Before Du Changlin could say a word, Pei Jiangmu let out a cold snort.
The strength in his hand didn't lessen at all. His gaze, as sharp as a knife, swept across Du Changlin's purple - flushed face.
"An apology? Is just an apology enough?"
He paused for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Meng Ruozhao. The chill in his voice faded a bit.
"Ruozhao, how do you want to deal with him?"
Meng Ruozhao took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging hatred in her heart.
She looked at Du Changlin, who was like a puddle of mud in Pei Jiangmu's hands, and steadied herself.
"Make him explain clearly what happened during those years when I went missing."
Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unshakable determination.
Du Feng quickly explained, "Ruozhao, this scoundrel is just talking nonsense. How could you have been missing for so many years?
"Even during the years you were abroad, you kept in touch with the family.
"After all, you're your father's daughter. How could your father ever ignore you?
"Don't haggle with this scoundrel. Hurry up and tell your friend to let go of your younger brother."
Just nonsense?
Meng Ruozhao saw the evasion in Du Feng's eyes and knew that he must be hiding something.
But he definitely wouldn't tell the truth.
She had to plan this matter carefully.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that some people around had already raised their phones to shoot videos. She couldn't help but frown.
Online information was true and false, and it was easy to incite emotions.
If these people posted the videos and added some unfavorable remarks, it would definitely have an impact on Pei Jiangmu.
After all, he was still a student and would soon be looking for a job. His personal image couldn't have the slightest stain.
Thinking of this, she reached out and gently held Pei Jiangmu's hand.
"Jiangmu, let him go."
Pei Jiangmu's movement paused. Although he didn't quite agree with her approach, he still let go as she asked.
Du Changlin staggered and fell to the ground, covering his neck and coughing violently. The purple on his face gradually faded, replaced by the panic of surviving a disaster.
"Now that I've let him go, Mr. Du, it's time for you to leave.
"Given our relationship, it's better for us to act like we don't know each other if we meet outside next time.
"Otherwise, if someone takes a video of our discord and spreads it, it will harm the Du family's business."
Meng Ruozhao looked at Du Feng, her tone cold.
Although Du Feng was burning with anger, there was nothing he could do at the moment.
After all, if he continued to entangle, the matter of Meng Ruozhao getting lost when she was a child might be exposed.
It wasn't the right time to let this matter come to light.
It wasn't that he was afraid of Meng Ruozhao.
Rather, he thought that if she knew those past events, with her bad temper, she would definitely make a big fuss.
By then, the Yan family would surely know.
How Yan Qiubai would view him and the Du family would have a great impact on him.
So he forced himself to squeeze out a kind - father smile, but his tone was still stiff.
"Ruozhao, you're still angry. Your father understands that these are just angry words.
"But anyway, we're father and daughter. Blood ties can't be broken.
"You can have a good meal with your friends. Put the bill on me. When you're in a better mood, come back and have a chat with your father."
After saying this, he almost dragged Du Changlin and, together with Du Xixi and Xia Lian, strode out of the restaurant.
Watching their almost embarrassed backs fleeing, Yi Mo spat.
"What a bunch of hypocritical scumbags! Ruozhao, you've suffered!"
Ai Gao and Xu Lin also breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at Meng Ruozhao, their eyes full of worry.
"Ruozhao, are you okay?"
Meng Ruozhao shook her head. Her face was still a bit pale. She glanced at Pei Jiangmu with a complicated look in her eyes: "Thank you."
Pei Jiangmu looked at her deeply. Under the table, he gently touched the back of her hand: "It's okay."
These two simple words seemed to carry infinite strength, making the tense string in Meng Ruozhao's heart loosen a bit.
The other guests in the restaurant gradually averted their gazes when they saw that the matter had subsided.
Yi Mo patted Meng Ruozhao on the shoulder.
"Alright, alright. Don't let those scumbags spoil our mood for dinner. Come on, let's sit down and continue eating."
Xu Lin also chimed in, "That's right. It's not worth getting angry for those kinds of people."
Meng Ruozhao blinked, "That's for sure. Let's eat to our heart's content today. Anyway, someone is going to pay the bill."
She picked up a freshly grilled steak, dipped it in black - pepper sauce, and stuffed it into her mouth. A sly smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
Yi Mo immediately understood and joined in the fun.
"Right! We must give him a good fleecing. Consider it a way to calm Ruozhao's nerves!"
Ai Gao and Xu Lin also nodded one after another. The atmosphere finally eased from the previous tenseness.
Pei Jiangmu watched Meng Ruozhao's profile as she tried hard to look relaxed. His fingertips gently rubbed the back of her hand under the table, but the worry in his eyes didn't completely disappear.
He knew that Du Changlin's words must have left doubts in Meng Ruozhao's heart.
She was just putting it aside for the time being and would surely find an opportunity to investigate clearly.
That idiot Du Changlin was really good at ruining things.
Thinking of this, he sent a message to Qi Yu.
He asked him to find someone to teach Du Changlin how to speak.
After all, every word he had used on Meng Ruozhao today would have to be paid for, right?
The second half of this meal was quite enjoyable.
After the meal, Yi Mo proposed again, "It's still early. How about we go for a drink?"
Everyone could see that Meng Ruozhao had been forcing a smile just now.
Anyone who was humiliated like that by their half - brother would feel bad.
Xu Lin was the first to raise his hand in agreement.
"Great! I know a nice quiet bar with a great atmosphere and good cocktails. It's just right for us to relax."
Ai Gao also nodded in agreement.
"Let's go. Don't let those bad things affect our mood. Let's have a great time today."
Meng Ruozhao looked at the enthusiasm of her friends, and the unhappiness in her heart dissipated a lot. She readily agreed.
"Sure."
Pei Jiangmu sat silently on one side all the time, but his gaze always followed Meng Ruozhao.
Seeing her finally smiling, a softness appeared in his eyes.
Naturally, he unconditionally supported her decision. He quietly got up and even picked up her bag by the way.
Yi Mo noticed Pei Jiangmu's small action keenly. She leaned over to Meng Ruozhao's ear and whispered with a smile.
"Ruozhao, look how称职 your little protector Pei is. His eyes haven't left you the whole time."
Meng Ruozhao's cheeks flushed slightly. She glared at Yi Mo reproachfully, "Don't tease him."
Although she said so, her heart was like being gently hit by something, creating tiny ripples.
In the warehouse today, he said he liked her.
At a time when even her blood - related relatives hated her, he said he liked her.
She could even clearly recall his look at that time.
Focused and serious, with an undeniable certainty, as if declaring an established fact.
Meng Ruozhao subconsciously looked up at Pei Jiangmu and happened to meet his gaze.
His eyes were deep and gentle, as if filled with starlight. When he saw her looking over, the corner of his mouth curved slightly, with a faint smile.
Meng Ruozhao's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head and pretended to straighten her clothes, trying to hide her flushed cheeks and accelerated heartbeat.
So this was how it felt to be firmly chosen by someone... so heart - fluttering.