A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1783

When He Yurou arrived home from school that night, Ye Fan notified her of their plan to leave.

"You're leaving so soon, Mr. Chu? Can't you stay a couple more days? Tomorrow's my day off. I would have the time to bring you around then."

Crestfallen, He Yurou persuaded him to delay his departure.

"I can't, Yurou," Ye Fan said with an apologetic smile. "I've troubled you enough over the past couple of days, and I still have matters to attend to in Jiangdong which forces me to return tonight.

"Can't you stay for just one more day?" she pleaded. "It was fate that had brought us together in a place far from home. I didn't even get to spend any time with you and you're already telling me you have to go!"

I even had the whole of tomorrow planned!! was going to take him to the movies, have a large meal, and then wander the city aimlessly.I was really looking forward to doing all of that and now Ye Fan tells me he has to leave!

The expectant glimmer in He Yurou eyes dimmed a little, which did not escape Ye Fan's notice.

Unbeknownst to her, he was not in the mood for sightseeing.

Having made up his mind to spend the night attempting to break through the border, Ye Fan was not going to change his plans just because he was beguiled into staying.

He Yurou gazed at Ye Fan's determined expression with dismay.

Once he leaves, who knows when I'll be able to meet him again...

At that discouraging thought, she drummed up the courage and tried her luck. "Would you like to catch a movie with me before you leave, Mr. Chu?

"I..." Ye Fan stammered, clearly taken aback.

It was evident that he was not expecting a request of that nature.

"Yurou, I'm afraid that I-" he began, finding the words for a gentle rejection.

"Oh, just go with Ms. He, will you?" Tang Yun interjected cordially. "It's pretty churlish to keep turning her down, Ye Fan."

"But I..." Ye Fan's eyes started twitching.

"Please, Mr. Chu?" He Yurou turned her large, expectant eyes up to meet his.

In the end, Ye Fan nodded mutely. The intensity of both their gazes was too much for him to handle.

To be fair, He Yurou has been of help to us. It's only polite that I oblige to such an innocent request.

He Yurou was elated.

Without even finishing her meal, she bounded up the stairs to get dressed.

"You're awfully generous on my behalf, huh?" Ye Fan grumbled once they were out of earshot. "Is this really the best time to be catching a movie?"

Tang Yun rolled her eyes. "Didn't you see how close to tears she was? You're hopeless. I don't understand how you got a woman to marry you. Besides, wanting to watch a movie with you isn't an unreasonable request after what she's done for us. You've seen how smitten she is with you. She may never recover from

your rejection for the rest of her life."

Despite being famed for her cruelty throughout her tenure as leader of the Chu Sect, not many knew the gentle heart Tang Yun's tough exterior concealed.

Having loved a man herself, she understood all too well how He Yurou felt. Although Ye Fan was oblivious to the turmoil within He Yurou's heart, Tang Yun recognized the grief as something she had once experienced herself.

That poor girl. I know how it feels to love somebody who doesn't love you back. It's the least I could do for her.

Half an hour later, He Yurou emerged clad in a pretty dress with her makeup done with utmost care. She left the condominium with Ye Fan after waving goodbye to Tang Yun, who was tactful enough to invent an excuse and stayed behind.

He Yurou was nervous as it was the first time she was out alone with Ye Fan. Flushed and behaving in an oddly formal manner, she refused to utter a single word throughout the journey.

More than once, Ye Fan had to break the strained silence out of sheer awkwardness by initiating the

conversation.

By the time they arrived at the cinema, He Yurou became more reticent than ever.

She could not pay attention to the movie at all. Instead, her agitated hands twisted in her lap as she stole occasional glances at the man beside her.

At one point, He Yurou found herself mesmerized by Ye Fan's long eyelashes.

\Now, his eyelashes make his face look exquisite from the side! Oh, how I envy Ms. Qiu! I don't know if I'll ever be fortunate enough to meet a man as wonderful as Mr. Chu.

Over the duration of the movie which lasted for two hours, He Yurou allowed her imagination to run wild in a myriad of scenarios with her date.

Ye Fan did not watch the film either. Taking advantage of the darkness within the theater, he shut his eyes to meditate.

Being in the cinema is not an excuse to skip a quick training session. She's going to be so upset if she finds out that I didn't watch the film at all! As soon as the movie ended, Ye Fan began badgering He Yurou to head home.

I'm getting more and more worried about Gaius and the rest. Besides, Tang Yun and I are in greater danger for every additional minute we stall. Unexpectedly, Ye Fan and He Yurou ran into Jack Brown at the entrance.

"You're really here, Yurou!" the young man exclaimed in surprise. "Alice was right. You are seeing other guys behind my back!"

Turning to regard Ye Fan with insolence, he added, "I already didn't like you from the moment I met you at the cafe. How dare you steal the girl I have my eye on? I'm only going to say this once. Yurou belongs to me. If you still dare to mess with my woman behind my back despite me warning you, I will have your legs broken."

Jack jabbed a finger at Ye Fan as he laughed in a deliberately poor attempt to disguise his fury.

"Nobody has ever had the balls to flirt with my woman! You must be new to the city to have not heard of my family name. Allow me to introduce myself."

At the last word, a dozen thugs armed with bats emerged from behind him and surrounded Ye Fan.

Panicking at the prospect of Ye Fan being clobbered in the middle of the street to appease a rich scion's tantrum, He Yurou shoved Jack away from Ye Fan before standing between them.

"What are you talking about?" she cried as she stamped her feet in frustration. "I've told you before that we're not dating. Why do you keep saying that I belong to you? I will never be your girlfriend."

"And I've told you before, Yurou," replied Jack stubbornly, "that you will grow to be fond of me if you'd just give me a chance. Besides, we're both single. I'm sure you'll see me in a different light once you get to know me."

He continued after stopping for a breath, "My intentions toward you are sincere. I know that you've never dated before. In fact, your chastity is what I like about you. I'm tired of loose women who had slept around before they met me. You're not like any of them. If you would just say the word, I can even make you the mistress of the Brown family right this instance."

The silence in the wake of his impassioned speech was lengthy and awkward.

If Jack's acquaintances were certain of one thing, it was his proclivities toward inexperienced virgins. He Yurou only happened to be Jack's most recent obsession.

He Yurou was not impressed by his speech. In a fit of anger, she looked Jack dead in the eye as she proclaimed, "Since we're being honest, I might as well tell you right now that I already have a boyfriend. Sorry, but this ship has sailed."

"What? Impossible! Your best friend told me several days ago that you were still single. Is it him?" Jack demanded suddenly as glared at Ye Fan with rage and hatred.

He Yurou nodded. Taking advantage of Jack's shocked silence, she pressed on relentlessly. "That's right, Ye Fan is my boyfriend. I've given him all of my firsts last night if you know what I mean. Sorry to disappoint you but I am no longer the untarnished virgin you imagine me to be. Please look for somebody more worthy of you than I am."