My Ex Told Me She’s Still In Love With Me - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: To Go for Wool and Come Home Shorn

After leaving the Lan family home, Meng Qingwu felt absolutely nothing for that “home.”

She had returned to the Meng family with Ms. Meng when she was only three years old—an age too young to form lasting memories. Naturally, she felt no deep bond with the Lans. It was only amusing to her how they had never raised or cared for her, yet now felt entitled to use her as a pawn so shamelessly.

She drove toward her own apartment, but halfway there, her stomach began to growl, singing a song of emptiness. She hadn’t eaten a thing at the Lan house. Now that her mind had relaxed, her appetite came roaring back.

Before reaching home, she turned the steering wheel and headed toward the University Town.

Arriving at a restaurant she used to frequent during her college days, Meng Qingwu suddenly found herself craving its familiar flavors. Since she was eating alone, she didn’t order much—just two signature dishes and some greens. She sat in a corner eating slowly, watching the students gathered in small groups, her eyes filled with nostalgia.

It’s so nice, she thought. I used to be like them, gathered together without a care, laughing and playing.

“Teacher Cheng, you’re back again?” the owner’s loud voice boomed from the front counter.

Perhaps her ears were too sensitive; the moment she heard the surname “Cheng,” she became hyper-aware. Meng Qingwu looked up and unexpectedly met a pair of eyes filled with startled surprise.

Meng Qingwu: “…”

What kind of twisted fate is this? I can’t even eat a meal without running into her?

Cheng Yi also appeared at a loss. Facing Meng Qingwu’s gaze, her first instinct was to look away, but since their eyes had already met, she couldn’t exactly turn around and walk out as if nothing had happened. After a moment of silence, Cheng Yi told the owner to give her the “usual” and walked over to Meng Qingwu’s table.

“Qingwu.”

Meng Qingwu gave a faint, indifferent response.

Her coldness clearly worsened Cheng Yi’s awkwardness. Cheng Yi looked at the food in front of Meng Qingwu and said with concern, “Why are you eating so late? It’s bad for your stomach.”

Meng Qingwu’s hand paused briefly, then she said nonchalantly, “Isn’t Teacher Cheng doing the same? Eating this late?”

She had forgotten when she came here that Cheng Yi’s university was the closest landmark!

“I just finished work,” Cheng Yi said, her voice dropping slightly.

Meng Qingwu glanced at her. She felt that ever since their reunion, Cheng Yi had become much more cautious around her, as if terrified of offending her. Meng Qingwu sneered inwardly; Cheng Yi looked like she was the one being bullied.

“Sit if you’re going to sit. If not, go somewhere else. Why are you standing there like you’re waiting for lightning to strike?”

Cheng Yi remained silent for a moment before taking the seat opposite her. Meng Qingwu only spared her a glance as she sat down, then lowered her eyes to her food. Her appetite had completely vanished.

…

“Will she really be here?” Meng Qingwu asked, confirming for the umpteenth time with a look of doubt.

“Trust me! I’ve scouted it out. This is the place she comes to eat most often!” her classmate patted her shoulder, giving a confident guarantee.

Meng Qingwu clenched her fists at her sides, her heart drumming nervously. She had come here today to create a “chance encounter.”

During yesterday’s department social, she had noticed a gentle and refined senior student at a single glance. She had finally mustered the courage to approach her, but the senior had left after barely two sentences. This left Meng Qingwu feeling quite defeated.

After asking around, she found out the senior was a third-year student at B University next door and a legendary “goddess” figure in her department. Meng Qingwu felt her heart racing. After seeing her yesterday, she couldn’t get that figure out of her head. She was excited, yet nervous and shy.

After all, she hadn’t expected that the first person to ever stir her heart would be a woman.

After saying goodbye to her classmate, Meng Qingwu was still restless. After silently scolding herself for being useless, she finally steadied her thoughts and went inside to “wait for the rabbit.”

However, by nearly 7:00 PM, she still hadn’t seen her. Meng Qingwu began to doubt her classmate’s intel… Or maybe Cheng Yi just didn’t want to eat here today?

Since she was taking up a seat, it was awkward not to eat. Meng Qingwu ordered some food and ate slowly. But no matter how slowly she ate, stretching the meal out meant she eventually consumed a lot of food. Now, she just felt uncomfortably full. Having sat there for so long, even she was starting to feel embarrassed.

Just as she raised her hand to order a drink, she saw her.

“Senior!” Meng Qingwu’s eyes lit up instantly as she waved her hand excitedly.

Cheng Yi followed the sound and saw a girl who looked somewhat familiar. Her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, with a few curled strands fluttering at her temples. Her deep-set features gave her a slightly exotic look, but most importantly, the small beauty mark under the corner of her eye added a touch of allure to her innocence. The blend of purity and charm was perfectly balanced, making people’s eyes light up. Cheng Yi remembered her; she had seen her at the social the night before.

She gave a slight nod as a greeting, but had no intention of striking up a conversation. Seeing that she wasn’t moving, Meng Qingwu rushed forward to invite her: “I happen to be eating too. Do you mind if we sit together, Senior?”

Cheng Yi’s gaze shifted to the table where Meng Qingwu had been sitting. She asked confusedly, “But it looks like you’ve already finished eating?”

Meng Qingwu followed her gaze, her face stiffening for a second before she quickly recovered. “That wasn’t mine! That was from the previous customer; they haven’t cleared it yet!”

She glanced at the owner, desperately signaling him with her eyes. The owner, a sharp man, immediately understood and sent someone to clear the table. Seeing this, Meng Qingwu breathed a secret sigh of relief and turned back with a beaming smile. “Would you like to eat together, Senior?”

Cheng Yi: “…Okay.”

She felt a bit strange—the restaurant wasn’t full, so why would anyone choose to sit at an uncleared table? But faced with such a passionate invitation and those pure, expectant eyes, she agreed. It felt like a crime to disappoint such eyes.

They sat across from each other. Meng Qingwu held the menu and said cheerfully, “This is my first time eating here. Do you come often, Senior? What’s good?”

Cheng Yi looked at the girl across from her; she was like a spring flower in full bloom, delicate and beautiful, brimming with the vitality of youth. She seemed like a very cheerful girl.

Finally, when the food arrived, Meng Qingwu went silent.

“Hmm? You don’t like it?” Cheng Yi asked with concern.

Hearing her voice, Meng Qingwu quickly shook her head, hiding her inner turmoil. The dishes she had ordered… were exactly the same as the ones she had just finished eating.