Wang Qiqi shot Jiang Xin a triumphant glance as she left. Hmph, so what if they ran into each other? A chance encounter was just that—they wouldn't be sharing a table for a meal. Jiang Xin didn't realize she had already made two people heighten their vigilance toward her.

As Wang Qiqi passed by Jiang Xin, she leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I told you long ago that you would regret giving up Dai Lijun, but that was your choice. However, you shouldn't have tried to touch my man. You should know that being called a mistress isn't a nice title." Wang Qiqi offered a blunt assessment: "I'm the daughter-in-law Han Tao's mother has already approved. Besides, even if you play too many tricks, what of it? Men are just playing around; he’ll always come back to me in the end."

Wang Qiqi had considered the most likely scenario: finding an opportunity to feed Han Tao some illicit substance, or getting him drunk during some gathering and ending up on the same ** bed. Of course, it would be best if she herself witnessed it, but at the very least, she’d want Han Tao’s friends to see. If he found out later, he would surely act rashly out of anger. These kinds of scenes are often played out on TV. If she were just an ordinary twenty-something girl, hearing or seeing something like that might genuinely make her leave. But Wang Qiqi wouldn't do something so foolish. Taking a step back, if Han Tao could be so easily seduced by someone else, hmph, consider it a lesson for him to mind his influence when he goes to the States later.

Jiang Xin hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to say something like that. "Don't you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable?" Good heavens, was this even a woman? Or was she just putting on an act? Jiang Xin leaned toward the latter.

"Uncomfortable? Of course, I'm uncomfortable. But when a man is too outstanding, these things are bound to happen. Using you for practice isn't bad." Wang Qiqi spoke without a hint of worry, looking at Jiang Xin with utter contempt. Jiang Xin felt a chill—was that the look an equal her own age should have?

"Do what you want with some things; I don't care. You're the one who will lose out anyway." Wang Qiqi chirped, patting the clothes on Jiang Xin's body. "Don't worry, I won't forget about you regarding the notes. It's just about notes, why be so nervous?" Wang Qiqi raised her voice for this last sentence.

Jiang Xin just watched Wang Qiqi float back to her seat. She forced a smile to return to her own spot, needing to confirm what Wang Qiqi had just said. "Qiqi's notes are highly sought after. I plan to make the first move this time."

Although Jiang Xin's roommates suspected that Qiqi and Jiang Xin weren't talking about that, especially since Jiang Xin’s expression had briefly turned awkward, they didn't press the issue. These days, the relationship between Wang Qiqi and Jiang Xin wasn't entirely ruined, but it was definitely much colder than when they first started university. Yet, they couldn't figure out why the two suddenly fell out. They had speculated whether Qiqi was unhappy because of Dai Lijun and Jiang Xin's past relationship, but they had seen them socialize with the group several times when Jiang Xin was still with her ex. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and later, when Dai Lijun got a girlfriend, Jiang Xin had been genuinely happy for him. Given all that, they were truly baffled.

Wang Qiqi returned to her seat with a smile. "What bad luck today, running into her while out for a meal."

Han Tao hummed in acknowledgment and handed Wang Qiqi the chopsticks he had just sterilized with hot tea. "What did you whisper to her just now?" Han Tao figured Qiqi wouldn't be discussing notes with her; it must have been about her recent abnormal behavior.

"I told her not to think she could drive me away just by sleeping with you given some opportunity." Although Wang Qiqi was smiling, a murderous glint flashed in her eyes.

Dai Lijun shivered, wondering why the air conditioning was set so high in this place; it was freezing him to death. He gave Han Tao a look of "pray for me." He thought that no matter how casually Qiqi spoke now, if Han Tao actually did something, who knew what might happen...

"I need to wash my hands." Wang Qiqi suddenly stood up, heading for the restroom. "I even touched her clothes just now. Ugh, I wonder if there's a problem."

Dai Lijun was stunned speechless as he watched Wang Qiqi leave, completely surprised that she had mysophobia. "Han Tao, your woman is formidable. You better watch yourself in the future; absolutely do not do anything to betray her, or else..." Dai Lijun estimated Wang Qiqi might have the impulse to castrate Han Tao. He felt he couldn't handle a woman like that; his Weiwei was much better.

Han Tao calmly accepted the dishes handed over by the server. "I forgot to order drinks earlier. What do you want?"

"Coke," Dai Lijun’s love for Coke was profound. Unfortunately, ever since Wang Qiqi mentioned that drinking too much Coke leads to weight gain and hinders the ability to carry on the family line, Lu Qiaowei had been cracking down on his consumption. One can a day was considered good. Dai Lijun deeply missed the days when he could chug a large bottle of Coke daily.

"Didn't you already use up your quota today?" Han Tao refuted Dai Lijun’s suggestion directly. "Order five cans of coconut juice for us instead."

