Feng Feng frowned at the question. She focused her attention and saw that the person standing opposite Shen Su was actually Zhang Shuang.
Feng Feng had never known of any connection between Shen Su and Zhang Shuang, but the question just now was enough for her to guess some clues. At this moment, Feng Feng heard Zhang Shuang say, "He rejected me."
Shen Su asked again, "Why?" Feng Feng could clearly detect a hint of hostility and vigilance in Shen Su's voice.
Zhang Shuang said, "I think he might still like Feng Feng. My classmate wanted to introduce him to a girlfriend, but he didn't agree either."
Feng Feng didn't listen further. She turned and walked into the makeup room of the restroom. She closed the door and stood in front of the mirror, replaying the conversation between Shen Su and Zhang Shuang in her mind. Then, she quickly connected the information she had just learned from Li Yue with the conversation she had just overheard.
Zhang Shuang had joined the company shortly after Li Yue came to work in New York. Feng Feng remembered that during the business trip in September, Li Yue had just helped Zhang Shuang find an apartment. This meant that Li Yue and Zhang Shuang had come to New York one after another.
And according to Li Yue, they met at a Chinese restaurant. At that time, Zhang Shuang was troubled by finding an apartment, so Li Yue found a classmate from his master's program to help. During this period, the two must have been in contact, and Zhang Shuang had a reason to ask Li Yue out for a meal.
It was true that Zhang Shuang had an excellent resume, but without overseas study experience, finding a job in New York in such a short time was not typical in the workplace. Li Yue also said that the job Zhang Shuang found was quite good—
Thinking of this, Feng Feng chuckled. Everything was clear now. She even suspected that Zhang Shuang's sudden decision to contact Li Yue again when they were in Nanjiang was all arranged by Shen Su. Otherwise, why would it always be so coincidental?
Later, when Shen Su learned that Li Yue was going to work in New York, he believed that a long-distance relationship could not last. He sent Zhang Shuang along, attempting to have Zhang Shuang "poach" Li Yue, thereby escalating the conflict between her and Li Yue.
Feng Feng also recalled the questions Shen Su had asked when he learned about her breakup with Li Yue. At the time, she thought it was concern from a friend, but now it only felt ironic.
She had already made up her mind to be sincere with him and had expressed her feelings to him after their breakup—no wonder Shen Su had maintained such an assured attitude from beginning to end. It was likely that her breakup with Li Yue had also been within his control.
Feng Feng was not the type to fly into a rage over such a matter, but it was impossible to say she wasn't angry. After calmly spending some time in the makeup room, she took out her phone and told Lin Mei and Lan Lan about the incident in the group chat.
Lin Mei was surprised, while Lan Lan immediately started cursing, unreservedly scolding Shen Su. Feng Feng could feel her anger from her words.
Lan Lan: "What a sinister scoundrel, playing such a trick behind my back. Damn it, go tear him apart."
Lin Mei: "Do you want to talk to him?"
Feng Feng stared at the WeChat chat box and remained silent for a moment before replying: "It's time to talk."
Feng Feng specifically instructed Lin Mei and Lan Lan not to tell Xing Zheng and Liang Yufeng. She had no intention of exposing Shen Su for now; leaking the news would only give him an opportunity to fabricate excuses.
When Feng Feng returned from the restroom, Shen Su was already there. As soon as she sat down, she met Shen Su's scrutinizing gaze. His eyes clearly held displeasure, and without asking, she knew it was because of Li Yue's phone call.
After Feng Feng returned, Li Ran asked curiously, "Was there an urgent matter that took so long?"
Feng Feng said, "No, it was a call from my ex-boyfriend."
Li Ran glanced sideways at Shen Su's gloomy gaze. Sitting beside Shen Su, she clearly sensed his radiating unhappiness. She forced a smile, regretting in her heart that if she had known Feng Feng would answer so straightforwardly, she wouldn't have asked.
Although Li Ran didn't chime in, Feng Feng still said a few more words to her, "He's working in New York, and he happens to have time. Let's arrange a time to have a meal."
Li Ran felt something was off. Based on her understanding of Feng Feng, she wasn't the type to explain so much for a phone call.
Suddenly saying so much seemed more like she was speaking to Shen Su.
At this moment, Shen Su followed up with a laugh, "Ms. Feng can talk with her ex-boyfriend for so long. Are you getting back together?"
Li Ran, playing along, poured some vinegar into Shen Su's dish.
Feng Feng ignored Shen Su's sarcasm and said with a smile, "Who knows, it depends on the feeling. Anyway, he's still single for now."
Shen Su: "Ms. Feng seems to know her ex-boyfriend's relationship status quite well."
Feng Feng: "Yes, he was my first boyfriend, so it's always a bit different."
This time, Shen Su didn't reply. He picked up a shrimp dumpling with his chopsticks, and by accident, it fell directly into the plate full of vinegar. When he tasted it again, his mouth was full of the taste of vinegar.
Li Ran, caught between the two, felt her scalp tingle. She felt like she was in the same situation as a child watching their parents argue at home, not knowing how to smooth things over or which side to take.
In the end, Li Ran could only bury her head and eat. Inviting Shen Su over today was a mistake.
After dinner, Shen Su left first. Li Ran said goodbye to Shen Su and instinctively looked at Feng Feng again. Feng Feng showed no reaction, seeming to have no intention of speaking with Shen Su.
Shen Su was probably displeased by Feng Feng's attitude and turned to leave.
Li Ran: "..."
Feng Feng's state was as if nothing had happened. She smiled and said to Li Ran, "Let's go shopping again. I want to buy a gift for my friend."
Li Ran: "Is it for Xing Zheng's wife?"
Feng Feng: "No, my ex-boyfriend. It's his birthday in the next couple of days."
Li Ran: "..."
Buying a birthday gift for Li Yue was not to provoke Shen Su. She and Li Yue had been dating for over half a year. In February, Li Yue had celebrated her birthday with her, but Li Yue's birthday was in December, and they hadn't had a chance to celebrate during their relationship.
Feng Feng planned to make up for Li Yue with a birthday gift during this meeting.
So, Li Ran accompanied Feng Feng to a department store and went to a mechanical watch counter.
Li Yue liked watches from this brand; he had mentioned it more than once before.
Feng Feng chose a watch that suited Li Yue and asked the salesperson to package it.
As Feng Feng was about to pay, Li Ran quickly sent a WeChat message to Shen Su to report: "Big trouble, she bought a birthday gift for her ex-boyfriend. Aren't you going to ask about it?"
By the time Feng Feng returned after paying, Li Ran had not received a reply from Shen Su.
After buying the gift, it was getting late, so Feng Feng and Li Ran returned to the hotel together.
Feng Feng had bought quite a few things, carrying bags and packages.
As she was swiping her card at her room door, Shen Su, who was in the opposite room, happened to open his door. Feng Feng heard the noise and looked back at him but didn't speak to him, directly pushing her door open and entering.
Shen Su tightly gripped the door handle and stared at the door opposite for a few seconds. He returned to his room, picked up his phone, and called Li Ran, "What gift did she buy for Li Yue?"