Su Wanwan responded with a calm "hmm" and naturally took a seat. Li Beimou immediately grabbed a glass of lemon water and poured it for her, but his hands trembled uncontrollably, causing the liquid to spill onto Su Wanwan's trousers with a soft drip.
"Sorry, sorry!" Li Beimou flusteredly pulled out a tissue, instinctively reaching to wipe the stain. But Xia Kelan, quick as a flash, intercepted him.
"What are you doing? Trying to take advantage? That's so clichéd." Xia Kelan tidied Su Wanwan up with a brief glance, her eyes flickering with complexity as she stared at Li Beimou.
"Brother, can you act a little more composed?"
"This morning you were cold and serious, all business."
"And now, just a few hours later, you've turned into a bashful, inexperienced gentleman, blushing just from talking to a woman?"
Li Beimou fell silent. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly.
"Sorry... I'm just a little nervous..."
Su Wanwan lifted her gaze, her eyes clear and serene, like a gentle hand smoothing away Li Beimou's unease with effortless grace.
"No need to be nervous. Just chat casually."
Suppressing his voice, Li Beimou admitted,
"I just didn't expect... that my senior would be you..."
The moment Su Wanwan had overtaken him and crossed the finish line, Li Beimou could not deny that his heart had truly been stirred. In that instant, he even felt a pang of guilt, as if betraying his senior. But upon realizing Su Wanwan was the very mentor he had admired for years, he felt an immediate sense of relief.
Xia Kelan nodded approvingly.
"Not only you, but even we didn't expect this."
"I always thought you lived abroad, a true foreigner, but your home is actually in West City."
Li Beimou sipped water and handed the menu to Su Wanwan.
"Senior, please order first. We'll eat and talk."
Su Wanwan casually selected a few dishes. The food arrived swiftly, and Xia Kelan did not hesitate to dig in. Her eyes flicked between Su Wanwan and Li Beimou, sensing a certain awkwardness and stiffness in the atmosphere.
"This is bad... Could it be Fu Liangmu is about to gain a new rival in love..."
Xia Kelan had lurked in the chat group for years; not only she but everyone there could sense that Li Beimou's feelings for Su Wanwan transcended mere admiration—they harbored love. Originally, they were just online acquaintances who rarely contacted each other. Now, they had met in person.
"How much could this insider information be worth..." Xia Kelan pondered, then took out her phone and messaged Fu Liangmu:
"Want to hear something about Wanwan?"
Fu Liangmu replied after a while:
"Terms."
Xia Kelan thought for a moment:
"Let the old uncle stay in West City."
Fu Liangmu raised an eyebrow and showed the message to Xie Cheng, who immediately burst out laughing, his charming peach blossom eyes crinkling with mirth.
"See? My charm isn't bad at all."
"Xia Kelan always says she hates me, calls me an old uncle, but when it counts, she still defends me."
He snatched Fu Liangmu's phone and quickly asked,
"Why help him?"
"Need a long-term meal ticket."
"?"
"I heard his deal with Fu Ziyang is for Fu Ziyang to feed him for half a year. I want that too!"
Xia Kelan patted her empty wallet.
Fu Liangmu observed Xie Cheng's darkening face and calmly remarked,
"Hmm, she does protect you quite a bit."
"Damn!"
Then Xia Kelan animatedly recounted the story of how Su Wanwan and Li Beimou first met and became close years ago. After reading it, Fu Liangmu replied:
"I've changed my mind; better let Xie Cheng go abroad."
Xia Kelan erupted:
"Why?! Aren't you just burning bridges?"
Fu Liangmu's thin lips curled with a cold edge:
"You're the one burning bridges."
"If you hadn't pulled Wanwan into the group, how would she have met Li Beimou? And how would Li Beimou have fallen for her?"
"This rival in love—didn't you create him?"
Xia Kelan was speechless. That did seem to be the case!
Fu Liangmu's frosty words followed:
"I'm already being generous by not giving you trouble, and you still bargain with me?"
Xia Kelan silently closed the chat window. She had underestimated the situation, forgetting she was the instigator.
Fu Liangmu grabbed his car keys and stood.
"Brother, where are you going?"
"My wife's about to be stolen away; how can I not keep an eye on things?"
Unaware of Xia Kelan's betrayal, Su Wanwan conversed politely and distantly with Li Beimou, mostly about his racing career. After finishing the meal, Su Wanwan intended to leave. She went to the restroom, and upon returning, found Xia Kelan missing.
Li Beimou stood before her, holding out a brocade box as if it were a precious treasure.
"This was originally your prize. Now that I give it to you, it feels like offering borrowed flowers to the Buddha."
Su Wanwan replied calmly,
"No need. I exchanged this necklace for the car; you should keep it."
"Senior..."
"Sorry for stealing your spotlight. I'll be more careful next time."
Su Wanwan smiled faintly and went in search of Xia Kelan.
Li Beimou watched her retreating figure and murmured softly,
"If it's you, I'd gladly give you all the glory."
A chilling voice behind him cut through the air, freezing all life around.
"She can claim it herself. No need for your gift."
Li Beimou whirled around to meet Fu Liangmu's icy gaze—rivals eye to eye, burning with jealousy.
"It's you, Fu Liangmu."
They had known each other since childhood but were never close; after Li Beimou went abroad, they lost contact.
"If I hadn't been too afraid to face my feelings for my senior, do you think you'd be the one by her side now?"
Fu Liangmu tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing, lips curling into a cold, mocking smile.
"Don't you find it childish to say that now?"
Li Beimou spoke deliberately, word by word:
"I've loved her for many years."
"Even if she's married now, I won't give up."
Fu Liangmu raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like you want to be the other man?"
Li Beimou stood tall, usually composed and steady, but now radiating undeniable pride.
"If the one by her side is someone as outstanding as she is, I would wish her happiness."
"But you cannot give her that happiness."
Fu Liangmu said lightly,
"What exactly is happiness? Your racing skills can't even match hers."
Li Beimou tugged at his collar and straightened his back.
"I—"
"Li Beimou."
Su Wanwan, having searched for Xia Kelan in vain and circling back, found the two men locked in tense conversation. She interrupted, meeting Fu Liangmu's eyes. His expression bore faint shadows, clearly stirred by jealousy.
With poise, Su Wanwan linked arms with Fu Liangmu and smiled at Li Beimou,
"Sorry, we're leaving first."
A flicker of wounded emotion flashed in Li Beimou's eyes as he nodded and watched them depart.