Chapter Twenty-Five: A Misunderstanding

“Gentlemen, please enjoy your tea.” Liu Lillian approached gracefully, bringing over two cups of tea.

“Thank you,” Zhang Wei nodded, his gaze drifting to the slit of Liu Lillian’s cheongsam, where her fair thigh was temptingly visible. He couldn’t help but steal another glance.

“Mr. Zhang, there’s no need to be so polite. Our manager said you two are honored guests, and asked me to take good care of you,” Liu Lillian said with a slight bow.

“Mr. Zhang, do you have any particular hobbies?” Lin Hongwen noticed Zhang Wei’s eyes lingering on Liu Lillian’s leg, his brows furrowing in disapproval. He wondered to himself how Murong Xuan could be close to a man like this. Tapping his teacup on the table, he spoke up.

“Nothing special, really. I just read when I have free time.” Zhang Wei thought for a moment—he had been struggling just to make ends meet before, barely scraping by, so there hadn’t been much time to cultivate hobbies. The only thing that could count as one was reading novels.

“Mr. Zhang, we actually share the same hobby. I love reading as well. Perhaps we could exchange some thoughts, recommend a few good books to each other,” Lin Hongwen said with a smile.

“Sure! I enjoy urban and historical novels. Chendong, Futian, and Dayan are authors I like. What about you?” Zhang Wei asked.

“Chendong, Futian, and Dayan—are those authors from the mainland? I’m afraid I haven’t heard of them.” Lin Hongwen scratched his head. Though he considered himself well-read, he was unfamiliar with these names. “I usually read works by Haruki Murakami, Tolstoy, and Yu Qiuyu.”

Zhang Wei had heard of all three—renowned names in world literature. But while Lin Hongwen preferred classic writers, Zhang Wei favored contemporary web novelists; naturally, their tastes would hardly overlap. He joked, “I have heard of Murakami—he’s the go-to author for artsy youths trying to impress girls in TV dramas.”

Lin Hongwen flushed at Zhang Wei’s words, but Liu Lillian, standing beside them, was amused, drawing Zhang Wei’s attention.

“Enough. It’s a bit dull for just the two of us sitting here. Since you’re already standing by, why don’t you join us for a chat?” Zhang Wei patted the seat next to him, inviting Liu Lillian.

“I can’t. I’m on duty right now—I wouldn’t dare sit with guests. If the manager saw, I’d be in trouble,” Liu Lillian shook her head.

“We’re friends with your manager, not just regular paying customers. What’s the harm in talking for a bit? If she says anything, I’ll explain for you.” Zhang Wei felt there was little to discuss with Lin Hongwen—two men alone felt like being in prison. Naturally, he wanted to bring in someone else, and chatting with a beautiful woman was far less exhausting.

In Liu Lillian’s eyes, Zhang Wei and Lin Hongwen seemed close to Murong Xuan. One of them might even be her boyfriend. If she sat with them, Murong Xuan might easily misunderstand, and who knows what trouble that could bring?

“Zhang Wei, what are you up to over there? Having a good time?” Murong Xuan strode over, eyebrow raised.

“Yes! I’m chatting with Hongwen and Liu Lillian here,” Zhang Wei replied, winking at Lin Hongwen. “Isn’t that right, Hongwen?”

“Liu Lillian? Who’s that? I don’t know anyone by that name!” Lin Hongwen, though guessing the tea-serving girl was Liu Lillian, pretended ignorance to prove his innocence.

“You two eating and drinking here for free is one thing. But now you’re harassing my staff? That’s going too far!” Murong Xuan put on a show of indignation.

“Xuanxuan, don’t misunderstand. I honestly don’t know any Liu Lillian, nor have I spoken to your staff. You have to believe me,” Lin Hongwen hurried to explain, fearing Murong Xuan would misjudge him.

“Hongwen, what you do is none of my business,” Murong Xuan said indifferently, then turned to Zhang Wei and threatened, “Zhang Wei, if I catch you chatting up another girl, just you wait.”

“Manager, you’ve got it all wrong—I really didn’t…” Liu Lillian finally understood what it meant to be caught in the crossfire. All she’d done was laugh, and now she was implicated—she felt more wronged than Dou E.

“That’s enough. I’ll deal with your problem later,” Murong Xuan cut Liu Lillian off, her tone brooking no argument.

“Xuanxuan, I just remembered something urgent. I have to go now,” Lin Hongwen stood, gave Murong Xuan a quick smile, shot Zhang Wei a resentful glare, and then left the restaurant.

Outside, Lin Hongwen’s heart was a tangle of relief and anxiety—pleased that Zhang Wei’s flirting had been caught by Murong Xuan, but worried she might lump him in with Zhang Wei. He’d left quickly to distance himself, ensuring his own reputation remained intact.

“That brat Zhang Wei got what he deserved. After this, Xuanxuan will surely see his true colors and might even break off with him completely.” The thought eased Lin Hongwen’s mind and sparked hope—“I must come back tonight for the banquet and seize the opportunity to confess my feelings to Xuanxuan while she’s disgusted with Zhang Wei.”

“Manager, are you going to fire me? I really didn’t do anything…” Liu Lillian, seeing Lin Hongwen leave, shot Zhang Wei a plaintive look, then turned her pleading eyes to Murong Xuan.

“It’s fine, I saw everything. I know it wasn’t your fault,” Murong Xuan reassured her with a smile after Lin Hongwen left. “Go to the counter and collect a bonus of one hundred yuan. Keep up the good work.”

“Ah… thank you, Manager.” The sudden turn of events left Liu Lillian bewildered—Murong Xuan had just been fuming, and now she was giving her a bonus? But since neither Murong Xuan nor Zhang Wei offered any explanation, she simply thanked them and took her leave.

“Thank you for helping me get rid of Lin Hongwen,” Murong Xuan said. “Sorry to have taken up so much of your time. If you have other things to do, feel free to go.”

Zhang Wei was pleased by the first part of her remark, but the latter half soured his mood. He’d just played his part to help her send Lin Hongwen away, and now she was giving him the brush-off—clearly intending to burn the bridge after crossing it.

“Miss Murong, didn’t you say you had a friend interested in buying a house? I’m not busy today, so I’ll just wait until your friend arrives,” Zhang Wei said, thick-skinned.

“Oh, while I was in the kitchen, he called and said something came up. He’ll be late, and I’m not sure when he’ll get here,” Murong Xuan replied, pressing her red lips together. “Tell you what—when he arrives, I’ll call you. How’s that?”

“That’s fine, but I’m just worried you’ll get busy and forget all about it,” Zhang Wei replied coolly.

“Don’t worry. As soon as my friend shows up, I promise I’ll call you,” Murong Xuan vowed.

“Alright, I’ll go then.” Zhang Wei sighed, feeling that she was just trying to brush him off. But since Murong Xuan had made her stance clear, he couldn’t very well linger. He stood and headed for the exit.

“Liu Lillian, clear away those two teacups. If there are any more customers who don’t pay, don’t serve them this year’s new tea.”

Zhang Wei hadn’t yet left the restaurant when Murong Xuan’s voice rang out, making him curse inwardly: “What a stingy woman—she’s obviously saying this for my benefit. If she dares to break her word and doesn’t introduce me to a big client, she’d better not ask me for a favor again.”