Chapter 296: Better a Chance Encounter

Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Better a Chance Encounter

Although she couldn’t see Jiang Moli, a place setting was laid out at the seat next to Lu Cheng. A woman’s handbag and scarf were also hanging on the back of the chair, so she guessed Jiang Moli must have come along.

Meng Wei didn’t want to run into Jiang Moli, so she tried to find an excuse to leave.

"Ah Ming, I’m not feeling well. Can you take me to the hospital to get some medicine?"

He Ming didn’t give it a second thought. He said his goodbyes to Lu Cheng and Wen Jingrui and was about to leave with Meng Wei.

As they turned, they came face-to-face with Jiang Moli, who was returning from the restroom.

"Sister Weiwei, Boss He, are you two also here just to use the restroom?"

He Ming was amused by her comment. "You must be joking, Mrs. Lu. Xiao Wei and I are here to eat..."

"What a coincidence, so are we! I’ve never forgotten that Boss He offered to treat me to a meal. They say a chance encounter is better than a planned invitation, so how about today? You two don’t have other plans, do you? Even if it’s the most important matter in the world, you still have to eat, right?"

With her putting it that way, He Ming found it hard to refuse.

After all, he had been the one to offer to treat the couple to a meal, and for a businessman like him, saving face was everything.

He turned and said to Meng Wei in a low voice, "Xiao Wei, I’ll take you to the hospital first. After I have dinner with Mr. Lu and the others, I’ll come pick you up."

Meng Wei’s heart skipped a beat.

’Both Lu Cheng and Wen Jingrui were part of a past I can’t let He Ming know about. And with a shit-stirrer like Jiang Moli in the mix... I can’t even imagine the consequences of leaving He Ming alone with them.’

"I’m feeling okay now. It’s fine to get the medicine after we eat."

Since Meng Wei said that, He Ming didn’t press the issue.

Jiang Moli and the others had been sitting at a table for four, but now with two more people, they moved to a large round table.

As they were changing tables, Lu Cheng casually picked up Jiang Moli’s scarf and handbag, which were draped over the back of her chair.

Wen Jingrui did the same; with his own jacket slung over one arm, he held a woman’s scarf and purse in his other hand.

Seeing this, Meng Wei finally realized what was happening, and her head whipped around to look at Qian Ling.

Qian Ling met her gaze without a trace of guilt.

’I’m not the one who should feel guilty. Meng Wei is the one playing the field, always thinking the grass is greener somewhere else. I just wonder if that man with her has any idea.’

When she saw Wen Jingrui thoughtfully pull out a chair for Qian Ling, Meng Wei’s suspicions were confirmed, and she was both shocked and furious.

’So Wen Jingrui really did get together with Qian Ling!’

But a secret sense of superiority followed. ’After losing a catch like me, he could only settle for a common, plain girl like Qian Ling.’

...

Since He Ming was paying, Jiang Moli unabashedly added several of the restaurant’s signature dishes to the order.

The dishes arrived one after another, and the six of them ate and chatted.

Lu Cheng peeled a shrimp for Jiang Moli.

After eating it, Jiang Moli thought it tasted delicious, so she picked out a large one and placed it in Qian Ling’s bowl. "Try this shrimp, it’s really fresh."

Qian Ling nodded and was about to peel the shrimp when Wen Jingrui reached out, took it, and deftly removed the shell in a few quick moves. He then dipped the pink shrimp meat in soy sauce before placing it back in Qian Ling’s bowl.

"Go on, eat."

"Thanks."

Wen Jingrui gave her a warm smile and started peeling another shrimp.

Perhaps it was a skill from his profession, but Wen Jingrui was an expert at peeling shrimp. He had the shell off cleanly in a flash and, once again, gave the piece of shrimp to Qian Ling.

Qian Ling was beaming as she ate, while Meng Wei secretly ground her teeth.

’Although He Ming had the manners of a gentleman, he would never do something as attentive as peeling shrimp for me.’

"I never realized mainland men spoiled their wives so much."

