Solitary Toss of Tenderness

Are you and Lian Xuan old acquaintances?

If, many years later, you meet again the person you secretly loved years ago, what expression would you have, and how would you behave?

Would you smile and exchange greetings with her, or pretend to be a stranger you’ve never met?

The person you loved deeply in your heart years ago has become a sharp needle buried in the depths of your soul over the years. When you least expect it, it will always sting you fiercely. How much preparation do you need to face this meeting with calmness?

Luzi Zheng’s experience revealed the answer.

No matter how much preparation you make, all your defenses will still collapse in an instant when you meet again.

She remembered that she had just smiled and reached out her hand, saying, “Ms. Lian, please take care of me in the future.” A flawless smile, polite and courteous, seemed impeccable.

However, Lian Xuan didn’t extend her hand for a handshake. Instead, she opened her arms and gently embraced her, warmly and naturally saying, “Zizheng, we’ve been classmates for many years. Although we haven’t seen each other in a long time, there’s no need for such formality, right?”

Luzi Zheng fiercely pressed her thumbnail against the pad of her index finger, barely managing to control herself from pushing Lian Xuan away and fleeing. She took a deep breath, feigning composure, acknowledging Lian Xuan’s words with a passing smile.

Just like many years ago, till this day, she still couldn’t see through Lian Xuan.

She had never been able to see through Lian Xuan’s smile, unsure of how much sincerity it held and how much was mere pretense.

Temporarily reassigned to be Lian Xuan’s personal translator at Fengshang, she had already anticipated that her immediate superior would be Lian Xuan. However, to her surprise, she had overestimated herself. At the moment she saw Lian Xuan, she realized with a jolt that her composure had crumbled.

With her neatly tied up black hair, exquisite makeup, and sweet polite smile, Lian Xuan couldn’t conceal the faint sense of distance in her eyes. Eight years later, Lian Xuan still radiated beauty, elegance, and captivated everyone’s attention. But through the facade, Luzi Zheng saw the Lian Xuan who wore a white school uniform, tied her hair in a ponytail, and waved goodbye to her.

She was no longer the naive high school student who pursed her lips and endured silence, and Lian Xuan was no longer the pretty girl who smiled and treated others with gentleness. She bitterly smiled, realizing that time was a passage, while emotions were something that couldn’t be overcome.

Sitting in the temporary office arranged by Lian Xuan, Luzi Zheng couldn’t focus all afternoon. Her temples throbbed, and her thoughts were scattered.

Finally, as the end of the workday arrived, Luzi Zheng rubbed her temples, tidied up her desk, and walked out of the office with a sense of relief, carrying her bag.

During the rush hour of leaving work, the elevator was packed with people. She barely squeezed in, holding her breath and tightening her stomach, standing upright. However, the physical discomfort she experienced was clearly overshadowed by the pain in her mind. Standing by the elevator door, lost in thought, she contemplated whether she should resign early if she wasn’t as carefree as she had initially imagined and wait for another employer at the company.

Just as she reached the ground floor, still lost in her thoughts, the crowd behind her pushed her out of the elevator. She stumbled and almost fell.

Suddenly, a slender white hand reached out and grabbed her arm, a gentle voice asking, “Are you okay?”

Luzi Zheng lifted her head and saw Lian Xuan’s beautiful face looking directly at her, a gentle smile filled with concern.

Luzi Zheng quickly straightened her body, breaking free from Lian Xuan’s grip, and said, “I’m fine, thank you, Ms. Lian.”

The two of them walked side by side, neither too close nor too far apart. Lian Xuan glanced at Luzi Zheng and smiled, saying, “Why are you always so distant and polite? I can overlook it during work hours, but during our free time, you can at least call me by my name.”

Luzi Zheng glanced at her, gave a faint smile, and remained silent, continuing to walk towards the exit.

Why is it that she can pretend as if nothing happened, while she, after all these years, still couldn’t forget, becoming a lingering dream?

Luzi Zheng, perhaps your understanding is too shallow.

As they reached the doorway, Luzi Zheng was about to bid farewell to Lian Xuan, but Lian Xuan preemptively extended an invitation, saying, “Zizheng, why don’t we have dinner together tonight? Firstly, it’s to welcome you to the company and help you settle in, and secondly, it’s to celebrate our reunion after such a long time. I wonder if Zizheng would honor me with your presence?” She spoke with the same politeness, thoughtfulness, and meticulousness as years ago. Back then, Luzi Zheng adored her considerate and caring nature, but now, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of hypocrisy and formality.

