Fu Hannen, his expression cold and indifferent, raised his glass and downed the wine in one swift motion. "It's better if you eat less. Female celebrities shouldn't get too fat."
That remark—straight from the mind of a man completely out of touch with tact—left the table in stunned silence.
Ye Fanxing was frozen in shock, her smile fading. Ji Yunchuan, sitting beside her, shook his head and chuckled, half in disbelief. "Our President Fu really takes his straight-male syndrome seriously. Come on, where is she fat? Fanxing, you're not even close to fat!"
Ye Fanxing, who had been resting her chin in her hand, sighed dramatically as she set down her utensils. "Well, if President Fu thinks I'm fat, I guess I'll have to start dieting, Ji Yunchuan. No more late-night snacks for me, okay?"
Ji Yunchuan scoffed and slid his plate of sliced steak toward her. "Ignore him. You're practically a paper-thin figure. Eat up before the wind blows you away. It's obvious he's in a bad mood because he had a fight with his wife and is taking it out on us."
"A wife?" Ye Fanxing's eyes widened with surprise, her delicate features lighting up in astonishment. "Hannen, you're married?"
Fu Hannen, clearly in no mood for this conversation, muttered, "Just drink your wine." His mind was elsewhere, fully absorbed in his glass of wine rather than the people around him.
Ye Fanxing, undeterred, leaned in, her voice soft but persistent. "Hannen, did you really get married? I thought you said you'd never fall in love with anyone again."
Her hand gently slid onto Fu Hannen's arm, a subtle but intimate gesture, as she gazed at him with a mixture of curiosity and longing. It was clear from her expression that Fu Hannen was still the man who occupied her thoughts.
On the other side of the table, Ji Yunchuan looked like an oversized lamp, an awkward third wheel in their dynamic. He silently lifted his glass and took a long drink, the situation clearly rubbing him the wrong way.
Even though he had known for years that Ye Fanxing's feelings for Fu Hannen ran deep, he had always kept his own affection for her hidden. To maintain their friendship and avoid complicating their trio, Ji Yunchuan had created a playboy persona for himself, making it seem like he had no serious feelings for anyone. No one knew that beneath the surface, the trio's bond was a classic love triangle.
Fu Hannen glanced down at Ye Fanxing's delicate hand resting on his. His sharp eyes flicked up to meet hers, cold and unyielding. "Ye Fanxing, I've told you before, don't overstep your boundaries. We're just friends."
Awkwardly, Ye Fanxing retracted her hand, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment. "I was just curious about your private life, no need to be so serious."
"Exactly!" Ji Yunchuan joined in, jumping at the opportunity to scold Fu Hannen. "Why are you being so harsh with Fanxing? Just because you've got a wife now doesn't mean you can start treating your friends like dirt. You're totally putting your love life over your friendships."
As they bantered, Gu Yicing stood at the top of the staircase, unnoticed by the group. From her vantage point, she could see the warm exchange between Fu Hannen and Ye Fanxing, and a wave of disappointment washed over her. How could they look so intimate? Her heart sank, and she quickly ducked behind the stairs to avoid being seen.
Just then, a waiter approached her politely. "Miss, would you like to order something? Are you dining alone, or waiting for someone?"
"Shh," Gu Yicing whispered, pressing a finger to her lips. "I'm waiting for some friends. I'll join them soon."
As soon as the waiter moved on, Gu Yicing bolted down the stairs and slipped into the restroom. She needed a moment to compose herself and, more importantly, to adjust her appearance. Pulling out a small bottle of makeup remover and cotton pads from her bag, she wiped away the deliberately unflattering makeup she had been wearing. Once her face was clean, she reached for her foundation and lipstick, applying just enough to highlight her natural beauty.
Her pale complexion didn't require heavy coverage, just a light touch of foundation to even out her skin tone. The lipstick brightened her face, giving her a fresh, confident look. Lastly, she tugged at the hair tie holding her ponytail in place, letting her long, black hair cascade over her shoulders like a waterfall of silk.
When she looked in the mirror, the transformation was remarkable. The scruffy, awkward girl from before had been replaced by a radiant, striking woman. Even Gu Yicing felt a surge of confidence as she surveyed her reflection.
As she stepped out of the restroom, the nearby waitstaff stared in astonishment. Wasn't this the same woman who had just entered looking plain and disheveled? How had she emerged as such a beauty?
Gu Yicing smiled inwardly at their reactions but didn't linger. Tossing her sleek hair over her shoulders, she strode toward the outdoor terrace where Fu Hannen and his friends were seated.
She couldn't let Ye Fanxing—perfect as she seemed—outshine her. No matter how beautiful Ye Fanxing was, she had no right to get so close to *her* husband. This was her fight, and she intended to win it. After all, Fu Hannen was her husband, and it was her duty to protect what was hers.