The next day, Jianyu was in a meeting regarding the collaboration project.
A senior employee was giving his presentation when Jianyu's phone vibrated.
Jianyu frowned when he saw who was calling.
Incoming call Suyin.
He cut the call.
After a few seconds, his phone vibrated again. He cut it again.
"Continue.", He said to the employee who had stopped presenting.
Again his phone vibrated.
Everybody sweated. Who is the one calling so much?
Jianyu said, "We will continue after lunch."
Everybody went back to work and Jianyu picked up.
"I think there is nothing to talk between us now. So don't waste my time."
"Jianyu wait! Don't cut the call please.", Suyin shouted. "Please. Can we meet once? There is something you are misunderstanding."
Jianyu hesitated. Misunderstanding? Is there really any?
Jianyu wanted to completely ignore her request, but a part of him couldn't. He really wanted to know what happened two years back. Was she really selfish in leaving him?
He wanted answers. And he thought if he didn't find any that he wanted, it will finally help in his closure. Maybe he would truly be able to forget her.
After a long silence, he said, "Okay."
Suyin got excited. "Thank you Jianyu! We will meet at the same coffee shop we used to go to all the time. Okay?"
"Hm." And he ended it.
On the side, Madam Tang asked, "What happened? Did he agree?"
She smiled, "Yes."
"You know what to say right?"
"Yes, mom. I know."
---
Jianyu reached the coffee house where he found Suyin already sitting at their usual table.
Suyin smiled brightly and said, "Jianyu. You came."
He said, "Go straight to the point."
It took a lot of resolve for him to come here and end everything he ever had with her once and for all.
Suyin awkwardly smiled. "At least let's order something. You must be hungry."
He didn't say anything. She quickly ordered some coffee and sandwiches.
"What happened two years back?"
Suyin hesitated. "I am here to tell you everything. But I'm scared you will not like the truth. Th-"
"Say it already.", he interrupted.
"Wellone day, Aunt had asked me to meet her."
Jianyu frowned. Mom?
"You know right how Aunt never really liked me for you. I always tried my best to win her heart but I could never change her opinion of me. We are childhood friends and even status was not the problem. But I didn't know why Aunt disliked me so much." She shed some fake tears.
"One day she called me. She said she wanted to talk about something important. About our relationship."
"And then?"
---
Mother Chen was having tea with Father Chen.
"Dear, what do you think? Will Suyin try to get Jianyu back?"
He sighed. "She shouldn't. But then again, we know how ambitious the Tang's are. The status means too much to them. I doubt they will just sit and do nothing. Especially now. When Jianyu is so successful."
"But Suyin is successful as well."
He smiled. "You know it will never match Chen's level right?"
She kept quiet.
"And as long there is even the tiniest bit of gap left to match our status, they will stop at nothing. And to come from Tang's level to our level, they need a direct entry in the Chen family."
No answer.
"I had told you Liling. Two years back. What you talked with Suyin that day will not stop her forever. It will only halt her for some time. But eventually, she will come back. They will never let go of Jianyu so easily."
She got worried.
"And I saw her yesterday. Trying to talk to Jianyu. Evidently, they have already started planning."
"We should do something right? We should warn Jianyu to stay away with her."
He shook his head.
"Why?"
"Jianyu is grown up now Liling. He should be able to tell right from wrong. He should have that eye for people. Only successful in being the CEO will get him nowhere. He should grow as a person too, who can make sound personal decisions as well. We cannot protect him forever."
"But he has already suffered so much for the past two years."
"If you had told him the reason she left him, you would not be in fear like this now."
"I didn't want him to get hurt."
"He was still hurt nevertheless. But for the wrong reason. If he knew the truth, his illusion about her would have broken a long time ago. And today, Suyin perhaps would have no choice but to give up."
"You had made the decision two years ago. Now let him do it. Even if he has to get hurt in this process once again. But this time, let him discover the truth for himself."
---
Huian woke up quite late. She did not find Liu Jinhai.
But she found a note on the bedside table.
'I have an early meeting. So did not wake you up. Breakfast is ready. Eat lots.
Jinhai.'
She chuckled.
She found a PS below.
PS I forgot to mention but there is a gift still left from yesterday. I think it's our anniversary gift from one of your friends..what was she called?...Jie I think. I have kept it in the cupboard. If its something nice, share it with me too.
She laughed. He never was never able to get her name right. It's Jiu, stupid.
She opened the cupboard and found the gift. It was neat and beautifully wrapped.
She opened it. But inside the box, she didn't find any expensive gift or an item.
But there was a letter.
She frowned. Only a letter in this box.
She opened it and read it.
Mrs. Liu Huian,
I know your secret.