Inside the coffee shop.
Liu Zhenzhen had arrived early.
She chose the table by the window on the right side when entering.
She hoped Qi Shaobai would see her at first glance when he came in.
While there was still time before the appointed time, she took out a mirror from her bag to check her makeup.
Hmm, very nice.
A natural, no-makeup look, and her complexion also looked great.
Today she wore a light blue floral print dress.
This was the most expensive dress in her closet that she had reluctantly spent 2000 yuan on for her birthday last year, only worn on important occasions as her "battle dress".
The neckline was designed very crafty, with a little "v" opening that allowed a tantalizing glimpse of her figure.
She had also specially matched it with a necklace, bracelet and earrings.
Usually she was not allowed to wear jewelry at school, but wearing them today would definitely make Qi Shaobai's eyes light up, showing her most beautiful side.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Liu Zhenzhen saw a white Lamborghini stop at the entrance of the coffee shop.
She was delighted.
With such a cool license plate, this luxurious car must be from the Qi family.
She had not expected Qi Shaobai to attach such importance to this date that he would drive over personally.
She could not help imagining that after finishing their coffee, she might be able to sit in the passenger seat and take a drive with him.
Just thinking about it made her blush slightly.
The passenger door opened.
Qi Shaobai got out.
He was wearing a black T-shirt and grey sweatpants. Even such a simple outfit still had an irresistible charm, looking youthful and carefree, with a hint of rebellion in his brows and eyes.
Right after, Sheng Mumu pushed open the car door.
The driver's side was squeezed against the wall making it narrow, so she first handed her bag out and very naturally instructed:
"Qi Shaobai, come help me get my bag, it's hard to open the door."
Qi Shaobai was stunned for half a second, but his body reacted faster than his brain, and he had already taken Sheng Mumu's bag.
Sheng Mumu got out of the car smoothly, closed the door, took back her bag, and said "Thanks."
This scene made Liu Zhenzhen's eyes pop out.
She was still in shock about what was going on when Sheng Mumu and Qi Shaobai sat down across from her.
Sheng Mumu was the only adult at the table. Compared to the two high schoolers, she seemed much more composed and steady.
As soon as she sat down, she beckoned to the waiter.
"One iced latte." She looked up at Qi Shaobai and Liu Zhenzhen and asked casually, "What would you like to drink?"
Qi Shaobai: "Iced water."
Liu Zhenzhen was intimidated by Sheng Mumu's aura. Afraid that she had come to confront her about the secret photos, she responded half a beat slower:
"...Orange juice, thanks Auntie."
Sheng Mumu told the waiter: "Also one iced water, one orange juice, and a waffle and some fries."
Soon the waiter brought over their orders.
Sheng Mumu was in no hurry to get to the point.
She ate a few fries while they were still hot and crispy, as a foodie's self-cultivation did not allow her to watch the fries go soft without taking action.
Seeing how calm she was, Liu Zhenzhen couldn't sit still anymore and broke the silence first:
"Auntie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to secretly take photos of you."
"Oh? Is that so?" Sheng Mumu glanced back as if casually, a rare sharpness flashing through her eyes. Then she smiled and said, "I'm not as easily fooled as Qi Shaobai, little one."
I've got 11 years on you, don't think I didn't earn it. I've seen countless scheming girls like you.
Hearing this, Qi Shaobai sitting to the side stiffened for a moment: "..."
It felt like he was being implied about something.
What did she mean he was easily fooled?
He was very smart okay?
Liu Zhenzhen looked aggrievedly at Qi Shaobai for a moment. Seeing that he didn't even glance at her or try to speak up, she slightly knitted her brows, seeming lost in thought about something else.
Liu Zhenzhen thought: Qi Shaobai must be afraid of his stepmother, that's why he's not saying anything.
Recalling the scene of Qi Shaobai helping Sheng Mumu with her bag when getting out of the car, she became even more convinced of what she was thinking.
Since he was unwilling to openly offend the malicious stepmother, then she would do it for him.
Liu Zhenzhen decided to show Qi Shaobai her determination to always stand by his side through action.
"Auntie, my intention in taking those photos was out of concern for Shaobai. Now that you know, I hope you won't make things difficult for Shaobai anymore in the future. Treat Shaobai better. I promise I won't tell anyone about the photos."
Qi Shaobai felt goosebumps rising.
???
Who allowed her to call him that?
At this time Sheng Mumu was also somewhat confused. What did she mean by "make things difficult again"?
When had she ever made things difficult for him?
Please, don't think of a stepmother as being so terrifying!
This girl must have watched too many melodramatic family dramas.
After saying all this, Liu Zhenzhen stared at Sheng Mumu, not wanting to back down in aura.
She had the photos in hand. Ultimately, wasn't the other party the one who should be afraid?
While holding eye contact, Liu Zhenzhen noticed Sheng Mumu's outfit today.
The qipao jacket Sheng Mumu was wearing was something she had seen in a magazine last week. It was a limited edition piece from a designer's current collection, supposedly costing 80,000 yuan.
Liu Zhenzhen also recognized Sheng Mumu's chain bag at her side. That alone had to be worth six digits.
Liu Zhenzhen knew not to compete with a grown woman on clothing and accessories, but still unconsciously felt a twinge of sourness in her heart as she clenched her hands tightly.
Suddenly feeling that her own blue dress looked particularly shabby in comparison.
Then this sourness turned into disdain.
Humph, putting on airs as a stepmother when she could only dress so extravagantly by becoming Mrs. Qi.
Once she won Qi Shaobai's heart and married into the Qi family, she would also be able to have all those brand name clothes, bags, and jewelry.
Sheng Mumu smiled calmly.
Facing a girl quite a bit younger than herself, she really had no desire to engage in a battle.
She unlocked her bag, took out her phone and some printed papers.
Then she tapped her phone a few times, turned it around, and slid it across to Liu Zhenzhen.
"Little one, the person in this video is you, right?"
Hearing this, Liu Zhenzhen's heart raced as she lowered her eyes in panic.
The video made her face turn white with fright.
It had captured the scene of her secretly pouring something into Qi Shaobai's cup that day at the Qi house...
She would never have imagined that moment was witnessed and recorded.
Moreover, by Qi Shaobai's stepmother!
Seeing Liu Zhenzhen scared pale, Sheng Mumu had no intention of letting up.
Because the feeling of slapping someone in the face like this was just too satisfying.
She now fully understood why female leads in TV dramas always seemed to have so many misunderstandings pile up before resolving them all at once.
It felt so good!
Sheng Mumu lightly brushed her fair hand over the papers and spread them out in front of Liu Zhenzhen.
Fortunately Sheng Mumu had had the foresight to immediately record Liu Zhenzhen's misdeeds on video when she discovered it, in case the facts became unclear afterward.
She had even specially gotten the contents of that drink analyzed, just in case someone tried to deny accountability later on.
Sheng Mumu said: "You should know better than me what you added to the drink. If this matter got escalated to the school..."
Upon hearing the word "school", Liu Zhenzhen's mind buzzed.
She didn't hear the rest of the words. Her whole body was filled with fear.
Luckily she was sitting down. If standing, her legs probably would have gone soft and she would have collapsed.
