Chapter 8 - VIP guests

"You as pretty as before" Jing Lihua grabbed a comb and tried to do unravel the nest of her hair.

"See? That's what I've been trying to tell that old man! Humph!"

"She didn't say you are not fat." Mo Liang laughed.

"You..."

"Don't worry Zhao Liying. Fat people are human too. I know you are here to get an immediate reservation at your favorite Italian restaurant. Let me call my secretary to reserve a private room for us. We'll leave once I get dressed."

"Now that's my Xiao Hua." Zhao Liying wanted to jump in happiness. Finally, she could eat something other than tasteless salad. She kissed Jing Lihua and jumped into the couch in front of the television.

Jing Lihua took a quick shower. After dressing in a Gucci light blue silk blouse, white dress pants, and Harry Winston light sapphire diamond earrings, she was ready. She walked into the living room. Mo Liang and Zhao Liying were fighting over the remote.

"How do I look?" Jing Lihua twirled.

Both of them stopped the fighting. Their gaze was fixed on Jing Lihua.

"She is a changed woman." Zhao Liying's gaze was full of admiration.

"I can't think of something smart to say. Wait a second. Let me think something." Mo Liang continued to think but couldn't come up with anything. "Fine. I give up. I'll just say it. You look gorgeous Xiao Hua"

"Let's leave. I'm starving." Zhao Liying couldn't wait for the food. Her van was already parked at the foot of the apartments.

On the way, Mo Liang and Zhao Liying continued their banter. Occasional sounds of laughs would fill the van. An outsider could tell the three people inside shared a very deep relationship.

Zhao Liying told Jing Lihua about her recent trip to Japan. She cursed her manager at the part when she described the famous restaurants they visited. The manager wouldn't let her eat. Mo Liang told her about the tale of a Japanese chick he had gone out with.

When Jing Lihua stepped out of the van, along with her two out-of-heavens friends, the trio immediately caught the spotlight.

An ex-star and topnotch fashion designer and an A-list model. But what attracted their sight the most was the elegantly dressed bewitching woman between them. Somehow, between those two extraordinary people, she was capable of attracting people's attention with her alluring looks. Her twinkling diamond earrings could be spotted from far. The woman had fine taste in fashion. Once they spotted her exceptional green eyes, they immediately recognized who she was and a look of disdain flashed across her.

"Isn't she the eldest daughter of Jing family? Didn't she marry Su Liwei just a few days ago? What is she doing here?"

"Shh, you didn't listen? The marriage was forced by using the Tang family influence. It was actually the second daughter of Jing family whom Su Liwei admired. Su Liwei must have chased her out."

"Seems only right. Jing Tian is far better than her"

"Humph! Such a disgusting woman. She should let go of a man who is unwilling to be with her"

They heard the whispers. Mo Liang was not happy. He looked at Jing Lihua to see if she was affected by their words. "Xiao Hua, do you want me to ask the manager to throw them out?" He was serious.

Jing Lihua laughed.

Wasn't it what they wanted?

"Mo Liang, there is no use of meddling with worthless people who believe in silly rumors. We should head to the VIP room." She threw a composed smile in their direction.

What was the look in her eyes? Like she was looking at a bunch of beggars? That she would not bother to even get angry at their snarky remarks?

She maintained her graceful exterior while easily countering them!

Their anger rose to peak after being humiliated but they could only scoff and turn away in embarrassment. If they crossed the line, they would be the first to be thrown out.

Jing Lihua Tang's family had close relations with the owner of this restaurant. So she was always their esteemed guest. Others could hardly manage to book for a normal table after a month of waiting. Zhao Liying walked to the reception complaining about how hungry she was.

"Sister Lihua, is it you? I never expected to find you at the restaurant. I thought you must have left for a honeymoon with your husband." He ZongYing laughed. "Oh sorry, I forgot that you are not in good terms with your husband." Her words were aimed to humiliate Jing Lihua.

Jing Lihua groaned internally. How could be the world so small? Why she can't have a peaceful dinner with her friends? Jing Lihua didn't turn her face towards her.

"I'm talking to you, Sister Jing."

Jing Lihua looked in He Zongying eyes with a small, unfaltering smile. Her eyes were calm as still water.

"My sincerest apologies. I thought you were talking to the wall"

Silence followed for a second. Mo Liang burst out laughing.

"You..." He Zongying was shocked. Her face went white with embarrassment. She heard the hushed laughs of people gathered around.

He Zongying hated Jing Lihua. He Zongying was Jing Tian's minion to do her dirty work. He Zongying harrassed Jing Lihua to appease Jing Tian. Jing Lihua was always an easy target because of her short temper and polite personality.

The people who had just mocked her gathered around them once again and perked up their ears anticipating good drama.

Before He Zongying could decide what to say next, Jing Lihua said:

"Oh, my. I love your necklace. Gifted to you by Jing Tian on your birthday. Wasn't it?" Jing Lihua stepping forward. She inspected He Zongying's necklace with awe. "Brand Cartier. Isn't it? I know when it auctioned, I had a fight with Zhao Liying and we kept raising the bid until $11,000. I lost interest in it later on and gave it to Jing Tian when grandpa gifted me a better one. She made a very good decision by giving it to you. It does suit you. But it is expensive for you. Do take care of it."

When Jing Lihua was done, He Zongying's face was white. But Jing Lihua didn't have any mercy.

"And that handbag. I remember It was also gifted to you with that necklace. Jing Tian bought that from some random shop. She must have told you she had bought it from some famous brand? Look closely, it is a replica. You don't need to look after it that much. After all, you can easily afford a replica." Jing Lihua laughed. Meanwhile, Zhao Liying came back from the reception. Looking at the group of people, she frowned for a second.

"Jing Lihua, I asked them. They have the top floor room prepared for us"

"I would love to stay and reminisce with you but my friend here is starving and we had a reservation in the VIP room, so we can't join you down so take care, Sister ZongYing"

He Zongying was filled with jealousy. The VIP room was on the top floor. She had never had a chance to visit it. But she had heard it had a very pleasant view. When He Zongying saw the woman she looked down upon going to VIP, her heart burned with jealousy.