Spellbound Hearts - Chapter 51 - The Disgusting Matter

Liao Bei’s tone was genuinely inquisitive, leaving Wu Shu momentarily unsure of how to decline. After all, it was Ji Xuan who was hosting the dinner, and Wu Shu didn’t feel it was her place to make decisions.

Wu Shu chuckled awkwardly, turning to Ji Xuan with exaggerated winks.

Ji Xuan raised an eyebrow in suspicion, “?”

Wu Shu mouthed, “Liao Bei wants to join us for dinner.”

Ji Xuan’s expression grew more puzzled, “??”

It wasn’t that Ji Xuan minded Liao Bei joining them; in her heart, Liao Bei was still the benefactor who had once helped her out. She was just curious about why he suddenly wanted to join their meal. Earlier at the police station, he had seemed eager to avoid her.

Holding her phone, Wu Shu found it difficult to speak freely, worried Liao Bei might overhear. So she handed the phone to Ji Xuan, allowing them to converse directly.

Ji Xuan took the phone and spoke calmly, “Manager Liao.”

Hearing Ji Xuan’s voice, Liao Bei paused for a moment before moving the phone away from his ear and putting it on speaker, “Is everything settled at the police station?”

Ji Xuan replied, “Yes, just finished.”

Liao Bei didn’t directly ask Ji Xuan what had happened over the phone, not because he thought she wouldn’t tell him, but to keep Song Zhaoli in suspense. “Is it convenient? I heard from Wu Shu that you’re having a barbecue tonight. I’ll bring the ingredients, and you can cook.”

Naturally, Ji Xuan couldn’t let Liao Bei buy the supplies. She responded, “My cooking skills are average. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to join us. I’ll handle the ingredients; I can’t let you spend money.”

Liao Bei chuckled, “I can’t show up empty-handed.”

Ji Xuan replied, “I’ve already owed you a lot of favors.”

Hearing this, Liao Bei couldn’t refuse further and laughed, “Then I’ll bring some drinks.”

Ji Xuan smiled lightly, “Alright, I’ll send you the address shortly.”

After hanging up, Ji Xuan sent the address to Liao Bei.

Seeing this, Wu Shu leaned in, “Is Liao Bei really coming to join us for dinner?”

Ji Xuan nodded, “Yes.”

Wu Shu was puzzled, “Why so suddenly?”

This was a question Ji Xuan couldn’t figure out either.

After pondering for a moment, Ji Xuan looked at Wu Shu with a mischievous glint, “Maybe he regrets waiving your car fare?”

Wu Shu shivered at the thought, stammering, “No, that can’t be, right?”

Ji Xuan’s eyes twinkled with amusement, “Who knows?”

Wu Shu swallowed, “Maybe I shouldn’t join you for dinner today. Perhaps another day…”

Thinking of the several million in debt, Wu Shu struggled to form a coherent sentence.

Seeing that Wu Shu was genuinely frightened, Ji Xuan gently flicked her forehead, “Did you really believe that?”

Wu Shu belatedly realized Ji Xuan was teasing her and pretended to pounce on her.

Ji Xuan laughed, blocking her playfully, “Don’t touch me, it’s dirty.”

Wu Shu withdrew her hand, patting it, “Black dog blood saved you.”

Ji Xuan replied, “That’s what they call ‘a blessing in disguise.'”

Wu Shu countered, “Fortune and misfortune are intertwined.”

The two laughed as they prepared to get into the car. Just as Ji Xuan placed her hand on the car door, a familiar male voice called from behind, “Xuan Xuan.”

It was Xiao Jin.

Hearing the voice, Ji Xuan frowned, and Wu Shu’s expression darkened even more.

Both turned around as Xiao Jin approached quickly.

Without the aura of the “Vice President,” Xiao Jin looked utterly dejected. His once impeccably pressed suit was now wrinkled, and his chin was covered in unkempt stubble. The once ambitious young man had become a mediocre man, defeated in both career and love.

“Xuan Xuan, what happened today was my mother’s fault. I’ll have her apologize to you later.”

As Xiao Jin spoke, he pulled out a pack of tissues, attempting to wipe Ji Xuan’s face.

Ji Xuan stepped back, her back against the car door, “No need.”

Seeing Ji Xuan’s avoidance, Xiao Jin tightened his grip on the tissues. After about seven or eight seconds, he stepped forward, bypassing Wu Shu, and whispered through gritted teeth so only Ji Xuan could hear, “Your paramour is Song Zhaoli, isn’t it? You act all pure and innocent with me, saying you must wait until marriage, but with Song Zhaoli, you don’t even need a room, just go at it in the car?”