"Xiao Wan, I'm back."
Su Yinwan heard a gentle, magnetic voice and looked in the direction of the sound.
The man before her eyes came into view.
The man wore a white shirt without a single wrinkle, and his face, bathed in sunlight, had soft, bright eyes and a gentle smile on his lips.
He stepped forward and gently hugged Su Yinwan, patting her head with his hand.
"I'm really back this time. Did you miss me?"
Su Yinwan never expected that Jiang Yubai, who had disappeared for two years, would suddenly appear in front of her like this.
She was overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down her face, perhaps from joy.
"Where have you been these past two years? Do you know how hard I've searched for you? I've asked everyone around me, but I haven't heard from you."
"I'm sorry, I'll never do that again, and I won't make you worry anymore."
The two embraced tightly at the store entrance, oblivious to everyone else, and Su Yinwan cried for a long time.
After a while, Jiang Yubai suggested that they go out for a meal together.
Su Yin nodded and then went into Smile to pick up her bag and phone.
Walking down the street, Jiang Yubai looked around at the street scene and couldn't help but marvel at the changes on University Road.
"I wonder if Sister Zhang's Sichuan Hot Pot restaurant, which we used to frequent, is still there?"
"Let's go take a look."
The two walked through the crowd toward the hot pot restaurant.
Whether in the past or present, Zhang Jie's Sichuan Hot Pot restaurant still has long queues of people waiting for a table during mealtimes.
The two went to the front desk and got a menu. Standing at the door was Sister Zhang.
Years have passed, and Sister Zhang is still as kind and approachable as ever, except that she has a few more gray hairs on her head.
"Sister Zhang, it seems business is still booming."
Jiang Yubai took the menu with a smile on his face.
Upon closer inspection, Sister Zhang realized that the two men looked somewhat familiar before she remembered that it was them.
"Oh, it's you guys! I was wondering why you looked so familiar. Come to think of it, it's been more than two years since you last came."
Thinking back to the past, I used to come to Sister Zhang's place several times a week.
Hey, you two are together now? Or are you married? Congratulations!
Just as Su Yinwan was about to explain, Jiang Yubai interrupted her.
"Sister Zhang, is there a seat available? I really miss the taste of your hot pot."
"Yes, yes, yes, you rarely come here, I'll make room for you."
After saying that, Sister Zhang led the two to an empty seat by the window in a corner.
Jiang Yubai looked at the menu, picked up a pencil and checked off Su Yinwan's favorite dishes: pig brain, beef aorta, tripe, and shrimp. He also selected beef balls, beef rolls, lamb rolls, and a large vegetable platter.
"I've ordered everything for you, all your favorite dishes."
Jiang Yubai called over the waiter, handed him the menu, and also ordered two more bottles of beer.
"Yu Bai, thank you for remembering my preferences after all these years."
"We're like family, our friendship over the years isn't just for show."
Su Yinwan put down her phone and was about to walk to the condiment area.
Jiang Yubai stood up and stepped forward, pressing down on her shoulder as she was about to get up. His deep voice rang out, "You sit down, I'll go get you the seasoning: millet peppers, minced garlic, chopped green onions, a spoonful of sesame oil, a spoonful of vinegar, a spoonful of soy sauce, and a little sugar. Most importantly, no cilantro."
Jiang Yubai said this to Su Yinwan with great certainty.
Su Yinwan smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.
Watching Jiang Yubai walk towards the condiment area, Su Yinwan recalled his previous thoughtfulness, which remained unchanged; he was still as considerate and caring as ever.
This was a rare confidant in Su Yinwan's life; he understood her, and she understood him.
A few minutes later, Jiang Yubai returned carrying two bowls of condiments.
By this time, the medium-spicy hot pot broth and ingredients had been mostly served.
Jiang Yubai habitually picked up some tripe and dipped it in the broth. A few seconds later, Su Yinwan handed him the bowl.
Because she knew that the first bite of their meal would always be for her, and this unspoken understanding had never been broken.
Su Yinwan blew on the steaming tripe, opened her mouth wide, and took a big bite.
"Mmm, it tastes just like before, delicious."
Su Yinwan breathed out hot air, nodding repeatedly as she savored the delicious taste.
Jiang Yubai looked at her flushed face and smiled indulgently.
Two years have passed, and he can finally come back and see the girl he dreams of every day.
This time, no matter what, he was determined to keep her by his side and never separate from her again.
However.
Su Yinwan was completely unaware of his changed feelings; she always believed that their relationship was more of a friendship than a romantic one.
She had once redeemed him, and he had once healed her.
"Yu Bai, what are your plans now that you're back?" Su Yinwan asked while eating.
"I plan to join the Jiang Group this time. Xiao Wan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose contact for the past two years."
My father ordered me to be kidnapped and taken abroad, cutting off all contact with China, which is why I couldn't properly say goodbye to you.
"It's okay. Now that you're back, there's no need to bring up the past. We should cherish the present."
Su Yinwan put down her chopsticks and said thoughtfully, "Yu Bai, now that you're back, are you doing well at the Jiang family?"
Su Yinwan vaguely remembered how arrogant Jiang Yubai's half-brother was back then. He kicked Jiang Yubai to the ground without any regard for feelings and stomped on his hand with all his might, so much so that the scar on his hand is still there today.
All this torment stemmed from Jiang Yubai's shady identity—the illegitimate son of President Jiang. Even though he was President Jiang's youngest son, he was not valued by the Jiang family.
Jiang Yubai was silent for a few seconds, then said nonchalantly, "It's alright, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
Jiang Yubai's heart was already churning with anger as he recalled the ugly faces of the Jiang family.
He would no longer allow them to bully him. After enduring humiliation and hardship for so many years, he would do everything in his power to take everything from the Jiang family back to himself. This was what they owed him.
At this moment, Su Yinwan did not notice the ruthlessness that flashed in Jiang Yubai's eyes.
The two chatted about funny things from the past, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
At that moment, Su Yinwan received a message from Rong Jing on her phone.
[Where are you? ]
[I'm eating out with my friends, I'll be home later.]
[With whom? Male or female.]
[A friend you don't know.]
Rong Jing sat in his Maybach outside the hot pot restaurant. He had come directly to Smile after work, intending to pick up Su Yinwan and take her home for dinner.
But what he saw was this scene: the two chatting and laughing, all of which was shown to Rong Jing through the transparent glass of the store.
At this moment.
A child passing by accidentally spilled his drink on Su Yinwan's skirt.
Jiang Yubai quickly grabbed some tissues and went to Su Yinwan to wipe her face.
The couple's intimate behavior instantly enraged Rong Jing, who witnessed everything.
He picked up his phone and dialed Su Yinwan's number.
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