"Tingting, what on earth is wrong?"
After paying the bill at the front desk of Lameloise, Cheng Yue immediately chased after her. He finally caught Gu Wanting in the elevator, grabbing her arm with concern.
"Are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"
"No, that’s not necessary."
Gu Wanting shook her head, her face etched with exhaustion.
"You should head back. I’ll take the subway home by myself."
Huh?
Gu Wanting’s words really threw Cheng Yue for a loop, and panic set in.
’He’d already booked a room at the nearby Shangri-La Hotel!’
Cheng Yue’s original plan was to impress Gu Wanting with this expensive dinner and then seal the deal!
But who would have guessed that she’d suddenly get emotional and want to go home!
Cheng Yue was racking his brain, trying to find a reason to make Gu Wanting stay, but he couldn’t just say it outright. All he could do was fret helplessly.
"How about we go for a walk along the Bund to clear your head?"
"I want to go home and rest."
Gu Wanting insisted quietly, pulling her arm free from Cheng Yue’s grasp. She left Central Mansion without a backward glance, her dejected figure moving like a zombie.
She entered the subway station and boarded a train, but couldn’t find a seat, so she had to stand, holding onto a hand ring.
Not far from her, a couple was embracing affectionately.
"Baby, I’m sorry you have to take the subway home from work again. How about we buy a car?"
"Oh, why would we buy a car! The traffic during rush hour is even worse than the crowds on the subway. No, we’re not buying one."
"..."
The familiar conversation drifted into her ears, sending Gu Wanting into a daze.
It felt like just yesterday that she and Lin Shen were like that.
Whenever they couldn’t find a seat on the subway, Gu Wanting would wrap her arms around Lin Shen’s waist, and he would gently hold her in his embrace.
The only difference was that their roles in the conversation were reversed.
Back then, she was the one clamoring to buy a car, and Lin Shen would always pat her head dotingly and swear he’d buy one as soon as he saved up enough money.
Unfortunately, three years had passed, and that wish never came true.
Gu Wanting used to think that making such empty promises to a girl was shameful.
But thinking back on it now, she found herself missing it terribly.
She missed those carefree days when Lin Shen doted on her, holding her in the palm of his hand and taking care of her every need.
Gu Wanting lifted a corner of the veil on these long-buried memories, and they washed over her like a tide, flooding her heart.
Tears welled up in her reddened eyes and finally, unable to hold them back, streamed down her cheeks.
’It was so wonderful at the beginning!’
’Why did it all turn out so horribly in the end?’
’Was I the one who was wrong?’
Gu Wanting’s thoughts were in turmoil when a tissue suddenly appeared before her tear-blurred eyes.
"Don’t cry."
The man from the couple earlier offered her the tissue, while the woman comforted her in a gentle voice.
"I don’t know what’s happened to you, but you’re so beautiful, there’s no need to cry. You’re more amazing than a lot of people. Keep your head up!"
"Thank you."
Gu Wanting sobbed as she wiped her tears with the tissue, a small smile breaking through.
"You two are really happy. I’m so envious."
*
*
"So, how was it?"
Downstairs at Central Mansion.
Lin Shen stretched and asked Jiang Wan what she thought of dinner, receiving a nod of approval.
"It was excellent. The variety of French dishes was truly flavorful and exquisite. Thank you for treating me, Lin Shen."
"I’m glad you liked it, Senior."
Seeing Lin Shen’s casual and carefree demeanor, Jiang Wan felt an urge to say something, but she held back, the impulse dissolving into a smile at the corners of her lips.
"Well, I’ll see you another time, then. Once you buy a camera, I’d be happy to model for you for free."