Under the warm yellow light of the living room, Han Feng squatted in front of the sofa, carefully picking up a piece of gauze soaked in medicine with tweezers. Su Wanwan grimaced and placed her hand on a cushion, a glaring red mark on the back of her fair hand.
"You're so clumsy. Next time you cook noodles, will you just use your hands to lift the pot?" Han Feng frowned slightly, gently wiping the edge of the burn with a cotton swab. The cool touch of the medicine made Su Wanwan subconsciously pull her fingers away, but he firmly held her wrist.
Su Wanwan's gaze unconsciously followed his lowered eyelashes downwards. His high, straight nose cast a small shadow under the light, and his thin lips were slightly pursed in focus. She suddenly remembered the last time Han Feng was injured; she had also stared blankly at his wounds in the same way...
"Is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me?" Han Feng didn't look up, as if he knew Su Wanwan was staring at him.
"Who, who was looking at you!" Su Wanwan's ears instantly flushed red. Suddenly, she realized something. "You didn't even look up, and you said I was looking at you? That's slander, that's spreading rumors!"
Han Feng leisurely tidied up the scattered bandages: "These tweezers used to hold the gauze are so big, the reflective side makes you drool. Do you think I'm handsome? Are you already swooning?"
"Who's being a fangirl! And what do you mean by 'I think you're handsome'? Have some self-awareness!" Su Wanwan grabbed a cushion and threw it at her, her hair standing on end like a cat that had been provoked. Suddenly, a "gurgle" sound came from her abdomen, unusually loud in the suddenly quiet living room.
The aroma of sesame oil sizzling in the pan soon filled the kitchen. Su Wanwan peeked through the doorframe and saw Han Feng's forearm muscles undulating with each chop of vegetables, his shirt sleeves rolled up. Twenty minutes later, two bowls of plain noodles were placed on the coffee table, golden fried eggs topped with bright green scallions.
"Do you need to be fed?" Han Feng deliberately waved the chopsticks next to her bandaged right hand.
Su Wanwan directly picked up the chopsticks with her left hand and deftly rolled up the noodles: "Pah, this young lady is skilled with both hands!" In the steamy mist, she caught a glimpse of the fleeting smile on Han Feng's lips.
While clearing the dishes, Han Feng suddenly stopped her restless hand: "Doctor's orders, the wound must remain dry for 24 hours." As he bent down, the faint scent of cedar wafted past her nose. "Including turning the water heater on and off."
"Okay!" Su Wanwan jumped up and ran upstairs. When she reached the third step, she suddenly turned around. "Um... thank you..." Her wine-red bangs fell down and covered her eyes. After saying that, she quickly ran back to her room.
The moment the bedroom door on the second floor closed, Han Feng looked at the crumpled strawberry-shaped band-aid in the first-aid kit, shook his head and chuckled.
---
The next day, when Han Feng opened his office door, Liu Mengran was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a soft golden glow on her. She was wearing a light blue dress that made her skin look as white as snow and her black hair cascade down her back. Hearing the door open, she turned around.
"Didn't we say we'd meet this afternoon?" Han Feng put down his briefcase, his gaze lingering on her face for a few more seconds.
Liu Mengran gracefully walked to the sofa and sat down. "You told me I was going to Europe, so I just took the leave." She blinked. "Anyway, our grades have already been recognized by the professors, especially yours. A genius student in the finance department, and the behind-the-scenes boss of Maple Leaf Investments."
Qin Chuan looked up from the pile of documents, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and said, "The plane tickets are booked; it's a 10 AM flight tomorrow."
Han Feng nodded and sat down at the desk. The three began discussing the details of their European trip, including the collaborative project to acquire Silicon Crystal and the market research portion overseen by Liu Mengran.
The meeting lasted two hours. During the meeting, Han Feng noticed the focused glint in Liu Mengran's eyes as she discussed the issues. Several of her points were insightful and to the point, demonstrating a business acumen beyond her years.
"Han Feng?" Liu Mengran's voice pulled him back to reality. "You were daydreaming."
"Sorry, I didn't sleep well last night." Han Feng rubbed his temples to cover up his embarrassment. "Let's continue."
After the discussion, Qin Chuan stayed behind to work on the documents, while Han Feng offered to take Liu Mengran home.
"No need to trouble yourself, I can call a car," Liu Mengran said without looking up as she organized the documents.
"I happen to be going there on business," Han Feng insisted, his heart beating faster than usual.
Liu Mengran looked up at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately just nodded, "Okay, thank you."
In the underground parking garage, Han Feng's Bugatti Veyron gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen under the lights. Liu Mengran gently stroked the sleek lines of the car and smiled, "Back when school started, you became quite the celebrity driving this car. The mysterious rich kid from the finance department attracted countless eyes on your very first day."
Han Feng opened the car door for her. "Does that include yours?"
Liu Mengran got into the car without answering the question. Han Feng went around to the driver's seat and started the engine. The roar of the luxury car echoed in the underground garage before it drove out of the parking lot.
An odd silence filled the car. Han Feng stole glances at Liu Mengran's profile in the rearview mirror; she was gazing at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, her long eyelashes casting small shadows on her face. He wanted to say something, but couldn't find a suitable topic. His fingers tapped nervously on the steering wheel, his throat tightening.
Liu Mengran turned her head and looked directly at him. "From the first day of school, you gave me a very special feeling." She paused, "And the way you looked at me, it was like you were looking at some lost treasure that you had found again."
Han Feng's knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. She noticed, she noticed everything. Memories of her past life flooded back like a tide; in that hotel, she had spoken to the air about revenge, and after capturing Mu Xiaoxiao and Zhou Zihao, she had perished with them in a frenzy.
"Han Feng!" Liu Mengran's voice pulled him back to reality, and he realized that he was sweating profusely.
"Sorry, I was spacing out just now." He forced a smile.
"You haven't answered my question yet," Liu Mengran persisted, "Why are you so good to me?"
Han Feng didn't know how to answer, so he just took a deep breath and said, "Maybe... it was love at first sight." As soon as he said it, he felt that the words were weak and powerless.
Liu Mengran stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. "Do you think I'd believe that? With your current achievements, you'd fall in love at first sight with a girl you just met?"
Han Feng could only remain silent. He couldn't very well say that he had been reborn, that you gave your life for me in the previous life, and that he would risk his life to protect you in this life, could he?
"My house is just ahead, turn right." Liu Mengran didn't ask any further questions, but Han Feng could sense her disappointment.
The car stopped in front of an ordinary apartment building. Liu Mengran unbuckled her seatbelt and placed her hand on the door handle, but did not get out of the car immediately.
"Whatever the reason," she said softly, "thank you." With that, she pushed open the door and walked towards the apartment entrance without looking back.
Han Feng watched her departing figure, a dull ache rising in his chest. It was an indescribable despair.
His phone rang suddenly, interrupting his thoughts. It was Lin Zhengguo.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com