Chapter 7

Lu Jun set down the cup and spoke softly: "Zhou Xu, I appreciate your kindness. This year is your wedding banquet, and you should attend to the other guests"

The guests at Lu Jun's table were all colleagues from her workplace with whom she had only a passing acquaintance, but no deep connections. They spoke about internal personnel changes and similar matters, most of which she did not understand and did not wish to understand. She merely listened quietly, nodding along, while silently sipping her drink and eating her food

"The matter of fortune-telling is something I spoke of in jest," Lu Junru said, awakening from a dream, shaking her head. "How can one accurately predict a person's fate?"

It was not until Qian Dahua also sat at this table that the situation changed. Upon seeing her, Qian Dahua, as before, joked: "Xiao Lu, I didn't expect you to come. You look quite well."

It is not that simple; you may not have heard. It is said that Zhou Xu's family is not an ordinary one; his uncle seems to be a leader in some department... Enough of that, enough of that. These are others' affairs; why should we concern ourselves so much? We cannot envy them. They are a talented couple, mutually affectionate, while we are merely spending money to have a meal.

Her voice was faint, revealing a message of exhaustion. It was clear that she did not want to discuss this matter. Zhou Xu sighed and finally left, saying before he departed: "Xiao Jun, remember, you can always come to me for anything"

I am fine," Lu Jun said softly, "I am still alive, I am still here. How could I possibly have any issues

After the wedding, most guests gradually left, while a small number of guests moved to several private rooms in the restaurant. Zhou Xu and Xia Yiyi not only succeeded as the bride and groom but also excelled as hosts. This hotel can be described as having first-class standards in both service attitude and decor. Everything in the private rooms was meticulously prepared, taking into account every possible preference of the guests.

As Zhou Xugang entered the office, he saw her dozing in the seat by the window—everyone else had gone to lunch, leaving her behind. The office, with three sides facing the window, was bright and spacious, and when empty, it felt particularly vast. She was enveloped in golden sunlight, from her fingertips to her hair, even the fine down on her fair face was dusted with a layer of golden powder. Her head was tilted against the sofa, her eyes closed, and her eyelashes occasionally fluttered as she breathed evenly, appearing to be in a deep sleep. Even the fine down on her fair face was dusted with a layer of golden powder. Her head was tilted against the sofa, her eyes closed, and her eyelashes occasionally fluttered as she breathed evenly, appearing to be in a deep sleep

A soft, somewhat familiar female voice stood out distinctly amidst the buzzing sound: "Engineer Lu, it's me"

Lu Jun lowered her eyes and remained silent

Unexpectedly, Lu Jun was taken aback by this sudden remark and instinctively asked, "What are we talking about?"

Then the atmosphere fell into an uncontrollable silence. She was not like this before; in the past, she was much more talkative, and when she laughed, the entire room was filled with her clear and melodious voice. Now her voice remains clear, but it is just like her person. Perhaps her appearance has not changed much, but there is a part of her that is missing, a part that should not be absent. Her gaze used to be as clear as water, easily understood at a glance; but now it is not the same, he can no longer comprehend the expression in her eyes. Perhaps her appearance has not changed much, but there is a part of her that is missing, a part that should not be absent. Her gaze used to be as clear as water, easily understood at a glance; but now it is not the same, he can no longer comprehend the expression in her eyes.

Zhou Xu dragged a chair over and sat down in front of her, saying: "Xiao Jun, how have you been lately?"

Once a person has nothing to do, their thoughts will stagnate and rust.

Zhou Xu expressed his concern and waved his hand in front of her: "Xiao Jun."

Having not interacted with so many people for a long time, Lu Jun felt that she had forgotten how to get along with others. The guests began to play cards and mahjong, which held no interest for her; however, she could not leave. Thus, she went to the balcony outside the private room to enjoy the breeze.

Lu Jun looked at him as he walked in and said, "You seem to have changed. I almost didn't recognize you just now"

Qian Dahua seemed oblivious to her silence, still maintaining that tone of an elder: "Am I not right? If it really doesn't work out, I can introduce someone for you. I've heard all about your situation. Just look at yourself, such a bright young lady. Sigh. Continuing to evade like this is of no use."

