Chapter 255: Extra: Filling the Regret
Autumn turned to winter, and the school’s courses temporarily came to an end.
Before Lian Li returned to the country for the holidays, she visited the Mathematics Research Institute at Oxford University for an exchange.
The fates of the world are always wondrous; she met her university roommate, Shen Huaining, at Oxford.
Although the Shen family had fallen due to backing the wrong side, Shen Huaining was clear-headed and sober, not falling into despair. She was pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance at Oxford University.
Lian Li and Shen Huaining weren’t very close, so they didn’t dine together. They only chatted for a while, saying they’d eat together next time if there was an opportunity.
The first meeting was by chance; meeting again next time would be fate. Then, it wouldn’t hurt to have a meal together.
After Lian Li returned to the country, she discussed this matter with Xue Shufan.
In a coffee shop filled with the aroma of coffee beans, Xue Shufan sat by the window, a laptop in front of her and a flat white coffee to her left.
“Although the Shen family is a discarded piece in the power struggles of noble families, their young lady is no mere beautiful but foolish woman,” Xue Shufan commented.
Lian Li nodded in agreement.
While others mistakenly believed Lian Li was a canary kept by Jin Shi Yue, Shen Huaining was unfazed. She had strong insight. Upon graduating from university, she received offers from several major global investment banks, but she rejected them all, resolutely choosing to pursue further studies abroad.
Lian Li asked, “How are you and Brother Qingji? Is your cohabitation life enjoyable?”
Xue Shufan pondered for a few seconds and said, “It’s pretty much the same as when we were friends.”
“Where’s the difference?” Lian Li pressed, “What’s new?”
When Pei Qingji was friends with Xue Shufan, he often took care of her, but it seemed like the thoughtfulness of a good friend. Now, he solves her problems and cares about her dining and entertainment, much like a devoted husband.
As for what’s new… thrice-weekly marital relations?
“I miss the feeling of being single,” Xue Shufan said, imitating a mischievous junior sister. “And I have a husband by law.”
“Oh.” Lian Li propped her chin with one hand, recalling Jin Shi Yue saying that Pei Qingji liked Xue Shufan.
Pei Qingji didn’t tell Xue Shufan directly, and Lian Li couldn’t interfere with their feelings. A gentleman judges actions, not intentions. Regardless, Pei Qingji would never harm his senior sister or make her sad.
“Why don’t you like Brother Qingji?” Lian Li asked again. “You’ve been friends for so many years and understand each other. Brother Qingji is handsome, capable at work, good to those around him, and has excellent conditions in all aspects.”
“Jin Yan Ting is also top-tier in all aspects, why don’t you like him?” Xue Shufan retorted.
Lian Li: “I don’t have feelings for him.”
Why didn’t Xue Shufan like Pei Qingji before?
She felt Pei Qingji was good to everyone, like a central air conditioner. He was fine as a friend, but not as a lover.
“Actually… Brother Qingji is quite special to you. Didn’t you break up before because that guy didn’t have time for you? After Brother Qingji married you, he often picked you up from work and even accompanied you rock climbing in Norway. His assistant and secretary leave work on time every day, so happy.” Lian Li poked Xue Shufan’s arm with her index finger. “You like him, you like him alone.”
“Why are you acting cute with me?” Xue Shufan laughed heartily. “Go find your second young master.”
“He’s very busy.”
Lian Li lazily propped her chin with one hand, looking through the transparent glass at a girl across the road wearing a hoodie and pants. The girl had her hood up and was walking hurriedly, like a startled little rabbit.
Was someone chasing her?
Lian Li’s gaze shifted slightly, and she saw a tall man closely pursuing the girl behind her.
That man looked somewhat familiar.
Lian Li looked closely and realized it was Zhong Yang.
“Why is Brother Zhong Yang chasing a girl? Did the Zhong family go bankrupt?”
Xue Shufan heard this and peered out in the direction of Lian Li’s gaze. “That’s the genius concept artist they poached with a large sum for his game company. The girl is socially anxious and found Zhong Yang too enthusiastic and outgoing, so she resigned.”
Lian Li took a sip of coffee. “Did Brother Zhong Yang scare the employee away?”
Xue Shufan: “Pretty much.”
“No wonder he asked Jin Shi Yue what to do last time,” Lian Li recalled.
At the time, Jin Shi Yue casually offered advice: one, you resign; two, make her like you.
If an employee doesn’t like the CEO, why would the CEO resign?
Lian Li and Xue Shufan sat in the coffee shop, chatting about this and that, and time flew by.
Night fell, and the lights of the city began to twinkle. Pei Qingji came to pick up Xue Shufan to return to the Pei family for dinner with the elders.
Lian Li politely declined their offer of a ride. “Shi Yue will be here soon; I’ll just wait for him here.”
Pei Qingji and Xue Shufan got into the car. Before starting the engine, two dazzling beams of light shone from a car behind them. Peering through the rearview mirror, they saw a familiar license plate.
“Shi Yue.”
Pei Qingji turned his head. The moment he looked at Xue Shufan, she suddenly leaned in, her hand gripping the back of his neck, and her red lips pressed against his, feeling a little fiery.
“That little junior sister of yours has some good points,” Xue Shufan said, her eyes slightly raised. “President Pei, want to try?”
Pei Qingji observed her at close range, his voice incredibly gentle. “Try what.”
“Fall in love with me,” Xue Shufan said directly. “Shall we try?”
Pei Qingji’s heart skipped two beats, and he managed a hoarse word from his throat: “Try.”
After they tried marriage, next, they would try to fall in love.
Inside the coffee shop.
Lian Li held her mobile phone with both hands, having just opened an email from the French Institute for Advanced Scientific Research. Before she could read it in detail, Jin Shi Yue walked over with a leisurely and relaxed gait.
“Senior Sister and Brother Qingji just left,” Lian Li put away her phone and grabbed his outstretched hand. “You’re here.”
Jin Shi Yue’s eyelids drooped slightly. “You wanted to run off with them?”
His tone carried a hint of a dangerous warning.
“Do I look that eager?” Lian Li said. “I’m practically begging to be a third wheel.”
Jin Shi Yue’s expression was languid, and he smiled.
They left the coffee shop and went straight to the front passenger seat. The dark leather seats were soft and comfortable. Lian Li sat in the seat and took out her phone again to check the email.
They were having dinner at a Western restaurant tonight, French cuisine, hosted by the restaurant manager personally.
In the same social circle, it wasn’t unusual to encounter people at the same venues. However, Lian Li didn’t expect to run into Jin Yan Ting as soon as she and Jin Shi Yue arrived at the restaurant, and then again when they were leaving after their meal.
The difference was that he arrived alone and left with someone.
Lian Li recognized the gentle and intellectual woman beside him; she was the sole young lady of the Rong family.
With the development of the times, the political influence of other families, such as the Duan, Xue, and Shen families, gradually diminished, while only the Rong family continued to rise.
Jin Yan Ting saw Lian Li and Jin Shi Yue, his gaze lingering on Lian Li’s face for an extra second before he nodded as if nothing had happened.
The moon hung over the willows, and amidst the towering skyscrapers, neon lights flickered. The Capital City was as dazzling and enchanting as ever.
It was still early, and Lian Li didn’t want to return to Xi Shang Yuan so soon. She decided to take a walk with Jin Shi Yue in Dongjiaomin Lane to help digest their food.
She had wanted to come here with him last year, but unfortunately, one was busy with studies and the other with career, and they both had no time.
This year, they would fill that regret.
