That “Bad” Woman Next Door – Chapter 34

I Don’t Want You to Get Hurt.

Although Yuan Yue had no real interest in this meeting, she felt it would be rude to leave Xu Ming hanging. She made some polite small talk. “It’s a one or two-hour drive from your home to the city. You must have had to get up really early, then?”

Xu Ming smiled nonchalantly. “It was well worth the wait to meet Miss Yuan. I don’t mind how early I had to get up.”

Xu Ming sounded quite sincere, which made Yuan Yue feel a little ashamed. After all, her intentions weren’t pure; she had only agreed to the meeting to get it over with. But Xu Ming had clearly come with the intention of starting a relationship.

Realizing this, Yuan Yue was struck with guilt. She didn’t want to waste his precious time. She opened her mouth to say, “Mr. Xu, I’m terribly sorry, but the truth is…”

Just as Yuan Yue was about to come clean, Yu Xi tugged her hand under the table. She looked at her, confused. “What’s wrong?”

Yu Xi said casually, “I need to use the restroom. Come with me.”

“Oh.” Unsuspecting, Yuan Yue gave Xu Ming an awkward smile. “Sorry, please make yourself comfortable for a moment. I’m going to accompany her to the restroom.”

Xu Ming couldn’t understand why someone needed company to go to the restroom, but he couldn’t very well object. “Okay, go ahead.”

Yu Xi pulled Yuan Yue toward the restrooms, stopping at the entrance. She turned to Yuan Yue and said, “Were you just about to tell him that you only agreed to meet him today to appease your family?”

Yuan Yue was genuinely impressed. Yu Xi had guessed it before she’d even said a word. She had no choice but to confess, “Yeah. I feel like it’s really unfair to him. I don’t want to hide it from him.”

“Have you thought about what happens after you just blurt it out? How are you going to wrap things up?”

“We’d just leave, I guess.”

Yu Xi said, neither salty nor bland, “The man rushed all the way here at the crack of dawn to see you, and you’re going to scatter after a single clap¹ less than five minutes after meeting? Isn’t that just making things incredibly awkward for both of you?”

Yu Xi had a point, and Yuan Yue still felt hesitant. “But I feel like we’re deceiving him.”

“How is this deceiving him?” Yu Xi quickly reasoned with her. “This is just the first meeting. You don’t know if he’ll even like you, and he’s still in the stage of testing the waters and getting to know you. So whatever you do, don’t be too blunt about it.”

Thinking it over, Yuan Yue realized she had been a bit rash. It was Xu Ming’s first time meeting her, too. What if he wasn’t interested in her? It would be mortifying if she’d been self-indulgently emotional² and laid all her cards on the table.

Thank goodness Yu Xi had stopped her. Yuan Yue linked her arm through Yu Xi’s, troubled. “So what do we do now?”

“Relax,” Yu Xi soothed her. “Just treat it like you’re making a new friend. Chat about whatever.”

Yuan Yue sighed.

Yu Xi smoothed the frown from Yuan Yue’s brow. “You can act a little cooler toward him later,” she advised. “Try to lower his interest in you as much as possible.”

That wasn’t a bad idea. Yuan Yue instantly felt a little more relaxed.

“Alright, let’s go back.”

“Wait. I was so nervous just now, I actually have to go.”

Yu Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She let go of her hand. “Go on, I’ll wait for you out here.”

…

Back at the table, after Yuan Yue and Yu Xi left hand-in-hand, the waiter delivered the freshly brewed coffee. With the party not yet complete, Xu Ming had nothing to do but gaze out the window.

Outside was a pedestrian street, and Xu Ming stared blankly at the people coming and going. After a while, his vision started to blur, and he quickly pulled his gaze back.

Ever since he’d received the call from Yuan Xi last night about meeting Yuan Yue today, Xu Ming hadn’t slept well. He’d woken up at the crack of dawn and was still feeling a bit drowsy.

