It was still the same old place, Lu Xinyi realized when she and Xiulan entered the Amusing Plate Patisserie.
Amusing? Ha! This place was a piece of hell on earth. While it had updated decorations, nice ambiance and delicious pastries and desserts they offered, their employees suffer from overworked and unfair salaries. Even the tips that were given by the generous customers never got a chance to pass on their hands.
"Xinyi? You came." One of Lu Xinyi's co-workers greeted her. She only nodded and lead Lu Xiulan inside. Her co-workers were a bit curious. They knew something was about to happen and they could feel it in the air.
They took the table near the windows to appreciate the scene outside while they take their orders. Lu Xinyi passed the menu to her cousin and looked down at the familiar list of desserts with disdain. Her father's creations shamelessly took by her ex-boyfriend from her books.
"Lu Xinyi! You got a nerve to show your face here?!" Xuan Shu hovered beside their table and glared down to Lu Xinyi with hatred on her eyes. The old woman was fuming in anger because Lu Xinyi took a one-week absence without a prior notice.
"Didn't I gave you a call last night telling you I'm quitting? Is this how you should treat your customers? Yelling at them?" Lu Xinyi replied without breaking her gaze on the menu.
If Xuan Shu thinks that she could trample her again just like what her son, Gong Yijun did to her, she was gravely mistaken. She was about to start her revenge and she will spare no one.
"Insolence! Is this how you should talk to your elders? Surely just like your mother, you are a disappointment! " Xuan Shu mocked Lu Xinyi.
Lu Xiulan was about to retort when Xinyi touched her hand, shaking her head. It was her own fight, her cousin shouldn't lose her temper from the insult the old woman threw about her mother.
Xuan Shu smirked as she taunted Lu Xinyi. If it wasn't for her son, she would have kicked out this woman out of this place. Just the thought of being able to humiliate Lu Xinyi made her eyes twinkle.
Of course, she heard that this woman had broken up with her idiotic son. If she could be honest, she really likes Meng Jiao for her son than this woman.
Lu Xinyi remained calm and collected even though her eyes flashed with cold and murderous intent. How dare this sea witch insult her deceased mother? She had tolerated this woman insults for too long because of Gong Yijun but now that they separated their ways, she had no reason to stop her sharp tongue to retort back.
"Ah. You know I believe in respect for the dead, so I respect my mother. As for you…" her lips curled in a wicked smile, "I could only respect you if you were dead. Please, tell Yijun to send me a message once you passed away. I will surely give you my respects."
"You…" Xuan Shu was rendered speechless. She never anticipated that Lu Xinyi will talk back to her, that she was able to return her insults.
They looked at each other. One was surprised, the other staring with a menacing smile. Xuan Shu was taken aback. Never did she saw this side of Lu Xinyi. It was like she was a different woman now.
"Xiulan, let's go. I lost my appetite." Now that she already did what she came for, there was no point to stay for too long.
"Alright, let's go somewhere else. I will never recommend this place to my friends again. I never thought the owner got an attitude like this." Lu Xiulan replied.
Of course, with some of the customers watching and listening to their banters, they heard how Xuan Shu insulted her previous employee. They shook their heads, agreeing to what Lu Xiulan said.
Lu Xinyi remained silent and was about to leave the shop but just as she and Xiulan reached the door, she saw Gong Yijun and Meng Jiao enter. It seemed their confrontation couldn't be avoided.
Both Gong Yijun and Meng Jiao noticed Lu Xinyi. Gong Yijun was surprised at the coincidence to see her in this place. He thought that Lu Xinyi will never show herself again, that she will avoid meeting him anywhere.
Lu Xiulan saw her cousin standing still and pulled Xinyi closer to her just in case Gong Yijun try to harass her.
Meng Jiao held into Gong Yijun's arm and analyzed the situation. She saw that Lu Xinyi was with her cousin. She looked at her ex-best friend with undisguised contempt. Lu Xinyi was almost better at her on everything but now that she had Gong Yijun, Lu Xinyi can never be ahead of her.
Feeling a bit nervous and happy to see Lu Xinyi at the same time, Gong Yijun pushed away Meng Jiao's hand from his arm and walked towards Lu Xinyi.
Lu Xiulan stepped forward and pushed her cousin on her back, not letting her ex to touch her. God knows what will happen if Shen Yi found out that Gong Yijun dares to touch his wife.