In the grand lobby of Yunshui Restaurant.
Just as Yu Tingwan had steadied her steps, a voice she recognized all too well, dripping with sarcasm, rang out behind her: "Aren't you the one who said you wouldn't come? Yet here you are."
Yu Mingyu, with an air of elegance, carried the latest edition of a Chanel handbag on her arm, striding forward like a proud swan to stand before Yu Tingwan.
Her eyes, filled with mockery and disdain, took in Yu Tingwan's unbranded casual attire.
"Still can't bear to part with the glory of the Yu and He families?"
Yu Mingyu smirked triumphantly, her mind cruelly replaying the thought of where Yu Tingwan might have slept last night—perhaps under some bridge?
Yu Tingwan glanced at her once before withdrawing her gaze coldly. Her phone buzzed with a new message: "2nd floor, private room 206."
It was the reservation made by the young master of the He family.
As she stepped forward to enter, Yu Mingyu blocked her path again: "Sister, being new to Yunjing, you must not know the rules here. Yunshui Restaurant isn't just open to anyone and everyone."
"It's a members-only establishment. Without a membership card, you won't get in," Yu Mingyu said, waving the silver card in her hand with a smug smile.
Although Yunshui Restaurant was newly opened, its boss seemed quite influential. Membership cards were issued in limited quantities, and even the Yu family had struggled to secure the lowest tier silver card, which only allowed access to the lobby for dining.
But that was still better than someone like Yu Tingwan, who couldn't even step into the lobby without a card!
Yu Tingwan let out a derisive laugh, ignoring her, and walked straight past Yu Mingyu towards the reception desk.
Yu Mingyu's triumphant smile vanished instantly. She glared coldly at Yu Tingwan's retreating back, crossing her arms and sneering. Some people just don't learn until they hit a wall. She was eager to see Yu Tingwan being escorted out by security for lacking the right to enter Yunshui Restaurant.
Let's see if she still dares to be arrogant in front of me. Just a country bumpkin, yet she dares to ignore me and act superior?
She would tear off Yu Tingwan's mask of false nobility!
However, the scene Yu Mingyu envisioned—Yu Tingwan being stopped and thrown out of Yunshui Restaurant—did not unfold.
Yu Tingwan merely exchanged a few words with the receptionist and was courteously invited inside.
Yu Mingyu's eyes widened in shock, her fists clenching tightly.
That bumpkin... how did she manage to get in?!
Yu Mingyu felt a lump in her throat. When she had flaunted her silver card earlier, Yu Tingwan's derisive laugh now seemed to mock her entirely.
No, wait!
Just as Yu Mingyu was about to explode with anger, she suddenly remembered that today's meeting was arranged by He Mingxuan for Yu Tingwan. She definitely wasn't getting into Yunshui Restaurant on her own merits but because of He Mingxuan!
Ha.
Claiming to disdain the young master of the He family, yet here she was, eagerly attaching herself to him and using his status to gain entry to a place she could never dream of entering.
Thinking this way, Yu Mingyu haughtily raised her head, her fingers holding the silver card as she strolled into the restaurant, casting a disdainful glance at Yu Tingwan: 'Sister, what you borrow will always belong to someone else, and it will eventually return to its true form.'
Yu Tingwan's brows slightly furrowed.
Yu Mingyu was truly both foolish and noisy!
Just as Yu Tingwan was about to say something, a warm and pleasant male voice suddenly came from behind her: 'So you must be Wanwan, right?'
Hearing an unfamiliar man calling her name so familiarly, Yu Tingwan's brows instantly knitted together. She turned to see a handsome young man walking towards her.
Dressed in a pristine white suit, from head to toe, even his hair was meticulously groomed. He held a large bouquet of red roses in his arms, his handsome face adorned with a warm smile. With the grace of a gentleman, he approached Yu Tingwan and extended the bouquet towards her: 'Pleased to meet you, I am He Mingxuan.'
Yu Tingwan stared at him for two seconds before confirming that the man before her was indeed the heir of the He family she had been searching for.
What a coincidence.
He was also the He family's young master, He Mingxuan, who was betrothed to her.
Yu Tingwan glanced at the vibrant red roses.
As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face, especially since she needed something from the He family. Thus, she accepted He Mingxuan's flowers without hesitation: 'Hello, I am Yu Tingwan.'
Seeing Yu Tingwan accept the flowers, the derision in Yu Mingyu's eyes grew heavier, and she sneered sarcastically: 'Sister, weren't you reluctant when Father asked you to meet Young Master He yesterday?'
With a scornful laugh, she added: 'Well, given how outstanding Young Master He is, it's only natural for girls to fall for him at first sight. I suppose you're among them, aren't you?'
By the end, her laughter was laced with more mockery.
Yu Tingwan shot Yu Mingyu a glance and let out a mysterious chuckle: 'And you?'
Her gaze locked onto Yu Mingyu, her tone light: 'The one previously betrothed to Young Master He was you. Seeing such a wonderful fiancé being taken away, you seem rather pleased, don't you?'
'Does that mean... you have no feelings whatsoever for Young Master He?'
Yu Tingwan's question was straightforward and unapologetic.
Yu Mingyu's expression changed instantly, and He Mingxuan's warm smile turned stiff, even a bit awkward.
'I, I...'
A mix of confusion and sorrow appeared on Yu Mingyu's face. Lowering her head, she looked pitifully sad: 'But, it's actually you who is truly betrothed to Young Master He. How could a younger sister snatch away your marriage?'
Seeing her pitiful look, with tears brimming in her eyes, seemingly ready to fall, He Mingxuan's tone unconsciously became urgent, instinctively reaching out to take Yu Mingyu's hand: 'Mingyu, this isn't your fault...'
On the side, Yu Tingwan's lips curled into a mocking smile.
She was acutely aware of others' gazes.
It was clear to her that when He Mingxuan walked over, his eyes initially lingered on Yu Mingyu before finally turning to her.
While he appeared courteous and refined, his true thoughts were entirely focused on Yu Mingyu.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken those words in front of Yu Mingyu.
She aimed to tear off Yu Mingyu's mask of hypocrisy.
Yu Mingyu was startled by He Mingxuan's sudden gesture to hold hands.
She took a quick step back, evading He Mingxuan's hand. He Mingxuan missed his grasp, his face darkening immediately.
He looked at Yu Mingyu, his eyes filled with hurt.
Yu Mingyu forced a smile, somewhat awkwardly saying, 'Mr. He, you are now engaged to my sister.It would be best for us to keep some distance.'
Just as He Mingxuan was about to say something, a cold yet slightly flippant voice suddenly rang out.
'Quite lively.'