Chapter 77: Fated Rivals Meet Again

The Triumph Restaurant is renowned in Yanjing for its candlelit dinners. Regardless of whether patrons request it, once evening falls, every table is lit by candlelight. If someone wishes to use electric lights because they can't see clearly, they're politely directed to the left upon exiting—there are no restaurants with household electric lighting here.

This persistent tradition has become their signature. Rather than driving customers away, it has attracted the high-spending clientele who chase a sense of indulgence. Among female students and white-collar workers in Yanjing, dining at Triumph for a candlelit meal has become a badge of honor.

Pushing through the elegant revolving doors at the entrance, Qin Luo plunged headlong into this uniquely charming restaurant. Though it was only a little past seven in the evening, the place was nearly full. Many tables glowed warmly, dots of light scattered about, creating a cozy and pleasing atmosphere. The speakers played Bandari’s gentle music, perfectly complementing the ambiance. Even Qin Luo, a rustic soul, felt reluctant to leave.

"Rich people truly know how to enjoy life," Qin Luo mused inwardly.

"Sir, may I ask if you have a reservation?" A waitress approached, dressed in a white uniform with a bow tie and a long black skirt, her manner respectful.

"No," Qin Luo replied, shaking his head. He was only meeting Lin Huanxi here for dinner and hadn’t considered the matter of reserving a table.

"I'm sorry, sir. We are fully booked tonight. My apologies," the waitress said, her face apologetic.

"Full?" Qin Luo looked puzzled.

He fished out his phone and dialed Lin Huanxi’s number.

"Sister Lin, where are you?" Qin Luo asked.

"Triumph Restaurant."

"I'm here too, but the waitress said they're full," Qin Luo said, pulling a wry face.

"Table 116. Have them bring you over," Lin Huanxi replied.

After ending the call, Qin Luo told the waitress the table number. Only then did she invite him in and personally led him to Table 116.

The moment he saw Lin Huanxi, Qin Luo was struck by her stunning appearance. She wore a simple, pale white dress cinched at the waist with a slim black belt. Over it, she had a fringed knit cardigan; her smooth, long hair cascaded over her barely exposed shoulders, blending fashion with a subtle hint of sensuality.

Her black sandals, adorned with understated floral designs, revealed her slender, shapely legs crossed beneath the table—a hidden treasure, easily stirring the imagination.

Under the warm, rosy candlelight, Lin Huanxi’s brows, eyes, forehead, even her flowing hair shone with radiant beauty.

Like peach blossoms in spring, dazzling yet serene, hers was a breathtaking allure.

"Sit," Lin Huanxi said, seeing Qin Luo’s dazed expression. Her lips curled into a gentle smile, her voice clear and crisp.

For a moment, Qin Luo suspected the woman sitting amid the hazy light was not Lin Huanxi at all.

How could she be Lin Huanxi?

The Lin Huanxi he knew dressed traditionally, always proper—neither daring nor outdated. Nothing about her stood out. Compared to the fiery beauty Li Qingcheng, with whom she was jointly dubbed "Ice and Fire," Lin Huanxi was worlds apart.

Today’s attire was far beyond Qin Luo’s expectations. Though still not as seductive as Li Qingcheng, it was a considerable improvement.

More importantly, she had just smiled at him.

And her smile was alluring—

"Is she in heat?" Qin Luo wondered silently.

"Sister Lin?" he called, uncertain.

"Sit down. What would you like to eat? I personally recommend the black pepper steak," Lin Huanxi said, gesturing to the seat across from her.

Only then did Qin Luo realize he hadn’t mistaken her.

This woman, who seemed suggestive, was indeed Lin Huanxi, though he had yet to adapt to her new demeanor.

He had originally wanted to order fried rice, but since Lin Huanxi recommended the black pepper steak, he decided to try it.

"Black pepper steak, then," Qin Luo told the waiter standing by.

"And open a bottle of '85 red wine," Lin Huanxi added.

Qin Luo’s heart tightened sharply.

This was trouble. She was ordering wine—clearly, she had ulterior motives. On TV, whenever a man wants to win a woman, he first tries to get her drunk. By the same logic, if a woman initiates drinking with a man, her intentions are even more questionable.

"Sister Lin, I don’t really drink," Qin Luo said.

"That’s fine. Red wine doesn’t get people drunk," Lin Huanxi replied, not grasping the implication of his words.

Qin Luo could only resign himself silently.

At twenty-two, he was still a virgin, living under constant pressure.

Seeing Qin Luo stay silent, Lin Huanxi didn’t speak either. She propped her chin with one hand, her gaze drifting to a young couple happily dining at the next table, lost in thought.

"I used to be like that," Lin Huanxi suddenly said, her voice faint and lingering, arriving unexpectedly, as if it traveled from a distant place.

"What?" Qin Luo set down his lemon water and looked up at Lin Huanxi.

"I used to be as happy as her," she replied, her gaze fixed on the young woman across the way.

The woman was young and beautiful, her face lit with happiness. She whispered to the man opposite her, covering her mouth and giggling from time to time.

Qin Luo understood—Lin Huanxi saw her younger self in that woman.

People grow through happiness and mature through hardship. Having suffered a devastating emotional setback, Lin Huanxi lost faith in love.

Yet it is precisely those women who are wounded by love that cherish it most dearly.

Those who never value love are never hurt by it.

Lin Huanxi’s current state of mind was deeply conflicted, a contradiction even she couldn’t recognize.

She no longer believed in love, but she longed for it.

