Chapter 90: Foes Meet on a Narrow Road

A flicker of wariness passed through Xia Yu’s eyes, though he concealed it well. Hearing the woman’s words, he flashed a wicked grin. “Of course. I love making friends with beautiful women.”

As he spoke, his hand reached toward Miya’s long legs, only to be smacked away as she pouted in mock annoyance. “Stop it. Focus on driving. Men are always up to no good.”

Her tone sounded almost coquettish, as if encouraging him, but she was unequivocal in swatting his hand aside.

“If men aren’t a little bad, women won’t love them. Don’t you want me to be a bit wicked?” Xia Yu played the part of a carefree young rake.

“Absolutely not. Hmph.” She shot him a flirtatious glance, feigning annoyance. “Getting handsy the moment we meet—not exactly gentlemanly.”

“All right, this is my stop. Pull over up ahead,” she said.

Xia Yu stopped the car by the curb. She held out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

“What for?”

“How else will we keep in touch?”

Cooperating, Xia Yu handed her his phone. She dialed her own number, then returned the phone to him. “Be sure to save it and contact me, okay?”

With that, she gave his shoulder a playful pat, pushed open the door, and stepped out.

Xia Yu watched her for a moment before driving off.

As her gaze followed his departing car, the woman’s expression gradually darkened.

“Xia Yu, so that’s all you are,” she murmured with a cold smile.

Meanwhile, Xia Yu’s demeanor had turned solemn as he drove, the playful air gone without a trace.

“Am I just being paranoid? Or has someone really started watching me?”

Pushing those thoughts aside, he arrived at Zhao Sijie’s home.

The front door was unlocked, so he simply went in.

“Yu, you’re here!” Zhao Sijie and her mother were sitting in the living room. She stood up, smiling as she greeted him.

“Sorry I’m late,” Xia Yu apologized. “Have you finished packing?”

“All done, just waiting for you,” Zhao Sijie replied.

There weren’t many belongings, just a few large suitcases. But his sports car couldn’t fit them all, so he called a taxi for Zhao Sijie, letting her ride ahead.

He himself drove Zhao’s mother to the apartment he had rented for them.

As they drove, Zhao’s mother sat in the front passenger seat, smiling. “Yu, thank you for all this trouble.”

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“Auntie, you don’t need to be so polite,” Xia Yu replied with a smile.

“I haven’t accomplished much in my life. I’ll be counting on you to take care of Sijie from now on.”

She already knew, from her daughter, that the two of them were officially together.

Xia Yu understood what she meant, and a sense of responsibility weighed on him. He nodded. “You can rest assured, Auntie. I’ll take good care of Sijie.”

The apartment Xia Yu had rented for them was a fully furnished three-bedroom, perfect for a mother and daughter. The decor was warm and inviting.

He had hoped to surprise Zhao Sijie, but as soon as they arrived at the complex, she showed no sign of happiness.

When she saw the apartment, she was so startled she pulled Xia Yu aside. “Yu, this place is way too nice—the rent must be expensive!”

“Don’t worry about the rent, I’ve already paid it. As long as you and your mom like it, that’s all that matters,” Xia Yu replied.

“How can I not worry?” Sijie pulled him further aside, anxious. “The rent here is at least ten thousand a month—that’s most of my salary! It would put a lot of pressure on us.”

“Please, cancel the lease. Let’s just find somewhere cheaper.”

Xia Yu felt a pang of sympathy for her. Growing up in poverty had taught her to be frugal, and the more sensible she was, the more it tugged at his heart.

“Listen to me. Now that you’ve moved out, you should live somewhere nice. Let me handle the money. Besides, I already paid six months’ rent up front—it can’t be refunded. So just settle in and make yourselves at home.”

“What? Six months up front? Where did you get that kind of money?” she asked in surprise.

“I… won the lottery,” Xia Yu explained. “Last week, a friend and I bought a ticket and hit the jackpot.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Now, enough questions—let’s tidy up, eat some dinner, then go shopping.”

Seeing his determination, Zhao Sijie said nothing more, though she was deeply moved.

They set up their new home and had dinner out. By the time they finished, night had fallen.

Leaving Zhao’s mother at home to watch TV, Xia Yu took Sijie out for a stroll.

Their apartment complex was close to the city center. They soon arrived at a shopping mall and entered a clothing store.

When Zhao Sijie stepped out of the fitting room, Xia Yu couldn’t help but stare.

She was wearing a white dress, elegant and refined yet sensual, perfectly showcasing her figure and elevating her presence.

“Wow, miss, you look stunning! I’ve seen several customers try on this dress, but none of them looked half as good as you—it’s as if it were tailored just for you,” the sales assistant exclaimed in awe.

Sijie blushed at the compliment and glanced at her reflection. Like all women, she loved beautiful things, and her eyes lit up with delight.

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“Yu, does it look good?” she asked shyly, her eyes full of hope.

“It’s gorgeous. We have to buy it,” Xia Yu replied without hesitation.

She smiled, but when she glanced at the price tag, her smile froze—the dress cost eight thousand.

“Yu… I don’t think it’s a good idea. Let’s not get it,” she said, flustered.

Before Xia Yu could answer, someone entered the store and called out, “Is my dress ready yet?”

Xia Yu started. That voice sounded familiar.

He turned and was dumbfounded to see Lin Yuxin and Liang Zichao.

“Miss Lin, I’ve packed your dress. Here you go,” a staff member—likely the manager—said respectfully, handing her a bag.

Lin Yuxin checked the bag. Beside her, Liang Zichao suddenly shouted, “Xia Yu!”

“Hm? What did you say, honey?” Lin Yuxin followed his gaze and, spotting Xia Yu, was equally stunned.

“Yu, do you know them?” Sijie asked curiously.

“My ex-wife,” Xia Yu answered with an awkward smile.

Lin Yuxin snapped out of it, but for some inexplicable reason, she felt a surge of discomfort. If Xia Yu had been accompanied by some dowdy woman, she could have dismissed him as the useless freeloader she’d always thought he was.

But the girl at his side was beautiful—no less attractive than she herself. That made her both furious and envious.

After all, wasn’t Xia Yu supposed to be miserable after leaving her? How could he have found such a lovely companion?

“Well, well, fancy running into you again,” Liang Zichao sneered, quietly texting the bodyguard waiting outside. “I haven’t forgotten what happened last time.”

“Oh,” Xia Yu said calmly to Sijie. “Let’s keep looking at clothes. Ignore them.”

“Um… okay,” Sijie replied, feeling awkward—after all, this was the legendary ex-wife. She had to admit, she was very beautiful.

“Impressive, Xia Yu,” Lin Yuxin taunted as she walked over. “Treating girls to new clothes—you must be feeling generous. But are you sure you’re in the right place? Do you even know how much a single outfit costs here?”

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