CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 180: A FACE FULL OF WORRIES

When they arrived at the restaurant, Gu Ningyue realized it was a Japanese eatery Ling Tianyou had brought her to once before.

Gu Ningyue followed Ling Tianyou into the predetermined private room. Chen Rui and Chi Xingtong were already inside, sitting opposite each other. Both were stunning beauties, and upon opening the door, the sight was undoubtedly pleasing to the eye.

But the atmosphere felt somewhat tense.

"Tianyou, Miss Gu, you’re here. Please sit down!" Chen Rui waved her hand, leaving a seat beside her.

Gu Ningyue glanced around, turned, and sat next to Chi Xingtong.

Ling Tianyou had no choice but to sit in the seat Chen Rui had offered.

Once seated, Chi Xingtong gently pinched her thigh under the table, her gaze seemingly reproachful.

Reproaching her for letting Ling Tianyou be with Chen Rui, thus letting Chen Rui have her way.

Gu Ningyue smiled and poured her a cup of green tea, "Sorry for the wait."

Who sits where doesn’t really matter, does it? Does status change?

Ling Tianyou’s fiancée was still Gu Ningyue, not Chen Rui.

Getting upset over such trifles would only make oneself look bad.

It seemed that this was exactly what Chen Rui wanted to see.

This woman was truly full of schemes.

Chen Rui also poured herself a cup of tea, sipping it lightly.

The emotions in her features were elusive, hard to read.

Wasn’t it said that the eldest Miss of the Gu Family was unreasonable and could lose her composure over trivial matters?

How come neither time showed any indication of this?

Clearly, some information was indeed inaccurate.

"Let’s order," Ling Tianyou passed the menu handed by the waiter to Chi Xingtong on the opposite side, "See if there’s anything you’d like? You order first."

Chi Xingtong nodded, but amid the current atmosphere, she really had no appetite.

She casually ordered a few Japanese dishes, then passed the menu to Gu Ningyue.

Gu Ningyue tilted her head, considering for a while, finally choosing a sashimi dish.

Upon hearing this, Chen Rui looked at Gu Ningyue and said, "Miss Gu likes this? There’s a place I used to frequent abroad that made excellent sashimi, especially the sauce, which is unmatched. If you have time, you should try it."

Gu Ningyue curled her lips into a smile and handed the menu to Chen Rui, "If Miss Chen would be my guide, I’d go. I’m directionally challenged; when Tianyou’s not around, I rely on GPS. Abroad, being unfamiliar with the place, I’m a bit scared."

Chen Rui looked down at what’s on the menu, speaking softly, "Of course, Miss Gu can also bring Tianyou. He’s visited me twice and is very familiar with the restaurant I frequented."

With her words, Ling Tianyou’s expression shifted.

Gu Ningyue glanced at him; she didn’t expect this usually busy President Ling, whose feet barely touch the ground, to abandon everything to visit Chen Rui abroad?

"Really? That’s great." Gu Ningyue laughed, "Tianyou, could you accompany me when you have time?"

Ling Tianyou was slightly startled, then nodded, "Alright."

Chen Rui finished ordering, and the menu went back to Ling Tianyou.

"Add a tuna sushi," Ling Tianyou said blandly, handing the menu back to the waiter to proceed.

Before the waiter left, Gu Ningyue also ordered several bottles of green plum wine.

The reason was simple, as a farewell for Chi Xingtong.

Ling Tianyou, who generally disliked seeing Gu Ningyue drink, did not object; after all, today’s mishap was indeed his own fault.

He was quite surprised by Chen Rui’s sudden arrival announcement.

There was no alternative; he had already informed Gu Ningyue over the phone.

If he decided not to bring Gu Ningyue at that moment, whether he said so or not, the matter would inevitably reach her ears.

While waiting for the dishes, Gu Ningyue turned to Chi Xingtong and asked, "Are all the things ready? What time is the flight?"

Chi Xingtong took out her ticket and handed it to Gu Ningyue, "Here...honestly, I’m a bit reluctant, just leaving like this."

Gu Ningyue glanced at the time on it and flashed a faint smile, "Should I see you off when the time comes?"

Chi Xingtong shook her head, "No need, I dislike those farewell scenes. Every time I leave, I don’t even let my parents see me off."

At this point, Chen Rui chimed in, "Xingtong has always been like this. Even when we performed at the high school graduation party, Xingtong didn’t let us accompany her."

Chi Xingtong turned her head, speaking in a tone only they could hear, "I just didn’t want her there, but my best friends from other schools were present."

Gu Ningyue couldn’t help but smile, "How childish of you!"

Yet, she quite liked it.

Faced with Chi Xingtong whispering to Gu Ningyue, Chen Rui chose to pretend she hadn’t noticed.

Ling Tianyou sat quietly on the side, seemingly an outsider.

Outside, two waiters standing at the bar were discussing the happenings in the private room.

"Hey, did you see that? In room 508, three gorgeous beauties, my God, I’ve been working here for so long and never seen such stunning women."

"Saw it, saw it, the one in the red dress is so pretty. Now I realize who the word ’stunner’ was created for."

"I prefer the one in the strappy shorts, what a hot figure!"

"You guys are so superficial." The receptionist girl who had been quiet commented on their conversation, "I like the one in green, not only looks beautiful but also has a good demeanor, unlike the other two who have too much sultry charm!"

"I think you’re just jealous. If you had half their figure, you wouldn’t be here, hahaha..."

"Get out! Kitchen’s calling, aren’t you bringing the dishes over?"

"On my way, on my way, stop rushing!"

"..."

They delivered the prepared dishes to the private room, and when they came out, they were still somewhat reluctant to finish the conversation.

It wasn’t often all three beauties would sit in the same private room with one man; he sure was living the dream.

"If it were me, I’d be in blissful bliss."

"That’s you. I think that man doesn’t look all that happy!"

"Now that you mention it, that’s true. When I served the tofu, just at that moment when he turned, he looked utterly miserable."

"By the way, that person seems to be the Ling Group’s president."

"Really? No wonder! Being wealthy is great, isn’t it?"

"Don’t be silly, the one in green happens to be a renowned jewelry designer in L country!"

"You know that? I thought you only knew about video games!"

"Hehe, my ex-girlfriend adored her jewelry designs, but they were too expensive. I only followed just out of curiosity!"

"Hahaha, was she your ex because you couldn’t afford them?"

"..."