Chapter 322: On Pins and Needles

The hot pot restaurant was bustling, its main dining hall packed with people. Children clutching toys chased each other through the aisles, their clear laughter spreading like the chime of wind chimes, carried on the fragrant steam that filled the space.

Cold sweat beaded on Chen Erbao's back, but his face remained as calm as still water, showing no sign of anything unusual.

He smiled at Bai Xiaoqing, his gaze unwavering, as if they were truly meeting for the first time.

Bai Xiaoqing's mind was in turmoil, but all her shock and confusion eventually melted into a light laugh. "Hello, my name is Bai Xiaoqing."

Seeing that the two had exchanged greetings but were still just standing there, Zhang Yiyi couldn't help but tease them.

"What are you two standing around for? Sit down, sit down!"

As if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders, the two sat down. Chen Erbao took the seat opposite Zhang Yiyi, while Bai Xiaoqing sat beside her.

Zhang Yiyi's eyes darted between the two of them before she picked up a menu and handed it to Bai Xiaoqing.

"Sister Xiaoqing, take a look and see what you want. Order whatever you like, Er Bao's treating today!"

Bai Xiaoqing smiled and took the menu, her heart pounding as she shot a sidelong glance at Chen Erbao.

'I just accidentally found out the big boss is cheating, and both his current girlfriend and his mistress are my best friends. What should I do? Urgent, waiting for answers online!'

She hastily ticked a few boxes and handed the menu back.

Zhang Yiyi then passed it to Chen Erbao, who waved his hand. "Yiyi, you can just order. I'll eat anything."

Hearing that, Zhang Yiyi had no choice but to add a few more items herself before handing the menu to the server.

"Er Bao, Sister Xiaoqing, should we get some alcohol?"

she asked eagerly.

Bai Xiaoqing hesitated for a moment before declining. "I have to drive later tonight..."

Chen Erbao, on the other hand, didn't mind either way. He just sat there, feigning composure and not saying a word.

'I never would've imagined that Zhang Yiyi and Bai Xiaoqing are best friends...'

'If Lin Zhiqing finds out about this...'

Chen Erbao's head throbbed as he imagined the terrifying consequences.

'Looks like I'll have to have a serious talk with Bai Xiaoqing later...'

He stared at the smooth tabletop, trying to figure out what to say.

"We can get a designated driver... Sister Xiaoqing, you're always so busy with work. We haven't seen each other in ages, come on, have a drink with us!"

Zhang Yiyi grabbed Bai Xiaoqing's arm and shook it back and forth.

Bai Xiaoqing was a mess of emotions, but she couldn't resist the pestering and had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Overjoyed, Zhang Yiyi called the server over and ordered a bottle of a local baijiu. It wasn't too strong and went down smooth, perfect for getting a light buzz at a party.

Before long, the steaming hot pot base was brought to the table, followed by a dazzling spread of side dishes that covered the tabletop and whetted everyone's appetite.

"Let's eat! Let's eat!"

Zhang Yiyi was already starving and gestured for the other two to start adding ingredients to the pot.

As they began adding various ingredients to the pot, the three of them started to chat.

Well, it was mostly just Zhang Yiyi doing all the talking.

"Sister Xiaoqing, you work at a cosmetics company too, right? Er Bao started his own cosmetics company, you know!"

Bai Xiaoqing raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really..."

"Yes, yes! I'm sure you've heard of it. You know the Dream Fantasia mud mask, right? That's Er Bao's company. It's super popular right now."

"Oh! That's quite impressive, then..."

"..."

Listening to the two women talk, Chen Erbao felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

At one point, Bai Xiaoqing glanced up and shot Chen Erbao a glare. The look in her eyes was so complex it made a wave of guilt wash over him.

'I shouldn't be here,' he thought. 'I should be under the table!'

Once the spicy broth came to a rolling boil, Zhang Yiyi smiled and picked out a piece of beef for Chen Erbao.

