Chapter 6, Unfamiliar Incoming Call

Ruan Tingjian slowly brought over the coffee, took a gentle sip, and silently gazed at her

"I apologize for the previous interruption, I am sorry." As soon as Ruan Tingjian sat down, he calmly stated this.

Lying back down and covering herself with the blanket, yes...! ... She has the freedom not to go!

Oh. Mei Shi took a sip of coffee, forcing herself to adapt to his way of speaking, otherwise she would feel as if she couldn't catch her breath

"Do you want to eat Sichuan cuisine? I remember you love spicy food." Mei Shi was illuminated by a faint smile from past memories, yet it caused Ruan Tingjian, sitting opposite her, to furrow his brows. He stared at her, but she remained completely unaware. "Zhongwu Road Shuyuan, it's easy to find"

Mei Shi felt suddenly enraged, "I have no time, tell him that I will never have time to meet him!" This person is truly overstepping, even having the audacity to have the secretary schedule a meeting time!

... ... Mei Shi? The other party was clearly startled, and their tone was very uncertain

She remembered sitting across from him at a small table, staring at him for a long time without being able to say a word. ... That day, she had also prepared good news to share with him: she was going to study abroad with him ... . ... She had envisioned their future together, going abroad and then getting married. Finally, this unspoken surprise turned into a knot in her heart, and from then on, she developed a strong aversion to hearing the phrase "studying abroad".

Mei Shi did not know that she had inadvertently left a somewhat lingering tone.

Hmm... Mr. Ruan... I want to clarify things with him, but my mother's expectant yet worried expression suddenly obstructs the words I want to say. I should carefully, "humbly," and "with great regret" explain to him that I have no interest in him at all, only then can it be considered a proper conclusion.

Hmm... she suddenly felt that she regretted not watching enough of those melodramatic dramas that air at 8 PM when it came time to speak

Hello?" she shouted at the phone almost fiercely

As for other matters, I will explain everything clearly to your parents. He has once again announced the answer he has stipulated.

The waiter came to take the order, and Ruan Tingjian casually ordered a cup of coffee. The conversation was interrupted, and neither of them attempted to continue.

Xue Qin ... this person she thought had long been drowned in the vast sea of her mind suddenly resurfaced, leaving her in a state of unexpected pain ... The sense of defeat he brought her—over the years, she had become better at dressing up, more beautiful than before ... yet it seemed that the wounds had not healed.

The secretary clearly was a young woman who had weathered many storms, as she spoke in a clear voice like a pre-recorded answering machine: "If there are any changes, please call Mr. Ruan directly. Thank you, goodbye"

"Do you have a good impression of me?" Ruan Tingjian's expression was calm, almost as if he were asking a job applicant: Do you like this job?

On that day, Xue Qin was the first to leave, and Mei Shi felt that his steps carried a lightness she had never seen before. It was as if, in an instant, she had an epiphany. Having been in a relationship with Xue Qin for over a year, she had never even approached the edge of the雷池, let alone step into it. She once thought that his bookish demeanor was a result of his diligent studies, but at the moment of their breakup, his lightness made everything seem premeditated. This feeling was very unsettling, as if she had suddenly changed her perspective on everything that had happened in the past. Previously, her memories were tinted pink, but now they were all gray remnants, very ugly.

Mei Shi was left speechless, she had an opinion, but she had not yet had the chance to express it. "Uh... that..."

I have just returned to the country, and this city has changed so much," Xue Qin smiled, "why don't you go ahead and speak.

"Let's leave it at that for today." He stood up first

After procrastinating until 2 PM, she suddenly had a brilliant idea: to wear the outfit she had for the airport, put on sunglasses, and subtly hint to Mr. Ruan, so that he would have a deeper impression of her

"Do you have time? Where?" Mei Shi looked at the halo cast by the setting sun on the glass pedestal, striving to appear calm

Mei Shi gripped the edge of the table; she had finally found the technique. To communicate normally with Ruan Tingjian, she had to respond within one second, otherwise he would announce the answer himself and revoke her right to speak.

"Well, since you don't have much of an opinion about me, I am very pleased," Ruan Tingjian looked at her and concluded with great certainty

She should be a bit more tactful, more tactful

The phone rang again, this time it was her mother. Mei Shi looked at the name on the screen and sighed deeply, ultimately deciding to answer. Unsurprisingly, the secretary of "President Ruan" was very efficient, not only notifying her but also informing her mother. If Ruan Tingjian truly intended to marry her, he would certainly adhere to a profound truth: marrying a woman means marrying her entire family.

