Chapter Thirty-Three: Why Does History Always Repeat Itself?
A month later, good news finally came from Zeng Rong's side.
"Yanyan, found it! My goodness, that took so much effort!"
Zeng Rong's voice trembled with excitement on the other end of the phone, "I went through several connections to get it from an overseas collector. It's brand new and unused, but the price... is a little bit higher than the reference price I sent you initially."
When Luo Yan heard the words "found," her heart nearly leaped out of her throat. Hearing the second half of the sentence, her heart sank even further. She asked in a trembling voice, "How high is this little bit...?"
Zeng Rong gave a number, then tentatively asked, "Do you want more?"
Luo Yan's vision went black for a moment, and she managed to steady herself by grabbing the corner of the table.
Fortunately, she had thought of asking for more money when she borrowed it from Luo Muyang, otherwise she would have starved for the next six months. Thinking of the scene when Jiang Sui saved her, she gritted her teeth and said, "I want it!"
“Okay, I’ll have him send it over right away.” Zeng Rong paused, his tone suddenly becoming ambiguous, “You’re in such a hurry…you’re not planning to give it to President Jiang for Valentine’s Day, are you?”
"Valentine's Day?" Luo Yan was taken aback and subconsciously looked at the calendar on the table. Sure enough, this weekend was February 14th.
"I...I didn't deliberately choose the day. Everyone's free on the weekend."
Zeng Rong clicked his tongue twice. "Not bad, Yan Yan. You've finally figured it out. You even know to give a token of love now, and such an expensive one at that. President Jiang must be so touched!"
Luo Yan's face flushed: "Don't talk nonsense. If you lose someone's things, shouldn't you compensate them? This... it's just a normal weekend. We are true-blue Chinese people and we don't celebrate Western holidays!"
"Okay, if we don't celebrate Western holidays, then let's wait until... Qixi Festival? Anyway, President Jiang hasn't been urging you to pay me back."
"Granny Rong, instead of worrying about this, you should be thinking about how to spend a passionate night with your husband!"
"I've already planned this out. Want to hear it? You should learn from my experience. When it comes to men, you have to seduce them. If you do it right, you're all set..."
"Seriously! I'm at work, I don't want to listen to your nonsense, I'm hanging up!"
Luo Yan was afraid that Zeng Rong would be silenced if she continued, so she hung up the phone in a panic.
Even so, I still couldn't help but secretly hope... that something might happen?
Stop! Luo Yan, are you lusting after me? Shameless!
The day the cufflinks arrived, Luo Yan wrote a card by hand and carefully put the velvet box and the card together in a gift bag. She picked it up and looked at it from all sides. Hmm, very classy. Jiang Sui should be able to feel her love... oh no, her sincerity.
He put the things aside and dialed Jiang Sui's number.
The phone rang a few times before being answered. The background noise on the other end was a bit loud, but Jiang Sui's voice was as calm as ever: "Hello?"
"Mr. Jiang, it's me." Luo Yan tried to make her voice sound natural. "Are you free on Friday night? I was thinking of... inviting you to dinner. I have something to discuss with you."
"Um, what time? Where?"
"I'll send it to you on WeChat."
"Okay." Jiang replied succinctly and was about to hang up.
"President Jiang, wait!" Luo Yan hurriedly added, "It's just... just the two of us, it's something outside of work."
If he brings an assistant or technician, the date will turn into a team-building activity, which would be incredibly embarrassing.
"I understand." Jiang Sui's voice was emotionless as she hung up the phone.
Luo Yan wiped the sweat from her palms and breathed a sigh of relief.
He agreed so readily, and without even asking what it was about, it seems things will go more smoothly than she imagined.
On Friday evening, Jiang Sui changed her clothes and was about to go out when her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar landline number.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Jiang Sui? This is the airport police station. Do you know a Ms. Lu Xingyao? She lost her phone and valuables on her arriving flight and can't contact her family or friends. She has provided your contact information. Would it be convenient for you to come over now?"
Jiang Sui was stunned and didn't come back to her senses for a long time.
Lu Xingyao, has she returned to China?
I glanced at the time; there was still more than an hour until the time I agreed to meet Luo Yan, so I should be able to make it.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Airport police station.
Lu Xingyao slumped over her huge suitcase, looking utterly bored.
Jiang Sui breathed a sigh of relief and walked over: "Xingyao, are you alright?"
Lu Xingyao suddenly looked up, a slightly pale face showing an embarrassed smile: "I'm so sorry to have troubled you. I realized my things were missing as soon as I got off the plane, and I was completely stunned. You know, you're the only person I know in Yu'an..."
Jiang Sui looked her over; aside from looking a little tired, there seemed to be nothing else wrong. "Have the formalities been completed?"
Lu Xingyao pulled her coat tighter and stood up: "Yes, the airline said they would notify me if there was any news. They left your phone number. You don't mind, do you?"
"It's nothing, I'll buy you a phone to use for now... Why did you suddenly come back?"
Lu Xingyao's smile became even more awkward. "I was supposed to be working with a domestic dance troupe for a Spring Festival performance, but now... I guess they won't be able to contact me."
"Get in the car first." Jiang Sui took the suitcase handle from her hand. "I'll take you to eat. I also have an appointment with someone, and it's still early."
