CHAPTER 45: AN AWKWARD REUNION AT TIANQIN RESTAURANT

Just like a weasel whose wishes a chicken Happy New Year but never with good intentions, Yue Mingxuan thought darkly and mentally labeling Rong Tieshan a "scheming weasel."

His words snapped Rong Tieshan back to his senses.

Thinking over his own behavior today, Rong Tieshan realized he had indeed been acting out of character.

This wasn’t like him at all.

And yet... he couldn’t deny the truth, his heart was being drawn to Yue Mingxuan, little by little.

It was a dangerous feeling.

For a man with great ambitions, emotions were a weakness. He knew that clearly. But who in the world could truly control their heart?

"I... still have something to attend to," he finally said stiffly, his reason barely pulling him back.

Even the excuse he found sounded awkward and forced as he turned away and left.

Was Rong Tieshan under some kind of spell today?

Yue Mingxuan tilted his head and studied the man standing before him.

His clothes were neat and his eyes were clear, he didn’t look sick or drugged.

So why was he acting so strange and disorganized today?

Maybe men, like women, also had certain "days of the month" when their mood went off.

Thinking that, Yue Mingxuan curved his lips slightly and said with a faint smile, "Since Prince Rong has something to do, I won’t keep you any longer."

After all, saving money was good, but it was still proper to say a few polite words, especially since he had just received a generous amount of silver from him earlier.

Just as Rong Tieshan finally made up his mind to leave, a clear female voice interrupted his steps. "Royal Brother, so you were here."

The person hadn’t arrived yet, but her voice came first.

Yue Mingxuan frowned instantly.

It was almost mealtime, how had he run into them again?

His earlier good mood, which had been restored when Rong Tieshan said he was leaving immediately dropped by half.

Was the royal city of beirong really this small?

Xie Lianhua who was walking beside Rong Yuelin caught sight of Rong Tieshan and quickly stepped forward with a few quick graceful steps.

Her face showed what she thought was a sweet and elegant smile.

"Prince Rong," she greeted warmly.

Out of the corner of his eye, Rong Tieshan noticed Yue Mingxuan’s slight frown and suddenly, his desire to leave faded again.

The scene at Wanbao Treasury Shop earlier flashed in his mind, if he left now, would Rong Yuelin take the chance to bully Yue Mingxuan again?

Rong Yuelin, of course, saw Yue Mingxuan too. But remembering how Rong Tieshan had scolded her earlier, she dared not say anything harsh this time. "Royal Brother, you said you had something important to do, but it turns out you came to meet... this sham... I meant Fifth Prince."

She swallowed down the word that almost slipped out and stomped her foot in frustration.

Xie Lianhua’s eyes, however, never left Rong Tieshan.

When she noticed him glance secretly at Yue Mingxuan a sharp pain of jealousy cut through her heart. But she quickly forced a graceful expression back onto her face.

"Sister Yuelin, since Prince Rong is busy, let him go about his matters," she said gently while tugging on Rong Yuelin’s sleeve. "You still have me to accompany you, let’s walk somewhere else."

Rong Tieshan frowned slightly, his tone calm but firm. "Xiaolin, don’t speak nonsense. I just ran into the Fifth Prince by chance."

He was afraid her careless words might upset Yue Mingxuan, so he felt he had to explain.

Hearing that, Xie Lianhua’s eyes suddenly brightened. So Prince Rong still cares about me, she thought happily. There’s no way he came just for that wretch.

She took a bold step forward and lightly tugged on Rong Tieshan’s sleeve.

When he didn’t pull away, her heart leapt with delight.

Rong Yuelin noticed the look in her cousin’s eyes and the affection and infatuation she held for Rong Tieshan and decided to help.

"Royal Brother, no matter what, Mother did tell you to entertain Sister Lianhua. You can at least take us to a restaurant for a meal, right?"

Yue Mingxuan looked coldly at the three people before him.

For a moment, he felt an odd sense of dislocation, as if the world had turned upside down.

He, who is once an elite military doctor who accidentally crossed into this strange world why was he wasting his time with people whose entire world revolved around love and jealousy?

The thought made him lose all patience.

Without another word, he turned around, ready to leave.

But before Rong Tieshan could call out to stop him, Xie Lianhua spoke first.

Seeing that Rong Tieshan hadn’t rejected her nearness, she was thrilled and in her excitement, she couldn’t help showing off in front of Yue Mingxuan.

"Younger Brother Mingxuan, why don’t you join us for dinner?" she said sweetly while leaning even closer to Rong Tieshan until it looked like she was about to hang off his arm, her eyes full of challenge as she stared at Yue Mingxuan.

"Alright," Yue Mingxuan said without hesitation after a moment’s thought.

Going from being the one who invited others to eat, to being invited himself and for free sounded like a great deal.

He could eat good food and save money.

As for the annoying "flies" buzzing around?

He’d just treat them as proof that the restaurant’s hygiene wasn’t up to standard.

So the group headed toward the restaurant together and before long, they arrived at their destination.

Yue Mingxuan looking up and saw that the restaurant was one of the most prestigious in the capital.

It was built entirely from polished wood and the walls gleaming with fresh varnish.

The whole structure had a refined and scholarly look elegant enough to pass for an academy instead of a place to eat.

Of course, atmosphere alone wasn’t enough to earn a place in the royal city’s high society.

The Tianqin Restaurant was famous for several signature dishes that could only be eaten by reservation.