Met the love during a blind date

Chapter 5 This friend is worth getting along with

Xie Mingyu suddenly broke into a smile. Under the resplendent crystal lamp, his charm bloomed like a flower. He whispered, “It's just a small tavern decorated in the style of the martial arts world. They've launched a series of fruit wines. There aren't many people there, and the environment is quite decent. It's worth a visit.”

Though he didn't say it explicitly, his eyes were full of amusement, clearly laughing at her for overthinking.

Jiang Xuerong was rather intrigued by him. She nodded and said, “Alright, let's go and have a seat. You treated me to dinner, and I'll treat you to drinks. That's fair.” Xie Mingyu's expression froze slightly. This little girl was always calculating to avoid owing anyone a favor.

He had a hunch that if he really let her pay for the drinks, it would be even harder to invite her out in the future.

As a proper gentleman, he wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.

Jiang Xuerong had no idea that he had thought so much. She just let him lead the way to the adjacent commercial building.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, a sign with black background and gold inscriptions in running script, reading “Jianghu Meeting,” came into view. Waiters dressed in ancient costumes warmly guided them into the store.

The interior decoration of the store highly replicated the setting of an inn in ancient costume TV dramas. Big red lanterns and colorful oil-paper umbrellas were the main decorations. Old songs with a martial arts flavor wafted gently through the air, instantly creating a sense of boldness and chivalry.

Apart from them, there were no other customers in the store for the moment. It was very quiet.

Jiang Xuerong completely relaxed. With this music and decoration, it was really suitable for sworn brotherhood.

The waiter brought the menu. Xie Mingyu, as usual, handed it to her first. “Take a look and see if there's anything you're interested in trying. Their wine is served in small cups. The portion isn't large, so you don't have to worry about not being able to finish. I'll be here.”

Jiang Xuerong then ordered two kinds of wine and a few snacks before passing the menu back to him.

“Okay, please serve the dishes as she ordered,” Xie Mingyu took the menu and naturally handed it back to the waiter.

When the food and drinks arrived, Jiang Xuerong took the lead and tasted a cup of peach blossom wine. It was sweet on the aftertaste, with hardly any alcohol taste. Only a faint peach blossom fragrance filled her mouth. The taste bud experience was really rich.

After drinking two cups, a faint blush appeared on her delicate face, making her look even more charming with rosy cheeks and white teeth.

Xie Mingyu was also very relaxed. With a faint smile, he drank with her, looking like a calm lake, serene and distant. Such an aura really matched his handsome face.

“Can we talk about your ex-wife?” Jiang Xuerong propped her head up with one hand and looked at him. Her eyes were glistening, extremely beautiful. Xie Mingyu's eyes were as deep as the sea. He replied in a low voice, “If you want to hear, I'll tell you briefly.

“We were high school classmates and got together in college. We broke up and got back together several times during those six years, then got married. Three years later, we divorced.” His tone was very calm, as if he was talking about someone else's story.

The words Sister Yang had said, “His ex-wife found someone else,” flashed through Jiang Xuerong's mind. She then asked seriously, “If she came back, would you be willing to reconcile with her?”

Xie Mingyu answered without the slightest hesitation, “Spilt water can't be retrieved, and a broken mirror can't be mended.”

This guy must have been deeply hurt, Jiang Xuerong thought.

“Such a romantic love story from school days to marriage, why couldn't it end happily?” she murmured softly.

Yet he still heard it.

“When one person's heart is no longer in it, it's useless to force it,” he said, and then drained his cup in one go.

These words struck a strong chord with Jiang Xuerong. She remembered when she broke up with Zhou Tao. Once she knew he had cheated, she left without asking a single extra word.

“Do you hate her?” she asked tentatively.

Xie Mingyu shook his head and smiled bitterly. “Maybe it's her who hates me. Otherwise, she wouldn't have left without even a single bed sheet for me.” His voice remained calm, but Jiang Xuerong felt a strange emotion in her heart. This guy was really pitiful. “I slept on the sofa when I got home that day. I didn't buy new bedding until the next day.”

After saying this, he paused briefly.

To be honest, Jiang Xuerong somewhat admired the harshness of his ex-wife. In comparison, she felt she was much more lenient. She left without saying a word, giving the other two space, and ended up with nothing but a broken heart.

“If I hadn't lent some spare money to a friend before, I really wouldn't have been able to afford to buy new stuff at that time.”

Wow, she had heard so many stories about scumbag men, but this was the first time she'd heard someone so pitiful.

Seeing his long eyelashes drooping, half of his face hidden in the shadow, Jiang Xuerong was suddenly overcome by pity. She raised a cup of wine boldly. “If it's over, it's over. The next one will be better. Come on, cheers!” Xie Mingyu's eyes showed a hint of boredom, but he gracefully raised a cup to clink with hers and said with a smile, “Indeed, much better.”

Jiang Xuerong didn't listen carefully to what he said. She drained her cup on her own.

After drinking several cups, she felt her thoughts were floating, as if gently rising like smoke, light and airy.

Xie Mingyu quietly moved the unfinished wine in front of himself and replaced it with a plate of snacks in front of her.

Jiang Xuerong hadn't planned to drink more anyway. Seeing his actions, she felt even more that this guy was reliable.

The conversation continued, but no longer centered on the topic of relationships.

Xie Mingyu was really talkative and his remarks were full of wit, making Jiang Xuerong laugh frequently. Time passed quietly. By the time he finished the wine on the table, it was already 11 p.m. Unconsciously, they had spent the whole evening together and didn't feel bored at all.

Jiang Xuerong called Lu Xiaoqian again. The other side was still in high spirits, and it seemed they wouldn't be dispersing anytime soon.

Taking this opportunity, Xie Mingyu got up and settled the bill.

Jiang Xuerong felt a bit embarrassed. “You treated me to dinner and drinks. I've been freeloading all night. Well, next time I'll treat you. Please don't rush to pay the bill again.”

Xie Mingyu didn't answer directly. He heard her add, “It sounds like you left the marriage with nothing. Our salary in the system is just so-so. There's no need to be too polite.”

Xie Mingyu thought: Such a nice girl, but what a mouth. If there really were poisonous apples in the world, he'd like to buy one for her.

After leaving the tavern, Xie Mingyu suggested sending her to the KTV to find her friends. At this hour, it wasn't very safe for a young girl like her to take a taxi alone.

Jiang Xuerong waved her hands repeatedly. “You have to trust the public security in City A.”

“I'm going in that direction too. I'll leave as soon as you find your friends,” Xie Mingyu said, and hailed a taxi without further ado. He opened the door and motioned for her to get in.

Since he had said so much, she stopped being coy and got into the car.

They sat together in the back seat. Along the way, the neon lights flickered, reflecting in her clear eyes like twinkling stars. Xie Mingyu suddenly felt a sense of regret. She was so young, as beautiful and pure as a flawless crystal, while he, having experienced the ups and downs of marriage, felt his heart was already old. Would it be a mistake to continue getting in touch with her? He asked himself silently, but for a moment, he had no answer. He knew he was attracted to her bright face and clear eyes. Every feature of hers was exactly to his taste.

Jiang Xuerong was silent throughout the journey. In fact, she wasn't thinking about anything. Her mind was blank, and her expression was serene.

When they arrived at the destination, she rushed to pay the taxi fare. Xie Mingyu insisted on seeing her up.