The last thing Xu Ming wanted was for Yuan Yue and Yu Xi to return and find him looking worn out. He took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and pulled a small bottle of eye drops from his pocket. A couple of drops later, his eyes felt instantly refreshed.

Xu Ming put his glasses back on just as someone knocked on the window beside him. He jumped in surprise and whipped his head around, only to find a woman standing outside. She had heavily made-up eyes and was wearing a form-fitting black dress, smiling at him.

Xu Ming met her gaze for a few seconds. Staring at the familiar-yet-unfamiliar face, it dawned on him. “It’s you?”

The glass was thick; there was no way the person outside could have heard him. The woman’s lips moved, but Xu Ming couldn’t tell what she was saying. Then, he saw her suddenly walk away.

His eyes followed her as she entered the coffee shop and walked straight toward him.

The woman stopped in front of his table. “I thought I was seeing things,” she said with a grin. “I can’t believe it’s really you. It’s been so many years, but you haven’t changed a bit.”

Xu Ming stood up, his expression serious. He stared at her, his lips pressed together.

The woman’s smile faded. “Are you here for me?” she asked tentatively.

“You’re overthinking it.” This time, Xu Ming finally spoke.

The woman wasn’t annoyed. Her gaze went past him to the three cups of hot coffee on the table, and understanding seemed to dawn on her. “Waiting for someone?”

Xu Ming’s brows knitted together. “None of your business,” he said, displeased.

Sensing his disinterest, the woman shrugged. “Looks like you really do hate me,” she said with a wry smile. “I thought after all these years, we could all let things go. I guess I was overthinking it. Since you don’t want to see me, I’ll be on my way.”

Xu Ming remained silent, watching her leave with cold eyes.

The woman took only a few steps before stopping. Her expression shifted in an instant as she cried out in feigned surprise, “Miss Yuan, what a coincidence! Fancy meeting you here.”

Yuan Yue and Yu Xi had just returned from the restroom and run into an acquaintance—one she’d rather avoid. “Miss Zhuang?” she asked, suspicious. “What are you doing here?”

The person before them was none other than Zhuang Xiaochen. She quickly explained with a smile, “I just left your shop. I was passing by this coffee shop and saw someone I knew, so I came in to say hello. I never expected to run into you two here.” Her eyes drifted down to Yuan Yue and Yu Xi’s tightly clasped hands. “Are you two on a date?” she said suggestively. “Miss Yuan, you said you had something to do today. I thought you were just making an excuse.”

Since the other woman was already aware of their relationship, Yuan Yue couldn’t be bothered to hide it. She admitted it openly. “You’re right. We’re here on a date.”

Zhuang Xiaochen was tactful. “In that case, I won’t disturb you.” She glanced back, giving the motionless Xu Ming a meaningful look. “Goodbye,” she said softly.

After watching Zhuang Xiaochen leave, Yuan Yue and Yu Xi walked back to their table. They were surprised to see Xu Ming standing ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on the entrance. A jolt went through Yuan Yue. She forced a smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Xu Ming hadn’t had time to retract his gaze. He stared at the spot where Zhuang Xiaochen had disappeared and asked distractedly, “Is she a friend of yours?”

Yuan Yue paused for a moment, recalling what Zhuang Xiaochen had just said.

Zhuang Xiaochen claimed she was just passing by and saw an acquaintance, so she came in to say hi. When Yuan Yue and Yu Xi had walked over, she seemed to be talking to Xu Ming. Could Xu Ming be that acquaintance?

“She’s been discussing a partnership with my brother recently. I’ve met her a few times, but we’re not close,” Yuan Yue said, unable to suppress her curiosity. “Why, do you know her too?”

A complex emotion flashed across Xu Ming’s face before he forced a relaxed tone. “An old college classmate. I haven’t seen her in years.”

Xu Ming and Zhuang Xiaochen were college classmates? That was certainly a surprise.

Yuan Yue turned her head and exchanged a silent look with Yu Xi.

