Stealing My Ex's White Moonlight - Chapter 7

“This one isn’t flattering.”

“Almost, but not quite.”

“It’s okay, but it won’t do.”

After an hour of relentless persuasion from the stylist, Lin Wanqing finally settled on an outfit.

A pearl-strapped, draped-neck gown in a cool, watery green. The taffeta fabric shimmered like a mirror, giving her an ethereal yet regal presence, blending nobility with gentle grace.

“Hmm, not bad,” Lin Wanqing murmured, nodding with reluctant satisfaction as she gazed at her reflection.

Next, the hairstylist took over, crafting voluminous waves with loose, outward-curling ends, adding a touch of alluring charm.

The makeup artist opted for a subtle look, using earthy eyeshadows to create a barely-there shimmer. The overall effect was luminous and refined, with only the striking red lips drawing the eye.

Finally, long pearl drop earrings, a pearl bracelet, and white pointed-toe stilettos adorned with delicate diamonds were paired with a silver clutch.

Of course, they didn’t forget Youyou’s most important accessory: her signature perfume.

Three hours later, Lin Wanqing arrived at Wild Rose Restaurant half an hour early.

Uncle Liu turned to ask, “Miss, what time should I pick you up?”

“Uncle Liu, no need to pick me up. Just give me the keys.”

I want to personally take Youyou home, Lin Wanqing thought, her heart brimming with anticipation.

Wild Rose, a renovated two-story building in the city center, featured a courtyard brimming with vibrant red and white roses.

The restaurant operated on a VIP-only basis, closed to the general public.

Lin Wanqing had reserved the entire venue and hired a renowned pianist to play, filling the air with melodious tunes. Only the waiters moved about, creating an atmosphere of serene elegance.

Lin Wanqing chose a window seat on the second floor, offering a view of the courtyard below, where the roses bloomed in lush, fiery profusion.

As the appointed time approached, Lin Wanqing took out a mirror to check her makeup, touching up her lipstick.

Around seven o’clock, Shi Mi arrived at Wild Rose Restaurant.

A waiter led her to the table. Shi Mi sat down and smiled at Lin Wanqing across the table. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Lin Wanqing watched her approach, her heart pounding in her throat. She only relaxed slightly when Shi Mi finally sat down across from her.

“I just got here myself.”

Shi Mi was dressed casually in a shirt, jeans, and sneakers, her delicate features giving her the air of the girl next door.

Her attire seemed out of place in the restaurant’s refined setting.

Lin Wanqing realized she hadn’t considered Youyou’s comfort. She had focused solely on finding a quiet, elegant venue, neglecting to think about whether it suited Youyou. Was it too late to change locations now?

After observing Youyou for a while, Lin Wanqing noticed her composure—no sign of awkwardness or unease. This finally put her at ease.

The waiter approached with the menu. “Good evening, ladies. I’ll be serving you tonight. What would you like to order?”

“Youyou, take a look and see if anything catches your eye,” Lin Wanqing said.

Shi Mi accepted the menu and looked up. “Do you have any signature dishes you recommend?”

“Our scallops and lobsters are flown in fresh daily, ensuring exceptional tenderness and freshness…”

Aside from the cost, Shi Mi ordered chicken in creamy thyme sauce as her main course, while Lin Wanqing chose spaghetti with red pesto. They each ordered a quinoa salad with cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and cilantro.

Both skipped dessert. As for drinks…

Lin Wanqing paused, initially planning to abstain from alcohol since she would be driving Youyou home. However, Youyou was more amusing when she’d had a drink, and with Uncle Liu driving, she’d have the chance to spend some quality time with Youyou in the back seat.

With this thought, she blinked and asked, “Shall we have a drink?”

“Sure.”

Lin Wanqing took the wine list, her slender finger gliding down the page before tapping a selection. “We’ll take a bottle of this.”

The waiter froze, momentarily stunned.

Shi Mi glanced at the wine list. “This is quite extravagant.”

Having lived in multiple small worlds, she had a basic understanding of red wine. The 2006 Leroy Grand Cru Red Wine, from the Chambertin Grand Cru vineyard, typically retailed for around 50,000 yuan, and would likely be even more expensive here.

“I’ll take this one.”

The server’s eyes lit up when she saw the guest order such an expensive wine. As a hostess, she would receive a substantial commission. Suppressing her excitement, she smiled professionally. “Very well, please wait a moment.”

Candlelight flickered along the restaurant’s walls, while the gentle, ethereal melody of Bandari’s “Anne’s Wonderland” drifted through the air. Warm yellow light filtered softly from above, creating a relaxed and romantic atmosphere.

The dishes arrived one after another.

Shi Mi cut a piece of chicken with cream and thyme sauce, savoring each bite. Lin Wanqing asked, “Do you like it?”

“It’s alright,” Shi Mi replied, setting down her fork. “What did you want to talk about today?”

