed You Xinghai bowing her head and sniffing something. She looked puzzled. “What are you doing? Is there a bad smell over there?”
“Not at all.”
You Xinghai looked up and gave Wen Xiaoyue a bright smile. “This clothing smells so good; I just wanted to smell it a bit more.”
Wen Xiaoyue froze upon hearing this. She withdrew her gaze in slight embarrassment, her small hands waving erratically as if they had a mind of their own. “Is that so?”
It was her clothing!
Fu Dongxue was not listening to them; she was staring at her phone with her brows furrowed.
“Sorry, you two. I might not be able to stay for long.”
The other two immediately turned toward her.
Fu Dongxue pressed the back of her hand against her forehead with a bitter smile. “The campus security office just messaged me. Someone broke my piano; I have to go over there.”
Wen Xiaoyue was surprised. “You mean the one in the Second Music Room? The 2.5 million yuan piano with the spruce wood soundboard, Roslau steel strings, ebony keys, and X-shaped back post?”
You Xinghai thought: Spruce what? X-shaped what?
Fu Dongxue nodded and sighed. “Yes. I lent that piano to an Omega to practice a few days ago, and she was taking good care of it. But it seems an accident happened today. An Alpha came in and argued with her, and the piano was accidentally smashed during the fight.”
Wen Xiaoyue said, “How did they smash it? You must make them pay!”
“Sigh, I will go take a look later. It is fine; let us eat first.”
You Xinghai listened silently to Fu Dongxue’s sighing.
Based on that description, it was highly likely the work of the two protagonists again.
In the novel, these two were usually sickeningly sweet, but occasionally, harmless conflicts would occur to cause waves in their relationship.
The grim and cold Gu Yingyu would occasionally have minor misunderstandings and frictions with the tight-lipped Guan Yinqi, a classic “she runs, she chases” dynamic. These incidents ranged from low-voiced warnings to pinning her by the waist with bloodshot eyes. Flipping tables, imprisonment, and Japanese-drama-style running were common occurrences. Smashing someone else’s piano during a fight was nothing compared to that.
She looked at Fu Dongxue with a gaze of pity. “I probably know who it was. You should stay away from them in the future.”
This was the only piece of advice she could offer as a former comrade who had helped carry Wen Xiaoyue!
Because of the sudden interruption, the meal did not start off very peacefully. Fortunately, You Xinghai was a good talker, constantly cracking jokes and bringing up topics to catch Fu Dongxue’s attention. Combined with Wen Xiaoyue playing the part of a supportive host, they ultimately passed the time with plenty of laughter.
By the latter half of the meal, Fu Dongxue was about seventy percent full, but she could no longer suppress her urgency and stood up.
“Thank you, Miss Wen, for the treat, and Miss You, for the company. I have had a very memorable day, but because of the accident, I am afraid I must take my leave first.”
Regarding her regretful departure, You Xinghai expressed deep sorrow. “Come back for dinner when you are free!” Her tone made it sound as if she were the one treating.
Fu Dongxue, like a knight errant about to depart on a journey of no return, bowed movingly to the two of them before finally hardening her heart to turn and leave, leaving behind a lonely silhouette.
Once Fu Dongxue was gone, only You Xinghai and Wen Xiaoyue were left in the large private room.
The atmosphere turned quiet instantly, though it was not cold.
When both pairs of chopsticks reached for the same dish at the same time, Wen Xiaoyue suddenly realized something.
Wait. This setting. This situation.
Why does it feel like this has turned into a private date between her and You Xinghai?