Ning Anmiao took a few unnoticeable steps back, frowned slightly, with a somewhat unfathomable look in her eyes.
"I just think this kind of occasion is not suitable for our relationship."
"Everyone here is a couple."
Ning Anmiao's aloofness and coldness were so obvious that Lin Chuluo froze on the spot. He stared blankly at "her" for a few seconds, then smiled faintly.
"Okay, I see. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time."
His words and deeds were so perfect. Even when rejected, he remained calm and still looked at the other person with a composed smile.
Few women could resist such a perfect man.
It was a pity that he had miscalculated.
Lin Chuluo probably never would have thought that the person in the body that now seemed to be Ning Anmiao was actually his love rival and sworn enemy, Lu Yan.
Next time?
There was no way he'd get a next time. He'd be put out of his misery today!
"Sir and madam, have you made a reservation?"
The business here was booming. Without a reservation, there would clearly be no table available.
Just as the two finished their conversation, a waiter took the opportunity to come over and politely asked.
"Let's sit down first. I've made a reservation," Lin Chuluo frowned slightly but quickly relaxed his brows, and his face regained its previous flawless look.
Lu Yan sized up Lin Chuluo and knew what was going on.
There was a mask on Lin Chuluo's face.
A mask of gentleness that he had been wearing since college.
He'd worn it for so long that he probably couldn't even remember how to take it off.
Thinking that such a man was eyeing his Miaomiao covetously, Lu Yan's face darkened and his heart tightened inexplicably.
He mustn't get divorced.
Once they got divorced, with Ning Anmiao's innocent and naive nature, within a month at most, she'd surely be lured away by this smiling tiger!
"Deep - fried fish cakes, cream soup, stir - fried fresh vegetables, and drunken crabs." After Lin Chuluo ordered these dishes, he placed the menu in front of "Ning Anmiao".
"Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"
Unexpectedly, "Ning Anmiao" looked even more solemn. "That's enough. I don't have much of an appetite."
Every dish Lin Chuluo ordered was one that Ning Anmiao would take a few extra mouthfuls of at the dinner table.
These subtle habits and preferences that could only be observed in daily life. How did Lin Chuluo know about them?
"These were all your favorite dishes during college. I wonder if your taste has changed."
Lin Chuluo's voice was gentle and pleasant. "But I don't think it has."
His confident tone really annoyed Lu Yan.
Lu Yan was so angry that he almost laughed. He couldn't help but retort, "You should try some new things once in a while. You'll get tired of the same old things if you eat too much."
Lin Chuluo didn't pick up on the deliberate rebuttal in his words but patiently replied, "You're right. We should indeed try some new things."
"The same goes for getting along with people, Miaomiao." The seemingly ordinary words were full of implications.
Lu Yan kept silent and didn't plan to respond. His face had looked grim since earlier.
A red velvet cake and some new dishes. These two sure were in sync!
Lin Chuluo pursed his thin lips, his beautiful eyes drooping slightly. After a moment, he quietly poured a glass of warm water for Ning Anmiao.
"Be careful. It's hot."
As soon as Lin Chuluo gently reminded him, Lu Yan immediately picked up the glass and drank it all in one go.
The slightly hot water made his tongue go numb instantly, and his throat felt like it was on fire, but he endured it.
Why should he listen to this scheming man?
Lu Yan's self - proclaimed act of resistance looked to Lin Chuluo like a little girl being coy and throwing a tantrum. He couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Miaomiao, you're still so cute."
Lu Yan: …
Being praised as cute by a man, Lu Yan felt like the water he'd just drunk was about to come back up his throat. He gritted his teeth, trying hard to suppress his nausea.
"I'll go back after this meal. I've made an appointment with Lu Yan to watch a movie."
"Ning Anmiao" casually made up an excuse. "The newly released romance movie is quite good. I'm planning to go and watch it with him."
He'd thought that showing off his affection like this would make Lin Chuluo back off, but unexpectedly, the worry in the latter's eyes deepened.
"Miaomiao, have you forgotten? Lu Yan never watches romance movies."
This was true.
During college, Ning Anmiao once wanted to invite Lu Yan to watch a play held by the school's art troupe. She'd specially asked Lin Chuluo to get two tickets.
It had been a difficult process, but when Ning Anmiao proudly waved the tickets in front of Lu Yan and invited him, his reply had been cold.
"Sorry, I don't watch romance movies."
Because of his rejection, Ning Anmiao had cried for an afternoon.
It was Lin Chuluo who had comforted her.
In the end, because Ning Anmiao was in a low mood, the two tickets had never been used.
...
Bringing his mind back from the memory, Lu Yan opened his mouth but found he couldn't say a word.
He'd let Miaomiao down so many times before.
Seeing "Ning Anmiao" silent, Lin Chuluo's eyes swept meaningfully across "her" face and he said softly, "Miaomiao, you don't have to be brave in front of me."
"These years... you haven't been living well, have you?"
Lin Chuluo's voice was deep, and he deliberately slowed down his tone, as if soothing her. "I know. You've had a hard time."
"I've also heard about your falling - out with the Ning family," Lin Chuluo said, and his tone grew more solemn, as if he could empathize with "Ning Anmiao".
"Do you think it's worth it?" Lin Chuluo's sudden question made Lu Yan stunned for a few seconds.
Lin Chuluo's tone was extremely calm. He clearly avoided topics that might hurt "Ning Anmiao" and went straight to the most soul - searching question. "Are you really happy being married to Lu Yan?"
Lu Yan didn't know.
He'd never asked.
Even recently when he'd started trying to win Miaomiao back, he'd never once asked her, "Are you happy these days?"
"In college, you said you liked him. Although I didn't object, I actually didn't support or think highly of your relationship," Lin Chuluo's expression returned to its usual calm, but there was less gentleness and more coldness in his eyes. "Lu Yan is a heartless man."
"His status and his current position force him to remain calm about everything. He can't give you the kind of love you want, Miaomiao."
"Don't wait for him anymore." Lin Chuluo let out a long sigh, as if he'd weighed his words for a long time before finally saying them.
"Miaomiao, get a divorce."
"If you and Lu Yan loved each other and he really treated you like a husband should, I'd smile and bless you. But you're not happy, are you?"
"Miaomiao, I've liked you for a long time."
"Now I have Yanyun and an entire entertainment company. I can support all your dreams and am willing to embrace your future."
"Miaomiao, promise me."