Chapter 8, Reunion

Because she always kept her head down, she could only notice when someone got very close to her. She quickly stood up and politely listened to Xi Jihuan's instructions, as he mentioned there was still work to be done

The phone vibrated, and she thought it was Xi Jihuan calling her. However, upon answering, she realized it was Jiang Zhengliang. His voice was as considerate and warm as ever: "I heard from Zhang Rou that you are out today. Why not come over and have dinner with us tonight? We can keep it simple, so it won't be too late for you to get home."

"What just happened?" he asked coldly

"Just wait, there is still work to do in a moment." Xi Jihuan frowned impatiently, opened the door, and got out of the car. Jian Si hurriedly followed him out. Three young people were already at the door carrying several stacks of books. Jian Si was afraid of falling behind and not being able to find them, so she quickened her pace to catch up, forgetting about Xi Jihuan's whereabouts.

He heard Zhang Rou say that her family might be very impoverished, which is the root of her always appearing as if she is a startled bird? He grew up in affluent conditions and arbitrarily believes that it is quite normal for children from poor families to lack confidence; he does not find anything strange about her!

A car behind her honked, but she did not turn around. Then she heard Xi Jihuan calling her name; he had already driven up to her, moving slowly in the lane next to her.

She suddenly did not want to pay attention to Xi Jihuan's reaction. After so many years, it was the first time she wanted to act recklessly without care. She just wanted to quietly do a job, simply wanting to live a "proper" life. Perhaps Xi Jihuan had no other intentions, but she still felt it was dangerous. Today, she especially felt that she should run far away without a care in the world.

Xi Jihuan let out a sneer and said, "Do I still need you?"

"First, take this stack." Xi Jihuan waved to one of them, pointing with his chin to the magazine on Jian Si's lap.

She ran out the door, and the damp wind blew against her face, bringing her a sense of clarity. Perhaps she had offended her boss; all the carefulness and appreciation she had shown for this job over the past few days might have been rendered meaningless by her earlier impulsiveness. What right did she have to be angry now?

"Are you going back to the company?" Xi Ji Huan frowned, but it was not the displeasure she had anticipated. "Get in the car. Hurry back so we can still make it for the company's meal."

He walked past with his head held high, not glancing sideways; she knew he did not see her. ... In the past ... . ... Even in the crowded campus, he could spot her at a glance

She took the seat next to him, and he quickly turned around. Fortunately, the road near Jiatiān was wide and the traffic was light, allowing him to make the turn smoothly

He has changed, becoming quite remarkable, just as she herself has also become formidable. In her memory, he was merely a boy with deeper thoughts than his peers, but now he has transformed into a man of striking presence, and indeed, a very outstanding man. The brows and eyes she once remembered have now become cold, sharp, and unfamiliar, and she gradually realizes that everything, absolutely everything, feels very strange.

I will go back by myself, Mr. Xi, you carry on with your work. She said cautiously

It is not difficult to recognize him, as he is always the most dazzling one in the crowd. She, who always avoids the gaze of others, rarely looks directly at someone; she wants to see him clearly, to understand the difference between herself and him, just as there is a stark contrast between her and the somewhat extravagant decorations around her, a difference as vast as clouds and mud

As Xi Jihuan drove his car into the parking lot of the Jiatianda Building, he began making a phone call. The security guard recognized his vehicle and respectfully guided him to park in one of the designated spaces closest to the entrance. Jian Si tidied up the stack of magazines at her feet, picked them up, and placed them on her lap, preparing to move them as soon as the car came to a stop.

She felt very irritable, yet she no longer had the courage to leave as she did earlier. She silently stopped in her tracks and was unexpectedly taken aback.

She despises this version of herself

We, Zhengliang and Zhang Rou, finally made it clear. A girl like Zhang Rou really should find someone as good-natured as Zhengliang. She hesitated a bit regarding his invitation, and Jiang Zhengliang noticed this, adding: "I have something to tell you"

The handover of work was exceedingly simple, and it was completed in no time. Jian Si returned to the lobby on the first floor, where there was a designated reception area. This area was furnished with numerous sofas, and many individuals attending to business were seated there, waiting or making phone calls. She found a corner seat and sat down.

