Chapter 959: 959: Nowhere to Hide in Embarrassment

She had only walked a little while when Bei Bei came out of the restroom.

Passing by Lin Gantang’s spot, she noticed something on the ground, paused, saw Hong Shuangying talking to Lin Huan, and Wang Yingying occupied with her food, so she bent down and picked it up.

She quietly glanced at it a few times after returning to her seat and, seeing no one had noticed her, slipped it into her bag.

Wang Yingying had just heard Hong Shuangying say that Hang Tianjin was already on the bus for an out-of-town interview and couldn’t make it, extinguishing the small hope she harbored and making her feel somewhat dejected.

Not wanting to dwell on her feelings, she turned to the silently eating Bei Bei beside her for some conversation, “Bei Bei, you seem exceptionally quiet tonight, are you not feeling well?”

Bei Bei explained, “No, I’m just really hungry. I was busy all day at the shop and didn’t even have lunch.”

“That’s too hard on you, eat more then.”

It wasn’t long before Lin Gantang returned.

“Where’s your husband?” asked Hong Shuangying.

Lin Gantang noticed that Bei Bei was also looking at her.

“He’s still on the phone, we don’t need to wait for him.” Lin Gantang walked to her spot, didn’t sit down, but looked around low, “Bei Bei, did you see a photo?”

Bei Bei held her chopsticks, her gaze shifting slightly, “What photo?”

“Yanqing’s photo. I had it in my bag, it must have fallen out just now when I was taking out something for Le Yu.”

Bei Bei didn’t say whether she had seen it, “Is it a very important photo?”

Lin Gantang nodded, “Yes, it’s a portrait I took of him during our honeymoon. It has sentimental value, I really like it, that’s why I carry it with me.”

Bei Bei shifted a bit, her body brushing against her bag, “If it’s lost… can’t you just take the negative and print a new one?”

Lin Gantang watched her silently for a moment, then let out a very light sigh, her previous suspicions now seemingly confirmed.

For some reason, during the two seconds that Lin Gantang’s steady gaze was on her, Bei Bei’s heart started to feel disorderly, as if Lin Gantang had seen through the thoughts she couldn’t bring to light.

Then she heard Lin Gantang say, “I’m going to ask the manager to check the surveillance to see if it’s been left here because that photo is too important to me.”

Upon hearing this, Bei Bei felt more than just disordered, she felt panicked, “I… I’ll help you look for it first.”

Lin Gantang looked at her and smiled faintly, “I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” Bei Bei searched around with her gaze.

Lin Gantang turned away then looked back after a short while, and then she heard Bei Bei say, “Is this it? It had fallen this way.”

That turn from Lin Gantang, was to give her an opportunity to cover up the lie.

The photo that Bei Bei took out and “rediscovered” on the ground was handed back to Lin Gantang.

“Thank you, Bei Bei.” Lin Gantang smiled, placed the photo back into her wallet, and looked straight at her, “Speaking of which, last time I was at your shop, I asked you if there was someone you liked, and it seems you haven’t answered me yet.”

The sudden question about a romantic interest left Bei Bei opening her mouth, realizing what Lin Gantang meant—she already knew, she just hadn’t called her out directly.

She lowered her head, “…No.”

“Is that so?” Lin Gantang laughed lightly, finally saying, “I think you should be honest with your mother about your sexual orientation. Otherwise, if it’s hidden for too long, it might become difficult to explain, just like Le Yu now, isn’t it?”

“Right…”

Lin Gantang gave her one last look.

Bei Bei used the act of eating vegetables to conceal her discomfort.

Under Lin Gantang’s gaze, she felt her awkwardness was utterly exposed.

Wang Yingying’s gaze shifted between the two of them, feeling that something about their atmosphere was off.

But she couldn’t guess why.