Chapter 013 Encounter (2)_1

"Caught in a traffic jam, huh? Waited quite a while for you."

Shi Xian poured some wine for Shu Yimo as she spoke.

Shu Yimo smiled and slowly took a seat, glanced at the wine bottle in Shi Xian's hand, and said indifferently, "Eating is fine, but I'll pass on the wine today; if I feel like drinking, I'll do so at my place another day."

Considering what the doctor told him today, Shu Yimo was not in the mood for drinking.

This statement, however, surprised Shi Xian. Her action paused as she stared at Shu Yimo —

Others might not know, but she, Shi Xian, was aware that Shu Yimo was definitely a lover of wine, with a collection of fine wines at home and a substantial tolerance for alcohol.

"Had one too many a few days ago, now I feel it's better to stay sober."

Shu Yimo gestured for the waiter to bring some juice.

Hearing Shu Yimo's words, Shi Xian felt a tightness in her heart and unexpectedly felt a bit pained, understanding the deeper meaning in his words, so she chose not to say much.

Shu Yimo took a sip of the juice and turned to look at the stage below, only to find that the seats on the first floor were empty. The entire ground floor looked somewhat decorated, quite ceremonious as if it were waiting for someone.

"Who could it be? Such a grand setup?"

Shi Xian frowned and peered down; before she could react, she was surprised to see a figure below —

"Luo Haiming!"

Upon hearing this, Shu Yimo also started, and followed Shi Xian's gaze!

Indeed, at the entrance below, a tall and handsome man wearing an iron-grey tailored suit was smiling as he spoke with a manager of the entertainment city.

Shu Yimo, of course, recognized the man!

Luo Haiming!

The son of the mayor, the Luo Family held a prominent place in Jiangcheng, especially in the political arena!

When Bai Xiexie was involved in the incident years ago, Shu Yimo couldn't avoid prison because the Luo Family took swift action, so quick that even Shu Qiang had no time to react.

And now, with such a scene, if Shu Yimo wasn't mistaken —

At this thought, Shu Yimo's eyes narrowed, and he exchanged a glance with Shi Xian. Both had a clear understanding in their eyes as they tacitly looked towards the entrance.

Right then, outside the glittering gates of Emperor Palace No.1.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly stopped in front of the plaza, followed by two other black luxury sedans.

As soon as the car stopped, several bodyguards in black suits got out of the sedans behind, one of whom walked towards the Rolls-Royce and respectfully opened the door for the person in the back seat.

A tall and stately man emerged from the car.

Dressed in a sharp, deep blue tailored suit, his handsome face wore an aloof coldness, his black eyes held a trace of chilling indifference, and an air of nobility oozed from him that you couldn't help but notice. He quickly became the center of everyone's attention.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the car, a delicate figure also stepped out slowly.

She was wearing a fairy crane-pink coat over a light-colored knee-length dress, her beautiful hair hung in gentle waves down her back, her face white as jade, exuding a fragile demeanor akin to a delicate breeze, but her entire aura was pure and elegant.

Recognized by all major media as a famous heiress, well-read, refined, and noble!

An angelic temperament—

That was the impression Bai Xiexie always gave to others.

Her arrival instantly eclipsed the other women around, and the mayor's son, Luo Haiming, stared at Bai Xiexie's enchanting face, unable to snap back to reality for a long time!

Without a doubt, Bai Xiexie was a goddess-like figure that captivated countless men. She, surrounded by bodyguards, circled the car and walked towards Luo Haiming, who was standing dumbstruck at the entrance.

Looking at Luo Haiming's dazed face, Bai Xiexie's clear features lit up with a warm, smiling glow, a sight that made Luo Haiming's breathing quicken...

"Haiming, long time no see, have you been well?"

Her gentle voice held a faint joy of reunion, as pleasant to the ear as her naturally beautiful voice had always been.

"Xixi..."

Luo Haiming softly called out, his usually arrogant face now filled with the joy of reunion as he hurriedly approached her—

"You've finally returned, or else I would have chased you abroad!"

Bai Xiexie pursed her lips and chuckled, tilting her head to look at Fan Lingjue who had followed beside her, and said with a smile, "No need to chase me now, I've come back on my own."

"It's good that you're back. I've already arranged everything. Tonight, I'll hold a welcome-back dinner for you. Lingjue, let's go inside first."

Luo Haiming glanced at the silent Fan Lingjue, who then nodded and walked inside, with Bai Xiexie closely following him.

...

Two years of confinement and reflection, and Shu Yimo had never truly fantasized about her reunion with them. She was clear in her heart that, whatever the scenario of their reunion, he would undoubtedly be radiant and the center of attention, while she would certainly be in a sorry state, lonely and desolate.

As it turned out, this perception proved true today as well, with no deviation.

"Yimo, are you all right?"

Looking down at the illustrious couple being treated like treasures, especially Bai Xiexie, Shi Xian felt a surge of displeasure and her complexion turned ashen. Instinctively, she turned to look at Shu Yimo, only to find that Shu Yimo was indifferently withdrawing her gaze, lowering her eyelids to look at the cup in her hand.

"Let's eat, the food is getting cold."

Shu Yimo lifted her hand to sip some tea and then picked up a fork and knife, quietly cutting the steak in front of her.

"I almost forgot that in the whole Jiangcheng, the only woman whom the mayor's son and Fan Family's young master would hold in the palm of their hands is probably only Bai Xiexie."

Shi Xian sighed deeply, picked up the glass of wine in front of her, and drank it all in one go. "Yimo, I really feel sorry for you..."

As Shi Xian spoke, Shu Yimo's movements paused for a moment. After a while, she calmly lifted her gaze, looked at Shi Xian's worried face, and said lightly, "If I had known today's outcome, I might not have been willing back then. Emotions are a gamble. If there's anyone to blame, it's myself. Am I not currently serving my penance in 'prison' for two years for my own folly?"

"Don't talk like that, Yimo, you're not in the wrong. The ones who went too far were them,"

Shi Xian frowned.

"I don't want to pursue what's right or wrong anymore. What I can do is simply put an end to the past and start anew,"

Shu Yimo continued her task, finishing cutting her steak, then stretched her hands to pick up Shi Xian's fork and knife that lay beside her and silently started to cut Shi Xian's steak as well.

Shi Xian looked at her and took a deep breath inwardly, eventually saying no more.

Downstairs was naturally lively. The entire first floor had been reserved, and the band on stage was playing soft, soothing music. Several people also sat down, enjoying their dinner in a relaxed manner.