Lu Jun opened her mouth, about to say something, but before she could speak, another sudden burst of cheers interrupted her thoughts. All the guests stood up, welcoming the newlyweds with eager eyes and warm applause. Through the gaps in the crowd, Lu Jun looked over and saw Zhou Xu, looking quite dapper as the groom, dressed in a suit, his hair impeccably styled; the petite and sweet bride held onto his arm, and they appeared to be a perfect couple. A former classmate was getting married, which could be seen as taking on the responsibilities bestowed upon him by society.

"That may not be the case—" The voice abruptly stopped. After a moment of silence, Zhou Xu spoke again: "Xiao Jun, you shouldn't be like this. The old you was so lively, so happy; you were fearless even when the sky was about to fall. You have no idea how much I regret it now. If I had listened—if I had just insisted a little longer, forcing you to return to the country with me after that earthquake, it would have been better."

My elder brother, Wu Wei.

Turning back, she unexpectedly encountered Wu Yu, whom she had met a few days ago while dining with Meng Xingxiu. The young girl still appeared shy, and Lu Jun couldn't help but smile: "Hello, Xiao Yu"

After returning to the country, Lu Jun took a short break before resuming work. The director personally issued an order, indicating that she could continue her paid leave, but she firmly refused. Considering the near-death experience she had just endured and the impact it had caused in society, no leader would assign her any external tasks, and she was relegated to a clerical position, working in the materials department at the headquarters.

Lu Jun nodded: "Mr. Qian, you are not bad either, just a bit overweight"

Lu Jun nodded at him, raised the drink cup in his hand, and said: "Congratulations to you"

Her voice is soft, yet her tone is assertive

Many unexpected events in life occur within a short period. I took out my phone and found a call from Meng Xingxiu; I thought there was no connection and that I would never have any contact with hetushu.com again. One by one, the people I had connections with began to reach out, actively extending a helping hand. It seems that there are no coincidences in life, as if it were a script for a movie.

Her new job is quite easy, one might say overly so. Every day, she only needs to sit in front of the computer and keep statistical records. Previously, she was always on the go, and naturally, her colleagues in the department did not know her. Now that she is getting to know them, she finds these people to be quite nice. From the director to the ordinary staff, each one is very kind and sincere, never speaking harshly to her, and they never assign her even slightly troublesome tasks. She arrives and leaves work on time, spending her days calmly sitting in the office, at most going to the cafeteria once. Her life is extremely regular.

Zhou Xu was uncertain whether her words had been taken to heart, yet there was nothing she could do about it. When a person has gone through so much and suffered so many wounds, any consolation from others feels like mere scratching the surface. The truth is simple: those who have not experienced it will never understand others. Although they once shared days of open conversation, that was long in the past. Zhou Xu sighed and finally pulled out the last invitation from her briefcase, saying, "There is one more thing, I am getting married next week. Will you be able to attend the wedding?" Although they once shared days of open conversation, that was long in the past. Zhou Xu sighed and finally pulled out the last invitation from her briefcase, saying, "There is one more thing, I am getting married next week. Will you be able to attend the wedding?"

The surrounding crowd was filled with murmurs of admiration: "Seeing is believing. Marrying the daughter of Deputy Director Xia, Zhou Xu indeed looks quite good. He can now rise to prominence effortlessly, saving years of hard work."

Quite good

These scattered words fell on Lu Jun's ears, and her face showed no expression. Qian Dahua saw this and couldn't help but think that, after a year apart, she had changed more than he had imagined.

The wedding venue is always bustling, especially when there are relatives of the bride and groom in prominent positions. Lu Jun was the first to notice that the opulent hotel was filled with people both upstairs and downstairs, most of whom she did not know, making it difficult to engage in polite conversation with them. Sometimes, this is the advantage of a wedding; there are so many people that, regardless of how close your relationship is with the couple, no one pays special attention to you. Although there were still occasional glances directed her way, they remained within an acceptable range. Sometimes, this is the advantage of a wedding; there are so many people that, regardless of how close your relationship is with the couple, no one pays special attention to you. Although there were still occasional glances directed her way, they remained within an acceptable range

Who doesn't know?" Qian Dahua sighed heavily and said, "At that time, we all knew about your situation with Chief Engineer Wu. I have eaten so much more rice than you, how could I not see it?

