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CHAPTER 408
Although she took note of the missed calls when alighted from the car, Andromeda decided to deal with her business with Liu Xueyi much later and try to calm her head from her troubles first.
Not to mention, she was starving and knew returning Liu Xueyi's calls would mean leaving this place to face the troubles she wanted a break from briefly.
Seated opposite each other in the flashy restaurant, Xie Tian and Andromeda placed their orders for a light meal and drinks.
Even though he wished Andromeda had taken coffee to help her keep warm, she declined and went for fruit juice instead.
"Thank you," she appreciated him and sipped her glass of water.
Xie Tian folded the sleeves of his dark purple collared shirt, wearing his smile and shifted on his seat. "Now, Andy, care to tell me what is happening?"
"As I said earlier, it is…"
"It is nothing," Xie Tian interrupted, finishing her sentence for her. "I know but, perhaps that would be believed by someone else. Not me or even Gu Jun. We know you."
She looked away, staring at the window from the corner they were seated at to distract herself.
Several men, women and young couples graced the restaurant, bringing a somewhat lively atmosphere to the place.
She was happy for them but deep down she felt jealous.
She wanted the one who was before her to have been Liu Xueyi.
She knew if he was here and they were on talking terms, he would be teasing her by now.
Resting her chin against her palm with her elbow supported by the table, her eyes lazily swept over the place once more when she released an exasperated sigh.
"Andy?"
Her heart leapt into her throat. She blinked and moved back a bit. "Huh?"
"You spaced out. What really is wrong? This is not you. Talk to me, tell me." He sensed her hesitation but Xie Tian was far from being done. "Except I mean nothing to you."
"Xie."
"No. I know you do not have feelings for me as I did but, we are still close friends, right?" The sincerity in his eyes as he spoke prickled her heart and she felt touched as though it was Gu Jun.
Both men and Liu Xueyi held special places in her heart and life. And seeing them sad and hurt was not part of the deal.
"Fine. I'll tell you." She resigned her fate and agreed.
"Okay then," Xie Tian mused, rubbing his palm together while hinting at his victory.
"I recalled my mother and well I was sensitive and then Xueyi and I got into a fight. I guess I let my emotions get the best of me and I ran off."
Her story was brief but he had his doubts. Just to be clear, Xie Tian decided to push for more.
"Is that all?"
"Huh?"
"I mean if that's all that happened then the next thought you had was to drive out of the city?"
With the way he put his words, she could not refute them and just lowered her head, unable to hold his stare now that he caught her.
"Andy, is that all?"
"Yes. You may not see it as something, but I felt overwhelmed and kept driving."
Xie Tian waited specifically for some time and tried to access the events happening around her recently.
"Wait, if I recall, the annual fashion week is coming soon, right?" Her wandering she's settled on him when he mentioned that.
Seeing the suspicious look in her eyes like a lone wolf trying to decipher the enemy from friends, his smile broadened and he cleared his throat.
"I know things, Andy. I know fashion is you and you are fashion."
"Okay?"
"I think there is already a mental stress weighing down on you, to begin with." Andromeda's brows creased slightly. It may have been the case but she knew it was far from that.
"Also, that pressure needed a safe haven and you recalled your mother then when the only person closest to you was your best fit."
"Liu Xueyi," Andromeda noted.
"Yes. However, your impulsive flare or whatnot caused a fight between you and him, further tugging on your already fragile heart, and you snapped."
She wished not to argue with him and nodded. "I suppose you are right."
Just then the waiter walked over to them with their order ready. After setting the table, he gave a smile and excused himself.
"Please dig in."
"I'm no dog," she pointed out with a smile.
"Always the mischievous one, aren't you? That aside, you shouldn't drive that way next time. Why didn't you use the racing centre?"
"I..." she swallowed. There was no excuse. All she wanted was to clear her head with no means of Liu Xueyi disturbing her.
He took note of all her hesitation and shook his head. "Andromeda, you should learn to rely on others often. We do not hate you and it does not mean you are weak. Stop bottling things inside."
