Chapter 414: Chapter 414
Zhao Guodong is definitely not the type to be gentle with women, especially now that he’s aware of Song Mei’s feelings. He sees Song Mei constantly staring at him. At first, he could control himself, but in the end, fueled by alcohol, he simply glared back.
"Why are you staring at me? Didn’t your mom tell you it’s disgraceful to stare at men like that?" He shouted, loud enough for everyone in the noodle shop to hear.
They had been eating noodles here since junior high, so when the owner came over to deliver noodles to Xiang Weilai, he patted Zhao Guodong’s shoulder and said, "A big man like you won’t lose a piece of flesh just because someone looks at you a few more times."
Zhao Guodong wasn’t angry, "Anyone else can look, but not her."
On the other side, Song Mei’s face turned red with embarrassment. Flushed with anger, she stood up and confronted Zhao Guodong, saying, "I know it’s not right for me to look at you. Isn’t it because of Ye Ling? I used to dislike Ye Ling at the compound, so you dislike me, right? What’s the point of acting now? Ye Ling is married, but I saw you helping her with all your energy, enjoying it. Why do you feel uncomfortable now? Clearly, you didn’t sincerely want Ye Ling to get married, hiding such a despicable thought in your heart, what gives you the right to criticize me? I’m the one who’s elevating you."
"Say one more word," Zhao Guodong angrily slammed the beer bottle on the table, his malicious gaze seemingly wanting to devour Song Mei, "What do you understand? I can’t stand people like you, acting superior because you think you came from the compound, looking down on others like you’re so exceptional, always using your filthy thoughts to judge others. I feel disgusted just being watched by someone like you."
It wasn’t meal time at the noodle shop, so there weren’t many people around, just a few scattered individuals. Seeing the quarrel, they quickly finished their noodles, paid, and left, leaving only their table.
Zhang Linong and the others sat calmly without intending to intervene, while Jiang Yan knew she had little influence and couldn’t help even if she spoke, so she quietly tugged at Gao Tian, who sat quietly enjoying his drink. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn nοvelfire.net
Gao Tian finally put down his glass, turned to Xiang Weilai beside him and said, "You’re getting married tomorrow; you don’t want to see everyone with bruised faces, right? Women aren’t easy to bully either."
Xiang Weilai gave a faint smile without responding to Gao Tian, then called over Zhao Guodong, "You’re a man now. Being stared at by someone repulsive trains your willpower, or do you feel inadequate?"
This was hardly an intervention; it was more like siding with one party.
Song Mei was so angry that tears, like big beans, fell down. She bit her lip, looking at Xiang Weilai, who pretended not to notice and just called Zhao Guodong over for a drinking competition. Jiang Yan hurriedly pulled Song Mei to sit down, quietly comforting her, "Why bother arguing with him? Isn’t he always ? I advised you before, but you didn’t listen. Are you regretting it now?"
Jiang Yan was pretty close to Song Mei. They both joined the army together, so she naturally understood Song Mei’s feelings and had advised her. After all, Zhao Guodong had always seen Ye Ling as the reason to treat them like thorns in his eye, so why would he like Song Mei? Yet, Song Mei was stubbornly fixated on Zhao Guodong, and now having suffered such humiliation, Jiang Yan felt Song Mei should see things more clearly.
Song Mei bit her lip, "You don’t need to worry; I refuse to believe it."
She refused to believe she couldn’t win over Zhao Guodong. If Liu Rui could snatch Xiang Weilai from Ye Ling, why couldn’t she get Zhao Guodong?
Jiang Ban saw her stubbornness emerging again and didn’t say more, only stuffing a beer into her hand, afraid she’d say something to provoke another fight with Zhao Guodong.
The guys were talking about everything, with endless topics, mostly about school stuff. The three women sat quietly beside them without making it awkward, even though they knew they weren’t welcome, and didn’t feel embarrassed either. They stayed until it was completely dark outside before leaving. Song Mei had drunk too much long ago, and Jiang Yan and Gao Tian helped her walk to the compound, while Zhao Guodong and the others followed Xiang Weilai to Xiang Family for the night, planning to stay there to help early in the morning without the hassle of commuting back and forth.
Tian Hui saw her son and the group come in reeking of alcohol and couldn’t help but frown. However, since her son behaved well today without causing any trouble, she decided not to comment and let the four of them stay in the new house. There was a double bed that could fit three, and Xiang Weilai slept on the couch in the living room.
Because the wedding arrangements were rushed, no one from Xiang Family’s hometown came, and the bride’s side tomorrow would still be the usual good relations Zhao Zhang Wang’s families, quite similar to Ye Ling’s family.
Over at the compound, when Ye Ling finally felt rested, she found Shen Bin asleep beside her. Sneaking out of bed, she dressed and went downstairs. Li Family was resting in the bedroom, so Ye Ling chatted with the housemaid and went to the kitchen. They prepared dinner ingredients early, and when the time seemed right, Ye Ling started cooking, constantly worried about how to face Shen Bin later while grateful that he was asleep then.
At a little past four, Ye Zhenfen and her husband came out, and Shen Bin came downstairs, timing it perfectly. During dinner, Ye Ling dared not look at Shen Bin, remembering the afternoon incident and feeling her face heat up uncontrollably. Ye Zhenfen kept praising the dishes Ye Ling cooked, bringing liveliness to the table. After dinner, the family sat in the living room eating fruit, and Ye Ling sneaked a glance at Shen Bin, noticing he had returned to his usual indifferent demeanor but caught her glance. This time, however, instead of reacting like he did in the room earlier, he was indifferent, making Ye Ling feel uncomfortable again, thinking how fast he changed; acting one way in the afternoon, then cold and tough in no time.
Then she steeled herself, thinking that since he didn’t care, she shouldn’t be shy. This realization made her relax from her previous unease when speaking with Li Family’s couple.
Ye Zhenfen didn’t urge the couple to go upstairs and rest early, instead bringing up tomorrow’s Liu Family wedding matter, "You have to travel tomorrow, so pack your things tonight. We’ll have the driver take you to the station early; the tickets are sleeper ones, so you won’t be too exhausted on the train. I’ll go to the wedding between Liu Family and Xiang Family, and your dad has other obligations. As for your belongings, everything needed has been sent there; just pack a few everyday clothes."
Ye Ling had no objections. She had long told Xiang Weilai she wouldn’t attend the wedding, understanding that even if she wanted to go, Liu Family wouldn’t feel comfortable. Xiang Weilai understood that, but did not expect things to be scheduled so quickly, leaving tomorrow, not following the original plan, caught in the rush without even notifying her father.