This is the upper floor of the hotel, where the entire cityscape unfolds before one's eyes, with towering skyscrapers rising majestically against the wind; in the distance, the lake glimmers with a bluish hue under the sunlight, resembling an uncut piece of jade; the pedestrians and vehicles below appear as tiny as ants, charming like children's toys. The scenery is splendid, but after gazing for too long, it can become overwhelming. Turning around, she sees Zhou Xu standing behind her, his face devoid of the excitement and exhilaration typically associated with newlyweds, instead reflecting a deep, troubled contemplation.

Zhou Xu walked over to her and leaned against the railing in the same posture: "I remember when we were in Pakistan, there was a time you read our fortunes, and you said I would get married this year. Looking back now, it really was accurate"

Thus, she has become what she is now, much like those old revolutionaries who have worked their entire lives and finally achieved success, spending their days leisurely in the office, sipping tea and reading the newspaper.

Thinking of this, he spoke in an unprecedented serious tone: "Xiao Jun, do not force yourself; just say whatever is on your mind. I am aware of the impact that the events of the past year or two have had on you."

Suddenly, footsteps approached once again

Lu Jun looked at the invitation and revealed the first smile of the day. To call it a smile might be a bit of a stretch; it was merely a hint of amusement, yet it made her entire being feel so warm: "You are getting married, and I will definitely be there no matter what."

Lu Jun made a sound of acknowledgment, averted her gaze, and turned to look at the newspaper in her palm

It is me

She thought it was Zhou Xu again and did not turn around, not even changing her posture. The newcomer did not fully close the glass door of the private room, leaving it ajar, and the melodious music floated in through the crack, gradually permeating the air, persistently seeking to penetrate into the depths of one's heart. The sound of people's conversations buzzed together amidst the music.

Some matters are best left unmentioned. Lu Jun's vision suddenly blurred, her brain's nerves tensed in an instant, then snapped one by one, producing a crisp sound. She bit her lip tightly

"Having returned to the country, life has improved significantly, and naturally, I have gained weight," Qian Dahua chuckled, reminiscing about the past. "Not only have I gained weight, but I have also aged. Even Zhou Xu has gotten married; how can one not grow old? Xiao Lu, you should hurry up as well. I am looking forward to drinking your wedding wine soon."

Oh, Lu Jun smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern"

Wu Yu uttered a soft "Hmm," raised her head, and her pair of eyes sparkled with clarity: "Engineer Lu, I saw you downstairs. A fellow townsman of mine happens to be working at this hotel, and she brought me up to find you. I have something I would like to discuss with you, is that alright?"

While he was contemplating whether to come back to find her later, she suddenly woke up, propped her chin on her hand, and stared at him for a while. Finally, she hesitantly called out his name: "Zhou Xu?"

She looks like this even when she is asleep, with a smile at the corners of her mouth and a serene expression, as if the passage of time has left no trace on her. During her school days, countless boys secretly followed her to study sessions just to catch a glimpse of this expression.

After a series of activities, it was time for the bride and groom to toast the guests, a customary part of the ceremony. The bride and groom drank quite a bit, yet showed no signs of intoxication, especially the bride, Xia Yiyi, who was full of energy. She insisted that Lu Jun stay after the banquet to have some fun and leave only after dinner. With her heavy makeup, her gaze was filled with sincerity, leaving Lu Jun with no choice but to comply.

We have been friends for so many years, what is there to thank for

"Qian Gong," Lu Jun suddenly raised his head and said, "Do you know?"

I have always wanted to see you, but the generator units at the Zhouxia Hydropower Station have just been installed and are now in the testing phase, so I am unable to get away," Zhou Xu said. "It has taken until now for me to return. I also heard that you have returned to the headquarters, so I came to see you and to hand over the tasks.