“Can’t I just want to see you? Have you forgotten how close we were in high school?” Lin Wanqing feigned a playful tone, but her palms were sweating with nervousness. After ten years of no contact, she wondered if Youyou still remembered their past and how she felt about her now.

In Shi Mi’s memory, Lin Wanqing was like a high mountain flower, distant and unattainable, perched at the edge of Yunyang.

As Lin Wanqing spoke, a smile played on her lips, her eyes sparkling with a watery brightness. Her half-teasing tone felt like a feather brushing lightly against Shi Mi’s heart, leaving a ticklish sensation.

Shi Mi’s heartstrings were tugged by those slender fingers.

“Of course I remember. You used to come over to my house all the time.”

Lin Wanqing blinked, a tsunami raging within her while she maintained a composed facade. “We used to lie on the roof, sharing a blanket, counting stars and moons.”

At that moment, a waiter arrived with the wine. As he poured for Lin Wanqing, his nervousness caused a few drops to spill.

“I’ll do it,” Lin Wanqing said, taking the bottle and pouring half a glass for Shi Mi.

The two women clinked glasses.

Shi Mi took a small sip. The wine was smooth and full-bodied—not bad. She took another sip.

She noticed Lin Wanqing had only taken a tiny sip and set her glass down.

It was clear: Lin Wanqing didn’t like red wine.

Then why did she order it?

A faint suspicion stirred in Shi Mi’s mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.

Shi Mi swirled her wine glass and took another small sip. A slight dizziness washed over her, and she set the glass down.

“Wanqing?”

Shi Mi’s face was unadorned, her natural beauty as pure and fresh as a lotus flower emerging from clear water. The wine had flushed her cheeks a rosy red, making her resemble a ripe peach ready to be plucked.

She looked so sweet and tempting, Lin Wanqing couldn’t help but swallow hard. Only when she heard Shi Mi call her name did she snap back to reality. “Oh, right. I have some dirt on Song Wei. These should help you out.”

Shi Mi flipped through the photos one by one. Song Wei’s eyes were glazed over, her clothes revealing large patches of skin as she leaned against different unfamiliar men, kissing and embracing them.

Partying? A messy private life? If these photos leaked, Song Wei wouldn’t dare show her face in public for a long time.

“What do you think about handing these photos to entertainment reporters and buying some online buzz to push them to the top headlines?”

The System floated out. “Host, please reject Lin Wanqing’s help and maintain your distance. Your entanglement with her is deepening, which will only hinder your mission progress.”

“Song Wei has offended me.”

Clearly, the System, still adjusting to its supporting role as a villain, responded, “…Didn’t you already retaliate? You threw water on her, slapped her, and threatened her with a knife. Would Song Wei still dare to provoke you?”

“She’s colluding with Cheng Yun. She won’t let me off the hook.”

Whoever tries to kill me, I’ll kill first. Strike first, strike hard—it’s only logical.

After a moment, the System returned. “Huh, Song Wei really did go to Cheng Yun… How did you know?”

This System’s brain seems a bit slow, Shi Mi sighed. “Have you ever considered that the problem might be you?”

The System fell silent, sensing that its Host had accepted Lin Wanqing’s help with ulterior motives, but unable to find any concrete evidence.

Shi Mi nodded decisively. “Excellent.”

Caught off guard by this response, Lin Wanqing paused. “I thought…”

“You’d think I’d resent you for meddling? I was out of my mind before. That won’t happen again.”

Lin Wanqing laughed freely, finally seeing the Youyou she remembered.

“If you need anything, just ask. I’d be delighted to help.”

They clinked glasses lightly.

“Alright.”

By the time they finished dinner, it was past nine o’clock. Shi Mi had drained an entire bottle of red wine, her eyes glazed with intoxication, cheeks flushed crimson, and her gait still steady enough—clearly drunk.

As a waiter moved to assist her, Lin Wanqing stopped him, wrapping her arm around Shi Mi’s waist. Youyou’s waist is so slender! I want to hold her forever.

Youyou is so close to me!

She’s leaning on my shoulder!

Her lips are about to brush my ear!

Nervous.

So nervous.

Lin Wanqing, filled with anticipation, closed her eyes and stopped walking. Suddenly, she heard a soft chuckle.

Turning her head, she met Shi Mi’s drunken gaze.

Feeling as though her thoughts had been laid bare, Lin Wanqing flushed with embarrassment and quickly averted her eyes.

She knows I don’t even like red wine. Why did she order it? To get me drunk, of course.

Shi Mi tilted her head, her lips brushing against Lin Wanqing’s earlobe.

Soft, warm breath tickled her ear.

Huh? Did Youyou just kiss my ear?!

It seemed so.

Lin Wanqing felt a tingling sensation gradually spread through her entire body, starting from the earlobe where she had been kissed.