When you have someone in your heart, when you think of someone all the time, you truly feel repulsed by the approach of other women.
"It's so stuffy in here, I feel suffocated. I'm sorry, please sit by yourself for a moment, I need to go out for some fresh air."
Lu Mingzhe rushed out of the private room.
There was a window at the turn of the staircase, and opening it offered a view of the lush scenery in the restaurant's backyard.
He hurried to the window, letting the fine drizzle drift in and land on his face.
Feeling the coolness of the air, smelling the scent of the earth, the feeling of suffocation finally eased a little.
He felt like he was dying.
So defeated, never so defeated.
You're truly a failure, Lu Mingzhe, you can't do anything right!
After finally making up his mind to start a proper life, and just as he was beginning, he was already failing Fang Shuya.
How many women's debts would he incur in this lifetime?
From the moment he saw Xiang Wan, he knew his heart would never find peace again, never.
This was unfair to Fang Shuya.
And with Fang Shuya, he couldn't get close to Xiang Wan either, which was also unfair to Xiang Wan.
He had brought this predicament upon himself, he wanted to slap himself to death!
His thoughts raced, filled with melancholy.
Lu Mingzhe smoked three cigarettes consecutively by the window. After being delayed for more than twenty minutes and not returning, Fang Shuya couldn't help but call.
"All the dishes are served, why haven't you come back? Are you alright?"
At that moment, Lu Mingzhe made a decision.
No matter what, he had to make things clear to Fang Shuya; escaping was not a solution.
He threw away the cigarette and started walking back.
He entered the private room. Tang Haichao hadn't arrived yet. Xiang Wan and Director Qian were sitting alone in the room. As soon as he sat down, his unruly mouth moved towards her.
"Xiang Wan, you don't know how long Brother Qian has been waiting for this day."
The strong smell of tobacco, mixed with the disinfectant smell on him, hit his nose.
His face was greasy, and he exuded the oily scent of a middle-aged man, making Xiang Wan want to vomit.
She quickly moved to the side.
"Director Qian, please sit properly, we haven't ordered yet."
"No rush, eating is secondary, I understand. We're all adults, and you invited me here alone, don't you think Brother Qian knows what you mean?"
"Xiang Wan, my darling, I like you, I've missed you so much. You're so beautiful, and Brother Qian is willing to do anything for you. I'm truly happy that you came to find me today."
Saying this, he nuzzled his greasy mouth into her neck. Xiang Wan quickly pushed him away.
"Brother Qian, Brother Qian, I think you might have misunderstood. I didn't mean it like that."
"Please sit properly, let's..."
The old man finally retracted his neck.
"You don't like the environment here, is that it? It's not suitable?"
"Okay, since it's our first time, how about this, come with Brother Qian now. We'll go to a hotel, and we'll choose a better room..."
Xiang Wan was disgusted and suddenly pushed him away, standing up from her chair.
"Director Qian! You helped me with my business, and I'm truly grateful. I just sincerely invited you to dinner, what are you doing?"
As she was speaking, Xiang Wan's phone rang. It was Tang Haichao.
After a few pleasantries and giving the room number, Tang Haichao entered with two apprentices, a man and a woman.
"What a coincidence, I just finalized a business deal and am treating my young apprentices to dinner. They've been missing Master Xiang Wan and wanted to invite her to join, but we ran into Director Qian."
"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Director Qian, the project manager for the Oncology Hospital."
"A true gentleman, a pillar of society, a talent. Sister Wan must have praised him often in front of you, right?"
Everyone said, "Sister Wan often says that gentlemen as upright as Director Qian are rare these days."
"Right? Today, you're lucky to have met such an important figure as Director Qian. Why aren't you rushing to toast him a couple of drinks?"
Xiang Wan was finally rescued.
In their line of work, being taken advantage of by clients was common.
To help each other out, when someone was being harassed, others would often step in, pretend to be crazy, and divert attention.
These were all common tactics, and they were all familiar with them.
With the two of them there to divert attention, Xiang Wan relaxed.
She had been running around all day for her child's matters and was very hungry.
She ate some food earnestly, drank some juice, and then said to Tang Haichao.
"I'm going to call my grandma to ask if Nian Nian's fever has subsided."
She walked towards the turn of the staircase with her phone. Just after finishing her call with her grandmother, she was about to go to the restroom.
Unexpectedly, that old fellow managed to break free from the entanglement of his two apprentices and came out.
Xiang Wan turned around and met his fierce, greasy face, startling her.
"Director Qian, why are you out here?"
Director Qian gritted his teeth, his small eyes filled with a ferocious glare.
"I specifically came out to find you! You, Xiang, what the hell do you mean?"
"What's wrong? Why are you speaking like that, Director Qian?"
"What do I mean, don't play dumb with me!"
It seemed that Mr. Qian knew he wouldn't get what he wanted today and was very resentful.
"Before, to get me to sign the contract with you, you were fawning over me, practically begging me to come and visit you!"
"Back then, I had to consider my image and I truly saw you as a decent person, so I respected you and waited until now."
"But I helped you with such a big favor today, and we're both adults, why are you still pretending? Huh?"
Speaking so disrespectfully in public, and saying he saw her as a decent person, and respected her?
Xiang Wan smiled.
"I know you helped me a lot today, Brother Qian, that's why I invited you out for a meal."
"Good wine and dishes are served, and two young people, my senior and junior disciples, are accompanying you. What else are you unhappy about? Or did they not entertain you well?"
"Still pretending with me! Is it interesting, Xiang Wan? Do we have to make things explicit?"
"Then let's make it explicit today. I helped you with so much, and you think a meal can pacify me? Dream on!"
"You know what I want. It's best if you listen obediently and go with the flow. If you force me to say unpleasant things and resort to force, it will be you who loses face!"
To quibble over such a small matter, he wanted to fall out with her?
Since he had spoken so harshly, Xiang Wan no longer wanted to maintain any superficial courtesy with him.
Her face turned cold.
"You signed the contract for me, you took the kickbacks you were due, you helped me, you ate what you were supposed to eat, drank what you were supposed to drink, and took all the advantages you could, yet you still want more. You're insatiably greedy."
"What do you mean by 'don't force me to use force'? You want me to listen to you obediently? You think too highly of yourself."
"You said one thing correctly: we are all adults, so you got to feast your eyes and talk a lot, but since it doesn't show on you, I won't take it to heart."
"But if you go too far, whether I'm willing or not, it also depends on whether your significant other is willing!"