Just after Lin Chen left, Chen Ya happened to run into Zhang Zidong and his wife in the parking lot. As she got out of her car, she stared at the Audi with a Nanfeng City license plate that had just driven away and murmured to herself, “That silhouette looked like him.”
“Chen Ya, what are you staring at?” Zhang Zidong and Li Ziyan walked over hand in hand, their cheerful expressions and easy intimacy making them look enviably happy. Chen Ya could have lived like that too. For a fleeting moment, Lin Chen’s image surfaced in her mind, and she couldn’t help wondering what he was doing right now.
But it lasted only an instant. Chen Ya smiled at them and said, “Seeing how happy you two are makes me happy for you.”
“Come on, let’s head upstairs together,” Zhang Zidong said.
They had assumed Chen Ya came alone, but she smiled and replied, “You go ahead. I just arrived, and a friend will be here shortly to drop off some fruit for me.”
Hearing that, Li Ziyan and Zhang Zidong exchanged a glance. They didn’t say anything more, only sharing a knowing smile before heading off.
The pedestrian street in Nanfeng City was completely commercialized. Besides the maze of shopping malls, there were also countless distinctive old alleys lined with stalls selling small trinkets and snacks. Even so, Bai Mengyan reacted as if everything were new to her, brimming with excitement. The two of them wandered through streets and alleys, laughing and enjoying themselves. For the first time since his divorce, Lin Chen felt a long-lost sense of ease and genuine happiness.
Shopping was meant to be relaxing and joyful. Bai Mengyan’s angelic face drew envious glances from passersby. Meanwhile, Lin Chen followed behind her, carrying bag after bag. Seeing that it was almost 11:00, he remembered it was time to meet his cousins at Fumantang for lunch. Yet he suddenly didn’t know how to bring it up.
He stood there, staring at the endless flow of people, lost in thought… until a pair of slender hands waved in front of his eyes. Bai Mengyan’s slightly puffed-up face snapped him back to reality. She asked with a hint of dissatisfaction, “Uncle, are you unhappy shopping with me?”
Lin Chen shook his head gently and said in a soft voice, “No, not at all. It’s just… it’s time for lunch now. My cousin invited a few of us to gather at Fumantang at noon. I was thinking…”
“Oh, you want to invite me along, don’t you?” Bai Mengyan tilted her head, already guessing his hesitation.
“Yes. Would you like to come?” Lin Chen asked.
“Why wouldn’t I? Free food and drinks, and it saves you money. Why not?” Bai Mengyan smiled sincerely. That expression gave Lin Chen a strange sense of familiarity. Back when they had just graduated, Chen Ya had also supported him unconditionally, never refusing anything he asked.
Bai Mengyan stepped forward, lightly tugging at his sleeve, and said happily, “My dear Mr. Lin, stop worrying. Where’s the place? Let’s go quickly. I’m hungry.”
“Uncle, life is meant to be lived happily. Don’t let temporary attachments become a lifelong burden. When I saw your ex-wife this morning, I don’t think she looked any happier than you. When someone is stuck in sadness, it easily affects the people around them. Since you’ve already chosen to part ways, why not give each other a way out and think about the future with a lighter heart?”
Her words in the car lingered in Lin Chen’s mind. They sounded so free and easy… yet when one truly became the person in pain, letting go, even for a moment, was far from simple.
Stubbornness and pride, in front of someone you love, often only lead to hurting each other. If you can’t open your heart to your partner, then you shouldn’t force all your pain onto them. Letting that cycle repeat day after day would only deepen the wounds.
Soon, they arrived at Fumantang Hotel. The moment Lin Chen pushed open the private room door, all his cousins widened their eyes, staring at Bai Mengyan beside him. Before he arrived, they had been speculating whether his friend was a man or a woman. Now, seeing someone as beautiful as an immortal standing before them, everyone was visibly stunned.
“Hey, why are you just standing there? Xiao Chen, bring your friend in and sit,” Lin Fei said, standing up to greet them. Everyone wore bright smiles as they looked at the two.