Mei Shi arrived ten minutes earlier than scheduled. The aggressive driving throughout the journey did not alleviate her depression. When Ruan Tingjian walked in gracefully and looked at her, who had arrived early, he revealed a satisfied and reserved smile, as if encouraging a subordinate who had performed exceptionally well, which only deepened her sense of melancholy

Mei Shi swallowed a mouthful of saliva, feeling quite fortunate that she had swallowed that sip of coffee in advance; otherwise, she would have sprayed it all over his face. This mouthful of saliva significantly suppressed the words that surged to her lips: Not good, utterly disgraceful!

Mei Shi was taken aback, genuinely surprised, as Ruan Tingjian appeared to be the kind of person who would never apologize from head to toe

Mei Shi wanted to throw her phone but held back, dialing back fiercely, only to find no one answering. This is the nature of a tyrant's invitation! Directly calling General Ruan? She also needs to know how to reach General Ruan! She could ask her parents, but she knows very well that if her parents find out she wants Ruan Tingjian's number to refuse him, she would be in serious trouble, at least her wallet would be in serious trouble

"You answer it first," Ruan Tingjian said generously, his gaze carrying a certain authority. It was evident that he considered her phone call during the conversation to be somewhat impolite, yet he was willing to overlook it

After hanging up the phone, Mei Shi realized that Ruan Tingjian's gaze was not one of inquiry, but rather quite displeased. Of course, this arrogant fellow, who seemed to be above it all, could not tolerate her indifference

I heard Yue Kai say that he ran into you yesterday... It feels a bit presumptuous to call you now. Do you have time to have dinner together tonight? It has been a long time since we last met, and it seems there are not many old classmates left..." Xue Qin was more talkative than usual, awkwardly trying to explain his reasons for treating.

Mei Shi felt a sharp pain in her temples, and she was about to be driven mad by Ruan Tingjian; she had not been this infuriated in years

When the sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains into the room, Mei Shi felt a sharp pain in her head. It seemed she had been asleep for a long time, yet it also felt as if she had not slept at all. Almost in a state of unconsciousness, she reached for her phone beside the pillow. She was somewhat surprised that she, who usually had a thick skin, would feel so anxious just because she heard that Xue Qin knew her phone number. Turning away from the sunlight, she found it amusing; no wonder they say the power of first love is immense, it seems to be true. She was somewhat surprised that she, who usually had a thick skin, would feel so anxious just because she heard that Xue Qin knew her phone number. Turning away from the sunlight, she found it amusing; no wonder they say the power of first love is immense, it seems to be true.

It has been proven that no one knows a daughter better than her mother, which is indeed a truth. Zhao Shuyuan unexpectedly left work early to 'supervise' her daughter's attire, insisting that it must maintain the same style as last time. Mei Shi wore a different elegant dress with a sullen expression, filled with resentment as she left. Before departing, she had to hear her mother, who accompanied her to the porch, say: 'Shi Shi, do not let your mother down'

Mei was stunned, this voice... had not changed at all from two years ago

"Is it Mei Shi?" Xue Qin asked once again

"Is this Miss Mei?" The other party was a woman, her voice pleasant and very formal. Mei responded with a sound of acknowledgment, her shoulders unknowingly slumping instantly. "I am Mr. Ruan Tingjian's secretary. Please meet with General Manager Ruan at Shuxiu Cafe on Kuibei Road at 3 PM."

Xue Qin... Whenever she thinks of him, she recalls the lush ancient trees on campus, elegant and silent. In her memory, Xue Qin is always dressed in a neat white short-sleeved shirt, his slender yet upright figure appearing reserved and noble due to this simple color scheme. The top students at school often carry a certain pride of being unacquainted with the world, somewhat childlike. She remembers when he came to say goodbye to her after receiving the opportunity to study abroad on a government scholarship, this quality was particularly evident. He looked at her and said: "The difference in our family backgrounds has always put a lot of pressure on me, and I have always felt an inescapable sense of inferiority in front of you, so... let's break up."

Mei Shi suddenly felt weak all over, watching Ruan Tingjian leave with graceful steps. This man would probably not heed her rejection. For her, it was not Ruan Tingjian she needed to reject, but her parents.

Yes, I will discuss the specific matters with your parents

"I had planned to invite you to dinner today, but in the end, I still didn't have the time," said Ruan Tingjian, whose manner of speaking resembled a pulse, with one sentence after another, lacking any connection.

Mr. Ruan, I believe you have misunderstood. What I meant was... The phone rang inconveniently, and Mei hesitated for a moment, after all, she had been waiting for a call all day.

The phone in her hand suddenly vibrated and began to play a song, startling Mei Shi, who had been lost in thought. It was an unfamiliar number. She sat up, brushed her somewhat disheveled long hair, and took a deep breath before answering with a feigned indifference, yet the sound of her heartbeat was distinctly audible in her ears.