Several tables away, Shangguan Ning, who was picking a birthday gift for his mother today, unexpectedly found himself in the same restaurant. He had caught every word of the conversation between Huayan and the two women just now. Although he didn't know how Li Meier had provoked Huayan to speak so ruthlessly, he had a gut feeling that this woman, Li Meier, was not someone of good character.
For instance, although her clothes looked flashy, they were actually counterfeit brand names from head to toe. She constantly observed others as soon as she entered the store, particularly male customers. Shangguan Ning himself had been scrutinized by Li Meier's eyes several times.
From her increasingly bright eyes, Shangguan Ning knew that he had been labeled as a wealthy person by her. Usually, when he encountered such women, he would leave as soon as possible, unwilling to spend time with them. But at this moment, he had no intention of leaving, anticipating what would happen next with Huayan. This was the first time he had been interested in watching a showdown between two women.
"No, you're mistaken," Li Meier forced herself to remain calm.
Huayan gave her a sly glance, and Li Meier coughed awkwardly, quickly lowering her head to sip her coffee, hiding her flustered expression. Seeing Li Meier like this, Huayan thought that she still hadn't emerged from the shadow of being an orphan. Inferiority was the hidden wound of every orphan. No one knew when it would suddenly grow and invade their once-strong heart. Being an orphan herself, Huayan didn't have the mood to pity others. After all, even pitiable people could be despicable. Kindness wasn't something given casually.
Huayan didn't force her to sit quietly either, enjoying the serene music in the store while occasionally glancing at Li Meier. When Li Meier finally became impatient, she mustered up the courage, or perhaps resentment. Huayan could clearly feel that Li Meier seemed possessed, her eyes filled with resentment, as if she were ready to pounce at any moment. Huayan thought it was impressive that she had emerged from her recent self-doubt so quickly, but she wondered if she was just foolish. With a mischievous smile in her eyes, Huayan awaited Li Meier's next move.
"In fact, I've been with Cheng Jie since before you two divorced. In the months leading up to your divorce, I was already with him. Remember how you used to ask me why Cheng Jie's clothes often smelled like the same perfume as mine? I lied at the time, saying it was because that perfume was popular and of good quality. Now, you should know why, right?"
Her hatred for the Li family had no outlet. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, ultimately directing her resentment towards Huayan. She had spoken those words earlier hoping to see Huayan in unbearable agony. In her mind, as long as she saw others living unhappily, she felt immensely pleased.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Shangguan Ning realized he had clenched his fists at some point, his heart constricting. Huayan's fragile frame couldn't withstand such a blow. Suddenly, he remembered a few years ago, when he decisively ended their relationship, went abroad, and never returned, not even with a single phone call.
What in life could be more painful than the betrayal and hurt from the person you trusted and loved the most? Watching Huayan's face darken and her eyes fixate on the other woman, his heart hung high.
"Oh, so you're the one who seduced my ex-husband and caused our divorce? Waiter, another cup of coffee!" Only then did she realize the coffee in her cup was already finished.
Then Huayan saw the smugness in Li Meier's eyes and thought to herself, "I hope you can still be smug later."
"Miss, the coffee is still very hot, please wait a moment before drinking," the waiter reminded thoughtfully.
"You may leave."
"Have you ever felt ashamed for seducing your friend's husband and causing their divorce? Have you ever lost sleep over it at night?" Huayan's voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for everyone in the store to hear. Many well-dressed women straightened up, eagerly waiting for Li Meier's response.
Li Meier, blinded by embarrassment and anger, couldn't see that she had become the object of hatred for many women in the store.
"Why should I blush? Why should I lose sleep? Your husband can't control himself. What's it got to do with me? Even without me, he'd still be fooling around with many other women. Have you asked each of those women if they've felt ashamed? Haven't you heard of not letting the water from your own well flow into others'? Instead of benefiting other women, it's better to let your good friend benefit. Got it?" Li Meier retorted, her words relentless, her face flush with anger.
A sudden scream pierced through the previously quiet little shop, and everyone, except for Huayan sitting calmly, watching in shock, and Li Meier, embarrassed and enraged, turned their eyes towards the sudden commotion. Waitstaff hurried over to assist, but were angrily shooed away by the distressed Li Meier. Shangguan Ning, now surprised and somewhat pleased, couldn't help but release a breath he didn't realize he was holding. As a man, this was the first time he felt a sense of schadenfreude.
"When you didn't feel ashamed of seducing someone else's husband, you should have expected something like this to happen today. Well, I'm leaving. You can foot the bill today," Huayan said, giving Li Meier a strange smile as she picked up the full cup of hot coffee next to her and swiftly poured it over Li Meier's incessantly babbling and aggressively confronting face.
Another round of gasps filled the air as the stunned onlookers witnessed the scene unfolding before them. Only Huayan remained composed, while Li Meier, now covered in sticky, yellowish coffee stains, looked thoroughly humiliated. In a fit of rage, Li Meier lunged towards Huayan, her inch-long nails aimed at Huayan's face. The distance between them was less than half a meter, and with a mere lift of her hand, Li Meier could easily scratch Huayan's face, leaving several marks even if she didn't disfigure her.
Huayan hadn't expected Li Meier to become increasingly frenzied, attempting to claw her face. Such maliciousness was truly repulsive.
Shangguan Ning moved to intervene, but someone else was quicker. Anticipating her move, Huayan advanced instead of retreating, simultaneously grabbing Li Meier's incoming right hand with her left, while her right hand wasn't idle either, delivering a forceful blow stronger than Li Meier's.