Nana returned Natsukashi being completely zoned out when a figure suddenly took her in a hug.
“Huh?”
“Nana!” Serena cried and hugged her hard. “I heard everything that happened. You…how did things turn out like that? It was supposed to be your happiest night, but…”
Serena came in great vigor to congratulate Nana of her engagement, but as soon as she heard what happened from the twins, she was utterly shell shocked.
The ex plotted against Nana, she slept with her to be cousin-in-law, and the whole conspiracy was of none other than her fiance’s ex and the cousin-in-law’s wife.
She didn’t know from where to begin her condolences!
Nana sadly smiled. “We cannot change anything now. What is done is done. I can only accept it and move forward in my life.”
“You…”, Serena couldn’t help but cry. “Tell me where that b*stard ex-fiance of yours is! I will the beat the crap out of him! How dare he forgive his ex after what she tried to do to you! He knew just what his ex was capable of. We couldn’t have saved Liu Jinhai, but had you not been drugged, this whole ordeal would have never taken place.”
Back at her home, when Jianyu introduced himself, Serena was a little startled at first. For a moment, she thought that he was the same Chen Jianyu. But she waved that thought off. How can young master Chen Jianyu, the CEO of Chen Corps, be homeless?
She felt stupid even imagining that. She also didn’t overestimate her luck that she will ever meet such a prominent CEO in person. He might be another man with the same name. It was not like Chen Jianyu was the only person who had that name in the whole of China.
Nana said nothing.
“And those two b*tches! They better pray hard that they never cross paths with me. Or else I will ruin their pretty faces so much that they wouldn’t be able to recognize themselves!”
“It’s…forget it. Let’s not talk about them anymore.”
Serena quickly said, “Yes, yes. I’m sorry. I won’t ruin your mood.”
Nana flicked her forehead. “Stupid.”
“Don’t worry. Your best friend is here. I have a great idea to make you forget everything.”
“What?”
“Let’s drink to our heart’s content. And you will not reject it, okay? We will drown in the ocean of limitless alcohol. Come on. It is waiting for us.”, she dramatically said.
She face palmed. “No, thanks.”
“No! I already told that I wouldn’t hear a no for an answer. We are going all out in a bar, and that is final!”
“But-“
“No buts. Don’t worry. I will take care of you and safely bring you back home.”
Yukira sneered, “And how will you do that when you would be dead drunk?”
“Shut up! That is the bar I frequent the most. The owner and I know each other. She will arrange for us to send back.”, she proudly said, “I have connections.”
He rolled his eyes.
Nana could only sigh. “Alright. But not tonight. I’m exhausted.”
“Okay. We’ll go tomorrow night then.”
—
At Liu villa, the atmosphere was deathly silent.
Huian looked like a zombie with her messy hair and red eyes with dark circles under them. It was evident that she cried the whole night, much less sleep.
She had no appetite for breakfast, but Grandma Liu urged her.
She came down and found the breakfast table empty. In the past, the table was occupied by every family member with Liu Hai and Jing’s cheerful laughs and antics. But now, all the chairs were vacant.
She felt like other than her, nobody lived in this huge villa.
The maid came in, setting the breakfast.
She asked, “Where are Mom and Dad?”
The maid got nervous. “Lady Liu, Master and Madam said that they are not hungry.”
Just then, Liu Chunhua entered.
“Mom…I was waiting for you. Let’s have breakfast.”
Mother Liu said, “How can I have any appetite when my son is suffering so miserably? I only came down to take a walk in the garden.”
“Mom, please! Talk to me. What will it take for you to forgive me?” tears welled in her eyes.
“Free my son.”
Huian stiffened.
“He is not happy. Don’t ruin his and your own life with your wrong stubbornness.”
“I…I’m sorry, but I cannot leave him.”, she pursed her lips.
She sadly chuckled, “And here you claim that you love Jinhai. Please don’t insult that beautiful feeling. And please don’t try to talk to me again.”
She left, not giving her another glance.
Huian merely stood there watching her mother-in-law leave in distaste. The same woman who doted on her so much now refuses even to look her in the eye.
—
The next day was quite uneventful, and it was already the time to hit the bar.
Serena and Nana were seated on the counter while the bartender was making their drinks.
This was entirely new for Nana. She was fidgeting and getting restless. She had never visited a bar before. Previously when they entered, they saw a couple openly making out at a corner. It was nothing novel for Serena, but Nana was looking at them wide-eyed.
Doing that in public…She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and immediately looked away.
Serena said, “Come on, Lei. Make for us the finest peg of whiskey you have. My best friend needs it.”
Lei was the bartender who also knew Serena.
He smiled, “Coming right away.”
Serena looked at Nana and rolled her eyes, “Oh come on dear, chill out. Relax. Nobody is going to eat you.”
She awkwardly smiled.
Their pegs were ready, and Serena clinked her glass with Nana’s. “Cheers to your new life and cheers for breaking up with that scumbag ex-fiance. Cheers to being single again!”
