The dim lighting of the restaurant illuminated the tension in the air. Lu Sheng had arrived first, sitting at a secluded corner table that overlooked the city. He had made sure everything was set—the perfect ambiance, the perfect moment.
He watched the door, waiting for Jiayi's arrival. She had no idea what was coming.
---
Jiayi's Entrance
Jiayi walked into the restaurant, scanning the room for "Mr.Gray." She had expected him to be different—more mysterious, more… impressive. But what she didn't expect was the boldness of the man she was about to meet.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from "Mr.Gray."
> "I'm at the corner table, wearing a black jacket, jeans, and a watch. Come join me."
She looked around and spotted him immediately.
Lu Sheng was dressed just as described—his presence commanding, exuding confidence that made him impossible to ignore.
She took a deep breath and walked toward him, trying to keep her composure.
---
The Confrontation
Jiayi reached his table and sat down without missing a beat, flashing him a playful smile. "So, you're Mr.Gray?"
Lu Sheng didn't immediately respond. Instead, he calmly opened his phone and showed her the WeChat chat history between "Mr.Gray" and her.
"I think we already know who I am, Jiayi," he said, his tone smooth. "It's me. Lu Sheng."
Jiayi froze. Her eyes widened. For a moment, her mouth worked to form words, but nothing came out.
Lu Sheng leaned back in his chair, savoring the moment. "Did you really think I didn't know what you were up to?"
Her mind was spinning. Mr.Gray was Lu Sheng? The man she'd been flirting with, the man who had made her feel wanted, was the same one she had discarded like a toy. The realization hit her hard.
She tried to regain control, but before she could speak, the sound of footsteps approached.
---
The Surprise Guests
Behind her, she heard two voices—low, but unmistakable. She turned around sharply to find both Zhou Qi and Chen Xiao walking toward the table. The shock on her face was visible.
Zhou Qi's expression was serious, his eyes meeting hers without a hint of the affection she had once seen in them. Chen Xiao, his face full of guilt, gave a brief nod but didn't say a word.
"Jiayi," Zhou Qi said coolly, his tone colder than it had ever been. "We need to talk."
Jiayi's heart sank. Her world, once so carefully constructed, was crumbling.
"Wh-what is this?" she stammered, her face pale with disbelief. "What the hell is going on?"
Lu Sheng's eyes locked with hers, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "The truth, Jiayi. This is the truth. You've been playing with all of us, and now the game's over."
---
Jiayi was speechless, her usual confidence shattered. She couldn't even gather the words to defend herself. Her mind raced, but she knew she had lost control. The truth was laid bare, and there was nowhere left to hide.
She glanced from Lu Sheng to Zhou Qi and Chen Xiao, each of their expressions a mix of anger, disappointment, and betrayal.
---
The Aftermath
Lu Sheng stood, pushing his chair back with a soft scrape against the floor. He looked down at Jiayi, who was still processing the enormity of what had just happened.
"Enjoy the silence, Jiayi. It's the only thing you have left," he said, his voice calm but sharp. He turned and walked away, his steps deliberate.
Zhou Qi and Chen Xiao exchanged a glance, their faces hardening in unison. It was clear—there was no turning back.
Jiayi sat there, unable to move, as everything she thought she controlled slipped through her fingers