Bai Mengyan greeted everyone generously, showing no trace of shyness. After they sat down, Lin Chen introduced her first, “This is my friend from Nanfeng City, Bai Mengyan.”
“Hello, everyone,” Bai Mengyan said with a warm smile.
Lin Chen then introduced the rest one by one… his eldest cousin Lin Fei, her husband Wang Yu, and their daughter Wang Yutong, who had just entered middle school. His cousin Lin Wei and his wife Mu Bai, who had a son in primary school. His cousin Li Jing from his aunt’s side, whose husband Wu Qin worked in the judicial system in Xichuan City. And the youngest cousin, Lin Fei, the main character of today’s engagement banquet, along with his girlfriend Cai Qing.
“Wow, your family is really thriving. It’s honestly enviable,” Bai Mengyan said with genuine admiration.
Everyone’s first impression of her was clear… beautiful, approachable, and easygoing.
“Bai Mengyan…” Lin Fei was about to ask something when Bai Mengyan smiled and said openly, “Just call me Mengyan.”
“Alright, Mengyan. How old are you?”
“And what do you do for work?” Lin Fei and Li Jing asked curiously. They were clearly interested in this young woman Lin Chen had brought back, wondering if there was more between them than just friendship. Follow the newest chapters on novelping(.)com.
Lin Chen immediately felt awkward and tried to defuse the situation, “Are you interrogating her or something? So many questions all at once.”
But Bai Mengyan didn’t mind at all. She answered generously, “I’m 24 this year, and I currently work for an airline.”
“Wow, a flight attendant. No wonder you’re so beautiful.”
“That’s right. Your job must be so interesting, flying everywhere and experiencing all kinds of things,” Lin Fei, Li Jing, and Mu Bai chimed in eagerly.
Bai Mengyan answered each question patiently. Soon, the women seemed to form their own lively circle, chatting about everyday stories over the meal. Lin Chen could tell she wasn’t being polite out of obligation… she was genuinely trying to connect with them. From time to time, she burst into laughter. Her sense of humor seemed delightfully simple. Whenever Lin Fei talked about Lin Chen’s childhood stories, she laughed heartily, her eyes lighting up as she glanced at him. None of these small details escaped Lin Fei’s notice.
Before they realized it, the meal had lasted three hours. As they were leaving and heading to get their cars, Lin Fei quietly pulled Lin Chen aside and said, “Xiao Chen, that girlfriend of yours is quite nice. Easy to get along with, cheerful, and talkative. If you get the chance, you should consider developing things further. I think she’s quite interested in you too.”
Lin Chen was taken aback and quickly explained, “Sis, we just met not long ago. We’re just friends… neighbors, really. It’s not as complicated as you think.”
Lin Fei smiled knowingly and said in a low voice, “When we were talking about your past, the way she secretly looked at you… that’s not how a normal friend looks. Your sister here has experience. I won’t be wrong.”
“Come on, sis, we’re really just ordinary friends. Besides, I’m a divorced man. She’s young, beautiful, and has a great job. Why would she like someone like me?”
“Heh, trust your sister’s judgment. I can see what she feels for you, at least to some extent. When we talked about you, her interest was completely different from when she talked about other things. I’m just saying… you could try getting to know her better.”
Lin Chen lowered his head, his voice subdued, “Sis, I really don’t have the mindset to start a new relationship right now.”
Lin Fei spoke meaningfully, “I can tell you’ve been down because of the divorce. But Chen Ya is no longer with you. Your parents still hope you can find a new home, maybe give them a grandchild someday. You’re not that young anymore… it’s time to think about these things. Before, your relationship with Chen Ya held you back. Now that you’ve separated, why not take this chance to find someone more suitable? Instead of loving someone who doesn’t love you, it’s better to be with someone who loves you more. Divorce isn’t something to fear. You don’t even have children. You’re still a capable young man. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Her words struck Lin Chen deeply. Even after getting back into the car, he barely spoke to Bai Mengyan.
She was right… rather than loving someone who didn’t love him, it was better to be with someone who cared for him more.
But at this moment, Lin Chen still didn’t know what he truly wanted.