Fang Fang walked into a small restaurant not far from the residential compound. It seemed she was going to have a meal. Smelling the aroma of food, Ye Huohuo realized that it was already three or four in the afternoon since she had breakfast that morning, and she hadn't had lunch yet.
It was perfect timing to eat with Fang Fang, as she didn't know when her next meal would be.
Fang Fang found a seat by the window and ordered a table full of delicacies. Ye Huohuo found it strange, could she eat so much by herself? Was she treating guests? But at this time, lunch was too late, and dinner was too early. What was this?
Ye Huohuo, puzzled, ordered a bowl of beef noodles and two small side dishes, sitting at a table in the furthest corner. She ate while observing what Fang Fang was up to.
About half an hour later, Fang Fang's food was almost served when a middle-aged man helped an old lady walk in.
When Ye Huohuo saw the newcomers, her eyes lit up. It was truly a case of "finding what you were looking for without even searching."
The people entering were none other than Chen Dong and his mother.
This Chen Dong was exactly the same as the one she had seen in the illusion. He looked refined and well-behaved, who would have thought he was a beast in a man's skin?
As for the old lady he was supporting, Ye Huohuo frowned upon seeing her.
She calculated the time Du Lihua had shown her in the illusion; it should not be more than a year from now. Although Chen Dong's mother in the illusion was also elderly, she was in good health.
She spoke with the booming voice of a bell, and her legs and feet were not as frail as they were now, requiring someone to support her when walking?
Had something else happened during this time? No wonder Fang Fang was so brazen in doing those things so close to them. It turned out she wasn't worried about being discovered by Chen's mother at all.
With her current condition, she might not even be able to leave her room without someone's help.
But why would these two come here at this time?
"Auntie, Brother Dong said you've been sick recently. Are you feeling better now? It's really something, I originally wanted to buy some groceries and cook for you at your house so you could try my cooking. But Brother Dong said you've been cooped up indoors for a long time and wanted to get some fresh air.
Please sit down. It's a bit humble here. I should have gone to a bigger restaurant. After all, it's our first meeting, and I'm treating. This is too shabby." Fang Fang was indeed a skilled socialite, and every word she spoke seemed to be considerate of others. Her face was always adorned with a bright, warm, and sincere smile.
If Ye Huohuo hadn't seen her in her previous state, she would have truly believed her to be a model youth who showed great respect for the elderly.
The old lady was so flattered by Fang Fang's words that her mouth was almost shut. Although her legs were not nimble, and her legs were trembling as Chen Dong supported her, she still managed to sit down, one step at a time.
Ye Huohuo's gaze fell on the old lady's legs, and she saw a layer of black energy wrapped around them. What was this?
"Xiao Fang, don't be so polite. I've heard about you from Dong'er. You don't have much money, you just work at the supermarket downstairs. Why go to a big restaurant? It's a waste of money. It's not easy for young people to earn money. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Auntie." The old lady had a benevolent look.
Who would have thought she would be an evil mother-in-law who instigated her son to abuse his daughter-in-law to death?
"Yes, I told you my mom is the most understanding. As long as it's your intention, even a cup of warm water would make my mom happy!" Chen Dong displayed the image of a warm man at this moment. Although he wasn't particularly handsome, he was tall and kept himself neat and tidy, which was quite attractive to girls in terms of appearance.
Ye Huohuo finally understood why Du Lihua, a middle management employee of a company, would marry down to a man like Chen Dong. It seemed this Chen Dong was truly good at disguising himself, and his mother was the same, equally deceitful with honeyed words.
Seeing this, she couldn't help but feel angry. Such scum acted like good people in public. Without eliminating him, who knew how many good girls would fall for them.
Thinking of this, her hand tightened, and with a "crack!" she snapped a pair of chopsticks.
At this time, it wasn't a mealtime, and there were only two tables of people dining in the restaurant's lobby. Although she was sitting in a corner, the sound was quite loud in the quiet lobby.
This sound attracted the attention of Chen Dong, Fang Fang, and Old Mrs. Chen, all looking in her direction.
Ye Huohuo was holding her phone, pretending to be on a call while actually eavesdropping. She hadn't expected this sudden incident and felt a moment of panic when the three of them looked at her.
Chen Dong and Fang Fang were strangers to her, but Fang Fang had seen her just now. Although it was a fleeting glance, she might still remember her. Would it arouse her suspicion?
Ye Huohuo forced herself to remain calm and raised her voice, "I don't care what the reason is. You said you were coming, and I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Her shout attracted a waitress. "Miss, do you need anything else?"
The waitress was a girl of eighteen or nineteen. She looked like she hadn't been working for long and hadn't seen such a situation before. A delicate-looking girl could actually snap a chopstick with such force. For a moment, the girl didn't know what to do, her expression showing a hint of panic.
Ye Huohuo found herself in a difficult situation, and her expression became a bit unnatural. "N-nothing, it's just that my... my boyfriend said he would come to find me, and he hasn't come after I waited for so long. I'm so angry. These chopsticks of yours, I... How much are they? I'll pay."
The little waitress was a bit stunned. How much were these chopsticks?
"Oh, it's just a pair of chopsticks, not worth much. It's fine, no need to pay. As long as you're satisfied with your meal!" At this moment, the plump owner came out from the kitchen.
This was a small restaurant, and to save on labor costs, the owner was also the chef. He might have come out to see what was happening after hearing the noise from outside.
"This is my daughter. She just graduated from high school not long ago and will be going to college soon. She said she wanted to help me during this summer break. She's inexperienced, so please forgive us for any mistakes!"
"Boss, this is your daughter? She's grown so much, it's really fast. I still remember her doing her homework in the shop when she was little!" Old Mrs. Chen said with a benevolent smile. "This child has always been a good student! The only pity is that she's a girl. If she were a son, she could take care of you in your old age!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Huohuo recalled what she had done to have a grandson. A sudden, unprovoked anger surged within her. She replied indifferently, "What's wrong with a girl? Men and women have long been equal. Who says girls can't take care of their parents in their old age?
On the contrary, they say daughters are parents' little cotton-padded jackets, the most caring. Isn't that right, Boss!"
"Ah... Ah, haha, yes, yes. This shirt I'm wearing was bought for me by my daughter with her work-study earnings." The boss said proudly, undoing his outer chef's coat to reveal a dark blue shirt underneath.
Old Mrs. Chen glanced at it, then looked at Ye Huohuo. The previously benevolent expression on her face flickered with a hint of gloom. "Daughters will get married sooner or later, they're all money losers. It's best to have a son. No matter what, a daughter cannot inherit the family's lineage."
"Heh, what era is this, still talking about inheriting lineage? If you want a grandson, you have to see if you have the fate for it. As the saying goes, what is destined to be will be, and what is not, cannot be forced.
It's not that I'm saying this about you, old lady, but I see your forehead isn't full enough, and your jaw isn't wide enough. Having a son to send you off is already the limit of your destiny. Not only do you not have the fate for a grandson, but you've also ruined your own fate for a granddaughter." Influenced by the malevolent energy, Ye Huohuo suddenly felt a surge of wicked anger that she couldn't suppress. These words seemed to float out of her mouth without her conscious thought.
After saying it, she immediately regretted it. This was bad. She had intended to investigate secretly, but now she had angered both Chen Dong and his mother, making things more difficult later on.
"I was just a little late, and you're already angry, and you're picking fights with others. You're really going too far!" A deep, magnetic male voice echoed from the doorway.