Tang Li actually wanted to go downstairs with Gao Wenlan, but Gao Wenlan left in such a hurry. By the time she realized it, the office door was closed again.
After all, it wasn’t an ordinary place, and Tang Li didn’t dare to act recklessly.
After some hesitation, she still decided to wait here for Gao Wenlan’s return.
Alone in the vast office, Tang Li felt somewhat uneasy.
Especially... given that this was Song Baiyan’s office.
Ever since she had a chance encounter with Fu Si in the library that day, she had not returned to the library, and the matter he spoke of was deeply buried in her heart.
Just as she had admonished herself.
The life she had started over was not to be swayed by undue emotions.
Tang Li looked at the calligraphy on the wall, the content was from Chapter eight of the "Tao Te Ching": "The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao." In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing. It is because it does not contend, that it never goes wrong. Humans must always be, the heart must always be broad. The highest good is like water, found in the state of heart aligned with the way of being, thereby, one’s heart is as still as water.
"Heart as still as water..." Tang Li silently uttered these four words.
The sound of a door handle turning came from behind.
Tang Li turned her head, expecting Gao Wenlan, but instead, she saw Song Baiyan, who entered with a file in his hand.
He wore a white shirt and black trousers. After a lengthy meeting, the cuffs of his shirt were rolled up high, exposing a section of his sturdy forearm; the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing an attractive adult Adam’s apple; his tie hung loosely, and his left arm, Brandishing a wristwatch, was draped with a suit jacket.
This posture, casual yet tinged with a hint of fatigue.
When he caught sight of Tang Li, Song Baiyan’s expression momentarily paused, clearly not expecting to find her here.
Tang Li had her suspicions—
Perhaps the secretary only told him about Gao Wenlan’s visit, forgetting to mention the little tail that followed.
However, Song Baiyan quickly regained his composure.
He hung his suit on a coat rack, placed the file on the large desk, and after pulling off his tie, asked her, "Did Professor Gao come to the Capital to look for you?"
"Yes." Tang Li did not conceal anything, mentioned the filming, paused then added: "Teacher Gao said she had something to give you first, then she would take me back."
Subtly, she reverted back to using the more formal "you."
Song Baiyan stood in front of the desk, picking up on Tang Li’s restraint. Seeing her slightly lower her lashes, he took the tea cup from the desk and went to the water dispenser. As he poured the water, he started talking: "Suddenly afraid to look at me, did you secretly do something in my office while I wasn’t here?"
"...No." She hadn’t done anything.
Tang Li wanted to explain further, but when she looked up, she saw Song Baiyan standing by the water dispenser, one hand in his trouser pocket, the other hand holding a tea cup and sipping lightly. His tall figure and the gentle, almost smiling gaze was fixed on her.
"..." She realized he was just making a joke.
In Song Baiyan’s eyes, there was something that made her feel serene and grounded.
It reminded Tang Li of the hug outside the high-speed train station, that same warmth and patience.
Just then, a warmth welled up within her.
Tang Li felt a sticky sensation.
Guessing what it was, her ears and neck flushed red.
She didn’t dare reach down to check.
She just so happened to be wearing a pink sweatshirt and a blouse, matched with a plaid pleated skirt and a pair of white shoes. For a moment, she even worried that blood might flow down her thighs.
Tang Li slowly backed up until her waist touched the sofa.
She quickly grabbed her bag, enduring the embarrassment as she spoke: "I just remembered I have something else to do, I have to go first..."