She returned to her desk and sat down, rubbing her temples.
In reality, her work for the day was already done, and she had been about to leave. But as soon as she stepped out, she ran into Shen Su. She really didn't want to witness their affection again, nor did she want Shen Su to drive her home.
While escapism was shameful, it was effective.
As Feng Feng sat in her office, lost in thought, she received a message from Lan Lan on WeChat: "Finished work yet?"
Feng Feng: "Still in the office, what's up?"
Lan Lan: "Perfect, I'll be downstairs at your firm in five minutes to pick you up."
Feng Feng: "Okay."
With Lan Lan around, Feng Feng felt a sense of calm. She composed herself, tidied her bag, and walked out of the office.
After waiting a few minutes downstairs, Lan Lan's car pulled up. Feng Feng expertly opened the passenger door and got in. Lan Lan glanced at her, noticing her pale complexion. "Are you too tired?"
Feng Feng: "A little." Just as Lan Lan was about to ask what was wrong, Feng Feng suddenly said, "Shen Su drove me home last night."
Lan Lan's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and the car nearly swerved. Fortunately, she regained control. "What happened? Weren't you at a colleague's dinner yesterday? Was he there too?"
"No." Feng Feng told Lan Lan about waiting for a car by the roadside yesterday and running into Shen Su.
After listening, Lan Lan couldn't help but remark, "You two really have a deep connection."
Feng Feng gave a wry smile and remained silent.
Even without her saying anything, Lan Lan could guess her mood. "Still can't let go?"
Feng Feng: "It's actually impossible."
This was the crux of human suffering: knowing something is impossible yet being unable to let go, with reality constantly reminding one of what has been missed.
Feng Feng chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I'm no different from Wen Zhouyuan."
Lan Lan: "Are you really not going to take a chance?"
Although Shen Su driving Lan Lan home might have been out of courtesy between acquaintances, it indicated that Shen Su had no intention of cutting ties with Feng Feng.
Feng Feng's answer was as firm as before, and she shook her head gently. Unable to force her, Lan Lan said, "How about I find you a new love?"
Just as Shen Su could let go of Feng Feng through Ji Tong, Feng Feng might also let go of Shen Su through someone else. "If you like Shen Su's type, I'll find someone for you. I know a young master who's a bit like him. Wait for me..."
"Forget it." Feng Feng had never considered escaping in such a way, and she had always been unenthusiastic about relationships. It was even less likely now that she would start dating because of this.
Lan Lan sighed in exasperation. "You're completely unyielding. I really don't know what to do with you. So, are you just going to watch them flaunt their affection every day?"
Feng Feng remained silent. Lan Lan continued, "If Liang Yufeng started dating someone and I found myself attracted to him, I would definitely fight for him back. I wouldn't care about morality; my man shouldn't be taken by someone else."
Feng Feng knew Lan Lan was trying to lighten the mood and just smiled at her words.
She was well aware that her situation with Shen Su was completely different from Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng's. Shen Su's personality was different from Liang Yufeng and Xing Zheng's.
To put it bluntly, Liang Yufeng and Xing Zheng were somewhat stubborn in relationships; once they set their hearts on someone, they wouldn't change. Shen Su was more adaptable than them and wouldn't cling to someone who had rejected him, otherwise, Ji Tong wouldn't have come later. Lan Lan dropped Feng Feng home, had dinner with her, and then drove back.
On her way back, Lan Lan kept thinking about Shen Su and Ji Tong, wondering how far along their relationship had progressed. Had they met the parents?
She would have to inquire about it at the next gathering.
Ji Tong's birthday was at the end of April, her first birthday since getting together with Shen Su. It happened to fall on a Saturday, and Shen Su began preparing for her birthday a week in advance.
This was Ji Tong's first year working. She started dating Shen Su not long after joining the company, so she didn't have many close friends. Instead, she had become familiar with the people around Shen Su.
This birthday celebration was held at Gu Song's club. Gu Song was quite fond of Ji Tong, and for her birthday, he directly refused all appointments for the day, arranging a grand affair.
Shen Su invited all his close friends. Xing Zheng, Lin Mei, Liang Yufeng, and Lan Lan all received invitations.
Lan Lan wasn't very close to Ji Tong, so she technically had no reason to attend. However, she wanted to see Shen Su's attitude towards Ji Tong again, so she decided to investigate.
But both Lan Lan and Lin Mei tacitly agreed not to mention this to Feng Feng. Shen Su likely hadn't invited Feng Feng, and if Feng Feng knew Shen Su was going to such great lengths for Ji Tong's birthday, she would surely feel uncomfortable.
However, Lan Lan and Lin Mei never anticipated that Ji Tong would personally invite Feng Feng.
Feng Feng received Ji Tong's invitation during the week. Ji Tong came to find her as soon as she came out of a meeting.
Feng Feng assumed Ji Tong had some work-related matter to discuss and prepared to respond professionally. However, Ji Tong asked, "Ms. Feng, are you free on Saturday?"
Feng Feng: "I'm free. What do you need?"
"It's my birthday on Saturday, and I'd like to invite you to join us." Ji Tong sheepishly touched her nose. "I just graduated, and I don't have many friends. You helped me a lot when we worked together, and in my heart, you're already a very good friend."
Ji Tong's words were sincere, and seeing her expectant eyes, Feng Feng found it difficult to refuse.
Even though she knew she would witness some unpleasant scenes at Ji Tong's birthday, she still agreed.
Feng Feng: "Okay, tell me the time and place, and I'll be there."
Ji Tong's smile brightened instantly. "Great, I'll be waiting for you! Thank you, Ms. Feng!"
Feng Feng: "Is there anything else?"
Ji Tong: "No, you carry on. I won't disturb you."
After sending the invitation, Ji Tong left the office, and Feng Feng returned to her work.
That evening, Feng Feng received the time and location from Ji Tong. Unsurprisingly, it was at Gu Song's establishment, where their group usually held their gatherings.
She wondered if Shen Su's previous girlfriends had received such treatment.
The weekdays were busy, and it wasn't until Friday evening after work that Feng Feng had time to go shopping for a gift for Ji Tong.
In fact, Feng Feng didn't know what Ji Tong liked and was choosing based on her own intuition.
Ji Tong had just graduated and rarely wore designer bags. Moreover, their relationship wasn't close enough for such an expensive gift.
After some consideration, Feng Feng chose a necklace with moon and star charms, which seemed fitting for Ji Tong. The price was over eight thousand, comparable to gifts she gave to close colleagues.