Ai Qian really did as she said, quietly eating her meal without saying a word throughout.
Until the dinner was over, she hadn’t spoken another word to Jiang Chen.
The three of them naturally didn’t eat much; most of the dishes were left untouched, some barely even touched.
"It’s too wasteful, let’s pack it up, I’ll take it home to eat."
Ai Qian spoke naturally.
Jiang Chen looked surprised, "Since when did you become so thrifty?"
"Who do you think I am, like you? I’m just a salaried worker, earning money is not easy."
Jiang Chen smiled without saying anything.
"Waiter, pack these up," Shao Shuhuai immediately said.
The three of them walked out of the private restaurant.
"Then I’ll be going first."
Ai Qian carried the packed food.
Shao Shuhuai first glanced at Jiang Chen, and seeing that he had no reaction, he then said, "It’s inconvenient for you to take the subway carrying things, let me drive you."
Ai Qian paused for a moment and then nodded without refusing, turning her head towards the man beside her who was no longer naïve.
Without the customary pleasantries of suggesting they meet again next time, she, now sporting an ear-length bob, revealed an indescribable smile.
"Well, goodbye then."
Jiang Chen nodded, his face also carrying a calm curve.
"We’re heading off first."
Shao Shuhuai greeted.
Ai Qian carried the packed food and followed him, turning to sit in the Audi A6, and never looked back.
Jiang Chen subsequently got into a car as well.
The two cars drove off one after another, traveled together for a distance, and then separated at a crossroad, heading in different directions.
"These dishes will last until tomorrow at most; if we can’t finish them, throw them away, it’s not good for the health otherwise."
Shao Shuhuai was completely relaxed, his tone unconsciously turning quite gentle.
In his view, Ai Qian’s decision to get into his car was a strong hint.
Moreover, from the dinner just now, he realized that this couple, once incessantly gossiped about in school, seemed to have truly severed their ties now.
The heart that had gone cold due to Li Shuru was stirring once again.
In this world, there are no unprovoked kindnesses.
His previous cordial engagement was indeed an attempt to pursue Ai Qian.
One reason was simple; Ai Qian was beautiful.
Beautiful women were everywhere these days, and with his conditions, finding one was not difficult, especially in Hamolei, where there were plenty of youthful and attractive female employees.
But another key reason he wanted to pursue Ai Qian was her past relationship with Jiang Chen.
As the "model" graduate of their batch and due to the virtual dating game, Shao Shuhuai, ever-ambitious, couldn’t help feeling jealous and discontent every time he thought of Jiang Chen.
But the reality gap was too big, and he couldn’t catch up in the short term, so he couldn’t help but think differently.
Wouldn’t winning Ai Qian over also count as a victory?
He had to admit, this mindset was quite unhealthy.
But undoubtedly, every time he thought about winning Ai Qian over, Shao Shuhuai couldn’t suppress the satisfaction and excitement inside him.
However, a few casual words from Li Shuru at Tianci Capital, like a cold shower, snapped him out of it.
With Jiang Chen’s current standing, dealing with him would be a piece of cake.
Faced with a choice between a woman and future prospects, anyone smart enough would know what to choose.
After leaving Tianci Capital, Shao Shuhuai had already planned to give up on Ai Qian, but today’s meal rekindled his old intentions.
Since Jiang Chen had completely moved on from that relationship, what was there for him to be wary of?
"I know, why don’t you take it home?"
"I don’t even have a microwave at home, what would I do with it? I rarely cook at home; I usually just make do outside."
Shao Shuhuai laughed, "I thought today’s negotiation would be simple, but I didn’t expect it to be this easy. It must have all been for your sake."
"You think too highly of me."
Ai Qian smiled lightly, "It has nothing to do with me. He’s always been a good person, we’re all alumni; as long as you don’t cross his bottom line, he won’t make things too difficult for you."
