Chapter 8

There is a saying: When you do not care about a person, even if you pass by them three times in a day, you may not even realize that such a person exists in this world. However, when you care about someone, even if they are on the other side of the Earth, you can hear their breathing.

...

Wen Jingfan slightly raised an eyebrow, the corners of her lips curling into a smile that was almost imperceptible.

Wen Jingfan checked into Shengyuan Hotel again on the night before the engagement banquet, and the check-in was handled by the duty manager

As Anran gazed at the date on the photograph, a myriad of emotions surged within her... This repair was indeed executed with perfect precision

She was left speechless and could only agree in the end

When she arrived at the hotel, it was still a bit early. She held a cup and leaned by the window, watching the bustling street for a while before finally sitting down to begin her work

Is there any way, as she is soft-hearted and too easy to talk to... Even though I know that her words contain a significant amount of falsehood, I still cannot refuse her requests

Adding a set of reasons for the lobby manager's maternity leave, the handover of work is complex and numerous. Zhou Xiaoyan thought to herself that it was none of her business, and she would return to work in a relaxed manner after this half month.

But when he stands there, it seems... it is different

Who would dare to dedicate their five years in such a manner

The day after, Zhang Mi at the front desk mysteriously pulled her into a corner and showed her a photograph

She lowered her head, secretly relieved that the lighting here was dim, making it difficult to see her slightly flushed face at that moment. However, when her gaze fell upon his casual loungewear, her attention was immediately diverted: "Aren't you supposed to attend the engagement party later?"

The day after the engagement banquet preparations began, her assistant manager called in sick, resulting in her having to take on many tasks that could have been delegated, leaving her extremely busy

Her mother is a typical Jiangnan woman, gentle and graceful. Yet, even such a tender woman has never been able to fulfill her wishes in this life

The headache is likely due to the fact that a senior lobby manager from Group A will be absent for a long time due to pregnancy—this means that Anran will have to take on a considerable portion of the work from Group A in the future

...

I have thought about it for a long time, yet I still cannot outline its form

The preparations for the engagement banquet that were discussed some time ago have also begun. She has been in constant communication with Mr. Lu's secretary to confirm the venue and the banquet arrangements. Fortunately, despite some minor setbacks, the cooperation from the other party has made it manageable, and everything has been organized in an orderly manner.

After Anran finished checking the sound equipment and lifted her head, she saw him walking in slowly.

As he finished speaking and had taken a few steps towards the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned around to ask: "Who is in charge of organizing the engagement banquet?"

He did not say "You can call me by my name," nor did he say "Why don't you call me by my name?" Instead, he said something like "You cannot call me by my name."

Aunt Wen chuckled lightly, glanced at her, and then lowered her head to continue working on the report. "Zhou Xiaoyan was still lively and energetic when she got off work yesterday, and today she is so ill that she needs to take a half-month leave?"

There is no rush, I can change when I go back later.

The autumn of City A has passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it will be the long winter.

Aunt Wen paused her fingers on the keyboard, looked up at her, and said, "If you are willing to be a fool, then go ahead, I will approve it right away"

How could she not know that Zhou Xiaoyan was avoiding the work related to this engagement banquet? Because she had no experience, and on the first day when she interacted with President Lu's secretary, the other party's attitude was arrogant and not easy to deal with

As Su Anran turned her head, Wen Jingfan was standing right behind her, holding a ceramic cup. It was the shadow she had just occupied, with so little light that this corner was easily overlooked.

That day, Zhou Xiaoyan spoke to her in a soft voice, saying that she was feeling unwell in various places and was in unbearable pain. She felt that if she did not take leave to go to the hospital for treatment, she might disappear from this world at any moment. Therefore, she earnestly requested her to help with her work so that the HR department could grant her a few more days of leave.

Silently, Su Anran remains.

After Anran washed her hands and brewed a cup of coffee to refresh herself, she returned to the conference hall.

Sui Anran: "... ..."

Uncertain if he had sensed something, he spoke while suddenly lifting his head to look over. The faint glimmer in his eyes unexpectedly gave Su Anran a sense of disorientation as if nothing could follow her.

That desolate and arid feeling is conveyed through the intertwined branches, adding to the chill of winter.

Just encountering that person again, her heart was in complete disarray, not knowing how to sort it out, so she could only occupy her leisure time entirely.

The secretary, feeling even more puzzled after looking around, quietly murmured in frustration, "Hmm, where did they go? They were just here a moment ago... Do you know them, General Wen? Should I call them over for you..."

The entire hall was covered with a red carpet, and on both sides of the aisle were several large flower pots enhancing the atmosphere. He stood in front of a cluster of vibrant flowers, not diminished in the slightest, but rather his refined demeanor was accentuated by their delicate beauty.

She once said that whether one waits in place or travels far, having someone in mind is also a form of happiness. But Anran, do not follow my old path; I have tasted a hundred flavors in this life and have always been filled with regret

He had just woken up, and there was not a trace of expression on his face. His eyes were as clear as a spring, carrying a hint of laziness, and his demeanor resembled that of a cat.

