Miao Jing stopped by the electronics counter and bought a decently priced headset for Lu Zhengsi. When it was time to pay, she glanced at Chen Yi, hesitantly and slowly sliding the receipt under his nose. Chen Yi’s expression instantly darkened, his face taut as a sharp, menacing glare swept over. Finally, with a grit of his teeth, he snatched the receipt and stormed to the cashier, viciously pulling out his own card.
Feeling refreshed after the shopping spree, they settled for a quick meal as it was getting late. Miao Jing pointed casually at a tea restaurant in the mall atrium, and she and Chen Yi each ordered a lunch set.
Music played in the mall, and people bustled outside, but the two of them spoke little. Chen Yi chewed his food heartily—hardly the refined manners of a gentleman, but rather an unrestrained, bold style. Miao Jing pushed the leftovers from her set onto his plate.
Seemingly sensing a gaze from afar, Chen Yi turned his head to see a woman with a seductive figure striding toward them in high heels—none other than Tu Li.
Miao Jing followed his gaze and spotted Tu Li, their eyes equally calm and composed.
Tu Li dialed a number as she walked, and upon connecting, said, "Did you see the photo? If you still don’t believe it now, you’re a fool. Should I let Miao Jing speak to you?"
Her manicured hand extended toward Miao Jing, the screen displaying Lu Zhengsi’s name and the ongoing call timer.
"Lu Zhengsi’s on the line," Tu Li said coldly, her expression sharp as she stood before Miao Jing, sneering, "Go on, talk to him if you dare."
"Tu Li!!" Chen Yi frowned deeply, his face impatient, his voice rough. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Just revealing the truth," Tu Li tossed her hair. "What a coincidence—I’ve been following you two. So absorbed, huh? Only noticing me now?"
"Are you looking for trouble?"
"At least try not to be so hypocritical. Acting all innocent and pure on the surface, treating others like true friends, but what’s with the sneaky behavior behind the scenes? I can’t swallow this, so I came over to say hello. What’s the big deal?"
"Quite generous, buying such expensive clothes?" Tu Li’s eyes fell on the high-end shopping bag nearby, her lips curling sarcastically. "Why not buy me something this nice? Not willing to spend that kind of money on me?"
Miao Jing watched the two of them quietly, noticing Tu Li’s phone call being abruptly ended by Lu Zhengsi.
Chapter 33: Chen Yi’s Phone Was Simply Unreachable
"On a date for a meal? Why not all eat together?" Tu Li pulled out a chair and sat down uninvited. "The three of us really should have a meal together."
Miao Jing silently set down her chopsticks.
The bizarre scene and tense atmosphere, coupled with Tu Li’s sharp voice, drew frequent glances from nearby diners—two beauties and one handsome man, too eye-catching, looking every bit like a cheating scandal unfolding.
Miao Jing lowered her eyelids, dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin, and cut off their conversation, handing Chen Yi the set of clothes. "You two chat slowly. I’m leaving first. Consider the dress your compensation—we’re even now. You can settle the meal yourself."
She picked up her shopping bags, her gaze sweeping over Tu Li with undisturbed calm, and walked away with a graceful sway.Watching her walk away, Chen Yi turned his face back, his expression shedding its usual lazy arrogance. His sharp features tightened like honed blades, his eyes revealing a depth of malice and darkness Tu Li had never seen before, exuding a sudden murderous aura: "Tu Li, do you really think I have a good temper? That I was raised on vegetarian diets?"
He had always seemed like a troublemaker, with a somewhat proud temper, but he was actually manageable if handled properly. Seeing this expression directed at her, Tu Li felt both aggrieved and jealous.
"I did nothing wrong!" Her throat tightened, eyes slightly reddening. "I've done nothing wrong at all. You kept it from me for months, and I genuinely considered Miao Jing a friend. She even called you brother and me sister-in-law. How do you expect me to feel about this?"
"Stay away from her. If you're angry, take it out on me."
He frowned deeply: "I thought I made it fucking clear. Being with you was just because I couldn't be bothered to find someone else. Not buying a house or moving? Because I never planned to live with anyone. The money I spent on you each month was enough to cover your schemes. When you didn't want to dance after leaving the bar, I found you a stable job. You have a son you're raising as a younger brother but never dared to mention it—you knew all along there was no future with me. Is it too much for me to break up with you?"
Tu Li's face turned deathly pale: "You... how did you know..."
"You really thought I was an idiot? I know exactly what I'm doing." His eyes darkened intensely. "I don't spend money on your family, I don't want to raise someone else's kid—didn't you notice? Your whole family has everything they need; there's no need to rely on a man. Haven't I done enough?"
"As for Miao Jing, I've known her for over a decade. I've liked her since we were kids, had a crush on her. She's a top student who looks down on me, fine. But this time she came back, I didn't mess around with her right under your nose—that's already enough! I didn't owe you anything when we broke up. If you dare stir trouble with Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi again, with your veiled insults, if there's a next time, you're fucking asking for death!"
Tu Li gritted her teeth in silence. She watched as he overturned a glass of lemonade on the edge of the table, the liquid trickling down. Before she could react, his fingers lightly squeezed the glass, shattering it instantly. Shards flew toward her, making Tu Li shriek and scramble away in panic.
Chen Yi grinned coldly, his smile brutal and unrestrained: "What do you think will shatter next?"
He waved to pay the bill, strode out, and made a few calls, informing Bo Zai and the others that Tu Li was cut out of his social circle—along with losing her job.
—
Miao Jing walked into the company wearing the new dress she had bought from the mall for seventeen thousand. Colleagues glanced at her, complimenting her on the beautiful outfit. Miao Jing smiled and thanked them before returning to her desk. Piles of work documents from the past two days awaited her. She buried herself in handling them one by one until the end of the workday. The office was empty, and Lu Zhengsi was nowhere to be seen. After a while, he returned hesitantly, placing a file on her desk.
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