Chapter 159: Chapter 159

Wei Ronghua calmed his emotions and called someone in.

The one who came in was not someone else, but the waiter from the private restaurant, asking whether the customers wanted the food served now.

This private restaurant operates on a custom menu model, not accepting customer orders. The chef creates a menu based on the ingredients available that day, and customers simply need to inform of any dietary restrictions before the food is served.

Wei Ronghua looked at his diamond-studded watch, indeed it was dinner time.

"Then let’s serve the meal."

Once the waiter left, Wei Ronghua glanced at the absent-minded Shen Jianian and then returned to a kind and loving elder demeanor, "Since I called you over, it’s not good to let you leave hungry, let’s talk while we eat."

Shortly, the waiter brought plate after plate of delicious dishes to the table.

The two moved from the tea table to the dining table to sit opposite each other.

"Help yourself, don’t be shy." Wei Ronghua, having already gained the upper hand in this negotiation, was in a much better mood and spoke with ease, "Speaking of which, I have met your mother, Yin Tongshu, in the past. Although we didn’t talk much, we are acquainted. I didn’t expect we would have such a connection."

Shen Jianian quietly picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of food, unable to discern whether it was sweet, salty, sour, or spicy. She thought to herself that Wei Ronghua truly meant "ill-fated relationship."

"You are a smart person; there are some things you should already know even if I don’t say it. You and Jichen being together won’t have a good outcome." Wei Ronghua said slowly, "Rest assured, I am not a petty person. As long as you take the initiative to leave and have no further contact with Jichen, I won’t treat you badly. Or if you have any unfulfilled wishes, you can bring them up now, and I will try to satisfy you."

Shen Jianian gripped her chopsticks tightly, her fingertips turning white.

She looked up at the gentle-looking woman before her. If she hadn’t heard those words herself, it would be hard to believe such merciless words could come from such a kind face.

"What if I refuse?" Shen Jianian retorted.

Wei Ronghua was momentarily startled and lightly laughed, "I heard your teacher is Yan Qiusheng, the world-famous cellist. You are not a child anymore and should know that no matter how reputable someone is, they are insignificant before real power. By the way, you have a very good friend, Bai Changxia, right? Her mother has cancer and is currently in the cancer hospital for treatment. Her family is in the jade business with several stores. Such businesses can’t withstand turmoil; if anything happens to cut off their income, the patient will not be able to receive proper medical treatment. You may not care for yourself, but you should think of them."

It was as if a bucket of cold water was poured over her, making Shen Jianian shiver.

This was the true purpose of Wei Ronghua’s meeting her today.

Everything said before was just a prelude.

If she did not leave Fu Jichen, her teacher and Bai Changxia’s family would be implicated.

She believed Wei Ronghua would do what she said, not just because she was the mistress of the Fu Family. Even if the Fu Family didn’t get involved, Wei Ronghua’s own family, the Wei Family, was also a distinguished family, capable of making things difficult for others.

Wei Ronghua gathered her smile and used a long-handled spoon to ladle a bowl of clear lamb soup, placing it in front of her, her eyes fixed on Shen Jianian, her tone steady and deliberate, "Miss Shen, you must think clearly."

When the news came out yesterday, she had restrained herself from meeting Shen Jianian, partly because she was sick and not looking well, not suitable for meeting others, and partly because she needed time to investigate Shen Jianian.

The steamy aroma of the lamb soup rose directly to Shen Jianian’s nose, causing her stomach to suddenly churn. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t endure the scent, covering her mouth, she turned her head and retched.

Her eyes were hot with tears, quickly turning red, and she whispered to Wei Ronghua, "I’m sorry, I lost my composure."

Wei Ronghua stared at her, a look of suspicion in her eyes.

Having given birth herself, even the slightest symptom reminded her of that possibility. Shen Jianian had been with Jichen for so long; it’s impossible nothing happened between them.

If she was pregnant...

Shen Jianian’s fingers trembled as she held the glass and drank a few sips of water to barely suppress the nausea rising in her throat, though her stomach still felt uncomfortable.

