Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 53
Chapter 53: The Restaurant
Nightmares weren't scary; what was scary was waking up and not finding Huo Yichi beside her.
Realizing this had unsettled Pei You.
She didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.
For the past few years, she hadn’t felt anything like this.
She hadn't wanted to start a new relationship, not after what had happened with Mo Ning, a relationship that had ended before it even began, their paths diverging in the most heartbreaking way possible.
It had left a deep scar, one that had taken her years to heal.
She couldn't deny that her feelings for Huo Yichi were… different, exciting, and new.
But because of her past, Pei You was afraid of losing Huo Yichi, too.
She hadn’t experienced much in her 24 years, so this realization filled her with a sense of panic.
But the panic dissipated the moment she saw Huo Yichi.
Mo Ning was Mo Ning, Huo Yichi was Huo Yichi; they were different.
"Thank you," Huo Yichi sniffed, her hand gently stroking the back of Pei You's head, "thank you for telling me.”
It was an important step forward.
Pei You didn't reply, just held Huo Yichi tighter.
Huo Yichi continued to gently stroke Pei You's hair, her touch soothing.
"Today was an exception," she said softly, "but from now on, if you want… I’ll be there when you wake up.”
Pei You chuckled. "I’m not that clingy. You have your own life, your own work; it’s fine.
"But you’re my priority.”
"I never said I wasn’t important," Pei You said, a hint of playfulness in her voice, "I know I’m important… to you.”
"What about me?" Huo Yichi asked. "Am I important to you?"
"You…" Pei You pulled away slightly, looking into Huo Yichi’s eyes, "you’re very, very important to me, too.”
"Good," Huo Yichi leaned in, kissing the corner of Pei You’s lips, "still sweet.”
There had been security cameras in the cinema last night, and their seats had been close to one. Pei You had kissed her on the cheek.
It had surprised her, but it had also made her incredibly happy.
She was hopelessly in love.
Just a kiss on the cheek had been enough to make her giddy all night.
Pei You chuckled. "Of course," she said, then hugged Huo Yichi again, sighing contentedly. "This is nice.”
But happy weekends were always too short; it was Monday again, time to go back to work.
Pei You's job was usually quite relaxed, but with the upcoming Spring Festival, the company was getting into the holiday spirit, which meant a little extra work for everyone.
After the morning meeting, Jin-jie assigned tasks.
Pei You and Ding Tang accepted their assignments and returned to their workstations.
After a while, Ding Tang came over with a cup of hot water. "Xiao You-jie, have some water.”
"Thank you," Pei You smiled politely, pointing to a cup on her desk, "I already have some.”
Ding Tang’s face flushed slightly. "Oh, I didn't see that. Is there… something you wanted to ask? Like, is that guy still bothering you?”
Pei You had almost forgotten about him.
Ding Tang placed the cup on Pei You's desk anyway. "Not really; I haven’t seen his car around these past few days," she said, shaking her head.
"Just be careful," Pei You said, turning back to her computer.
She wasn’t particularly outgoing; it was almost always Ding Tang who initiated conversations.
She wasn't sure what Ding Tang wanted to talk about, but there was no need to be rude.
"Xiao You-jie," Ding Tang leaned closer, lowering her voice, "to thank you… how about I treat you to dinner?”
"No, thanks; you don't have to. I didn’t do anything," Pei You said, waving her hand dismissively.
But Ding Tang insisted. "Xiao You-jie, you’ve helped me so much since I started working here. It’s the least I can do.”
Pei You sighed, a little exasperated. “Xiao Tang, I’m sorry, but my time is… precious.”
She’d hoped a slightly harsher tone would discourage Ding Tang.
Ding Tang had been overly friendly towards her, and she didn’t understand why.
Being colleagues was enough, wasn’t it? Why did they need to be friends?
But Ding Tang didn't seem offended, even smiling slightly. "Okay, I understand," she said.
Pei You breathed a sigh of relief as Ding Tang walked away.
But she'd underestimated Ding Tang's connections. That afternoon, Jin-jie announced that everyone was going to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
A pre-holiday gathering.
Jin-jie even specifically told Pei You that she had to come, no excuses.
Pei You couldn’t refuse.
She was planning to resign after the holidays anyway; having one last dinner with her colleagues wasn't a big deal.
So, she messaged Huo Yichi: 【I’m having dinner with my colleagues before going home.】
Huo Yichi: 【I’ll pick you up after.】
【Okay.】
After work, they headed to the restaurant.
With over a dozen people, they occupied a large, round table.
Pei You sat by the window, listening to her colleagues chat, not bothering with her phone.
Ding Tang sat beside her, chiming in occasionally with a sweet smile, trying to fit in with the older colleagues.
The food arrived, along with drinks.
Ding Tang poured herself a glass of red wine, then, as she was about to pour one for Pei You, Pei You stopped her. "I don’t drink.”
"Oh? Xiao You-jie, you don’t like alcohol?"
"I'm allergic," Pei You explained.
Ding Tang nodded. "Okay then," she smiled, "I, on the other hand, love drinking.”
"Can you hold your liquor?” Pei You asked.
"I think so," Ding Tang replied.
Pei You wasn't in the mood for small talk. She took out her phone; Huo Yichi had messaged her: 【I haven’t had dinner yet either. I’ll come join you.】
About twenty minutes later, Pei You saw Huo Yichi at the entrance.
A waiter approached Huo Yichi, and Pei You saw Huo Yichi hold up one finger, indicating she was dining alone.
After answering the waiter’s questions, Huo Yichi's eyes met Pei You’s across the room.
They exchanged smiles.
Huo Yichi was led to a table by the window, within Pei You's line of sight. Just a few meters away, Huo Yichi held up her phone.
Pei You received a message: 【What a coincidence!】
It wasn't a coincidence, of course; Huo Yichi had come here specifically because Pei You was here. Pei You had given her the address.
But Huo Yichi's playful message still amused Pei You.
She found it endearing.
Just then, Ding Tang, using serving chopsticks, picked up some food and offered it to Pei You. "Xiao You-jie, do you want some of this?”
"Thank you, but I can help myself," Pei You said, frowning slightly, then added, "I don't like people picking food for me.”
"I'm sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it; I just saw you were on your phone and thought you might be too distracted to eat," Ding Tang said, putting the food in her own bowl.
Pei You was getting annoyed now.
She didn't understand what Ding Tang was doing, but she didn't like it.
It was too much.
The restaurant was bustling, the sounds of laughter and conversation washing over Pei You, making her head spin.
She frowned, finally asking, "Ding Tang, why are you being so… attentive towards me?”
Ding Tang blinked innocently. "Does there need to be a reason?" she asked, then added with a smile, "It's because I like you, Xiao You-jie!”
Comments
Post a Comment