Lu Xinyi let out a sigh of relief once everything was settled. Once the items were paid, the store clerks had helped them put at the back of the car.
“Xinxin, you really don’t have to pay for all of it. Why don’t we split the bill? I don’t mind paying.”
“I know you can pay it,” Lu Xinyi wrapped an arm around Xiao Lan’s waist to give her a hug. Since she met Xiao Lan, she had done nothing but to help her. “Consider it as one of our many gifts for you and your baby. I’m pretty sure Shen Yi wouldn’t mind it.”
The impolite and rude women were banned and kicked out from the store by Xia Yuhan. Her eyes glued to Lu Xinyi and Xiao Lan as they pay for their purchases. She got a confused look on her face as if hesitating if she should step forward and approach them.
Once the sale was completed by the manager, Xia Yuhan strode and called out to get Lu Xinyi’s attention.
“Miss Lu.”
“Is there something you want, Miss Xia?” Lu Xinyi asked, taking the shopping bags from Xiao Lan’s hands.
“I.. Can we talk? I want to apologize for what happened before.”
—
The scent of the fresh baked goods permeated into the air, making Lu Xinyi’s stomach react in hunger. Xiao Lan sat beside her enjoying her cup of tea and the leaned forward to rest her chin on her hands while watching the scenery outside with interest. The sun had gone to sleep and the sky was already painted with beautiful blackberry color tinged with lilacs and blues.
“Well?” Lu Xinyi broke the deafening silence between her and Xia Yuhan.
“As I said, I want to apologize. I heard from my grandfather the real reason why Shen Yi refused the marriage proposal.” Xia Yuhan looked at anything but Lu Xinyi.
Lu Xinyi’s lips curved into a smile. Xia Yuhan may give an impression of a spoiled princess but she could see that this woman wasn’t really that bad, considering that she defended Lu Xinyi’s from the gossip mongers on her shop. She got an att.i.tude of a tsundere.
“It’s alright. It wasn’t really a secret. Shen Yi and I just decided to keep our relations.h.i.+p private.” she replied.
Oh the shame, Xia Yuhan ran her hands on her face. If she had known earlier that Shen Yi was already married she wouldn’t have tried to force herself to him. She was even rude to his wife when she met her in the charity gala.
Her gaze s.h.i.+fted from Lu Xinyi to the guy who just stepped inside the cafe. Xia Yuhan sauntered towards him and greeted him with a big smile. Lu Xinyi and Xiao Lan shared a knowing look.
“Someone is in love.” Xiao Lan commented while Lu Xinyi nodded in agreement.
“Me likey but don’t you think she is being sister zoned?” Lu Xinyi tilted her head in one side, watching Xia Yuhan blushed under the gaze of the man she was talking to.
Xiao Lan rubbed her chin in thought. Indeed, Xia Yuhan was being sister zoned. It was obvious though that she liked the guy.
“Life is hard when you’re an ugly girl that likes a cool guy.”
“Xiao Lan!” Lu Xinyi suddenly hit her friend’s arm. She pursed her lips together and gave a thinking look.
“What? What did I do? Didn’t she try to take Shen Yi away from you?” Xiao Lan felt wronged. She was just stating a truth. A hard truth.
“That’s on the past, she already apologized and she isn’t ugly. What are you talking about?” Lu Xinyi brushed away a lock of her dark hair that had come out from her ponytail.
When Xia Yuhan went back to their table, the cheerfulness on her face disappeared and was replaced with a worried one.
“What’s wrong? A problem on your Lalaland?’ Xiao Lan took a bite from her donut before pa.s.sing the waffles to Lu Xinyi.
Xia Yuhan blinked, not understanding what Xiao Lan meant.
“Don’t tell me he is getting married to someone.” Xiao Lan joked and snickered but the sudden change on Xia Yuhan’s face like she was about to cry made her stop. “Oh, s.h.i.+t.”
“What? Why?” Lu Xinyi’s moved from Xiao Lan and Xia Yuhan, confused on what they were talking about.
Xia Yuhan lowered her head and sniffled woefully.
“He said that he will help me find a husband and then he will focus on his upcoming marriage.”
Lu Xinyi looked stunned for a moment and then understanding the Xia Yuhan’s situation.
“Why are you looking for a husband?” What was so important that Xia Yuhan had been trying to get a husband that she even tried to get Shen Yi’s attention but failed.
“Something about getting my inheritance.” Xia Yuhan replied dejectedly. “My family is forcing me to marry to uplift the status of the family within the social circle,” she muttered.
A thought crossed on Xia Yuhan’s mind, she abruptly got up and took Lu Lu Xinyi’s hand. Lu Xinyi didn’t like the look Xia Yuhan was giving her. She could sense trouble.
“Please, Miss Lu. can you help me? You have to help me. He’s making a mistake. I don’t wanna get married anymore if he will become someone’s husband.”
Xiao Lan shook her head vehemently. “Oh no, dear. We aren’t going involved in this. If he has made a choice you better respect that. You are on your own.”