"At that time, you came to my house to tutor Yuanyuan, and Ah Li met you." Lai Shengxia slightly curved her lips, but there was a hint of a forced smile within: "Ah Li really liked you. A few days ago, my dad called to inquire about your situation. I didn’t know much, and he said, if you are not seeing anyone, would you be willing to..."
The last few words seemed hard for Lai Shengxia to say.
She tried to muster a smile, yet couldn’t overcome the genuine emotions deep within: "Ah Li is a good girl. Her family passed away two years ago, so she came to the Capital to stay with the Lai Family. She’s currently in college. Although she doesn’t share the Lai surname, she’s no different from my parents’ daughter in our family."
Upon hearing this, Han Jifeng cast a glance.
Lai Shengxia just took a 2-inch photo from her handbag and placed it on the coffee table: "This is Ah Li’s photo; you can take a look."
As her words fell, she suddenly changed the topic: "When I was with Qin Yansheng, did you still blame me?"
Looking at Han Jifeng’s handsome features, Lai Shengxia’s fingers slightly clenched her handbag: "Not long after uncle’s incident, I broke up with you and got together with Qin Yansheng six months later. Do you think I am a fickle woman?"
"No," Han Jifeng said.
He put the documents back on the table, his expression still calm: "Breakups and makeups are normal in relationships. You and Qin Yansheng being together now is good. Putting aside other connections, we are still classmates."
Lai Shengxia stared at him: "Just classmates?"
Han Jifeng did not say anything further.
After a while, he glanced at the wall clock: "It’s almost half past four. You should head back early."
"Okay." Lai Shengxia did not linger, rising from the sofa: "You’re busy, so I won’t disturb you any further."
At the door, she suddenly turned back: "At the state banquet on Sunday, Ah Li will join us."
After saying that, she opened the office door and left.
In the world of feelings, Lai Shengxia never lost her dignity.
Losing dignity is tantamount to letting the other person belittle you.
Once belittled, the other person will become fearless, treating you with contempt, and you will never have the day when he cherishes you.
At the stairs’ landing, her cellphone rang; it was Ouyang Qian’s call.
Lai Shengxia got into her sports car and returned the call.
The call connected, and Ouyang Qian’s voice came through: "I’m still at the hospital. Your dad has heard the news, Song Baiyan is definite about using Han Jifeng. About the matter you mentioned last time, I just sounded out your dad, and I think he is quite interested."
"I just came from the Judicial Administration Bureau."
Lai Shengxia didn’t hide it from her mother.
"Did you go to see Han Jifeng?" Ouyang Qian asked.
Lai Shengxia didn’t deny it, remembering Han Jifeng’s demeanor, she closed her eyes: "I and Yansheng got engaged, he probably resents me for it."
"I went with his secretary. He had no choice but to meet me." Lai Shengxia added: "I left Ah Li’s photo in his office."
Lai Shengxia understood Han Jifeng’s feelings towards her better than he did himself; they were together for three years in college. Perhaps it is because they never took the final step, that recalling this relationship now feels both beautiful and regretful.
She understood Han Jifeng’s emotions, so, she deliberately left Tang Li’s photo.
That was Tang Li’s photo taken in the third year of high school without a hat.
In the photo, Tang Li, with her hair in a ponytail, looked seventy percent like her.
If Han Jifeng still harbors feelings from their past, at the state banquet on Sunday evening, even if not for aligning with the Lai Family, just for her, he would definitely attend.