Chapter 115: Playing Both Sides

"Old Zhang, have a seat." Seeing Father Zhang, Mr. Sen greeted him cheerfully.

"Mr. Sen, today..." Father Zhang was about to excuse himself, but Zhang Xiluo tugged at his sleeve and gave a slight shake of her head. Since her father was already here, leaving now would be impolite. He had always been an affable, friendly man with a sterling reputation, and she didn't want him to compromise his principles on her account.

"Hello, Mr. Sen. I am Zhang Xiluo," she said, taking the initiative to greet him politely.

"Ah, hello. The last time I saw you, you were so small. In the blink of an eye, you've grown into a beautiful young woman," Mr. Sen said with practiced courtesy. Zhang Xiluo offered a compliant smile. She was hardly a young woman anymore; she was well on her way to becoming an old maid.

Father Zhang sat down with a dark expression. Had he known Li Mingye would be there, he certainly wouldn't have come. Zhang Xiluo sat between Li Mingye and Ouyang Chen. Neither of them looked at her, yet the atmosphere felt suffocatingly eerie. The auras of these two men didn't seem to belong to the world of the living.

Mr. Sen, oblivious to the strange tension, chatted happily with Father Zhang and explained why Li Mingye was present. Li Mingye had purchased his paintings and was interested in future collaborations, so they were taking this opportunity to discuss them. Having not visited Dragon City for many years, Mr. Sen was completely unaware that Li Mingye and Zhang Xiluo had married and subsequently divorced.

"Young people today are truly remarkable. Soon, it will be time for us to retire," Mr. Sen said, praising Li Mingye and expressing his admiration for Ouyang Chen. "Ouyang once studied traditional Chinese painting under me for a time. While not a formal master-disciple relationship, I consider him one of my own."

"If Mr. Sen doesn't mind, I would be honored to perform a formal apprenticeship ceremony," Ouyang Chen said with a serious expression.

Mr. Sen laughed happily. "How could I mind? Having a student as talented as you is my good fortune."

"Then I shall arrange a date to formally join your tutelage."

Zhang Xiluo kept her head down, eating to herself. She wished she were invisible, hoping for the dinner to end so she could leave. Mr. Sen continued to reminisce with her father, whose mood gradually improved as they talked.

Once she was full, she looked at her father. They were still drinking and would likely be talking for a while longer. Catching her gaze, Father Zhang decided to provide her with an excuse. "Luoluo, why don't you head back first? I’ll chat a bit longer with Mr. Sen. Tell your mother I’ll be home late."

Relieved, Zhang Xiluo nodded repeatedly. "Mr. Sen, I’ll be going now. Please, enjoy your meal." She gave a perfunctory nod to Li Mingye and Ouyang Chen, grabbed her bag and coat, and hurried out. She didn't stop until she reached the roadside outside the hotel. Stretching her arms and taking a deep breath, she murmured, "The air is much better out here."

"You're right about that."

Zhang Xiluo froze and glanced sideways at Li Mingye. He was like a stubborn plaster; she couldn't shake him off. "Then you should take a few more breaths—don't let it go to waste," she said with a forced smile, then waved down a taxi and moved to open the door.

Li Mingye blocked her path. "No taxi. Tell him to go."

"Li Mingye, what do you want now!" Zhang Xiluo was frustrated. She couldn't understand why he kept harassing her. Was it still about Zhou Yao? Was he still hung up on that fake lotus flower?

"Between going on a blind date with Mu Changjia and being with your classmate, are you planning to keep two boats under your feet?" Li Mingye's face turned terrifyingly dark as he mentioned the two men.

Zhang Xiluo met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. "I am your ex-wife. I could be juggling eight boats, and it would have nothing to do with you. Li Mingye, don't tell me you're jealous."

"And what if I am?" Li Mingye frowned, asking in a low voice.

"And what could you possibly do about it?" Zhang Xiluo pushed him toward the brink of rage, unaware of the danger.

Li Mingye was enveloped in a chilling aura, and his words were as sharp and cold as ice, making her shiver. "Zhang Xiluo, think about it—perhaps you'll figure it out."

Wrapping her coat tighter, she rolled her eyes at him. "No need to think. Whatever you feel has nothing to do with me. Likewise, don't waste your energy on my affairs. Mr. Li, if you're worried about your image, I can issue a statement: everything I do is independent of my ex-husband. Furthermore, if you keep appearing in my life and harassing me because of Zhou Yao, I suggest you stop wasting your time. Her downfall was not my doing."

With that, she quickly opened the door of a taxi parked nearby and dived in. "Driver, go, to Qinyuan."

The mere mention of Zhou Yao left her feeling agitated, even though that woman was no longer a part of her life. Li Mingye stood where he was, lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and stared thoughtfully in the direction Zhang Xiluo had departed.

On the way back to Qinyuan, Zhang Xiluo received a message from Ouyang Chen: "Zhang Xiluo, do you hate me now?"

She thought for a moment, pretended not to see it, and tucked her phone away. When it chimed several more times, she checked it again. It was still Ouyang Chen.

"I know you saw it."
"That trick of pretending not to see is getting old."
"If you don't reply, I'll come to your house tonight to ask you."

Zhang Xiluo looked at the string of messages and felt a headache coming on. It seemed her three years away from Dragon City had been for nothing. Neither Ouyang Chen nor Li Mingye had drawn a clear line between them and her. The trajectory of this life was terrifying; Zhou Yao hadn't gotten Li Mingye, nor had she made Ouyang Chen fall for her. Instead, she herself had become the woman caught between the two of them.

"I don't hate you."

Zhang Xiluo didn't actually hate Ouyang Chen; in fact, she felt grateful. He had helped her in her previous life, and since her rebirth, he had protected her multiple times. It was just that she didn't want to get too close. Regardless of whether she and Li Mingye were finished, there was no possibility for her and Ouyang Chen.

"If you don't hate me, why do you run every time you see me?" Ouyang Chen seemed relentless.

Zhang Xiluo didn't reply and put her phone away again.

Father Zhang had drunk too much, and it was Ouyang Chen who brought him home. Zhang Xiluo was watching a variety show with her mother, laughing heartily, when they arrived.

"Old Zhang, why did you drink so much!" Mother Zhang hurried over to support him. "Ouyang, thank you for bringing him home."

"It's the least I could do. Mrs. Zhang, I have something to discuss with Luoluo. May I take her for a walk?" Ouyang Chen looked at Zhang Xiluo.

"Another time, it's too late tonight," Zhang Xiluo refused. "You've been drinking too, you should go home and rest."

"I'm fine." Ouyang Chen remained expressionless, glancing at Zhang Xiluo before turning his gaze back to Mother Zhang.

Mother Zhang smiled slightly. "Go on, walk around the compound, but be back soon."

"..."

Zhang Xiluo was speechless. She had no choice but to grab her coat and head out with Ouyang Chen.