"Was your colleague earlier trying to pursue you?" Wen Zhouyuan suddenly changed the subject. Feng Feng quickly realized who he was referring to. "No."
"Actually, a man's intuition is also quite accurate."
Moreover, it was someone like Wen Zhouyuan, a seasoned veteran who had navigated the complexities of society for years.
Earlier, when the other man had inquired about his identity, his eyes had held a mixture of scrutiny, hostility, and a hint of jealousy.
The subtle atmosphere between men, perhaps only they could truly understand it. Especially the other man's parting words, "See you again," which didn't sound like a farewell, but rather a declaration of war.
It was as if he were telling him that they would meet again sooner or later. Feng Feng was amused by Wen Zhouyuan's theory. "So you're that perceptive."
Then, her little crush on him back then must have been discovered long ago. He had simply chosen not to break the unspoken barrier, unwilling to give her any response.
Wen Zhouyuan immediately guessed Feng Feng's thoughts. "About what happened back then..."
"It's alright." Feng Feng knew he was about to apologize, but she felt it was unnecessary. "Objectively speaking, my liking you had nothing to do with you, and you weren't obligated to respond. You didn't do anything to hurt me. Getting married and having children was your choice, so you don't need to apologize to me."
If anything, the Wen Zhouyuan of that time had, at most, failed to reciprocate her expectations. But in this world, no one was obligated to meet another's expectations.
Using her feelings to morally blackmail someone was not Feng Feng's style.
"I regret it now." Wen Zhouyuan gazed into Feng Feng's eyes and asked her earnestly, "Are you willing to give me another chance now?"
He had held these words in his heart for a long time and finally had the courage to ask.
Feng Feng, however, fell silent.
She had imagined many scenarios, but she never expected Wen Zhouyuan to propose this in such an informal setting. Was it a sense of crisis brought on by Shen Su's appearance, or was it because of her earlier words?
"Just give me a chance to pursue you." Wen Zhouyuan said, "I know many people are pursuing you, and you can choose freely. I just want an opportunity to pursue you."
Before Feng Feng could reply, the waiter called their number.
Wen Zhouyuan smiled and said, "It's okay, you can take your time to consider it. I'm willing to wait. Let's go eat first."
Wen Zhouyuan was as emotionally intelligent as ever, never pushy. While eating hot pot, he didn't bring up the previous topic again. They chatted about common interests, and the meal was quite relaxed.
After dinner, they took a stroll along the river. Wen Zhouyuan hadn't driven, so Feng Feng drove him back to his hotel.
Before getting out of the car, Wen Zhouyuan said to Feng Feng, "I'm going to look at houses this weekend. Want to come along?"
Feng Feng replied, "Okay, I'll come find you tomorrow."
Wen Zhouyuan: "Alright, I'll be waiting for you then."
Wen Zhouyuan stopped at the hotel entrance and only turned back after Feng Feng's car had driven away.
When Feng Feng returned home that night, she kept thinking about Wen Zhouyuan's words.
Wen Zhouyuan said he wanted to pursue her.
This was something she would never have considered before.
She also didn't quite understand why Wen Zhouyuan suddenly wanted to pursue her at this time. After being married for many years and with children this old, had he suddenly realized she was his true love?
Before sleeping, Feng Feng chatted with Lan Lan privately and told her about the evening's events.
Lan Lan said: [Then let him try, since he's willing.]
Feng Feng: [I just can't figure out why he's suddenly become a different person.]
A workaholic resigned, his family broke up, and he came to say he wanted to pursue her. Such crazy behavior was unlike the strategic Wen Zhouyuan she knew.
Lan Lan also found it bizarre. [Did something stimulate him, or did he suddenly get a terminal illness?]
Feng Feng looked at Lan Lan's joking remark and laughed along with her.
Over the weekend, Feng Feng accompanied Wen Zhouyuan to look at houses. After comparing several options, they finally chose an apartment in the city center, not far from Feng Feng's home.
Although it was a second-hand property, the previous owner had never lived in it, and the interior decoration was acceptable. The owner was also straightforward, and with the real estate agent's introduction, they signed the purchase contract that very day.
The news of Feng Feng accompanying Wen Zhouyuan to look at and buy a house also reached Shen Su.
After this incident, Shen Su had made a judgment about Feng Feng's attitude. If she had no plans to reconcile with Wen Zhouyuan, she wouldn't have accompanied him to view and buy a house.
Moreover, Wen Zhouyuan's apartment was located near her home, clearly bought to facilitate visits to her.
Shen Su chuckled. It turned out everyone could be a love-struck fool; their clarity and restraint were merely because they hadn't fallen deeply enough.
Wen Zhouyuan was Feng Feng's unattainable first love, her "white moonlight." Now that the "white moonlight" had returned to her side, he, who merely existed to satisfy her desires as a "friend with benefits," should make his exit.
This was the first time Shen Su had been so thoroughly defeated by a woman. He felt a lingering resentment, and his reason was clouded by anger, but he didn't go to Feng Feng.
Because he knew it would be useless to find her.
The only way was to approach Wen Zhouyuan. Shen Su understood men's psychology, especially older men like Wen Zhouyuan. His return to Feng Feng likely stemmed from inquiring about her emotional state, knowing she hadn't dated anyone in years.
He probably thought Feng Feng had remained chaste for him, driven by male vanity.
If Wen Zhouyuan knew of his existence, even if he didn't argue with Feng Feng, a thorn would be lodged in his heart. And the breakdown of a relationship often began with such an inconspicuous thorn.
Shen Su admitted his methods were somewhat despicable, but he had never claimed to be a righteous person. What was wrong with using some tactics to achieve his goals?
Furthermore, Wen Zhouyuan was not someone worth "fair competition."
Wen Zhouyuan spent a week finalizing the purchase contract, completing the property title transfer, and then moved from the hotel into the apartment.
During this time, Feng Feng had helped him considerably.
Wen Zhouyuan had been away from Nanjiang for many years and was unfamiliar with many things. Feng Feng, having lived alone for a long time, had much more experience in this regard.
The moving day happened to be a weekday, and Feng Feng was at work. Therefore, after Wen Zhouyuan settled in, he simply sent her a WeChat message, not wanting to disturb her too much.
In the afternoon, Wen Zhouyuan left his apartment, intending to go to a nearby supermarket to buy some necessities for the house.
As he exited the residential complex, his path was blocked by a black BMW.
While he was wondering what was happening, the BMW's window rolled down, and the man in the driver's seat smiled at him. "Mr. Wen, hello."
Although they had only met once, Wen Zhouyuan immediately recognized him. The man who had spoken to him in front of the office that day, one of Feng Feng's suitors. Now that he had come to his doorstep, he was undoubtedly here with ill intentions.
Wen Zhouyuan smiled back at him. "Hello, are you looking for me?"
"Is it convenient to chat for a moment?" Shen Su asked.
Wen Zhouyuan: "It is."
Shen Su invited Wen Zhouyuan into the car. Wen Zhouyuan did not choose the passenger seat but sat in the back.
This one action successfully made Shen Su's expression turn grim.