The dishes were soon served, plenty enough to fill the large table.
Yao Tang spared a single glance atYu Shu, who was sitting a few seats away fromCheng Yan. Her face didn’t betray any of her emotions.
It was safe to say, though, that she didn’t enjoy the meal in the slightest.
At one point, Yu Shuplucked pieces of food from various dishes and arranged them inCheng Yan’s bowl.
He, on the other hand, was busy peeling prawns for Yao Tang.
When he looked up and saw his bowl filled to the brim, he couldn’t help but frown in disgust.
“Hurry and eat, Cheng Yan, or the vegetables will get cold,”Yu Shusaid timidly before flashing him a coy look.
Cheng Yan shot her a glare before picking taking his chopsticks. He proceeded to pick up a piece of greens thatYao Tanghad put aside on her plate and popped it into his mouth.
His movements were quick and smooth, as if it was the most natural thing for him to do.
Yu Shu’s chopsticks clattered on the table as she stared at them, dumbfounded.
Wasn’t Cheng Yana massive germophobe?
She herself had taken care to use the serving chopstick to fill his bowl, and yet he went and casually ate Yao Tang’s spoils.
The thought made Yu Shu’s face twist into an ugly expression.
Beside her, Cheng Weiacted as though she hadn’t seen anything. She continued chatting withSearleabout stories from their childhood, stories that mainly centered onYu ShuandCheng Yan.
She made sure to emphasize how the two made a great pair since they were young.
As for herself, Cheng Yanclaimed that she had always followed behind them like an eager little minion.
Yao Tang was clearly out of place here. The conversations that went around the table didn’t involve her at all, and she made no effort to speak to anyone, either.
When the meal was finally over, she silently put her chopsticks down and got up to leave.
Cheng Yan’s hand shot out almost immediately, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back down on her chair. Then, he pulled out a few sheets of tissue and carefully wiped an oil stain on Yao Tang’s sleeve.
Cheng Wei rolled her eyes at the scene before plastering a smile on her face. “Cheng Yan, why don’t you send SisterYu Shuhome? It’s been a while since you two have spent some time together. I’m giving you the opportunity to be alone and catch up, so you’d better make good use of it.”
She winked at Searleand added, “In which case, I’m afraid I’ll have to hitch a ride with Mr.Searlehere. You won’t refuse, right?”
Searle returned her smile, all too happy to oblige a pretty face. “It would be my pleasure, of course. However, this young lady… How will you be going home, Miss?”
With his words, three pairs of eyes turned to Yao Tang.
But she only ignored them and frowned at Cheng Yan. “There’s no need for that,” she snapped. “I can just change into a different shirt.”
The other three were taken aback by her attitude, especially since she was addressing Cheng Yan, of all people.
Something shifted in Searle’s eyes. Could it be thatYao Tangwasn’t actuallyCheng Yan’s trophy pet, as he had previously assumed? How could she be so insolent toward the young man?
“Brother Cheng,” Yu Shucalled out, visibly unhappy. “Let’s go. I still have the present that Mom and Dad wanted to give you. You can take it with you after dropping me off.”
Needless to say, she was burning with jealousy. She had never seen Cheng Yantreat someone so… reverently.
To think that he would do something so demeaning as wiping her sleeve!
At that moment, Cheng Yanlifted his eyes and looked straight atCheng Wei. His face was devoid of any emotion, but his piercing gaze was more than enough to make her shudder in fear.
She stiffened instinctively, and her hands clenched into fists beneath the table.
Before she could even collect herself, Cheng Yanspoke. “I’ll takeYao Tangback to school. You guys can do whatever you want.”
He gave Searlea short nod, then usheredYao Tangout of the private room.
From start to finish, not once had he addressed Yu Shu’s presence.
Once the two had gone, a pregnant silence fell over the room. Yu Shulowered her head, her eyes welling up with tears.
Cheng Wei cleared her throat and turned toSearle. “You wouldn’t mind having one more person in the car, would you?”
They couldn’t very well abandon Yu Shu, not whenCheng Yanhad so cruelly cast her aside.
Everyone had expected Yao Tangto be the one left behind, so they were quite surprised with the way things had turned out.
Cheng Yan couldn’t even be bothered to saveYu Shusome face.
Yu Shu composed herself and forced a smile, though her face had paled significantly. “I apologize, but I will have to trouble you, Mr.Searle. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so naive to think that feelings would never disappear despite the passage of time. I suppose such things only happen in fairy tales.”
The other two understood what she was referring to, of course.
Cheng Yan had abandoned his childhood sweetheart and had chosen to accompanyYao Tanginstead. Regardless of his reasons,Yu Shuwas understandably heartbroken
