The woman was dressed to the nines, carrying a brand-new designer bag—it was none other than his ex-girlfriend, Li Huimei.
Xu Xiaofan's expression darkened for a moment.
He hadn't expected the world to be so small, that even having a meal would lead to running into this disgusting couple.
However, he quickly reconsidered.
Just this morning, he had left Zhao Gaoyou's luxurious villa, still carrying the lingering scent of Qin Rong's perfume.
The thought of having slept with Zhao Gaoyou's high-and-mighty wife, Qin Rong, and on Zhao Gaoyou's own bed no less, brought Xu Xiaofan a sense of satisfaction.
A cold smile even tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Sitting across from him, Zhao Yutong had been watching Xu Xiaofan closely.
She keenly noticed the change in his expression, from gloom to a cold smile, all within a few seconds.
Instinctively, she turned her head to follow Xu Xiaofan's gaze, looking behind her.
When Zhao Yutong's eyes landed on the chubby man, they widened in surprise, a hint of shock flashing through her gaze.
Her hand unconsciously tightened around her teacup.
She turned back, hesitated for a moment, and then looked into Xu Xiaofan's eyes, asking softly, "What's wrong? Do you know those people over there?"
Xu Xiaofan withdrew his gaze, looking at Zhao Yutong. He didn't want to spoil the mood by talking about his messy affairs, so he quickly shook his head, covering up, "It's nothing. Mistook them for someone else."
Soon, a server in uniform brought over the dishes and soup they had ordered, one after another, on a tray.
It had to be said, although the prices at Guanlan Pavilion, this upscale Chinese restaurant, weren't cheap, the chef's skills were impeccable.
The dishes were exquisitely presented and the flavors were authentic, the aroma tantalizing.
Initially, Xu Xiaofan was a bit reserved due to the prices, but after a few sips of hot soup, his tense nerves gradually relaxed.
A woman dressed to the nines, in high heels, walked straight over to their table.
It was Li Huimei.
Li Huimei had just gone to the restaurant's restroom to touch up her makeup.
When she came out, she inadvertently turned her head and noticed Xu Xiaofan sitting in a booth by the window.
At first glance, she thought she was mistaken.
Having been with Xu Xiaofan for so long, she knew all too well his shabby appearance.
Xu Xiaofan had never taken her to such a high-end restaurant for a meal.
So, seeing Xu Xiaofan here suddenly, Li Huimei was quite surprised.
But as she took a few steps closer and saw the woman sitting across from Xu Xiaofan, her surprise instantly turned into intense jealousy and resentment.
What she hadn't expected was that the woman sitting across from Xu Xiaofan had an exceptional aura and was far more beautiful than her.
A surge of anger flared up inside Li Huimei.
She quickly walked up to Xu Xiaofan's table, arms crossed, looking down at him, and sarcastically taunted, "Oh, Xu Xiaofan, I didn't expect this! We just broke up yesterday, and you've already found a new fling today?"
Hearing the voice, Xu Xiaofan paused with his chopsticks, looked up, and seeing it was Li Huimei, his brows immediately furrowed.
Li Huimei, however, didn't care about the occasion and continued her sharp-tongued tirade, "Back in our hometown, didn't you always say how much you liked me, how much you loved me? You even said you'd treat me well for a lifetime. It's laughable. Luckily, I came to my senses yesterday and dumped you."
Then, Li Huimei turned her gaze to Zhao Yutong sitting across, her eyes filled with disdain, and in a lecturing tone, she said to Zhao Yutong, "Miss, don't be fooled by Xu Xiaofan's honest appearance. Let me tell you the truth, this guy is just a broke loser working as a server at Gilded KTV! His meager salary can't even buy the clothes you're wearing. Being with someone like him has no future. I advise you to open your eyes and dump him early, don't waste your time on him."
Zhao Yutong, holding a spoon and sipping soup, was left dumbfounded by Li Huimei's barrage of words.
She didn't know this woman at all and couldn't understand what was going on.
Xu Xiaofan's brows knitted tightly, and he slammed his chopsticks on the table, coldly saying to Li Huimei, "Li Huimei, stop spouting nonsense! She's not my girlfriend at all. We just met not long ago and are just having a meal as ordinary friends." New chapters come out on novelping(.)com first.
Li Huimei, hearing this, didn't back down but became even more furious.
Her voice rose a few notches, "You just met her and you're willing to spend money to bring her to a high-end place like Guanlan Pavilion for a meal? Xu Xiaofan, ask yourself honestly, I was with you for so long, and every time you took me out to eat, it was at those dirty street stalls or fast-food joints. You never brought me to a nice place like Guanlan Pavilion!"
Xu Xiaofan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and explained, "Today, I'm not the one treating her to a meal."
Li Huimei was momentarily stunned, then let out an exaggerated laugh, full of mockery, saying to Xu Xiaofan, "Wow, Xu Xiaofan, you've changed in just a few days! You used to pretend to be a gentleman, and now you're living off a woman?"
Xu Xiaofan finally couldn't take it anymore.
He stood up, glaring at Li Huimei, and shouted, "Li Huimei, have you had enough? We broke up yesterday, and it was you who left me for that old man because of money. From now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine. We have nothing to do with each other! Who I'm with now, where I eat, is none of your business, right?"
Li Huimei was momentarily taken aback by Xu Xiaofan's intensity, but she still refused to relent, curling her lips disdainfully, "Do you think I care about your pathetic affairs? I don't want to bother."
Then, she turned once more to Zhao Yutong, saying, "I don't care how you know Xu Xiaofan, but out of kindness, I'll give you one last piece of advice. Stay away from him, this broke loser is not worthy of you!"
After saying this, Li Huimei strutted away like a victorious rooster, swaying her hips.
Zhao Yutong watched Li Huimei's high-heeled figure walk away, utterly bewildered, her face full of helplessness.
However, when Zhao Yutong followed the direction Li Huimei went and saw her sit down across from a chubby man in a nearby booth, she suddenly frowned.
A look of obvious surprise appeared on her face.
This subtle expression on Zhao Yutong's face was caught by Xu Xiaofan without missing a beat.
Xu Xiaofan sat back down, looked into Zhao Yutong's eyes, and after thinking for a moment, tentatively asked, "That man over there, Zhao Gaoyou, do you know him?"
Zhao Yutong withdrew her gaze, her eyes somewhat complicated.
After hesitating for a moment, she nodded and softly said, "Yes, he's my older brother. My biological brother."