Just as she was about to refuse, her phone suddenly rang, displaying the name “Huaixi” on the screen. She took out her phone and answered it with a slightly apologetic smile. Jiang Huaixi’s usually cold voice came through from the other end of the phone: “I’m downstairs at your company. Let’s go together to visit Auntie. She misses you.”

Luzi Zheng had no reason to refuse and replied with a “Okay” before hanging up the phone. Then, she smiled at Lian Xuan and said, “Ms. Lian, I’m sorry. My friend has come to pick me up from work. I have something to attend to tonight, so…”

Lian Xuan put on an understanding expression and smiled, saying, “Is it your girlfriend? Hehe, it’s fine. We can reschedule.”

Luzi Zheng didn’t deny it and simply said goodbye with a smile, turning around and leaving.

Just saying a few more words to Lian Xuan made her feel agitated. She had to gather herself and put on a carefree smile, pretending as if nothing was wrong. All she wanted was to quickly step away and remove that forced smile from her face.

She quickly spotted Jiang Huaixi’s familiar black Porsche and reached out to open the door, sinking into the passenger seat like a deflated balloon, slumping against it.

Jiang Huaixi frowned slightly and glanced at her, saying, “Even if you have full confidence in my driving skills, don’t hinder me from being a law-abiding citizen. Put on your seatbelt.”

Luzi Zheng rested her head against the back of the seat, closing her eyes without any response.

Jiang Huaixi huffed lightly and complained, “It seems like you’re becoming more and more reckless and unruly in my car.” Nevertheless, she leaned over, her movements gentle, and fastened her seatbelt.

Her hair brushed lightly against Luzi Zheng’s face, carrying the faint fragrance that Jiang Huaixi always had. She slightly opened her eyes, gazing at the lowered furry head in front of her. In an instant, she had the urge to reach out and hold it, but she restrained herself and closed her eyes once again.

After fastening the seatbelt, Jiang Huaixi started the car and smoothly hit the road.

During the journey, Jiang Huaixi casually asked, “Are you acquainted with Lian Xuan?” Her gaze didn’t even turn towards Luzi Zheng, as if she were asking, “Do you think the cakes from a certain bakery are delicious?” It seemed like a casual remark.

Luzi Zheng turned her face towards the window and exhaled against the glass, laughing at herself. She replied, “Does it count if I once had an unrequited love for her and got rejected?”

The car suddenly accelerated, but it was only for a moment before returning to its usual smooth pace. Jiang Huaixi, in her customary calm and sarcastic tone, said, “I thought, with your high standards, there hasn’t been anyone worthy of your attention in this world yet. But well, it’s good this way. At least it allows you to calmly reflect on yourself, to realize that your abilities currently don’t match your expectations. Take some time to improve and refine yourself.”

Luzi Zheng glanced coldly at Jiang Huaixi and retorted, “Can you speak like a normal person?”

Jiang Huaixi laughed, “Isn’t what I said difficult to understand? How come you can understand it?”

Luzi Zheng didn’t want to bother with her for the time being.

While driving, Jiang Huaixi suddenly pulled over to the side for a moment, leaving Luzi Zheng puzzled. Just as she was about to nervously ask what was wrong, Jiang Huaixi started the car and continued driving. She said while driving, “It seems like my contact lens shifted, but when I stopped, it felt fine again.”

Luzi Zheng was skeptical, “Since when did you become nearsighted?!”

Jiang Huaixi coldly snorted, “Since when have you ever cared about my affairs?” She casually rolled down the car window, furrowing her brows slightly and pursing her lips, giving an air of seriousness.

Lu Zizheng sighed, not wanting to argue with her.

Sometimes, when she looked at Jiang Huaixi’s beautiful and familiar profile, she would feel a moment of daze.

Isn’t it strange how life’s encounters can be? The person you once loved passionately becomes a stranger one day, while the person you once despised and loathed becomes an indispensable part of your life.

Clearly, Lian Xuan belongs to the former category, while Jiang Huaixi belongs to the latter.