Ji Niandong disregarded the serving cart in her hand and quickly walked towards the corner.
Shen Congjun had just finished his glass of red wine and was about to set the glass down when he caught sight of the newcomer out of the corner of his eye. He abruptly turned to look, and saw a woman in a white shirt and black vest standing before him, her hair sleekly tied up without a single strand out of place. Despite the server's attire, she exuded a clean and comfortable aura.
"Shen Congjun, long time no see!" Ji Niandong's smile carried a hint of coldness.
Not only did he not take care of her after she saw the doctor for her illness, but he also avoided her for a month and three and a half days, until he announced he'd found someone else to please him. It was indeed a long time!
Shen Congjun's brow furrowed tightly, his tone full of impatience and even disdain, "How did you manage to sneak in here?"
Ji Niandong looked down at her perfect disguise, even her work badge was an identical replica, and replied calmly, "I'm somewhat of an actress. If I want to get in here, I possess the basic clothing requirements and etiquette. There are many people here, let's go outside and talk!"
No complex emotions were visible on her face. Shen Congjun suddenly felt that she seemed different today, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different. "I have nothing to discuss with you! Today is very important to me, you better leave quickly!"
"Since today is important to you, shouldn't you step out early to finish talking with me? Or do you not mind the crowd here and prefer to talk directly?" She stared at him steadily, with a tone full of threatening intent.
Having known her for twenty-four years, and been together for five, only now did Shen Congjun realize that the woman who had always been gentle and mild-mannered was so stubborn and cold to the point of exuding chilliness.
Apparently, all her "entanglement" wasn't simply because she couldn't leave him!
At the thought of that, Shen Congjun's heart surged with a wave of disgust and irritation. He glanced around to ensure no one was watching them, then stepped forward and whispered in her ear, his voice lowered and seeping from his throat, "If you listen and leave now, I won't be disgusted by you!"
Ji Niandong's heart trembled slightly, instinctively stepping back a bit. Seeing the man in front of her with a face full of cold hostility, completely unfamiliar, she clenched her fist, stepped forward, and grabbed the hem of Shen Congjun's clothes, fearing his reluctance to talk and went straight to the point: "My father was diagnosed with liver cancer and has been lying in New City Hospital for over a week. The doctor said if he doesn't undergo surgery soon, it might turn cancerous at any moment. I've already spent all my savings in this week, and I'm almost unable to pay the hospital bills. My father treated you well before, Ah Jun, help him?"
Her eyebrows and eyes were full of pleading, her lightly made-up, flawless face looked pitiful, yet Shen Congjun felt a shiver in his heart, incredulously asking, "All these days of relentless pursuit, just for your father's medical bills?"
At that moment, Shen Congjun felt that this woman was terrifyingly strange to him!
"Ah Jun, listen to me..."
"Don't say anything!" Shen Congjun interrupted her, displaying an expression thoroughly uninterested in seeing her, lowered his voice and said, "Your father treated me well, but I've also supported the two of you for five years. We're even! With a poor liver, drink less alcohol; don't expect me to pay whenever you end up in the hospital. If I paid before, fine. But now, we have no relation, and I have no kindness to pay the expensive surgery fee for a stranger's father!"
He turned and walked away briskly, and the corner of the clothing clutched in her hand was suddenly pulled away. Ji Niandong felt anxious and quickly caught up, calling out, "Shen Congjun!"
Her voice was neither loud nor soft, but in this relaxed and elegant banquet, it seemed particularly out of place.