A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 177 A Dinner: The Jealousy Jar Overturned

After get off work, the setting sun bathed the city streets in an orange-red glow. Zhang Chen, Li Shiqing, and Chen Meili walked side by side, heading to dinner. Li Shiqing clung tightly to Zhang Chen's arm, as if declaring her ownership to the world. Chen Meili skipped along behind them, humming an unknown tune, completely unaware of the impending "storm."

"Brother Chen, I heard there's a new hot pot restaurant that just opened up ahead, it's really delicious, let's go there!" Chen Meili suggested, her eyes sparkling.

Before Zhang Chen could answer, Li Shiqing interjected, "The hot pot is too spicy. I've been feeling a bit feverish lately, so I can't eat it." She thought to herself, "I absolutely can't let Chen Meili take the lead in this meal, or who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause."

"Then... shall we go eat Japanese food?" Chen Meili asked tentatively.

“Japanese food is too cold; eating too much of it in winter is bad for your stomach,” Li Shiqing rejected again.

Zhang Chen smiled helplessly. One of the women was his girlfriend, and the other was his childhood neighbor, a girl he'd known since childhood. He was caught in the middle, torn between them. "How about we go eat some home-cooked food? It's light and healthy," he quickly suggested, trying to smooth things over.

Li Shiqing and Chen Meili exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously. "Okay, we'll listen to Brother Chen," they said in unison, then both felt a little awkward and turned their faces away.

Upon arriving at the restaurant and ordering, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Li Shiqing was preoccupied with how to reveal her identity to Chen Meili, while Chen Meili was still immersed in the joy of dining with Zhang Chen and Li Shiqing, completely unaware of Li Shiqing's thoughts.

"Chen Meili, I have something to tell you." Li Shiqing finally broke the silence. She took a deep breath and mustered her courage to say, "I am Zhang Chen's girlfriend."

Chen Meili was drinking juice when she heard this and almost choked. Her eyes widened as she looked at Li Shiqing, then at Zhang Chen, her face filled with disbelief. "Huh? Brother Chen, when did you get a girlfriend? Why didn't you tell me?!"

Zhang Chen scratched his head awkwardly, "I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."

Seeing Chen Meili's reaction, Li Shiqing felt a little smug. She continued, "Meili, I hope you can keep some distance from Zhang Chen in the future. After all, I'm his girlfriend, and I'll get jealous if I see other girls getting too close to him."

Chen Meili suddenly realized that Li Shiqing had come to this meal to "question" her. She smiled and said casually, "Oh, Sister Shiqing, don't misunderstand. I just treat Brother Chen like an older brother. We grew up together and have a great relationship. Besides, my parents let me work here so that I could be closer to Brother Chen and have him take care of me. But don't worry, I absolutely have no other intentions. Since you're Brother Chen's girlfriend, I'll definitely be more careful in the future. It's my fault for causing you trouble. I'll back out!"

Zhang Chen listened to Chen Meili's words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Meili, don't say that. I've always thought of you as a younger sister. Shi Qing, don't overthink it either. Meili really didn't mean anything by it."

Seeing Chen Meili's sincere expression, Li Shiqing's jealousy subsided considerably. "Meili, I didn't mean to target you; I just care too much about Zhang Chen."

"I understand, I understand! Sister Shiqing, don't worry, I promise I won't let you misunderstand again." Chen Meili patted her chest and assured her.

Just then, the waiter came over with the dishes, breaking the somewhat tense atmosphere. "Here you are, all three of you. The dishes are ready, please enjoy."

"Wow, it looks delicious!" Chen Meili immediately shifted her attention, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.

Li Shiqing couldn't help but smile at Chen Meili's adorable appearance. "Meili, eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

"Hehe, I'm so hungry," Chen Meili said, her mouth full, her words muffled.

Looking at the two women, Zhang Chen finally felt relieved. He picked up a piece of meat and put it in Li Shiqing's bowl, saying, "Shiqing, you should eat more too." He then picked up a piece for Chen Meili, saying, "Meili, you too."

The meal was a lively affair, as if the earlier incident had never happened. Li Shiqing and Chen Meili gradually became acquainted, chatting and laughing, and sharing interesting stories from their lives.

"Sister Shiqing, how did you and Brother Chen get together?" Chen Meili asked curiously.

Li Shiqing blushed. "We met in high school. After graduation, we chose our own universities and then met again at my mother's subsidiary. After spending some time together, we started dating."

"Wow, how romantic! Brother Chen, I didn't expect you to be so charming," Chen Meili teased.

Zhang Chen smiled and shook his head. "Alright, stop teasing me."

"By the way, Meili, do you have a boyfriend?" Li Shiqing asked.

Chen Meili sighed, "Not yet. I'm busy with work every day and have no time for dating. Besides, I haven't met anyone who makes my heart flutter."

"Don't worry, fate might just bring you together someday," Li Shiqing comforted her.

“Exactly, with a face as beautiful as Meili, how could she not find a boyfriend?” Zhang Chen chimed in.

"Brother Chen, please stop joking with me." Chen Meili lowered her head shyly.

After finishing their meal, the three of them walked out of the restaurant. It was already dark outside, and the city's neon lights were flashing, making it exceptionally charming.

“Beautiful, let us take you home,” Zhang Chen said.

"No need, no need, I can take a taxi back myself. You two should go and enjoy your time together." Chen Meili waved her hand, rejecting Zhang Chen's suggestion.

"Alright then, be careful on the road," Li Shiqing instructed.

"Okay, Sister Shiqing, you should all go back and rest early too." Chen Meili said, then turned and left.

Zhang Chen and Li Shiqing walked hand in hand on their way home. "Shiqing, you really scared me today. I thought you and Meili were going to have a fight," Zhang Chen said with a smile.

"I'm not that unreasonable. I just care about you too much. Seeing Meili and you getting so close makes me a little uncomfortable," Li Shiqing said softly, leaning on Zhang Chen's shoulder.

"I know it's my fault for not explaining things clearly to you in time. I'll be more careful in the future and won't let you misunderstand again," Zhang Chen said firmly, holding Li Shiqing's hand tightly.

"Yes, I believe you." Li Shiqing looked up at Zhang Chen, her face beaming with a happy smile.

Suddenly, Li Shiqing stopped in her tracks. "Zhang Chen, you said Meili said earlier that her parents made her work here to get closer to you. Could it be that she really has other intentions?"

Zhang Chen smiled helplessly, "Why are you overthinking things again? Meili already said she didn't mean anything by it, so stop guessing."

“But…” Li Shiqing wanted to say something, but Zhang Chen interrupted her.

"No buts, believe me, Meili really only sees me as a brother. And, you're the only one in my heart, no one can replace you," Zhang Chen said, looking earnestly into Li Shiqing's eyes.

Li Shiqing was moved by Zhang Chen's gaze, and she nodded, "Okay, I believe you."

The two continued walking, moonlight casting long shadows on them. This dinner, a "love battle" sparked by jealousy, ultimately ended harmoniously. The relationship between Zhang Chen, Li Shiqing, and Chen Meili also became clearer and more harmonious after the dinner. Perhaps this is life, full of unexpected little episodes, but as long as there is mutual trust and understanding, all conflicts can be resolved, leading to happiness and joy.