"It's Valentine's Day today, I hope I'm not bothering you?"
"No, just a regular friend. They need to talk to me about something."
Jiang Sui thought to himself, "So it's Valentine's Day. If Lu Xingyao hadn't reminded me, I really wouldn't have remembered this."
To save time, Jiang Sui drove directly to the restaurant where he had arranged to meet Luo Yan.
"Shall we just grab something to eat here?"
"Anything is fine."
Lu Xingyao nodded and looked at the restaurant's decor. It wasn't high-end, but it was very elegant. Today, they had specially added various Valentine's Day-themed decorations, with roses on each table, making it romantic and cozy.
Jiang Sui glanced at the time; there were still forty minutes left, enough time for him to settle Lu Xingyao in.
Luo Yan clutched the small bag containing the cufflinks tightly in her hand, rehearsing her words repeatedly since boarding the subway: "President Jiang, this is to compensate you. Thank you for saving me that day... Also, I shouldn't have spoken ill of you behind your back last time, I'm sorry..."
Yes, that's how it is, polite and sincere.
After exiting the subway, she looked at herself in the glass of a shop window. Her hairstyle was perfect, her warm yellow cashmere coat was perfect, her white scarf was perfect, and her ankle boots were perfect.
Looking at the time, there were still twenty minutes until the agreed meeting time; we were just one more street away.
Thinking about it, my steps became much lighter without me even realizing it.
The pedestrian green light came on, and Luo Yan looked up at the restaurant, but her steps suddenly stopped.
Across the endless stream of traffic, she saw Jiang Sui sitting by the window, and opposite him sat a beautiful young girl with long, flowing hair, a beautiful profile, and an outstanding presence that could not be ignored even from across the street. It was the same person from the photo Zeng Rong had shown her, Jiang Sui's stunningly beautiful ex-girlfriend, Lu Xingyao.
Jiang Sui watched Lu Xingyao speak with focused attention. His expression was more peaceful than Luo Yan had ever seen before, and even his usually tense lips had a faint smile on them.
He lied to her.
He agreed to meet her, but ended up meeting his ex-girlfriend instead.
So he didn't care about her apology or the meal at all. He agreed to come, perhaps just to see how she would perform? Or maybe he was just playing with her?
It turns out that his "normal" behavior during this period was because Lu Xingyao had returned.
Lu Xingyao is even more beautiful in person than in photos. The two of them are surrounded by fiery red roses—what a beautiful scene!
If that man wasn't Jiang Sui, Luo Yan felt she would have appreciated him more and even shipped him as a couple, but... why was it Jiang Sui?
A cold wind swept past, piercing her heart. Her throat felt constricted, making it difficult to breathe. She had to gasp for air, desperately trying to suppress the emotions that were about to burst forth.
Don't cry, you mustn't cry, people will laugh at you...
She staggered, then turned and fled.
"Thank you so much for today."
Lu Xingyao thanked her again, "The person you invited will be here soon, right? Then I won't bother you any longer."
"Let me take you there; the hotel isn't far."
Jiang Sui glanced at the time; it was already past the agreed time, and Luo Yan hadn't arrived yet.
"No need, I've already called a car."
Lu Xingyao smiled mischievously, "You seem distracted. The 'ordinary' friend you're waiting for is anything but ordinary."
"We're really just ordinary friends."
"Jiang Sui, I can tell whether you're lying or not!"
"You should take care of yourself first. I don't know how you take care of yourself abroad. You're still as forgetful as ever." Jiang Sui was unusually uncomfortable. She took out her newly bought phone and pushed it in front of Lu Xingyao. "I can help you once or twice, but I can't help you forever."
Lu Xingyao picked up her phone and opened it. "Okay, stop nagging! Thanks, I'll return the money to you tomorrow when I get my wallet."
Jiang Sui escorted Lu Xingyao to the door, watched her get into the car and leave, and then returned to his seat to continue waiting.
Ten minutes have passed, and Luo Yan still hasn't arrived.
I called her, and it rang for a long time, but no one answered.
Another message was sent:
Are you stuck in traffic? Where are you?
After a long time, I finally received a reply:
-I'm sorry, Mr. Jiang, I have an urgent matter to attend to. I apologize for taking up your time.
Jiang Sui's face darkened.
He put down his phone, looked out the window at the flashing neon lights, and a layer of frost settled in his eyes.
What's this? Did she trick me again?
Two days later.
As soon as Jiang Sui arrived at the company, the receptionist delivered a local express package to her. The sender was Luo Yan.
What is she up to now?
He frowned as he opened it; inside was a velvet box and a folded notepad.
Upon opening the box, there was a cufflink.
Jiang Sui was stunned for a moment, her eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.
I opened the desk drawer, took out another velvet box, opened it, and there lay another identical cufflink.
Luo Yan actually bought one to compensate him? This thing wasn't cheap for her.
Unfold the sticky note; on it was Luo Yan's slightly messy handwriting:
General Manager Jiang:
I am very sorry that I could not keep our appointment on Friday. This is to compensate you for the cufflinks you lost last time when you saved me. Also, I apologize for saying many offensive things to you at the restaurant earlier.
Jiang Sui looked at the note, then at the two cufflinks, and fell silent.
It seems he went a little too far this time?
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