Watching how Lu Cheng and Wen Jingrui cared for their partners, He Ming couldn’t help but remark.

Wen Jingrui smiled and explained, "Lingling is my girlfriend. We aren’t married yet."

He Ming smiled in understanding. "You two make a perfect couple and clearly care for each other deeply. I’m sure you’ll make it to the altar."

Qian Ling blushed at his words.

Jiang Moli, gnawing on half a roasted goose head, grinned and started teasing He Ming and Meng Wei.

"So, Boss He, Sister Weiwei, when are you two planning to get married? I’m already waiting for an invitation to the wedding banquet!"

He Ming said, "Once Xiao Wei gets her travel permit, we’ll go back to Hong Kong to register the marriage first. After that, we’ll come back here for the wedding banquet. We will definitely send you an invitation then."

Jiang Moli asked with faux curiosity, "Oh, so if the permit doesn’t come through, you just won’t register the marriage?"

"This is between Ah Ming and me. It’s none of your business!"

Meng Wei shot Jiang Moli a cold glare, convinced she was saying it just to jinx her. She believed Jiang Moli didn’t want to see her happy and was hoping she would never get married.

Jiang Moli just smiled. "I was just asking casually. Why so tense? Boss He, how old are you?"

He Ming replied, "Twenty-nine."

"Do you have many brothers and sisters?"

Meng Wei glared. "Why are you asking all this?"

Jiang Moli grinned. "You grew up with Lu Cheng, so you’re practically his little sister. Since you’re getting married, it’s my duty as your sister-in-law to help check him out for you."

"I don’t need your help! Just worry about yourself!"

"Fine, fine. I won’t ask anymore."

True to her word, Jiang Moli stopped being nosy and, along with Qian Ling, devoted herself completely to the food.

’This place is really good. I should bring Qiongqiong and the others to try it next time.’

He Ming, Lu Cheng, and Wen Jingrui were engaged in a lively conversation, chatting about everything under the sun.

Meng Wei was on pins and needles, in no mood to eat. She just wanted the meal to end quickly so she could leave with He Ming.

Finally, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.

He Ming went to the cashier to settle the bill.

Jiang Moli, Qian Ling, and Lu Cheng went to the restroom one after another, leaving Meng Wei and Wen Jingrui alone at the table.

Seeing that He Ming wouldn’t be back right away, Meng Wei couldn’t stop herself from confronting Wen Jingrui. "Are you with Qian Ling just to spite me?"

Wen Jingrui was taken aback. "Why would you think that?"

Meng Wei sneered, "That time I said something was off with you two, you denied it. And look what happened. How dare you stand on your moral high horse and criticize me! All that peeling shrimp and serving her food, that was for my benefit, wasn’t it? Honestly, you don’t have to ruin the rest of your life by getting a girlfriend who’s so plain in every way, just to piss me off."

Wen Jingrui looked at her. "Now I finally understand why neither Third Brother Lu nor Lin Jianfeng chose you."

His words struck a nerve.

Her face went from pale to red, and back to pale again. "Wen Jingrui, and you call yourself an intellectual! To think you’d attack a woman like this. It really shows your true character. I’m so glad I didn’t end up with you!"

Wen Jingrui replied calmly, "That scarf Lingling returned to me—that was supposed to be your Winter Solstice gift. You stood me up for He Ming, and I was so crestfallen that I left it behind at the Lu Family’s home."

"You don’t need to think so highly of yourself. Lingling is sincere, kind, and lovely. Every day I spend with her is a happy one. I genuinely like her, respect her, and want to spend the rest of my life with her. As for you being glad you didn’t end up with me? The feeling is mutual. Thank you for letting me go."

"You!"

Meng Wei never expected that the gentle and refined-looking Wen Jingrui could have such a sharp, venomous tongue.

’It was one thing for Lu Cheng to be two-faced—one for Jiang Moli, another for her. But for Wen Jingrui, someone she looked down upon, to treat her this way too...’

’So gentle and attentive with Qian Ling, but so harsh and blunt with her.’

’She could accept losing to Jiang Moli. But Qian Ling? What was she?’