After a whole afternoon of playing mahjong, Tong Mengmeng and her husband lost badly, and that evening they clamored for Shang Jincheng to treat them to dinner.
Shang Jincheng didn't decline. They all picked a dinner spot and chatted happily, then asked Tong An'an and Zhan Jingge if they wanted to join.
Tong An'an definitely wouldn't go; it wasn't suitable for taking a child to such places.
Zhan Jingge had been quite displeased after watching Tong Mengmeng and Shang Jincheng bicker all afternoon. Now they were making plans to eat together in the evening, which inexplicably made her even more unhappy.
So when she was asked, she naturally said she wouldn't go.
Although Tong Mengmeng and Zhan Jingge had known each other for many years, basically moving in the same circles from school until now, they were only acquaintances who nodded in passing and had never been close.
She understood that Miss Zhan was on a different level than them, so she didn't press the issue.
After speaking, she casually pulled Shang Jincheng along and left.
Strangely, Shang Jincheng didn't try to force Ge'er today either.
He simply nodded casually and left when she said she wasn't going.
The room, which had been lively moments ago, was suddenly left with only the two sisters-in-law, feeling desolate and quiet.
But Ge'er wouldn't say it. She was holding back a surge of anger, hating Shang Jincheng even more.
What a scumbag, provoking someone for no reason, then just packing up and leaving! She knew he was unreliable!
With a belly full of resentment, she ordered takeout. Just as she was about to eat, Jiang Jingyu returned.
He had missed his wife and child terribly after two days apart.
He showered the child with kisses, then was affectionate with Tong An'an.
It was as if they hadn't argued at all, so loving and harmonious, which only made Ge'er angrier.
"Since you two have made up, I won't be a third wheel here. You eat, I'm leaving."
Jiang Jingyu chased her to the door and asked her, feigning concern.
"You're not eating? Stay and eat before you go back."
"No, I'm not eating. Wouldn't want to interrupt your intimacy. Live your lives well. Just don't make me clean up your mess again in the future."
Back in the car, she felt uncomfortable everywhere. Nothing looked right, and she was extremely frustrated, desperately wanting to vent.
But friends are only appreciated when needed. At this moment, she realized that by not socializing normally, she had no one to confide in when it mattered.
Bored, she scrolled through her social media, and the annoying Tong Mengmeng had posted food photos again.
Although the faces of the people eating weren't in the picture, she recognized Shang Jincheng's hand.
She didn't know who else he was dining with. With women sitting on both sides, and him in the middle, it made Ge'er even more depressed.
This was because Shang Jincheng wasn't around. If he were, she would have slapped him right across the face.
She called Tiantian, asking her to come home together.
However, Tiantian said she was rushing a design and needed to participate in a competition for emerging designers.
After going in circles, feeling bored, she decided to go to a bar by herself.
In this world, no one can't live without someone else. She could be brilliant on her own!
With this self-encouragement, she drove home, changed into a beautiful and cool outfit, put on exquisite makeup, and drove to the bar.
She specifically chose the one invested in by her uncle Lu Qingxu and her father, ensuring good reputation and safety.
At this hour, it was just opening, with only a few people scattered at the bar.
She also sat down at the bar and ordered a cocktail to sip slowly.
Because she had something on her mind, her gaze kept wandering around, unable to settle down.
As she watched, her attention was caught by a young boy to her right.
The boy, like her, had ordered a cocktail, but for some reason, he had brought some candy with him.
Before drinking, he would unwrap the colorful candy papers, put them in, stir, and then sip slowly, as if it tasted better this way.
Ge'er rarely drank, and her tolerance wasn't high, so she was quite worried about getting drunk.
She wondered if it was some kind of candy that helped with sobering up.
Just as she was thinking, the boy noticed her and looked over.
Their eyes met, and she was instantly captivated.
He didn't hesitate, picking up his glass and moving closer.
"Miss, are you alone?"
He didn't shy away, so Ge'er naturally didn't either, and nodded.
"What are you putting in there?"
"Candy."
Saying this, the boy grabbed another piece from his pocket and offered it to her.
"It tastes especially good when mixed with alcohol. Want to try?"
Although the packaging was very pretty, Ge'er didn't know him and had to be cautious in a place like this.
"No, thank you. I was just asking casually. You eat it yourself."
"Are you worried about safety? It's okay, I'll eat it for you to see."
The boy said, unwrapping the candy in his hand and popping it into his mouth before taking a sip of his drink.
"It's really just candy. I'm so kind, how could I lie to you?"
Ge'er smiled at him and asked.
"Why did you think of adding sugar to alcohol? Is it sweeter or does it help you sober up?"
"Maybe it's psychological. I feel like it helps me sober up and not get too tipsy."
"What brand of candy is this?"
"No brand, I made it myself. I'm a food blogger."
The boy explained gently.
"Don't worry, it's absolutely safe. If you don't believe me, I can find the making video for you."
He then took out his phone, opened a short video app, and found the video of him making it for her.
From preparing the ingredients to the step-by-step processing, and then the packaging, it was all in the video, and he had indeed made it himself.
Moreover, the video had voiceovers, which were also his voice.
Ge'er couldn't help but take his phone to look at his follower count and backend data.
This was the first time in her life she had interacted with a food blogger, and he was even a big V with over 4 million followers.
But what of it?
She wouldn't have a biased opinion of him because of that.
"Are you trying to attract another follower for yourself? The video is indeed well-made. I'll follow you when I get back."
The boy smiled: "Haha, that's an unexpected bonus. Thank you."
Ge'er returned his phone and extended her hand to him.
"It's free, right? Let me try."
The video had mentioned that he used coconut milk extract for the sugar, giving it a very sweet taste.
As the candy dissolved in her mouth, the sweetness spread, and it did feel like it was helping her sober up, as the taste wasn't as strong.
"It's free. I have a lot more in my pockets. If you like it, I'll give it all to you."
Seeing her eat it, the boy was very happy and took out a large handful of candy from the pockets of his sweatpants.
It was quite unusual to see candy with such cute packaging in a place like a bar.
Ge'er couldn't help but ask him, "How much alcohol are you planning to drink? Why did you bring so much candy?"
The boy shrugged his shoulders: "I'm bored. I don't have friends, and no one to share the things I make with. Today is my birthday, and I thought I'd give them away to anyone I meet with fate. Who knew I'd meet you first."
"What a coincidence, it's your birthday today. How old are you this year?"
"Twenty-five. And you?"
"I'm older than you, call me sister."
"Really?" The boy smiled very brightly.
"You look at most 18, don't try to fool me."