Liang Bo downplayed his situation, saying he’d partnered with some friends to open a small factory, just enough to get by.
"I’m just an uninspired person; I’m content with modest wealth and enjoy freedom. Your company is filled with talented individuals, Mr. Chu. If you say any more, I’ll be too embarrassed to show my face."
He Yao watched from the side, stunned.
To remain on such good terms with a former boss after leaving was incredible, and she felt a pang of regret for him.
She suddenly thought of Zhao Yun and Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Cao Cao.
As a group stood in the center of the hall, a clear female voice drifted from behind.
"Mommy, Daddy, you haven't left yet?"
He Yao looked through a gap in the crowd and saw Chu Xi, who appeared as if she had floated in like a fairy.
Although they had met yesterday, it was from a distance, and she hadn't seen her clearly.
Seeing her up close now, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
When she was younger and studying, He Yao had thought Chu Xi possessed a pure, clear beauty.
Now, there was an added mature charm.
It was as if every cell in her body exuded feminine grace and refinement.
Enhanced by her high-end clothing, she looked like a meticulously crafted work of art.
Knowing she had no money, He Yao dared not even approach.
It seemed only Zhan Jing Rui was worthy of her.
Indeed, Zhan Jing Rui was beside her.
Though they weren’t holding hands, arm in arm, or showing any other intimate gestures, their presence together felt so natural, inspiring one to praise them as a match made in heaven.
Her mother turned to greet Chu Xi, and they walked towards the crowd, hand in hand.
Seeing Liang Bo, Chu Xi also greeted him.
"Long time no see. Dad mentioned you resigned. He always speaks highly of you, and I felt it was a pity. I thought I'd never see you again."
Liang Bo smiled and nodded at Chu Xi.
"How could that be? Although I no longer work at Chu Corp, I’m still in Su City. We're all friends, and we can meet anytime we want."
"Then I'll take you at your word. If Daddy misses you, talks about you, or has any questions that remind him of you, I'll look for you. Don't ignore me."
"How could I? I don't have a business card anymore. Shall we exchange contact information? I guarantee I'll be available whenever you call."
The two exchanged WeChat details under everyone's gaze.
He Yao thought her ordeal with He Yao was over.
To her surprise, Chu Xi, whether in a good mood or having become much more cheerful, even joked with Liang Bo.
"Who is the beautiful woman standing next to you? She's so pretty. Your girlfriend?"
He Yao never imagined she would interact with Chu Xi in such a way one day.
Since Chu Xi mentioned her, it would be rude not to look. But if she looked, she really didn't want to see Zhan Jing Rui.
Forget it, she'd rather be rude. She lowered her eyelids, pretending not to hear.
Liang Bo glanced at He Yao and laughed heartily.
"Not yet, but I'm working on it. What about you? Is this your boyfriend?"
"We’re engaged."
Chu Xi happily raised her hand to show him.
"We're planning to get married at the end of the year. Be sure to come to my wedding."
"I certainly will. It would be my honor."
Zhan Jing Rui looked at this distinguished and radiant man, instinctively sensing he was someone of substance.
Then, looking at He Yao beside him, his recently calmed emotions became agitated again.
He Yao’s appeal to men was unreasonably strong.
Given his usual demeanor, he would definitely have introduced himself to Liang Bo.
But at this moment, there was no need.
After a few more pleasantries, the Chu family took their leave.
He Yao never dared to look in their direction again, with only one sentence repeating in her mind.
We’re planning to get married at the end of the year.
Zhan Jing Rui was ultimately someone else’s.
After they left, their mentor said to Liang Bo in an appreciative tone.
"You, kid, are much better at handling people than your father. It’s a shame you left Chu Corp when Mr. Chu admires you so much."
Liang Bo replied, "There’s nothing to regret. I didn’t resign on impulse, and I don't regret it."
But thinking about it, where there are people, there is the martial world.
Even in a small factory, there were so many setbacks, let alone in large corporations.
Liang Bo must have truly disliked it to have left.
After seeing off their mentor, only Liang Bo and He Yao were left in the back row.
He Yao was still lost in the sadness of Zhan Jing Rui getting married and felt annoyed, gazing out the window, unwilling to speak.
Liang Bo stared at her smooth profile for a while, then nudged her with his arm.
"Do you hate me that much? You can't even be bothered to say a word to me?"
He Yao turned her head and gave him a long look.
"No."
"Then what are you thinking about so intently?"
"If I say I wasn't thinking of anything, would you believe me?"
"I both believe and disbelieve."
"If you believe, you believe. If you don't, you don't. What do you mean by 'both believe and disbelieve'?"
Liang Bo explained, "Believing means I think you have no intention of deliberately deceiving me. Disbelieving means you have something on your mind and don't want to tell me."
He Yao was silent for a few seconds, then leaned back into the seat.
"What exactly have you been through to see people so clearly?"
Liang Bo smiled, "Probably much like you. Don't you see things very clearly as well?"
It was the first time anyone had called her perceptive about human nature, and He Yao sneered.
"Don't flatter me too much. I'm not as smart as you think."
"I'm just a reckless, impulsive fool. Average looks, average height, average build, average education, average family background – everything about me is average. The more you know me, the less interesting I become."
"Aren't you getting on in years? You've reached great heights before. Beautiful women must be a scarce resource for you. There’s no need to waste your time on me."
Liang Bo laughed even more heartily.
"I’ve indeed met many beautiful women, but this is the first time I’ve heard someone describe themselves like this. In the past, if you didn’t flatter them a little, they’d dare to get angry with you. No one calls themselves uninteresting."
"That's because they have that confidence. I don't. I'm just uninteresting. Rather than you being disappointed after discovering it, it's better to tell you upfront."
"Oh. So you're willing to give me a chance to discover you?"
He Yao felt he hadn't grasped the main point of her words. Just as she was about to say more, Liang Bo interrupted her.
"Whether I want to like you or get to know you is my subjective will, my decision, not yours."
"I believe I have that right, as long as I don't bother you. So, don't say anything else. I just find you interesting."
Since that was the case, He Yao couldn't be bothered to say more.
After another period of silence, her heart still heavy, she looked out the window and asked Liang Bo.
"When did you meet Chu Xi?"
"You mean Mr. Chu's daughter? You know her too?"
He Yao smiled, "Doesn't it seem like it? The gap between us is too large; I’m not even worthy of knowing her."
"I didn't mean that at all. It's just that since we know each other, we should have said hello just now. I know her simply because Mr. Chu knows me. I've forgotten exactly when. Why do you ask?"