So, when seeing others’ happiness, she revealed a nostalgic expression.

"Is it only women like her who are truly women?" Lin Huanxi asked, her face tinged with sorrow.

"No, you too are truly a woman," Qin Luo replied. He could have further proved it, perhaps by recalling how he’d touched her thigh or felt the softness of her chest—

But such comfort might have earned him a cold slap.

Lin Huanxi shook her head and said, "No. Being a woman should be joyful, but I can’t enjoy the pleasure of it. She’s different—she can laugh, she can cry, she can sulk and act spoiled. I can’t do any of that anymore. I’ve forgotten how."

Hearing her words, Qin Luo’s heart ached.

Xu Zhimo once said: "In your life, you should at least forget yourself once for someone else. Not for the result, not for companionship, not for possession, not even for love—just to meet you in the most beautiful years."

For that encounter, have those pitiable women paid too great a price?

"It will get better. It surely will," Qin Luo said resolutely.

"He’s back," Lin Huanxi glanced at Qin Luo, her voice low.

"He? Who?" Qin Luo was momentarily confused.

But seeing her gloomy expression, he suddenly understood and asked, "Guan Xu?"

Lin Huanxi looked surprised. "I didn’t expect you to remember that name."

"I remember those who helped me, and those who hurt me," Qin Luo said with a smile. "Though he never hurt me, he hurt you. That’s reason enough for me to remember him."

"Thank you," Lin Huanxi said gratefully.

If in this world, someone can share your joys and sorrows, then your life is not utterly hopeless.

"He’s sought you out?" Qin Luo asked.

"No," Lin Huanxi shook her head. "A friend told me. He’s too proud to ever seek someone out."

Proud, is he?

"I have that too," Qin Luo thought, feeling a bit despondent.

"So what will you do? Go back?" he asked, though his heart was against it.

If he could hurt you once, he could hurt you again—

Lin Huanxi shook her head. "No. I don’t want to go back."

"Right. Sister Lin is so beautiful, she’ll have no trouble finding a better man," Qin Luo said, his mood lightening instantly.

Some women, even if you can’t have them, you don’t want them to be taken by another beast.

Truth be told, men’s jealousy is not much less than women’s.

**************************

"Annoying Guan Xu, why isn’t he here yet? Doesn’t he know you’re supposed to arrive five minutes early for a date with a beautiful woman?" Ling Xiao said, hugging herself at the restaurant entrance, discontented.

Late autumn in Yanjing was chilly, and she wasn’t dressed warmly enough.

"Hmph, the agreed time is seven-thirty, isn’t it? You were the one who rushed over early, like you’re afraid you won’t get married," Ning Suisui retorted.

"I’m certainly not worried about that—plenty of men like me. I just want to marry Guan Xu," Ling Xiao said, giggling.

"So what does your desire to marry him have to do with me? Why drag me out here in a camisole? I’m freezing," Ning Suisui complained, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

"Oh, I just want to show off my figure in front of Guan Xu. He used to call me ‘Princess Flat Chest,’ didn't he? Well, how about now? I’ve got curves in all the right places. If I didn’t pull you along to wear a camisole, wouldn’t it look weird if I was the only one? Ha, you’re my good sister, you have to help me. When you fall for someone, I’ll brave anything for you."

"Hmph, he’s still not here. Maybe we should just go home and wait," Ning Suisui said.

Ling Xiao checked the time on her phone. "Better not. He should be here soon. Men are vain—if he sees that a beauty like me is willing to wait for him at the restaurant door, won’t that make him feel important?"

"Sigh, your lovesick antics are getting worse," Ning Suisui sighed.

Ling Xiao was about to retort when she saw a silver Mercedes slowly pull into the parking lot.

Out stepped Guan Xu, whom Ling Xiao had been longing for. She was about to go greet him when she saw her brother Ling Yun and Li Lingxi get out as well.

"Why are they here? How annoying," Ling Xiao pouted.

"Heh heh, looks like your confession plans are going to fall through," Ning Suisui laughed.

Guan Xu still shone, even alongside the equally outstanding Ling Yun and Li Lingxi, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

Some people naturally draw attention; even in a crowd of ten thousand, others’ eyes will always find them first.

Guan Xu saw Ling Xiao and Ning Suisui waiting at the entrance and hurried over. "Xiaoxiao, Suisui, have you been waiting long?"

Noticing their scant attire, he frowned. "Why are you dressed so lightly? What if you catch cold? Once you’re here, just wait inside—do you think us grown men might get lost?"

As he spoke, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over Ling Xiao’s shoulders.

"It’s fine, we’re not cold." Although Guan Xu’s words were scolding, Ling Xiao felt as sweet as if she’d tasted candy.

He only said that because he cared. It must be so.

"Lingxi, take off your jacket for Suisui," Guan Xu said.

"Heh, happy to oblige," Li Lingxi said, quickly shedding his jacket. He’d liked Ning Suisui for a long time, but hadn’t found a chance to make progress. Guan Xu was giving him an opportunity.

"Hmph, I’m not wearing a man’s jacket—who knows how long it’s been since he washed it," Ning Suisui said, wrinkling her nose. Even as she refused, her cute manner made it impossible to be angry with her.

Seeing his friend awkwardly put his jacket back on, Guan Xu felt a bit disappointed. He looked at Ling Xiao and asked, "Did you reserve a table?"

"Yes, Table 165," Ling Xiao replied, smiling.

"Oh, Table 165? Then let’s go in," Guan Xu nodded with a smile.