Jian Fei was simply insecure.
From the moment she started school, the sight of Jiang Chuan would make her feel so inadequate, she wouldn't know what to do.
A long time ago, she had known that Jiang Chuan's father was a leader in a certain county institution, and his mother was a doctor.
For their small town, these were already very good circumstances.
Adding to that his currently excellent career, she always felt she wasn't good enough for him.
Yet, a part of her harbored a faint hope, so she didn't refuse her father's words again, merely shyly skirted the topic.
"I'll go get some hot water."
The hot water room was at the end of the corridor to the left of the ward. To get there, one had to pass the public restrooms.
Halfway there, Jian Fei suddenly heard Jiang Chuan's familiar voice coming from the entrance of the men's restroom.
"Why are you asking about this?"
"Do you have to be so dramatic? You just met her a few hours ago and you're already investigating her?"
"I know her father has a disability, her sister has hearing issues, and she has an elderly grandmother. What does that have to do with me?"
"That's not what I mean. I mean, even if I liked her, even if I wanted to pursue her, what do those things matter?"
"I don't care about what you're saying! Don't talk to me about this anymore!"
"What? You even found out what illness her mother died from? You're something else!"
"Medically, they say it might be hereditary, but it's not a hundred percent. How can you be so sure?"
"Alright, alright, stop talking. We only met today, there's nothing between us, and I don't even know if she likes me. Can you stop overthinking?"
A string in her mind snapped with a "bang" as she heard these words.
Dazed, she stood at the entrance for a few seconds until she heard Jiang Chuan's footsteps approaching, and Jian Fei quickly fled.
By the time she returned to the ward, lost and absentminded, filling her water bottle, Jiang Chuan was already back by his father's side, chatting with him with a full smile.
It was as if the phone call had never happened.
But Jian Fei couldn't pretend it hadn't.
She had heard it all clearly.
So, the person she had secretly admired for so long also had feelings for her.
What a huge joke.
After waiting for so many years, she finally heard him say he liked her, but accompanying it were the voices of his family showing disdain.
In today's society, besides good looks, it was material conditions that truly reigned supreme.
Jian Fei knew she was ordinary-looking and lacked material resources, not deserving of love.
Fortunately, she had never spoken of her unrequited crush, otherwise, it would have only turned into a bigger joke.
Poor people wanted to rely on the wealthy to make their lives easier.
Similarly, wealthy people wanted to rely on other wealthy people to make their own lives easier.
No one wanted to find a pauper to dilute their assets. Jian Fei could understand her mother's concerns.
The little bit of reckless affection that had just bloomed for him slowly retreated as she calmed herself down.
"It's getting late, and staying here any longer might not be good for you. I'll walk you downstairs."
Jiang Chuan had been idle all afternoon. He was also afraid of being too obvious and causing gossip.
They weren't leaving the hospital in a day or two, so visiting tomorrow wouldn't be too late. The two of them went down together.
In the elevator, they stood in opposite corners. Jian Fei was in front. Despite saying she was seeing him off, she remained silent.
Looking at the smooth elevator walls, she could see Jiang Chuan constantly observing her in the mirror-like surface.
Her mouth opened and closed, as if he had something to say to her.
Jian Fei had strong self-esteem and didn't want to put herself in a passive or awkward position.
If Jiang Chuan intended to say something to draw a line between them, she preferred to be the one to initiate the conversation.
"I don't see a ring on your hand. Are you not married yet?"
The question took Jiang Chuan by surprise, but he quickly broke into a smile.
"Not yet. I haven't met the right person. What about you?"
She replied faintly, "Neither have I, but I have a boyfriend."
The surprise and disappointment in Jiang Chuan's eyes were palpable. He stared at her for several seconds before slowly asking.
"Is that so? How long have you been together?"
"Several years. We were college classmates."
"But I heard..."
"I'm not someone who likes to share everything with others."
Jiang Chuan gave a somewhat bitter smile and nodded.
"I understand. So, he's your colleague?"
Jian Fei stared at the floor in front of her, like a novelist creating a fictional plot for herself.
"Something like that. He's already proposed to me. We plan to get married when our careers are a bit more stable."
Jiang Chuan looked at her with bitterness. "Is that so? Will you invite old classmates then?"
She quickly shook her head. "No."
"I haven't gone to other people's weddings. Asking for wedding gifts out of the blue, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?"
"I originally planned to go to our old class representative's reunion, but I can't make it in this situation. Please tell him for me."
Having extinguished the spark of love, Jian Fei would now work even harder.
She knew that for people like them, there was no other path but to work hard, perform well, and strive for promotions and salary increases.
So, after accompanying her father in the hospital for two days, she returned to her post.
An ordinary Monday, an ordinary job. She meticulously checked every document she handled, ensuring not a single mistake.
She was busy until four in the afternoon when her supervisor suddenly called her.
"Jian Fei, are you in your office?"
"Yes, Supervisor. Is there something you need?"
"Go to Zhang Yaya's desk and see if there's a document regarding the research building application. I'm going to an external meeting, and one document is missing. Bring it to me quickly."
This was the first major disruption in her otherwise uneventful administrative work. She quickly grabbed her phone and searched everywhere, finally finding a piece of paper under her chair.
"I found it, Supervisor. Where should I send it?"
The supervisor sent an address to her phone.
"Take a taxi over, and we'll reimburse you later. Hurry up."
Jian Fei rushed out of the hospital and hailed a taxi, heading to the most bustling clubhouse in the city.
However, her ordinary appearance immediately marked her as not being there for leisure, and she was stopped at the entrance.
"I'm here to deliver a document. I forgot my phone, so you can call Mr. Du in room 6608 to confirm."
The staff member was skeptical. They took out their phone and asked Jian Fei to state the number. Jian Fei froze; she didn't remember it!
Who memorized phone numbers these days, except for children?
"Could you please go up and ask? Or I can go with you. You can watch me deliver it; I'm really here to find someone!"
Guests were arriving at the entrance, and the staff member didn't have time to waste with her. They pushed her aside slightly and went to greet two men emerging from a car.
"Get up, get up, don't block the way. We'll deal with your matter later."
"Hello, sir. How many in your party?"
The one in front looked like an assistant. "We have a reservation, Mr. Ke."
"Certainly, please follow me."
Mr. Ke?
Jian Fei glanced at the man behind him.
That familiar and handsome face, who else could it be but Ke Teng!