Gu Fat scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Well, since we're already here, let's go sit over there and take a break."
Yang Mo smiled and nodded. "Alright, since we're already here, let's take a break."
Jenia nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Gu Fat shot Yang Mo a grateful look, to which Yang Mo responded with an understanding smile. The group made their way into the tea house, choosing a quiet corner by the window to sit down.
"What do you guys want to drink? I'll go place the order," Gu Fat offered.
Since Gu Fat had already stepped up, Yang Mo felt it would be rude to refuse. "Alright, thanks for that. I'll have a vanilla coffee."
"I'll take a cappuccino, extra sugar," Jenia said.
"I'll have another loaf of bread and two tarts!" Gu Fat added excitedly.
Jenia shot him a glare. "That's it. You've had enough already."
Gu Fat laughed sheepishly. "Alright, alright. What about you, Lingyin Luo? What do you want?"
"I don't drink coffee. Just a cup of hot water, please." Lingyin Luo's voice was soft. She rarely drank beverages outside, and anything with caffeine wasn't really suitable for her.
"Got it. I'll go place the order. You guys sit tight." Yang Mo noted their orders and walked towards the counter.
A Familiar Face in the Crowd
In another corner of the tea house, a group of young men sat together. Their outfits screamed wealth—designer suits, luxury watches, and even car keys dangling ostentatiously from their waists. One man, wearing a gold watch on each wrist, leaned over to the leader of the group and whispered, "Hey, Wang Leqiang, isn't that your sister sitting over there?"
Wang Leqiang's eyes narrowed as he followed his friend's gaze. Sure enough, Lingyin Luo was there.
He had known her since childhood—their fathers were business partners. But as Lingyin Luo's family's business declined, his father had shifted his loyalties to the more powerful Lin family. Their family now thrived under the Lin family's influence.
Originally, Wang Leqiang had planned to wait until Lingyin Luo graduated before proposing an engagement to her father. With their family in financial ruin, he figured they wouldn't refuse. After all, he had always seen Lingyin Luo as his ideal partner, the "white moonlight" in his heart.
But now, seeing her out with another man, something inside him twisted.
"Boss, want us to go over and take care of this?" one of his friends asked.
Wang Leqiang smirked. "No need. I'll go say hello myself." He straightened his expensive suit and adjusted his expression into one of warmth before walking toward Lingyin Luo's table.
An Awkward Encounter
"Sister Luo! What a coincidence! I never expected to run into you here. It's been a long time—how have you been?" Wang Leqiang greeted with a practiced smile.
Lingyin Luo's face showed a hint of surprise. "Brother Leqiang? I thought you were abroad."
Hearing this, Wang Leqiang felt a small swell of satisfaction. So she still cared about his whereabouts.
"Yeah, I went overseas for business negotiations. I was actually planning to visit your house tomorrow. Didn't expect to see you here first. I guess fate really works in mysterious ways." He chuckled before sliding into the empty seat beside her.
"Oh? How did the business negotiations go?" Lingyin Luo asked politely.
"Pretty well. We closed a deal with a major international client. This batch of orders alone will bring in over a billion in profit." Wang Leqiang spoke nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal. "I've learned a lot overseas, and I'm planning to start my own company soon. Gotta build something from the ground up, just like my father did."
Lingyin Luo forced a small smile. "I see. Well, I wish you success."
Despite their childhood friendship, she couldn't shake the discomfort she felt around him now. Something had changed between them over the years.
At that moment, Yang Mo returned, carrying drinks and food. He raised an eyebrow at Wang Leqiang before speaking in a calm yet firm tone. "You're sitting in my seat."
Wang Leqiang finally turned his attention to Yang Mo, giving him an appraising look. Dressed in simple, casual clothes, Yang Mo didn't look like much in his eyes. Wang Leqiang scoffed internally.
"Sister Luo, is this your friend?" His tone held a hint of disdain.
"He's my classmate," Lingyin Luo responded flatly. "We're out enjoying the day together. Can you let him have his seat? If you want to sit, you can pull up another chair."
Wang Leqiang hesitated before reluctantly standing up, but not before shooting Yang Mo a glare.
Yang Mo, unfazed, sat down and placed the drinks on the table. Gu Fat immediately grabbed his drink and gulped it down. "Ahh, that hits the spot!"
Jenia, watching from the side, rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, you're still hungry?"