"If only I had had a little more faith in you back then, a little more faith in our love... I was just too afraid of losing you, Nan Fang. I was truly terrified you'd choose Ke Teng."
"He's younger than me, more handsome, better at charming you. I was consumed by jealousy."
"That's the truth of it. I can swear on it now, if you'll still let me."
"Please don't be angry. You can hit me, you can curse me, do whatever you want. You can even stab me a couple of times... but please, don't ignore me. Don't leave me again, okay?"
Seeing that Old Mrs. Zhan was not dead but recuperating abroad from a hereditary female ailment, just like his sister, Jiang Nan Fang's first reaction wasn't anger, regret, or a desire to settle scores with Zhan Bei Jue.
So much time had passed; time had dulled many memories.
Jiang Nan Fang's initial reaction was simply pity.
As a woman, Old Mrs. Zhan had an unhappy marriage, an unhappy love life, and had to hide the fact that she had given birth to children, afraid to let the world know.
In middle age, the son she had painstakingly raised had married a daughter-in-law she disliked – ugly, stubborn, and always opposing her. Now, she was also burdened with such a difficult illness.
She truly and sincerely felt, from the bottom of her heart, that Old Mrs. Zhan was also a pitiable person.
It seemed that the pain of her illness had erased all her past eccentricities. Jiang Nan Fang could no longer hate her.
Even at the same time, she felt that Zhan Bei Jue was also a pitiable person.
He had never experienced family warmth since childhood, and he carried too much of his parents' past grievances that he shouldn't have to bear.
After finally resolving their misunderstandings and coming together, he was still caught between his wife and his mother.
Everyone had their own misfortunes.
Since things had already happened and reached this point, what good would come of her clinging to the past, endlessly being angry with him? It would only be a waste of time.
Looking at Zhan Bei Jue, who was invincible in business and struck fear into the hearts of all men, now looking at her pitifully like a child, begging for her forgiveness, Jiang Nan Fang's heart softened completely.
Without further ado, she pounced on him.
She only wanted to prove with her actions that she had let go of the past.
Let's start anew.
After another soul-stirring intimacy, Jiang Nan Fang told Zhan Bei Jue.
"From tomorrow on, we'll be secret lovers for a while, until you bring down Director Gao and achieve your goal."
"I won't cause you any trouble, nor will I be a burden. From now on, there will only be one Jiang Nan Fang by your side, who will always firmly support you, okay?"
Zhan Bei Jue was deeply touched.
However, December was approaching, and the company would have a holiday in over twenty days.
His original plan was to visit his mother and Melodie in the United States during the annual leave.
Now that he had reconciled with Jiang Nan Fang, he was reluctant to leave them.
"I can go with you. Bring the children."
Jiang Nan Fang snuggled into his arms and stroked his chin.
"Even if your mother doesn't like me, she'll still miss her grandchildren, won't she?"
"We'll travel separately and meet in the United States. It would be nice to give the children a different New Year experience."
He was overjoyed by her generosity and thoughtfulness.
"Then I'll have Ah Zhong arrange the accommodation there right away."
Speaking of Ah Zhong, Jiang Nan Fang felt he was also a pitiable person.
He was sent to the other side of the ocean right after getting married, unable to see his wife and elderly father. He was truly too involved due to them.
"Stop assigning so much work to Ah Zhong. Let him come back quickly. I have more suitable people to help you look after your sister."
"Who?"
"Lu Qingxu. He's desperately trying to find out Melodie's whereabouts. Consider it an opportunity for him. Ah Zhong should come back to spend time with Bei Bei."
Time quickly passed to mid-December, and Ah Zhong was transferred back from the United States.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Zhou Jin Bei no longer had any thoughts of fooling around with them; she spent every day doting on her husband, making up for their delayed honeymoon.
As Jiang Nan Fang began preparing for the trip to the United States, this New Year was destined to be lonely for Chen Jiao Jiao.
It was her first New Year as a divorced woman, after her marital home had fallen apart and her family had gone bankrupt, and she had to spend it alone.
How wonderful.
That day, as usual, Chen Jiao Jiao was alone. She planned to order takeout after work, stay home, watch variety shows, and eat. Suddenly, she received a WeChat message from Xiang Yang.
He said he had officially signed a contract that day and become a member of the modeling industry. To thank her for the introduction, he wanted to treat her to dinner.
They hadn't been in touch for a long time, and she wondered how this new model had developed. Since she was going to be alone anyway, Chen Jiao Jiao agreed.
They arranged to meet at the entrance of the restaurant.
Chen Jiao Jiao wore a fitted black knit dress, a deep purple mink coat, and black high-heeled boots.
With exquisite and flamboyant makeup, she appeared radiant. In contrast, Xiang Yang's attire was much more like that of a college student.
He wore a black turtleneck sweater, black casual pants, a light gray short down jacket, and white sneakers.
Standing at the entrance of the restaurant, even without speaking, he drew considerable attention.
When the two stood together, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, each eye-catching in their own way, they immediately drew countless admiring glances.
Chen Jiao Jiao sized Xiang Yang up and down, teasing him.
"As expected of someone who became a model, your sense of style has improved so much."
"What else could you do if you didn't become a model? With such a good physique, it would be a waste of heaven's gift not to be a model. It's a good thing you met me, sister."
Xiang Yang wasn't usually a shy person, but every time he stood with Chen Jiao Jiao, he felt completely overshadowed by her mature and confident aura, making him feel like a shy puppy.
He felt awkward teasing Chen Jiao Jiao, so he simply greeted her and accompanied her inside like a bodyguard.
Thanks to Chen Jiao Jiao's lively and outgoing nature, even though they weren't very familiar with each other, the conversation didn't falter.
Throughout the meal, they talked about Xiang Yang's work and studies. Chen Jiao Jiao asked, and he answered. The meal was lively and pleasant.
Soon, the meal was nearing its end. Chen Jiao Jiao was about to ask Xiang Yang when he would have time off and when he would be returning to his hometown.
She felt a familiar figure drift past in the corridor.
Chen Jiao Jiao's eyes moved, and she looked over.
To her surprise, she had indeed encountered an acquaintance.
Isn't that Hu Jia Sheng?
After a long time, Hu Jia Sheng was still dressed and styled like a workplace elite, just as before.
A white shirt, a dark blue crew neck sweater over it, suit pants, and a long black overcoat.
He didn't look like someone coming for dinner, but rather for a business meeting.
Perhaps because Chen Jiao Jiao was sitting and was quite noticeable, he looked in her direction as soon as he sat down.
Their eyes met, making it impossible not to greet each other.
Seeing it was her, Hu Jia Sheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled and walked over.
"Long time no see. What a coincidence, you're here for dinner too?"
Isn't that stating the obvious?
Chen Jiao Jiao thought to herself.
At this hour, sitting in a restaurant with a table full of dishes in front of them, weren't they here to eat rather than go on a blind date?