Chapter 112: Chapter 112 Meeting by Appointment
 

Yang Tiancheng naturally did not know what Liu Yujuan was thinking. When he heard that she was trying to save the hotpot restaurant, his expression softened immediately, “I’m glad you have this determination, but I’m afraid it’s already too late. I’m still not full, go and serve me a bowl of rice.”

“Okay.” Liu Yujuan went to serve Yang Tiancheng a bowl of rice and brought it back.

“Dad, if the boss decides to keep the hotpot restaurant open and just relocate, I think you should do your best to keep leading this project. As long as you can keep in charge, your position won’t change. If we succeed later, there is still hope for you to become the president.” Yang Jingsheng added.

“I know, I’ll try my best, but whether I can retain it or not, I don’t know. The hope is faint,” Yang Tiancheng said while eating.

“It’s all Jiang Di Lao’s fault. If it weren’t for Jiang Di Lao, our Meiwai Hotpot’s business wouldn’t be so bleak!” Yang Jingsheng once again expressed his resentment.

…

At half-past nine in the evening, Zhao Yulu had just taken a bath and was lying in bed when she heard a knock at the door.

Immediately after, Liu Yujuan’s voice could be heard.

“Yu Lu, are you asleep?”

Zhao Yulu opened the door: “Mom, what’s up?”

Liu Yujuan said, “I want to talk to you.”

Zhao Yulu was startled, then said, “Come in.”

Letting Liu Yujuan in, she closed the door.

Liu Yujuan took a seat on a chair in front of the vanity beside the bed, while Zhao Yulu sat on the bed.

“Mom, what’s the matter?” Zhao Yulu took the initiative to ask.

“Yu Lu, the New Year is just a few days away. After we have our New Year’s Eve dinner at home, let’s go and spend some time with your dad,” Liu Yujuan said.

“Mom, are you thinking of getting back together with Dad?” Zhao Yulu asked.

“Why would you ask that?” Liu Yujuan was taken aback.

“If you didn’t want to get back with Dad, why would you think of doing that?” Zhao Yulu said.

“I just think you should spend more time with him; after all, he’s your biological father,” Liu Yujuan said.

“Mom, please don’t deceive yourself, okay? Yang Tiancheng has fallen out of favor at the company, and his days are bound to go downhill from here. You’re looking for a way out now. Dad is already the general manager of Jiang Di Lao, and it’s normal for you to want to get back with him,” Zhao Yulu said.

“Yu Lu, since you’ve figured it out, I won’t hide it anymore. I do have that thought. What do you think?” Liu Yujuan was surprisingly calm about it and did not seem to see anything wrong with it.

“You don’t need to ask me. Just make the decision on your own. I don’t mind, and besides, it’s none of my business anyway,” Zhao Yulu said.

“How can it be none of your business? If I get back with your dad, our lives will be much better than they are now,” Liu Yujuan said.

“Even if you did get back with my dad, it’s still none of my business. You can do what you want. Also, about the New Year’s Eve, I’m not going. You can go by yourself,” Zhao Yulu said.

“Are you really not going?” Liu Yujuan frowned slightly.

“I’m not going, and I also advise you not to go. Dad is probably not going to get back together with you,” Zhao Yulu shook her head.

“Why not?” Liu Yujuan asked.

“Mom, are you confused? Do you think there’s a man who would accept a woman who betrayed him, especially after so many years have passed?”

Zhao Yulu was somewhat speechless, feeling that her mother was being clueless.

“I don’t think so. We had a foundation of love in the past, or else we wouldn’t have gotten married and had two daughters. For your sake, he should at least consider it,” Liu Yujuan said.

“Since that’s what you believe and you’re still holding onto hope, I won’t be able to persuade you. Go ahead, then, and when your illusions are shattered, you’ll understand,” Zhao Yulu said.

“Yu Lu, do you think I’m shameful if I go with you?” Liu Yujuan asked.

Zhao Yulu did not respond.

If it were another woman asking her, she would undoubtedly say that it was shameful.

But Liu Yujuan was her mother, and she couldn’t say such a thing.

“I know you probably feel that way in your heart, but only by doing this can I have a better life. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong. Society is cruel, and only women like me can live a better life,” Liu Yujuan had her own set of beliefs. Otherwise, she couldn’t have betrayed Zhao Hai without any sense of shame, still thinking that she could get back together with him and that he would accept her.

“Mom, I really don’t want to meddle in your and Dad’s affairs. Just do what you think is best. Since you’re not giving up, I won’t try to convince you. When you hit the wall, you’ll naturally understand,” Zhao Yulu saw the situation very clearly.

“Alright then,” Liu Yujuan said helplessly, having no choice but to leave.

She thought that bringing her daughter along would increase their chances of success.

But since her daughter was unwilling to go, it was time to change tactics.

The next day.

Liu Yujuan arrived at the Linghai Road store.

The employees in the store weren’t busy.

Knowing there would be no customers, they hadn’t made any preparations.

Many dishes were just frozen in the fridge, no preparation needed.

Liu Yujuan was utterly bored.

After playing with her phone past ten o’clock, she called Zhao Hai.

Soon, the call was connected.

Liu Yujuan immediately said, “Zhao Hai, are you busy right now?”

“Not really, what’s up?” Zhao Hai responded indifferently.

Zhao Hai was surprised by Liu Yujuan’s call.

He had no idea what this woman wanted with him.

Moreover, her tone seemed to have changed, becoming quite gentle.

It was nothing like her previously fierce and aggressive demeanor.

“I have something to discuss with you, and I’d like to invite you to a meal. Do you have time?”

Liu Yujuan thought it was best to lay some groundwork first, meet Zhao Hai in person, and then visit his place on New Year’s Eve to spend it together. She believed that would be more effective.

“I don’t have time at noon, just tell me over the phone,” Zhao Hai declined.

“Are you that busy? Not even time for a meal at noon?” Liu Yujuan asked.

“Yes, I’m really busy,” Zhao Hai replied.

“What about the evening? Do you have time then?” Liu Yujuan asked.

“I won’t have time in the evening either,” Zhao Hai said.

By this point, Liu Yujuan would have to be foolish not to realize Zhao Hai was making excuses.

Liu Yujuan couldn’t help but say, “Zhao Hai, do you really dislike me that much? I have something to discuss with you, and you won’t even give me a chance to meet.”

Zhao Hai said, “You can tell me whatever it is over the phone.”

Liu Yujuan said, “It’s not convenient to talk about it over the phone.”

Zhao Hai thought for a moment and then said, “In that case, how about six o’clock this evening? Come to the Songlin Restaurant near Haidilao.”

Liu Yujuan was overjoyed, “Great, see you tonight.”

After saying that, she hung up immediately, fearing Zhao Hai might change his mind.

As long as they met, Liu Yujuan was confident that she could make Zhao Hai accept her again.

Time passed quickly.

At five-thirty in the afternoon, Liu Yujuan arrived at Songlin Restaurant near Haidilao, reserved a private room, and sent the room number to Zhao Hai.

At six o’clock, the door of the private room was pushed open, and Zhao Hai walked in.

“Zhao Hai, you…” Liu Yujuan stood up with a smile on her face, but upon seeing Xu Yang and Zhao Yuxin who followed Zhao Hai into the room, her expression changed instantly.

“What, you’re not happy to see us?” Zhao Yuxin asked coldly.

That morning, she had received a call from her father, who had explained the situation.

Her father shared some of his speculations with her and wanted her to join the meeting with Liu Yujuan.

She naturally wouldn’t refuse, and she even brought Xu Yang along.