Summer Kiss

Chapter 188 Eating Together
Jiang Yuning said, "I was on the same flight as Brother Meng last night. He said I helped you a lot, so he wanted to treat me to dinner."

Meng Shuyu was immediately incredulous. When did her brother become so good?
No way.

Is her brother only strict with her?

She seemed to have never seen her brother give Jiang Yuning a stern look.

"Shuyu, what are you thinking about? Let's go eat quickly."

The elevator doors slowly opened, and Meng Shuyu came to her senses. She took Jiang Yuning's arm and entered the elevator.

Chen Yihua and Gu Xinghe followed closely behind them.

The elevator wasn't too crowded when Chen Yihua suddenly spoke up: "Jiang Yuning, we're planning to have barbecue for lunch. A four-person set meal is more cost-effective. How about we team up?"

Jiang Yuning is not picky about food; she can eat anything. She smiled at Chen Yihua and said, "It's not up to me; my Shuyu makes the decisions."

Meng Shuyu pinched her slender waist, unable to believe that these words came from Chen Yihua's mouth. She was somewhat suspicious, "Chen Yihua, what kind of trick are you up to now?"

"Let me tell you, I'm not someone to be trifled with."

Chen Yihua pursed her lips. She didn't seem to have much interaction with Meng Shuyu. Had she offended her?
She retorted without holding back, "You're not someone to mess with, but I'm not someone to mess with either. We're just having a meal together. Do you think I'd poison you?"

Meng Shuyu wasn't afraid at all; she was just worried that Jiang Yuning wouldn't be happy to have dinner with them, since they had a conflict before and their relationship wasn't very good.

She threw the question back at Jiang Yuning, "Yuning, do you want to go eat barbecue?"

Jiang Yuning seemed indifferent, "I'm fine with whatever I eat, you decide."

Meng Shuyu said, "Then let's go eat barbecue, since we can split the bill anyway."

Jiang Yuning nodded. "Okay."

As they stepped out of the elevator, Meng Shuyu quietly leaned close to her ear and said mysteriously, "Yu Ning, why didn't you refuse just now?"

Jiang Yuning was puzzled. Isn't it normal for colleagues to eat together?
"Why refuse?"

Meng Shuyu paused, clearly recalling the past estrangement between Jiang Yuning and them, "I know you don't get along well with them."

“We’re all colleagues, we see each other all the time, and besides, the design department will have a dinner party someday, you can’t just not go.”

Meng Shuyu felt that Jiang Yuning was too magnanimous. Even though Gu Xinghe had treated her that way, she could still sit and eat with her calmly. She hummed in agreement.

In just a few minutes, they drove to the restaurant.

For some reason, Gu Xinghe poured a cup of hot water for each of them. After pouring it, she didn't say anything, but sat in the chair and looked at her phone.

The surroundings were quiet, except for Chen Yihua, whose eyes were wandering. She observed the people at the next table, who were chatting and laughing together. But at their table, it was so quiet that no one spoke.

Meng Shuyu, who is usually lively and playful, has become so quiet. She was a little puzzled. "Are we just going to sit here and not talk? There's still some time before the food is served."

Meng Shuyu glanced at her sideways. Their relationship was already tense, and if they started chatting, it would probably lead to an argument.

She glanced at Jiang Yuning and saw her calmly drinking water, seemingly unconcerned and unconcerned. Chen Yihua was burning with anxiety. She knew that it was a rare opportunity for the four of them to get together, and any misunderstandings should be cleared up. If they didn't speak, what was the point of the meal?

A sense of worry welled up in her heart. She gently reminded him, trying to break the deadlock, "Jiang Yuning, if you drink too much water, you won't be able to eat the barbecue later."

Chen Yihua's words inadvertently provoked a rebuttal from Meng Shuyu, who said indignantly, "Yu Ning hasn't even finished a glass of water, how could she not eat barbecue? Chen Yihua, think before you speak."

She said something very ordinary, but it made Meng Shuyu respond sharply. It was clear that she and Meng Shuyu didn't get along.

"I didn't ask you, why are you reacting so strongly?"

Meng Shuyu didn't want to talk to her; she looked down and played with her phone.

Jiang Yuning put down her cup, a barely perceptible glint in her eyes. "Don't worry, I have a good appetite, I'll definitely eat more than you."

As soon as she finished speaking, the waiter brought out all the set meals they had ordered. She didn't leave, but stood aside and grilled the meat for them.

Thin slices of meat gradually released an enticing aroma under the skillful hands of the waiter, and the tense atmosphere seemed to be greatly relieved by the aroma in front of them.

Chen Yihua took a deep breath, her resolve to resolve the conflict between them growing stronger.

She tried to start a conversation again, saying, "Since we're having dinner together now, let's talk about any misunderstandings we have. I'm worried for you all for keeping them to yourselves."

Jiang Yuning raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by Chen Yihua's sudden role as a peacemaker. How come she hadn't noticed before that Chen Yihua was so fond of helping others?

Her enthusiasm today is a little unusual.

Meng Shuyu retorted without holding back, "The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is. Chen Yihua, hurry up and eat the roast meat on your plate."

Meng Shuyu provoked her again and again, and Chen Yihua was not to be outdone. "You think you can shut me up with just a few pieces of meat? You overestimate yourself."

Meng Shuyu smiled smugly, her words full of wit, "How about I give you all the barbecue on my plate? I'll wait for the next batch."

Chen Yihua fell silent; Meng Shuyu's mouth was indeed not to be underestimated.

Gu Xinghe felt it was inappropriate to continue acting like a coward, so she spoke slowly, her words filled with deep apology.

"Jiang Yuning, ever since I did that, I've been constantly remorseful for my actions. I really hope we can continue to be friends and rekindle that precious friendship, is that alright?"

A hush fell over the surroundings, and the atmosphere froze once again.

Jiang Yuning lowered her gaze, her voice calm yet firm, "We can be friends, but things may never be the same as before. You need to think carefully: if danger were to occur again, would you still do this?"

Gu Xinghe's heart skipped a beat. Jiang Yuning's question was like a sharp knife, striking directly at her vulnerable spot.

Faced with danger, she might still subconsciously protect herself, like she did that time by pushing Jiang Yuning out. It seems she can never be as selfless as Meng Shuyu or Jiang Yuning, who would step forward for their friends.

Chen Yihua sensed that the atmosphere had become strange again, so she quickly broke the silence, "Come on, let's eat the barbecue first, why think about these useless things?"

Meng Shuyu smiled and joined in, "Yes, let's eat meat first, and then we can think about this problem after we've eaten and drunk our fill."

While they chatted, the waitress deftly cut the grilled meat and served it to each of them.