Rose Lock - Chapter 17

The waiter’s face stiffened, but he managed to maintain a smile. “Miss Manyi, the pastry you mentioned from a month ago was disposed of that day. Over the past month, that lady has sent a person to deliver fresh pastries every day, so you can enjoy them with confidence, Miss.”

Hua Manyi was extremely surprised, but the woman opposite her slowly changed her expression, narrowing her phoenix-like eyes.

“Oh, and there’s a small gift as well.” The waiter continued, taking a cylindrical object from the tray, tied with a simple, antique-style ribbon.

Gong Yan took a drag on her cigarette, expressionless. Hua Manyi, receiving such a novel gift for the first time, subconsciously showed anticipation in her round, wide eyes, and slowly opened it.

Xiaoxiao, too, leaned over curiously to look.

“Ah, Sister Manyi!” Xiaoxiao exclaimed in surprise, “It’s a drawing of you!”

On a scroll of special texture, a woman’s portrait was meticulously drawn line by line. It was from the first time she was on stage, where the audience was noisy and chaotic, yet she fearlessly stepped out in her high heels, holding a golden microphone. The black stand of the microphone was by her feet, which she occasionally swayed to one side. Her makeup then wasn’t stunning, but her confidence and spirit were the most captivating.

Every detail, from her feet to her hair, was painstakingly captured. Setting everything else aside, this sincerity alone made it worth cherishing.

Gong Yan’s gaze fell on Hua Manyi, watching her moved expression, and her brows subtly furrowed, making even the cigarette in her hand feel insignificant.

The waiter left. Hua Manyi carefully put the scroll away and handed it to Xiaoxiao, “Xiaoxiao, help me put it away.”

“Oh, okay!”

“Xiaoxiao…” Hua Manyi carefully scooped a spoonful of truffle (a type of chocolate or pastry) with her fork and tasted it. Her mouth was immediately filled with sweetness, which was slightly tempered by a thin layer of cocoa powder on the outside, making it refreshing and clean, sweet yet not cloying.

Xiaoxiao watched the expression of intoxication and enjoyment on Hua Manyi’s face and couldn’t help but swallow, “Sister Manyi, is it good?”

Hua Manyi nodded and scooped another spoonful for her to eat. Xiaoxiao was flattered, “Can I?”

“Stop talking nonsense, eat quickly.”

“Ay!” Xiaoxiao was utterly satisfied, letting out a sigh of contentment, “Sister Manyi, I think I’ve tasted the best pastry in the world.”

Hua Manyi shifted her gaze to the elegantly seated woman across from her, mumbling, “Mother Gong, would you like a bite too?”

Gong Yan couldn’t feel their joy of sharing food, and even seemed a little disgusted at the idea of two people sharing one piece of pastry. “No need.”

“…Okay.” Hua Manyi’s face fell. Although she knew the other person would refuse, she still felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing it. With less than half of the chocolate truffle eaten, her earlier joy completely vanished. She lowered her eyes and ate slowly, lost in thought.

“Is it that delicious?” A sudden, ambiguous sneer came through. Hua Manyi looked up in surprise, “Mother Gong?”

Gong Yan slightly pursed her red lips, her eyes casually sweeping over the corner of Hua Manyi’s mouth, where a little chocolate smudge remained. Was it necessary for one piece of pastry to make her lose her composure so much?

“I think it’s very delicious.” Hua Manyi instinctively felt the comment was a sarcasm, and she retorted sullenly, “I like it a lot.”

Who knew that the next moment, a scoff came from Mother Gong’s mouth, “Hua Manyi, do you even know who the person is? And you eat so trustingly. Such a small thing moves you so much, don’t be fooled and end up helping the person count money.”

On the surface, her words seemed like a warning, but they sounded like mocking and cynicism, ridiculing her as a foolish and stupid girl who was moved by a little favor, unable to distinguish friend from foe…

Hua Manyi tightly gripped her fork, a surge of uncontrollable grievance rising in her chest. Her nose felt sour. The twilight from outside the glass window fell on her, casting an arc of shadow on her long, thick lashes. She lowered her eyes. Gong Yan looked over through the faint smoke, unable to clearly see the expression in her eyes at this moment.

“Yes, I’m simple-minded. If someone is kind to me, why shouldn’t I be moved? I’m not completely thoughtless either. The person is a lady, what bad intentions could she possibly have?!”

Gong Yan was startled. Hua Manyi’s firm accusation was reflected in her eyes, making Gong Yan look like a selfish capitalist who only maliciously speculated about others. The cigarette clamped between her fingers tightened, and she took a deep breath.

“Hua Manyi, after only a few days apart, your quick wit has improved quite a bit.”

Hua Manyi coldly snorted and didn’t want to engage with this woman anymore. Xiaoxiao stood on the side, dumbfounded and daring not to speak.

Jiang Yin returned from the restroom, sensed the slightly strange atmosphere, and couldn’t help but ask, “Ayan, Miss Manyi, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing.”

They spoke in unison, startling all four of them. Hua Manyi scooped another bite of the truffle and continued eating, pretending nothing had happened. Gong Yan looked at her stubborn nature, feeling a slight headache, and stood up to say to Jiang Yin, “It’s getting late, let’s go.”

Jiang Yin didn’t get an answer. Her eyes went back and forth between the two of them, but failing to find anything, she simply nodded and followed her out.

Butler Fu was waiting by the car, and upon seeing them emerge, immediately opened the car door. “Madam, Miss Jiang Yin, the party is in half an hour.”

“I know, get in the car.” Gong Yan walked decisively, with Jiang Yin following closely behind. Just as she was about to get into the car, her peripheral vision suddenly caught a glimpse of a white figure reflected in the car mirror—that familiar wide-brimmed hat and the eye-catching white silhouette—walking towards the coffee shop entrance…

Her movement of getting into the car paused.

“Ayan, what’s wrong? Hurry up, it’s only half an hour left.” Jiang Yin was already inside the car and asked, puzzled, seeing Gong Yan hesitate to get in.

Hearing the voice, Gong Yan snapped back to attention, lowered her eyes to look at Jiang Yin, and smoothly settled into the back seat, reassuring her, “It’s nothing.”

As the car door closed, separating them from the bustling street outside, a moment of tranquility ensued. Gong Yan closed her eyes and took a drag of her cigarette. Soon after, the car slowly started. At the moment the wheels began to roll, the usual lazy comfort faded from her eyes. Her gaze involuntarily turned to the window, settling on the coffee shop seat from just moments ago.

Hua Manyi’s familiar figure was indeed sitting next to another woman.

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