Chapter Nineteen: A Cozy Dinner

“Good! Wherever you say, we’ll go,” Luo Yichen said.

He sped up the car and soon arrived beneath an upscale restaurant. The Luo family held shares here, so a private room was reserved for Luo Yichen year-round. After he and Shang Qi took their seats, they began to order. Shang Qi glanced at the menu and chose some light, soft dishes. Luo Yichen, in a good mood, said, “Stop ordering! Just bring one of everything.”

“Can the two of us even finish all that?”

Luo Yichen had already closed the menu and handed it back to the server, signaling her to bring the dishes quickly. Shang Qi didn’t want to waste food, but she didn’t want to spoil Luo Yichen’s mood either, so she showed no displeasure. Soon, the table was filled with exquisite delicacies. Luo Yichen was truly hungry and began to devour the food ravenously.

“Eat slower! If you rush, your stomach will feel worse,” Shang Qi advised.

With sauce smeared at the corner of his mouth, Luo Yichen swallowed and said, “I’m realizing you’re becoming more considerate! You’ll definitely be a good wife someday.”

Shang Qi ignored his teasing and said, “Wipe your mouth. Look at you, such a mess! Why don’t you care about your image now?”

Luo Yichen laughed heartily. “A man should be bold and unrestrained. The elegant and reserved act I put on is just an act. Otherwise, how could I get so many people to bow down to me?”

Shang Qi had seen this other side of Luo Yichen before, but it was the first time she heard him admit it. The man before her was like a big boy, still eating heartily. She laughed from the bottom of her heart. Watching Luo Yichen eat like this was truly a kind of happiness.

After he was full, Luo Yichen looked up at her, smiling but not eating, and asked, “Why the silly smile? Why aren’t you eating?”

“I’m not smiling. I’m already full.”

Seeing the happiness radiating from her face, Luo Yichen said gently, “Do you like dinners like this?”

“Mm.” Shang Qi showed a shy, feminine smile. “The way you eat is really amusing.”

For some reason, Luo Yichen suddenly felt a bit nervous. It was the first time he felt embarrassed in front of a woman. Shang Qi ladled him some hawthorn soup and said, “Have some to aid digestion.”

Luo Yichen didn’t like sour food, but he didn’t want to refuse Shang Qi’s kindness, so he took it and ate slowly. The meal ended in a warm atmosphere. Afterward, Shang Qi went to the restroom, and Luo Yichen waited for her in the lounge area by the restaurant entrance.

When Shang Qi came out, she unexpectedly bumped into Xi Jingpeng. Their eyes met, and neither spoke. Shang Qi awkwardly said, “What a coincidence!”

Xi Jingpeng was here for a dinner party and had stepped out for some fresh air. He had already drunk quite a bit, his breath heavy with alcohol. Since that night, he hadn’t sought Shang Qi out, but he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Jealous of Luo Yichen, he had been causing trouble for him these days.

Xi Jingpeng thought: Shang Qi wouldn’t come here alone; the only possibility is that she came with Luo Yichen. He scanned the area but saw no sign of Luo Yichen. Grabbing Shang Qi’s hand, he dragged her to a nearby viewing terrace.

He asked urgently, “What’s going on between you and Luo Yichen? I have to get a clear answer today!”

Shang Qi was surprised by his roughness. Where had the polite, elegant, and composed Xi Jingpeng gone? She pulled her hand free. “It’s my personal matter. I don’t owe you any explanation.”

Xi Jingpeng felt frustrated. He had regretted a lot in recent days: Why hadn’t he confessed to Shang Qi sooner? Why did he have to drag things ambiguously for two years? Now Luo Yichen had beaten him to it. To defeat such a powerful rival would take considerable effort.

Shang Qi’s coldness pained Xi Jingpeng deeply. Controlling his bitterness, he spoke calmly. “I’m just concerned about you. Qi Qi, Luo Yichen divorced for you. Can you guarantee he won’t leave you for another woman?”

Xi Jingpeng had spoken the fear that haunted Shang Qi most. A man like Luo Yichen was constantly surrounded by women. Now that he hadn’t gotten her yet, he would be attentive. But once he got what he wanted, his enthusiasm might fade. After years beside him, Shang Qi had learned one thing: to a man, the woman he can’t have is always the most beautiful.

Shang Qi thought of many things but said, “This is between him and me. You don’t need to worry.”

Xi Jingpeng thought bitterly: What spell did Luo Yichen cast on Shang Qi to make her so devoted? Since she won’t yield softly, don’t blame me for pressing hard. He said, “Luo Yichen has been very busy lately, hasn’t he?”

This warning put Shang Qi on guard. “What do you mean? Does this concern you?”

Xi Jingpeng sneered, “I just heard that the Xi Corporation has suspended all loans to the Luo Group.”

Shang Qi finally understood why Luo Yichen had been so busy. With the year’s end approaching, the company was tight on funds. Early next year, new projects would require significant startup capital. Xi Corporation’s suspension of loans was like choking Luo Yichen’s business.

Angrily, Shang Qi asked, “Why would you do such a thing?”

Xi Jingpeng feigned innocence. “The company’s decision wasn’t mine alone. But I can negotiate. That depends on what you do, Qi Qi. Why don’t you come to me?”

Shang Qi looked at Xi Jingpeng with disappointment. She had once felt some guilt toward him, thinking her refusal wasn’t firm enough to kill his hope. Now, she began to despise him.

Dismissively, she said, “To you, I’m just a toy you didn’t get. Don’t be so obsessed.”

Xi Jingpeng was enraged. Grabbing Shang Qi’s arm tightly, he shouted, “For two years, I’ve treasured you. You’ve been ambiguous with Luo Yichen. Do you know how painful that is for me?”

Shang Qi winced in pain, her face etched with suffering. Struggling, she cried, “Let me go! I haven’t hidden anything from you.”

Xi Jingpeng continued, “Then why didn’t you tell me about your relationship with him?”

“What’s it to you? Why should I tell you? Besides, Luo Yichen and I are innocent. There’s nothing to hide.”

“Innocent?” Xi Jingpeng scrutinized Shang Qi, murmuring.

He hadn’t considered that possibility and found it somewhat unbelievable. But it worked to his advantage. Taking advantage of his distraction, Shang Qi pulled her arm back and gently rubbed the sore spot, complaining, “That hurts!”

Knowing he had used too much force, Xi Jingpeng said, “Sorry! I was just anxious, not intentional.”

Angrily, Shang Qi said, “I hate people who threaten me. Stay away from me!”