The afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds, scattering mottled shadows across the desk.
Inside Xingtu Advertising Company, Su Wanning tapped lightly at her keyboard, yet her mind was far from her work. Her eyes kept drifting toward the phone lying beside her. Ever since she had sent that message to Gu Jingchen, she had been unable to settle down, her thoughts restless and unanchored.
She found herself thinking back to high school—back to Gu Jingchen, the senior who always wore a crisp white shirt. He had been the student council president, brilliant in his studies, striking in appearance, the kind of person countless girls admired from afar. In comparison, she had been nothing special, just an ordinary junior, except for the fact that they shared the same literature club.
She still remembered the first time he noticed her. She had been reading aloud a poem she had written when he happened to hear it. He had walked up to her, eyes bright with genuine interest, and said, “Su Wanning, your poetry is really good.”
That single sentence had been enough to make her happy for an entire week.
After that, he would often find her to discuss literature. Sometimes, he even walked her home. In those tender, inexperienced days, she had always believed he liked her. Just when she had finally gathered the courage to confess, however, he suddenly transferred schools, leaving without so much as a goodbye.
Over the years, she would still think of him from time to time—especially during arguments with Fu Sinian, or when she felt he was too distant, too indifferent to her feelings.
Her phone suddenly vibrated. The name “Gu Jingchen” flashed across the screen.
Her heart jolted violently. Almost without thinking, she answered.
“Wanning,” his voice came through the receiver, warm and gentle, as if it could melt into her ears. “Long time no see. I’ve come back to the Capital City to develop my career.”
Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the phone, trembling ever so slightly. “Really? When did you return?”
“I got back last week,” he replied casually. “I’m meeting a client near your company today. Would I have the honor of inviting you to dinner? We can catch up.”
His tone was measured, perfectly balanced—just enough longing to stir emotions, yet not so forward as to seem impatient. Her heartbeat quickened.
She suddenly remembered Fu Sinian’s expression that morning—cold, distant, almost devoid of warmth. Then Lin Yuwei’s words echoed in her mind, about him having dinner with Su Qingyuan. These past few days, he had been consumed by work, so busy that he didn’t even have time to share a simple meal with her. And yet, he somehow had time to dine with another woman?
“No, it’s not inconvenient,” she replied almost immediately. “Where should we meet?”
He gave her the name of a newly opened French restaurant, elegant and expensive. The time he suggested happened to be right after her work hours.
After hanging up, Su Wanning remained seated at her desk, her emotions refusing to settle. She knew she shouldn’t have agreed. After all, she was already married. Yet deep inside, a quiet voice whispered that it was just a meal, just a chance to catch up—nothing more.
When the end-of-day bell rang, her colleagues gradually left. She lingered until the office was completely empty before finally taking out her makeup bag and heading to the restroom.
The woman in the mirror looked slightly worn. These past few days, weighed down by her thoughts, she had lost some weight. The dark circles beneath her eyes were hard to conceal, even with concealer. She carefully reapplied her makeup, then took out the lipstick Fu Sinian had given her. It was a limited edition, something he had gone out of his way to have brought back from abroad. He had smiled when he gave it to her and said, “This shade suits you best.”
Now, thinking back, she wondered if he had bought the same lipstick for someone else.
The thought pierced her heart like a needle.
She shook her head, trying to push it away, then took out a brand-new dress from her bag. She had bought it a few days ago simply because she liked it. Now, it finally had a purpose.
After changing, she turned in front of the mirror. The hem of the dress swayed lightly, outlining her slender waist. It had been a long time since she had dressed up so carefully. After marrying Fu Sinian, she had grown accustomed to comfortable, casual homewear, rarely wearing anything this refined anymore.
Looking at her refreshed reflection, she suddenly felt that perhaps she deserved more attention… more appreciation.
Stepping out of the company building, the evening breeze brushed against her face, carrying a hint of early autumn chill. She took out her phone and opened her chat with Fu Sinian. The last message he had sent was two days ago: “Working late tonight. Not coming home for dinner.”
She hesitated, then typed: “Department dinner tonight. I’ll be back late.”
After sending the message, she immediately set her phone to silent and slipped it into her bag, as if that could somehow block out the guilt rising within her.
Standing by the roadside waiting for a car, she watched the endless stream of traffic. Suddenly, a memory surfaced—three years ago, shortly after she and Fu Sinian had married. He had canceled an important engagement just to celebrate her birthday with her. That night, he had stood by the roadside just like this, holding a large bouquet of red roses. When he saw her, his eyes had lit up like stars. The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
“Wanning.”
A familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice broke through her thoughts.
She turned and saw Gu Jingchen standing not far away, holding a bouquet of pale pink baby’s breath.
He wore a well-fitted suit, more mature and composed than in their school days. The gentle smile at the corner of his lips remained the same, warm and comforting. He stepped forward and handed her the flowers. “For you. I remember you like baby’s breath the most.”
Su Wanning accepted the bouquet, her heart fluttering. She hadn’t expected him to remember something so small.
“Thank you,” she said softly, lowering her head to inhale the faint fragrance.
“You haven’t changed at all. You’re still as beautiful as ever,” Gu Jingchen said, his gaze lingering on her face, admiration undisguised.
Her cheeks warmed slightly. It had been a long time since she had heard such words. Fu Sinian had always been busy—too busy to spare even a lingering glance at her.
“Let’s go,” Gu Jingchen said naturally, placing a light guiding hand near her back as he led her toward the car parked by the roadside.
The gesture was both gentlemanly and intimate. She did not refuse.
Seated inside the car, she watched the cityscape blur past the window, a faint sense of unreality washing over her.
She was deceiving her husband… going out to dinner with another man.
If Fu Sinian were to find out…
She didn’t dare think further. She could only tell herself—it was just a meal. Nothing would happen.
And yet, deep down, she knew with unsettling clarity… that once certain things began, there was no turning back.