Chapter 36 (1/2)

Chapter 36

Seven-thirty, Left Bank.

When Yun Jin and Lu Lu reached punctually, they found Cheng Zheng already seated. He had changed into a gray-white striped silk s.h.i.+rt and black tweed trousers. It was simple yet stylish and his outfit accentuated his good looks. The trio browsed the menu and ordered dishes while having a casual conversation.

Yun Jin was glad for Lu Lu’s presence because the lively chatterbox single-handedly generated most of the conversation at the table. In fact, she was talking animatedly and laughing at her own jokes. The atmosphere was not at all dull. Cheng Zheng would occasionally respond good-naturedly while Yun Jin simply smiled and kept silent throughout.

The dishes had just been served when Cheng Zheng received a call so he excused himself. When he eventually returned, he had an odd expression as he asked “I’m sorry ladies but would you mind if my girlfriend joins us?”

“Not at all! It would be very nice to meet her.” Lu Lu appeared enthusiastic and was determined to battle her romantic foe. On the other hand, Yun Jin had no reaction.

At her reply Cheng Zheng walked off once again while clutching his handphone closely to his ear. He spoke in deep concentration and after some ten minutes, he disappeared only to return with his girlfriend.

Cheng Zheng’s current lover was Zheng Xiao Tong. It wasn’t Yun Jin’s first time meeting her; they had a few run-ins in their neighbourhood and they had always politely acknowledged the other in such situations.  As for Lu Lu, this was her first encounter. After meeting the lady in question, her morale was quickly deflated. She knew there was no contest.

Zheng Xiao Tong was considerably beautiful – she was pet.i.te and her small face was beset with a pair of big, expressive eyes. However, on closer scrutiny, one would note that the eyes lacked liveliness which made her seem rather dull after the revelation.  She was also rather timid which made her appear innocent and naïve. It was hard to believe that this same girl had actually graduated from one of the top universities in the nation.

After Cheng Zheng had introduced everyone, Lu Lu tried to make small talk with Zheng Xiao Tong. However, her interest soon waned. Zheng Xiao Tong wasn’t stupid in the least; it was just that her mental processing was rather slow and thus she often had a confused expression as she tried to internalise the conversation.

Cheng Zheng was extremely attentive to her needs. When he noticed that Lu Lu was fast losing interest in conversing with Xiao Tong, he began to tell her the happenings of his day right down to the details.

Lu Lu bent her head low and fiddled with her phone. A split second later, Yun Jin felt her purse behind her vibrate. She feared that fis.h.i.+ng it out immediately would make it too blatantly obvious so she waited a bit before taking a look. It was indeed from Lu Lu and her message contained only three words: What a waste.

Yun Jin understood what Lu Lu meant and she flashed her a warning glance. At that, Lu Lu bowed her head sheepishly. In all honesty, Yun Jin also came to a similar a.s.sessment of Xiao Tong. However, taking her complicated past with Cheng Zheng into consideration, she dared not remark on Zheng Xiao Tong even behind her back. She reminded herself constantly that Zheng Xiao Tong was Cheng Zheng’s current lover and it was a choice he had wiilingly made. Since it was none of her business, she shouldn’t comment. She could see the two of them speaking in hushed tones out of her peripheral vision but she restrained herself from staring by focusing on eating.

Lu Lu was bored to death. She used her chopsticks and skilfully picked up one of the prawns she ordered. She placed one in her bowl and another in Yun Jin’s “Sister Su, do try this.”

Yun Jin was unsettled and she wanted to distract herself badly. At Lu Lu’s sweet gesture, she wiped her hands clean on the wet napkins before making a move to sh.e.l.l the prawns. She was just about to start when Cheng Zheng said abruptly “She doesn’t eat that.”

Lu Lu sensed that his words were directed at her but she didn’t know what to make of it. Cheng Zheng ignored her as he turned to Yun Jin “When you ate this previously, your body broke out in rashes remember?”

Yun Jin didn’t dare look up as her hands froze in midair. She couldn’t understand how Cheng Zheng, who had been deep in conversation with his girlfriend, could suddenly turn his attention to her. She replied softly “It’s okay. I don’t have that kind of reaction anymore.” before continuing with the desh.e.l.ling.

Suddenly, Cheng Zheng reached over and s.n.a.t.c.hed the prawn she was desh.e.l.ling and tossed it onto the table next to his plate. He wiped the sauce from his fingers as he said “I told you it’s better not to eat it. Why test your limits?” His tone was unusually harsh.

Lu Lu stared agape at the scene before her before breaking out into laughter “Wow you guys are some cla.s.smates. How do you even remember such stuff? Sister Su, in that case, it’s best not to eat that. Why don’t you try the fish instead? The steamed fish today is delicious!”

Yun Jin smiled at her to ease the awkward tension. Zheng Xiao Tong was also smiling at her boyfriend although there was a flash of confusion in her large eyes. Cheng Zheng sensed that his behaviour had been way out of line so he coughed lightly and turned to face Xiao Tong again, “What do you like to eat? If you can’t reach it let me know.”

“Handsome, this is not right. How can you not know about your girlfriend’s favourite food yet recall your senior high friend’s allergy?” Lu Lu was unstoppable.

“Eat your food and stop talking so much!” If she could, Yun Jin would have shoved Lu Lu’s words back down her throat.

Cheng Zheng was a picture of calm as he replied “That’s only because your dear sister Su’s allergic reaction left quite an impression on me. Aren’t I right Yun Jin?”

Yun Jin flashed a tight smile. How could she not remember? In their years together, her body would break out in hives whenever she had prawns and it was every bit as painful and itchy as it looked. And after taking anti-histamines, she would lie bare-backed as Cheng Zheng ma.s.saged her. He never exerted too much force out of fear of hurting her. As he rubbed her skin ever so gently, they would inevitably get tangled up …But that was a very long time ago. He shouldn’t be bringing up the past so flippantly and neither should she reminisce the past.

Yun Jin was still lost in her thoughts when Lu Lu suddenly wondered aloud “I don’t see you eating the prawns so why is your face all red? Don’t tell me just merely touching it would cause an allergic flare?”

“Oh right Cheng Zheng, how’s your project at Tian He progressing?” Yun Jin decided to be proactive in diverting the topic.

Zheng Xiao Tong’s puzzlement was evident on her face “Cheng Zheng, when did you have business over at Tian He? Didn’t you say you were working at Er Sha Dao these few days?”

“My friend’s real estate construction hit a snag so I went over to take a look.”

Lu Lu wised up to to Yun Jin’s hint and was quiet for a period though eventually she couldn’t stand it. She asked Zheng Xiao Tong brazenly “Hey, Xiao Tong, we should be of similar age right? But how come I’m not as fortunate as you? Do teach me how to land such a handsome boyfriend!”