The Yujing Villa fell silent.
Meng Jingwei spent the afternoon with Qing Muyue in the study. She read while Qing Muyue was on a video conference.
Even though they didn't talk much, just being together felt incredibly wonderful.
On the first floor, in the hundred-square-meter children's room.
In the sky-blue ocean-themed children's room, Qiao Ziqian found the castle Lego set Meng Jingwei had mentioned among the numerous children's toys. He opened it and carefully studied the instruction manual.
Lan Shu watched Qiao Ziqian sit on the soft cushion, with a mountain of Lego bricks in front of him. She shook her head, not believing Qiao Ziqian had the patience to build the castle.
Ding—
At that moment, the WeChat notification sound chimed from Lan Shu's phone in her pocket.
She leaned against the wall, casually took her phone out of her windbreaker pocket, and tapped the screen. A pop-up message indicated it was a message from Qing Sihuai.
[Yaoyao, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner.]
Although Shu Yao had now changed her name to Lan Shu, Qing Sihuai still liked to call her 'Yaoyao'.
Upon seeing the message, Lan Shu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, a faint coldness tinging her serene face.
Her slender fingers tapped on the keyboard, and she replied, [I'm free.]
Ding—
Within seconds of sending the message, the other party replied immediately, [Zhuyun Yaju, I'll wait for you.]
[Okay.] Lan Shu did not refuse.
Afterward, Qing Sihuai sent the address and room number, arranging to meet at half-past six in the evening.
Lan Shu hesitated for a long time before finally driving to Zhuyun Yaju on time.
She entered the small courtyard of Zhuyun Yaju and arrived at the VIP private room in the back.
The waiter opened the door, and Lan Shu walked in to see Qing Sihuai sitting in the private room, dressed in a dark blue windbreaker, a black shirt underneath, and trousers.
Inheriting the excellent genes of Old Master Qing, he possessed naturally three-dimensional and deep facial features, eyebrows like arrows, deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and a short beard on his chin, exuding the maturity and charm unique to a seasoned man.
It had to be said that Qing Sihuai's appearance was exceptionally outstanding, the kind of man who could drive thousands of women mad.
But beneath that handsome exterior lay a dirty and sordid heart.
"Yaoyao, you're here?"
Qing Sihuai stood up as he saw her enter, bustling with concern, "Is it very cold outside? Please sit down and have some hot tea."
In his memory, Shu Yao had long hair and a pair of large, dark eyes, with a sweet and charming smile. Especially those beautiful big eyes, which always made people feel as if she were wearing black contact lenses.
But the her now, with short, ash-grey hair, no longer possessed her past smile, her demeanor considerably more aloof. It was as if the words 'stay away' were written on her face.
The stark difference in personality made Qing Sihuai feel as if he were dating two different women.
Even after more than two years, he still harbored desire for her.
"It's alright."
Lan Shu's attitude was indifferent. She walked straight to the table and sat down. "Speak, what do you want?"
Qing Sihuai was taken aback, not expecting her to be so direct.
"Prepare the dishes," he said to the waiter, signaling them to leave first.
The private room became exceptionally quiet for a moment.
He sat opposite Lan Shu, leaning back on the comfortable seat, his gaze appraising Lan Shu's face. "Of course, I miss my wife. Yaoyao, what will it take for you to return to my side?"
Lan Shu played with the zisha teapot on the table, her fingers moving. Listening to his words, a sarcastic smile touched her lips. "Since I came back, from the first time you saw me, you've been emphasizing that I am your wife. Apart from meeting me every few days, having meals, and giving me some cheap gifts, I see no sincerity. You always say that President Qing and President Meng ruined our marriage, but how can you prove that we were truly in love back then?"