Dai Lijun was displeased when he heard they were having that. "I'll pay for my own drinks." Hmph, so stingy.

"Drink it if you're not worried about Qiqi ratting you out," Han Tao unceremoniously pushed Wang Qiqi forward as a shield.

Dai Lijun glared at Han Tao, inwardly complaining, He deserves to be bossed around by a woman. Hmph, this is too much; he listens to his woman so much, and he's supposed to be my good brother.

Han Tao ignored the man. He's a simpleton; didn't he know Qiqi was in a bad mood today? At least for now, Han Tao didn't want to run into Qiqi's crosshairs. Since someone was willing to step up and act as a lightning rod, Han Tao didn't feel obliged to stop him. All he could do was pray for Dai Lijun, hoping Qiqi wouldn't provoke the guy too much later.

Wang Qiqi returned from washing her hands to see Dai Lijun glaring at Han Tao while Han Tao sat calmly, gazing out the glass window. "What's wrong, blockhead? Did the food not suit your taste?"

"It has nothing to do with the food. It’s the drinks someone ordered that someone else didn't approve of." Han Tao opened a can of coconut juice and handed it to Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi smiled knowingly, then her gaze swept over Dai Lijun, raising an eyebrow to ask silently if he had any objections. How could Dai Lijun say yes? That would be courting death. "Nothing, I just feel like I have no freedom even when coming out for a meal. Sigh."

Listening to the man's complaints, Wang Qiqi treated it like background music. "Eat up, hurry up. Didn't we run into someone today? Let the blockhead reminisce with her old flame. If Lu Qiaowei found out Dai Lijun brought us here to eat and ran into his ex, what do you think she’d imagine?" Wang Qiqi admitted she was in a bad mood, and Dai Lijun had just offered himself up for a scolding.

Dai Lijun also noticed her foul mood. He finally understood why Han Tao hadn't said a word—it wasn't shame; it was him trying not to provoke Qiqi. Alas, brotherly affection was so fragile, inferior to a woman. "I was just venting. Qiqi, you know my pursuit of Coke, right?"

"Eat, eat. We need to get back to work after this. I'll try to finish these orders and then take on a few more jobs." After saying that, Dai Lijun decided to stop causing trouble. A mouth is meant for eating; let it return to its primary function.

As Jiang Xin left, she habitually glanced back at the table where Wang Qiqi and the others were sitting. She noticed the three of them weren't communicating, all staring down at their food. She sneered internally. Wasn't the blockhead's girlfriend supposed to be a great cook? Why were they eating like they hadn't eaten in ages, practically snatching the food? So, rumors were just rumors; they absolutely couldn't be trusted.

"Qiqi, we're leaving." Jiang Xin had initially thought the cold atmosphere at their table was because they had encountered her, making Qiqi unhappy—she was certain that woman was faking it; no woman was that generous. Just as she was leaving with a smug little laugh, she saw Wang Qiqi and Han Tao still feeding each other dishes. When their eyes met, the synchronized smiles completely blinded Jiang Xin.

Wang Qiqi looked up and noticed the jealousy in Jiang Xin’s eyes that she hadn't managed to hide, or perhaps Jiang Xin intentionally wanted Qiqi to see her jealousy. "Oh, goodbye then."

Han Tao also raised his head politely and waved. "Goodbye. Be careful on your way back." Hopefully, some accident happens so she stops causing trouble between me and Qiqi.

Han Tao had only said that out of politeness, but Jiang Xin felt Han Tao still held some affection for her. Otherwise, why would he remind her to be careful? If it were her, she would have definitely given him a cold shoulder; just saying goodbye would have been an achievement. But he still cared about her. Thinking this, Jiang Xin said affectedly, "Mmm, don't worry, I'll be careful."

Dai Lijun didn't even lift his head, continuing his battle with his food. He reached out and gave Jiang Xin a quick wave goodbye before quickly pulling his hand back.

Jiang Xin patted Dai Lijun's head. "You, food first." With that, she gracefully departed, leaving the three of them dumbfounded.

Wang Qiqi's mouth hung open, her gaze flicking back and forth between the direction Jiang Xin left and Han Tao. "You just gave her a lingering thought again." Did her man really need to be that gentlemanly? She had just managed to provoke that woman nicely on one end, but her man turns around and gives a flirtatious farewell on the other. Wang Qiqi seriously wanted to punch him. One has to consider who they are showing concern to.

Dai Lijun raised his head, grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth. "Damn it, what was that woman implying? Didn't she see I was eating? Is she trying to make me choke?" Didn't she see the meat juices and sauce on the plate? Was that revenge for his earlier coldness? That was too much. But it seemed Han Tao was the most unlucky one. Still, this was his own doing. Hmph, if it weren't for him, Dai Lijun thought, someone wouldn't have patted his head affectionately. "You've ruined me."