Jing Meng had originally thought of finding a quiet corner in a cafe to think, but the moment she stepped out of the elevator, her stomach began to growl incessantly. Changing her plans, she turned toward a popular restaurant nearby.
People were constantly coming and going inside the establishment, and the foot traffic was quite high. She chose a spot in a secluded corner and began studying the menu seriously. After ordering a few side dishes she craved, she sat back and waited patiently.
Out of boredom, her gaze followed the waiters as they bustled about. When she saw someone push the door and walk in, she thought to herself: It really is a small world!
The person who entered was the very same woman Jing Meng had been repeatedly trying to avoid at the elevators. What she didn't know was that she had already been spotted back then.
Subconsciously, Jing Meng raised a hand to shield the side of her face, trying to lower her presence as much as possible. However, fate often toys with people; the more she tried to hide, the more the other party wanted to approach her and cause a scene.
The woman sat down directly across from her and said with a haughty air, "I thought the rumors were fake. I didn't expect you to actually be thick-skinned enough to go work in Pei Shiyi's laboratory."
Sure enough, it was that same old unpleasant tone.
The newcomer was none other than Pei Gong's mother, Xu Minru.
She was a shrew draped in the cloak of a wealthy socialite. Jing Meng had no idea where her sense of superiority came from, but she always felt that everyone else was beneath Pei Gong. Anyone who didn't know better would think her son was some sort of world-class genius, unaware that he was nothing more than an empty-headed fool basking in the glory of being a third-generation wealthy heir.
Jing Meng returned a faint smile. Intending to dismiss the woman as quickly as possible, she said in a flat tone, "What a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into Auntie Xu here."
I must have failed to check the almanac before leaving home today, Jing Meng grumbled inwardly.
As soon as she finished speaking, a waiter brought over her dishes. Upon seeing Xu Minru, the waiter immediately put on a bright smile. "President Xu, are you here for an inspection?"
President Xu?
Jing Meng was slightly surprised by the title. But upon reflection, she remembered that Xu Minru was indeed in the catering industry. She just hadn't expected the coincidence that she would end up dining in one of Xu Minru's own restaurants.
This restaurant is going straight onto my blacklist, Jing Meng decided. She looked up and said with feigned surprise, "What a coincidence indeed. I didn't realize Auntie Xu's business had grown so large. It seems rumors really can't be easily trusted."
Seeing her mention the previous news, Xu Minru's face instantly darkened. She shot Jing Meng a fierce glare. "Those were just underhanded tactics used by jealous people behind my back. With your intelligence, Miss Jing, surely you wouldn't believe such groundless claims?"
Whether she believed it or not, the facts were right there. Jing Meng remembered that Xu Minru's catering business had taken a hit from the economy, resulting in nearly half of her hundred-store chain closing down. Not long ago, the matter had been the talk of the town. Others only avoided bringing it up out of respect for the Pei Family's prestige.
But Jing Meng had no intention of showing Xu Minru any courtesy. Since they were already at each other's throats, there was no need to be soft-hearted.
"That's true. After all, business in this shop seems quite good, except..." Jing Meng picked up a piece of half-cooked green vegetable with her chopsticks, her expression becoming unreadable.
In the restaurant business, the most important factor in keeping customers is the taste and texture. Any establishment that fails to meet those standards is bound to end up closing its doors after losing money.
Xu Minru's face grew even uglier. Her gaze swept to the side and saw several customers wearing expressions of disdain. Feeling her pride wounded, she stood up and put on a fake smile. "Thank you all for dining here today. Every consumer will receive a twenty percent discount."
Upon hearing about the discount, many people showed happy smiles, but it couldn't ultimately make up for the poor quality of the food. It was likely no one would return a second time.
Having stabilized the mood in the restaurant, Xu Minru sat back down and spoke with a boastful edge, "Running a restaurant is a job that requires brains. Someone without a sharp mind will only end up losing money while making a lot of noise. Though, it's quite funny—what's the use of me telling an office worker like you all this? It's not like you'd understand."
Jing Meng found it hilarious in her heart, but she maintained a lonely expression on her face. "You're right. A person like me naturally can't understand the unscrupulous methods of a merchant. Or should I say, no merchant is not devious?"
"You brat! Is that any way for a junior to talk to an elder? It's a good thing my Pei Gong saw through you early, otherwise, he would have been schemed against by a gold-digger like you who's obsessed with money." Xu Minru suddenly stood up and shouted harshly.
In an instant, the eyes of everyone in the restaurant converged on them. People watched the drama unfold while eating their meals; it was quite a show.
Jing Meng took in the surrounding situation and smiled with indifference. "Auntie Xu, isn't that a bit of a lie? If I really were a gold-digger, I would have used every means possible to stay with your son. After all, no matter how useless he is, he at least has plenty of money, don't you agree?"
"Who do you think you are? You think you can just enter my Pei Family whenever you want? My son's wife must have a matching social status, be filial to her in-laws, and be perfect in every way. Who in this world could possibly be worthy of him?"
Xu Minru spoke with absolute confidence. Whenever she mentioned Pei Gong, she couldn't help but praise him to high heaven.
Before Jing Meng could tease her, a mocking voice drifted over from the crowd. "Yo, you'd better keep your son to yourself then. I'd be afraid that marrying into your house would turn me into a maid in some grand mansion."
The speaker was the very girl Xu Minru had meticulously chosen for Pei Gong the daughter of the Li Family, named Li Ruyue.
Li Ruyue was a girl who detested evil. She pushed through the crowd and looked at Xu Minru with pure disgust. "I don't know where you get your confidence. He's just a mama's boy. How can you have the nerve to praise him like that?"
To have her son insulted in front of everyone was more than Xu Minru could bear. Her face turned livid as she roared, "My son is excellent! Who do you think you are? You're fired! Get out of here right now!"
Li Ruyue, who lacked life experience, had come to work in Xu Minru's restaurant at her father's request. She had originally wanted to get a feel for her future mother-in-law's temperament, but she hadn't expected to find such a rare "specimen" today.
Li Ruyue gave a cold laugh and threw her work badge onto the table. "This lady stopped wanting to work here a long time ago."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she walked out of the restaurant with firm steps. She pulled her phone from her bag and dialed her father's number directly.
Soon, her father's voice came through the line. "My precious daughter, is work going well?"
"Forget it. With a crazy woman for a boss, it's a miracle work can go well at all," Li Ruyue said with disgust. "Also, you can cancel the alliance with the Pei Family. It's bad enough that Pei Gong is a mama's boy, but his mother is a total lunatic. She thinks no one is worthy of her son. I think the two of them should just spend the rest of their lives together."
She hadn't lowered her voice. Xu Minru heard her clearly and was both furious and regretful. Why hadn't she been able to control her temper? She had just watched a sure thing fly away right before her eyes.
Xu Minru stamped her foot, her hateful gaze shifting back to Jing Meng. She seethed inwardly: Jing Meng, you ruined my son, and now you've schemed against me. Just you wait.
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