Yue Ling's white Maserati Granturismo sports car slows to a stop as she parks her car in the parking lot of a luxurious restaurant. Due to it being the afternoon, the place was crowded with customers as people meet for lunch.
This restaurant was the same one she had come to when she first encountered Zhao Ya'Er, Xie Na and Ling Ni.
Only this time, she was meeting someone else.
Turning the engine off, she steps out of her car. She didn't change but wore the same outfit when she left the house.
Lifting one leg, she steps forward and head in the direction of the restaurant entrance. As she walked, she didn't forget to put on a black mask as she did not want to attract any unwanted attention. Nor does she ever like to draw attention to herself.
However, unbeknown to her, the moment her car pulled up to the restaurant, multiple heads were already turning her way as it wasn't common to see a car that cost an arm and leg.
"Good afternoon miss. Do you have a reservation with us?"
Upon her entrance through the door, a young waitress greets Yue Ling with a cheerful smile. She does her job and gestures a polite bow before waiting for a response.
Hearing the young woman, Yue Ling removes the mask and returns a smile.
"I have a reservation with Miss Qin."
"Great. I can… Oh my God. Y-You're…"
A surprise gasp escapes the waitress's mouth as she inhales a mouthful of air. She thought that Yue Ling was just another wealthy customer, but when she saw the woman remove the mask, she was rooted to the floor.
Yue Ling's smile curls more into a pleasant one. She raise one hand and gestures a hush for the girl to not reveal her identity.
Getting a confirmed response that her eyes were not playing with her, the waitress squeal inside in pure happiness. She felt like she wasn't at work but standing in line at a meet and greet. However, quickly remembering Yue Ling's silent gesture, she tries to calm herself and nods her head.
"Miss Qin arrived not too long ago. Please follow me."
Usually, she would page for another worker to escort the customer as they were busy, but since it is Han Yue Ling, how can she not serve her idol.
Yue Ling follows the young waitress as they pass through the crowded restaurant. Unlike the emptiness of her last encounter here, the place was packed with customers. Even the outdoor seating area that gave view to the beautiful lake was full.
Making a turn near the back of the restaurant, Yue Ling was led through a hallway with doors on either side. After a few seconds, they stopped in front of a door, but she was able to heart a woman's faint laughter coming from inside the room, then another woman's laughter.
"Miss Han, this is the private room Miss Qin booked with us. Please call the front desk if you need anything."
Yue Ling gives the waitress her thanks and reach for the door handle. Sounding a polite knock she turns the door handle and push the door open.
"Yue Ling? Is that you?"
The door had only opened about two inches wide when Qin Xue's voice spoke from inside. As the door opens more, Qin Xue and the other woman stare curiously to see who it could be.
Upon seeing Yue Ling's slender figure, Qin Xue's expression lit up with firework and she stood up from her seat.
"It is—"
"Yue Ling! It's really you!"
Before Qin Xue could say anymore, the woman next to her abruptly stood up and cuts her off.
The corners of Yue Ling's lip curls up to reveal her teeth. She enters the room and walks over to the table.
"Qin Xue. Shi Yan."
Shi Yan wore a simple white knitted sweater with a light denim skirt. Covering her slim legs were a pair of tan thigh-high boots as her black coat was hung on the coat rack attached to the wall.
When she saw Yue Ling smile at her and Qin Xue, she couldn't help but exclaim in a shrill laugh.
Disregarding Qin Xue, she runs over to the retired model and lock her arm with Yue Ling's arm like they have known each other for a long time.
"I'm so happy you could make it. We were afraid you might have been too busy to come."
Yue Ling glance down at the eighteen-year-old girl. Her entire being softens and her free hand reach over to pat the girl on the head.
"I'm not busy. I'm still on leave since my doctor won't let me go back to work."
Qin Xue stood on the other side of the table as she watch Yue Ling and Shi Yan interact with one another.
Unlike Shi Yan's innocent and cute appearance, she had more of a seductive villainess look. Only, she has a good heart.
Her long red hair was tied in a low ponytail with a few loose strands to frame her face in the front. She wore all black with a white coat. However, due to the restaurant being warm, she also hung her coat on the rack next to Shi Yan's.
When she heard Yue Ling's reassuring words, she sighs in relief.
She and Shi Yan have been hanging out since she was discharged from the hospital. Once they heard that Yue Ling was discharged from the hospital, they decided to find time to have lunch together. However, they weren't sure if the retired model would be able to since they know she is a busy person.
Luckily, Yue Ling was able to join them.
Since Shi Yan was sitting on her left, she pulls out the chair to her right like she was a gentleman.
"Yue Ling, I'm also happy you could join us. Come, sit down next to me. We haven't ordered any food yet, so we can look at the menu together."
However, to her surprise, Shi Yan ignores her words and does the opposite.
"Sit next to me."
Shi Yan pretends to not have heard Qin Xue and pulls Yue Ling by their locked arms to sit down with her.
As they sat down, her smile widens until her eyes turned into upside down crescents. Both her palms clasp together and her body sway from side to side.
"Aiya! This is the best day ever. I'm so happy to have two beautiful women as my friends. If a man were to see me sitting in the middle of you two, how jealous would they be."
Yue Ling and Qin Xue were dumbstruck by the girl who is almost ten years their junior. Giving each other a quick silence glance, neither didn't know what to say before a chuckle escape from them.
Qin Xue could not believe Shi Yan would act like a little girl despite her age. She gently taps the girl on the nose with her index finger.
"Silly girl. You're also beautiful."
Shaking her head lightly, she looks over to Yue Ling and her smile turns into a subtle apologetic smile.
"Yue Ling, I invited you for lunch to apologize for my parent's rude behavior the other day."
Her cheeks flush in embarrassment in remembrance of that day in the hospital. She lowers her head and sighs to herself.
She had been trying to find a way to apologize, but at the time, Yue Ling was still in the hospital. So she didn't want to bother the retired model.
Now that they are together, she can finally apologize.
"I'm truly and sincerely sorry. My parents were irreverent for acting that way."