Chapter 43

The coffee shop was located in the downtown area, not in the CBD district. Plane trees lined both sides of the street, their fallen leaves swirling and drifting down, edges slightly curled.

“You could’ve treated me to dinner if you’d been any later, Qingyou.”

Chi Jia tucked her phone into the crook of her neck as she made the call while checking the store’s operations and marketing status.

“Be there soon.”

“You’ve been here before, so you wouldn’t get lost, right? I’ll come pick you up at the door.”

Shu Qingyou was about to refuse when she spotted someone emerging from the passenger side. She hung up instead.

“Lin Xu, don’t say anything weird in front of my friend.”

She clearly didn’t trust Lin Xu to act properly. She was more troubled about how to explain her to her friend—maybe just say she was a housekeeper?

But no housekeeper looked like Lin Xu. Honestly, Lin Xu’s outfit that day wasn’t just carefully chosen; it was exceptionally striking.

Not to mention her superior features, her clothes screamed wealth, instantly marking her as someone raised like a pampered princess.

How many people could face their crush’s ex with such poise, without a hint of passive-aggression? That alone showed excellent upbringing.

“Fine. I’ll just answer questions if asked and stay quiet like a wooden post the rest of the time.”

No wooden post is as huge as you, Shu Qingyou thought, but she sensed the words had dampened Lin Xu’s enthusiasm, her face falling a bit.

She had her own unspeakable woes. A fine horse doesn’t graze on old pastures, but she’d gone back how many times…?

Chi Jia spotted Shu Qingyou’s car from afar as it found a parking spot across the street. She darted over during a safe gap in traffic.

Up close, the passenger door opened first, and a pair of top-grade calfskin boots stepped out.

They landed on the piled, drifting yellow leaves, the black leather picking up a bit of dust. Tailored slim cigarette pants hugged long legs as they followed.

The woman was tall. It was already evening under overcast skies, no sunset in sight, the light dim, yet her striking features stood out—peach-blossom eyes slightly upturned, lips stern and unyielding.

As her hair ends flipped, the platinum stud earring on her earlobe gleamed coldly with embedded diamond fragments.

She gave Chi Jia a faint glance before opening the back door on her own.

Chi Jia felt that look carried some indescribable meaning.

Next, the woman emerged holding a little girl, who looked a bit tired, eyes half-closed, nestling into the woman’s embrace like a safe haven, perfectly still.

“Rongrong, don’t sleep, or you won’t be able to tonight. Your mom will blame me.”

A million alpacas stampeded through Chi Jia’s mind. Had she gotten the license plate wrong? The familiar figure from the driver’s seat appeared in her view.

Relief washed over her.

No—what was she relieved about? The little girl was basically a miniature version of Shu Qingyou’s features. And the one holding her… couldn’t be…

Shu Qingyou gave her a troubled nod and went to Lin Xu’s side, whispering something. Lin Xu smiled in response.

Chi Jia sized them up. Matching coats, just different colors. Unless she was blind, they might as well have “couple” written on their faces.

“Wow, Qingyou, introductions?”

Sure enough, Shu Qingyou could already see Chi Jia perking up for gossip.

She introduced them. Chi Jia extended a hand warmly, and Lin Xu tugged at her lips.

“Sorry, Miss Chi, my hands are full with the child. Please forgive me.”

Chi Jia’s first impression of Lin Xu was decent—mainly polite, though she felt Lin Xu’s gaze on her was a bit odd.

Fortunately, something else caught her attention, and she lit up with joy.

“This little baby is so cute, Qingyou. What’s her name?” Chi Jia leaned close to Shu Qingyou, whispering conspiratorially, “Yours and that scumbag ex’s?”

The “scumbag ex” had no idea she’d earned the title, but hearing “ex” made Lin Xu seethe—yet she maintained her composure.

Shu Qingyou breathed a sigh of relief. As long as no one noticed. It wasn’t time for honesty yet. “Yeah, her name’s Shu Rong. She’s three.”

“Out of all our college classmates, you’re the first to have a kid. Impressive.”

Everyone knew having a kid was easy; raising one was hard. Chi Jia felt a bit sorry for Shu Qingyou doing it alone.

So who was this Lin Xu…? Chi Jia eyed her thoughtfully.

Better to observe for now. She was gentle with the child, but character wasn’t something you judged in a moment.

The two had nothing more to say, the vibe awkward like mismatched personalities.

Shu Qingyou smoothed things over. “Jiajia, did you check all the cups I sent?”

The question saved Chi Jia, who replied eagerly, “They’re great. I trust your work. Plus, I’m opening in a few days.”

“Oh, right—to thank you, let me treat you to dinner.” Chi Jia waved her phone with a grin. “Your favorite from college. Finally snagged a reservation.”

Shu Qingyou thought for a moment before remembering. The restaurant’s signature was head-batch soy sauce chicken.

She symbolically asked Lin Xu’s opinion. Lin Xu’s expression remained neutral, indifferent.

“Of course. Whatever Shu-jie likes. I’m not picky.”