Wen Jingfan did not respond, just looked at her for a while before saying: "Can't you call me by my name?"

It is Zhou Xiaoyan's private circle of friends, where she is happily sharing photos from her travels, her complexion rosy, showing no signs of illness whatsoever

After returning that day, Su Anran often wondered what kind of person would make the gentle yet carefree him take notice, and hoped to meet that person again

Just as she had never imagined that her somewhat lukewarm and slow-to-warm personality would become persistently etched in her memory for a full five years because of that one encounter and that particular voice

She stood for a moment longer, just about to leave, when she heard a familiar voice behind her, low and deliberately subdued, with a slightly rich and magnetic quality.

When Anran heard about this matter the next day, she did not have a significant reaction. She had seen the guest list for the banquet, and the first name on it was his.

He merely tilted his head slightly, and immediately an amusing tone, slightly lazy yet somewhat mischievous, leapt into Anran's mind as he softly said: "Then call out for me to hear."

With a hundred flavors, has she not already tasted half of them

What are you responsible for

There are likely some sudden illnesses ... ... " she tried to explain

He slightly furrowed his brow, gazing at the place where the figure had disappeared, seemingly lost in thought

On the way to work that Anran must take, there is a road with a very beautiful ambiance. During the hot summer, the trees on both sides are lush and green, and the vibrant greenery envelops everything, leaving only the fragmented shadows of sunlight scattered on the asphalt surface.

Although he was aware that his geographical location was excellent and would definitely not be discovered, when he saw the person approaching, he immediately turned and ran away

Being listed among the hosts and guests, he will definitely attend unless he truly cannot make it

Sui Anran nodded slightly, curved her lips into a smile, and said, "Mr. Wen."

Zhang Mi took a careful look at Sui Anran's expression, which was also clouded with worry. "Zhou Xiaoyan is truly going too far!"

Upon hearing the song, Wen Ge, filled with a shared animosity, arranged a gathering and finally remarked, "An Ran, you must be born to toil; is there anyone as foolishly kind-hearted as you?"

Wen Jingfan is no longer here, but one after another, people have begun to persistently invite cards to enter.

Wen Jingfan withdrew his gaze, glanced at him, and then said: "It seems I have encountered an acquaintance"

Wen Jingfan walked to the front of the curtain, raised his hand to pull it aside, and saw a figure disappearing around the corner not far away

Wen Jingfan slightly turned her head to glance at her, the implication being quite clear—why don't you call out and let me hear?

...

What makes matters worse is that

Secretary Lu quickly approached, and the two exchanged some words. He slightly furrowed his brow, then raised his hand to pat his shoulder, leaning down to quietly convey some instructions.

Sui Anran had listened to Wen Jingfan's radio program for 5 years, and with his occasional commercial collaborations, she had become extremely familiar with his voice. Whenever she came across a beautiful piece of text, she could automatically imagine him reading it aloud in his slightly husky tone, his deep voice articulating the words.

When driving over, as the sunlight falls down, it perfectly shines on the crystal pendant of her rearview mirror, creating a dazzling light that captivates the eye

Worse still, this sound is rotating 360 degrees within the mind without any blind spots, causing Anran to feel as if her ears have instantly ceased to resist and have become soft.

The shadow of the curtain fell down, and his entire face was buried in darkness, only the outline was discernible, yet those bright eyes were impossible to overlook, warm and peaceful, yet... not very enthusiastic

He is too cold, so the occasional warmth feels particularly comforting

When she turned back to greet her at the Human Resources Department, Aunt Wen from HR locked eyes with her across the desk for a long time, so long that she began to worry that her appearance was disheveled and she would make a fool of herself. Only then did Aunt Wen slowly open her mouth to ask her: "Are you unwell?"

"Hmm, I know." He only replied with this sentence

Sui Anran was taken aback by the question, and under his gaze, he responded accordingly: "... ... Yes."

Wen Jingfan followed her gaze and glanced at the loose clothing he was wearing. He raised his hand, brought the cup to his lips, and took a small sip. When he spoke, his voice seemed to have been moistened by the water, sounding a bit heavier and carrying a slight dampness.

The person whom Su Anran has cherished will occasionally be recalled from memory. Whether traveling far or waiting in place, as long as you hold them in your thoughts, they will forever be your companion on the journey

Although the secretary found it strange, she still answered honestly: "Oh, it is the youngest front desk manager, named Sui Anran..."

It turns out that the person in her memory is also wandering like this

The last rain of autumn has fallen, and the withered yellow leaves on the branches will no longer be seen, having fallen to the ground, where they were swept by the cleaners to the sides of the road

Secretary Lu noticed that he had been staring at that spot for quite some time, so she approached and asked, "President Wen, what are you looking at?"

As the person in charge of the engagement banquet, she will be present throughout the event

Sui Anran is not one to seek comfort; rather, she adapts to her circumstances, leading a tranquil and peaceful life, with each day following a highly regular routine. She does not appreciate unexpected overtime or work.

She stood in the shadow of the curtain, like a silhouette, gazing at him with a hint of greed