"Uncle Lou, what are you looking at?"
Duan Xiu rarely saw such an expression on Lou Yuming's face – playful, relaxed, teasing, as if he were toying with a small animal.
"Nothing," he said faintly, retracting his gaze, his eyes filled with a smile.
Duan Xiu became even more curious, turning his head to look. Everyone else was eating; he found nothing out of the ordinary.
Strange…
"Where did you go after eating?" Lou Yuming asked.
Duan Xiu replied, "Home."
Lou Yuming pointed to the bag hanging on his neck, "Aren't you going to see your girlfriend?"
Duan Xiu then realized the bag had been hanging around his neck all along!
He immediately felt embarrassed, his face flushing. He fumbled to take off the bag and tossed it aside.
Lou Yuming said calmly, "Alright, go see her. She's probably been waiting for a while."
Duan Xiu pursed his lips, also cleverly realizing that Lou Yuming likely had something he wanted to do, which was why he was telling him to leave.
He stood up, carrying the bag in his hand, "Then I'll be going, Uncle Lou. I'll visit you in a couple of days."
Lou Yuming nodded slightly, then took out his phone and sent a text message to Song Xi.
"How much longer are you going to keep watching? Come over."
Song Xi saw the message just as the sushi platter arrived at her table.
She glared at Lou Yuming. He leaned back in his chair lazily and shrugged.
Song Xi said to the server, "To that table!" and then walked over proactively.
As Duan Xiu walked out of the restaurant, he glanced back and saw a woman sitting in the seat he had just occupied.
He paused. Although he couldn't see Lou Yuming's expression clearly from that distance, Duan Xiu felt that he seemed to be smiling.
Who was that woman? Didn't Uncle Lou say he didn't have a girlfriend?
Duan Xiu didn't look any further. After one last deep glance, he continued walking forward.
For some reason, he felt that the woman's back seemed a little familiar.
Duan Xiu returned to the stand-up comedy hall. The performance had just ended.
Due to the ensuing chaos, the show had to be brought to an early close.
His girlfriend came out from the crowd. As soon as she saw Duan Xiu, she started complaining incessantly.
"Where did you go? Do you know how chaotic it was just now! You're so useless!"
Duan Xiu frowned.
The girl continued, "Do you remember that woman just now? The one wearing a mask who sat in front of us? She's Song Xi! Damn it! Why would a celebrity like her come to watch this? If it wasn't for her, the show wouldn't have ended! She made the whole place so messy, I really hate her!"
"I'm talking to you, are you listening? Hey, Duan Xiu! What's your problem? It was so dangerous just now, and you, as my boyfriend, disappeared! Was the game more important than me? If this is how it is, we might as well break up—"
"Let's break up."
Before the girl could finish her sentence, Duan Xiu coldly interrupted.
He tossed the bag at her. The usually amiable and easygoing expression on his face was now icy, as if he had become a different person.
The girl panicked. She grabbed Duan Xiu's sleeve, trying to placate him, "I was just kidding, don't be angry. I didn't mean to complain about you. I was just scared because you weren't there, I..."
"Didn't I make myself clear? We're breaking up."
Duan Xiu's gaze deepened, his entire demeanor chilling. He unceremoniously brushed away her hand.
The girl's face turned pale. She wanted to try and salvage the situation, but Duan Xiu's stern gaze intimidated her into not daring to take another step closer.
She watched Duan Xiu's receding back, feeling for the first time how strange this man was. It was as if she had never known him.
Inside the restaurant.
Song Xi and Lou Yuming sat facing each other. Neither of them spoke. A large platter of sushi sat on the table.
Lou Yuming spoke first, his tone teasing, "Why aren't you eating? That's quite expensive, isn't it?"
His words were like a stab to her heart, knowing how much she cared about money.
Song Xi's mouth twitched, "It's none of your business."
"Watch your attitude," he reminded her.
Song Xi chuckled and continued to be impudent.
"Why were you following me?"
"Who's following you!" Song Xi was thankful she was wearing a mask; otherwise, he would have seen through her words.
She said, "Don't be so narcissistic, okay? I was just hungry and came to eat."
Song Xi narrowed her eyes, suspiciously, "You weren't following me, were you? Otherwise, how would you end up in a place like this!"
Lou Yuming raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with a meaningful look, "You know me so well? What would you do if I said you were right?"