Chapter Fourteen

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone turned to look at the newcomer.

She had a graceful figure and wore a white dress, resembling a fairy straight out of a television drama.

Everyone was baffled, trying in vain to recall who she might be.

Only Luo Fancheng kept his head lowered in silence, for he alone knew that she was the woman he had encountered at the hospital long ago—Ouyang Feng’s wife, Ye Xiaoli.

“So, have you forgotten me already?” Ye Xiaoli walked up to Luo Fancheng and spoke with a playful tone.

Luo Fancheng forced a smile. “How could I?”

The nearby waitress immediately became respectful. “Boss, are these your friends?”

Ye Xiaoli’s expression turned serious.

“If you say they’re my friends, then how did you treat them just now?”

The waitress hastily apologized, bowing repeatedly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Boss. I didn’t know they were your friends.”

Inwardly, the waitress was filled with confusion. She knew very well her boss’s status and had never seen her associate with such impoverished people.

“Go on, and hurry up with the signature dishes,” Ye Xiaoli instructed the waitress, then turned to Luo Fancheng and the others. “Tonight’s meal is on me, as promised. Please, don’t stand on ceremony—enjoy yourselves.”

She then headed toward a nearby pavilion, pausing as she passed Luo Fancheng to whisper with a smile, “That massage last time was wonderful. I’d like to experience it again.”

Though her words were soft, they were clear enough for everyone to hear.

The moment Ye Xiaoli left, everyone glared furiously at Luo Fancheng.

Bang!

Wu Mei slapped the table in anger.

“So, Luo, I thought you’d changed, but it turns out you have another woman outside!”

“You, a good-for-nothing son-in-law, dare to keep another woman? I’ll make sure you regret it today!” Chen Kangjian added, equally enraged.

Luo Fancheng was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t anticipated that Ye Xiaoli would choose such a way to get back at him.

“Listen to me,” Luo Fancheng tried to explain.

“What’s there to say?” Wu Mei interrupted. “She even treated you to such an expensive meal—what more proof do we need?”

“You clearly despise Xingxing for her disability, don’t you? Now you’re mooching off someone else. I bet the owner’s already keeping you as her plaything.”

“Useless wretch, you really are something. What has our Chen family ever done to you, that you’d go after another woman? You’re nothing but a heartless dog,” Chen Kangjian cursed.

“It’s not what you think! I only saved her life once,” Luo Fancheng tried to explain.

“Oh, you saved her life? And you know medicine too? Keep bragging. If someone as useless as you could practice medicine, I, Wu Mei, would be a goddess from the heavens.”

“You, just a security guard, knowing medicine? That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. If you’re going to lie, at least come up with something believable.”

Then Chen Kangjian shot a glance at Chen Xingxin. “Let’s go. We’re divorcing him when we get home—this kind of man doesn’t deserve to stay in our family.”

“He already has a wife at home and still chases after other women. He’s truly worthless.”

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind Chen Kangjian, “Well, Chen, you’re as handsome as ever.”

Instantly, everyone fell silent and turned to the newcomer.

She was a woman of about forty, with a decent figure and fairly tall. Apart from the age spots on her face, her features were still well-proportioned.

Chen Kangjian tensed up, but after glancing at Wu Mei’s face, he forced a smile and replied, “Long time no see, Xiaofang.”

“Yes, ever since we parted at the foot massage parlor, I haven’t seen you. And now, what a coincidence to meet you here,” Xiaofang sighed.

Wu Mei’s face darkened completely.

Xiaofang casually looked around and finally set her gaze on Wu Mei. “This must be your wife? Why is she so fat, like a big meatball?”

Chen Kangjian hadn’t expected Xiaofang to be so blunt, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

“So what if I’m fat? Am I eating your food?” Wu Mei retorted, annoyed.

Xiaofang pretended not to hear and turned her attention back to Chen Kangjian.

“Chen, didn’t you promise you’d divorce this big meatball? Why haven’t you done it yet?”

“Uh…” Chen Kangjian was tongue-tied, unsure how to respond. Remembering how he’d just berated Luo Fancheng, and seeing Wu Mei’s thunderous face, he seemed to foresee his own impending doom.

Just then, the waitress began serving the dishes.

Xiaofang beamed at Chen Kangjian. “Well then, Chen, enjoy your meal. I won’t intrude. Don’t forget our agreement.”

“Uh…” Chen Kangjian was stunned and visibly nervous.

The moment Xiaofang left, Wu Mei picked up a porcelain bottle from the table and smashed it on the floor.

“Chen, you truly surprised me! Keeping a mistress behind my back!”

Chen Kangjian was left speechless. Everything Xiaofang had said was true, but he hadn’t expected it to be revealed like this.

Glancing around, he saw Chen Xingxin still in her wheelchair, eyes rimmed with tears as she looked at Luo Fancheng.

Luo Fancheng’s mind raced through memories of the past two years. It seemed he had already forgotten the rules of the Hall of Immortal Healers and had come to care for the woman before him.

“Chen, you want a divorce, don’t you? Well, I won’t grant it—I won’t let you and that vixen get what you want.”

“Don’t you know our family’s situation? Yet you’re spending money on a mistress? Marrying you is the worst luck I’ve had in eight lifetimes.”

…

Luo Fancheng said quietly, “Do you trust me?”

Chen Xingxin shook her head.

“How am I supposed to trust you?”

There was a moment of silence before Chen Xingxin suddenly spoke. “Maybe we should get a divorce.”

Luo Fancheng didn’t reply. Chen Xingxin continued, “I’m disabled. I know you look down on me. Let’s divorce. It’ll be a relief for both of us.”

“Chen Xingxin, what nonsense are you spouting? When have I ever looked down on you? I’ve endured so much in your family and never left you, and now you want me to go?”

Startled, Chen Xingxin said nothing. Luo Fancheng continued, “If I’d wanted to leave, I’d have done so long ago—why wait until now? Are you stupid? You’re the ‘fattest’ in my heart.”

At this, Chen Xingxin’s face brightened. She feigned anger and said, “Luo Fancheng, you’re the one who’s the fattest.”

…

Wu Mei and Chen Kangjian quarreled and left Taoyuan Restaurant first, leaving the rare gift of quiet time for Luo Fancheng and Chen Xingxin.

The two, like a couple, finished their meal. Afterward, Luo Fancheng said to Chen Xingxin, “Let me take you somewhere.”

Chen Xingxin nodded, and Luo Fancheng pushed her wheelchair out of Taoyuan Restaurant.

Above in a pavilion, Ye Xiaoli watched it all unfold, grinding her teeth in frustration.