Chapter 173 - Meet the boy

When Ying Sheng and Yan Mei came out of the bathroom, Ying Sheng bumped into someone on their way to their table.

"Sorry…"

"Ying Sheng…" The person's voice cut her off. Ying Sheng looked up and saw it was Han Xi. 

"Han Xi." Ying Sheng called out flatly even though her heart was racing. She hasn't realized how much she missed him until now.

"Yh...how are you? Sorry I have been busy, that's why I haven't gotten the time to call you."

Ying Sheng's lips curved into a sad smile and nodded.

Seeing that she wasn't saying anything, Han Xi rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"That...let's go out-"

"Han Xi!" A woman's voice interrupted Han Xi. 

Ying Sheng turned around and saw Chen Yi, Han Xi's girlfriend. She thought he was so busy to even call her but he had the time to take his girlfriend out on a date.

'Stupid, Ying Sheng….always expecting that one day he would really care about you.'

"Hey, babe. Are you done?" Han Xi said as he planted a kiss on Chen Yi's lips when she hugged him.

Ying Sheng looked at this scene and dug her nails into her palms. She gripped so tightly despite the fact that her palms were burning with pain.  Suddenly she felt like she was choking on the air.

"Yes." Chen Yi smiled at him. She turned around and her lips curved into a taunting smile.

"Oh it's Miss Ying." She said monotonously as if she just saw Ying Sheng. Her eyes fell on Ying Sheng's clenched fist and her eyes danced with gloating. 

Of course, as a woman she knew Ying Sheng liked her man. The infamous Miss Ying liked a man who didn't want her. So what if she is rich or pretty? She would never have the one thing she wants.

Han Xi looked at Ying Sheng and felt a little uncomfortable for some unknown reason. He felt awkward as if he had been caught cheating. Guilt gnawed inside him.

Ying Sheng ignored Chen Yi.

"I thought you were so busy even to called me. But you have time to bring her on a date?" Ying Sheng asked in a flat, quiet voice.

Han Xi avoided Ying Sheng's gaze. 

"Jerk."

Ying Sheng uttered and walked passed them.

Yan Mei who was watching this interaction narrowed her eyes but said nothing. 

After they went back to their private booth, they saw Lei Zhao waiting for them.

"Sorry...I shouldn't have forced you. If you don't want to talk about it. It's okay."

Lei Zhao said as he flashed Ying Sheng a soft smile.

Ying Sheng nodded and played with her food.

"I-I had an argument with my mother and she slapped me. Out of anger I walked out on her and she told me not to come back. Since then I haven't gone home."

Ying Sheng said after a few minutes. Lei Zhao widened his eyes and the atmosphere suddenly became gloomy.

"She did what? She raised her hands on you?"

Lei Zhao asked with anger laced in his voice.

Ying Sheng's lips curved into a sad smile and nodded.

"Hmm."

"Where was uncle? Does he know?" Lei Zhao asked, looking at Ying Sheng, who had her head lowered.

Ying Sheng shrugged, "Do you think he cares about me? No one cares about me. Whether I'm fine or sick. Whether I have eaten or not. I'm just....the person nobody wants."

Ying Sheng said in a lifeless tone. Suddenly she felt warm hands on her cheeks caressing her.

Ying Sheng looked up and met Yan Mei's gaze.

"Of course that's not true. You're too focused on those who don't want you to notice those who really do."

Yan Mei said softly. 

"You have Lei Zhao, Aunty and now you have me." 

Ying Sheng smiled at Yan Mei's words and nodded.

"Thank you Sister Mei." 

Yan Mei nodded and said nothing.

"So where are you staying?" Lei Zhao asked suddenly.

"With a friend." Ying Sheng said as she looked up at Lei Zhao.

Lei Zhao knitted his brows, "Friend? Who?"

Lei Zhao knew Ying Sheng had no close friends here in City S so who is this friend?

"Yes, he is called Liam."

"He? You're staying with a guy?!" Lei Zhao bellowed angrily. To him, his pumpkin was still a kid. How can she already move in with a guy? 

"Let's go. I want to meet this guy."

Ying Sheng widened her eyes, "Why do you want to meet him?"

Lei Zhao scratched his forehead and heaved a sigh.

"You're staying with a guy I don't know. He might be taking advantage of all I know. I should warn him not to hurt you as an older cousin. Men are dangerous!"

Yan Mei lips twisted into a smile. "Relax, I'm sure Ying Sheng can take care of herself. "

"Yes…..but you don't know. Men can be really manipulative if they want something. I hope you haven't done anything stupid yet?"

Ying Sheng rolled her eyes. 

"I said we are just friends not lovers. Stop overreacting."

"I'm not, I'm just concerned about you."

Suddenly Ying Sheng's phone rang. Because it was on the table, Lei Zhao saw the caller ID.

'Liam.' He raised his brows and snatched the phone from Ying Sheng before she could answer the call.

"Hello?" Lei Zhao said in his cold domineering CEO's tone once he picked up the phone.

"Hello, where is Ying Sheng? Did something happen to her? Why are you answering her phone?"

Lei Zhao narrowed his eyes when he heard the genuine concern in the guy's tone. 

'He doesn't seem bad?'

"Who are you?" Lei Zhao asked coldly.

Because Liam was nervous that something had happened to Ying Sheng he didn't hear the coldness in Lei Zhao's tone.

"I'm her friend. Please, is everything okay?"

"Hmm we are at Gangmene Restaurant. Come here if you're worried about her."

Without waiting for Liam's reply, Lei Zhao hung up the phone.

"You...why did you do that? Why should he come here?"

Ying Sheng said clearly frustrated at Lei Zhao's overprotectiveness. 

"As an older cousin, I need to meet the guy you're staying with."