Chen Erbao ate it distractedly, secretly sneaking glances at Bai Xiaoqing.

"Yiyi, how long have you and... this boyfriend of yours known each other?"

Chen Erbao's heart sank when he heard Bai Xiaoqing's question.

Zhang Yiyi looked at Chen Erbao and smiled sweetly. "Us? We've known each other for years! We were classmates in college!"

Bai Xiaoqing was stunned. She shot Chen Erbao a look, her eyes turning cold.

'I thought Yiyi was the third party, but it looks like Lin Zhiqing was the one who came later!'

Bai Xiaoqing was suddenly filled with indignation on behalf of her best friends.

But her own mind was a tangled mess as well.

'They're both my best friends, and the guy is my direct superior!'

'Why did I have to be the one to run into this mess!'

'I feel like my head is going to explode!'

"Is that right... You two must have a very strong relationship, then!"

"Hee hee, Sister Xiaoqing, you have no idea. Er Bao was so reserved and timid in college. For four whole years, he didn't dare confess his feelings. He only just told me a little while ago!"

Zhang Yiyi went on to describe the whole story of their romance in detail.

"Men really do turn bad once they get money!"

Bai Xiaoqing muttered under her breath.

Zhang Yiyi didn't quite hear her. "Sister Xiaoqing, what did you say?"

"Nothing..."

Bai Xiaoqing picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, changing the subject.

"Yiyi, have you met each other's parents yet?"

Zhang Yiyi's cheeks flushed a little, and she seemed a bit shy. "Er Bao has been to my family's home. My parents are very happy with him..."

"..."

When Bai Xiaoqing heard this, she sighed inwardly for Lin Zhiqing.

'She knew all about Lin Zhiqing's family situation, which was already a huge obstacle. Now Chen Erbao had met Zhang Yiyi's parents and apparently made a good impression. If things kept going like this, wouldn't that mean it was hopeless for Lin Zhiqing?'

The two women chirped away for a while before Zhang Yiyi noticed that Chen Erbao was being strange tonight. He hadn't said a single word since Bai Xiaoqing arrived.

"Er Bao, are you feeling okay?"

she asked with concern.

Chen Erbao nonchalantly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and gave a hollow laugh. "Just a little hot, I'm fine..."

"Hot...?"

Zhang Yiyi didn't understand what he meant and didn't think much of it. She picked up the bottle of baijiu, opened it, and poured three glasses.

"Sister Xiaoqing, since this is your first time meeting Er Bao, let's have a toast!"

Bai Xiaoqing raised her glass, a strange look on her face.

'First time meeting?'

'We've already been completely open with each other twice. And she calls this our first meeting...'

'Of course, I can't say that out loud right now.' Bai Xiaoqing decided she would wait until after dinner to interrogate Chen Erbao privately.

"Cheers!"

The glasses clinked together with a crisp sound, and the three of them downed their drinks.

"Whoa, that's strong! So strong!"

Zhang Yiyi stuck out her little pink tongue, a blush already creeping into her cheeks.

Bai Xiaoqing also took a sip of water to wash away the burning taste.

With one drink in them, the two women clearly became more talkative.

"Sister Xiaoqing, you still don't have a boyfriend?"

"There are too many scumbags out there. I'm not looking."

Chen Erbao had a feeling Bai Xiaoqing glanced at him as she said that.

He felt a little indignant.

'I'm not a scumbag,' he thought. 'A scumbag is a guy who just uses women and dumps them. I'm prepared to be responsible for them!'

'Is it so wrong to want to give a home to every girl who loves me?'

Zhang Yiyi, her face flushed from dipping her food in chili oil, said, "Sister Xiaoqing, there are actually plenty of good men out there. Isn't Er Bao a great guy? Er Bao, if you have any good friends who are single, you should introduce a few to Sister Xiaoqing. But be warned, Sister Xiaoqing is gorgeous, so her standards are pretty high!"

"..."