Chapter 82: The Last Chance

The security guard who wanted to come forward to stop them paused upon hearing this, guessing that the two knew each other, so he didn’t approach to cause trouble.

The young man’s reaction made Fang Chuning feel a bit strange. She didn’t appreciate it, “No, I’ll be very busy recently.”

Xu Muzhou didn’t show disappointment as usual due to her refusal. His smile became even sweeter, “Really, can’t we? I just want to end things properly. After this meal, I won’t bother you anymore.”

Fang Chuning raised an eyebrow. She felt the young man’s attitude was very abnormal at the moment. Her gaze swept over his face and the people who came behind him, then she nodded in agreement, “Alright, let’s go now then.”

“Not now. I hope it will be a formal farewell. At least, I want to present my best side to Ningning, not like this unkempt appearance.”

Unkempt? Fang Chuning looked him up and down. Even with that sickly face, his beauty was not diminished at all.

The young man’s expression was incomprehensible, seeming very serious, but also exuding a strange feeling beyond seriousness.

“Alright, you set the time.”

The time was set for dinner two days later. Fang Chuning arrived as agreed. The restaurant seemed to have been reserved by him, with only the two of them there.

Today’s Xu Muzhou truly stunned her. Dark red vest over a white shirt, the collar in Western noble ruffled style, paired with a dark red gemstone butterfly clasp. His deep pink bangs were combed up, revealing a full, fair forehead. He even wore an earring on his left ear and seemed to have applied some makeup. His eyes looked even more delicate, his lips a light red, his face like a peach blossom, captivating to the eye.

“Have you been waiting long? Sorry, I took some time on the way.” Xu Muzhou looked apologetic as he sat down opposite her.

Fang Chuning’s gaze swept over his features, her tone indifferent, “I just arrived too.”

The waiter placed two menus in front of them. Fang Chuning didn’t move, letting him order.

The waiter brought a bottle of red wine and poured for them. Soft music played in the restaurant. Fang Chuning looked at the wine glass in front of her, her hand under the table fiddling with a diamond-encrusted lighter, not picking up the glass to drink for a long time.

“Are you afraid I put something in the wine?” Across the dining table, seemingly guessing her concern, the young man smiled faintly.

It was indeed so. Fang Chuning didn’t believe this was simply an ordinary meal.

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Muzhou didn’t mind. He picked up his wine glass, brought it to his lips and took a small sip. His long eyelashes lifted slightly, “If you’re still not at ease, you can wait for me to take a bite of everything before you eat.”

Fang Chuning wasn’t provoked by his words to show a woman’s competitiveness. She rested her elbow on the table, propped her chin, and nodded, “Alright, you eat first then.”

So Xu Muzhou really ate a bit of every dish on the table, including those on her plate. He also let the waiter choose a few dishes to put on his plate according to her wishes. Only after he had eaten everything did she leisurely start eating.

“So you’ve become so distrustful of me.”

Xu Muzhou murmured, his voice so soft it seemed like he was talking to himself, but in this quiet space with just the two of them, Fang Chuning still heard it.

Fang Chuning unhurriedly cut a small piece of steak and put it in her mouth. After chewing and swallowing slowly, she turned her gaze to him, “I only trust those I care about.”

The implication was that he wasn’t someone she cared about.

Such words were undoubtedly devastating for Xu Muzhou. His eyelashes lowered slightly, his hands gripping the knife and fork tightly, “Then what about him? Do you… trust him?”

Or rather, do you care about him?

“You mean Jiajia?” Fang Chuning seemed not to notice his abnormality, thought for a moment, and said, “I suppose I trust him, after all, we’re getting married soon.”

The red wine in his mouth became bitter and hard to swallow. Xu Muzhou laughed lightly, “That’s right.”

After staring at the woman for a while, he lowered his gaze dejectedly. His peach-colored lips parted slightly, “Actually, I’ve liked you for a very long time…”

Fang Chuning’s chewing motion paused.

Xu Muzhou looked at the food on his plate in a daze, continuing, “Ningning has always been excellent and popular since childhood. So many people like Ningning, Ningning couldn’t even see me.”

“I thought if I could just stand closer to you, I would surely catch your attention, but that premise required a very long time.”

“I asked my father to find the school you were attending. Even if you couldn’t see me, at least you would feel my presence over time.”

As if remembering something, a sweet curve appeared at the corners of his lips, his eyes moist, “When we were together, I was so happy. At that time, I thought I must be the happiest person in the world.”

Xu Muzhou forcefully left a scratch on the plate with his silver fork, his eyes becoming fierce, “But it wasn’t enough. There were still so many people in your eyes – classmates, friends. I was always the least important one in your eyes.”

Fang Chuning was truly frightened, suddenly realizing she had never really understood the person in front of her.

Xu Muzhou’s expression gradually calmed. He tried hard to smile at her, “You must think I’m like a madman, right? That’s why you don’t like me.”

She didn’t think so before, but now she did a little. Fang Chuning looked away.

Xu Muzhou suddenly stood up, leaning forward with both hands on the table, his expression agitated, “You’re always like this. Your eyes can’t see me at all. Look at me! Why won’t you look at me!”

There was a hint of madness in the young man’s eyes.

Fang Chuning frowned, “Calm down a bit.”

Xu Muzhou panted heavily, taking a while to regain his composure. He sat back down, lowered his head and covered his eyes with his hand, “Sorry, I lost control of my emotions a bit.” He pushed his chair back, turning his face away, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

He stumbled slightly, his back quickly disappearing from her sight.

Fang Chuning took a sip of red wine, the investigative look in her eyes deepening.

At this moment, a waiter came over with a tray. On it was a folded snow-white napkin, emitting a faint fragrance. Fang Chuning picked up the napkin, wiped her mouth, and placed it on the side of her plate.

“Would you like some more red wine?” the waiter asked.

Fang Chuning tapped her fingers next to the wine glass, “Sure.”

After half a glass of red wine, Fang Chuning’s head felt a bit dizzy. With her current alcohol tolerance, it was impossible for her to be drunk. The answer was obvious.

How ridiculous. Just a moment ago, he was asking why she didn’t trust him. If he was going to do this, he shouldn’t have asked such a question.

Just as she finished this thought, Fang Chuning collapsed on the dining table, motionless. The person who had said he was going to the bathroom walked out from around the corner, slowly approaching her.