Ji Fei was visibly uncomfortable, looking as if she wanted to find an excuse to leave.
The Qin family was also nervous, thinking of reasons to follow her.
Suddenly, Qin's Father had an idea. He took out his phone and pretended to exclaim, "Oh! Qin Xian says a friend's hotel has received some high-quality ingredients and wants us to go out for dinner."
Qin's Mom immediately played along, "Which hotel?"
"XX Hotel," Qin's Father said while simultaneously texting Qin Xian to corroborate the story.
Ji Fei jolted at the mention of the hotel name.
Qin Yan quickly said, "That's perfect, we can go there for dinner."
Qin Rong nodded in agreement.
Qin Zhao immediately stood up, pulling Qin Xi with him, "I'll go tell the driver to prepare the car."
Only Qin Xi looked around at everyone in confusion.
Ji Fei thought: [What a coincidence!]
The Qin family froze: Was it too obvious?
Ji Fei thought: [It seems even the heavens want us to go save Yu Rouyin!]
The Qin family breathed a sigh of relief and quickly sprang into action.
Meanwhile, Qin Xian, who was handling documents, fell silent upon seeing the text message, then quickly arranged his work to join the family outing.
When the whole family arrived at the hotel in grand fashion, they were thankful it was a private establishment. Otherwise, given Qin Zhao and Ji Fei's current popularity, they might have been recognized even in disguise.
The group dawdled under the waiter's guidance until they heard Ji Fei's thoughts.
[We've arrived just in time. They're still discussing things in the restaurant. The drug has been put in the coffee, but fortunately, it hasn't been drunk yet.]
The Qin family immediately became anxious. If drugs were already involved, things were serious.
They quickly found the nearest private booth based on Ji Fei's thoughts. The restaurant's semi-enclosed booths generally obscured the customers inside unless one walked past.
However, conversations could still be heard if one listened carefully.
The group at the table pretended to play with their phones while waiting for Qin Xian, eerily silent. Ji Fei was so focused on eavesdropping that she didn't notice this oddity.
She was just thinking that if there was any chance of Yu Rouyin drinking the coffee, she would immediately pretend to bump into her and stop her.
From the other side, Yu Rouyin's cool, calm voice could be heard.
"Madam Zong, you now understand the situation. There's really nothing between your husband and me. The online analyses are true. I won't come out to criticize you publicly. I hope this matter ends here. I've started a new chapter in my life, and I don't want to be entangled with you anymore."
[How shameless! Madam Zong threatened Yu Rouyin with continuous future attacks to force her to meet. Otherwise, Yu Rouyin wouldn't have agreed to see her. Yu Rouyin doesn't want to cause trouble for her studio, so she's trying to resolve this herself.]
The Qin family couldn't help but frown. It seemed Yu Rouyin wasn't used to her new status yet. She hadn't realized that as a signed artist of the studio, her management and the studio could handle these mundane issues for her.
Currently, Yu Rouyin was still instinctively fighting alone.
[She's so naive, going in alone. What if something happens...]
The Qin family also shook their heads, disapproving of Yu Rouyin's approach.
"Huh, women like you exist just to seduce. You're clearly the one who ruined our marriage, and now you're acting all innocent. It's your fault he fell for you. Who told you to be born with such a seductive face and flaunt it around!"
[She really knows how to hit where it hurts!]
But Yu Rouyin suddenly said, "I'm not wrong. It's his fault, it's your fault, but it's definitely not my fault!"
This statement made the eavesdroppers let out a sigh of relief. Well said!
"You don't think you're wrong at all?"
"Someone once told me that being beautiful is a fortunate thing. What's bad is this world. I don't need to reflect on other people's mistakes."
"You... do you know how much we loved each other before you appeared?"
[Loved each other? The kind of love where he wouldn't sleep with you for half a year under the excuse of filming? Or the kind where he lives off you but still PUA's you, constantly telling you what's wrong with you? Making you feel like you don't deserve his talent? Honey, stop deluding yourself. He never loved you!]
The Qin family was surprised. Was this really how this couple interacted? How could she deceive herself like this?
Yu Rouyin, however, seemed tired of listening to her nonsense. "That has nothing to do with me. It's between you two. I just hope you stop harassing me."
Madam Zong wanted to continue, seemingly endless in her emotional outburst.
By this time, the Qin family had ordered drinks and were whispering to each other. After all, they now knew who they had encountered through the conversation, so there was no need to hide anymore.
[Is Madam Zong always this talkative? She must be stalling for time. Let me see what Zong Chun is up to.]
The Qin family grew curious.
[Damn! Madam Zong had prepared tea in the hotel room beforehand. Zong Chun has already drunk several cups due to nervousness. The drug has taken effect, and he's fallen into a daze.]
The Qin family felt a wave of disbelief.
On the other side, after sending a message and receiving no reply from Zong Chun, Madam Zong gave a cold laugh, immediately stopped talking, and took a sip of coffee.
Usually, when there's a pause in conversation and one person drinks, the other would drink too. But Yu Rouyin didn't.
Madam Zong frowned slightly, then her expression changed to one of sorrow, "Maybe you're right, it's all our fault... I really..."
"It's good that you can understand that. I'm not trying to blame you," Yu Rouyin's voice softened.
"Hehe... we've talked so much, aren't you thirsty, Ms. Yu? Please drink. I specially ordered this for you. It's my favorite flavor, a specialty coffee only available at this hotel."
The group next door immediately tensed up.
Ji Fei was about to stand up to greet them, but just as she was halfway up, they heard Yu Rouyin say, "I'm sorry, but I can't drink it."
Ji Fei froze, awkwardly sat back down, and joined the Qin family in listening curiously.
"What?" Madam Zong probably hadn't expected this answer either.
Across from her, Yu Rouyin's smile became faint. "Since I entered society, I've heard many lessons from experience. One of them is to never touch any open drink that hasn't been under my constant visual supervision."
This statement was like a sudden enlightenment.
Everyone present exchanged glances. What an impressive lesson, especially for girls. When out, if your food or drink leaves your sight, you must be careful.
For Yu Rouyin, this coffee wasn't ordered by her. It was already on the table when she arrived, so there was no way she would let it enter her mouth.
[Haha, I initially thought Yu Rouyin wasn't cautious enough. But of course, after so many years in the entertainment industry, how could she have reached this point without being sufficiently careful? Looks like I don't need to intervene after all.]
Madam Zong's face was now distorted. "Ms. Yu, I was just trying to make peace with you. Are you refusing to give me face?"
[Oh, trying to use status to pressure her? Who cares about your face!]
Ji Fei was worried Yu Rouyin might be in a difficult position and was about to intervene again when they heard Yu Rouyin suddenly ask, "Is there something in this coffee?"
With that, the entire place fell silent.