Teacher Zhao leaned over to watch.
The woman who claimed to be a dancer also moved closer to see.
Jian Zhi didn’t understand why Jiang Shifan would have her wedding video. Her wedding hadn’t been public or grand, and she hadn’t even posted about it on any social media platforms.
But it was indeed her wedding video. Looking back, she realized she had smiled so radiantly during the ceremony. Back then, she had truly loved him and genuinely wanted to spend the rest of her life with him…
It just felt like it had been too long…
So long that she had forgotten she had ever smiled so brightly…
Now, watching it again, she also noticed how utterly desolate Wen Tingyan’s expression had been at the wedding, as if his life had come to an end from that moment on…
Wen Tingyan, why did you have to be like this…
Everyone was staring at Wen Tingyan and Luo Yucheng.
With the video as undeniable evidence, Luo Yucheng had dissolved into tears.
At this moment, Wen Tingyan showed remarkable responsibility, instinctively shielding Luo Yucheng behind him. “Mr. Wu, Teacher Zhao, and all our friends, I’m sorry for making a spectacle of ourselves. This is my fault, my mistake. I don’t dare ask for forgiveness from Mr. Wu and Teacher Zhao. I’ll take my leave now and apologize for ruining the mood of your banquet.”
After speaking, he looked at Jian Zhi with an inexplicable expression.
Jian Zhi only felt a sharp ache in her heart.
So, he did know how to protect someone in public. So, this was how he looked when he was being protective…
Teacher Zhao, being a man of integrity who couldn’t tolerate dishonesty, immediately said, “Mr. Wen, you seem to be mistaken. We’re not familiar with you, so there’s no need to apologize to us. The person you should be apologizing to is your wife.”
Wen Tingyan’s gaze had already been fixed on Jian Zhi.
“Jian Zhi,” he said softly, “let’s go, come home with me.”
Jian Zhi felt so heartbroken she almost laughed. So, was he planning to take two people with him?
She shook her head, “No, I’m here to attend Teacher Zhao’s banquet.”
Then she added, “As his student, Jian Zhi.”
Not as your wife, Wen Tingyan.
Wen Tingyan’s eyes tightened, and he nodded, “Alright.”
Then he turned to Mr. Wu, “Mr. Wu, it’s a pity our cooperation has to end this way. I hope…”
He paused, then chuckled bitterly, “I suppose there’s no hope for future cooperation either. Well… let’s part ways here.”
He took Luo Yucheng’s hand and walked past everyone.
As they neared the door, Luo Yucheng suddenly broke free from his grip and rushed back, bowing deeply before Mr. Wu. “Mr. Wu, please don’t give up on cooperating with A Yan. This is all my fault. I acted on my own because we know how deeply you and Teacher Zhao care for each other and how much you value marital harmony. And Jian Zhi…”
Luo Yucheng glanced at Jian Zhi, “Jian Zhi doesn’t like social events, so I acted impulsively and didn’t explain when you misunderstood me. I wanted to help A Yan, and I wanted to facilitate your cooperation. A Yan is truly exceptional. Working with him would…”
“Cheng Cheng!” Wen Tingyan returned and cut her off, “That’s enough. Let’s go.”
Another “we.” Wen Tingyan would always stand by Luo Yucheng’s side…
Luo Yucheng, however, refused to give up. With red-rimmed eyes, she looked at Wen Tingyan and pleaded, “A Yan, please don’t. It’s all my fault. I don’t want you to be affected because of me…”
“This has nothing to do with you. Let’s go…”
Their overly dramatic performance was so absurd that it left everyone stunned. Teacher Zhao finally snapped out of it and, suppressing his anger, issued an order for them to leave. “If you’re going, then hurry up and go! Stop dawdling!Luo Yucheng’s face instantly flushed crimson, and tears of grievance welled up in her eyes as she was led away by Wen Tingyan.
Teacher Zhao shot a fierce glare at Mr. Wu, as if blaming him for today’s spectacle, then turned to Jian Zhi and asked, “What are your thoughts on this project? We’ll follow your lead!”
“Don’t worry about me, Teacher. You and Mr. Wu’s decision doesn’t need to consider me at all.” Jian Zhi blinked at her teacher. “Teacher, I’m Little Swallow—I can fly.”
Hearing this, Teacher Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s more like it! The only reason we endured that melodramatic performance was out of consideration for you—we didn’t want to break the jade vase while catching the rat. Since you put it that way, I’m reassured.”
The others weren’t familiar with Jian Zhi or Wen Tingyan, so they had hesitated to get involved. But now, with Teacher Zhao’s words, the tension eased.
“Alright, let’s get back to our discussion,” Teacher Zhao said with a smile, beckoning everyone to continue.
Jian Zhi spent a pleasant evening at Teacher Zhao’s place. Everyone was friendly, and they exchanged contact information. Particularly, a fellow dance student was warm and enthusiastic, like a little sun—her name, Yin Jiqing, suited her perfectly.
On her way back, Jiang Shifan accompanied her and insisted on walking her all the way to the entrance of her building.
Standing under the phoenix tree near her home, Jiang Shifan grew somewhat nervous. “Senior.”
“Hmm?” Jian Zhi smiled gently. “Thank you for seeing me home.”
Jiang Shifan lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong. “I’m sorry for exposing your privacy today without your consent. It was very disrespectful.”
But at that moment, he had been truly furious—indignant on his senior’s behalf.
Jian Zhi shook her head. How could this be considered disrespectful? Those who truly disrespect her never even realize they’re doing it…
“It’s nothing. It was bound to happen sooner or later.” Separating from Wen Tingyan was inevitable. If he hadn’t persistently refused, they would have divorced long ago.
Only then did a spark reignite in Jiang Shifan’s eyes. “Senior, Little Swallow, I believe you will soar high—even if your wings have been broken!”
During her university days, her nickname was Little Swallow because all her aerial flips and leaps were exceptionally high and graceful.
Hearing “Little Swallow” repeated throughout the night stirred her blood, as if she had returned to those years of sweating daily in the practice room.
“Senior…” After saying goodbye, Jiang Shifan suddenly turned back. “There’s no shame in having a foot injury or scars on your legs. The shame lies with those who mock you—they are the ugly ones! Kind people will only cheer for you! Goodbye, Senior!”
With that, Jiang Shifan turned and ran, his arm waving under the moonlight as if proving his words: kind people are cheering for you…
Jian Zhi stood still for a long time, gazing in the direction he had disappeared, unable to calm her emotions.
This was the first time someone had told her: her imperfections were not shameful—those who mocked her were the ones to be ashamed…
Because she had never shared the pain of being ridiculed with anyone else—not even her dearest Grandma. She was afraid of upsetting her…
But how did Jiang Shifan know?
“The person has already left. Still reluctant to go back?” A voice sounded from the darkness.
She turned around to see Wen Tingyan emerging from the shadows.
“No wonder you kept bringing up divorce with me again and again.” Under the streetlight, Wen Tingyan no longer maintained the elegant demeanor he had shown earlier in the banquet hall, his face now clearly showing exhaustion.
“You’ve misunderstood.” She had only just met Jiang Shifan.
“Were the flowers at home sent by him?” Wen Tingyan seemed to ignore her explanation entirely.