Seeing this, Shu Qingyou knew her old habit had flared up. Just seeing an ex, and she was ready to flip a vat of jealousy.

The old-brand restaurant bustled at this hour, patrons streaming in.

Lin Xu spotted the sign: Premium free-range chicken, soaked and simmered in first-extract soy sauce, firm and chewy meat, limited supply, made only with the first pot of morning sauce.

“Does Shu-jie like this?”

Shu Qingyou rarely ate meat, but this was an exception. She’d come a few times with Chi Jia, though reservations required a month’s advance.

She hummed in affirmation. The server led them to a private room.

After seating, the two ordered dishes together while Lin Xu fully played the nanny role.

Watching them chat animatedly, she fidgeted, unable to join in. Playing on her phone would be rude.

She excused herself to the restroom and wandered outside alone.

A server passed with a glistening whole chicken on a platter. Lin Xu asked, “Is this your signature dish?”

A beauty asking questions was a mood-lifter. The server’s exhaustion eased, and Lin Xu ended up hearing about numerous specialties, including the free-range chicken’s journey from farm to table.

As Lin Xu marveled at their staff’s professionalism, a commotion erupted from the next room.

The next instant, a wine glass shattered on the floor. The noisy restaurant fell silent, patrons exchanging glances toward the source.

A man and woman tugged at each other. Terror and disgust twisted the woman’s face as she wrenched free, only for the man to grip her arm tight. Desperate, she smashed a wine bottle at him.

“Fuck! You dare hit me?! Even my dad doesn’t, who the hell are you?!”

“You dare break up, I’ll dare kill you—believe it!”

Slap—

A heavy slap landed on the woman’s face. She staggered two steps, her high heel twisting as she fell.

Tears blurring her vision, she glanced at the man, clutching her swollen red cheek and sobbing.

The man looked impeccably dressed, but he was a beast.

The lobby manager rushed over to mediate and appease.

Lin Xu glanced around and smirked. Onlookers whispered and watched the drama, none bold enough to speak up for justice.

Times had changed.

“Poor thing.”

Lin Xu looked at the server in surprise. “What do you mean?”

The server quickly explained: This man was one of their chain’s shareholders, Lin Shi. They couldn’t afford to offend him and could only offer tea and beg Director Lin to calm down.

The server whispered, “It’s happened a few times before. He’s fought customers here over disagreements. It even went to the police once, but nothing came of it. With his family’s power spanning Sea City, who dares cross the young master? Tsk.”

Lin family’s young master? She studied the man’s profile closely.

After a moment, an idea formed.

The early bird gets the worm—or shot. Should she be that bird?

Her body moved before her mind decided.

She locked eyes with the Lin family young master. Predictably, Lin Shi’s mouth gaped in horror.

It was Lin Xu! Hadn’t she died in that car crash? His dad had assured him the family assets would go to their branch.

What the hell—this was clearly a living person!

Her Alpha presence alone crushed him, a mere Beta, to the ground.

It was definitely her. He panicked.

His legs trembled, suit pants wrinkling with them. Lin Shi rubbed his hands, stammering a fawning smile. “Long time no see, cousin.”

“Who’s your cousin?” Lin Xu’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. Her guess was right—some relative, though she didn’t remember which.

She glanced down. The beaten woman had climbed back into her chair and hurled a wine glass at Lin Shi in fury.

He couldn’t dodge, wary of Lin Xu, so he swallowed the loss without exploding on the spot.

But he still mouthed off: “Fuck, you…”

Halfway through, a brutal kick landed between his legs.

“Ah—!”

His howl echoed through the restaurant as Lin Shi clutched his crotch.

Reactions varied: some cheered inwardly, others whispered about the mystery woman.

The boot heel clicked steadily on the marble floor. Lin Xu loomed over the defeated man like a lion dominating its prey.

“Apologize to her.”

Face be damned, Lin Shi yelled, “No way! She’s the one dumping me—why should I apologize?”

“I said it once.” Lin Xu stepped closer. Unwilling to touch him, she stomped her boot like an iron block onto his foot.

Her aura pressed down oppressively. Even the on-site A-grade Alphas barely endured racing hearts.

The lower ranks fared worse.

Shu Qingyou had come out of the private room upon hearing the racket, initially thinking Lin Xu had caused trouble. She watched the whole scene unfold.

Lin Xu’s temperament and style hadn’t changed much from years ago—dominant, no-nonsense.

She lowered her gaze slightly, tone even. “Let’s go in.”

Chi Jia, following behind, murmured in surprise, “Didn’t expect it. You found a top-tier Alpha, and she’s no small fry. Can you handle her?”

Shu Qingyou sipped her tea and soothed the startled Shu Rong in her arms.

“She’s a good person. Not usually like this.”

Chi Jia clucked her tongue, picturing Lin Xu’s violent streak, silently praying for her foolish friend.

Don’t get duped by another scumbag Alpha. Outwardly cool and perceptive, she was actually more naive than peers, ruled by emotions in love.