A small meal box at Sweet Delicacy was not something simple in price. Three such meal boxes would cost any average employees' whole month hard-earned salary. And Li Xue was asking Wen Sying to treat minimum thirty such boxes to people around.
It would not have been this big issue if Wen Sying was not suffering her days in the industry but since things were like this she does not have money to waste. Though she has got some promotional contracts in the morning, she was yet to receive its benefits.
But did Li Xue leave her with any escape?
'No, she didn't. She has purposely suggested the idea in a clear loud voice for everyone to hear, if not then there wouldn't be a victorious grinning smile on her lips." Her fists got clenched as her nails dug deep into her skin, realizing her failure.
Why does she always have to lose in front of her? Why was she the one getting bullied every time? Even after these many years of living a successful life why did she still lose her confidence in front of Li Xue?
Self – analyzing questions roared in her heart but none received any answers.
'No, I will never be a puppet of her hands. This time I will not let her win." Sying thought internally and was about to decline the suggestion when suddenly someone from behind squealed with excitement.
"Whoa! Is Sying really going to treat us here? I will show off the pictures on my every social media account. I am sure that my thousands of followers will envy me to their core"
"Yes, yes. It will be such a memorable moment to remember in our memories' diary"
"I am sure, Sying will definitely agree to the suggestion", another one said, chiming in between the words of others.
Hearing them getting so excited, Wen Sying was more furious inside. From where did these come upon? They have never been in the picture of her plans. Now … Now she has to agree to all this even if she has no mood to.
Gritting her teeth lowly, she said, showcasing her pearly pretence of smile, "Omo! How did I not come with this idea? It's really a nice one. I can always treat my admirers since they treat me so well. This is the least I can do to show my gratefulness. Everyone, please take a seat. This small meal is on the house. Please enjoy the meal"
She said and everyone happily went to take their seat around the tables. Wen Sying's eyes went to shot glares at the woman who was standing all nonchalantly at her place.
Li Xue eyes only smiled in calmness at her glaring gazes as those glares did not affect her even a bit. And that was true, she was not a woman to flinch seeing anyone's seething eyes. She was standing just a few steps away from Sying, so taking her steps more close up to her, she said with some obviousness.
"Seems like you never took my words properly Sying. Why can't you just remember people's advice when they give you one? You should always keep them in mind even if you think that they are just some useless words. Those words would definitely help you in one or the other situation in your life. Sigh, I feel so sorry for you"
"Li Xue! Why are you always like this to me? I just came to meet you? Am I that wrong in your eyes? Can't you just move on?" Wen Sying said, acting all ingénue at front.
But Li Xue knew the things a little too well to understand the things better. Raising her own brows in confusion, she asked, feigning innocence of her own, "Wait, wait! Are you blaming me for something? What did I do?" She paused as she looked around at the people and then continued, "Don't say you are blaming me for suggesting you such a nice idea. I thought that you loved the idea or why else would you agree to this?"
Li Xue's voice was not audible to anyone's ears other than Sying but it was still a daring one that was not holding any hesitation behind.
"Li Xue! You …"
Her words halted in her throat when Li Xue's sharp eyes suddenly snapped to look back at her, "Don't take me as some stupid one, Sying. Keep that in your head that even if I have left this industry for quite some time now I am not unknown to the tricks it holds." Her words had such razor-edged sharpness that it instantly pierced through Sying's confidence.
"W - What? What are you talking about Li Xue?" she stammered out like she has caught doing some crime.
Li Xue pressed her lips together and then pulled it up from both sides. "Tsk … Tsk … What am I talking about? It's nothing serious. I was just letting you remember that I am still the same I was 5 years back so you don't need to think anything about me in a different way. Knowing me from back, then you should already know that I don't encourage any forced relationship, especially friendship. So better not mention it again and again or you might not be able to take its simple consequences".
She said. This time her tone was all different from the one before, containing a tinge of playfulness with a garnishing smile of mockery. Like she was aiming to slaughter the pig with a blunt knife after giving a deep stroke with a sharp one.
Glistening beads of sweats formed on Sying's head when felt the severity in Li Xue's words. Why does she become such a useless one in front of her every time?
Li Xue looked at her for some moment then turned her heels to the sideways to walk off. "Please enjoy your time here Ms Wen. Your ordered count of meal boxes will be served quite soon". She said slowly as she walked past her but then suddenly her intention of keeping her steps proceeding forward paused.
Taking the three counts of steps backwards, she said again, "By the way, Sying, though I have lost interest in advising you or anyone around, I will still remind my once said words to you, in case if you have forgotten".
"Never underestimate yourself too much. You are capable of doing a lot better. Like if only you have put some confidence in yourself then you wouldn't have to take such a useless financial loss. First, wasted the money on hiring and then lost double of that money on faking yourself".