Yuan Yue once heard Yuan Xi mention that he had known Zhuang Xiaochen before. Could it be that those two had met through Xu Ming?

The relationships between everyone were getting more and more complicated. But Yuan Yue had no interest in Zhuang Xiaochen’s affairs. She shook her head and said to Xu Ming, “Let’s sit down and talk.”

The three of them took their seats.

The coffee had been served long ago and was now the perfect temperature. Yuan Yue took a sip and glanced up at the man across from her.

Since Yu Xi had told her to just chat, Yuan Yue made a show of being polite. “Do you like coffee, Mr. Xu?”

Xu Ming looked at the steaming, aromatic black coffee in front of him. “It’s alright. I used to drink it a lot when I pulled all-nighters.”

“I came to this coffee shop once before. Their coffee is pretty good.”

“Is that so?” Xu Ming took a symbolic sip, savoring it carefully. “Hmm, it has a really pure flavor,” he said with a smile.

After a bit of back-and-forth, Yuan Yue ran out of things to say. She had little experience in this area and looked to Yu Xi for help. She secretly tugged on Yu Xi’s hand under the table, but Yu Xi simply leaned in and whispered, “Pretend to be aloof. If he doesn’t talk, you don’t either.”

Xu Ming took a few more sips of his black coffee. When he set the cup down, he found two pairs of eyes staring intently at him. He collected himself and said, “We still have plenty of time today. How about I treat you two to a movie later?”

Yuan Yue guessed that even Xu Ming couldn’t stand the awkward atmosphere and had decided to change tack. The question was so sudden that she looked to Yu Xi, indecisively. “What do you think?”

Yu Xi raised an eyebrow. “Sure, why not? It’s not like we have anything else to do today.”

They had only finished half their coffee before it was time to leave. After Xu Ming paid the bill, the three of them left the coffee shop together. “If you two could wait here a moment, I’ll go get the car,” Xu Ming said.

As soon as Xu Ming was gone, Yu Xi teased Yuan Yue, “So, what’s your first impression of him?”

“What impression? I don’t feel anything,” Yuan Yue said distractedly.

Yu Xi was pleased with this answer. Her gaze followed Xu Ming’s retreating figure. “Don’t you think he’s been acting a little strange ever since Zhuang Xiaochen showed up?”

Yuan Yue followed Yu Xi’s gaze, thought back for a moment, and shook her head. “I didn’t notice.”

Yu Xi looked at her, exasperated, and sighed. “Forget it. How could someone as thick-nerved³ as you notice something like that?”

“Xu Ming.”

In the parking lot, Xu Ming had finally located his car. Just as he was about to open the door, someone called his name from behind.

Xu Ming straightened up and turned to see Zhuang Xiaochen walking slowly toward him. He frowned, annoyed. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I was waiting for you,” Zhuang Xiaochen said matter-of-factly.

“Waiting for me?” Xu Ming scoffed, his eyes briefly sweeping over her face. “What do you want?”

Zhuang Xiaochen appeared perfectly at ease, stopping a few feet away from him. “What could I possibly do to you? Stop thinking the worst of me.”

Xu Ming let out a disdainful snort and looked away, turning again to open his car door.

Zhuang Xiaochen rushed forward and pressed his hand down. “You’re leaving before I’m finished speaking?” she said rapidly. “Is this how a teacher is supposed to act?”

Xu Ming violently shook her hand off, glaring at her. “Spit it out. I have people waiting for me.”

But Zhuang Xiaochen was in no hurry. “You mean Yuan Yue and Yu Xi?”

Xu Ming’s face darkened, but he didn’t answer.

Zhuang Xiaochen wasn’t about to let him go. She pressed on relentlessly, “Are you here on a blind date? Is it with Yuan Yue, or Yu Xi?”

Xu Ming finally snapped. “That has absolutely nothing to do with you, does it?”

Seeing his reaction, Zhuang Xiaochen knew she was close to the truth. She ignored his cold attitude and mused aloud, “You and Yuan Xi were high school classmates. So, the one you’re on a date with must be Yuan Yue.”

