Chapter Thirty-Five: Unreliable

Upon hearing this, Yu Haitang felt as if a basin of ice-cold water had been poured over her. Her heart felt as though it were being tightly gripped by a hand, the pain so sharp she could barely breathe. Her eyes welled up instantly, tears swirling within them.

Initially, when she saw He Yushui coming to find her, she had assumed that He Yuzhu had sent her as a mediator to beg for a reconciliation. However, she never imagined that reality would differ so drastically from her expectations.

Seeing Yu Haitang’s intense reaction, He Yushui couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. While she felt sorry for her brother, she also felt a secret thrill of joy. It seemed highly likely that Ran Qiuye would not become her sister-in-law after all!

He Yushui hurriedly stepped forward, wiping away Yu Haitang's tears while whispering comfort: "Haitang, please don't cry. This is no time for tears. Besides, don't worry too much about my brother finding a new girlfriend. You know his stubborn, mule-like temper. I suspect he only found someone new so quickly because he’s still thinking of you and is just trying to make you jealous!"

Driven by an inexplicable surge of confidence, He Yushui began to analyze the situation for Yu Haitang in a non-stop stream of chatter. "Haitang, you have to realize that you are truly radiant, far more beautiful than that Ran Qiuye. And when it comes to family background, you’re leagues ahead of her."

"If you could just set aside your pride and have a proper talk with my brother Yuzhu, I’m certain he would have a change of heart."

Yu Haitang had, in fact, never stopped thinking about He Yuzhu. With He Yushui constantly fanning the flames, the spark in her heart was reignited, and she resolved to win him back. She opened her wardrobe, carefully selected her favorite outfit, and sat before her vanity to meticulously apply her makeup. Once ready, she put on a pair of elegant high heels and headed toward the residential compound, full of anticipation.

However, the moment Yu Haitang stepped into the courtyard, He Yushui wished she could turn back time by half an hour and slap herself across the face. She never expected that, at nine o'clock at night, Ran Qiuye would still be at He Yuzhu’s home! Usually, by this hour, He Yuzhu would have already walked Ran Qiuye home and returned to the compound himself.

This sudden turn of events plunged He Yushui into an unprecedented state of awkwardness. She led Yu Haitang into the house with a heavy heart. The moment the door opened, the scene inside made her heart sink. He Yuzhu and Ran Qiuye were curled up together, so intimate it was as if the world consisted only of the two of them.

Seeing this, Yu Haitang didn't utter a word. Her face masked in disappointment and rage, she turned and left without a backward glance. She walked deliberately slowly, as if waiting for something, but by the time she stepped out of the compound gate, she hadn't seen He Yuzhu chase after her.

Just then, an unexpected figure appeared before her: Xu Damao.

"Hey, don't you have eyes when you walk?" Xu Damao shouted indignantly.

Yu Haitang was already in a foul mood and flared up at his words: "What are you yelling about? Are you sick in the head?"

Xu Damao didn't get angry; instead, he grabbed her wrist. "What’s wrong? Did He Yuzhu make you cry?"

Yu Haitang struggled to break free: "Mind your own business! Let go of me!"

Xu Damao held on tighter: "Yu Haitang, we’re colleagues. Can I just watch you suffer? That He Yuzhu is nothing; he’s not worth your tears."

Yu Haitang’s expression darkened further: "My business with him is none of your concern!"

As if he hadn't heard her, Xu Damao continued his relentless chatter: "Since you're like this today, I’ll tell you straight. That He Yuzhu is completely unreliable! Grieving for him is a total waste of your feelings!" Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her toward his home.

Once inside, Xu Damao began to cook: "Food is the fuel of life; one shouldn't go hungry. You need to eat, or your body won't handle it."

Watching his back as he worked, Yu Haitang said impatiently, "I have no appetite. I don't want to eat."

Xu Damao urged her while stir-frying: "You have to think of it this way: when people are unhappy, that’s exactly when they need to eat, otherwise you’ll collapse."

Before long, a bowl of fragrant egg-fried rice was placed before her. "I only had three eggs left, and I used two for you," Xu Damao said proudly. "Eat up, don't let it go to waste."

Looking at the bowl—golden eggs scattered over white, jade-like rice—the mouth-watering aroma made her swallow involuntarily. Her resolve not to eat began to waver, and at that moment, Xu Damao handed her a pair of chopsticks.

Yu Haitang looked up at him. He wore a faint smile, seemingly waiting for her reaction. "Eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold," he urged.

Hesitating, she finally took the chopsticks and tasted his cooking. "Hmm, it’s quite good," she couldn't help but praise.

Xu Damao was delighted. He smoothed his greased hair and boasted, "Of course. My skills have been honed over years of practice—much better than that He Yuzhu’s."

As He Yuzhu’s name drifted into her ears, Yu Haitang’s face dimmed instantly, as if veiled by storm clouds. She lowered her head and mechanically poked at the rice; every grain and vegetable leaf had lost its flavor, becoming insipid.

Seeing her state, Xu Damao frowned with dissatisfaction, tapping his chopsticks against the table to get her attention. Finally, she turned to look at him with a hint of confusion.

Clearing his throat, Xu Damao said with affected gravity: "Haitang, look at yourself now. Where is the charm of that delicate, blooming 'flower' we used to have at the factory?"

Yu Haitang was amused by this, a bitter smile tugging at her lips, though her eyes still glistened with tears: "Oh, please, Xu Damao, you really know how to make someone laugh. When did I become the factory’s 'flower'? Why didn't I even know it?"

Xu Damao grinned, his eyes full of sincerity: "In my heart, you are that one and only 'flower.' That brat He Yuzhu has no eye for quality. Missing out on you is his loss, and he’ll regret it sooner or later!"