Manager Chen looked at Wen Changling, "This is what Mr. Xie ordered for Miss Wen."
"Who?"
Manager Chen didn't reply to Madam Qi's question and just nodded at Wen Changling before leaving.
Madam Qi was displeased and questioned Wen Changling, "Who is Mr. Xie?"
Wen Changling instinctively raised her head, looking around, "My neighbor."
"What's the relationship between you two? He even ordered teatime treats for you."
Linsheng Courtyard was too big, Wen Changling didn't see Xie Shang, she answered Madam Qi absentmindedly, "We're just neighbors."
Madam Qi wanted to explode but didn't have an excuse to. She piled up all the teatime treats in front of her son, then continued with what she was saying, "After you marry my Junjun, you should quit your job; you don't earn much anyway, and nursing requires night shifts, which won't allow you to take care of Junjun. In our house, men work outside, and women stay inside. Junjun is a lawyer, he can't do housework, and you'll need to take care of the domestic affairs. Junjun has a weak stomach and needs to eat four meals a day. His clothes can't be machine-washed; they must be hand-washed. At six in the morning, you have to iron his shirt, and at night—"
Madam Qi was getting to the important part when Manager Chen came over again.
"Evening Sweet Dew, Lou Nan Chun."
This time it was two pots of tea.
Once again interrupted, Madam Qi immediately flared up, "Is this from that Mr. Xie again?"
Manager Chen smiled, steady, "That's right, Mr. Xie said that Evening Sweet Dew pairs well with Seven Ingenious Lantern Cup Cakes, and Lou Nan Chun goes even better with Sugar-steamed Crispy Cheese. The right kind of tea should be matched with the right kind of treat, otherwise it's like playing the lute to oxen, chewing peonies." Manager Chen looked at Wen Changling like a loving father, "Miss Wen can try them."
Before Miss Wen could speak, Madam Qi slammed the table and stood up, "Who did you call an ox?"
Manager Chen looked innocent, "Did I call anyone an ox?"
"You—"
Many people were watching, Tao Jun held Madam Qi back.
Madam Qi sat down, suppressing her anger, glaring fiercely at Wen Changling, "What does that Mr. Xie mean by this? What exactly is your relationship with him? How dare you come to a blind date with such an unclear connection with another man."
Manager Chen hadn't left yet.
"Miss Wen." Manager Chen had another message to deliver, "Mr. Xie said he's not in a hurry. You and your friend can talk as long as you like, and he'll wait outside to go back with you."
Wen Changling looked towards the entrance but didn't see Xie Shang.
"No need to talk further." She didn't want to stay any longer and pointed at the four dishes of treats that Madam Qi pushed towards Tao Jun, "Could you pack these for me, please?"
"Certainly."
Manager Chen called someone to bring the takeaway boxes.
Wen Changling picked up her bag, and as she turned, the strap caught on the teapot.
Hot tea spilled out, and Madam Qi uttered a cry.
Both legs, now they matched.
Wen Changling felt very sorry, "I apologize." She showed a look of regret and said to Manager Chen, "Don't bother packing the tea."
All the Evening Sweet Dew was spilled, Madam Qi's skirt was soaked with tea stains, and she was so furious she almost jumped up but was too pained to rise immediately; her gaze could nearly devour Wen Changling.
"You did that on purpose!"
Wen Changling was honest, "I did."
"You—"
Madam Qi clutched the back of her neck, eyes rolling back as if she were about to faint.
Tao Jun quickly patted Madam Qi's back to help her breathe.
The treats were already packed; Wen Changling held them in hand, thanked Manager Chen and before she left, she had one more thing to say, "Mr. Tao, I sincerely suggest that next time you go on a blind date, don't bring your mother. Her facial features," she glanced at the well-fed Madam Qi and then in a grave, fortune-teller tone continued, "will affect your love and wealth luck."
Madam Qi was livid, "You little bitch—"
Wen Changling had removed her hearing aid, and then the whole world quieted down.
Madam Qi continued to curse behind her.
Wen Changling walked out the door.
Xie Shang's car was parked across the street; he stood beside the car door. In the capital's May, the weather could change in an instant. Dark clouds hung low, and the edge of the sky was gloomy. A big wind swept by, messing up Xie Shang's hair a bit. You couldn't find a second platinum hair color on the whole street; many people were watching him. He looked up and saw Wen Changling.
"Let's go."
Wen Changling could read lips.
"Okay."
Inside the courtyard, the storyteller had moved from "Mirror Flower Edge" to "Biography of a Woman." "Biography of a Woman" tells the story of a top scholar who gets tricked by an orphan girl, leading to his official downfall and death.
Madam Qi couldn't stand it and wanted to chase after her to continue the scolding.
Tao Jun saw a familiar figure through the glass window and asked Manager Chen, "Could you tell me which Xie is Mr. Xie?"
Manager Chen was a sharp one, "Flower Chamber Hall's Xie Family."
The Xie of the founding partner of KE Law Firm.
"Mom, stop scolding."
Madam Qi was still cursing, "You're still defending her? Do you believe that little whore's words?"
"Mr. Xie is my law firm owner's son." Tao Jun had had the honor of meeting him once.
Madam Qi suddenly felt darkness before her eyes.