Shao Shuhuai neither agreed nor disagreed, eyes on the road as he drove and spoke, "Back in school, I heard some rumors, but looking at you just now, you were getting along so harmoniously. Rumors are indeed just rumors, not to be trusted."
Ai Qian didn’t change her expression, still smiling, "People grow up."
"Yes, people do grow up."
Shao Shuhuai nodded, "As a child, I dreamed of eating delicacies from the mountains and seas, big fish and big meat, but just now looking at those dishes, I had no appetite."
Shao Shuhuai turned his head, "In the future, shall I pick you up from work every day?"
He felt this was an understanding, given the obvious hints from her, but to his surprise, she responded, "I’ve already resigned."
Shao Shuhuai was taken by surprise and quickly asked, "What happened?"
"Nothing much. I just feel a bit tired and want to go somewhere else to walk around."
Shao Shuhuai frowned.
Ai Qian looked at him, her gaze tranquil, "Thank you for taking care of me during this time."
Shao Shuhuai sensed something was off, "Why so sudden? If something happened, you can tell me, we are friends."
"Really, it’s nothing."
Ai Qian smiled, "I’m leaving, but please take care of Chu Yin for me. She’s rather impatient, and at the company, please be more patient with her."
"When will you be back?"
"Not sure, it might be a long time."
Ai Qian looked out the window.
A6 parked at the entrance of the residential area.
Shao Shuhuai gripped the steering wheel, watching her push the door open and get out of the car.
Wei Chuyin stared at the TV, distracted.
The sound of the door opening.
She immediately turned her head and saw Ai Qian walking in, quickly stood up.
"Haven’t you eaten yet? I brought some food."
Ai Qian acted as if it was nothing and placed the takeout food on the table.
Wei Chuyin wasn’t in the mood to eat, immediately walked over quickly and asked anxiously, "How was the talk?"
Ai Qian put on a puzzled face and explained, "I just went to get some food."
Wei Chuyin’s face was stern and tense, staring at her, "You didn’t say anything to Jiang Chen?"
Ai Qian shook her head, "I’m a bit tired. I’m going to rest for a while. You heat up the food and eat it yourself."
Ai Qian, as if deaf, walked past Wei Chuyin, entered the bedroom, and closed the door.
The sunset sank westward.
The world gathered the last trace of twilight.
The night replaced the day, and the crescent moon climbed the sky.
Ai Qian walked to the window, leaned her hands on the dressing table, and slowly sat down.
Enduring the occasional piercing joint pain, she took out her phone, opened WeChat, and searched for Jiang Chen’s name.
In the input box, typed the word "Thank you."
As for the conflict between the two companies, she wasn’t very clear, but she understood why Jiang was so willing to make concessions today, smoothly and simply.
After the breakup, there was a time she held her phone, bothering him incessantly. But now, looking at the empty chat interface and the "Thank you" in the chat box, Ai Qian pressed the keyboard and gradually deleted the words.
Then, she exited the chat interface, clicked on Jiang Chen’s profile picture.
If one never changes their profile picture, does it mean they are a person who cherishes the old?
Looking at the profile picture, Ai Qian suddenly smiled silently.
A drop of crimson liquid fell on the screen.
Ai Qian wiped her nose and then used the pad of her thumb to wipe the blood off the screen, then she clicked on the upper right corner.
Putting down the phone, she took a deep breath, looked up, and gazed out the window.
"That profile picture is so ugly and dull, here’s a chance, change it to my photo."
"I can agree to everything else but not this."
"If you fall out of love with me and break up with me, me still hanging up your picture..."
"You’re silly, just change it then."
"Wouldn’t everyone then know, how embarrassing."
"Fine, Jiang Chen, you find it embarrassing now? Fine, don’t change it, but from now on, you must always keep this profile picture, never allowed to change!"
The night gradually blurred, Ai Qian’s smile was dazed and misty.
When the bright moon was there,
It once shone upon the returning colorful clouds.