A soothing piano melody played in the café.
Chen Chunzhi stirred the coffee in his cup, his eyes constantly fixed on Shang Wu, but his smile carried a hint of probing.
"Are you free tonight? A few friends are organizing a get-together, it'll be fun, wanna go join us? Let's relax."
Shang Wu wanted to refuse almost immediately.
She now has no interest in any noisy occasions and just wants to bury herself in her work or lick her wounds alone.
"No, thank you, but I have design drafts to finish tonight." Shang Wu took a sip of coffee and politely declined.
Anyone could see that she simply didn't want to drink with Chen Chunzhi.
A perfectly timed look of disappointment crossed Chen Chunzhi's face, then, as if remembering something, his tone became more serious.
"Don't be so quick to refuse. Actually, yesterday was my birthday, and I didn't even get to celebrate properly. I drove all night to come see you, so please do me a favor?"
Shang Wu paused slightly.
It's indeed difficult to refuse directly using birthday as a reason.
However, driving all night made her realize that this place was really too far from Lincheng.
Even though it seems like it's only separated by Wanhu Lake, it actually takes five hours to get there by highway.
Has she unknowingly drifted so far away from Lu Rang?
Seeing that her expression softened, Chen Chunzhi pressed his advantage, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice: "Besides, I've heard some news about the Yu family and your former company in Lincheng. Do you want to know?"
The Yu family.
These two words were like a key, instantly unlocking the door to Shang Wu's heart that she had tried so hard to close.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on the cup.
I know I shouldn't, and I know that hearing any more news about him will only cause me trouble.
But that unyielding attachment grew wildly, constantly assaulting her reason.
Shang Wu desperately wanted to know how he was doing.
Even if it's just a few words overheard by someone else.
Shang Wu lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions surging within them.
She was silent for a few seconds before she heard her own dry voice.
"...What news?"
Chen Chunzhi watched her subtle reaction, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He laughed and said, "How about we chat at a bar tonight? Consider it my birthday celebration?"
Shang Wu struggled internally for a moment, but reason reminded her not to inquire about Lu Rang anymore.
In the end, she couldn't resist the temptation.
The last time I heard about Lu Rang's situation, I knew he was doing well, and I could finally give up on him.
Shang Wu nodded with difficulty: "...Okay."
…
night.
The music at the Labyrinth Bar was deafening.
Shang Wu sat in the corner of a booth, completely out of place with the festive atmosphere around her.
She almost held her breath as she listened to Chen Chunzhi raise his voice amidst the noise.
"Lu Rang is indeed impressive!"
Chen Chunzhi's tone carried a mixture of forced admiration and resentment, "You... oh no, it's his company now. After he took over, he swiftly reorganized it, and I heard that the performance has not only not declined but has actually improved, even better than before."
Shang Wu felt as if something had struck her heart, and a strange sense of comfort seeped through the bitterness.
He's doing well, and the company is doing well too.
That's good.
However, Chen Chunzhi's next words were immediately tinged with anger.
"But this guy is really vengeful and shows no mercy whatsoever!"
Chen Chunzhi complained, taking a sip of his drink, "The project that my family and you were working on before, he cut it off the moment he took over, without saying a word! The losses were considerable."
Shang Wu frowned, looked up at him, and hesitated before asking, "Chop it up?"
"Yes, the project is clearly sound and profitable, but I think he's only after me, because of what happened back then..."
Chen Chunzhi shut his mouth before he could finish speaking.
But the meaning is self-evident.
Because he was chasing after Shang Wu, Lu Rang mistakenly thought he was the one Shang Wu was cheating on.
Shang Wu's face paled slightly.
I see.
He not only hated her, but also sought to retaliate against anyone even remotely connected to her.
In his world, she who betrayed him, and everyone she knew, should be wiped out.
Shang Wu took another sip of wine, her mind a jumble.
She thought of her mother's dying confession.
Thinking of Lu Rang's cold hatred and the infidelity he had to bear helplessly.
And then there's the ending where she and Lu Rang can never be together.
Emotions surged like a burst dam, overwhelming Shang Wu's taut nerves.
She picked up the wine glass on the table, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
Shang Wu couldn't help coughing; the spicy liquid burned her throat, making her feel very uncomfortable.
She saw that Chen Chunzhi seemed to still be saying something, but his voice had become indistinct and distant.
Shang Wu shook her head, signaling him to be quiet and that she needed some peace and quiet.
Soon, several of Chen Chunzhi's friends arrived, bringing gifts to wish him a happy birthday. They were all curious about the woman drinking alone next to him.
Chen Chunzhi sent his friend away and sat down next to Shang Wu for a long time before finally letting out a sigh.
"This is still the least lively birthday I've ever had. Shang Wu, you're such a troublemaker."
Shang Wu paid no attention to what the people around her were saying.
After an unknown period of time, she began to feel dizzy, and everything around her seemed to be spinning.
"I...I'm going back."
She stood up, supporting herself on the table, her body swaying slightly.
Chen Chunzhi tried to help her up, but she gently pushed him away.
Shang Wu insisted that she had called a designated driver herself and refused Chen Chunzhi's escort.
It was already late at night when I returned to the quiet street where the studio was located.
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