A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 221 The Shura Field at the Hot Pot Restaurant

On this chilly winter day, the air was filled with a biting cold, but the "Spicy Jump" hot pot restaurant on the street corner was bustling with activity, like a steaming fortress of joy, keeping the cold outside at bay. At the entrance, large red lanterns hung high, swaying gently in the breeze, as if warmly welcoming every diner.

Xiao Liu, holding his daughter Xiao Xuan's hand, walked into the hot pot restaurant chatting and laughing with his friend Li Yuan. Xiao Xuan was as excited as a happy little deer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation. Her little head kept looking left and right, attracted by the lively atmosphere and all sorts of novelties in the restaurant.

"Mommy, it's so lively here! I can smell the hot pot!" Xiaoxuan exclaimed excitedly, sniffing the air with her little nose.

Xiao Liu smiled and patted Xiao Xuan's head gently, saying, "Yes, baby, let's have a good hot pot meal today and fill your little tummy up."

Li Yuan teased from the side, "Look how hungry Xiao Xuan is! Auntie's treating today, order whatever you want!"

The three found a seat by the window, and the waiter quickly came over with the menu. Xiao Liu took the menu and discussed the dishes with Li Yuan, occasionally asking Xiao Xuan for her opinion. Before long, a steaming hot pot was served, and the rich aroma instantly filled the air, making everyone's mouths water.

Xiaoxuan couldn't wait to pick up her chopsticks, grab a piece of tender beef, and put it into the pot, muttering, "I want to eat beef, I want to eat beef!"

Looking at Xiao Xuan's adorable appearance, Xiao Liu and Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh. They chatted about everyday things while enjoying their hot pot. Li Yuan enthusiastically shared her recent work-related anecdotes, while Xiao Liu occasionally chimed in with her own opinions. Xiao Xuan, not to be outdone, would occasionally utter a few childlike remarks, making the two of them burst into laughter, filling the entire table with joyful sounds.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, a familiar figure appeared in the corner of the hot pot restaurant—it was Wang Qiang, the one responsible for collecting empty bottles. As usual, Wang Qiang was wearing his faded work uniform, holding a woven bag, and bending over to collect the empty bottles on the floor. He inadvertently looked up, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Liu and her group's table, and instantly froze, as if struck by a spell.

"What...what's going on?" Wang Qiang's eyes widened, his face filled with shock and disbelief. He saw his first ex-wife, Li Yuan, sitting with his second ex-wife, Xiao Liu, and his daughter, Xiao Xuan, eating hot pot together, chatting and laughing. To him, this scene was like an absurd farce, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

A surge of inexplicable resentment welled up in Wang Qiang's heart. He thought to himself, "How did these two women end up together? And with my daughter too. What are they up to? No, I have to go and find out." So, he casually tossed the woven bag aside and strode towards Xiao Liu's table.

"What are you doing here?" Wang Qiang walked to the table, his face stern, his tone carrying a hint of accusation.

Xiao Liu and Li Yuan were startled by the sudden sound. Looking up, they saw Wang Qiang and both showed surprised expressions. Xiao Xuan's eyes lit up when she saw her father, and she excitedly exclaimed, "Dad, what are you doing here? Come and eat hot pot with us!"

Xiao Liu frowned and said somewhat displeasedly, "Wang Qiang, what are you doing? We're eating, don't bother us."

Li Yuan retorted, not to be outdone, and said with a pout, "That's right, is it any of your business? We'll eat wherever we want."

Wang Qiang was speechless, his face flushed, and he stammered, "I...I was just asking, how did you two get together?"

Xiao Liu said impatiently, "We're friends, what's wrong with us having hot pot together? Go do your own thing and stop causing trouble."

Wang Qiang, however, refused to give up. He plopped down in a nearby chair and said, "No, you have to give me an explanation today. How could I be so unlucky as to have two ex-wives together, and they even brought my daughter with them? What kind of nonsense is this?"

Xiao Xuan was a little scared as she watched the adults arguing back and forth. She tugged at Xiao Liu's sleeve and whispered, "Mom, please stop arguing."

Xiao Liu patted Xiao Xuan's head tenderly and comforted her, "Baby, don't be afraid, Mommy won't yell anymore." Then she glared at Wang Qiang and said, "Wang Qiang, look at you, you've scared the child. If you keep doing this, I won't be so polite."

Seeing Xiaoxuan's frightened expression, Wang Qiang felt a little guilty, but he still stubbornly said, "I'm just not convinced. How can you guys make me save face?"

Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh, teasing, "Oh, Wang Qiang, you do know how to save face now? Why didn't you think of this when you divorced me?"

Wang Qiang was stung by Li Yuan's words; his face flushed red and then turned pale. He said angrily, "Li Yuan, stop making sarcastic remarks. If it weren't for you..."

"If it weren't for me, what would I say?" Li Yuan looked at Wang Qiang defiantly. "If you're so capable, then explain yourself clearly."

The two argued back and forth, drawing strange looks from the surrounding diners, some of whom were whispering among themselves.

Xiao Liu felt that this was too embarrassing, so she stood up and said loudly, "Enough, stop arguing! If you keep arguing, I'll call security."

Just then, the general manager of the hot pot restaurant heard the commotion and rushed over. The general manager was a middle-aged man, slightly overweight, with a kind smile always on his face. Seeing this scene, he quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, what's going on? Let's talk things out. Don't make a scene here and disturb other customers' dining."

When Xiao Liu saw the general manager arrive, he quickly said, "General Manager, I'm so sorry to have troubled you. This man is my friend's ex-husband, and he inexplicably came over and started arguing with us."

The general manager looked at Wang Qiang and said in a calm tone, "Sir, no matter what the conflict is, you shouldn't make a scene here. Look, everyone is happily eating hot pot, and your outburst is really spoiling the mood."

Wang Qiang knew he was in the wrong, but he still stubbornly said, "I'm just upset. What they did was too much."

The general manager smiled and said, "I understand how you feel, but let's talk this out calmly. We can't let it affect the store's business. How about this, why don't you go outside and calm down first, and then we can sit down and have a proper chat when you've thought it through?"

Wang Qiang wanted to say something, but seeing the general manager's resolute attitude and the people around him watching him, he had no choice but to stand up, glare fiercely at Xiao Liu and Li Yuan, and say, "You wait, this isn't over." Then he stormed off.

The general manager watched Wang Qiang's retreating figure, shook his head helplessly, and said to Xiao Liu and the others, "Gentlemen, I'm really sorry for the bad dining experience. How about this, I'll give you a discount on today's hot pot as an apology."

Xiao Liu quickly waved his hand and said, "General Manager, we can't accept this. We've caused you trouble."

The general manager smiled and said, "It's alright, everyone comes out to eat to have a good time. As long as you're satisfied with your meal, I'll be happy."

With the general manager's mediation, the commotion finally subsided. Xiao Liu, Li Yuan, and Xiao Xuan sat down again and continued eating their hot pot. Although an unpleasant incident had occurred, it thankfully didn't affect their mood. Xiao Xuan quickly regained her lively nature and happily resumed eating her hot pot. Xiao Liu and Li Yuan exchanged smiles and continued chatting.

After finishing their hotpot meal, Xiao Liu and her group paid the bill and prepared to leave. The general manager personally escorted them to the door, warmly saying, "Welcome to come again next time! I'll prepare a small gift for you then."

Xiao Liu said gratefully, "Of course, thank you for your kindness."