Xu Yisen answered without lifting his head, "No Muni Shuiling."
Qin Muni was slightly stunned, feeling the words sounded familiar. Once she reacted, she teased, "Actually, your skills at flirting weren’t taught by Xia Yuge, right? It was Secretary Tang, wasn’t it?"
"Can’t I be self-taught?"
"Don’t kid yourself. You’re so awkward in relationships; how could you possibly grasp the art of flirting?"
Her blunt jab left Xu Yisen a bit speechless. He muttered, "Am I that bad?"
Qin Muni nodded seriously, "Yes, that bad."
"I feel ever since the divorce, your gaze at me is full of prejudice. Clearly a decent guy, how can you find so many faults?"
"Because you’re right, I am prejudiced against you, so everything I see is irritating."
Qin Muni’s tone was brazen and arrogant, but without any malice, which left Xu Yisen helplessly smiling.
The waiter brought their ordered hot water and tea to the table, then politely asked, "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, a portion of pumpkin porridge and an egg pancake, please."
"Sure. And for you, sir?"
"Pork and preserved egg congee and soup dumplings, thank you."
"You’re welcome. Please wait a moment."
After the waiter left, having taken the orders, Qin Muni idly took out her phone to check Weibo; suddenly, a news item caught her attention.
[According to netizens, Director Chen, while drunk with friends, let slip... Xia Yuge secured the role of the second female lead in the new movie under the pretense of sponsorship by the Fanshu Group, yet ironically, the previously supportive Fanshu Group refused sponsorship this time.
Upon hearing the news, Director Chen intended to replace Xia Yuge. Meanwhile, Lidang Company approached Director Chen, offering sponsorship as long as he kept Xia Yuge as the second female lead.
When reporters interviewed Director Chen and Xia Yuge’s manager, both denied the claims. The truth remains unknown.]
"Yisen, you say you don’t like Xia Yuge as much as I thought. Then why are you so good to her?"
"Why, you ask?" Xu Yisen muttered to himself softly.
In his mind, flashed the image from eight years ago of Xia Yuge squatting on the ground in the rain, crying her heart out, then looking up at him with utter despair.
Back then, more than feeling sorry, it seemed he felt sympathy.
That scene was so deeply imprinted that every time he wanted to refuse Xia Yuge, it would unconsciously resurface in his mind.
"Maybe it’s because I’ve known her for so long."
Qin Muni sneered at his somewhat evasive answer.
Speaking of ’long,’ it seemed she had known him a few months before Xia Yuge.
She’d never seen him treat her as well as Xia Yuge, and she thought if they hadn’t divorced, their relationship might have remained as polite and uninvolved as before.
"What a lousy excuse." She pouted, not wanting to continue on Xia Yuge’s topic, so she switched to another, "How likely are you to win the case against Orange Entertainment?"
Xu Yisen answered without hesitation, "100%."
"What, have you bribed the judge?"
"Not me, it’s Yuan Chenghe. Although the lawsuit just started, the judge has already been picked. He’s an old friend of Yuan Chenghe, and Yuan has already talked with him. I reckon the judge will make a wise decision."
When he mentioned the word "wise," a trace of sarcastic laughter could be heard in his voice.