Jian Si was taken aback for a moment, then smiled faintly. Indeed, she and he were no longer as unfamiliar as they had been a few days ago

She made a sound of acknowledgment upon hearing Zhengliang mention the time and the restaurant. He carefully chose a place that was close to her home, and she felt deeply grateful for this unrepayable kindness, each gesture felt like a debt.

Xi Jihuan seemed to have anticipated her refusal long ago. He turned around, raised an eyebrow, and glanced at her: "It's just a meal." He darkened his expression, not out of anger, but simply to intimidate her. This tactic usually worked well, but today seemed to be an exception

"It is already eleven o'clock, let's go eat first," he said, not giving her any opportunity to express her opinion

Her clasped hands trembled slightly as she shook her head with a hint of stubbornness

He entered the elevator with a few colleagues, and she lowered her eyelashes; she and he had finally become complete strangers.

Xi Jihuan glanced at her and said, "Didn’t you just say 'yes' when you first arrived? Why are you so talkative now? Have you passed the probation period?"

As they were speaking, three young individuals quickly emerged from the door, greeted Xi Jihuan briefly as they opened the car door, and efficiently began to unload the community magazine.

Jian Si is very grateful; he has arranged everything and did not leave her in a daze to inquire or ask. However, he did not give her the opportunity to express her thanks: "You go with them to verify the quantity, sign for it, and then wait for me in the hall; I will be there shortly"

Her appearance always makes her refusals seem weak, even though she speaks with absolute certainty: "I am going back to the company"

She clenched her fists and walked forward with unsteady steps, even unable to discern the direction... In fact, she had long anticipated that if she were to meet him again, it would inevitably be in such a situation of stark disparity in status. She... still could not achieve complete indifference. She could look him in the eye without having to lower her head in shame; in this world, it was always she who owed others, but to him, she did not owe a single thing. He owed her, but she did not wish to pursue it, only hoping that in this lifetime, there would be no further entanglements. He lived leisurely in his cloud, while she struggled painfully through the thorns, and that was enough for her. At this moment, what tormented her was this humble wish; she once again deeply realized how much life had turned her into a despicable person.

Is he also in this building? Will he become the owner of this building

Xi Jihuan stepped out of the elevator and went directly to the waiting area to find her. He had already come to understand her somewhat; she would never stand in a conspicuous place. Sure enough, she was sitting in the corner with her head down, her originally frail figure appearing even more thin and desolate in her silent waiting. This fragile and delicate beauty is no longer in vogue; at least Qian Ruina had criticized her behind her back. In Qian Ruina's eyes, such a silent, enduring, and shy personality is simply dark and strange, akin to a form of mental illness. This fragile and delicate beauty is no longer in vogue; at least Qian Ruina had criticized her behind her back. In Qian Ruina's eyes, such a silent, enduring, and shy personality is simply dark and strange, akin to a form of mental illness.

She surveyed her surroundings, her emotions difficult to discern, as she found herself neither joyful nor sorrowful, but rather in a state of indifference

The staff in the hall stirred, suddenly becoming busy, their expressions growing considerably serious. A few individuals entered, exuding an indescribable aura. The security personnel saluted, the receptionist nodded with a smile, while she, ensconced among the group of sofas, silently shifted her gaze.

His usual mockery unexpectedly brought her a sense of relaxation, he was not angry, and her life... did not undergo any changes

She could not afford to delay any longer. Just as she reached out to pull open the rear car door, the lock fell with a bang. She was at a loss for what to do, and Xi Jihuan, unable to contain himself, let out a low roar: "In front!"

I..." Jian Si frowned, she did not want to have dinner alone with Xi Jihuan, nor did she wish to have any interactions with someone like Xi Jihuan outside of work, especially not today. "Mr. Xi, what work is there, after all?" She stood there without moving.

He curled his lips and said, "I thought you had suffered some kind of stimulation or excitement, saying you were going back to the company, but you got the directions all wrong! It turns out you are just simply directionally challenged!"

She did not know what to say. "Hurry up! Don't you see I'm going the wrong way? The police came and a meal's worth of money was fined away!" He urged her rudely, feeling quite uncomfortable.

Xi Jihuan listened and smiled dismissively, beauty is beauty, what does it have to do with trends? Should the petite girls perish just because independent feminism has become fashionable? Simple thoughts are beautiful, undeniably beautiful, which is why he particularly disliked her bowing her head, as if her beauty were a sin.