Chapter 48
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Hm? Do you guys know each other?" Shi Yunyang asked knowingly.
"No, we don't," Han Shibin felt a bit uneasy by Zuo Qinghuan’s sudden appearance here, but he remained relatively calm.
Compared to Han Shibin's unease, Zuo Qinghuan is completely unfazed. Shi Yunyang's intention is evident, but she believes Shi Yunyang wouldn't dare to reveal her relationship with Qin Wanshu. Since Han Shibin claimed not to know, then so be it; they don't know each other.
Han Shibin's reaction, though relatively normal, has some flaws. However, Zuo Qinghuan's response is very calm, indicating that this woman is more intelligent than he initially thought.
“I don't know him. Miss Shi, now that the person you invited is here, I'll go attend to my matters," Zuo Qinghuan wasn't keen on having coffee with the dubious Shi Yunyang and the outdated lover.
"Shibin, mind if she joins us for coffee?" Shi Yunyang asked with a seductive smile. How could she allow Zuo Qinghuan to exit the scene so crucially?
Han Shibin really didn't want Zuo Qinghuan to stay, but due to Shi Yunyang's request, he reluctantly nodded.
Deciding to stay, Zuo Qinghuan thought; Who's afraid of whom? The most uncomfortable person must be Mr. Han himself. With this in mind, Zuo Qinghuan calmly sat on the side and started sipping her coffee.
Han Shibin hoped Zuo Qinghuan would be a bit more considerate and find a reason to leave, but to his surprise, Zuo Qinghuan really showed no consideration and stayed.
"Oh, by the way, didn't you say last night that you wanted to talk to me about Miss Qin? Speak up, Xiao Huan is no stranger," Shi Yunyang affectionately referred to Zuo Qinghuan, sounding so familiar. Zuo Qinghuan thought Shi Yunyang was quite cunning, making Mr. Han discuss wife topics in front of his ex-mistress, undoubtedly adding to Mr. Han's distress.
In reality, Han Shibin was indeed very distressed. He found Shi Yunyang, who had always been clever, remarkably lacking tact today. He absolutely did not want a third person present at this moment.
“Um, I'm quite familiar with Mr. Han..." Zuo Qinghuan suddenly floated this sentence, making Han Shibin's heart tighten. He coldly stared at Zuo Qinghuan, his eyes as icy as a venomous snake.
"Oh? How so?" Shi Yunyang raised an eyebrow, finding this game more interesting starting now. Looking at Han Shibin's nervous demeanor was quite unusual.
Zuo Qinghuan felt a chill down her spine under Han Shibin's icy gaze. What an unrefined man, couldn't he take a joke?
"I often see Mr. Han in magazines, and I've found Mr. Han in person even more handsome..." Zuo Qinghuan's words made Han Shibin relax; he knew Zuo Qinghuan wasn't that foolish of a woman.
With a meaningful look, Shi Yunyang stared at Zuo Qinghuan. This woman was quite interesting. After enticing the husband, she even managed to captivate someone else's wife. Now, daring to play with Han Shibin, yet knowing when to stop, it's no wonder today's coffee tastes exceptionally good.
"Thank you," Han Shibin responded with feigned indifference, casting a sharp glance at Zuo Qinghuan, the warning evident. At this moment, Han Shibin carefully examined Zuo Qinghuan, whom he hadn't seen for a long time. The current Zuo Qinghuan seemed somewhat different from when they were together—more reserved and appeared younger and more innocent. Clearly, the present Zuo Qinghuan was more attractive than before. However, Han Shibin's gaze was quickly drawn to the watch on Zuo Qinghuan's wrist; why did this watch look so much like the one on Qin Wanshu's hand?
"Your watch is exquisite. Can you take it off and let me have a look?" Han Shibin asked Zuo Qinghuan with a smile, acting as if they had never met but maintained a polite gentlemanly demeanor.
"Sorry, I need to go to the restroom first," Zuo Qinghuan said, startled. The watch was a gift from Qin Wanshu yesterday. If she took it off to show Han Shibin, it would definitely give everything away. So, Zuo Qinghuan used the restroom as an excuse.
