Chapter 495: Dining Together 3
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Big brother, Miss Ye, you’ve arrived. Please have a seat!” Huangfu Ruixiang quickly ushered them in.
Once seated, menus were passed their way. “Take a look and decide what you’d like. We already ordered some dishes, but unsure of your preferences, didn’t go overboard. Feel free to add more.”
As a high-end establishment, once orders were placed a server promptly arrived with the first round, the wait brief.
Ye Lengan sampled a slice of salmon, then nodded approvingly. “The fare here really is exceptional.”
“Agreed,” confirmed Huangfu Ruixiang. “I’ve visited a few times before and found the ingredients quite fresh. When treating clients out, this restaurant is a frequent choice.”
“Sounds great.” Ye Lengan nodded, then pivoted the conversation. “Well, once you have a girlfriend, you can bring her here to sample the cuisine. 1 imagine most girls would be quite fond of this place.”
“You think so?” mused Huangfu Ruixiang. “Though presently I’ve no girlfriend – that’s for some future day.”
He was clearly disregarding Li Yiran’s feelings entirely now. In fact, prior to securing Li Yiran, he might have paid them more heed. A common enough male tendency, it would seem – once obtained, interest fades. In Huangfu
Ruixiangs mind, Li Yiran was his to claim and need not overexert holding her.
And, he had long agreed with Li Yiran that he could give her everything, including companionship and a luxurious life. However, he just couldn’t give Li Yiran a proper status. Moreover, Li Yiran couldn’t control his affairs outside. Therefore, when he said these words in front of Li Yiran, he felt no psychological burden at all.
Meanwhile, upon hearing Huangfu Ruixiangs response, the color swiftly drained from Li Yiran’s face, leaving it paper-white. She was shocked to hear him casually reference a future girlfriend with her present. Was she truly so insignificant to him?
Just as she felt that first blow landed critical force, Ye Lengan’s next words struck with even greater devastation:
“It likely won’t be long either!” Ye Lengan gave a small smile. “1 happened to catch word your mother’s begun matchmaking arrangements? Once a fitting partner emerges, I expect you’ll have found a girlfriend in no time!”
Hearing this, Li Yiran’s head jerked up, eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Huangfu Ruixiang. She couldn’t fathom him already courting matches so soon after they became involved. Where did that leave her?
Oblivious to Li Yiran’s visible dismay, Huangfu Ruixiang continued nonchalantly between bites, “Even entertaining matches won’t ensure quickly finding the right fit – that relies on fate’s will.”
At this point, Li Yiran’s expression had shifted fully to one of despair. She clung to a faint sliver of hope that Huangfu Ruixiang might deny it, despite her subconscious signaling the truth of Ye Leng’an’s words. Still, she desperately wished Huangfu Ruixiang would refute them – even if utter fabrication for her benefit.
Instead. he had openly confirmed while she sat right there, brazen in admission.
“You’re attending matchmaking meetings?” Li Yiran barely recognized her own voice emerging so hoarse and muted.
“l am,” confirmed Huangfu Ruixiang, finally shifting focus to Li Yiran. Taking in the ghastly pallor of her complexion, a hint of remorse flashed through him, yet still he explained, “Yiran, you know my hand’s forced here… Mother arranged this and I truly cannot refuse. But you must know how I care for you still. It’s just that given your standing…”
“I’m fine,” Li Yiran insisted, though her sickly face belied the words. She forced a trembling smile. “Brother Ruixiang, I understand I could never be your wife. I’m alright, just a bit overwhelmed by the sudden news. Let me process it and I’ll be fine – no need to worry..”