To avoid further embarrassment, Shen Jianian stood up, speaking quickly, "I’m sorry, I don’t feel well, so I won’t be accompanying you for dinner. Please excuse me."

She picked up her coat and bag to leave, but Wei Ronghua called out to her, "Wait a moment."

Shen Jianian stopped, seeing Wei Ronghua turn to take a bag from the chair beside her, opened it to take out a checkbook, and then, with an unusually calm voice, she said, "I told you I would compensate you, and I will keep my word."

Before she finished signing the check, Shen Jianian already refused, unwilling to stay another moment, "No need, I know what to do."

With that, she opened the private room door and left.

Wei Ronghua sat still, pen in hand pressed against the checkbook, eyes thoughtfully resting on the slightly flustered figure leaving.

Being pregnant, what would that change? Without a proper name, staying would eventually become a time bomb.

She would not allow the tragedy of the past to repeat itself.

The dimly lit hallway led directly to the bathroom, where Shen Jianian leaned on the public sink and vomited.

Because of Wei Ronghua’s words, she had no appetite at the dining table and had barely eaten anything, so naturally, there was nothing to vomit out.

Shen Jianian cupped a handful of warm water and rinsed her mouth, when suddenly a fair, tender hand reached over from beside her, holding a few tissues, gently asking, "Are you okay?"

"Thank you." Shen Jianian took the tissues and wiped the water off her mouth, raising her head.

The girl saw her face clearly, her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Shen Jianian was sure she didn’t know her, but she was very pretty, with an oval face, fair and smooth skin, a delicate makeup, long black hair draped smoothly behind her, wearing an off-white dress, her demeanor clean and pleasant.

Xu Youxuan stared unblinkingly at Shen Jianian, not expecting their first meeting to be here.

Shen Jianian’s face was pale, the corners of her eyes moist and red, looking unwell. Xu Youxuan asked more, "Are you not feeling well?" Pausing, based on the memory before going abroad she pointed a direction, "I remember there was a hospital not far east, but it has been years since I came here, so I’m not sure if it’s still there."

"Thanks." Shen Jianian thanked her again, pressed her lips, and felt warmth from the concern of a stranger, smiling softly, "It’s just my stomach is a bit uncomfortable, maybe I ate something bad."

"It’s good you’re okay..." Xu Youxuan hesitated, feeling a bit awkward due to their different statuses, and didn’t say anything more.

Shen Jianian nodded with a smile and left the bathroom.

Xu Youxuan watched her enter the elevator, retracting her gaze, reached out under the sensor tap, allowing the warm water to flow over her hand.

Having just seen her photo in the newspaper the day before, she recognized Shen Jianian at first sight.

"So, you’re here." A gentle male voice sounded from behind her.

Xu Youxuan turned her head; it was her boyfriend who had come out from the private room. He had arrived in Beicheng that morning, and they had arranged to have dinner there.

The man was wearing a blue shirt and black casual pants, with a correct appearance and a tall and straight posture, he walked over in big strides and took her hand, pulling out a few tissues from the paper box on the sink to dry her hands.

"Why did you come out?" Xu Youxuan’s eyes curved in delight, enjoying her boyfriend’s thoughtful service, her delicate and charming face revealing a bashful demeanor.

"You were gone for so long, and I was worried something happened to you." The man tossed the tissues into the trash, holding her hand under the hand dryer, to quickly dry them.

Upon returning to the private room, when turning back to close the door, Xu Youxuan unconsciously glanced outside, suddenly noticed across the hallway, a woman gorgeously dressed came out from one of the private rooms, carrying an elegant light grey crocodile leather handbag on her arm.

Xu Youxuan believed that she was not mistaken; it was Mrs. Fu.

Thinking back to meeting Shen Jianian in the bathroom, Xu Youxuan didn’t believe it was a mere coincidence. Mrs. Fu must have met Shen Jianian in that private room. And Shen Jianian’s poor appearance afterward gave Xu Youxuan some hints.

Her boyfriend put his arm around her shoulders, noticing her contemplative appearance, he asked softly what was wrong.

Xu Youxuan shook her head, saying, "I’m just seeing an elder I know."