Watching the scene, Shi Yunyang was thoroughly entertained. That watch was a globally limited edition, each with a unique identifier. If Zuo Qinghuan took it off to show Han Shibin, it would be amusing. However, Zuo Qinghuan's reaction was swift; she found an excuse to go to the restroom to take off the watch. Today's performance was indeed intriguing.
"Feel free," Shi Yunyang said with a smile. After all, wouldn't it be strange if Zuo Qinghuan didn't wear a watch when she came out? Shi Yunyang was curious to see if Zuo Qinghuan would actually take off the watch.
After Zuo Qinghuan left for a moment, Han Shibin and Shi Yunyang finally had a chance to be alone. "Has Wanshu been getting close to anyone new recently?" Han Shibin casually asked, as if a good husband, concerned about his wife's social circle.
"What counts as getting close?" Shi Yunyang feigned ignorance. Although Han Shibin had often tried to impress her, her friendship with Miss Qin was rock-solid. Naturally, she would unconditionally cover for Qin Wanshu if there were any affairs.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Just occasional calls and hanging out together..." Han Shibin continued, unwilling to give up.
"Isn't that how I often invite her? Miss Qin has always been closest to me. What's the matter?" Shi Yunyang asked with a puzzled expression.
"Never mind, I'll go to the restroom too," Han Shibin said, feeling somewhat reassured by Shi Yunyang's response. If Qin Wanshu hadn't been interacting with others, maybe he was just being overly suspicious.
Damn, Han Shibin, you've got some nerve. Just meeting your ex-mistress right under my nose. Watch me play with you. As Shi Yunyang watched Han Shibin leave, she thought to herself. Actually, she had planned to play like this all along. Now, she just needed another excuse to prove she wasn't just fooling around.
"Miss, your husband and I are currently having coffee together," Shi Yunyang called Qin Wanshu, who was at the Qin residence.
"And then?" Qin Wanshu asked in a calm tone. If she received a deliberate phone call, it surely wasn't for anything good.
"In the café near your house. The two of them have coincidentally gone into the restroom together for quite some time. Do you think they might be playing with some heavy flavor*? But you're really biased. I asked for that watch several times, and you never gave it to me. Yet, you blatantly gave it to her. Seems like a deliberate attempt to blindside me, doesn't it?" Shi Yunyang complained, playing the victim and reporting to Qin Wanshu.
*“Heavy flavor” is a song but also a buzzword that can mean hobbies or things that exceed the moral bottom line. Either too explicit, gory, or immoral. It can also mean literally that, heavy flavor.
Qin Wanshu raised her eyebrows slightly, paused what she was doing, and reluctantly decided to get involved in Shi Yunyang's farce.
….
"Where have you been lately?" Han Shibin cornered Zuo Qinghuan at the intersection between the female and male restrooms.
"I haven't been anywhere, I just opened this coffee shop and have been working here all along," Zuo Qinghuan replied nonchalantly.
"How do you know Shi Yunyang?" Zuo Qinghuan and Shi Yunyang being acquainted made Han Shibin feel threatened. It seemed like Zuo Qinghuan was trying new things, deliberately getting to know Shi Yunyang.
"She often comes here for coffee, so we got to know each other." It was the truth. Excluding Qin Wanshu's role in the acquaintance, they wouldn't really know each other.
"Where did you get your watch?" Han Shibin grabbed Zuo Qinghuan's wrist, wanting to see her watch. This watch wasn't something anyone could buy with just money; obviously, it wasn't something Zuo Qinghuan could afford.
"Is it not okay if it's a gift from my new admirer*?" Han Shibin's aggressive attitude, coupled with the painful grip on her wrist, made Zuo Qinghuan somewhat annoyed. Who did Han Shibin think he was? They had no relationship now, and he was being overly intrusive!
*凯子(Kaizi) originates from the Hokkien dialect, and its original meaning is "fool". Now it specifically refers to a man who has been defrauded of money by a woman but has not received any benefits.