A deep ‘chuan’ character⁴ formed between Xu Ming’s brows. He stared hard at Zhuang Xiaochen’s insufferably arrogant face and demanded once more, “What is it you want?”

“Nothing. Just, as an old friend, I wanted to give you a friendly warning.” Zhuang Xiaochen didn’t draw it out. Her expression turned serious. “It’ll never work out between you and Yuan Yue, because her heart already belongs to someone else. I don’t know why she agreed to meet you—maybe she was forced, or maybe she has some other motive—but I don’t want you to be kept in the dark. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

After her long speech, Xu Ming shot back a single, cold sentence: “Do you really think I’d ever believe you again?”

“Whether you believe me or not,” Zhuang Xiaochen said urgently, “every word I’ve said to you today is the truth.”

“Are you finished?” Xu Ming was unmoved.

Zhuang Xiaochen changed the subject. “Xu Ming, let’s exchange contact information. If in the future…”

“There’s no need.” Xu Ming rejected her cruelly. Setting aside any remaining sentiment, he turned and got into his car. He put the key in the ignition, started the engine, and slammed his foot on the gas.

“XU MING, YOU’LL REGRET THIS!” Zhuang Xiaochen shouted, pounding on the car window.

But Xu Ming paid her no mind, speeding past her.

In a moment of panic, Zhuang Xiaochen tried to chase after him in her four-inch heels. She took only one step before taking a nasty fall. A tearing pain shot through her ankle, and she cried out.

Xu Ming heard the shriek from behind him. His heart skipped a beat. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he saw the exact moment Zhuang Xiaochen fell.

He wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the light, but he thought he saw a tear slide from the corner of her eye as she looked up. His resolve softened. He slowed the car, and after a moment of internal struggle, on some strange impulse, he put the car in reverse.

Xu Ming quickly got out and ran over. When he saw the perpetually strong-willed Zhuang Xiaochen with tears streaming down her face, something deep inside him pricked. “Are you okay?” he asked, his concern genuine.

Zhuang Xiaochen wiped away a tear. “I’m not dead yet,” she said stubbornly.

Xu Ming’s gaze fell to her exposed, swollen ankle. “You’ve sprained your ankle!” he exclaimed. “We have to get you to a hospital immediately!”

He moved to help her up, but Zhuang Xiaochen shoved his hand away. “Don’t you hate me?” she said icily. “Why do you care if I live or die?”

He had never met someone so ungrateful. With a cold expression, Xu Ming abruptly stood up straight.

Zhuang Xiaochen’s face changed in an instant. She quickly grabbed his pant leg. “HAVE YOU NO DECENCY? I’M THIS INJURED, AND YOU’RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE ME HERE?!” she accused him loudly.

Seeing her mercurial behavior, Xu Ming couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “What is it you want?”

Zhuang Xiaochen looked up at him, tear stains still on her face. “I want you to take me to the hospital,” she said pitifully.

“I’m busy. I don’t have time,” Xu Ming refused without a trace of mercy.

Unflustered, Zhuang Xiaochen picked up her phone. “Then I’ll just have to tell Miss Yuan all about our past.”

“ZHUANG XIAOCHEN!” Xu Ming roared, snatching the phone from her hand.

Zhuang Xiaochen met his gaze calmly and repeated, “Now, I want you to personally drive me to the hospital.”

Xu Ming hated being threatened, but he was helpless. He fought to calm the rage in his chest. Looking at Zhuang Xiaochen’s phone in his hand, he saw that the most recent call was to Yuan Yue. He hesitated for a moment, then redialed the number.

As the call connected, Xu Ming took a deep breath. “Miss Yuan, it’s Xu Ming,” he said apologetically. “I’m so sorry, but Zhuang Xiaochen is hurt, and I have to take her to the hospital right now. I won’t be able to go to the movies with you today. I’m really, truly sorry.”

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