Chapter 169 Storage Room Intimacy (1/2)
Young Master Shen's plan was to swap seats with Xin Qing to allow Ying Qingcang a view of her. But the customer seated at the table between them suddenly up and left, and Tang Shuang was sitting at an angle which granted her a full view of Xin Qing.
”You brought her here?” Tang Shuang said, glaring at Young Master Shen. Young Master Shen chuckled. ”Oh, yeah!”
Tang Shuang turned around to look at Ying Qingcang, and in a split second, Ying Qingcang suppressed all the yearning and longing from his eyes in favor of a bland expression. ”Ah, what a coincidence,” Ying Qingcang said. ”So that was why you left early? To come to see her?”
”Today's Mimi's birthday!” Young Master Shen yanked Zhang Mi into his arms with a straight face. Before Zhang Mi could voice out her protest, Young Master Shen whispered into her ear, ”The latest products by Hermes. Limited edition. All yours.”
Zhang Mi schooled her features and then leaned into his arms. ”It's your fault for picking this shitty place. Now look, we've run into those adulterers,” she grumbled shyly.
All of a sudden, goosebumps formed all over Young Master Shen's skin. ”Haha! Haha!” he released a couple of fake laughs. ”Let's pick another place. Where would you like to go?”
Throughout the entire exchange, Tang Shuang's attention was focused on Xin Qing, appraising her. At the sight of Xin Qing sitting there quietly, Tang Shuang smiled. ”Well, since this is a chance meeting, why don't we all share a table! What do you think, Ah Cang?”
Ying Qingcang noticed the slight tremors which shook Xin Qing's body and was instantly hit by a surge of regret. But Tang Shuang was already seated at the table and was gesturing for the staff to serve up the dishes. Zhang Mi shot a glare at Young Master Shen, who shook his head and dragged Zhang Mi to sit down. In doing so, he had deliberately separated Xin Qing from Tang Shuang.
”Xin Qing, how are you lately? Also, aren't you going to at least thank me? I'm the one who made your painkillers after all.”
Tang Shuang looked at Xin Qing smugly. ”That's right. It feels terrible to see me together with Ying Qingcang, doesn't it? Haha! I'll never tell you the truth. You'll never know that you've once lost your memories. You'll never know that I was the one who healed you. And the price you have to pay is that the man you love is now mine!”
”Thanks!” Xin Qing said, raising her head. Tang Shuang batted her eyelashes. ”How about it? I'm prettier than you, aren't I?” Tang Shuang thought. In Tang Shuang's mind, Xin Qing did not remember her at all, so this was supposed to be their first meeting with each other.
Xin Qing smirked. ”Miss Tang, you seem like the happy-go-lucky type, just that you're a bit overconfident.”
”What's that supposed to mean?”
”It means I don't think that you're prettier than me.” Xin Qing gave a tiny smile. ”Hear, hear!” Zhang Mi said, raising her glass.
Xin Qing and Young Master Shen played along and clinked their glasses with Zhang Mi's. A change went across Tang Shuang's face. After that, she leaned her body closer to Ying Qingcang and pushed her steak towards him, no doubt to make a show of intimacy. ”Ah Chang, will you cut it for me?”
Young Master Shen gave Ying Qingcang a nervous look. Xin Qing set down her glass suddenly and then stood up. ”Excuse me. I need the bathroom.”
Feeling smug, Tang Shuang stared after Xin Qing, her eyes gleaming brightly. ”I'm going to the bathroom too.”
Little did Zhang Mi know that underneath the table, Ying Qingcang's hands were clenched into tight fists. She slammed her fork down onto the table. ”Say, the world is so big, why do you have to come to France of all places? What is this? Are you trying to show off how lovey-dovey you are with your new wife? Is that it? Or do you think that Xin Qing still hasn't suffered enough, so you're here to give her poor heart another stab?”
”Hey, stop talking,” Young Master Shen said, nudging her. Zhang Mi shot him a glare. ”This is none of your business. You either shut up or leave.” She turned to look at Ying Qingcang again. ”I beg you. Please just let Xin Qing go. She's very happy right now. Soon, other good men will start pursuing her and she'll find happiness again.
”As for you? You've already become a page of her past. That page had been flipped over, and you're the one who flipped it.” Zhang Mi's eyes had become red-rimmed during her speech. Young Master Shen heaved a sigh and then handed a napkin to her.
Ying Qingcang sprang to his feet instantly. Then he pulled Young Master Shen to his feet, and stomped off, dragging Young Master Shen with him. Zhang Mi spat at his back.
When Xin Qing exited the bathroom, she saw Tang Shuang standing at the doorway. Pressing her lips into a tight line, Xin Qing tried to sidestep her.
”Hold on.” Tang Shuang blocked her path. ”I don't know if you've deliberately picked this place for dinner, but I hope there'll be no repeat of this. You should just give up. Ying Qingcang is already my man. I'm his legal wife.”
Xin Qing stood there for a long time, not moving an inch. Tang Shuang frowned and was about to say something else before Xin Qing turned around and stared her down. ”Miss Tang, I heard you came from the mountains. If so, I suggest you watch more TV and follow the gossip columns closely just to get a feel of how to be a missus of a wealthy husband.
”Instead of getting all defensive with me, you should be more worried about those mistresses or homewreckers who are younger and prettier than you.” Xin Qing laughed. ”Do you know who I am? Well, if you don't, then I suggest you read the intros on the most prominent jewelry in the world. I assure you that my name will be printed on each and every one of the intros you can find.”
Xin Qing raised a finger and pointed it at Tang Shuang's earring. ”This earring was designed by me last season. But yours isn't the limited edition.” A look of panic formed on Tang Shuang's face right then. Tang Shuang raised her hand, wanting to remove the earrings. None of those actions went unnoticed by Xin Qing, of course. ”Tsk, tsk,” Xin Qing said. ”If you don't feel like wearing it, then you might as well just throw away your entire jewelry set when you get home. The ones you bought are no doubt the most expensive ones, which are all designed by me.”
Xin Qing chuckled. ”Miss Tang, it's best if we try not to get in each others' way.”
With that, Xin Qing turned around and walked away. Tang Shuang grabbed her arm. ”Hold it right there, you bit-”
Suddenly, the surrounding lights flashed a few times. After that, everything went dark. Countless screams sounded outside at the lounge, which was followed by the words of comfort offered to the customers by members of the waiting staff.
Xin Qing instantly went into panic mode and she began shuffling closer to the wall. The moment her feet touched the foot of the wall, Xin Qing felt a pair of arms snaking around her waist. By instinct, her mouth opened to scream. The next second, a hand covered her mouth firmly. Then she was dragged into a smaller room which appeared to be even darker.
Tears spilled from Xin Qing's eyes the moment she felt the familiar embrace.
”Ah Qing...” A deep and husky voice sounded beside her ear. At that voice, Xin Qing began to struggle. Ying Qingcang tightened his arms around her. ”Ah Qing, don't move. Please. I beg you. Let me hug you. Please...”
”Wuwuwu...” Xin Qing began pounded his chest. ”Why did you have to bring her here for no reason? Are you trying to make me suffer?”