Jian Wei’s gaze followed the retreating figure of Jian Boyu until it completely disappeared from sight. Only then did she sit back down at the dining chair, looking disconsolate. After a long while, she smiled and said to me and Yang Congrong, “Uncle Yang, Zhaoyang, let’s continue eating.”
Seeing Jian Wei putting on a brave face, I felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort in my heart. Yet, I couldn’t express my feelings or comfort her. I simply picked up my chopsticks and continued eating.
After lunch, since Jian Boyu had left first, Yang Congrong was left alone. Thus, I had the opportunity to drive him to the airport.
…
I drove the CC that Mi Cai had left me on the highway towards the airport. I focused on driving while Yang Congrong, sitting in the back seat, closed his eyes to rest.
It wasn’t until we were nearly at the airport that he finally asked me, “Young man, your relationship with Weiwei isn’t ordinary, is it?”
His question surprised me a little, but I still honestly replied, “We used to be together.”
Yang Congrong displayed an expression as if he had expected this, sighed and said, “It must have been like a candle burning out while the person didn’t even realize it… Alas! Old Jian’s biggest mistake in his life was giving birth to a daughter with a fiery personality, yet he deliberately denied the oxygen needed for this fire to burn…”
This was another sigh from an observer, but I didn’t want to delve deeper into the meaning behind these words. Some things, some people, and some feelings had already dissipated.
…
After seeing Yang Congrong off, I returned to Suzhou once again, with two purposes in mind. First, I wanted to water the plants in the old house. Second, on behalf of the inn, I wanted to invite Jian Wei to dinner, especially since she had helped the inn greatly this time.
I methodically returned to the old house first to water the plants, and then I called Jian Wei to arrange a dinner date. To avoid being alone with Jian Wei, I also invited Fang Yuan and Yan Yan to join us that evening. Fortunately, they finally had time and promised they would definitely come.
In the evening, I first went to the restaurant to book a private room. Soon after, Fang Yuan and his wife Yan Yan arrived on time. We chatted casually while waiting for Jian Wei, who was still dealing with company matters.
After several cups of tea, Jian Wei still hadn’t arrived, so Fang Yuan and I went to the restroom together.
After relieving ourselves, we stood outside the restroom and lit up cigarettes, as we both had a craving.
After smoking about half a cigarette, Fang Yuan tapped the ash off his cigarette and asked me, “You specially invited Jian Wei for dinner and dragged Yan Yan and me along. What’s the real reason?”
Leaning against the wall corner, I took a deep puff of my cigarette and exhaled heavily before saying, “She helped me greatly this time. Isn’t it only natural for me to treat her to dinner?”
Fang Yuan smiled and said, “But you didn’t want to be alone with her, so you dragged Yan Yan and me along?”
“Yes. Some potential misunderstandings should be avoided if possible. Now, everything between me and her is open and transparent.”
Fang Yuan unexpectedly replied, “It’s too deliberate, which makes it seem excessive.”
I furrowed my brows and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Some feelings might have become blurred, but they haven’t disappeared—they’re just blurred.”
“Don’t talk nonsense like that.”
“Is this really nonsense? I’m just reminding you that, in fact, you and Jian Wei are like two people imprisoned in a deep abyss without salvation.”
I disdainfully replied to Fang Yuan, “Where did you get that idea?”
“No matter how deeply hidden one’s thoughts are, time—the ruthless machine—will eventually carve them out… This applies to you, to me, and to Jian Wei. Everyone has secrets.” Fang Yuan said as he took another deep puff of his cigarette.
Fang Yuan’s words made me feel uneasy, but I didn’t want to figure out exactly why I felt uneasy. I remained silent.
Fang Yuan and I almost finished our cigarettes at the same time. I crushed mine first and signaled for Fang Yuan to leave.
Fang Yuan suddenly seemed to remember something and said to me, “Oh, there’s something I need to tell you…”
“Go ahead.”
At the moment he was about to speak, his face showed signs of inner struggle. This only increased my curiosity. I urged him, “Well, say it already!”
After lighting another cigarette, Fang Yuan told me, “I heard that Weiran went to America yesterday.”
Instinctively, I replied, “Isn’t it perfectly normal for him to go to America?”
“Is it really normal for him to go at this time?”
My heart sank immediately. After a while, I asked Fang Yuan, “How did you even know about Weiran?”
“He’s one of the investors behind Zhuo Mei. How could I not know about him?”
I looked at Fang Yuan in confusion and asked with a furrowed brow, “Even if he’s one of Zhuo Mei’s investors, his whereabouts wouldn’t be something just anyone could know, right?”
Fang Yuan was silent for half a moment before replying, “…Mi Lan told me. This time, he went to America not only to help Zhuo Mei go public but also…”
Fang Yuan didn’t continue, but what he meant was obvious. After all, Weiran had pursued Mi Cai for years and wouldn’t easily give up. Mi Cai, because of their emotional connection over the years, had never kept her distance from him either.
But did I really have a reason to be anxious?
After going through so much, I thought I could become a man who knows restraint in love, giving Mi Cai enough trust. I shifted my focus to Fang Yuan and said, “She even talks to you about such things. You two must be quite close!”
Fang Yuan’s expression became somewhat unnatural. After a while, he said, “We’re just friends.”
“I hope you never betray Yan Yan, who has been such a devoted wife to you.”
“I won’t betray her.”
I nodded without saying more or asking further questions because everyone has secrets, and one day, time will eventually reveal them all. Whether those secrets turn out to be good or bad will be determined in time.
…
After finishing two cigarettes with Fang Yuan, we finally returned to the private room at the restaurant. Almost at the same time, Jian Wei arrived, carrying her handbag from another corner. After greeting each other, the three of us entered the room together.
Inside the room, Yan Yan was idly playing with her phone. Seeing us return, she asked somewhat discontentedly, “Why did you two take so long?”
I smiled and answered, “We smoked two cigarettes.”
“Two chain-smokers!”
This time, both Fang Yuan and I laughed together. Jian Wei also put down her handbag and took the menu from the waiter, beginning to order the dishes.
After a short wait, the food was served, and to our surprise, along with it came a dozen bottles of beer.
Yan Yan said to Jian Wei, “Why did you order so much alcohol? We’re driving, you know!”
“Don’t worry, the restaurant provides designated drivers… I’m just in a good mood today and wanted to drink.”
Fang Yuan and Yan Yan exchanged glances, puzzled.
Jian Wei had already poured a glass of beer for each of us. Holding up her glass, she said to Fang Yuan and Yan Yan, “You know, today Zhaoyang met with the CEO of Easy Travel Network. His insights were really great and unique. Uncle Yang even sent me a message praising him after he left… I always knew he wouldn’t let me down.”
After finishing her words, Jian Wei downed an entire glass of beer in one go. Perhaps the first glass was too cold for her, causing her to choke slightly. Even while covering her mouth and coughing, she still wore a smile on her face.
This scene stirred up a mixture of emotions in me. I didn’t say anything but raised my glass and drank it all in one go.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage