Hearing Xu Zixi say that she was going to call the police, the manager of the Japanese restaurant, who had been quietly watching from the outside, quickly pushed through the crowd and walked up to Yan Yincheng. He gave the female waitress, who was trembling on the ground, a fierce glare, then put on a smiling face and apologized to Yan Yincheng.
"We're really sorry to have scared you, sir. You're a big client of our restaurant. I'll definitely make A Mei compensate you in full for your losses."
The female waitress panicked. "Manager! But I..." Where could she get so much money?
The manager roared, "You caused this mess. Do you think the restaurant should foot the bill? Dream on! And I clearly said during the on - boarding training that it's forbidden to spill things on the guests. You knew it but still did it. Don't try to argue. Pay up quickly!"
This man was a major shareholder of the Pei Group! Their small restaurant simply couldn't afford to offend him!
At first, Yan Yincheng was really angry when the hot soup was spilled on him. The soup not only ruined his clothes but also had a pungent smell, which made him, with his sensitive sense of smell, feel really uncomfortable. But Xu Zixi not only didn't leave but also stood up to defend him, so his anger faded away.
"I'm not such an unreasonable person. Compensate me 20,000 yuan, and we'll call it even." He said.
Xu Zixi widened her eyes. "Yan Yincheng, are you so rich that you don't know what to do with your money?"
It would be the best if the parties involved were willing to reconcile. Afraid that Yan Yincheng would change his mind, the manager quickly said,
"Sure! Whatever you say, sir! We'll pay you right away!"
Under the manager's watchful eye, A Mei transferred 20,000 yuan to Wei Shu on the spot and was then immediately fired from the Japanese restaurant.
Feeling apologetic, the manager also offered to give Yan Yincheng a lifetime free VIP card.
After getting the card, Yan Yincheng immediately handed it to Xu Zixi and said pitifully, "Zixi, it's useless to me. You take it."
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, Xu Zixi glared at Yan Yincheng angrily and said, "I don't want it!" Then she turned around and walked away.
But after walking a few steps, she turned back and said,
"Yan Yincheng, don't think that just because I spoke up for you this time means I've forgiven you. You brought this on yourself. If you hadn't followed me, this wouldn't have happened. So, stop following me. Please stay away from me!"
Yan Yincheng still held out the card to her. "I know, I know. But this card..."
Xu Zixi snatched the card and this time really walked away without looking back.
Seeing this, Pei Mingyuan quickly chased after her. Thinking about his own performance just now and her final choice, he was eager to make amends. "Xiaoxi, I wasn't..."
In the middle of the parking lot, Xu Zixi stopped. After thinking for a while, she looked at Pei Mingyuan and said,
"Mr. Pei, thank you for inviting me to have Japanese food tonight."
Hearing this form of address, what else didn't Pei Mingyuan understand? His shoulders slumped slightly. In his beautiful, gentle peach - blossom eyes, there was only disappointment and regret left.
He had been too hasty. If he could choose again, he would never have said those words just to belittle someone in front of her in a hurry.
He had long known that she was confident, independent, and generous. She was bright and lively yet also had the charm and cuteness of a woman. She had strong judgment and an extraordinary mind. Even though she and that man were at odds now, she could still view things rationally.
And he had still regarded her like those other young ladies from wealthy families he had seen. That was why he had missed one opportunity after another today.
"Xiaoxi, do I really have no chance?" He asked.
"Mr. Pei, it's not that I'm not willing to give you a chance. As you can see, we have many differences in values. These contradictions prevent me from developing romantic feelings for you. I think we're more suitable to be work partners or friends than lovers." Xu Zixi said seriously.
Pei Mingyuan was still unwilling. She said they had many differences in values. Did she and Yan Yincheng not have any?
"But Xiaoxi, differences in values aren't a big problem. We can surely work them out, right? If there's anything I've done wrong, I can change. I can become the person you like."
A hint of helplessness flashed across Xu Zixi's eyes. She said,
"Pei Mingyuan, any attempt at reconciliation requires an emotional foundation. Otherwise, it's all in vain. Moreover, I think I've made myself clear enough. You don't need to change yourself to please me. I don't need a partner who has no self and just tries to flatter me."
"What about Mr. Yan..." Pei Mingyuan gritted his teeth, trying to make his tone less sour. "Are you just going to let the previous things go?"
"Who said I'm going to let it go? The mistakes he made aren't that easy to forgive!" Xu Zixi said without thinking. "But one thing is one thing. I'll solve my feud with him in my own way."
Pei Mingyuan gritted his teeth and used his trump card again. "Mr. Yan has such a sharp perception. Aren't you afraid that he'll find out that we're not actually together and will use means to take the two kids away from you?"
Xu Zixi was stunned for a moment. After thinking for a while, she said to Pei Mingyuan, "I was really worried before, but from today on, I'm not."
Because of that bet, after the design competition ended, she, who had been a bit lost, had found a clear goal again. Although Yan Yincheng was a liar and the three yet - to - be - specified conditions after his loss in the bet had dug an unknown pit for her, he had dug it openly, and she was willing to jump in.
She liked challenges and was not afraid of any challenges. No one could predict the future, and she might not lose, right?
Under the streetlight, with the fire in her eyes, she looked so dazzling, just like when she had declared in front of him that she was sure to win the first prize in the design competition. Pei Mingyuan finally understood where he had lost. She and he were indeed not the same kind of people.
Pei Mingyuan said, "Okay, I respect your choice."
His willingness to accept the result also relieved Xu Zixi.
She said to Pei Mingyuan, "Be careful on your way back. Motorcycles are really not very safe. See you tomorrow."
Hu Yuankang was sitting in the car, playing music and humming, his body swaying to the rhythm. Just then, he heard the sound of the door unlocking. The back door was opened, and when Brother Hu turned around and saw Xu Zixi getting in, he snapped his fingers and said,
"Miss, did you enjoy your meal? So fast?"
Xu Zixi said, "Yes, I'm done. Let's go back."
Brother Hu said, "Sure thing! Miss, sit tight. We're leaving now!"
Unexpectedly, a car's headlights suddenly shone over, directly into his eyes. It almost blinded him.
He cursed and turned on his own high - beams and shone them back at the other car. The other car then turned off its high - beams. The other driver's good sense made Brother Hu quite satisfied, and he switched his lights back too. But he still squinted and took a look at the other car's license plate, planning to find someone to deflate the tires later.
Maybach, license plate Hai A - H9999.
Brother Hu thought, "Forget it. I can't afford to mess with this."
But then he suddenly realized - wait, wasn't this that guy's car? That pretty boy surnamed Yan was back? And Miss had been having Japanese food inside. Did they run into each other?
Brother Hu immediately tightened his grip on the steering wheel and glared at the car opposite menacingly, hoping the other car would go first.
But after waiting for a long time, the other car showed no sign of leaving.
Xu Zixi said from the back seat, "Brother Hu? Why aren't we leaving?"
After much hesitation, Hu Yuankang finally stepped on the accelerator first. But after driving the car out, while Xu Zixi wasn't looking, he stuck his hand out of the window and gave the Maybach the middle finger.