"Miss Jiang, your cooking is really good! I heard you have your own studio, where is it?"
"Ms. Jiang, are you free recently? My daughter is going to Germany to participate in a prestigious piano competition. Could you please have a custom-made evening gown made for her?"
"Ms. Jiang, are you interested in collaborating? I'd like to become an agent for your clothing brand. When would be a convenient time to discuss this further?"
I was surrounded by this group of wealthy ladies and young women, all vying for my attention, almost overwhelming me.
Unexpectedly, Su Shenglin's casual remark that day actually came true.
At Mrs. Su's birthday banquet, I gained a bunch of VIP clients, and once again ushered in a high point in my career.
After I calmed down the women and finally caught my breath, I saw Li Qinglan and her daughter standing on the outside.
Gu Yutian glared at me angrily with a long face and pouting lips. I don't know how long she glared at me.
Looking at my expression, Li Qinglan was also indescribable, as if she was regretting, jealous, and still unconvinced.
I slowly straightened my back, smiled slightly at them, and turned to leave.
After the banquet ended, I said goodbye to Mrs. Su, and Su Shenglin personally escorted me to the door, where the driver was waiting by the door of the Hongqi L5.
I turned around and said, "Alright, you've had a busy day, don't be shy, go back now."
Su Shenglin looked at me, his eyes sparkling, and said gentlemanly, "We had many guests tonight, so we didn't entertain you well. We'll invite you to dinner another day."
I quickly shook my head: "Don't be so polite. You've treated me very well tonight. Xixi stayed with me all night too—and I also gained a bunch of clients. Thank you."
I waved my phone to show the new WeChat friends I had added that evening.
Su Shenglin smiled and said, "It's because you're capable that they're willing to trust you."
"No, it was Mrs. Su who recommended it to me."
We exchanged pleasantries back and forth, but Su Shenglin finally couldn't take it anymore and said bluntly, "We've been through thick and thin together, there's no need to be so formal and polite, is there?"
"Hahaha..." I laughed, realizing how awkward the previous politeness had been, and readily changed my tune, "Okay, I won't stand on ceremony with you anymore. It's getting late, I'll be going now. You must have a lot of things to do, so go back quickly."
I waved my hand, turned around and got into the car.
The driver rolled down the window, and I continued waving to him.
Su Shenglin stood there, watching me until the car disappeared from sight after it went down the mountain road.
I turned around, rolled up the car window, and let out a long, thorough sigh of relief.
But the thought of Su Shenglin made her feelings complicated again.
I always thought that his and the Su family's kindness to me had another meaning.
Especially when he's with me, he's incredibly attentive and considerate, even better than the ideal boyfriend.
In retrospect, they were simply repaying a debt of gratitude; a small act of kindness deserves a great return.
Moreover, in Su Shenglin's words, it was a life-saving grace twice.
Therefore, I misunderstood.
However, I already had different feelings for Su Shenglin: I had feelings of goodwill, admiration, and respect.
I know what will happen if I let this feeling develop, but reality simply won't allow it to have any outcome.
Therefore, I need to be more restrained.
Let's just treat each other as ordinary friends.
————
The news that I had been invited to Mrs. Su's birthday banquet quickly spread.
Even my aunt came to gossip, asking what was going on with the Su family, and whether Madam Su or Su Shenglin had taken a liking to me.
I was both amused and exasperated, and I explained the whole story to my aunt.
When Grandma found out, she was also very surprised: "This happened more than ten years ago, and they still remember it?"
I asked curiously, "Grandma, did you know that the person who came to thank us was the old master of the Su family? After he retired, he lived in Yushan."
Grandma exclaimed in surprise, "How would I know! I could tell he was a lieutenant general just by looking at his rank."
"Later he became a general."
My aunt exclaimed in amazement, "How illustrious! Alas... I can't possibly be worthy of your name!"
"Auntie, what are you thinking? They're just repaying a debt of gratitude, it's not what you're thinking," I clarified with a smile, while reminding myself again in my heart.
"Oh, we're just having a chat among family members, we haven't told any outsiders."
Grandma said, "If Xiaowan hadn't had that relationship with the Gu family, it wouldn't be impossible for her to rely on this life-saving grace. It's just a pity... The matter with the Gu family caused too much trouble, and they're still not divorced..."
Mentioning this matter immediately cast a shadow over my heart.
With about ten days left before the court hearing, I need to talk to my lawyer again to see if there's any way to get the court to grant the divorce directly without having to wait for a second lawsuit.
To my surprise, before I could even schedule an appointment with my lawyer, I received a call from Gu Yanqing.
But it wasn't about divorce.
"Jiang Yi is gone. Come to the hospital to see her off one last time." His tone was extremely somber and indifferent.
I was taken aback, somewhat surprised, yet it was also within my expectations.
Since death is a serious matter, I hung up the phone and drove to the hospital.
From afar, Tang Xiue's heart-wrenching wails could be heard in the hospital corridor; it was a truly distressing sound.
I didn't go in; I figured I'd just stand outside.
Suddenly the ward door opened, and Gu Yanqing walked out.
Our eyes met, and I could see that his eyes were red, clearly he had been crying too.
"They're here..." he greeted softly.
I nodded and pointed inside: "The person... hasn't been sent away yet?"
"Aunt Tang wouldn't allow it; she's been crying for half an hour while holding the body." Gu Yanqing was very depressed; it was clear that he had genuine feelings for Jiang Yi.
But I don't care about any of that anymore.
"I've already shown my sincerity, so I won't go in. I don't want them to feel even worse if they see me."
I was thinking about how Gu Yanqing and Tang Xiue came to my place a couple of days ago, asking me to come to the hospital to donate blood to Jiang Yi. I didn't agree—given Tang Xiue's personality, she'll definitely blame me for her daughter's death now, thinking I was heartless and cold-blooded for not saving her.
Therefore, there is no need to meet and cause further conflict.
But as I turned to leave, Gu Yanqing stopped me again, "Jiang Wan."
I looked at him.
“Jiang Yi is dead… There are no obstacles between us. My attitude remains the same: I will not divorce you… Let’s live a good life together. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” Gu Yanqing looked up at me and said these words slowly and deeply.
I stared at him in utter disbelief, my eyes wide with shock.
If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, I would have burst out laughing and called him a "foolish dreamer!"
"You specifically sent me to the hospital, pretending to say goodbye to Jiang Yi, but really just to disgust me, right?" I realized what was going on and called it out directly.
“Xiao Wan, I don’t love Jiang Yi at all. I just treat her like a younger sister and want to fulfill her wish before she dies. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Even if it makes you angry, I still don’t regret my choice.”
Gu Yanqing looked at me and spoke in a righteous and grand manner.
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