"But I..."
Just then the door to the restaurant pushed open, welcoming Liu Xueyi and Xu Fang into the warmth the atmosphere provided.
First, they took a quick glance around and when Liu Xueyi was about to return his gaze from where he started, he spotted her blonde hair and her clothes.
Before his eyes could wonder what, she was doing, his gaze darted straight to the person seated in front of her.
"Xie Tian," he muttered under his breath.
Wondering the reason why Liu Xueyi balled his fingers, Xu Fang followed the line of his sight and saw what had made his friend that way.
"Oh boy..."
"I..." He stopped when he felt Xu Fang's hand press down on his shoulder.
"Use your head. Do not..."
At that very moment, Andromeda lowered her head with her hand placed on the table when he saw Xie Tian reach for her hand and warmly patted it.
"Scratch that."
His jealousy rose from that singular action. Here he was, searching for her and she refused to take his calls nor leave him a text and was here with another man.
He knew he did not have much of a right to get mad but he was so frustrated he could not help it and walked over to them.
"Xie Tian, I know I have not been..."
She swallowed the remaining words, feeling a heated gaze on her back followed by the shadow of someone tall.
"Xueyi."
Xie Tian did not appreciate his presence there, seeing as he contributed to the reason why she was there in the first place.
"Andy, let's go."
"She goes nowhere," Xie Tian interrupted and held her hand tightly.
It did not take long for their table to become the centre of attraction in the eyes of many around them as whispers began to fly all around.
"Did you see that? It is the top actor, Liu Xueyi and his girlfriend is dining with another man."
"Yes. Do not tell me she is cuckolding him?"
"How dare her."
"And here I was thinking what a sweet couple they were earlier on."
'Look at Ye Yuan's face. He is angry."
"Who wouldn't be in such a situation?"
"Gosh and that handsome man."
"Isn't he the CEO of..."
Andromeda shut her eyes, silencing all of their voices from entering her head further.
For the first time, she actually forgot what it meant to be dating a celebrity and the news that would fly around her.
She was lucky no one recognized her previously but the second Liu Xueyi walked in, the story changed.
"Andy."
She knew he did not like such a situation, which was why he kept his private life hidden but he was the one who caused everything in the first place.
"I have been searching for you yet you refused to return my calls and now you are here with..."
She pushed her chair back, getting to her feet.
Did he think he had every right to do this?
Her eyes remained closed as she bit back the urge to lash at him. Xie Tian stood up as well.
He was determined to not lose face and also keep her away from Liu Xueyi's bossy attitude.
"Andy."
"Andy, come with me."
"Andy stay, you are still not feeling better," Xie Tian refuted.
Liu Xueyi looked menacingly at him and declared, "Stay out of this, it is between my girlfriend and I."
"No, you stay out of this. She is allowed to have friends. Besides, weren't you part of the reason she was sad?'
"Xie Tian."
"Go, she doesn't want to see you."
Angry, he grabbed Andromeda's left hand, pulling her close to him. Similarly, Xie Tian did the same thing, catching her right hand.
"Liu Xueyi."
"Xie Tian, let go now."
Her blood boiled within. What was wrong with them? Did they think of her as some sort of trophy or what?
She did not care anymore what the others thought. Since both men wanted to be shameless, then she was going all out too.
"Enough!" Andromeda bellowed, yanking her hand from both of their grips forcefully.
Shock flashed through Liu Xueyi's eyes from her actions. "Andy."
"Andy," Xie Tian called out. There was no way he would lose not to Xueyi's pitied expression.
"Stop it you two. I am not your property that you can fight over."
"Then let's go home," Liu Xueyi chipped in.
"Home? After what you did? I do not want to see you right now."
Xie Tian swooped in, trying to hold her hand once more. "You heard her. She does not..." Andromeda moved her hand out of his reach, growling at him.
"And you, I am not an object for you to prove your victory over. Tsk, men. Find some other trophy. The two of you can enjoy it. I am out."
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