The luxury car sped forward, its massive horsepower roaring like the wind. As the short-haired woman pulled up and rolled down all her windows, both she and Shen Fanyun were momentarily stunned. The woman, in particular, looked utterly astonished.
"It really is you," the short-haired woman said, her eyebrows knitting together.
Shen Fanyun stubbed out his cigarette, his expression as calm as still water.
Xu Bingqing. His former classmate and, of course, Li Qiuchan’s one and only best friend. During their school days, the two were practically inseparable. Their fathers were friends as well, so the families had a very good relationship. More than a decade had passed. Xu Bingqing, who once favored a tomboyish style, still wore her hair short. She had certainly become prettier than before, with sharp features and translucent skin, like a porcelain doll.
"Enemies on a narrow road?" Shen Fanyun raised an eyebrow.
Xu Bingqing didn’t confirm or deny it. Back then, she had done her fair share of fanning the flames of discord between Shen Fanyun and Li Qiuchan. After Han Feng entered the picture, their feud spiraled out of control. Later, when Han Feng’s father personally stepped in to deal with him, Xu Bingqing hadn’t just kept silent; she had actively slandered him to get on Han Feng’s good side. Shen Fanyun still found it hard to believe how a girl who seemed so quiet and reserved could lie through her teeth without batting an eye.
"It’s been many years. How about I treat you to a cup of tea?" Xu Bingqing tilted her head, taking the initiative to invite him.
Shen Fanyun nodded, opened the car door without another word, and got in.
Xu Bingqing frowned. Shen Fanyun’s rough movements irritated her. "Be gentle! I just got this car today."
This ultra-luxurious, top-of-the-line SUV likely had a market price of over five million. It was only natural for her to be upset.
"Struck it rich over the years?" Shen Fanyun raised an eyebrow. Xu Bingqing’s family was well-off, but her parents had limited means—middle-class at best. Casually buying a car worth over five million seemed completely unrealistic for her. But looking at her now... a five-million car, plus a watch worth at least three million? Her clothes were all from high-end luxury brands, too.
Shen Fanyun did a rough calculation. Everything she had on and with her was approaching ten million yuan. That was far beyond what a middle-class family could afford.
"Hah. It’s merely a reflection of my own abilities," she declared. "If you don’t believe me, you can look into it yourself. Don’t just get jealous and paint me as some nouveau riche. I earned my current success through my own hard work, one step at a time!"
Xu Bingqing scoffed and ostentatiously fidgeted with her watch. Of course, she doubted he even recognized a watch this expensive.
Shen Fanyun just smiled and let it pass. He honestly had no interest in what kind of life Xu Bingqing led, whether it was one of luxury or poverty.
They arrived at a tea house that was open late. Xu Bingqing seemed to be a regular. The moment the doorman saw her, he was bowing and fawning, constantly addressing her as "President Xu." Xu Bingqing clearly enjoyed this kind of fawning attention. She lifted her head high, like a proud peacock flaunting its feathers.
"If I remember correctly, you aren’t allowed to return to Hangcheng City," Xu Bingqing said, getting straight to the point and voicing her confusion.
Shen Fanyun leaned back. "Why is everyone asking me the same thing?"
"You’ve seen other people?" Xu Bingqing frowned. Does this mean Shen Fanyun has been back in Hangcheng City for a while now? This guy really has some nerve. Han Feng had personally told him to never set foot in Hangcheng City again, yet Shen Fanyun was treating it like a joke, completely ignoring the warning?
"The tea here is good," Shen Fanyun said, changing the subject.
Xu Bingqing sized him up. She had to admit, after more than a decade, Shen Fanyun’s entire demeanor had changed drastically. Furthermore, he exuded an aura of mystery that made Xu Bingqing deeply uncomfortable. She despised this new Shen Fanyun because she couldn’t get a read on him.
Then again, the Han Family’s foundation was massive these days. Han Feng’s father practically ruled Hangcheng City with an iron fist. Given Han Feng’s current status and influence, not to mention the glory his father bestowed upon him, he probably wouldn’t waste time on a tiny ant like Shen Fanyun. Is that why this guy had the guts to come back?
"Qiuchan and Han Feng are getting married soon," Xu Bingqing informed him.
Shen Fanyun smiled. "I know."
He knows? Xu Bingqing paused for a moment before she understood. After all, Li Qiuchan was his one true love, the untouchable ’white moonlight’ of his past. How could he ever forget her? Besides, having the only woman he ever loved snatched away by a rival would only etch her memory deeper into his heart. Unattainable love is the most unforgettable thing in the world. He probably started asking about Qiuchan the moment he got back to Hangcheng City. Too bad for him. After all these years, Li Qiuchan is about to become another man’s bride, and her fiancé is the most outstanding and promising young talent in the entire city! Shen Fanyun must feel so defeated and helpless every single night, right?
"So, what do you think about that?" Xu Bingqing asked, sneering inwardly. The memory of a pathetic, humiliated Shen Fanyun, his dignity in tatters, made the corners of her lips curl up uncontrollably. What could he possibly do about it anyway?
Xu Bingqing shook her head. He’s just a complete and utter failure. It’s not just Li Qiuchan who looks down on him; even I look down on the man sitting in front of me.
Still, a small flicker of worry ignited in her heart. He didn’t come back suddenly to cause a scene at Li Qiuchan’s wedding, did he? As the saying goes, a man with nothing to lose has nothing to fear. Shen Fanyun has lost everything, including the unforgettable love of his life. For Li Qiuchan, for the woman he loved but could never have, the chances of him doing something crazy were extremely high.
"I’m warning you, don’t bother Qiuchan again. She has her own life now. If you really loved her, you’d choose to let go, not cook up some unrealistic fantasy!" she reminded him pointedly.
"Hmph." Xu Bingqing looked at his indifferent expression, clearly displeased.
"Shen Fanyun, you are not worthy of Li Qiuchan. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you can do something to win her back.
"I’m advising you to be realistic instead of daydreaming. Li Qiuchan is a woman you can never have. My only advice is this: stay away from her.
"Otherwise, I’ll be the first to make you regret it!
"And don’t take that as a joke. I, Xu Bingqing, always keep my word."
Over the years, she had gained considerable favor with the Han Family thanks to her relationship with Li Qiuchan. If Shen Fanyun ruined the marriage between Li Qiuchan and Han Feng, it would inevitably impact her own interests. No matter what, she had to stop this madman.
"I have a fiancée," Shen Fanyun said suddenly, his words shocking enough to stop her cold.
"What?" Xu Bingqing couldn’t believe it and burst out laughing.