"You whore!" Han Shibin raised his hand, intending to slap Zuo Qinghuan, but he forcefully restrained himself. He initially thought Zuo Qinghuan was just throwing a tantrum and believed she would eventually come back to him. Even though Zuo Qinghuan was just a mistress, she was still his woman. At this moment, it felt like she was putting a green hat* on him, making him extremely angry.
*cuckolding him
"I am a whore, and at best, you're just a customer. How noble are you?" Zuo Qinghuan coldly chuckled and asked in return.
"Zuo Qinghuan, if you beg me, I might consider giving you another chance. Miss this opportunity, and there won't be a next time," Han Shibin said, forcibly restraining his temper. This was his final patience with Zuo Qinghuan.
"I'm extremely honored by the benefactor’s kindness. However, I'm not for sale now!" Zuo Qinghuan mockingly replied to Han Shibin.
Han Shibin, furious, chuckled ironically. "Whatever, I'm not exclusive to you. Just keep your mouth shut and don't talk nonsense with Shi Yunyang. Otherwise, you'll regret it." With this stern warning, Han Shibin turned and left. He was still cautious, fearing someone might come in at any moment.
Han Shibin returned to his seat and found Qin Wanshu was also there.
"Shushu happened to be at the Qin residence, so I invited her to join us for coffee. How about that? Happy to see your wife?" Shi Yunyang wore a triumphant expression, clearly seeking praise for her actions. Han Shibin had to forcibly control the corners of his mouth, trying to muster a reluctant smile. However, this time, Han Shibin noticed that Qin Wanshu was wearing a watch on her wrist. It seemed that Zuo Qinghuan's watch was indeed a gift from some admirer. A man who could generously give such a globally limited edition watch must have considerable financial resources, explaining why that woman was so fearless!
"I'll also go to the restroom." Qin Wanshu didn't acknowledge Han Shibin, just stood up and walked toward the restroom.
"Why is everyone so fond of going to the restroom today?" Shi Yunyang pretended to be puzzled. If it weren't for the fear of revealing the plot, she would also want to sneak into the restroom to eavesdrop.
Han Shibin forced a smile; today was indeed a regrettable choice for this coffee shop.
Zuo Qinghuan was also about to leave but found Qin Wanshu suddenly in front of her, pulling her into the women's restroom.
"Why are you here?" Zuo Qinghuan was surprised and delighted to see Qin Wanshu.
"Did he give you a hard time?" Qin Wanshu asked with concern, noticing that Zuo Qinghuan's complexion didn't look good.
Zuo Qinghuan shook her head. It was just a few ugly words; she heard worse. It's nothing. She’ll be stronger than ever.
"Did he grab you?" Qin Wanshu's expression shifted as she noticed the bruise on Zuo Qinghuan's wrist, her eyes reflecting a hint of displeasure.
"It's fine; it'll fade in a couple of days. He didn't do anything to me." Zuo Qinghuan hugged Qin Wanshu's waist, feeling a sense of relief as she embraced her.
"The watch?" Qin Wanshu actively reached out, hugging Zuo Qinghuan's waist and bringing them closer.
"I put it away, in my bag. I didn't want him to see it," Zuo Qinghuan replied, not wanting to trouble Qin Wanshu.
"It's okay, I'm here," Qin Wanshu said gently but seriously, taking the watch from Zuo Qinghuan's bag and helping her put it back on, conveniently covering most of the bruise.
For some reason, when Zuo Qinghuan heard those words, there was an inexplicable sense of reassurance in her heart. Qin Wanshu exuded a certain strength—gentle yet firm—making her convincing and dependable.
"Let's go outside," Qin Wanshu softly suggested to Zuo Qinghuan. She was also wary of anyone coming in at any moment, and staying too long was not suitable.
"Okay," Zuo Qinghuan nodded. When Han Shibin saw her and Qin Wanshu together, Zuo Qinghuan couldn't decipher his expression. She was also curious about Qin Wanshu's reaction. Although Qin Wanshu seemed unchanged, Zuo Qinghuan couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't as calm as she appeared. It might just be her imagination.
Author's Note:
I finally don’t have to stay up late tonight…
This is an important turning point for Qin Zuo…
I'm moving tomorrow, and if I haven't updated it, it's because I'm moving…
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