“Yes,” Zhang Junyao responded. “My uncle and aunt dated for ten years before finally getting married. They got their marriage certificate last month, and the wedding is set for next March. They’re waiting for their new house to be renovated first.”

“My uncle and aunt are currently staying at a hotel because they used to live in Beijing. Now, they’ve decided to settle in Haishi after getting married, but the house isn’t ready yet, so they’re temporarily staying at a hotel. I didn’t expect Xu Yunzhe to misunderstand and think I was at the hotel with my uncle! Even after seeing me, he didn’t come over to ask for clarification.” Zhang Junyao leaned against Xu Yunzhe, tugging playfully at his ear.

The young couple began showing affection, but Xu Jia and Shen Zhirou weren’t in the mood to enjoy it.

Xu Jia kept watching Shen Zhirou’s expression.

“Why are you looking at me? Let’s eat.” Shen Zhirou picked up her chopsticks and helped arrange the dishes as the waiter served them.

Before she could start eating, her phone vibrated.

Xu Jia: [You and that uncle…]

Xu Jia felt extremely conflicted. Thinking about Shen Zhirou becoming a mistress because of her, she felt overwhelming guilt.

She regretted her drunken mistake of encouraging Shen Zhirou to seduce someone’s uncle and pushing her to see if they could start a relationship.

Feeling uncomfortable under Xu Jia’s gaze, Shen Zhirou tried her best to remain calm.

Shen Zhirou: [It’s nothing. I just got to know him and maintained a friendly relationship. Now that I know he’s married, I’ll keep my distance.]

Shen Zhirou: [Let’s eat. Your brother is watching you.]

Only after reading the message did Xu Jia pick up her chopsticks, eating the meal without any appetite.

Shen Zhirou suppressed her turbulent emotions until her phone vibrated again. Seeing a message from Zhou Jiayu, she lost all appetite.

Zhou Jiayu: [Let me know when you’re almost done. I’ll come pick you up.]

What once felt sweet now seemed full of deceit to Shen Zhirou.

Seeing her stare at her phone, Xu Jia leaned over, “What’s wrong?”

“I have something to attend to, I might need to leave early.” Shen Zhirou grabbed her bag, “Sorry, something urgent came up. I need to go.”

Seeing Xu Jia’s worried look, she added, “It’s work-related, an unexpected situation. Sorry.”

“I’ll take you.”

“No need, you stay and eat.” Shen Zhirou forced a smile at Xu Jia, waved at Xu Yunzhe and Zhang Junyao, and left.

She hailed a taxi.

Originally planning to go home, she changed her destination at the last minute.

She headed to the Platinum Hotel.

Getting out of the taxi, she walked to the parking lot.

The first time she met “Lu Fanghuai” was in this place.

Her mind in turmoil, Shen Zhirou didn’t know what she wanted to verify.

She wandered around the parking lot and, sure enough, saw the blue car with the same license plate she remembered from the first time she met “Lu Fanghuai.”

Glancing to the side, she saw the familiar Mercedes parked nearby.

On their previous date, “Lu Fanghuai” had switched to this Mercedes to pick her up, and the license plate matched.

A chill ran through her, making her feel heavy-footed.

After standing there for a while, she turned and walked towards the hotel.

At the front desk, her throat tightened, “Hello, do you book wedding banquets here?”

“Yes, but weddings need to be booked in advance…”

“I’m just inquiring, can you check if there’s a wedding booked for March next year? Can you check if the groom’s name is Lu Fanghuai? My friend said he booked it here, and I want to book the same day. Can you confirm the groom’s name for me?”

The receptionist gave her a few puzzled looks but checked, “Yes, the groom is Lu Fanghuai, and the bride is Fang Wenting. The wedding is set for March 10th…”

Shen Zhirou didn’t hear the rest. Her scalp tingled.

She didn’t know what she needed to confirm; would the niece lie about her uncle’s wedding?

She only had herself to blame. She hadn’t fully understood this man, letting her desires lead her.

Looking at “Lu Fanghuai’s” WeChat, she clicked into the chat.

–

In a hotel room, Zhou Jiayu was playing poker with Lu Fanghuai and a few others.

He occasionally glanced at his phone, waiting for a message from Shen Zhirou.

Suddenly, Lu Fanghuai raised his hand, “The delivery is here!”

He looked at Zhou Jiayu, signaling for him to come along to get the food.