In fact, it was Bai Hua’s own lapse in judgement.
The fact that Nan Chen would bring Ning Ran to Nan Zhengde’s birthday banquet had proven that he thought highly of that woman.
To call the woman he brought to Nan Zhengde’s birthday banquet a clown—his indignation was justifiable.
If it weren’t because Bai Hua was his mother, Nan Chen would have already left the place.
“All right, I may have crossed the line. I hope you don’t mind.” Bai Hua took a step back.
Nan Chen kept a straight face and said nothing.
“But as your mom, I hope you can understand that I’m saying this for your own good.”
Nan Chen remained silent.
He resented how the adults tended to quote “it’s for your own good” to meddle with their children’s lives without showing any respect.
“I’m in charge of my life,” Nan Chen responded stiffly, leaving no room for discussion.
Bai Hua was momentarily lost for words.
Initially, she wanted to persuade Nan Chen to consider going out with Ouyang Qing, saying that they were a match made in heaven. But she swallowed her words upon hearing his unyielding response.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll make a move first.” Nan Chen rose to his feet.
“Stay for a while. I’ll get Qing to get you some fruits,” Bai Hua quickly stopped him before shouting for Ouyang Qing.
Ouyang Qing came out in a hurry, thinking that she had sealed the deal.
But upon seeing Nan Chen’s face, she dared not say anything, for she knew at once that their conversation earlier was an unpleasant one.
“Qing, how about you cut some fruits for Chen?” Bai Hua gave Ouyang Qing a look.
“Okay,” Ouyang Qing agreed instantly.
Meanwhile, Erbao had finished her food and was staring at Ning Ran, who was in a daze.
“Mommy, what are you thinking? Why aren’t you eating? The steak is getting cold.”
“I don’t really like the taste.” Ning Ran acted as if nothing was on her mind.
In fact, Dabao had long noticed that something was off with Ning Ran while Erbao was busy eating.
Ning Ran had been out of sorts since the moment Nan Chen left the restaurant.
From this, Dabao had deduced that Nan Chen must have left with Ouyang Qing, which caused Ning Ran to be upset.
“Then how about you order another flavor of steak?” Erbao, who had eaten her fill, suggested Ning Ran order something that she liked.
But feeling dejected, Ning Ran shook her instead. “I’m done. You two eat up and we’ll go home.”
“We haven’t even paid the bill,” Dabao reminded.
Ning Ran’s disappointment was soon replaced with rage.
Poker Face didn’t get the bill. Does that mean I have to pay for it?
It’s a French restaurant. It’ll probably cost a few thousands, right? Did he leave with the pretty lady just so I would be the one to foot the bill?
“Call Nan Chen and get him to come back to pay the bill,” Ning Ran said to Dabao.
Dabao knew from Ning Ran’s expression that she was worried about the bill.
Truth be told, it was also his concern.
He was the one who made the reservation. But since he was just a child, he had used Nan Chen’s name instead to make the reservation.
Upon seeing Nan Chen’s name, the restaurant had given them the best private room without even asking for a deposit.
Now that the bill was not settled and Nan Chen had left in a hurry, Dabao couldn’t bear to see Ning Ran foot the bill as those were her hard-earned money.
As such, when Ning Ran had suggested calling Nan Chen, Dabao was in agreement.
Daddy’s rich and he can afford that. But Mommy’s poor. I can’t let her pay for the meal!
On the other side, Ouyang Qing had cut the apples and was just going to serve them to Nan Chen when the latter’s phone vibrated.
Nan Chen walked toward the balcony and answered the call. “How’s the food, darling?”
“Daddy, we’re done eating. But Mommy didn’t bring enough money with her. Mommy’s very poor…”
Nan Chen immediately understood that Ning Ran had refused to pay the bill.
This woman sure is petty. Even if she’s poor, she can’t be short of money to pay for this meal, right?
Isn’t she too much to get the kids to call me for money?
“I got it. I’ll send someone to settle it. You guys can just leave without settling the bill,” Nan Chen said.
“Okay. Thank you, Daddy,” Dabao said.
Hanging up, Nan Chen went back inside from the balcony. “I gotta go.”
Nan Chen rejected the fruits that Ouyang Qing served him with a wave before picking up his jacket and strode off.
Seeing how Nan Chen had ignored her when she told him to stay, Bai Hua dared not speak again.
After making the call, Dabao looked at Ning Ran and said, “Daddy told us to just leave it and go home.”
“He’s not going to trick us, is he?” Ning Ran looked highly skeptical.
“I don’t think so. Daddy’s not that type of person,” Dabao said in a serious tone.
Dabao’s right. No matter how inhumane he is, he couldn’t possibly trick his own son.
“All right. Let’s go then.”
“Aren’t you hungry, Mommy? Why don’t you eat a little more?” Erbao asked with concern.
Feeling much better, Ning Ran said, “Let’s order desserts then!”
Poker Face is paying anyway. It would be a waste not to eat and drowning my sorrow in food doesn’t seem like a bad choice.
“Mommy, aren’t you afraid of gaining weight from eating desserts at night?” Erbao asked weakly.
“Between you and me, who’s chubbier?” Ning Ran raised a rhetorical question.
Erbao looked down at her tummy in distress. “Mommy’s mocking me again.”
“You’re chubby, right? If you dare to eat with that body, why can’t I? Eating desserts gives me satisfaction, do you understand?”
Erbao put on a bitter expression. “Mommy, you’re bullying me!”
Ning Ran’s spirits lifted at once.
Poker Face. Hah, who is he? He can always leave with any woman he likes.
Why do I need to care so much about him when I have my kids with me?
As the dessert was served, Ning Ran started to feast on it.
Dabao and Erbao looked at Ning Ran in disbelief. Never did they expect the self-disciplined Ning Ran to be indulging like this.
“Mommy, you’re a superstar. Are you really not afraid of gaining weight?”
Erbao was a victim of desserts. It was desserts that made her looked rounder than her brother.
Thus, she was truly worried about her beautiful mommy getting fat like her, which would be cruel.
Erbao stared at Ning Ran with worried eyes, feeling as though she was eating a spoonful of poison instead of dessert.
Ning Ran was amused. “Are you trying to persuade me to give up just so you can eat them?”
Erbao quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant. I’m so full I can’t eat anymore.”
“I’ll keep eating then. I’m still hungry,” Ning Ran laughed.
“Mommy, I think Erbao’s right. You can’t eat so much dessert at this hour,” Dabao piped up.
“What are you two trying to do? Are you ganging up to keep me from eating?” Ning Ran put down the spoon.
“Mommy’s a superstar and a superstar cannot gain weight,” Erbao said seriously.
“It’s okay. I’m not a superstar.”
“But Daddy said Mommy will become a superstar someday. If you gain weight, you can’t become a superstar. And if you can’t become a superstar, you won’t be able to earn a lot of money to buy me good food.”
It turned out that Erbao still couldn’t get around her good food.
