Xinzhou restaurant

The weather of A city is a little cold tonight. So, Qin Rong decided to wear a nude pink colored fluffy sweater with blue denims and a pair of snickers.

She doesn't like to put any makeup on her face as her flawless white skin, pink lips and shiny, golden brown colored shoulder length hair perfectly matched with her outfit.

She just applied some mascara and eyeliner to make her eyes more beautiful and eye-catching.

Satisfied with her look, she hailed a taxi to reach Xinzhou restaurant. This hotpot restaurant was their favourite since high-school. It's just that the restaurant is renovated now, giving it an elegant cultural chinese vibe...

Qiao Anan booked a private room for them and she was already there as Qin Rong was five minutes late.

When Qin Rong just entered the private room, Qiao Anan already flung to her side giving her a tight warm hug.

Pouting slightly, she said, " Rongrong, I missed you so much.. How can you leave me for so many years? "

Qin Rong was amused at her friend's cute, clingy behavior but it warmed her heart. It has been so many years since she last felt like this. She was habituating with her cold, lonely lifestyle.

Hugging Anan back, she said, " I missed you too dear but as you know this city has only brought pain to me. I couldn't have concentrated in my studies and career if I lived here. But finally I am back and the first person I have met is you. Aren't you happy? "

Qiao Anan giggled after hearing her friend's words. She replied, " I am so-so-so happy... By the way, how can you look younger than before? tell me if you're having any secret skin therapy? look at your skin, It's so tender, soft and white even when you're a world famous neurosurgeon who has to go through such hectic work schedule! Hmph, I am jealous.."

Qin Rong really wanted to facepalm herself after hearing her immature friend's overpraising comments but suddenly her facial expression changed as she replied with a bitter smile, " Even if I am busy, I try my best to take care of myself as I have promised him to do so... "

Though Qin Rong didn't mention who this "him" is, Qiao Anan could guess clearly. She could feel Qin Rong's pain from her bitter smile and said softly, "He also told you to love again and to start a new life. Did you listen to him? ".....

"Seriously Rongrong, It has been four years since he passed away. You are only twenty-seven, you are so successful now that everybody envies you. There must be a lot of men who want to date you, right? Can't you give them a chance? Rongrong, it's time to move on, Do you know that? "

Qin Rong was dumbfounded after hearing her friend's lecture.

Pausing for a while, she replied, "Yeah, I have come across into lots of people since the past four years but nobody ever could make me feel like him.... What can I do? .... Well I am very contented with my present life. I don't want to invest my time in relationship issues now... Let's eat for now, otherwise the hotpot will not taste good. "

Qiao Anan could understand that Qin Rong is avoiding this issue so she didn't push her further. Rather she remembered about something else and told Qin Rong hesitantly while chewing a tender piece of sliced beef, "Ehmmm R-Rongrong, have you heard any news about Jun's mother? Shi Mohan was saying that her condition detoriated in these few years... So, I suggest you not to visit her"

Shi Mohan is Jun aka Shi Yu Jun's elder brother who is two years older than him and he used to be their senior in middle school and high school.

He has another identity and that is Qiao Anan's long-term boyfriend.

Qin Rong clenched her fists and her grip on chopsticks tightened. She felt pain but she controlled her facial expression and said, " I know she blames me but I still have to visit her as she's my mother-in-law."

Their dinner almost ended when Qiao Anan got a call from her office colleague about a work related affair.

Qin Rong felt suffocated after talking about her past. So, she cleansed her hands and decided to take a stroll in the hallway of the restaurant.

On the other side...

Few minutes ago, inside another private room of the Xinzhou restaurant

Lu Xingtian frowned at the site of the oily, spicy hotpot soup.

He said to his business partner cum friend; Mo Yifeng, " I still can't get it how can a middle-aged man like you prefer to eat hotpot? You should take care of your health dude... We could have set our meeting in a five star restaurant or inside my villa. "

Angered at his words, Mo Yifeng shouted, " whom are you calling middle aged man?! I'm only thirty-five, okay? This restaurant's hotpot tastes better than the dishes of five-star restaurants.. "

Lu Xingtian sneered and said, " You and your typical opinions! Can't believe that you are the president of such a huge corporation. No wonder, uncle is still holding the position of the chairman to control you. You should act like a proper businessmen. What'll other people think of you if they come to know that you are settling business deals in a hotspot restaurant! "

They were busy in chit-chatting and taunting each other as they're childhood friends...

But suddenly a woman verged inside the room and sprang into Lu Xingtian's arms...