Chapter 168 (1/2)

Chapter 168: Angst

Rong'er spoke in an anguished tone with her eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears, which won her the pity of the onlookers. The diners were mostly men trained in martial arts, who were protective of women. They took her side without knowing what the situation was.

”If there's no room at the table for the lady,” said a tall man who seemed well-trained, ”You can come sit at my side.” His voice was hoa.r.s.e. The floor seemed to vibrate along with his voice.

Jun Huang looked up at the man, then at Rong'er. ”Why doesn't Rong'er take the offer?” she said with a smile. ”Can it be that you can't stomach eating at that man's side?”

It was against Jun Huang's nature to be catty, but Rong'er had shown her no respect. She was pleased that Nan Xun had turned Rong'er down without hesitation. Jun Huang was unwilling to let Rong'er share their table either.

Rong'er's face paled and she threw Jun Huang a glare. As a member of a prestigious sect, she did know something about keeping up a front. She sucked in a breath through clenched teeth and stared at Nan Xun. ”Is the gentleman truly going to push me away?”

”You can't be serious,” said Nan Xun. ”This gentleman has never been close to you. What do you mean by pus.h.i.+ng you away?”

Nan Xun might be quiet and stoic normally, but it didn't mean that he was incapable of shooting someone down. Occasionally he was even able to render others speechless.

The clerk standing behind Rong'er couldn't help but chuckle. In the noisy dining hall, his laugh should have been drowned out by the background noises, but Rong'er heard him. She shot a glare at the clerk. The clerk awkwardly smiled at her. ”Where is the lady going to sit?”

Rong'er turned to Nan Xun. His avoidance was a clear indication that he didn't want to share the meal with her. No matter how upset Rong'er was, there was nothing else she could say. She pointed at a table next to her.

The dishes were served. Rong'er sat down and found her eyes drawn to Nan Xun again. Nan Xun was oblivious to her gaze. He turned to Jun Huang and exchanged a smile with her as they chatted. Their closeness filled Rong'er's heart with jealousy.

Jun Huang ate quietly. A grain of rice found its way to the corner of her mouth. Nan Xun muttered something to Jun Huang and wiped it away with a handkerchief. Jun Huang blushed.

Her delicate features looked even more captivating with her cheeks red.

Nan Xun stared dumbly at her with a smile, his eyes as tender as a gentle stream. Jun Huang looked away shyly.

Rong'er witnessed everything. She had been showered with affection and praises throughout her life. How could she take seeing the man she loved acting so intimate with another man? The emotions in Nan Xun's eyes were painful for her to see. She couldn't help thinking back to how cold Nan Xun had been when he saw her.

Rong'er couldn't take it anymore. She shot to her feet, knocking into the table and causing the congee to spill from the ceramic bowl. Her chopsticks fell to the floor. People in the dining hall turned to her, wondering what had happened.

”The gentleman sure doesn't seem like a man,” Rong'er said, her finger pointing at Jun Huang. It didn't take a genius to see who she was talking about.

Jun Huang looked at Rong'er. What was this woman on again? ”What do you mean?”

”A few days ago, we knocked into each other on the street. I, a woman, was able to stay on my feet, while you, a man, fell to the ground. Many people could serve as my witness.” Rong'er had forgotten what manners even meant. The only thought in her mind was how she could insult Jun Huang for occupying Nan Xun. Her words were harsh and difficult to take. ”And at the tournament you were hurt by a woman! How can a man be so weak? Can it be that you're afflicted with diseases one must not mention in polite company?”

Jun Huang narrowed her eyes and smiled. ”You're being unreasonable again. If this gentleman is suffering from such…diseases, why would I tell you I'm sick?”

”You're a shameless and pretentious man! Useless! Why must you drag people around you down?!”

”You've crossed a line.” Nan Xun's head snapped up. He leveled Rong'er with a terrifyingly cold gaze that belonged to a predator.

Startled, Rong'er staggered back, her eyes becoming misty. She was on the brink of crying, but she didn't let the tears fall. She would not let Jun Huang think she had won. She would not let Jun Huang get what she wanted.

She put aside her feelings and stared Jun Huang down. Her chest was filled with anger when she saw how unaffected Jun Huang was. Throwing caution out of the window, she said to Nan Xun, ”Don't you see that this man desires you? He's into men! He's disgusting! Don't you see that?! You may not know what he is thinking, but Rong'er does. Someone like him should be banished to h.e.l.l and forbidden from reincarnating! He is dispicable and he has been pretending to be weak to draw your attention! Are you really going to risk your reputation for him?”

Jun Huang got to her feet and walked away. Nan Xun was going to give chase, but Rong'er blocked him.