Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
This loud slamming sound stunned everyone at the table.
At Tang Xiaoyu’s words, the expressions on Pei Zhenghui’s family of three darkened.
Her exclamation also stunned Pei Ge and Zhang Manhua.
Pei Ge was actually not that surprised by her best friend’s brazen display of anger. She knew that the latter did not have a good opinion about her second uncle’s family, so she had long anticipated such a reaction from her during this dinner.
“I believe you guys only invited Auntie Zhang’s family over for dinner today to have Ge Ge reveal insider information about this real estate project.” Tang Xiaoyu shot them a cold look. Her heart ached for her best friend who was being wrongfully mistreated.
This must be how Pei Zhenghui’s family has been treating Ge Ge’s family after Uncle Pei passed away.
They appear to be treating Ge Ge’s family well, but that’s just on the surface.
“Xiaoyu, stop, my second uncle…” Pei Ge tugged at her. While she wanted to speak up for her second uncle, she too had her suspicion.
Her second uncle had invited her family over out of the blue and then, without beating around the bush, asked her such a question the moment they arrived. It was difficult not to suspect…
“You are misunderstanding my second uncle,” she said lightly.
She really did not want to second-guess the genuineness of her second uncle’s family’s care for her family, given that they were such close relatives.
In their days of hardship, their relatives had helped them a lot.
Pak! Pei Zhenghui slammed his chopsticks on the table and cast Tang Xiaoyu a baleful look.
While he did not speak, he appeared to be very angry.
“Seriously, many years have passed, and we’ve grown into adults, yet some people have no change in their upbringing and etiquette.” Liu Yan disdainfully eyed Tang Xiaoyu as she spoke these ridiculing words.
Her current expression was devoid of all the warmth and kindness from earlier.
Although she did not name the person she was insulting, everyone present was no fool and could naturally tell the target of her ridicule.
Tang Xiaoyu always lacked self-restraint, but she happened to be sitting next to Pei Ge today, so even if she wanted to retaliate, she could only settle down at her friend’s urging.
It was in such a strained mood that this dinner affair ended.
When it was time to leave, both sides had an ugly expression.
Bidding their relatives goodnight, Pei Ge practically dragged Tang Xiaoyu out of the villa.
The three had quickly put on their shoes and were ready to leave when they heard Zhou Zhuoyang, who had not spoken even once during dinner, offer, “It’s getting late now. It won’t be easy to call a cab; I’ll give you guys a ride.”
The moment his words came out, Pei Shishi and her family’s faces grew uglier.
After all, their history as a couple was no secret to everyone present.
“No need,” Pei Ge automatically rejected.
He did not push further when he heard her rejection.
However, this time, Pei Shishi herself insisted on him sending Pei Ge’s family home.
“Zhuoyang is right; it’s late now. You should let him give you a ride home,” Pei Shishi gently advised with a warm smile.
Her gentle smile no longer brought Pei Ge any warm feeling like in the past, though.
Inexplicably, ever since that previous incident at this house, she no longer felt at ease with Pei Shishi’s family.
“Alright, since Sister Shishi put it that way, let’s not reject this good intention.”
Seeing Pei Ge in shock, Tang Xiaoyu accepted the gesture on her behalf.
It would be a waste not to hitch a ride. In any case, with her around, they needed not fear what this pair of jerk and scheming woman could do.
As such, a three-person journey became four.
With the addition of Zhou Zhuoyang, this ex-boyfriend of Pei Ge, the atmosphere became slightly strange.
“My address is—” Once his car exited the villa, she moved to inform him of her home address, but she was interrupted by him.
“I know,” he interjected softly as he looked at her through the rearview mirror.
“…” The moment he said this, the atmosphere tensed.
“Heh.” Tang Xiaoyu sneered and shot him a look of ridicule. “You have such a good memory. After so many years, you can still remember where Ge Ge’s house is at. It’s a good thing Pei Shishi isn’t here, or her jar of jealousy will surely overflow.”
Her words caused him to stiffen. His lips moved but eventually did not speak.
“Alright, Xiaoyu, that’s enough; it’s all in the past,” Pei Ge stopped her with a whisper.
She no longer had feelings for this man, so there was nothing much left to say.
Tang Xiaoyu saw her best friend’s indifferent expression and knew at once that the latter had completely let go of this jerk.
As such, she did not say anything more and merely cast him a look as she coldly hummed.
Zhang Manhua, who was sitting at the rightmost side, sighed to herself as she eyed his back.
This man was her daughter’s first love. At that time, her daughter had cared for him very much.
What a pity…
With that thought, suspicion began to creep into her heart.
She still remembered the day before he disappeared and how excited her daughter was to be going on a date with him the next day.
However, a day later, he was gone without a trace.
Amid everything, it was truly impossible for such a thing to occur with no rhyme or reason.
She suddenly thought of that incident at Pei Shishi and Zhou Zhuoyang’s engagement banquet…
She knew that her daughter was not the type to worship money to that extent. Besides, Pei Shishi’s words about how she had thought that her daughter did not like Zhou Zhuoyang…
Could it be?!
Her forehead creased tightly together. Could it be that the reason behind her daughter’s breakup with Zhou Zhuoyang that year was Pei Shishi?
As she remained in deep thought, the car arrived at their doorstep.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Pei Ge asked when she sensed something amiss with her mother.
Only then did Zhang Manhua collect her scary thoughts.
“I’m… alright.”
The heater was clearly switched on in the car, and it was comfortably warm, yet she shuddered from the chills running down her spine.
